Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire

Columbia House Picks up Bethlehem!

2010-12-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

Our house with lots of snow last Christmas!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! Just in, some wonderful news on Love Finds You in Bethlehem--Columbia House has picked it up for their Love Finds You inspirational romance category as the first book of the series! To see the info on it, go here.

Here is wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Deadline for a Bethlehem Ornament Giveaway - December 19th!

2009-12-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

Just as a reminder, in honor of my Christmas release, "Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire" on December 19th, I'll be giving away a handmade ornament with "Bethlehem, New Hampshire" inscribed on it to one of my newsletter subscribers. I bought this ornament in the actual town of Bethlehem, New Hampshire last year while researching my story. If you would like to be included in the drawing, please send me an e-mail to blissful63(at) gmail.com along with a note that you would like to subscribe to the quarterly newsletter by Lauralee Bliss (Note: you may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. But there will be great news on future releases, including a brand new contemporary series set in beautiful Utah!).

Please e-mail your request no later than December 19th. You may unsubscribe from my newsletter at any time. Thank you for being a part of my writing ministry, and I hope you will stay with me as we journey into a New Year!

And be sure to check out the book trailer for Bethlehem and click on the cover to order the book.

Contest rules: US residents only. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received

Romantic Times Book Review!

2009-10-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

Romantic Times Book Reviews gave

"Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire"

FOUR stars!

* * * *

Bliss has written a beautiful, tender love story with well-thought-out characters and memorable situations. Not judging people based on their outward appearance is the backbone of this novel, which is filled with romance, secrets and, most importantly, tons of laughter.

http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/love-finds-you-bethlehem-new-hampshire

New Interviews Posted, Other News

2009-10-08T16:59:00.001-07:00

NEW - just posted on Cecelia Dowdy's blog as of 10/16!

Check out my interview on "Sherry's Blog" by Sherry Kyle.

She said about the book -
"I thoroughly enjoyed Love Finds You in Bethlehem New Hampshire. I felt for Sara and her plight and was rooting for her and Tom to get together."

Also, my editor has announced the book can be found at most Sam's Clubs and is also featured in the new Lifeway Fiction Christmas Catalog!

The Lifeway Catalog. It's on the left!

Premier week special!

2009-09-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Lena Nelson Dooley for showcasing an interview and chance to win my new release, Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire as a part of premier week!

Check out the interview here.

And even if you don't win, I hope you will consider picking up the book at your favorite bookstore or at Amazon!

Premier week!

2009-09-27T18:20:00.001-07:00

The "official" premier week begins for...

"Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire" by Summerside Press.

A historical novel of romance and destiny in the Gilded Age set in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. ORDER here on Amazon!

SPECIAL! Anyone who becomes a follower of this blog or my writing blog Blissful Writing Thoughts this week (and that includes those who sign up to follow my Network blog via Facebook) - I'll put your name in for an opportunity to receive one of my other historical novels. Selection to take place on Monday, October 5th. See my website for my other historical novels.

(Void where prohibited by law. For US residents only. Odds of winning depends on number of entrants received)

Newspaper Reviews

2009-09-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

Check out Lil Duncan's review in the Cleveland Christian Book Examiner.

What other published authors are saying about "Love Finds You In Bethlehem, New Hampshire"

2009-09-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

"I truly enjoyed your book. It was such fun and had a powerful message."
- Bonnie Leon, author of Sydney Cove Series

"In Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, Lauralee Bliss has created flawed, compelling characters whose romance and spiritual odyssey can move and change the reader for the good." - Louise M. Gouge, author of Love Thine Enemy

"I highly recommend this warm and inviting story by Lauralee Bliss. The characters are believable and interesting and the storyline unfolds to a wonderful ending."
- Robin Bayne, compiler for Words to Write By

"Set in the mountains of New Hampshire, Bethlehem is a town where things aren’t always as they seem, and once again we learn how God sends certain people into our lives to work out His larger plan. Get ready to curl up with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy this odyssey of love and fulfillment."
- Martha Rogers, author of Becoming Lucy

"If you’re looking for a sweet, traditional romance or a mail-order bride story with a twist, I’m sure you’ll enjoy Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire."
- Keli Gwyn, blogger and author of numerous articles

Bethlehem History

2009-09-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Bethlehem Historical Society - they have a nice little museum outlining the town's history and an enthusiastic caretaker who will gladly give you a tour. They also had bicentennial copies of their town's history ($10) which proved an invaluable resource in the creation of this novel.

Here is a short history of the town of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, taken from the opening page of the novel -

"For all its pomp and circumstance later on, the region that would eventually become known as Bethlehem, overlooking the Franconia and Presidential ranges of the wildly beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire, held little appeal for settlers. By 1787, things began to change. A few families – the Browns, the Warrens, and the Turners, became the first to take up the mantle and settle an unpredictable region beset by harsh winters. The families turned to the surrounding woods for their livelihood, finding wealth in the trees that provided lumber, and from that moment, Bethlehem was born. More people began to arrive and a town charter established, which some claimed occurred on December 25th, further substantiating the name of Bethlehem. After the Civil War, when visitors sought a respite from city life, guest houses and hotels began making their appearance in town. The visitors claimed that Bethlehem's place on a hill overlooking the mountain ranges provided for healthy air. Others sought its beauty and simple living. Late in the 19th century, the annual Coaching Parade that showcased coaches arrayed in ribbons and other decorations, brought even more visitors to the town proper. Thus was born the vacationer’s paradise to revive the soul and spirit and provide enjoyment to all who came."

CBD has it in stock!

2009-09-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

Christian Book Distributors (CBD) shows "Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire" now IN STOCK!!

So run, not walk and check it out!

View the Book Trailer!

2009-08-28T11:34:00.001-07:00

Review by Kathleen Maher

2009-08-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

Ms. Bliss has crafted an unforgettable Christmas love story, set in –where else?—Bethlehem. New Hampshire, that is. Set in the snow-capped White Mountains in 1890 with romantic sleigh-rides, breath-taking imagery and powerful emotion, Love finds you in Bethlehem, New Hampshire delivers a sweeping romance that keeps the reader guessing until the last page how two souls as different and yet the same as artist Tom Haskins and Sara McGee, the New York City orphan, will forge a life together. Each character, from romantic rival Annabelle Loving to Claire Haskins, Tom’s devoted sister, to an assortment of supporting cast, lends dimension to this tale of two different worlds coming together in love. Can Tom overcome latent prejudices to see beyond the superficial to a soul rich in the important things? Can Sara find the pluck and courage to overcome disadvantage and find confidence to be the bride of a world-class artist? This rags-to-riches tale left me turning the pages to find the answers. I read it in one day, which is unusual for me. I found I could relate to the heroine’s plight more than most romances with Bliss’s careful and authentic rendering. She had me crying by page 33, and uplifted and satisfied with an inspiring conclusion. A must-read for your holiday season, or any time.

The Maplewood Hotel, Bethlehem, New Hampshire

2009-05-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

The original Maplewood Hotel in Bethlehem where Sara McGee once worked.

Circa 1890

This is all that is left of the famous Maplewood Hotel today.