Back cover blurb: 

Before becoming a Christian, Mark Ryker ran with a bad crowd and broke hearts. Including his father’s. Now a successful businessman, Mark has come home to Corinthia, Georgia, to make amends. But no one  will forgive him. So when the widowed mother of four renting his dad’s run-down house needs help fixing up the place, Mark gets to work. Pretty Hannah Hughes and her sweet kids have him longing to be part of the clan, but Hannah isn’t ready to let go of the past. Still, they are  working together on a house full of hope—and that’s all Mark needs.

Missy, this sounds like a great book could you tell us where the story idea came from?

Sometimes I’m inspired by news stories or snippets of conversation I overhear. For this story, though, I had a “what if?” idea. I wondered…What if a high school bad boy who ruined his high school girlfriend’s reputation returned to town and fell for the old girlfriend’s sister? Then ideas blossomed from there!

Is this book part of a series?

It takes place in the same town and with some familiar characters from A Family for Faith. I also have a third story idea for another book that I’m hoping Love Inspired will buy. I call the three books my Faith, Hope and Love series.

Thanks so much for stopping by and giving us a quick peek at your new book.

You can visit Missy at www.missytippens.com

www.lifewithmissy.blogspot.com

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

On Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/426209.Missy_Tippens

On Twitter: @MissyTippens

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers

Why I decided to go digital with my OOP “Northern Intrigue” series

OOP means Out of Print. That means a publisher is not going to print any new copies of a book. When an author signs a contract with a publisher, the author only licenses the publisher to produce the book for a set period of years. When Tyndale House Publishers gave me back the rights to the books in this series and it went OOP, I didn’t think too much about this–until Kindle and then the Nook took off.

Then last year, I thought why not format these books digitally and then self-publish them? At first I thought I would just learn how to format the books for the Kindle and Nook and that’s all I’d have to do to them. However, in the intervening years since this series debuted, I wrote over thirty more books. When I looked over the pages of the original books, I realized that I like how I write now better.  PLUS technology (ie cell phones, etc) has changed so much that these books needed sprucing up. Besides when an author writes a story, it feels like her child. And I want my children to look their best as I send them out into the world.

So I worked my way through each book, revising and updating. Time-consuming, challenging, but very satisfying work.  So here are my babies–all spruced up and ready for readers!

I’ve priced Winter’s Secret at only 2.99 and the upcoming Autumn’s Shadow  and Summer’s End will be for a limited time only available for free and then at 2.99 also. If you don’t have an ereader, you can go to the page of the book you want on Amazon and download free software and read the books on your computer. Or you can join the digital wave and buy a Kindle or Nook or Ipad. Your choice. ~~Lyn Cote

http://booksbylyncote.com/SWBS/books/love-inspired-suspense

I’m working on my next story which is the third story in my new Mule Hollow Homecoming series about the 3 Holden brothers Luke, Jess and Colt. The first book is below in the prior blog post. In this story Her Homecoming Cowboy, (Aug 2012) I’m dealing with a backdrop of Texas like it has been this summer, with the drought and the fires. And I’m dealing with a cute little boy six year old named Leo. As I write about Leo and his Aunt Annie (who he calls Annie Aunt because as a little fella he just couldn’t get it straight which word went first) anyway, as I write about Leo and Annie and her fierce, protective love for her little nephew–I feel that all the way through my soul for my little granddaughter. So yes I’m working I’m writing words for the story each morning and doing research all day long playing with Taycie. Gosh, I never knew research could be so fun!

I’m also checking out new ideas as my webmistress Kim Davis of Sublime Design creates a new website layout for me! I love my old site so much but its time for a new look and some new content. We are aiming for easier ways for me to do some updating myself so that I can be more in touch through the site! I’m looking forward to it all and it should be ready soon.

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you have a great day today!
Until next time, live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts
Debbie

Watch for the next two books in this new Mule Hollow Homecomng Trilogy following the 3 Holden brothers, Luke, Jess and Colt.

Happy reading and until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts!
Debra Clopton

~ Finding Her Way to Love ~

Everything accountant Montana Brown thought she knew about love and marriage goes topsy-turvy when her parents split up. Shaken, she heads to Mule Hollow, Texas, to stay with family and take a chance on an old dream: being a cowgirl. With all her might she tries to resist the charms of a too-handsome cowboy.

Luke Holden is going after his own dream of expanding his ranch. A wife isn’t on his wish list. But the Mule Hollow matchmakers are fixin’ to lasso Luke and Montana together – with a little faith and love.

Excerpt from: Her Rodeo Cowboy, Copyright 2011 by Debra Clopton, Published by Love Inspired/Harlequin, September 2011, ISBN: 9780373876914.

Mule Hollow Homecoming:These Texas Folk discover you can go home again!

Widowed mother Olivia Dancer arrives in Mule Hollow, Texas, to check on her nephew—and his single father. But gorgeous rancher Gabe McKennon isn’t exactly welcoming, for reasons that break and touch Olivia’s heart. Until they’re both won over by the town matchmakers and a little boy who just wants a mama.

~ A Dry Creek Family by Janet Tronstad ~

Maegan Shay is on a mission—to meet her long-lost niece, Lilly, in Dry Creek, Montana. When Maegan discovers she and Lilly share a special trait, the two grow close. Now the girl’s handsome guardian, Clint Parker, fears he can’t be what Lilly needs. Unless Maegan can show him what faith and family are all about.

Excerpt from: Small-Town Moms, copyright 2011 by Janet Tronstad & Debra Clopton, Published by Love Inspired/Harlequin, March, 2011, ISBN: 9780373876617.

In “A Dry Creek Family” by Tronstad, and “A Mother for Mule Hollow” by Clopton. These interconnected stories are a delight to read, and bring home the importance of family, whether related by blood or only by love.”
Reviewed By: Susan Mobley Four Stars RT Book Reviews

~ The Trouble with Lacy Brown ~

When quirky stylist Lacy Brown speeds into town, Clint Matlock is sure she won’t be staying. What use could a vibrant young woman have for sleepy Mule Hollow—or for a stubborn cattleman? But Lacy has faith in God’s plan for her life…and her heart.

~ And Baby Makes Five ~

Bad enough that her donkey is caught raiding her surly neighbor’s crops. Then Lilly Tipps goes into premature labor, and must turn to Cort Wells for help. But new life can bring surprising new beginnings—and teach two wounded hearts to heal.

Read Excerpt

Excerpt from: The Trouble with Lacy Brown & And Baby Makes Five, copyright 2011 by Debra Clopton, Published by Love Inspired/Harlequin, March, 2011, ISBN: 9780373651443.

Romantic Times Magazine – Top Pick

“Debra Clopton’s The Trouble with Lacy Brown (4 1/2 stars) superbly combines humor, romance and action. Lacy’s reliance on God’s direction adds depth, and the unique plot will have readers hooked from the first page”

And Baby Makes Five 2nd place – Wisconsin Romance Writers of America Write Touch Reader’s Award 2007 and was also Winner winner of the Barclay Gold Contest 2007

With her painful past, how can she trust another man? Especially former bull rider and current pastor Chance Turner, who isn’t planning on sticking around—or ever preaching again. Unless Lynn, twin boys and the matchmakers help her yuletide cowboy see he’s the answer to a family’s—and a town’s—Christmas prayers.

Read Excerpt

Excerpt from: Yuletide Cowboy, copyright 2010 by Debra Clopton, Published by Love Inspired/Harlequin, December, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-373815180.

Men of Mule Hollow: These wandering Texas cowboys are coming home and finding love. (This is the third book in that series.)

Hometown girl Bethany Marlow moves back to Treasure Creek to open a wedding planning shop for all the new brides. But when her former boss asks her to help lead a wilderness tour before she sets up shop, she can’t refuse. When she finds out the lead guide is Nate McMann, the man who broke her heart, she’s thrown into a tailspin.

Nate’s now a gruff rancher, hiding his heart – and a secret. Guiding lovey-dovey newlyweds and a sweet family have Bethany and her Yukon cowboy questioning everything they thought was true. Except their love.

excerpt from: “Yukon Cowboy,” copyright 2010 by Debra Clopton. Published by Love Inspired-Steeple Hill October, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-373876266.

Alaskan Bride Rush: Women are flocking to the Land of the Midnight Sun with marriage on their minds.