I've been fascinated with the Victorian and
Edwardian eras, as well as the Old West as long as I can remember.
Growing up on a farm in Eastern
Oregon where only the most determined and resolute individuals dare toil the
soil that spent centuries covered in sagebrush, rock, and the random juniper
tree, I never gave a thought to my great fortune in having a rural foundation
on which to build my future.
All the crazy exploits I had as a
girlie-girl being raised as a tomboy came in handy when I began writing western
romances. You'd be surprised how many of the wild adventures in my stories are
based on things I either experienced or witnessed during my formative years.
I joyfully bear the burden of being a
hopeless romantic, with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure. I've
always been a sappy-hearted girl who loves a happy ending. I also love the western
and rural way of life and that's why I began writing sweet and clean western
romances.
Everything you never wanted to know
about me is posted with frequency on my blog.
There you'll discover I'm completely and entirely smitten with my husband,
lovingly referred to as Captain Cavedweller. You'll also find that I eat too
much chocolate, have a thing for roses, like to play with my camera, and enjoy
researching the towns and eras for my romances set in the old west.
Connect with the Author here:
Tad Palmer makes a promise to his dying friend to watch over the man’s wife and child. Years later, he continues to keep an eye on Posey Jacobs and her precocious little boy. The only problem is that he’s not sure his heart can withstand the vow he made when he falls in love with the widow and her son.
Posey Jacobs misses her beloved husband, but her wrenching grief has given way to hope for the future as she finds herself falling deeper and deeper in love with Tad Palmer. However, the infuriating man doesn’t seem to notice her interest and treats her as he would his sister.
Throw in a goat who thinks she’s a dog, a town full of quirky characters, and this widow has her work cut out for her if she wants one handsome cowboy to give her his heart.
Q&A with the Author
1. Tell
us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction
besides writing?
I love to bake. My biggest project was a wedding cake for my niece's
wedding. It's fun to try new recipes and I've been known to make them up, too.
Photography is another thing I enjoy, and I dabble in graphic design. Pinterest
is a place I love to visit even if I have to limit the amount of time I spend
there, drooling over recipes, fashions, and dream kitchens! I also enjoy
working in my yard when the weather cooperates. Captain Cavedweller and I like
to travel. And we get a kick out of attending rodeos when our schedules permit.
2. When did you first realize you were an author?
I don't suppose the adventure-packed story I wrote in third grade about
a raccoon counts, so I'll probably go with the day I sold a copy of my first
book on June 18, 2011. Up until that point it didn't feel real.
3. Have you done anything writing-related, but besides actually writing
your books, that seemed to get a lot of positive response? Something that
encouraged you?
I created a group for my street team, Hopeless Romantics. The response
from that has been so positive and uplifting. The active participants in the
group so often encourage me (even if they might not realize it) and I feel like
it's provided a place for me to really connect with my readers. It is such fun
for me to get to know them better.
4. What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how
do you defeat it?
I'm a stickler for getting the historical details as accurate as humanly
possible in my stories. Sometimes, I invest more time researching details than
I do writing. It doesn't help that I minored in history in college, so I love
delving into history to glean details that will help bring my story to life.
When I know I'm about to get sucked into a vortex of historical facts that
truly aren't necessary for the story, I rein in my enthusiasm and get back to
writing.
5. What is the “message” of your writing? (For example, is your purpose
to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes
in different books?)
If readers pull one consistent message from my books, I think it would
be hope. Even when things seem the darkest and impossible, hope is there,
lingering in the background. And of course, I'm all about the sweet romance. I
think people so often confuse true romance with other things, so I try to have
the stories I write be about pure heart-sighing, swoon-worthy romance.
6. What are your thoughts/feelings on ebook vs. print book?
I'm a fan of both! For me, I love being able to take my Kindle with me
when I'm away from home, because I have a variety of books at my fingertips.
Other times, when I actually get a few spare moments to sit down and read (with
a cup of tea and a piece of yummy chocolate), I like to hold a book in my hand
and turn those crisp pages as I am drawn into the story.
7. How many books do you have out? Are you planning a
specific number altogether, either in this series or separately?
Tad's Treasure is my 46th book. I have several other series out, as well
as a handful of stand-alone books. In addition to being part of Grandma's
Wedding Quilts, Tad's Treasure is also the prequel to my Baker City Brides
series. The fourth book in the series will be out in March. It's called Bobbins
and Boots and is about a cowboy who goes to town for supplies and returns home
married to someone else's mail-order bride.
8. Are your characters/stories/scenes, etc. based on anything in
real life?
It's safe to say a lot of real life experiences are incorporated into my
stories. For the ranch and farm scenes, many times I draw on my past
experiences to add a sense of authenticity to a scene. And there are some
characters in my books who are loosely based on people I know (both good and
bad!). I always joke if you don't want to end up as a bad guy in one of my
books, be nice!
9. What are your future projects?
This year is a busy one for me. In addition to the Bobbins and Boots
coming out in March, I will also have another book out in the Pendleton
Petticoats series (Dally). Other books I plan to release this year include
three group novella projects, another book in the Hearts of the War series
(Home of Her Heart), additions to my two holiday series, and surprise project
that will release during the holidays.
To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page
Love the Q&A's It's always nice to learn more about the authors.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting me today!
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