Get Lost with Alanna Lucas!

Hi, again, folks! It's Alexa here with another awesome interview for you! Please help me welcome author Alanna Lucas!

WHO IS ALANNA LUCAS?

Alanna Lucas grew up in Southern California. From an early age, she took an interest in travel, incorporating those experiences into her writing. When she is not daydreaming of her next travel destination, Alanna can be found researching, spending time with family, or going for long walks. Alanna Lucas is a member of the Romance Writers of America, East Valley Authors, The Beau Monde, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.

HOLIDAY SURPRISES

Miss Eva Kenward does not want to spend another Christmas alone. Leaving Queen Victoria’s England, she journeys to America in search of an uncle but finds herself on the rugged frontier of Montana. And with no money and no acquaintances, the rudest man she has ever met is the one she must engage. Especially considering the precious bundle in her arms.

“Hunt” Strauss has been fooled before by beauty. So when the ravishing young woman arrives on his doorstep, he suspects her of ulterior motives. But perhaps the baby she holds truly is his kin...and when Miss Kenward finds herself stranded after a hotel fire, he reluctantly agrees to help. Bringing her to his sprawling ranch, Hunt tries to keep his distance. But the enticing woman and her enthusiasm for the season soon prove that fairy tale love stories—and holiday wishes—really can come true.        

ONCE UPON A MONTANA CHRISTMAS

            “Oh! It’s here!” Eva heard Aunt Carol bellow from downstairs. She gathered Lily in her arms and went down to see what all the fuss was about.

            Eva arrived downstairs just in time to see Hunt and Mr. Walker carry a large crate into the house and place it beside another.

            Aunt Carol’s face was bright with excitement. “Oh, dearie, you are just in time.”

            “Just in time for what?” Eva said as she edged closer to the crate.

            “Christmas decorations, tinsel, and treats from my brother in Germany!” As Aunt Carol explained about the contents of the crates, Hunt and Mr. Walker pried them open, revealing wrapped packages and tins full of fragrant spices.

            Eva sat down on the floor with a very curious Lily on her lap. When she opened a tin with the embossment of a German landscape, the scent of cloves filled the air. The next package Eva pulled contained a smooth wood block engraving of a Christmas tree. “This is beautiful,” she said as she admired the engraving.

            Eva was surprised when Hunt began to explain the significance of the wood engraving. “It’s a cookie mold. We use the molds to make decorative Lebkuchen, a type of spiced cookie, and ornaments for the Christmas tree. It has been a tradition in my family for many generations. My Oma taught my siblings and I how to make them.”

            She could hear the pride in his voice. Despite his tough exterior, underneath it all was a sensitive man. Not for the first time, Eva wondered what had hardened him.

            “Did you have any family traditions, dearie?”

            Eva did not know how to answer that question without raising sympathy from Aunt Carol. Her family was not close and they would never dream of sitting on the floor, rummaging through crates. She could hear her stepmother now: “That is why we have servants. Let them get their hands dirty.” Looking away, she shook her head without a word, and continued on with unpacking their traditions, wishing desperately she had some of her own.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ALANNA?

Contact     Website    Facebook    Twitter:  @AlannaLucas27  

Goodreads    Pintrest

AND NOW...

Alexa: How often to you get lost in a story?

Alanna: All the time :-) I have a very active imagination and can visual scenes easily (which is not always a good thing). And yes, at times I do put myself in the heroine’s role.

Alexa: Where do you read and how often?

Alanna: I've been told it is a bad habit, but I like to read every night in bed when everyone else has gone to sleep.

Alexa: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

Alanna: Yes, I need music to drown out the sound of my kids! I love to listen to classical music- especially Beethoven- while writing.

Alexa: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

Alanna:I would like to be the Stig on Top Gear UK. It would be awesome to be able to drive all those supercars.

Alexa: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

Alanna: I love Snoopy- he is so cute!

Alexa: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Alanna:Reading historical romance. I love being swept away to another time period. Add a glass of red wine and dark chocolate, and I am very happy.

Alexa: What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

Alanna:Being with my children. They have such great imaginations and interesting little quirks- there is never a dull moment.

Alexa: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Alanna: I was in a Lego store with my little man looking at a train set when all of a sudden I saw my heroine. She was standing on a dusty platform, cradling a baby, waiting for a train that would never arrive. From this vision, I started to imagine the trials and tribulations she would have to endure to achieve her goal. Before too long, a Christmas novella was born.

Alexa: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Alanna: I don't have one favorite, but at the top of my list… The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston, The Great Race, High Society, and Pride and Prejudice.

Alexa: What’s the first book you remember reading?

Alanna: Go, dog. Go! I still love that book :-)

Alexa: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Alanna: Both. Coffee with cream in the morning and lavender or green tea in the evening.

Alexa: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

Alanna: Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy Once Upon A Montana Christmas.

Alexa: What's up next for you, Alanna?

Alanna: Coming later this year from Boroughs Publishing Group…Face to Face.

Miss Penelope Ashurst wanted one night to shed the strict rules and proper decorum of Regency society.  While attending a forbidden masquerade, she meets the man of her dreams.  It is love at first sight.  His secret identity only adds to the excitement of the evening.  Before she discovers who the mystery lord is, a ruthless man who is only interested in her dowry kidnaps her. When Ranulph, The Earl of Monfort, first spies the goddess in a golden mask, something inside comes to life and stirs a deep longing.  The weight of responsibility that had been bearing down on him his whole life dissipates.   But before he can profess his love to his goddess, she disappears. In a race against time, Ranulph searches for Penelope.  However, their ordeal does not end once Penelope is rescued.  While trying to evade the kidnappers, Penelope and Ranulph find their lives in jeopardy.  But as they escape one danger, others lurk to destroy their newfound love.  Can their love conquer all, even death?

Alexa: Sounds like another great read! Thanks for visiting with us, Alanna! 

Folks, Alanna is offering an ecopy of Once Upon a Montana Christmas to one lucky commenter! 

She wants to know....

What was the first historical romance novel you read?