Growing up, you could always spot Emma Lynden with her nose in a book, drawn towards uplifting fiction full of hope and heart, and frequently imagining stories of her own. It was then that her dream of becoming a writer first took root.
But it wasn’t until years later, when a close friend chanced to remark, “I bet you could write a really nice romance,” that those long-tucked-away dreams finally found the direction they’d been destined for.
Our friends know us best, don’t they?
After a stretch of late nights, a whole lot of scribbling, and the spark of a holiday surprise, she penned “The End” on her debut novel… and so this adventure began.
When she’s not clicking away at her keyboard spinning heartwarming stories about family, friendship, and finding true love, you can usually catch Emma soaking up the sunshine (or snowfalls) outdoors, capturing the beauty of everyday life behind her camera lens, or cozily curled up with her first passion—reading—a hot mug of something sweet in one hand and the promise of a happily-ever-after in the other.
Visit Emma online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram
Native New Yorker and author Verona Scott is battling heartbreak, both personally and professionally. Coming off a disastrous split with her ex, she’s struggling for inspiration to write her next book. And she’s lost without her favorite Aunt Theoni’s wisdom and guidance.
Hoping for a fresh start and to avoid the holiday completely, she’s planned a Valentine’s detox: a luxurious trip alone to the historic Courtington Castle hotel, near the adorably quaint town of Camelot Creek, tucked into a picturesque valley in the Adirondacks.
But escaping the heart-shaped balloons and red roses won’t be as easy as she thought.
This won’t be the restful retreat she’d imagined. Instead, she’s just walked into one of the biggest matchmaking events of the year. Not to mention, the incredibly attractive single dad and dating coach Troy Turner is heading the whole thing up, and he’s on a mission to include Verona in the festivities.
Troy is in the midst of a professional crisis of his own. After a bit of unfounded bad press, the very last thing he needs is a guest to cast doubt in the minds of his attendees.
Will Troy change Verona’s mind about the most romantic day of the year? Just when sparks begin to fly, an unexpected visitor checks into the castle, stirring up the past. No matter what, for Verona, Valentine’s Day is the day where everything changes.
A heartwarming, sweet romance that will whisk you away to a magical winter wonderland, and have you reaching for the hot cocoa and box of chocolates long after the holidays.
"An absolutely sparkling debut! Visually stunning writing, full of heart and hope. Emma Lynden is a wonderful new force in sweet romance. I can't wait to see what she writes next."
--USA Today Bestselling Author Teri Wilson
The road took some surprising turns, and, in a fortuitous twist of fate, it was an interestingly-timed rejection on the very first novel I ever submitted that inspired The Holiday Plan, which then ended up becoming the book that went on to be published.
How is Verona similar to or different from you?
There are definitely parts of me written into Verona’s character. Obviously, we’re both romance authors and romantics at heart. I’m also a big planner. Everyone who knows me knows I love to go into situations equipped with a plan, and it was a lot of fun to upend that personal quirk of mine throughout my heroine’s journey on the page!
If The Holiday Plan were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead role?
It would be such a dream come true to have The Holiday Plan made into a movie and so unbelievably exciting to see all the characters that I created come to life – I can’t even wrap my head around who I would cast!
Tell us about your most memorable Valentine's Day experience.
My most memorable Valentine’s Day experience wasn’t very romantic at all, and it was actually the exact moment that inspired the jumping-off point for the plot of this book. Chapter One of The Holiday Plan begins with an author receiving a disappointing rejection letter for her latest romance novel manuscript right on Valentine’s Day – and that’s precisely what happened to me. I remember staring at that email on the screen of my laptop, marveling at the incredible irony of the timing, to have a love story resoundingly rejected on a holiday all about love and romance. Needless to say, that particular Valentine’s was soured for me. But it sparked the intriguing idea of writing about someone who happens to have an unexpected and utterly unromantic holiday… and the rest of the story flowed from there!
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I watched The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for the first time recently, and it was a beautiful film, set in a lovely location, with a charming blend of romance and drama, all of which really left me wanting to read the book that it was based on.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It’s hard to ever recall a time when I didn’t dream of becoming an author!
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My oldest son gave me an extremely large box of chocolates for Valentines Day, a few years ago. He's always doing something crazy. Lol. He makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThe only Valentine's Day I remember is when my husband gave my a giant pink stuffed gorilla. He was holding a ring box. The ring was a sapphire heart.
ReplyDeleteThe first Valentine's together, my now hubby bought me two tires for my car! Definitely a caring keeper!
ReplyDeletewhen my husband and I were dating, he gave me a heart locket on Valentine's day.
ReplyDeletedenise
getting candy
ReplyDeleteI got 2 dozen long stemmed red roses from an ex-patient once. That was really nice.
ReplyDelete