Take a look – the new cover for the fourth (and, to my mind, best) novel of the Dream Series:

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I’m thrilled to be hosting the book launch for a friend (and someone who gave me great advice before the launch of my books last year), Shanna Hatfield.  I’ve got an interview with Shanna, and she’s also got a giveaway for you – an ebook copy of her new novel, “Ilsa” to one lucky commentor!  But, first, here’s the lady herself…

Shanna Hatfield is a hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure. In addition to blogging, eating too much chocolate, and being smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller, she is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor. She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

Follow Shanna online:

ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter

Or, you can email her at shanna@shannahatfield.com

And here’s the book…

 

“Ilsa” is her newest book, and the third in this series.  What’s it about?

Before we get to the interview, a brief description of the series: Set in the western town of Pendleton, Oregon, the Pendleton Petticoats series highlights courageous women and men of strong character. The series begins in 1899, as Pendleton heads into a new century and an era as a booming, bustling city. During the early 1900s, Pendleton was a modern, progressive town, despite its Wild West reputation. In addition to 18 bordellos and 32 saloons, Pendleton offered residents such cultured experiences as an opera house, a French restaurant, and a tearoom. It was the second city in Oregon to have paved streets and boasted a telephone office as well as wonders like indoor plumbing to those who could afford the services. While the town didn’t lack for colorful characters, those portrayed in the Pendleton Petticoats series are purely fictional.

And you can buy “Ilsa” as well as “Aundy” and “Caterina” at:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Shanna’s provided us with an excerpt from “Aundy” to introduce her series to us…

“You are one of the most stubborn, hard-headed women I’ve ever met, Aundy Erickson,” Garrett said, running a hand through his hair, sending the dark locks into a state of complete disarray. His movements made Aundy want to run her fingers through it as well. “Your ability to be self-sufficient would never come into question. If you need help, ask for it. We’re more than happy to give it. You’ve been through so much since you’ve arrived here and handled it all in stride. Growing up in the city, without any rural background, you’re going to need some help. Never hesitate to ask.”

“I know, but I’ve imposed on all of you too much as it is.” Aundy felt tears prick the backs of her eyes. She would not cry. Giving in to her emotions, as jumbled as they were, wouldn’t help prove she could care for herself and Erik’s farm. Her farm.

“You’ve never imposed on us. Ever.” Aundy was so obstinate. He couldn’t recall ever meeting such a stubborn, headstrong woman. She made him want to… Thinking about what he really wanted to do, he refocused his attention on why she went to the Underground. “Regardless of all that, what information were you hoping to find?”

“I wanted to buy something and no one would talk to me about it. Dressed as a man, I didn’t have a bit of trouble making the deal.”

“What did you buy?” Garrett tried to think of anything Aundy would have purchased in the Underground that could possibly be beneficial to the farm.

“I don’t think you’re going to like my answer.” Aundy didn’t want to tell Garrett about her sheep. He’d been quite vocal when she and J.B. were discussing the pros and cons of raising sheep the other day, about how much he disliked the “stinky little boogers,” as he referred to them.

“What did you do?” Garrett asked, pinning her with his silver gaze.

“I made arrangements with a man to buy something he wanted, quite desperately, to sell.”

Garrett’s patience was nearly exhausted. “Which was?”

She hesitated, taking a deep breath before answering. “Sheep.”

He let out a whoosh of air and sat back in his chair. Blinking his eyes twice, he was sure Aundy couldn’t have said what he thought she did.

“Did you say sheep?”

“Yes,” Aundy whispered, staring down at the cloth covering the table.

“Smelly, nasty, bleating little sheep?”

“Well, I don’t know about the smelly, nasty, or bleating part, but yes, I did agree to purchase sheep.”

“Woman! What are you thinking? Did you sign papers, make payment? Is the deal final?”

“Not yet. Mr. O’Connell was under the impression I was helping a new widow. I asked him to call Mrs. Erickson Monday morning to make arrangements for the sale.”

“O’Connell? The whiskey drinking Irishman? Why he’ll…” Garrett yelled, his eyes flashing fire.

Aundy reached across the table and clapped a hand across his mouth. “Shh. You’ll have Dent and the boys in here if you don’t quiet down. Not only should you not be here, especially with me dressed like this, but I’m not quite ready to impart the knowledge to them that we’ll soon be raising sheep.”

“Fred will quit.” Garrett stated a fact Aundy already knew. He’d made it perfectly clear that he had no interest in tending sheep, so it was a gamble she had to make.

“I’ve taken that possibility into consideration.”

“Did you also take into consideration that a lot of the neighbors around here hate sheep? Not just dislike them, but hate them. I know many people in the area raise sheep, but our neighbors are all wheat growers and cattlemen. If you think about it, there isn’t one little lamb to be found from here all the way to Pendleton.

And, finally, as promised, we’ve got a great interview with shanna…

1. Who is your favorite author and why?

I can’t pick just one. There are many, many authors I enjoy. Usually when I read, I just want to be entertained. Some of my favorites for doing that are Deeanne Gist, Karen Witemeyer, Rachel Rossano, and Marcia Lynn McClure.

2. How do you describe your writing style?

Definitely easy reading. My goal is to provide readers with a fun, engaging place to escape for a few hours where they can be entertained and meet some flawed, witty, heartfelt characters.

3. Why should we read your book?

If you enjoy historical fiction, clean romances, or a good western, you’ll most likely enjoy reading Aundy and its sequels, Caterina and Ilsa. The Pendleton Petticoats series is full of history, adventure, light-hearted dialogue and a few heart-wrenching moments. 

4. Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?

None of the characters in the Pendleton Petticoats series. They are all much braver than I would be in similar circumstances! (If you want to discover the character modeled after me, read Heart of Clay.)

5. If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?

In the Pendleton Petticoats series, I think I’d pick Ilsa. She’s petite, blonde, perky, and wildly talented at designing and creating high-end fashions – basically everything I’m not!

6. What books have most influenced your life?

Aside from the Bible, I’ve been influenced by both fiction and non-fiction. I read Ralph Moody’s Little Britches in grade school and still remember the scene about Ralph’s father telling him how we can either build up or tear down our character through life like a house. It made me realize how important it is to not only have a good foundation and solid walls, but to do regular maintenance on keeping it that way. Although I’ve never sold cosmetics, I appreciate the wisdom of Mary Kay Ash and what she shared in her book The Mary Kay Way. She truly knew how to lift people up. In more recent years, I loved Randy Pausch’s book The Last Lecture. It’s a great reminder that life is too short to waste even a day of it.

7. Beatles or Monkees? Why?

Monkees. I was the youngest of four kids and I can remember being quite young, sitting with my sister as she watched the Monkees show. She was a big fan of Davy Jones.

8. Who should play you in a film of your life?

Julianne Moore – I always wanted to be a gorgeous redhead!

9. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

I love to hear from readers, so feel free to drop me a note via any of my social media links.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered for a change to win Shanna’s new book…

 

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I’ve got a guest post up at Paige Rion’s blog…go on over and take a look!

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There’s a very neat feature about “Dream Doctor” and my favorite scene in the book, today at Melissa Snark’s blog – check it out!

 

 

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I’m thrilled to be hosting a stop on Sara Walter Wlwood’s Second Honeymoon book tour…and make sure to read all the way to the end, because Sara’s got a giveaway for you!

 

And, here’s Sara…

 

Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. She also has paranormal romantic suspense published under the pen name Cera duBois.

You can follow Sara at all her various links:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter Signup

And here are the books…

Gambling On A Secret

Book 1 of The Colton Gamblers

Blurb:

When Charli bets everything on a secret, will she find the deck stacked against her?

Former runaway-turned heiress Charli Monroe is hiding her sordid past and planning a future in Colton, Texas. Attending the local college for a degree in social work, she intends to raise cattle on her newly purchased ranch, which she plans to open as a home for troubled teens. Only a few glitches—the Victorian mansion is crumbling, the barn needs a roof, and her oilman neighbor wants more than friendship. When she meets Dylan Quinn, Charli is willing to take a chance on the town drunk to help her rebuild the rundown ranch.

Dylan has his demons, too. The former Special Forces commander can’t get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and the botched mission that left him with much more than a bad limp. Certain the greedy oilman next door to Charli wants much more than just her heart, Dylan’s even willing to stop drinking in order to protect her.

When things get dangerous and secrets of the past are revealed, is he only looking out for his new employer, or is she the new start he so desperately needs?

Buy Links:

Lyrical Press | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Gambling On A Heart

Book 2 of The Colton Gamblers

Blurb:

She once lost his heart on a bluff. Will she risk everything to win it back?

Beautician Tracy Quinn spends her days making the women of Colton, Texas beautiful, while living down the nickname of Olive Oyl, given to her by the only man she has ever loved—Zack Cartwright. She spends her nights alone, despite what her ex husband wants their friends and neighbors to think.

Ex-rodeo cowboy. Ex-bad-boy. Ex-Marine. Widower and single dad Sheriff Zack Cartwright can describe his life in exes. One ex in particular reminds him of what’s missing in his workaholic life: Tracy Quinn. For years since she broke his heart, he’s practically made avoiding her a second job. He still wants her, but can never go after her.

When cattle rustlers target her brother’s ranch, Tracy and Zack are stuck working together. Her son could use a positive male role model, and his daughter is wild for a chance at a “substitute” mom. But Tracy’s ex threatens to sue if she lets Zack near her son, and the Colton grapevine is abuzz with rumors about their past relationship. Is it worth the gamble to see if what they have is more than lust?

Buy Links:

Lyrical Press | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Heartstrings

Blurb:

He’s determined to set things right, no matter the cost.

The last person Abby Crawford wants to face down is country music superstar Seth Kendall. Last time she did, she flat-out lied so he’d go to Nashville without her. She’s never understood why their mutual best friend proposed, but she went with it so her baby wouldn’t be fatherless. Now she’s a divorced mother of a teenager, and secretly Seth’s biggest fan.

Seth is home in McAllister, Texas for his father’s funeral…and a chance to meet the daughter he’s never known. He’s willing to face the music of his own making and admit he’s known about his little girl all along. For fifteen years he’s kept his distance because Abby told him to follow his dreams without her, insisting she didn’t love him. But now he won’t leave until he knows his daughter and she knows him, even if it means facing the woman who broke his heart for good.

Confessing she’s lied about her daughter’s paternity all these years won’t be easy for Abby, especially with her ex blackmailing her to keep the secret. And Seth doesn’t know the hardest truth of all: Every love song he plays on his guitar still plucks her heartstrings.

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wGmgAkdsyM

Buy Links:

Lyrical Press | Amazon | Barns and Noble | iTunes | Kobo

 

I’ve also got a great interview with Sara…

Who is your favorite author? 

Rachel Gibson. I just love her voice and her stories.

How do you describe your writing style? 

I have always thought of my writing style as a cross between Rachel Gibson and Linda Leal Miller.

Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book? 

I guarantee a reader will get emotionally involved in my books and in the end they are cheering for the much deserved happy ending. My characters aren’t perfect and sometimes they aren’t always likable, but they are real.

Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?

I really try to make my characters as different from me as possible. However, in a way Tracy from Gambling On A Heart is the only character where I could see some of my own psyche in. Tracy is super skinny and over tall, and even though I’m the complete opposite, she experienced a lot of the same kind of bullying as I had as a kid. Of all my characters, Tracy is the one that I really didn’t have to stretch too far to understand.

If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why? 

Wow… Let me think. Believe it or not, I’d love to be Grace from my first book, A Hunter’s Angel. There is just something about the eternal love of a vampire that makes me want to experience it. Of course, I’m not sure I’d like to live on a diet of blood for my immortal life.

What books have most influenced your life? 

I would have to say Gone With the Wind, and the North and South trilogy by John Jakes. I’ve read all these books more times than I can count. They really are my favorites.

If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why? 

You do like the hard questions.  I would have to say Gone With the Wind.  Don’t get me wrong I LOVE that book, but darn it, I’m a romance writer for a reason. I want Scarlett and Rhett to have a happy ending.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?

Emm… Can I say neither? Nothing against either band, but I grew up listening to Johny Cash, George Jones, George Strait and Garth Brooks.

Who should play you in a film of your life?

That is a hard question… Jennifer Lawrence maybe

 

And, last but definitely not least, here’s Sara’s giveaway…

Sara is giving away a beautiful treasure box full of goodies:

1. A thumb drive containing Sara’s novella The Birthday Fantasy and her paranormals A Hunter’s Angel and A Hunter’s Blade

2. A signed paperback copy of Carolyn Brown’s Just a Cowboy and His Baby

3. A retractable black ink pen

4. A decorative diary style notebook

5. A mouse pad

6. Sara’s own custom designed jewelry (necklace and earring set)

7. $10 Starbucks gift card and more.

A total prize package valued at $100.

The giveaway ends April 30 and the winner of the Swag Pack will be announced on May 1, 2014. Must be 18 years old or older and a resident of the USA to qualify. Void where prohibited by law. See http://sarawalterellwood.wordpress.com/giveaway-rules/ for complete list of terms and rules.

Just click here to enter:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a5c2547/

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I wanted to do a little something for my readers, so I’ve got some “bonus material” from the books to post today.

Actually, there are three short pieces, and I’ll post them over the next couple of weeks – but the first one is right here in this post.

It’s a “bonus scene” that appears in the BOX OF DREAMS set (which includes the first five Dream Series books).  This scene takes place between DREAM STUDENT and DREAM DOCTOR, and it’s a look at what Sara was doing during her final Spring Break, in March of 1991.

I think it’s a fun little piece, and I hope you’ll enjoy it.  You can just click below, to download it as a PDF and read it whenever you like…

“Girls on Film“

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