Introducing Nancy Holland

Hey GLIAS Fans! I’m so very excited to introduce my guest today. Nancy Holland is a fabulous debut author with a wonderful new book you'll definitely want on your shelves, OWED: ONE WEDDING NIGHT. But Nancy is also my chapter mate, she was a 2010 Unsinkable Golden Heart sister, she is an amazing critique partner and, most of all, she’s a dear friend. I’m so proud of this book and of Nancy. I know you’ll all love this wonderful story.

Welcome to  Get Lost in a Story!

MEET NANCY

Born in California (and always a California girl at heart), I'm now a teacher in the Upper Midwest. I wrote my first novel at the age of seven – a saga about a family of chipmunks and the family of ducks who lived in the pond next door. I’ve been writing ever since.

My husband and I are lucky enough to have two smart, wonderful children who live on opposite coasts of the US. Since I've become a Harper Impulse author, my remaining daydream is to live in Paris or London.

NANCY HOLLAND

Owed: One Wedding Night

Harper Impulse (UK)

OWED: ONE WEDDING NIGHT

Jake Carlyle always gets what he wants...especially when it comes to his runaway bride. To save her family's business, Madison Ellsworth must turn to Jake Carlyle, her ex-lover and the man she left standing at the altar. Jake eventually agrees to help, but on one condition - he gets what he's owed. His wedding night. Still in love with Jake, Madison agrees, but once the passionate honeymoon is over, she can't help but wonder if their marriage is based on convenience, love - or revenge. As they deal with the failing business, Madison and Jake soon learn that high-stakes games played in the boardroom inevitable will spill over into the bedroom!

EXCERPT

Jake escorted her out of the Yacht Club dining room, ignoring the stares of people who remembered, or had heard, about their past together.

When they stepped out into the foggy night, he didn’t ask where she was parked, but took the path that ran along the water. She moved to pull away, but when he took hold of the sleeve of her jacket, she fell into step with him.

Out of habit he led her to the empty slip he’d held onto in case someday he could bear to sail the Bay again. He stopped and rested his elbows on the weathered wooden gate, one foot raised to the bottom rail. Beside him, Madison stared over at the next dock, at her family’s old slip and the yacht that her Grandfather Moore had had built fifty years ago and named after her mother. The “Dana Marie” was now the “Blue Sky”.

The mist had curled the hair around Madison’s face. Her eyes were wide and wistful, like a poor kid peering into a toy-store window at Christmas. Not because she wanted the yacht back. She’d always been more interested in sunbathing on the deck than sailing. No, she had to want her old life back.

Something sharp wrapped itself around his heart, but he willed it away.

He hadn't taken that life away from her. Her father had.

Jake hadn’t taken anything away from her. She was the one who’d walked out on him, hurt him, humiliated him. . .

She must have felt him watching her, because she turned to look at him. But the wistful, wanting expression on her face didn’t go away. Instead it grew darker, hotter.

A foghorn sounded. Somewhere a buoy bell clanged on the waves. A car drove by, leaving a trail of loud music in its wake.

“What happened, Madi?”

The question seemed to surprise her as much as it surprised him. She didn’t answer, but stared past him toward the water.

“What happened to us?” he asked again.

  

PURCHASE OWED: ONE WEDDING NIGHT

B&N

Amazon

FUN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH NANCY HOLLAND

LIZ: How often do you get lost in a story?

NANCY: As often as I can. I read while I'm on the elliptical at the Y and at home whenever I have time, mostly on the weekends and during vacations. And of course, I get lost in a book any time I feel the need to get away from real life.

LIZ: What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?

NANCY: I'm in the middle of Jennifer McAndrew's Ill-Gotten Panes. I don't usually read mysteries, even cozies, but I make an exception for hers. So far it's great! After that, I have the third book in Barbara Longley's Loch Moigh series, The Highlander's Folly, Love Me Always (Last Year's Bride by Anne McAllister and Make Believe Wedding by Sarah Mayberry), The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin, and Tall, Dark, and Dead by Tate Hallaway. As you can see, I read a lot of books by friends. Luckily, my friends are great writers.

LIZ: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

NANCY: Cinderella. Maybe because that was my first Disney movie, but I also love the surprise of it when she realizes she can be loved, despite what the evil stepmother and stepsisters have been telling her all these years.

LIZ: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

NANCY: Pogo. Whoops! Did I just give away my age? Anyway, he was so humble, yet so wise (for a possum).

LIZ: Cast your book using fairy tale or cartoon characters.

NANCY: Madison's not Cinderella. She's a (formerly) rich girl who's working hard to make her mark on the world. Maybe Snow White? Except Jake does much more than amble in and kiss her. He thwarts her, makes her mad -- and loves her passionately through it all.

LIZ: Name three things that are, at this moment, in your heroine’s purse, satchel, reticule, weapons belt or amulet bag (or whatever she carries)?

NANCY: It's a designer black leather bag big enough to hold her tablet computer, just in case Jake gives her a chance to talk business. Besides the computer, you'll find the keys to her Ferrari and a wallet with no credit cards (at least until after she marries Jake).

LIZ: What sound or noise do you love?

NANCY: The sound of waves on a beach or water running in a stream. Very soothing.

   

LIZ: Who’s your favorite villain?

NANCY: Very specific answer -- Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook in Mary Martin's "Peter Pan." (There I go being old again.) He was so charmingly, deliciously evil. And he danced!

LIZ: What do you hope for the future of romance publishing?

NANCY: I hope it keeps getting richer and more diverse, but maybe less chaotic. I've found so many wonderful voices out there to learn from and enjoy, but I hate that others might have trouble finding them, too.

LIZ HAS GOTTA ASK: What’s the most personal thing you’ve ever put in one of your books?

NANCY: I won't go into any detail, but it's one of the scenes in this book.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

Owed: One Wedding Night takes place in one of my favorite US cities, San Francisco. What US city do you think is most romantic -- and why?

The winning commenter will have a choice of the ebook in Kindle or Nook format right away, or an autographed, hot-off-the-press print copy after they become available.

CONTACT NANCY:

Contact e-mail: nancy@nancyhollandwriter.com 

Website: nancyhollandwriter.com 

Facebook: Nancy Holland 

Twitter: nancyholland5

UP NEXT:

I have another book contracted with Harper Impulse that is scheduled for late this year or early next. And Owed: One Wedding Night will be available in paper in July/August.

E.E. Burke's Best of the West

Each month this year, I'll be hosting a series of interviews with Western historical romance writers. In addition to well-known authors, I'll be featuring authors who are just starting out. That way, you'll get to meet new talent and discover new favorites.

Today, our guest is Lori Connelly, whose debut series, The Men of Fir Mountain, is published by Harper Impulse.

Here's a blurb from her latest release

Amazon  Kobo  Barnes & Noble All Romance ebooks   Itunes       

The Lawman of Silver Creek
by Lori Connelly

 As sheriff of Silver Creek County, Matthew Marston’s job is to look after his town. But when he fails to protect the most important person in his life, Claire, from an attack, Matt feels as though he will never be able to forgive himself.

Her husband-to-be’s newly found overprotectiveness drives the headstrong Claire from his arms. She can’t see a future with a man who won’t allow her to follow her dreams.

In a small town where everybody knows your name and your business, it’s impossible for the pair to stay apart, especially as Claire finds that she can’t completely turn her back on the lawman that she loves.

Excerpt from The Lawman of Silver Creek

 Fall 1891 Fir Mountain, Oregon

Energy crackled in the air. Wind howled, and thunder roared, loud and intense. Clouds obscured the sky, darkening the midday hour, as rain streamed from the heavens.

“You shouldn't be here.”

Claire McConkey smiled in response to his gruff, inhospitable greeting and moved closer. “Why?”

Lightening streaked across the dull greyness above, illuminating her finely boned, heart shaped face. Dark brown hair blackened by water clung in tangles. The sight tugged at his deep need to protect her, but he fought it off with cold, hard reason. Another man might think the petite woman who stood only chest high before him, slender to the point that a stiff wind might blow her away, needed coddling. Her delicate appearance misled many. Sheriff Matthew Marston knew better.

Matt stepped out on the covered porch of his family’s log cabin. She didn’t yield ground. Their bodies brushed, and awareness flared. He closed the door behind him to keep her out of his refuge, sidestepping to put some space between them.

“Go home,” he ordered bluntly, his tone firm.

As always, eyes the same rich color as her hair mesmerized him. Claire never veiled emotion. When laughter sparkled in the depths of her eyes, her delight was infectious. If angered, one look would scorch whoever had earned her ill humor. He’d never had to guess what she was feeling, until now. His weight shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. Her gaze shone with an intensity that unsettled him.

“But I’m soaked, chilled through. Won’t you ask me in?”

“No,” He was certain she was up to something, playing with him. Her soft request only hardened his resolve.

An eyebrow arched at his swift denial. “You’d let me catch my death walking in the storm?”

His eyes narrowed. Matt studied Claire for a long moment, jaw clenched, suspicion high. Mere weeks had passed since the woman who’d held his heart from the time she’d worn ponytails and he'd chased frogs had rejected him. She’d inflicted a wound that festered, refusing to heal. The memory haunted his quiet moments. He couldn’t understand how she could kiss him with soul searing passion one minute and then with her next breath calmly tell him that their wedding was off.

Meet Lori

I was born and still live in Oregon. Despite being a good student, my teachers complained about my tendency to daydream. The tales dancing through my imagination were frequently far more entertaining than real life. As far back as I can remember I made up stories, to calm my sister after a nightmare, entertain myself in boring classes and write in countless notebooks, many never again to see the light of day. I earned a BS from Eastern Oregon State College and married my best friend almost twenty years ago. I’ve three brilliant, handsome sons, one amazing daughter-in-law, a beautiful granddaughter and two spoiled dogs. When not writing I love to read, hike, camp, rock hound, and take long walks with my husband just after it rains.

 E.E.: So you daydreamed a lot, eh? I believe there's a club for Daydreamers and I'm a charter member, as well. So what’s your favorite fairy tale?  

Lori: Would The Princess Bride count?

E.E.: Favorite cartoon character? 

Lori: Eeyore. Every time I see him, I want to hug him

E.E.: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?  

Lori: Writing. I love being able to edit, layer stuff in, and make the story as strong as possible.  I also love storytellers but I’m actually quite shy.  The thought of standing before a group of people and speaking makes me break out in a cold sweat. 

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

Lori: Thank you.  Thank you so much.  It still floors me when a person says that they enjoyed reading my books.

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

Lori: Yes I do.  I don’t go as far as making a playlist for each work but I find that there are certain songs I’m drawn to as the story progresses.   For the first two books of the Men of Fir Mountain, I listened to a lot of songs by Pink.  Sober, Just Give Me a Reason, Perfect and Try Try Try especially. 

E.E. What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book? 

Lori: Stretch, I write with my laptop on my lap, and then I find a good book to read. 

E.E.: What do you do to unwind and relax?  

Lori: I read, walk in the woods, rock hound, and hang out with my family.

E.E.: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it? 

Lori: Coffee, with a lot of hot chocolate. 

E.E.: What color would you make the sky if it wasn’t going to be blue anymore and why? 

Lori: Green, because it's my second favorite color (blue is my other) and it would be like having the forest, everywhere.  I love being in the midst of the forest.  It's peaceful.

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

Lori: A picture of my granddaughter, no matter what is going on, she brings joy.

E.E. What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?  

Lori: Sinfully Summer, The Golden Key Chronicles, The Illicit Love of a Courtesan, The Roman, and Beyond Grace’s Rainbow and the list goes on.  I'd like to read through the works of fellow Harper Impulse authors who've been beyond kind to me.

Gotta Ask: Why do you write Western historical romance?

Gotta Answer: One, my home, Oregon, provides a lot of fodder for my way too active imagination.  It inspires the settings for all my stories.  I’ve walked the old Barlow Road (part of the Oregon Trail) where wagon ruts from pioneers remained, wandered through the forest, finding an old rotting cabin more than once, and camped by a small, unnamed lake, listening to a chorus of frogs as night fell. 

Two, my paternal grandmother interested me in genealogy.  I’ve been researching my family history since my teens and have amassed a wealth of information including copies of letters written by a couple of ancestors.  One was standard communication between a husband and wife but it set my imagination off.  I wondered what their love story was and since there is no way to find out for real, I started creating possibilities. 

Genealogy also plays a role in naming my characters.  Until recently, many of my relatives had large families.  In fact, my mother was the seventh of nine children and my father the eldest of nine as well, although only seven survived childhood.  Most of the characters in The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge, The Lawman of Silver Creek and the other books I’m writing and/or have planned to write in the Men of Fir Mountain series are named after my ancestors.  I open my family history program and scroll through all the names of those who lived in the period my story is set and choose one that feels right.

Books by Lori Connelly 

All Romance ebooks  Amazon
 Barnes & Noble   Itunes  Kobo     

Men of Fir Mountain (Harper Impulse)

Lawman of Silver Creek 
Outlaw of Cedar Ridge

Also…

Co-author of

Loving Winter Nights, Love Romance (free ebook published by Harper Impulse)

A Witch by Chance (free pdf book, downloadable from my website or blog)

Where you can find Lori:

Harper Impulse | Website | My Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest  

Goodreads | Wattpad | Written Fireside | Google Plus | Amazon Author Page 

Today's Giveaway!

For readers who haven’t yet met the Men of Fir Mountain, I'll be giving away one set of the series, The Lawman of Silver Creek and The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge. Plus two single copies of The Lawman of Silver Creek.

Question for our readers: What kind of heroines do you like best? What makes a hero irresistible? 
Comment and enter the raffle for your chance to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway