Between the Lines w/ Amanda McIntyre

Where do you get your inspiration? 

I can remember the first time I was asked this question. As a writer early in my career, I can remember thinking off the cuff answers like--observing people in airports, hearing snippets of songs on the radio (my first published book, Unfinished Dreams is inspired by the opening of the song "She Said Yes," by Brad Paisley) and maybe standing in line at the grocery store hearing pieces of conversations.

And while I was a "townie" growing up, my community was supported by area ranchers, dairy farms, and corn farmers. We had/have small cafe's where guys in overalls met every morning to share coffee and talk about grain stocks and the planting season. The scent of the local hardware and farm implement stores with the bags of feed stacked high. The excitement of "chick days" at the local farm supply store (yes, I have the T-shirt!) There are plentiful local bars with colorful clientele and a movie theater that is a slice of American nostalgia.

After many years of schooling, work and more schooling, my husband (also a hometown boy) and I wound up back in our hometown, 1) to give our kids a closeness to grandparents, and 2) to give back to the community we so dearly loved

Meet some of the folks from End of the Line!

My current series work began with a trilogy (The Kinnison Legacy) and has now got two interconnected series, (Last Hope Ranch) and End of the Line) All were inspired by my own experience of living in a small Midwestern farm town.

In the historic little Montana town of End of the Line, once a pop-up town of the gold rush of the late 1800's, I have taken the inspiration of my growing up years and tried to integrate them into a place people will want to visit, with people they'd like to get to know.

Betty's Sunrise Cafe': Set on one corner of the town square, and in every story of these related books, Betty's is a mainstay to the town. This is the place if you're looking for the best cup of coffee in town, an array of home-cooked comfort food, or the latest gossip. Run by Betty and Jerry, they have the biggest hearts and the latest scuttle on everything happening in town. Betty's now has a bakery next door with sweet treats and baked goods managed by Rebecca Greyfeather--pie maker extraordinaire and wife of Michael Greyfeather. There's rumor Betty has a cookbook in the works! We'll see how that pans out!!

Nan's Sporting Goods & Repair: Run by widow, Nan Patusky and started with her late husband Andrew, a WWII veteran and high school sweetheart. They married after the war and opened their business and became involved in teaching fly-fishing to kids when it was discovered they couldn't have kids of their own. In my upcoming book, WORTH THE WAIT, Nan will discover an explosive secret that will change her life forever!

**SEE SPECIAL BELOW**

Dusty's Bar & Grill: Run by Dusty, he employs Dixie, his only waitress who does NOT believe in skimpy denim shorts and Stan (grill cook) The hub of social life, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights for locals and area residents. Dusty's boasts Karaoke fundraisers, great burgers, and is not without the occasional brawl as you can read about in RUGGED HEARTS, with Wyatt Kinnison going toe-to-toe when someone makes a move on second grade school teacher,  Aimee Worth. A woman who set his world topsy-turvy in more ways than one!



Tanners Meat Market: Just across from the Got-n-Go gas station and grocery,
it's run by Sam Tanner. Confirmed bachelor who has the swoon-worthy looks of Sam Elliot and about the same disposition is your guy to go to for the best cuts of local beef, deer jerky, and your Thanksgiving turkey. He also carries homemade frozen soups and seafood. Sam has a few skeletons of his own which come out in the book, LOST AND FOUND. More on Sam to come!

Last Hope Ranch Cabin rentals: On the property of the Kinnison's sprawling ranch, Rein MacKenzie and his wife, Liberty (Wyatt and Dalton's step-sister) have built a row of modern cabins designed and built by Rein in accordance to the wishes of his Uncle Jed Kinnison's diary. Once a successful cattle ranch, time and Jed's passing made it necessary to sell off most of the herds. With the help of a Crow horse whisperer, Michael Greyfeather, old friend of Uncle Jed, the ranch became an overflow to an equine rescue ranch which led to the cabins. Together they provide the beauty of the country and working with the horses on the ranch to provide healing to those in need. Clay Saunders (NO STRINGS ATTACHED)  and Liberty Belle Vaughn (RUSTLER'S HEART) are just two of the folks that 
discover the healing power of the ranch and the small town support in End of the Line.

In the weeks to come, I'll be highlighting more from this quaint community and sharing some of its history yet to be told! There's more to come from End of the Line, Montana!!

Meantime here is my special gift to you!

October 18-October 22, 2018 

Snag the book that started it all!

RUGGED HEARTS IS YOURS--FREE !!

KINDLE EDITION 

LIMITED TIME ONLY!

To celebrate my upcoming next book in this beloved series, watch for more special giveaways n the weeks to come!

Be inspired. Be kind.Be grateful.