Get Lost in Cottonbloom with Laura Trentham!

Hey readers -- welcome Laura Trentham back to Get Lost in a Story! Laura was here last November talking about her Falcon Football series. She's a Golden Heart sister, the Dreamweaver class, and I'm so happy to have her back with the crew!

Before we meet Laura, don't forget to check out Laura's question below. One lovely commenter will win an ebook of her choice!

MEET LAURA TRENTHAM

An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.

She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. The first two books of her Falcon Football series were named Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she's shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as large as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

Nan: I know what you mean! Thank goodness most of my TBRs are on my Nook or Kindle.

Let's talk about your latest release--KISS ME THAT WAY, Cottonbloom, Book 1.

THE STORY BLURB

A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?

Nan: Sounds like another winner, Laura! Can't wait to read it.

READ A LITTLE, BUY THE BOOK

Monroe's lips silenced the rest of his question. The champagne on Cade's tongue was almost as intoxicating as his scent. The music from the great room drifted, muted and unrecognizable. As if slow dancing, he wrapped his arms around her and turned them enough so he could close the door, leaving them in silence, except for the ticking of a clock.

His hands roamed her bare back, slipping inside of her dress to brush the top curves of her buttocks. She pushed him backward against the wall. Infinitely stronger than her, he could have held his ground or taken charge at any point, but the fact that he let her lead only made her want him more. She was done listening to logic, done fighting her hunger for him.

She wanted him.

Cupping her cheeks, he pulled his lips from hers. “And again you do the unexpected.”

“Unwanted?” she whispered.

“Does it look like I’m protesting?” His breath puffed against her cheek before he kissed her once more, slipping his tongue alongside hers, before his mouth retreated once more. She tipped into him seeking more. He took her weight, bracing his legs farther apart, but evaded her mouth.

“I watched you dancing with Tarwater. What are you playing at? Is he the man you want to be seen with and I’m the one you’re keeping for the dark?” A thread of emotion in his voice tied itself around her heart and bound her. Was he jealous? Hurt? Angry?

Read more at http://www.lauratrentham.com/excerpt-2---kiss-me-that-way.html

Nan: Nice. Really nice.

Click here to BUY THE BOOK 

A LIGHTING ROUND OF Q&A WITH LAURA TRENTHAM

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

LAURA: Since I turned in edits for the last book in this series to my editor back in January, I’ve had more time to read. I usually have multiple books going at a time. But, I’m one of those weird authors who steer clear of the genre in which I write (terrified I’ll subconsciously incorporate something!) so I’ve been reading lots of YA fantasy. Sarah J. Mass’s A Court of Thorn and Roses series was excellent. She’s hooked me, and I can’t wait for the third book!

NAN: What turns you off like nothing else?

LAURA: Men who wear jewelry! And mullets! Men who wear jewelry while sporting a mullet! The only piece of jewelry I own/wear is my wedding ring. I used to avoid a book if the male model on the cover of a book had jewelry on, but now I realize the cover is not always a factual representation of what’s inside, so I’ve eased up on that stipulation. Is this weird? Have I said too much?

Nan: LOL! Now I want to know what you think of man buns!

NAN: How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?

LAURA: I’m not going to lie, it is pretty awesome. The one downside is that I feel younger than I actually am after I’ve immersed myself in my characters’ heads. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of myself and realize with a start that I’m no longer in my 20s!

NAN: I know what you mean!

NAN: What has surprised you the most about being published?

 LAURA: So. Many. Things. A couple of things I didn’t know and wish readers knew was that traditionally published authors have little say over the covers and titles of their books. I got dinged by a reviewer because my hero’s biceps as described were more muscular than the dude on the cover. Also, the lead time from when the manuscript lands on your editor’s desk to actual publication is 8-10 months for print. That’s a long time when you have family and friends asking when that book you wrote is going to hit the shelves.

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

LAURA: My editor actually approached me with the concept of a “summer series.” She wanted something with summer as the theme and planned to release them June, July, August. I grabbed my old-fashioned paper atlas and fixated on the state line between Mississippi and Louisiana. Within five minutes I had sketched out the idea for the series.

The town of Cottonbloom straddles the state line, the two sides separated by a river. Each side enter a competition for Best Small Town Festival sponsored by a regional magazine. This amps up the already contentious relationship between the two sides of town. Add in a festival saboteur and the kindling of new relationships and things get interesting fast! There’s definitely fun, laugh out loud moments, but I also explore serious issues involving abuse and class differences and familial relationships throughout the series. By the conclusion of Book 3, Till I Kissed You, you discover which side wins the competition and who is behind the festival mischief. It’s a very unique town that I wish actually existed!

Nan: Five minutes?  You are amazing! And I love it when a series is released in 3 months. It's so much fun to stay in the world authors create.

NAN'S GOTTA ASK: High Heels or Hiking Boots?

LAURA: Hiking Boots…Or even better, FLIP FLOPS!

Nan: Of course flip flops.  This is a summer series!

PREVIOUS CONTEMPORARY RELEASES BY LAURA

For a limited time, Book 1 of my Falcon Football Series, Slow and Steady Rush, is on sale for only $1.99! Grab this RT Book Reviews TOP PICK while it’s hot!

https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Steady-Rush-Laura-Trentham-ebook/dp/B00OYBAI3A

FIND LAURA TRENTHAM:

Contact: Laura@LauraTrentham.com 

Website: http://www.lauratrentham.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraTrentham

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9802779.Laura_Trentham

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lauratrentham/

Blogs: http://www.lauratrentham.com/blog

http://www.badgirlzwrite.com/

UP NEXT

Get ready for your summer binge read! Then He Kissed Me (June 28^th) and Till I Kissed You (Aug 2^nd)

LAURA TRENTHAM is giving away an ebook copy of any of her backlist.  Just tell Laura what you're reading right now! Drawing to be held Sunday night.

Nan: Laura - Thank you for joining the crew today!