Rebekah's Quilt by Sara Barnard @TheSaraBarnard

Springtime is my favorite time of the year, especially when it comes early.” Rebekah flung herself back onto her quilts.

“Oh my girl, you make my heart glad.”

Rebekah fiddled with a lock of her hair. “Is Pa working in the field?”

Elnora placed both hands on her back and stretched. “Yes, you know your Pa. Trying to get as much done as he can in good weather.” Elnora paused. “It’s supposed to be a mild rest of the season. But he’ll be in this afternoon for your birthday get-together.”

“Will the Graber’s be coming?” Before the words were fully off her tongue, Rebekah’s cheeks began to burn.

Pulling back a curtain, Elnora gazed out the window. “Heloise and Lucas will be coming tonight. But not Joseph.”

“Oh,” Rebekah’s voice was muted. “Why won’t he be coming?” She tried, unsuccessfully, to mask the crestfallen note in her voice.

Elnora slid open the dresser drawer and selected Rebekah’s brightest head covering. “Well,” she began, holding the gauzy bonnet out to her, “Joseph won’t be coming tonight, because he is walking up the path to our house right now.”

Rebekah’s jaw went slack. The sinking feeling in her stomach immediately began to soar,

propelling her out of bed.

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Genre - Romantic Historical Fiction

Rating – PG

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Where Writers Find Inspiration – Shanna Hatfield @ShannaHatfield #thechristmascowboy

Where Writers Find Inspiration

One question I’m often asked is where I get my story ideas.

Here’s the answer: Everywhere!

I’ve yet to go on a trip with my husband, Captain Cavedweller, and not come home with a list of story ideas. They’ve sprung to life while sitting in traffic, working in the yard, and grocery shopping. I also find inspiration in experiences. If I hear a hilarious story from a friend, I will probably jot down some notes. You never know when it might end up in a story. Likewise, don’t behave badly around me because you could end up as some despicable jerk in a future story.

The idea for my latest contemporary romance, The Christmas Cowboy, invaded my thoughts last year while CC and I sat in the Las Vegas airport after the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, waiting for our flight home. Indulging in some serious people watching, I couldn’t help but notice the sea of cowboy hats and friendly smiles. “What if,” started playing loudly in my head. What if there was a cowboy, a rodeo cowboy? What if he met a girl at an airport? What if they fell in love? What if she was a driven career woman? What if she despised cowboys? What if…

Fortunately, I had my laptop with me and began madly typing my ideas for the two main characters. By the time we landed, I had a basic storyline and most of the characters in the story planned out.

Here’s a little blurb about The Christmas Cowboy:

Tate Morgan is a good-looking, dimple-cheeked saddle bronc rider chasing his dream of earning a World Champion title. Frequenting the small airport near his ranch in southeast Washington on his way to rodeos, he keeps seeing the same beautiful brunette. He finally works up the courage to sit down next to her one morning and strikes up a conversation as they wait for a flight to Denver. Kenzie Beckett is a trainer for a direct sales company, traveling coast-to-coast as she works with consultants and the corporate team. Gone more than she’s home, she doesn’t have time to invest in relationships, particularly with a cowboy. Burned twice by sweet- talking men wearing Wranglers and boots, the last thing Kenzie plans to do is give a third one the chance to break her heart.

Keep something handy to jot down notes at all times. You never know when or where inspiration might strike. I’ve keep notebooks in my purse, in the car and, if all else fails, I can also capture a few notes on my phone. Don’t go looking for inspiration because the very best moments are the ones that catch you by surprise.

***

For more details about The Christmas Cowboy, visit The Christmas Cowboy page on Shanna’s website. From December 1-24, Shanna will donate 10% of her net proceeds from all her book sales to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.

Find The Christmas Cowboy, and her other books at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Follow Shanna online: ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube

Author Bio: 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 Captain Cavedweller, she writes clean romantic fiction with a healthy dose of humor. She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

"10% of the net proceeds from all my book sales December 1-24 will be donated to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund®"

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Genre – Romance (contemporary western)

Rating – PG

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Connect with Shanna Hatfield on Facebook and Twitter

Website http://shannahatfield.com

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview - Greg Sandora @gregsandora

What is your book about?

The book features Jack Canon, a charismatic senator from Kentucky, in his “All-In” run for the White House. He meets a lot of obstacles along his way, from corrupt politicians to relationship troubles to murder conspiracies. But, Jack will stop at nothing to become president, and to get the chance to change the world and make it a better place. Even if that puts his own life at risk. The ending will have you pulling the covers and drawing the shades.  You’ll wonder if it’s even legal to read.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m originally from the Portland, Maine area, lived, and worked there for years before moving to Southwest Florida. My Dad and Mom were artists, my father painted and his mother wrote poetry and loved to garden. Most Saturdays our family loaded up the 1970 Chevy Impala to trek to a one-man show somewhere or other. I took a different track graduating with a business degree, owning and operating an Award Winning Franchise Fitness Center. Currently a professional manager I’m living in Florida with My beautiful wife and children, and following my passion. I have a deep faith. I believe God helps us in all things.

How long did it take you to write the book?

It took me six months from start to finish to write the first draft of Jack Canon’s American Destiny.

What are you working on now? What are some of your other projects?

I’m currently working on the sequel to Jack Canon’s American Destiny – which will be titled Jack Canon – Clean Sweep. The sequel will be available in about three months. Some of my other projects include a children’s book called Sammy the Sea Turtle – about an infant sea turtle taken from his nest the night he was to find his way to the sea. Sammy lives with the family until their son – the boy who took him, graduates from high school. On that day Sammy, backpack in tow – begins the long journey home. My second project, in the works, involves angels – a man during a visit to Bar Harbor Maine encounters an angel; quite accidentally, he is told – she was not supposed to make him aware of her existence. Only three others have ever seen the real thing. Naturally he falls hopelessly in love with the beautiful creature.

Name a few of your favorite authors and why.

Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Eckart Tolle, I love books on spirituality.

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Genre – Political Thriller

Rating – PG

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Greg Sandora on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.gregsandora.com/

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Rebekah’s Quilt by Sara Barnard @TheSaraBarnard

Who can Rebekah trust when the line between English and Amish becomes blurred?

An Amish Settlement. An English stranger. The Blizzard of 1888.

Rebekah’s mother, Elnora Stoll, is the finest quilter in all of Gasthof Village but it seems Rebekah has inherited none of her skill. It’s not until the arrival of a mysterious English stranger that a lifetime of questions are answered and Rebekah, her special friend Joseph Graber, and the entire settlement of Gasthof Village learn the true meaning of what it truly means to be Amish.

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Genre - Romantic Historical Fiction

Rating – PG

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#AmReading - Dream of You by Kate Perry @KatePerry

Dream of You by Kate Perry

Amazon

Love sucks.
Lola Carmichael's known it since her boyfriend broke up with her the night she expected him to propose. Only with a deadline looming for her next romance novel, she better find inspiration fast.
Enter arrogant sports radio DJ Sam Touchdown Taylor. Who'd have thought a playboy ex-jock would be just what she needs to get her creative juices flowing...and her heart beating again.
When Lola discovers Sam is using her to win back his dream job, she knows she should give up on Happily Ever After, but part of her hopes heroes do exist...and dreams do come true.

#AmReading - Stalking Sapphire by Mia Thompson @Mia_Thomp

Stalking Sapphire by Mia Thompson

Amazon

Despite the illusion Sapphire Dubois presents to the rest of the world, she is not just your stereotypical 22-year old Beverly Hills heiress; she hunts serial killers. While her fellow heirs spend their nights with trending celebs and drugs at the hottest club, Sapphire secretly spends hers luring, capturing, and anonymously handing over So-Cal’s most wanted killers to the police — just your average Tuesday night.
What Sapphire doesn’t know is that one of her adversaries is watching her every move, aware of both her true identity and her unconventional hobby. Needless to say, he doesn’t approve. Used to being the one who redefines the definition of predator and prey, Sapphire’s world abruptly shatters when a gruesome ‘gift’ arrives for her at the Beverly Hills Country Club. With her involuntary crush, handsome Detective Aston Ridder, close on her tail, Sapphire now has to rethink her routine strategy and figure out how to capture a killer who already knows she’s coming.