I'm a nut about home improvement, especially historic preservation. We bought an old Victorian home to restore, and it turned into a much bigger project that I ever would have dreamed. We've been working on it f
or fifteen years and still aren't done. But I still love it. When we bought our home, it was a duplex. We knocked out a wall that had been added and found the pocket doors still hidden inside. That was a super fun day!
In Tidewater Inn, Libby has the same passion for historic preservation. She and her business partner are working on a new project in Hope Beach. Her friend calls with some amazing news--some of Libby's family is on the island, siblings she had no idea even existed. Before she can assimilate the information, her friend is kidnapped by two men while Libby watches helplessly on a beach cam feed. When she arrives at Hope Beach to try to find her friend, she meets a hunky Coast Guard officer who helps her begin to figure out what is going on. I hope you can smell the ocean breeze and feel the sand between your toes!
In honor of our shared passion for historic preservation, I'm going to pass along my recipe for stripping old paint from a home's exterior. It's a job that Libby has to do at Tidewater Inn, and it's one that I kind of enjoy. You need a heat gun. We used this one but there are others that are less expensive. We liked this one because it had two temperatures. I like to start at the bottom because heat rises. Aim the heat gun at the board. I start at the bottom of the board. The paint will begin to bubble. Wait until it's really softened. I use a 1 1/2" putty knife like this to scrape it off. It's a heavy duty one that works great and the sharp point can get into the crevices. The paint will come up easily if you've gotten it hot enough. By the way, this works on painted furniture too. And it's kind of fun!
There are a lot of layers in Tidewater Inn, just as there are paint layers when you are working on restoring a project. Between the suspense and mystery, there is romance and family relationships. I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think.
Comment on the blog for a chance to win 1 of 3 free copies of Tidewater Inn. And visit your local Christian bookstore. Some of them are giving away of my friend Erin Healy's new book when you buy a copy of Tidewater Inn!
The group picture is in Lamb's Well in Warner Robbins GA. One of their former employees and a friend of mine on Facebook saw my post that I was on my way in. She (Sarah) threw her toddler in the car and zoomed to the store before I left. Once I knew she was on her way, wild horses couldn't have dragged me off! The owner of the store, Carla, is on the far left. She's got an awesome store!
I also stopped at The Potter's House in Valdosta GA but didn't get a picture, doggone it! But it was a terrific store and I loved meeting Brenda and Cherie!
Technorati Tags: paint removal, Tidewater Inn, Home restoration
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Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
61 Comments:
Do you have any tips for removing old varnish from hardwood floors?
sbsalzer at gmail dot com
I have several home improvement projects on my list. Thanks for the paint stripping tip. Any words of wisdom for removing decades of wallpaper some with several layers?
Thanks.
Would love to have your new book! I know it will be good because you are a wonderful author!
We lived in a home that was 100 years old for 20 years. It had been turned into a two flat. We converted it back to a single family. There was so much to do. Our two older sons worked alongside us on the rehab. When our younger three got old enough they did as well. One incident I will never forget was removing damaged plaster for a ceiling. As it loosened a large piece of p;aster held together with chicken wire hit me in the head. Apparently, chicken wire was used in the early part of the 20th century to repair sagging plaster.
Love to win your book because you are a wonderful author
While I have never done any home restoration projects, my husband has -- I do love to read your books and can't wait to read this one!! Keep um coming :-)
Love your books and its a great way to spend a hot summer day. indoors with a great book.
Love your books and its a great way to spend a hot summer day. indoors with a great book.
Love Colleen's books and would love to someday own a restoration project! Looking forward to a new read!
I can see how restoring a Victorian home would be an interesting project. How cool to find those doors! You must live in perpetual "renovation" mode! I'd love to read Libby's story! Might learn something.
I would love to have seen you when you were in Fl. this week...I really treasure your books!
I would love to win this book. I am interested in historic preservation too.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com
Oh, the work is hard but it's so worth it when you find yourself standing and staring...repeatedly...at your latest home improvement!
I would love to be in the drawing, Colleen. Your writing and the Outer Banks setting is too much to pass up!
Would love to win your book! You are always an awesome author :-)
littlebird@hur.midco.net
I haven't ever restored furniture, but I would love to try some day because I really like the look of old things, and they have such history.
What I would really love is an old library catalogue set of drawers. I would use it for my craft things, so that everything would have it's own place, instead of a jumble of things crammed into big drawers.
Colleen, I have read so many of your books and I think you are the best aurther I have ever found. I love the way they take me to that very place in the book and make me feel like I'm a part of it. Thanks so much for your story's. Keep them comming! I'm so excited to start reading Tidewater Inn! Thanks again!
Can't wait to read Tidewater Inn!!
Your paint removal tip is two days two late. :) I repainted an old door to use as a table for legos/baseball cards, etc. in our boys' room.
Tidewater Inn sounds like a great read--can't wait for it.
Looking forward to reading this!
Sounds awesome! Can't wait to read it:)
Wow, Colleen, Tidewater Inn sounds like a great book. I love mysteries, romance and have dreamed about restoring a home. I don't envy you the hard work but I would love to do it one day. Thank you for the hints. We have a door we need to strip and I have a feeling there are several layers of paint there. Hope I win! :-) God bless!!
I have read your novels for years and loved them. About 2 years ago, I introduced my daughter to them. (She was then 18) She has swept thru them and has now read more than I have. I would love to present her with a copy of Tidewater Inn. I probably will whether I win one or buy one!
Our recent labor of love in our house was resurfacing our solid wood cabinets and doors. They're now a lovely shade of espresso brown and our Christmas gift to each other. :)
Our recent labor of love in our house was resurfacing our solid wood cabinets and doors. They're now a lovely shade of espresso brown and our Christmas gift to each other. :)
I love your books, and I'm anxious to read Tidewater Inn. Be certain that I will still purchase it, however, even if I don't win. I'm looking forward to seeing you in Dallas. God bless you and your sweet husband!
I bought an dread Tidewater Inn and enjoyed it very much. So much so that although I intended to gift it, I now want to keep it in my library. A second copy would be great.
Would love to win!! Thank-you for the chance! :)
I love old houses because they have so much character and history. I would love to win a copy of Tidewater Inn! It sounds intriguing and I love the cover! Also, I love a book with a setting on the water. I guess it makes me feel like I'm there!
Sheri
hspruitt[at]frontiernet{doT}net
This comment has been removed by the author.
It sounds like an exciting book. I will definitely put it on my reading list.
My parents just bought our neightbor's house and we are in the demolition stage right now. Oh, the goodies we have found! The other day I discovered that the bathroom wall did not match the kitchen as it should, so out came the hammer, a few good wacks, and I discovered they enclosed part of the bathroom. Why? I don't know, but it was fun to discover. Plus we have found fun items, like vintage tin lunch boxes and letters.
Your story sounds fun, I would love to read it.
If my comment comes in twice, sorry....having trouble with blogger.
Colleen, I have read all your books and loved them! I am so anxious to read this one so please count me in the giveaway.
Wish I could have seen you when you passed through GA....I live about 90 mi. east of Atlanta.
jacsmi75@gmail.com
Tidewater Inn sounds wonderful, Colleen! Thanks for a chance to win a copy!
Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net
I love all of your books!
Mystery, suspense, romance, Tidewater Inn has it all! I'd love to win a copy.
Thanks for the chance.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
I can't wait to read this! It sounds great! I like DIY projects, so restoring an old house sounds like something I'd eventually like to do. :) Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I'm with you, I love Victorian Homes! I would love a copy of Tidewater Inn, it sounds like a wonderful book.
Thanks for a chance with the giveaway!
gjac444 (at) gmail (dot) com
I will keep your paint tips in mind although I do not see myself doing anything like that. It could be interesting to research and add it to my curriculum. I am now teaching a construction based class to my inmates and always need ideas. Maybe rehabbing a house will find its way in. Be warned, I may email you for curriculum ideas! :)
I will keep your paint tips in mind although I do not see myself doing anything like that. It could be interesting to research and add it to my curriculum. I am now teaching a construction based class to my inmates and always need ideas. Maybe rehabbing a house will find its way in. Be warned, I may email you for curriculum ideas! :)
so enjoy your books! :)
I'm a college student so I don't have big restoration plans but I do make old things and restore them into new things. For example I turn an old desk drawer into a chalkboard with blackboard paint.
I loved your Lonestar series and I have almost all of your books :)
star-gurl-44(at)hotmail(dot)com
I bet your house is beautiful! I love historcal houses!I love your books! Would love to read this one! Thanks for chance to win!
dowelljanet@hotmail.com
Remodeling can be fun or a bear, depending on the task. We've been working on our house - more off than on - for several years. My hubby hates remodeling, so I have to wait for friends to help me. Since they're currently working on two projects - rebuilding their home and building her mother's new home - mine has to wait. I love painting, but other tasks? Not so much. *G*
I've heard so much about your new book, Tidewater Inn! I can't wait to read it. I'd love to win a copy, but if not I'll be buying myself a copy. I've enjoyed your other books so much. Thanks for offering this giveaway, Colleen!
Nancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Our house is 100+ years old and we aren't at all handy. We have some 5" woodwork, but it's all painted. I love your books!
Our house is 100+ years old and we aren't at all handy. We have some 5" woodwork, but it's all painted. I love your books!
I would love to win a copy of this book. I enjoy reading any book that these authors write. I keep a wish list .
My husband enjoys restoring old furniture. He refinished an antique little desk for me that had been painted! It was beautiful when he got all the paint off. Now he bought an antique roll top that has fortunately NOT been painted but he would like to "clean it up" and I want it left just as it is - it has character!
I would love to read Tidewater Inn. I have a son who survived a kidnapping attempt in Colombia and I am at a good place with it all so this subject matter is therapeutic at this point.
I love every book of yours that I have read! Keep them coming!
My ex helped his Dad dig out a basement under a house, it was a great room, used a lot of the rocks from the dirt to make a wall.
I would love to get a copy of this book, sounds great as the rest of your books.
Those are great tips! After completing a major addition to our house I hope we don't need to use those tips Amy time soon!
Thanks for giveaway!
Campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Yes! I would love to win Tidewater Inn, your newest novel! We bought a 1940s house on a hilltop, moving in three summers ago. Ongoing finishing ~ completely remodeled inside with a fresh coat of paint on the outside. The sun has mellowed it to a beautiful color! Kathleen
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
We are in the middle of remodeling out home, doing all the work ourselves! I had no idea what exactly we were undertaking! lol
ppreacherswife at gmail dot com
My mom burned up three belt sanders refinishing her hardwood floors. The floors were gorgeous when she was finished. Worth the hard work. Keep the new books coming.
I grew up a building contractor's daughter, and I've been on many worksites both new and restoration. My Daddy has worked on many great old buildings such as Kensington Mansion (Eastover, SC) and Milford Plantation, (Rimini, SC). But, what I remember most about growing up on the jobsite, is that during a new construction, we would always grab a Sharpie or other permanent marker, and write our names on the studs inside the house. My brothers were the worst! They'd post messages like, "Behind this wall is hidden priceless treasure," or something like that! We would leave our mark there for someone else to find. And what was even cooler than that, was to go through the demolition process on rennovations, and see the writings of others, finding the marks that they had left behind. Neat huh? Let us all be careful about the marks we leave in life-rest assured that most of the time they are permanent, and you never know who'll end up being affected by it!
Excited about your new book! Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Love your books, Colleen! I am reading the Lonestar series right now. Can't wait to read Tidewater Inn! :)
Andrea
Andrea(dot)hilton809(at)gmail(dot)com
Love your books Colleen! I am reading Smitten right now!! Loving it - so fun! Looking forward to reading your new book!
Home remodeling can be stressful and can wear on a relationship...just learn to let it go, laugh a lot and trust God through it all!! On a side note: Colleen, I admire your work, God has definitely blessed you with a gift, I hope to be blessed with such a gift myself one day!
I love your Rock Harbor series, and have enjoyed several other of your books, too! I'd love a chance to win Tidewater Inn! :)
Your house sounds wonderful! <3
We live in a 100-year-old home and we still aren't done with it. I don't think we ever will be. But it keeps my interest!
I just drew out the 3 names:
Debra Marvin
freddikb
treblesteph4
Congratulations! I need your addresses. You can email me at colleen@colleencoble.com
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