Spotlight/Interview/Giveaway: The Lemon Orchard by Luanne Rice

Author Interview

I’m very excited to have bestselling author Luanne Rice visit Socrates’ Book Review Blog today. Luanne has written thirty one books and has been a huge favorite of mine for years. Welcome, Luanne.

Thank you very much! It’s a pleasure to be here.

1) What or who inspires your ideas for your books?

I follow my heart into the story. Often a character will captivate me. I’ll dream about her and see her everywhere, but it’s not until she tells me her name that I start writing the story.

2) Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. My first poem was published when I was eleven. I never seriously considered doing anything else.

3) How did it feel when you learned your first book would be published?

Possibly the happiest I had ever been until that moment. My agent Andrea Cirillo—the same agent I have now—called me and I danced barefoot on the back porch till the moon rose.

4) Who are your favorite authors?

Joseph Monninger, Alice Hoffman, Amelia Onorato, and Laurie Colwin are a few.

5) What kinds of experiences have you had with your fans – whether it’s at conferences, book signings or even through correspondence?

I love my fans. Lately I have been reflecting on how social media has changed everything—there is a one-on-one friendship possible with some readers and a general book-club café experience that comes with spending time on Facebook and Twitter frequently.

6) Any sneak peeks at what readers have to look forward from you?

I just released an e- short story, free to all readers: The Night Before. http://luannerice.net/night/

Thank you for visiting us and taking the time to answer our questions, Luanne!

About the Book

A captivating novel of enduring and unexpected love

from New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice

THE LEMON ORCHARD

by Luanne Rice

“Entrancing.”
—People Magazine (3 out of 4 stars)

“Lovely and compelling, with quiet yet brave social commentary.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“An intensely touching book.”
—BookReporter.com

New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice returns this summer with an enchanting new novel, THE LEMON ORCHARD, which tells the unexpected love story of two people from different worlds who share an incredible bond (Penguin Books; On-sale: May 27, 2014; ISBN: 978-0-14-312556-3; $16.00).

It has been five years since Julia visited her aunt and uncle’s lemon orchard in Malibu and in that time Julia’s world has been turned upside down by her daughter’s death. When Julia arrives to housesit, she finds their home and the grove are just as breathtaking as she remembered. A virtual hermit, Julia expects to pass her time in Malibu quietly, with her dog Bonnie as her sole companion, but before long, she finds herself powerfully drawn to the handsome man who oversees the lemon orchard.

Roberto appreciates his job at the grove—it is good, steady work that allows him to support his father in California, as well as his extended family back in Mexico. He expertly tends the orchard but his obsession for his daughter who was lost during their crossing from Mexico preys upon his mind. Consumed by the weight of a terrible secret, Roberto finds a confidant in Julia—this small, pale woman with silver hair and arresting blue eyes—haunted by her own heartbreaking past.

Set in the sea-and-citrus-scented air of the breathtaking Santa Monica mountains, THE LEMON ORCHARD is an engrossing story about loss, rupture, and the fragility of our lives, but even more it is a tale about picking up the pieces, and the strength of love when we are most vulnerable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LUANNE RICE is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-one novels that have been translated into twenty-four languages. The author of Little Night, The Silver Boat and Beach Girls, Rice’s books often center on love, family, nature and the sea. Rice is an avid naturalist and bird-watcher and is involved with Georgetown University Law Center’s Domestic Violence Clinic. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Rice divides her time between New York City and Southern California.


THE LEMON ORCHARD ▪ Luanne Rice ▪ Penguin Books
On-Sale: May 27, 2014 ▪ $16.00 ▪ 978-0-14-312556-3 ▪ Also available as an e-book


Visit Luanne Rice online at www.luannerice.com

Visit Penguin online at us.penguingroup.com

BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

Now it's your chance to win a paperback copy of The Lemon Orchard by Luanne Rice. Thanks to the publisher, I have one paperback to giveaway to one lucky winner.

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the rafflecopter form below.

2) Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old

3) US/Canada Residents Only

4) For one extra entry: Tweet about this giveaway.

5) For one extra entry: Leave a comment for the author.

6) For one extra entry:  Follow this blog...old followers, too!  Just let us know how you follow and under what name.

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited.

The giveaway begins on June 9th (midnight est) and ends on June 16th (midnight est).

The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter. The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner here on my blog.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway