7/13/2012

ROBIN PERINI


COWBOY IN THE CROSSFIRE

Unjust accusations shattered Blake Redmond's big-city police career—and destroyed everything around him. Now, all this sheriff lives for is keeping watch over his small Texas town…until Amanda Hawthorne and her five-year-old son come fleeing out of a snowstorm with killers on their trail. The terror Blake sees in the young boy's eyes makes Blake swear to protect him and his injured mother.

But winning Amanda's trust is as difficult as resisting the passion drawing him to this beautiful, determined woman. With their every move thwarted and time running out, the only way Blake can clear his name and save this little family is to confront his own dangerous past—no matter what the cost.

READ AN EXCERPT 
Book’s location: Carder, Texas (fictional) and Austin, Texas




Robin Perini QUICK FACTS
  • published 3 books with 7 more on the way.
  • began writing in  When Moby was a Minnow!
  • hometown or favorite city: Florence, Italy is my favorite city.
  • ice cream or cake? Cake…always! Preferably with lots of icing.
  • hiking or biking? Hiking…I have no sense of balance.
Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?
ROBIN: There are so many heroes I've met throughout my life. Teachers, veterans, fire fighters, SWAT team cops, doctors, nurses...the list goes on. Most don't make the news. None want praise or adoration, and when given that admiration most are embarrassed. Today, I think I'll tell you about my great uncle. He fought in World War I. I didn't know him until he was in his 70s. He was wounded twice—once in the arm and once in the leg. He was left on a battlefield and then warned that German tanks would be coming through the next day. He dragged himself a mile (or so the family legend goes) before he was found. He came home from overseas and lived his life. He never spoke of the war, but he challenged himself always. He taught himself to speak Spanish—badly, I'm afraid. He learned to make turquoise jewelry (I still have a ring he made for me when I was a girl). He prospected for gold in New Mexico and Arizona. He was an amazing mechanic and tinkerer. But mostly, he was just always there, quiet and strong.

I know little of what he saw or what he did on those ravaged battle fields. He never spoke of it to anyone—which in itself says so much. What I do know is how he lived his life afterwards. His father had just died, and my great uncle became head of the family (my grandmother was only ten years old at the time). He lived his life for his family. He always looked forward and did for others. Other than my dad, he was one of the first heroes I ever met. And he inspires me to this day. 

What or who inspired the hero for COWBOY IN THE CROSSFIRE?
ROBIN: Blake Redmond came from an interesting place. A man who grew up in a small town, but longed for the big city, who found everything he wanted…and it was all snatched away. He came home to heal, and find a place in the world, only to have his past haunt him again. Blake is a conglomeration of many. His name however, came from a very specific place. Blake's last name was that of my fifth grade teacher. A wonderful man who showed me that science was cool; that great works of art could be inspiring; who taught me how to spell Czechoslovakia and who made learning an adventure. I am where I am today in part due to his influence. Another hero in my life. How lucky can I be?

Is there a hero you’re just dying to write about for Intrigue? 
ROBIN:  I love Intrigue heroes, because I believe an Intrigue hero sacrifices himself for the sake of others. I would love to write about a man with PTSD who has given everything and is struggling to come to terms with the past. Oh, wait…I get to do that in one of my upcoming stories. You'll meet Daniel in Christmas Conspiracy. He gets his own book in 2013. I can't wait! I'm SO lucky to be able to write about the heroes who inspire me. I hope I can do Daniel justice.

What’s your favorite way you’ve killed someone (in your books of course)?
ROBIN: Hmmm…great, if not a disturbing question. The most memorable murder that is available now may be from In Her Sights. I used a tire iron as a murder weapon…it wasn't the weapon that made this scene my favorite, but the way the murderer toyed with the victim. Shudder.

What’s your favorite thing about the Harlequin Party?
ROBIN: I love walking through the Harlequin Party and seeing the authors I've read for years up close and personal. Of course, I'm always way too nervous to talk to anyone, but when I work up the courage, it's amazing to meet someone you've admired from afar for so long and to discover they are as wonderful in person as their books. I'm star struck!

Where are some unusual places your characters have ‘made out’?
ROBIN: Let's see, on a rifle range; in a barn; in a hot tub. I may have to work on that one!

GOTTA ASK: If you had to choose a movie to describe COWBOY IN THE CROSSFIRE, which would it be?
ROBIN’S GOTTA ANSWER:  That's a toughy…how about an odd cross between Conspiracy Theory, LA Confidential, Bonanza, Sneakers and True Lies. LOL…yes, I can't pick just one!

FIND ROBIN on the Intrigue-Authors Blog &
Contact       Website   Facebook   
Twitter @RobinPerini    Goodreads     Blogs    
GLIAS interviews
UP NEXT by ROBIN:
CHRISTMAS CONSPIRACY
Harlequin Intrigue
October 2012

PREVIOUS RELEASES by ROBIN:
FINDING HER SON
Harlequin Intrigue
March 2012
Read an Excerpt 
IN HER SIGHTS
Amazon Montlake
November 2011
Read an Excerpt 

MONTGOMERY JUSTICE SERIES
Coming in 2013 and 2014 from Harlequin Intrigue, Robin is taking readers back to Carder, Texas for three connected books to Cowboy in the Crossfire and Christmas Conspiracy (October 2012). Keep an eye out for Robin's Carder Connections: Seek and Hide (Hunter's story), Missing in Action (Daniel's Story) and the long-awaited sequel to Finding Her Son, Nowhere to Hide (Noah Bradford's story).

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?
YES! International

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join us tomorrow as INTRIGUE week continues with KERRY CONNOR. ~Angi

? THE QUESTION FOR READERS TODAY ?
I'm going to be writing a lot of connected books in the future. Do you like connected stories. Why or why not? And if you like connected books, what are your favorite and least favorite things in connected stories?


43 comments:

  1. I like connected stories if they come out reasonably close together. I don't like them if there is a long time between the books.
    I like connected stories about families or organizations that are like families but I don't really like those in which members of the family are killed off. I like happy endings. :)

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    1. Great point, Ellen, about them coming out close together! Wish I could write faster :-)!

      And I love happy endings, too! Thanks SO much for stopping by.

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  2. I like connected stories to a point. I prefer a story that can stand alone, even if it is part of a longer series. My TBR is full of series I haven't started because I have not acquired them in order.

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    1. Hi Gayle! So great to see you here.

      Totally agree on stand-alones. It's hard when you feel like you've plopped into the middle of something and don't know what's up. Sometimes TV shows are like that, too!

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  3. I do enjoy connected stories very much. It's nice to reconnect with characters from previous books.

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    1. Me, too. Love seeing what's happening to my favorite characters from other stories--post happily ever after. I think that's why I started trying to connect my books a bit. Plus...I have some amazing readers who asked about my other characters.

      Noah Bradford from Finding Her Son is getting his book sooner rather than later because so many readers asked!

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Jane!

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  4. robin i just love your books please keep them coming thanks for the chance
    tammyjackson75@yahoo.com

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    1. Tammy...thank you SO much for the kind words! You really made me smile. I try hard to create stories that I hope readers will enjoy!

      Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm grinning ear-to-ear!

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  5. Wow, Robin, I loved that story about your great uncle. He definitely sounds like hero material.

    I'm a huge fan of connected books, especially if I get to revisit characters whose stories I've already read.

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    1. Thanks, Delores. Uncle Frank was an amazing man! The more I've learned about him, the more I wish I could ask him questions. I know there's so much I don't know since he passed away when i was about twelve or so.

      Ditto on the connected books, too! Thanks so much for posting today. You're one of my heroes in this biz, so it's a great honor for you to take the time to be here! Hugs!

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  6. Replies
    1. Ooo...thanks, Jen! So excited to be here!

      Robin

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  7. Good Morning Robin and welcome back to GLIAS, Cuz !!

    Loved the story of your great uncle. My grandfather served in WWI as a telegraph stringer in France. He was also wounded and never spoke of the war. My father often mentioned that he wished he'd asked him about it.

    And I absolutely love connected stories. But I'm with Gayle, I'll hold onto them until I get them all in order to read. Sometimes even if they're stand alone books.

    ~Angi

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    1. Thanks for the invite, Angi! I'm just thrilled to come back.

      So interesting about your grandfather being a telegraph stringer. Wow. Sounds like he and my Great Uncle had a similar reaction to the war.

      I'm finding the holding onto connected books interesting. I don't usually do that. But...I do end up rereading them when the last ones come out. Hmmm....maybe I should wait. Hmmm...

      Nah...I usually hate waiting LOL!

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  8. Hey Robin, I bought and adored Finding Her Son. It was one of those books you just can't put down.

    In regard to connected books, I love them. It's wonderful reconnecting with characters from previous books - it's almost like going home after being away for a long time.

    It usually doesn't bother me what order I read them in provided they're stand alone stories and it isn't an issue.

    Love your great uncle story too. Definitely hero material.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the kind words about Finding Her Son, Cheryl. I really enjoyed writing that book! And, since it was my very first Harlequin Intrigue, it holds a special space in my heart. It started me on this great journey with Intrigue!

      Ditto...on 'going home' with connected characters.

      Thanks so much for posting today. :-)

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  9. Hi Robin,

    I love connected books. I have so many favorites. Whitehorse, Montana by B.J. Daniels and The Precinct by Julie Miller are two of my favorites. The hardest part is waiting for the next book to come out.

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    1. Hi Tammy! Welcome!

      I love the Whitehorse books, too. And the Precinct books by Julie...wow! Just awesome. I went back and tried to read them all once I found them!

      And I hear you about waiting for the next book. Sometimes I can hardly stand it! LOL

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  10. I have never read any of your books but this sounds like one I would love. Connected stories are wonderful, B.J.Daniels does that and I have more than 9 of her books(I should say my daughter does) she borrowed them, I got her hooked...lol...Hope I win this book, if not I may have to go out and buy it. Thank You

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    Replies
    1. How cool that you got your daughter hooked! I'm so glad you stopped by and that this book 'intrigues' you LOL.

      Thanks again for stopping by. Good luck!

      Delete
  11. Sorr but somehow it published unknown?

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    1. Not sure what's up there...perhaps one of the blog mamas can help!

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    2. I think BLOGGER's been hiccuuping this week. We've had a hard time a couple of days getting the blog posted...and then yesterday Delores had to post annonymously. But you might try signing back in on Blogger. I had to do that four or five times yesterday.

      ~Angi

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    3. OH...even if it's unknown --leave your name and/or email so I can notify you of winners later.

      ~Angi

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  12. Robin, I really enjoyed the first book you wrote and am looking forward to this new one! I really enjoy getting to know new authors. You are a good one!

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind words, Valri! I'm so happy you enjoyed Finding Her Son (I'm assuming it's that one and not In Her Sights), but I could be wrong...either way, your words mean a lot!

      Thank you for stopping by and letting me know! That's what so wonderful about blogs. I love being able to connect with readers this way!

      Good luck in the drawing!

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  13. Really love connected books. As some of the previous comments stated, it gives me a chance to catch up with known characters from the other books. I don't usually wait till all the books are out that are connected. I like to read them as they are published and then will reread them if I need to refresh my memory.

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    1. I'm too impatient to wait, either, Ruth! Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. I enjoy connected stories because you really get to know the characters. That is the downside of connected stories too. I grow to love the characters and hate to see a series end.

    geishasmom73 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Great comment, Stacie! I hadn't thought of that. It IS like your're saying good-bye to those you love. I felt that way at the end of the Harry Potter books. I wanted to know more, even if Voldemort WAS defeated.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Robin

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  15. I love connected books. Sometimes when you come to the end of a book you feel kind of sad, you hate to see it end.
    Kit3247@aol.com

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by.

      I, too, tend to get SO involved with characters and families I love to read about. Probably Nora Roberts' the Macgregors was my first real love affair with an entire family. That and the Mackenzies from Linda Howard.

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  16. Love connected books.. (drumming finger nails waiting for the next Montgomery brother book :) ) Finished Cowboy in the Crossfire not long ago and really like it too. Looking forward to finding the time to get caught up on the books you have out and looking forward to all upcoming books.

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    1. I know, I know, Cindy. Sorry for the delay on the Montgomery brothers. I just finished the rough draft and am doing revisions right now! I'm SO excited to be returning to them!

      Glad you liked Cowboy. I had a blast with that book! Christmas Conspiracy (in October) is Logan's story. Then there are some other connected books (but not until after Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice) hits in the spring.

      Thanks SO much for all the kind words. You made my day!

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  17. Hey, Pixie Sister! I am so excited about ALL of your books. Can't wait to read them! I really do enjoy connected books. If a story is good and the characters are compelling I cannot help but want to read what happens next in those characters' lives and what happens to their friends. If an author draws me into a world that I don't want to leave - connected books are the best way to stop and visit a while longer!

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    1. Hey there Louisa...awesome to see a Pixie here :-). Thanks for stopping by. I will admit I've been living the dream the last year. I can hardly believe this is happening.

      And thanks! Great way to put the power of connected books! Thanks SO much for stopping by!

      Robin

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  18. Hi Robin,
    Congrats on all your success since winning the Golden Heart last year! I think it's a compliment to an author when fans beg for a book from a secondary character. I love connected stories and will make a special trip to B&N to buy successive books. Best of luck in all your writing endeavors:)

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    1. Thanks, Jan!

      I really appreciate the kind words! I hope I've given readers characters to really be invested in. There's nothing that gives me more pleasure to hear when that's the case.

      Really great insight on the idea of taking a special trip to the book store for successive books. I agree!

      Thanks again for stopping by.

      Robin

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  19. The book sounds good. I like connected stories because you can find out what happens to certain couples after the happily ever after. I don't like that you might have to wait quite a few books before getting to read a certain character's book, so that it makes sense in the overall story.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I love finding out about what happens after the 'happily-ever-after' too. And I don't like waiting either! Sounds like we're on the same page.

      Thanks SO much for stopping by, and I'm so glad the book sounds good!

      All my best,
      Robin

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  20. I'm going to call it a night, all. But, I'll check back over the next few days in case someone wants to stop by and comment. Don't forget to comment on the rest of the blogs for Intrigue week for a chance to win other Intrigue novels by some amazing authors.

    You can visit my website at http://www.robinperini.com for more on my stories or to contact me directly. There's also information on trading cards, Kindlegraphs and future books.

    Thanks again, everyone. It's been a real pleasure!

    All my best,
    Robin

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  21. Loves 2 Read Romance - LauraJuly 14, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    I enjoy connected books but like everyone has said it needs to have a happy ending. I try to get a complete series together before I read it so it is frustrating when the books come out slowly. I look forward to your upcoming books! I also find it ironic that your July book has snow and ice on the cover but the next one in October which is a Christmas book there is no ice or snow to be seen.

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  22. CONGRATULATIONS BN100 !!

    You've won an Intrigue by ROBIN PERINI.

    Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by and "Getting Lost" during Intrigue Week. The more comments you leave the better giveaways will be able to bring you from visiting authors. So THANKS !!

    ~Angi

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