8/25/2014

Get Lost with Pam Mantovani and Cowbow on Her Doorstep!

Get Lost in a Story Reader's, we are pleased to welcome Pam Mantovani as our Tuesday guest. 

About Cowboy on Her Doorstep

When Army Ranger Logan Montgomery returns to his family’s ranch in western Montana to mourn the loss of his father, he discovers that his best friend had a little girl as the result of their lovemaking the night before he left to join the service.  He sets out to prove himself to her – that he’s come home to stay.

Deputy Sheriff Kendall Grant has worked hard to build a stable life for her young daughter, Marissa. When Logan discovers he’s Marissa’s father, Kendall refuses to believe he intends to become a doting daddy. She’s convinced he’ll grow bored with small-town life and re-enlist. More than anything, she’s afraid this time he’ll shatter both her heart and Marissa’s. How can she learn to trust that this time it’s forever?

DONNELL:  Welcome to Get Lost in a Story, Pam! Am I correct, this is your debut novel.  Tell us about your path to publication.  Short, Long, piece of cake?
PAM: I’ve been working at publication for more than 20 years.  Some of those years, granted, I didn’t pursue publication as strongly as other years but I always wrote. There were some lean times when I questioned if it was time to admit that I’d done my best but I should move on. I never did, although I was very close to doing so right before National RWA in Atlanta – only to fulfill a fantasy of mine by selling the first book there! It was great because there were so many people there who had supported and encouraged me and I was able to celebrate with them.
DONNELL:  Tell us about Logan Montgomery? What’s his best trait? What’s his worst?
PAM: Logan’s best trait – I always begin with the best J - is his heart. He cares more deeply than he reveals most of the time. I know that’s typical of a man but Logan is also a very honorable man, as evidenced by his military service and his actions during Cowboy On Her Doorstep. His worst – he’s always had a tendency to avoid conflict by walking away – something Kendall fears he will do again, and again crush her heart.
DONNELL:  How about Marissa, what makes her a special heroine in your mind? 
PAM: I love Marissa! One thing I tried really hard to do was keep her as real a four-year-old as possible. I didn’t want her to be perfect so, while she can be charming, she does at times insist on getting her way. Plus she still sees the world as simple and happy as the books her mother reads to her.
DONNELL:  Montana’s Big Sky Country. Is that where you’re from?  If not, where do you call home?
PAM:  Sadly, I’ve never set foot in that beautiful state. When I came up with the idea for this story, I literally picked a spot on the map. Thank goodness for Google and all the info I gleaned from there! For the last twelve years now, we’ve lived outside of Atlanta GA. I was an Army Brat growing up so we moved, although not nearly as often as some friends. Although I didn’t expect it when I married him, my husband’s job had us moving to four different states – we once figured that on average we’d moved every 2.7 years of our marriage. I am now staying put.
DONNELL:  Love the title Cowboy on her Doorstep. The title evokes home and hearth. What do you think is the theme of your novel?
PAM:  Second chances.  There are several instances where this comes into play within the book. The obvious, of course, is the relationship between Logan and Kendall and their second chance at going beyond their friendship to finding a sustaining love.  There is also Logan’s second chance at repairing his relationship with his brother and Kendall helping her friend have a second chance at life after escaping from an abusive relationship.
DONNELL:  What comes next for Pam Mantovani; any more books in the works?
PAM:  I’ve completed one manuscript, a marriage of convenience story and actually, the first book Belle bought from me is an opposites-attract story line and I have the bare bones of another story completed.  My editor however, has asked me to write the follow-up book for Cowboy On Her Doorstep, involving Logan’s brother and Kendall’s friend, so I’m currently working on that one – and, no surprise, but in plotting out that storyline, I’ve come across another couple that hopefully will follow.
DONNELL:  When you’re not writing, where will we find you?

Pam:   I’m a bit of a homebody. My husband and I have a large yard which occupies much of our time during the summer, along with assorted DIY projects. And of course, there are family get-togethers. I married into one of those families that enjoys spending time – and each other’s business - with one another. In the evenings I usually kick back and work on a quilt – but there is always a notepad nearby in case I come up with a plot point, dialogue or some internal thought.
Pam, now it’s your turn.  Time to ask the reader a question.  And here you can indicate if you’ll do a book giveaway.
PAM WANTS TO KNOW:  I’d love to know what trends the readers are seeing in romantic fiction and how they feel about it.
GIVE AWAY:  I’ll pick a comment at random and give a gift of an e-copy of Cowboy On Her Doorstep.

25 comments:

  1. A great interview thank you. Funnily enough I am seeing a lot more cowboys & small town stories around. It's a trend I am loving.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Thanks Mary. Donnell made the interview fun and easy. I've always been fond of small town stories myself! Hope you continue to find more that you love. Enjoy

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  2. I see more contemporary romances rather than historical. I am a bit sad since I love historical.

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    1. May,
      I love historicals also - but purely from a reader standpoint. I'm terrified of the research :) Thanks for stopping by

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  3. Congratulations on your debut story! I'm not sure if its merely a trend, but I'm seeing plenty of law enforcement/military heroes.

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    1. Jan, I think law enforcement/military heroes are always a 'go-to'. But I do think the military hero has been more prominent lately. Sadly, I think it's due to all the recent disturbances we've had throughout the world. As a former Army brat, they always catch my eye. Thanks for taking the time to comment

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  4. Hi, Pam! I, too, am seeing military men everywhere. Military and paramilitary guys are already rife with conflict and make good characters. Congratulations on your book.

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    1. Thanks so much Vicki. It doesn't hurt any that I had a father that was not only military but one of those men who said little- but when he did, I had better listen!

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  5. Pam, Cowboy on Her Doorstep sounds wonderful! Can't wait to read it. I do think there's been an uptick in military heroes and heroines. I like the stories so that's fine with me.:)

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    1. Don't know if you remember or not Eve, but my original working title was one you published under :) I hope you enjoy mine as much as I enjoy yours

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  6. Pam, welcome to GLIAS. Your poor blog has left me bald. Luckily my team at GLIAS came to my rescue, and then I see I left your gorgeous picture out. So you're up there smiling at us now! This is what deadlines will do to you. You will literally forget how to do every thing you're supposed to!

    I love cop heroes which is what I write. But in my upcoming release my hero is a small town mayor/lawyer -- I know how can a lawyer be a hero, right/ :) But the sheriff has a nice role in the story so I have some police procedural in there, so I'm good! Thanks for putting up with me and being our guest!

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    1. Donnell, it's been great! And really, who wants to see my photo when they can look at my wonderful, eye-catching cover :)

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  7. I've come across subgenres I've never heard of! I still like to stick with my tried & true favs tho: historical romance & fantasy romance

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    1. Nothing at all wrong with that Linda...we all have our favs. I read several genres but I still lean toward small-town, contemporary

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  8. Welcome to GLIAS, Pam. Great to have you.

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    1. Thanks so much Angi. One of the best aspects of publishing...other than the validation, the cool gifts my family gave me, and holding the book in my hand :) is meeting so many new people

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  9. see a lot of books with lawyers and librarians; not that interested in them

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  10. Most real-life lawyers I've met are nothing like the ones I've read about in books. There was one book in Susan Mallery's Fools Gold series that had a librarian - she was pretty interesting!

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  11. Do any of you like covers that have no characters but relies on atmosphere?

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  12. Hi, Pam. I loved your interview . . . and you know I love your book. It's a delightful romance, full of all those elements we love as romance readers. Now I'm waiting for the follow on. :)

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    1. Thanks Pat . . . and you know part of the reason Cowboy On Her Doorstep has been so well received is because I had some excellent direction and advice :) I'm working on the follow-up book but Carter isn't the most talkative man in the world. But, I have come across a couple of new characters for a 3rd book

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  13. It's about time for me to pack up and leave the day job -- shhh, don't tell the boss that I spent more time with all of you than I did on the paying gig today! I'll check back in with everyone when I get home. Hope to see you then

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  14. I want to thank everyone who stopped by to comment today. You all made me feel very welcome and I appreciate all the good thoughts, comments and wishes. Mary Preston - thanks for your comments and congrats! You've won an e-book gift of Cowboy On Her Doorstep. Email me at pammantovaniauthor@gmail.com with your email address so I can gift you with the book. Hope you enjoy and just a gentle reminder that authors live by reviews! Thanks again for this opportunity to share my debut novel with everyone!

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  15. Hi Pam! I loved the interview and learning more about Cowboy on Her Doorstep. Can't wait to read the book!

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  16. Thanks Christine! Appreciate all the support

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