Final Mother's Day Giveaway - Her Captain's Heart

Here's the final book for the Mother's Day Giveaway! I recently reviewed Lyn Cote's latest novel, The Desires of Her Heart . I enjoyed meeting Lyn at the Expo where she was signing copies of her Love Inspired Historical novel Her Captain's Heart. Since I had read this when it came out in December and enjoyed it, I was tickled to get another copy to share with you!

The Civil War era is one of my favorite historical fiction settings. Her Captain's Heart is set in Virginia just after the war is over. The Freedman's Bureau was established by the government to oversee the transition and education of the former slaves, and Matt Ritter, a former Union captain, is in charge of building the school in Fiddler's Grove. As often happens in the aftermath of war, it was an uneasy and difficult time with little peace as the States reunited---especially down in Dixie where folks weren't a bit happy about the Emancipation Proclamation. (After all, according to one irate churchgoer, "Blacks voting is just as far-fetched and outlandish as letting women vote." p.61) When Verity Hardy, a peace-loving Quaker, arrives as the Bureau's newly hired schoolteacher for the freed slaves, she is dismayed to discover that the town is also without a free school (for white children). Her determination to unite the town and teach all under one roof makes sparks fly in more ways than one. As the back of the book says,

The War Has Ended. But Their Battle Has Just Begun....
BOOK SUMMARY:
Nothing is impossible—as far as idealistic schoolteacher Verity Hardy is concerned. The lovely widow is certain teaching freed slaves in a Virginia town torn apart by the Civil War will help heal bitterness and old wounds. But she's finding that the school's cynical builder, Matthew Ritter, has little reason to have faith in her—or anything else.

An ex-Union captain, Matt has seen more than his share of destruction. And the threats he's getting about the school are almost enough to make him give up. But Verity's spirit and courage inspire him to fight once again for what he believes in—and to show her they can reach their dreams together….

AUTHOR BIO:
Lyn Cote has written over 20 books since her first Love Inspired romance debuted in 1998. She was born in Texas, raised in the Chicago area, raised her children in Iowa, and now lives with her husband on a lake in the northwoods of Wisconsin. A RITA finalist, Lyn writes light romance, contemporary romantic suspense and historical sagas. Her brand is "Strong Women, Brave Stories." You can visit Lyn on her website and her blog.


GIVEAWAY
One of you will receive an autographed copy of this book! Just leave a post on this comment by 6:00 p.m. tonight (5/7/09) and I will draw a winner. (Continental US Residents only, please) If the button is on your blog, you get an additional chance to win.

Happy Reading!