A Conversation with Catherine Lanigan, Author of PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM (The Shores of Indian Lake #7–with a Giveaway!)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Welcome, Catherine! What 5 things should readers know about you?

1. I’m a voracious reader. I wish I had more hours in the day to read even more, but I DO have to write.
2. I work full time and write full time if that’s possible—meaning 40 hours at each job give or take a few hours here and there to buy groceries.
3. I iron my sheets and pillowcases. It’s mindless work and I get a ton of ideas. You think it’s the spray starch? I use lavender scented.
4. I never, ever work anymore without my essential oils diffuser going right next to my computer.
5. My son and his family and then friends come first in my life. I’ll drop everything to help. Though I may pack my laptop on any and all trips.

Hmmmm. Running out to grab some of that lavender spray starch before NaNoWriMo…

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?

Most authors have “soapboxes” they haul out from time to time and weave them into our stories. Frankly, I can only go so long before I have to discuss the menace of domestic abuse and drug addiction. I touched on the drug addiction problem in Sophie’s Path last July.  That story was from the medical point of view.  Protecting the Single Mom is from the cop’s point of view and the dangers every police officer faces 24/7 on the job. And the danger can come out of the clear blue. With the rampant rise of drug usage in our country, it is more than common to see addicts in the shopping malls, churches, schools and workplace.  It’s a growing shadow across our land we seem helpless to stop it.  My story is that of a man and woman, fighting together for their town, their friends and their friends’ children.

That’s what it takes, unswerving courage to stand up, be counted and volunteer to make a difference. Throughout all history, heroes and heroines are the ones who risk their lives, livelihood, even the safety of their own children to speak up, do whatever it takes to stop evil in all it’s forms.

Inspiring! I can’t wait to read it 🙂

How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?

This is the beginning of my 38^th year.  I knew I wanted to be a writer at a very young age,  (6) but I had a college professor who told me I had no talent whatsoever and that my best bet was to give up my dreams of writing and change my major. I believed him. I changed my major to Literature, History and Education. (I know….I was and am a book worm.) I didn’t write for 14 years.  Then I met a television journalist who “shamed” me into giving writing a real try. I wrote a romantic historical spy novel set against World War I.  He introduced me to his agent and within two months she had two publishers bidding on my book. That was in 1979.  I haven’t stopped writing. I will never stop.

What are you working on right now? What can readers look for from you in the next year?

I just finished FAMILY OF HIS OWN, my July release for Heartwarming. In December, will be MICA’S BABY.   I’m working on synopses and ideas for more SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE BOOKS.

Awesome! Can’t wait!

What are you currently reading, and what are your thoughts about it so far?

I just finished another Beatriz Williams tome. Loved it and as far as I’m concerned she can’t write fast enough for me.  Last night I finished Karen Rock’s A COWBOY TO KEEP. Well, I lost several hours of sleep because I could NOT put it down. Whew. I’m glad to know Dani and Jack are safe now. I was so worried. LOL.

LOL! Such a relief!
If you had to “sell” your book in a single Tweet, what would you say?

Cate Sullivan will risk everything, even her life and that of her son, for the man she loves.

Fantastic! Thanks so much, Catherine!

 

Protecting the Single Mom
Shores of Indian Lake #7
Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
April 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Getting involved shouldn’t be this dangerous…

Cate Sullivan is no damsel in distress. She’s kept herself and her son safe for six long years. Built a good life in Indian Lake. But now that her drug-dealing ex-husband is moving his operation here, that life is about to explode.

Her instincts tell her to trust Detective Trent Davis. That he’s more than just a handsome cop doing his duty. The former Green Beret has even formed a fast bond with her son. But there’s something he’s not telling her. Some darkness that keeps him from giving in to the feelings she knows are growing between them. Cate trusts Trent to keep her safe, but the real question is whether he’ll trust himself with her heart.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin

Advanced Review for Protecting the Single Mom

This is an exceptional romantic fiction novel that inspires women to achieve their dreams and warms the hearts of the romantics. It is a beautifully well-written story with a clean context. It is suitable for anybody who loves a good romance and yearns to be inspired to make a change in their circumstances. – Susan Sewell for Readers’ Favorite