Sit-Down Saturday with Lee McKenzie + a Giveaway

Today we’re celebrating Lee McKenzie’s new release. His Best Friend’s Wife is the second book in The Finnegan Sisters series. To celebrate its release, she's giving away a signed copy of To Catch a Wife, the first book in this series.

So tell us, Lee, where did you get the idea for this novel?

First of all, I want to wish our wonderful Heartwarming readers a very Happy New Year! Thank you so much for joining me today.

Readers who’ve read my earlier books will know I love to write series centered around strong women—best friends, business partners, sisters. The Finnegan sisters were abandoned by their mother when they were very young, and they were raised by their father, who’s a paraplegic. Middle sister, Emily, found her happily-ever-after in the first book, To Catch a Wife. His Best Friend’s Wife is Annie’s story. She’s a widower with a young son named Isaac. The third book in the series, Cowboy, Come Home, is about the youngest sister, CJ.


In looking at the cover, if you could add a caption or captions, what would they say?

Life is full of second chances.

And the back cover blurb really says it all.
A second chance for his first love

Paul Woodward has always known Annie Finnegan was the one. But when she married his best friend, he moved away from their tiny hometown to try to forget the woman he could never have. When her husband passes away, Paul is heartbroken and wants to be there for the love of his life—but how can he, given the way he feels? As he returns to take over his ill father's medical practice, though, it's clear that Annie and her son are the family Paul longs for. As Annie heals and their connection grows, Paul will wait to find out if love really gives second chances…
What is your favorite scene?

I would have to say it’s the first kiss that almost wasn’t.
He was easy to talk to and she loved that he made it easy for her to laugh, that he made it okay for her to laugh again. It was all so easy that she was startled when Paul checked his watch and stood to leave.

“Annie, this has been great but I need to get going. Otherwise I’ll be late for my first appointment.”

“I’m glad you came out this morning. It’s good to have you back in Riverton.” She meant it. She hadn’t realized how important it would be to have Eric’s friends around.

Paul stood, picked up his dishes and carried them to the dishwasher.

Annie rushed to her feet. “Don’t worry about those. I’ll take care of them.”

He gave her a quizzical smile. “I know how to load a dishwasher. I’ve been taking care of myself since I went away to college.”

“Right. Well, thank you.” He was a doctor. He took care of other people for a living, so without question he could look after himself. She just wasn’t used to being around men who did. Or if they did, she wasn’t accustomed to letting them.

“Walk me out?” he asked.

“Of course.” As they made their way down the hall to the door, she found herself wondering about Paul’s past. He seemed to be single, but there must have been girlfriends, serious relationships even. For all she knew, he was still involved with someone in Chicago. She could ask, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Outside on the screened veranda, they stopped and Paul turned to face her. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“Anytime, Paul. I mean it.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders, leaned in as though he was going to kiss her forehead the way he always did. As he moved, she inexplicably tipped her head back and looked at him. His lips made contact with hers. The kiss lasted a millisecond—brief but electrifying. They both pulled back, startled, gazes locked.

Paul was the first to find his voice. “Um, I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“I only meant to—”

“I shouldn’t have—”

“I didn’t mean for that to happen,” he said.

Neither had she. Or had she?
Who was your favorite character and why?

Do I have to choose? I love all the characters in this series, but there’s a special place in my heart for Annie, Emily and CJ’s father, Thomas Finnegan. In spite of life’s many challenges, he has always been there for his family. To his daughters, he’s the hero against whom all others are measured. I was hoping Thomas would find love again, and his happily-ever-after forms the subplot in His Best Friend’s Wife.

What are you writing now?

Right now I’m finishing the third book in the series, Cowboy, Come Home, and working on a proposal for a new series. I’m also plotting a secret project that I hope readers will enjoy.

To celebrate the release of His Best Friend's Wife, I'm offering a signed copy of To Catch a Wife and an adorable Magnolia Bakery tote bag.


To be eligible to win, leave a comment on this post, along with your email address, and tell me what love most about Heartwarming stories, what you hope for in 2017, or simply say hello! I'll post the winner's name tomorrow.


For now, happy reading everyone, and thank you so much for joining me today! Until next time,

Lee
Writing fifty shades of pink
www.LeeMcKenzie.com

Comments

  1. I love 2nd chance romances and I already love Paul. And I can't wait for Thomas to find his HAE too. Congrats on your release!

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    1. Thank you, LeAnne! There can never be too many HEAs!

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  2. I can't wait to read this, Lee! Thank you for sharing the excerpt of the first kiss that almost wasn't...I enjoyed it. Congratulations!

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  3. 2nd chance romances... I sigh and wish I could think of one for myself, but I never had one of those! I always love your books, so this one is on my list as well now, Lee. Cheers.

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    1. Ceclia, I never had one, either! But I can imagine, and so can you.

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  4. Thank you so much, Jill! I hope you enjoy it.

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  5. I read both of these books and loved how you handled the sisters and their love interests. I'm so looking forward to the last of the trilogy.

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  6. I loved the characters in this story, and I was thrilled about Thomas. I read it on the plane, and barely looked up until I reached the last page and sighed. Secret project, hmm? Interesting.

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    1. Beth, you've made my day, too! And I'm so happy to hear the time flew by while you were flying :)

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  7. Congratulations, Lee. I love sisters series. I also love the dog on the cover. Your excerpt sounds like a winner.

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    1. Thank you, Muriel! I love animals, love stories that include animals, and I always put animals in mine.

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  8. Lee, I adore the plot of this book! What a sweet story. This second-chance romance is one that I would love to read, and I look forward to it. Happy new year!

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  9. And a very happy New Year to you, Audrey! I hope you enjoy Annie & Paul's story.

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  10. My favorite kind of romance! Love the awkward kiss between them, lots of chemistry :)
    Adding this to my TBR pile, for sure!

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    1. Thanks for joining me today! And I must say, I love TBR piles. Mine calls to me!

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  11. What I love most is they warm your heart and inspire you to never give up!
    landfjacobson @ charter .net

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    1. Laura, this is a perfect description of Heartwarming stories, and I think my fellow authors will agree that's why we write them. Thank you so much for this.

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  12. Congratulations and best wishes for your release, Lee!

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  13. It sounds like a great story! And I'm intrigued to learn about their father. :) Congrats on your release!

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  14. Thank you for the post. This sounds like a wonderful series. I'm looking forward to reading all of the books. I love the HEA and heartwarming feel of these stories.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting the blog today, Carol! The Heartwarming line is perfectly named, isn't it?

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  15. Thank you for the post. This sounds like a wonderful series. I'm looking forward to reading all of the books. I love the HEA and heartwarming feel of these stories.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  16. Lee, I loved your last book, To Catch a Wife, and your new title is so intriguing. I've ordered it and can't wait for it to arrive. Thanks for the excerpt---a winner all the way.

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    1. Thank you, Catherine! This is very sweet of you. I have to say I'm in excellent company this month because Patricia's, Tara's and Sophia's books are wonderful reads.

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  17. I hope 2017 will be restful

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    1. That is my wish as well. It hasn't exactly started out that way, but I'm always optimistic!

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  18. I love how the Heartwarming stories always leave me with a great feeling after reading them. All of the Heartwarming authors write such wonderful books. darholley1@aol.com

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    1. Darlene, we love having the opportunity to write these feel-good stories, and we love our devoted readers to the moon and back!

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  19. Just read your Sit Down Saturday post on Sunday, Lee!! I've jumped into this series mid-stream, starting with those January release which I'm enjoying very much. Will have to check out the first and look forward to the last one. All the best!

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  20. Sounds like a great book, Lee! All the January books look fantastic :)

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    1. Thanks, Amy! And you are right. Patricia's, Sophia's and Tara's books are awesome reads!

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  21. Congratulations, Lee. I love the sound of the story!

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  22. Heartwarming stories do just that, they warm the heart. Whether they make you feel good, make you think, bring a tear to the eye.... Heart warmers are the best!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  23. Aw, thank you, Melanie! That's a lovely description of the Heartwarming line.

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  24. Hello Lee, Your books sounds great! I love heartwarming stories because of all the emotional feeling I feel while reading. Thank you

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    1. I completely agree with you, Linda. Thank you so much for joining me this weekend!

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  25. Hi Lee, love reading your books, I'm so hooked on heart warming stories they make me feel good inside and I especially like series books. Long after I've read your books I remember the story and the main characters. I've kept every one of your books. I will sometimes have dreams about the story I'm reading, almost as though I were one of the characters in your book .. weird or what. Keep those series coming Lee, I appreciate envy you and the talent you have to write these stories that seem to come alive for me .. weird or what?

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    1. Wow, Louise. Thank you so much for sharing this. You have truly made the hours spent at the keyboard so worthwhile.

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  26. The winner of this giveaway...drum roll, please...is jbiggar. Congrats! I'll get the book and tote bag to you asap. Congrats!

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