The State of Parenthood with Lynette Kent

Thanks, Rae!  Sorry to be a day late--I spent the weekend at the beach, and yesterday was "recover from the vacation" day.

The idea for Smoky Mountain Reunion developed out of an article I read in "Southern Living" magazine about a school for troubled girls in the North Carolina mountains.  I immediately started wondering what would happen if one of the students had a crush on her male teacher, and how I could write a story that would bring them together for a happy ending.

I love the NC mountains--I was born there and we lived in Asheville until I was 9.  A few years ago, I realized that everywhere I go, I try to recreate the gardens I remember from my childhood, with irises and lupines, delphiniums and columbine, roses and hollyhocks and candytuft.  When you're living in San Diego, CA, though, or coastal Virginia or the Sandhills of North Carolina, that's just not going to work.  You need the cool, misty mornings of the mountain summers, the long cold winters, to succeed with those plants.  Ah, well.  At least in the Sandhills, I have my horses.  And my pumpkin plants are looking fabulous!

Lynnette 

Smokey Mountain Reunion was a good book despite my (okay, I'm a mother of daughters) initial euw to the idea of a teenage girl and a male teacher thing. Was exploring the topic a difficult one for you or did you find it no problem? You did a very nice job with character development of both Nola and Mason.

I love stories set in the mountains and remember visiting Smokey Mt National Park when I was a lot younger. So, I am always drawn to books set in the Appalachian Mountains.

Okay, this is my first attempt to post, so if anything turns out screwy, not my fault. 

This arrived in my book order last week, but, since you're my friend, I'll admit I haven't read it yet since dh is on vacation.

But, I read the excerpts on eHarlequin.com & I would have bought it even if I didn't know you because the kid's rescuing a turtle.  So, guess I have to read the book to see how the turtle does...or do you want to give me a clue?  

pam, who may or may not be pleased she's learned to post here

Thanks, Pam, for the reminder.  I do need to update the write-up, adding in the five horses, the farm and the dogs.  Sometimes, it comes down to writing the book or doing the "other stuff" and writing the book always wins!

Lynnette