Robin Lee Hatcher

stories of faith, courage, and love

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt: Stop #1 (Pink Team)

by

Scavenger Hunt

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! To find a summary of all of the workings of the hunt, visit this page on Lisa Tawn Bergren’s site.

I am a part of TEAM PINK, and this is Stop #1.

If you’re just joining us, there are two loops—pink and purple—and they begin at Lisa Bergren’s site and Robin Lee Hatcher’s site for stop #1 for either stream. If you complete either the pink loop or purple loop, you can enter for a Kindle Paperwhite and the 17 autographed books from that loop. If you complete BOTH loops, you can enter for the Grand Prize of a Kindle Fire HDX and ALL 34 autographed books.

The hunt begins at NOON Mountain time on April 16 and ends at midnight Mountain on April 19, 2015, so you have a long weekend to complete all 34 stops and maximize your chances at prizes!

BE SURE to keep track of the clues at the bottom of every post in the loop and the favorite number mentioned. You’ll need those clues to enter for the team prize and every number mentioned in order to enter for the grand prize.

ALSO, please don’t use Internet Explorer to navigate through the loops. Some web sites won’t show up using IE. Please use Chrome or Firefox—they’re better anyway!

Without further ado, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to my guest for the Scavenger Hunt, Carolyne Aarsen.

I’ve known Carolyne for many years. She has a fun sense of humor that makes her a great friend. We even did a crazy YouTube video with others about writers on deadline. (Check it out HERE if you want a chuckle or two.)

Carolyne AarsenNow for the official bio:

Carolyne Aarsen lives in rural Northern Alberta and is blessed to be a part of a strong, loving Christian community. She has written over forty books for Love Inspired, Guideposts and Warner Faith and is thankful for the opportunity to write about family and faith and community.

And here is the summary of her latest book:

Reunited with the Cowboy

Reunited with the CowboyHeather Bannister is back in Montana for her sister’s wedding. But returning to Refuge Ranch brings her face-to-face with a past best forgotten—including high school sweetheart John Argall. Now a single dad, John simply wants to provide for his daughter’s future. And Heather’s reappearance may be an obstacle to his plans to buy into her family’s ranch. Yet when Heather agrees to babysit his sweet little girl, the old feelings come flooding back. And John realizes that Heather may have left town years ago, but his love for her has endured. Could this be their second chance at a future together?

Refuge Ranch: Where a Montana family comes home to love.

Buy Carolyne’s Book:

Amazon | B&N | CBD

And now here is Carolyne’s EXCLUSIVE content that you’ll find only on this hunt!

As a genre romance writer I write stories with happy endings because I like reading stories with happy endings. I like to bring my hero and heroine to that final declaration and that final kiss. It’s where a romance is supposed to go.

But there are times that I’ve been challenged on this. Life doesn’t always bring us to happy endings.

I know life is an ebb and flow of happiness and sorrow. My husband and I have stood by the grave of our child, sat in hospitals and agonized over losses. We’ve stumbled through dark and shadowed valleys. In the middle of the story, in those valleys, it was hard to see a happy ending.

Whenever I see this picture I see the reality of the confusion and darkness of some of our story middles.

sombre grandparents

I remember looking at this picture of my mother’s family and wondering why my grandparents looked so sombre. My mother told me this picture was taken shortly after the Germans invaded their country. My grandmother had seven children and faced an uncertain future for them.

Five years after this picture was taken, the war was over. But in this captured moment of their life my grandmother could only see sorrow and a steady downward spiral. Though she clung to her faith she didn’t know how this would end.

I often wish I could have told the woman in this picture, “Hold on. It will be hard, but you will come through this valley to the other side. You will have many grandchildren and live a long and healthy life.”

The reality is this picture is as much a part of the story of her life as the beginning when she married my grandfather, full of hope and facing a life of promise. Her story moved through many ups and downs and if I were writing the story of her life, where I choose to stop would determine whether it was a happy or sad story.

When I write a book, I enter into a covenant with my readers. They pick up my story expecting a place where they can let go of whatever they are dealing with in their own life. For the bit of their time that they read my book I want to give them a place of hope. They trust that I’ll take my hero and heroine through their conflict and difficulties to the other side of their valley.

Writing happy endings is not about lulling the reader. It’s about deciding where to end the story of my characters that will make my reader feel satisfied and deliver on the promise of the premise.

I like to make my stories as realistic as possible. I like to show flawed human beings stumbling to grace. In my latest book, Reunited with the Cowboy I ended by story on the proverbial hillside, with mu characters having survived their own particular valley. I know dark times still lie ahead for them.

But that’s another story.

THE SCAVENGER HUNT SKINNY:

Thanks for stopping by on the hunt! Before you go, make sure you WRITE DOWN THESE CLUES:

Secret Word(s): “Books 
Secret Number: 6, a number I chose for the number of grandchildren I’m blessed with

Got ‘em down?? Great! Your next stop is #2, Carolyne Aarsen’s site. Click on over there now. And if you get lost, a complete list of the loop with links can be found at our mother host’s site.

WAIT!! Before you go, you should enter my Bonus Giveaway!

Whenever You Come AroundLove Without EndIn the main Scavenger Hunt, I am giving away copies of my May release, Whenever You Come Around (the second book in the Kings Meadow Romance series). So for my bonus giveaway, two lucky USA winners will receive an autographed copy of the first book in the series, Love Without End.

To qualify, just sign up to receive my periodic newsletter (sent a few times a year). Additional entries are also available if you so choose to complete additional options. Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below. (Rafflecopter won’t require you to Like my Facebook Page, but if you visit, I would greatly appreciate the Like. Thanks!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt: Pink Team Authors & Stops
Authors Who Inspire | Kristy Cambron

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Comments

  2. Carolyne, I appreciate your comments about where to end the story. You’re absolutely right that life is sometimes messy and even scary. As I am currently going through one of those stressful times, I truly appreciate the reminder that this isn’t the end of the story. Things will turn around soon. With God, all of our stories will ultimately have a happy ending!

    Thank you both for participating in the Scavenger Hunt and the giveaways! I’ve really enjoyed it!

  3. This hunt is so smart. What great way to help fellow authors and give us readers a chance to know you and your work better.

  5. Carolyne, thank you so much for sharing this with us. I tend to be one of those people who thinks stories should be hopeful, but I like your recognition about showing a real story but choosing a satisfying place to end it. As a writer, it definitely gave me something to think about. 🙂

  6. I love these scavenger hunts. And what an opportunity to meet new authors.

  8. Carolyne your story is inspirational to me. Thank you for sharing what you did and I can’t wait to read some of your books.

  9. I was touched by reading Carolyne’s thoughts on why she writes happy endings for her readers and by the glimpses she gave us into both her Grandmother’s and her lives. Thank you Robin and Carolyne for participating in this Scavenger Hunt 🙂

  10. These are fun, but more important, they introduce me to safe writers. Thank you so much. Your seal of approval is all I need. Love you, Robin Lee.

  11. This is a wonderful forum in which we might find some authors that we don’t usually come across all the time. this is my first hunt and I look forward to reading about the authors that are involved and adding more books to my “authors to read” list. I have a read-a-thon coming up next weekend and it looks like a might be adding some new material to my list.

    Thank you for being a part of the hunt, for introducing me to your books and for the chance to win your book.

    In Kind Regards

  15. Hi Carolyn, it is nice to meet you. You are a new author to me. That is one of the things I like most about the scavenger hunts is meeting new authors. The giveaways are a nice added bonus too! Thank you for sharing. Thank you Robin for the extra bonus giveaway. ~ Blessings to you both ~

  17. I love the Scavenger Hunts! Thank you for every thing all the authors do to make them possible.

    Stephanie C.

  18. Having a blast with this scavenger hunt. I love your books! I’m working on reading all of your books. Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn about other authors.
    Christy

  19. This is my first scavenger hunt and I LOVE it! I love your books! The first book I read of your was A Vote of Confidence and I was hooked. I’ve read eight of your books so far and have a goal to read them all. Thanks for an opportunity to win one of your books!

  20. Hello Carolyn. I have seen many pictures thru these many years. I have heard with the camera’s taking these picture they were to not smile or move. I’ve never seen a picture of my mother’s mother. She died when mother was
    only 5 and cannot find a picture. So you are lucky. This Scavenger Hunt is fun.
    Thanks for the giveaway . Maxie

  21. I loved the Scavenger Hunt last year and sure I will this one. But it didn’t have these secret numbers. I don’t understand what they are for. Love your kind of books. Thanks for the giveaway. Maxie

  24. Thanks so much for sharing this and participating in the scavenger hunt! I so enjoy reading all of the blogposts twice each year when the scavenger hunt rolls around. 🙂

  25. Fun, fun! Love these scavenger hunts, meet so many great authors and find new books to read.

  26. Carolyne, I just love your books. I just picked up Reunited with the Cowboy yesterday. Can’t wait to read it.

  30. I love doing these scavenger hunts! They are always so much fun and insightful. I also love hearing about authors that I have never heard before. Thanks for hosting it again Robin! 🙂

  31. I love these scavenger hunts. Two loops this time, so much fun!

  32. So glad to see another scavenger hunt! Thanks for hosting Robin! It’s a great way to keep up with what’s new, gain some insight on the authors, as well as expand my reading list. 🙂

  33. I am so excited for this scavenger hunt! Thank you both, Robin and Carolyne, for being a part of it!

  34. Hi Carolyne! I have enjoyed reading your Refuge Ranch stories. I appreciate that the characters face very realistic, difficult situations yet find their way through to a happy ending. 🙂

  35. Hi, Carolyne! Homecoming is my favorite book of yours. It’s and oldie but goldie!

  36. Looking forward to learning about some great authors and books.

  37. I loved Promise Kept and suggested it for our Book Club. Everybody loved it and can’t wait to read more about the people in Kings Meadow.

    • Jackie, thanks for telling me A Promise Kept was your book club’s read and that everyone enjoyed it. Enjoy more time in Kings Meadow in the books that follow.

  38. A very interesting blog post, thank you! It’s true, human only see the now, and just have to trust God to get them through.

  39. Carolyne, I love your perspective on picking the right time to leave the story so the reader has a happy ending. Great story about your grandmother too!

    Greetings from an Alberta girl!

  40. Thank you both for taking part in this fun scavenger hunt!

    Blessings!
    Jasmine

  41. Thanks for taking part in the scavenger hunt. I just love the opportunity to learn more about my favorite authors while also meeting some that are new to me. 🙂

  42. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post, Carolyne!
    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity, Robin!

  45. I loved reading Carolyne’s thoughts on happy “endings” and how they are simply dependent on where we choose to end the story. Thanks for sharing and to both of you for being part of such a fun scavenger hunt! I host an all-things-book linky party every Thursday on my blog, Mommynificent.com, and we’d love to have you stop by any time. You can link up any of your own blog posts and maybe garner some new readers, and you can also hop around and meet some other authors and avid readers.
    Tina

  49. I love your reasoning for happy endings, Carolyne. I’ve been in plenty of valleys and had to rely on hope and faith to believe a hilltop would come again. Stories are much better when they end in a place of joy and contentment.

  52. Thank you for sharing that photo of your family after the Germans invaded their country – what a poignant family memory.

  54. I love a good happy ending. I have enough to deal with in my own life so I enjoy a good story where the characters have an HEA!

  55. Thank you for participating n the scavenger hunt. I love meeting new authors and I would love to read your books.

  56. I thank Carolyn for sharing the back behind the scenes personal information that helps form what she writes and why she writes. I have read some of her books and look forward to this one. Your personal story touches my heart more as I read your books.

  57. Love scavenger hunts. A wonderful way to connect with authors and find out about their books.

  58. This scavenger hunt is so fun. I am really excited to learn of new authors!

  60. I have loved Carolyne’s books for years. Thank you for this hunt!!! Thank you for the reminder of hold on to Hope! : )

  63. I have loved Carolyne’s books for years and the interview gave me such hope, thank you. Love the hunts and you too!

  65. Robin thank you once again for hosting this Scavenger Hunt again. I hope you know how much we enjoy these. I’ve been out of the loop during the winter but I’m back now. Excited to be doing this again.
    And Carolyne when I saw that photo I had to tell you about the project I started last summer. I’m putting all my photos into albums, sort of scrapbook style/ genealogical style. I’m sorting them into siblings (right now). There are six of us. I’m having such a good time doing this even though it takes a long time.

  66. I really enjoy these scavenger hunts and learning about other authors and their books. Thank you so much! 🙂

  67. I’ve never read any of Carolyne’s books, but her post really makes me want to! So beautifully written and explained perfectly. 🙂

  69. Thanks for telling us about Carolyne. Her new book sounds really interesting.

  72. Scavenger hunt – what a fun idea! 🙂 Thanks for hosting. I’ve been wanting to find more Christian fiction authors and this has made it so easy and fun. 🙂
    Looking forward to reading your books. 🙂

  73. i love doing these Scavenger Hunts…….this i think is the third or fourth one i have done….its so interesting finding about new authors.

    Barbara

  74. Adding both of your ladies’ books to my TBR list! I love the CFSSH because I always find new books to read!

  76. This is my first scavenger hunt. I’m gonna try to complete it if I have time. 🙂

  77. This is so much fun – hope I can find all the clues in the treasure hunt!

  78. That’s pretty amazing, Carolyne. Where were your grandparents from?

    Thanks for hosting Robin!

  79. I love book scavenger hunts! Thanks Carolyne for sharing! I love stories that give a happy ending!

  82. Thanks for interviewing Carolyne, Robin! The interviews make the authors come alive as more than the person behind the books I love to read. I’m looking forward to the scavenger hunt!

  84. Thanks for having this extra giveaway of your book on the scavenger hunt. They are always fun to do, though quite time consuming! I’m glad we have several days to complete it. Your book looks great so I’m glad to have a chance to win it.

  85. Hi Carolyne, I’ve read several of your books and really enjoyed them. Looking forward to reading this new one. Thanks for participating in this fun give-away.

  86. Life brings enough unhappy endings. I prefer a happy ending when I read also.

  87. There’s a spring hunt?! I’ve followed the last two fall hunts, but I’ve never seen ya’ll do a spring hunt!

  92. I LOVE the Scavenger Hunts!! Many thanks to all you writers who take time out of your busy schedules to do this for your readers!!!

  93. Carolyne, I have actually been exploring “middles” as well. I feel like we are often in a state of waiting or middles and it requires faith but can be a time a great growth!!

  95. I was just thinking about these scavenger hunts the other day…and here it is! Yippee!!! Love these…find new authors to read all the time 🙂

  96. I would love to receive an autographed copy of the first book in the series, Love Without End!! Thanks for the chance!

  97. I love the scavenger hunts!!! How long does it take you to come up with a story line?

    • Mackenzie, every story is different. Sometimes they come to me full blown. Others come in bits and dribbles. Since I am an intuitive writer, they mostly roll out slowly as I write. I begin with characters and a premise and then I see where the story takes me.

  98. Love reading about new authors! 🙂 At least, ones that are new to me.

  99. looking forward to the hunt, learning more about authors and books, and winning. 🙂

  103. I love going on these scavenger hunts. I thoroughly enjoyed your explanation of why you write happy endings Carolyne. Books do make a much nicer escape if they have the happy endings.

  104. This looks like fun! Appreciate the opportunity to read (and win) books by great Christian authors!

  106. My grandma used to send us kids on scavenger hunts . . . I always enjoyed the hunt as much or more than the prize at the end!

  107. These scavenger hunts are so much fun. And I love to be introduced to new authors

  108. So excited for another scavenger hunt!!! I’ve already picked up Reunited with the Cowboy and am very excited to start reading it!!!

  109. Thank you, Carolyne, for your promise to us as readers! I feel special 🙂

  112. Dear Carolyne, First of all, I love the way your name is uniquely spelled. Second, your stories sound like worth-wile, interesting reads. I’m looking forward to adding them to my list. God bless.~V

  113. Carolyne, for some unknown reason, all photos taken way, way back, the subjects are never smiling. I’ve noticed that in several of our old family portraits. Strange. Maybe they are ashamed of their teeth? Probably didn’t have much dental care then.

  114. I love the Scavenger hunts because it’s always fun collecting the clues, by the way Robin I think your books look awesome and I would love the chance to read your new book! Thanks for the awesome giveaway and God Bless you!!!

  116. My first scavenger hunt, as well (though I confess, it’s as much research and recreation!).

  118. I always enjoy the Scavenger hunt each year….so fun to read all about the authors and their new projects. Who know, maybe this year I will win! Thanks for the opportunity! 🙂

  119. My first Scavenger Hunt! Thank you for having a hunt. So excited! Love your books.

  120. I have never done one of these scavenger hunts before. Thanks for the opportunity to get to know many different authors.

  121. I’ve never done a scavenger hunt. I’m looking forward to it!

  122. Carolyne – such a moving post about the realities of life. Thanks, Robin, for hosting this stop!

  123. I love these scavenger hunts! Thanks for doing them 🙂 Question.. How do you choose the names for your books?

    • For my romances set in Kings Meadow, I have used country music song titles. But most of my titles just come to me as part of the story I’m telling.

  124. My first scavenger hunt & I am so excited!! Robin I love your books & your “Love Without End” sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win it……..let the hunt begin….release the hounds (hahaha!)!!

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