The Amazing Melinda Curtis

KISSED BY THE COUNTRY DOC

The Mountain Monroes

She came to sell a town…
But she found a home

Never in her wildest dreams could single mom Ella Monroe imagine co-inheriting the small town of Second Chance, Idaho—or falling for its curmudgeonly doctor, Noah Bishop. Despite his rough edges and protests for isolation, Noah has her believing in love at first sight again. But when she’s pressured to sell her stake, Ella is torn between family loyalty and following her heart.

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USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, MELINDA CURTIS is the award winning author of contemporary romance that spans the sexy scale - from sweet romance to sweet romantic comedy (written under the Melinda Curtis brand) to fun, sexier romances (written under the Mel Curtis brand).

Prior to writing romance, Melinda was a junior manager for a Fortune 500 company, which meant when she flew on the private jet she was relegated to the jump seat—otherwise known as the potty. After grabbing her pen (and a parachute) she made the jump to full-time writer, focusing on sweet romance for Harlequin and indie-pubbed sweet romantic comedy. She recently came to grips with the fact that she’s an empty nester and a grandma, concepts easier to grasp than jet-setting on a potty. 

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"...Wonderfully entertaining..." Jayne Ann Krentz (commenting on Fool for Love)

"Mel Curtis knows romance, sports and humor and she makes all three sing in Playing for Love." Eileen Rendahl

THE Q&A

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

MELINDA: My own? Or someone else’s? LOL. I try to read a book a week. I LOVE historical romance (could not write it if I tried).

ANGI: What’s your favorite thing about your book’s hero?

MELINDA: I love writing wounded heroes who have avoided dealing with a painful past until a heroine comes along who isn’t going to let him brush her aside. Dr. Noah Bishop was a well-known, orthopedic surgeon in New York, operating on professional athletes. Now that he can’t be a surgeon – essentially, his identity is stripped from him – Noah doesn’t know who he is. That makes a hero really interesting to me. Plus, doctors are notorious for having chips on their shoulders. That mix of strength, smarts and ego versus a vulnerability of “who am I if not a surgeon” is something I love in any hero.

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

MELINDA: Pride and Prejudice, Kiera Knightly version. Practically perfect in every way.

ANGI: What’s your perfect day?

MELINDA: Rise at 3 am, work until I go to the gym by 5:30, get hubster off to work by 7 am, work uninterrupted until 4 or 5 pm when I have to figure out what to make for dinner. Watch a favorite sports team play or binge a DIY show where they restore old farmhouses. Asleep by 9. It’s boring, but I like it.

ANGI: Salad or soup?

MELINDA: Salad. I often have a green salad for breakfast.

ANGI: Would you put yourself in a Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

MELINDA: Fairy tale. I’d be someone’s fairy godmother.

ANGI: Champagne or Soda?

MELINDA: I’m a wine or coffee person. I suppose that means no carbonation!

ANGI: The most favorite trip you’ve ever taken is…

MELINDA: A cruise through the Mediterranean – Italy, Greece, Turkey. We saved and planned a year in advance. My husband used to teach history, so it was like having my own personal tour guide (he was awesome the time we went to Washington, D.C., too). Favorite destination: Pompeii. Probably helped that Kit Harington was just in the movie by the same name the year before we went – lol.

ANGI’s GOTTA ASK:  SHOW ME YOUR SHOES…

MELINDA’S GOTTA ANSWER:  Dorky, but yes, it’s my garden/rain boots. I wear them every day. We have two little dogs with equally small bladders. The crazy thing about little dogs? They have super-strong pack drive, which means they don’t always like to venture outside alone (i.e., they want a companion to potty outside). Me? I like to preserve my pedicure, so I wear boots outside even when it’s 100 degrees in summer. 

  

UP NEXT for MELINDA:

SNOWED IN WITH THE SINGLE DAD

The Mountain Monroes

Never trust a Monroe—
Especially if she steals your heart!

To mayor and single dad Mitch Kincaid, Second Chance, Idaho, is something of a time capsule, and he wants to keep it that way. His problem? Gorgeous pregnant redhead Laurel Monroe, who, along with her family, now owns the town. But sometimes all it takes is an unexpected opportunity—and a snowstorm—to turn Mitch’s bad first impressions into a second chance at love!

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MAY 1st !!

PREVIOUSLY RELEASED by MELINDA:

SANTA SCHOOL

Heartwarming Days of Christmas #12

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THE RANCHER’S REDEMPTION

Return of the Blackwell Brothers

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MARRYING THE WEDDING CRASHER

A Harmony Valley Novel

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MELINDA is giving away an autographed copy of The Rancher’s Redemption to one lucky commenter (through rafflecopter).

Autographed is U.S. only. International receives digital copy.

FREEBIE: Sign up to receive your autographed commemorative postcard – anywhere in the world!

Your Host, Angi Morgan

 Get Lost on Facebook   @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

AND OUR NEW Facebook Group: The Readers’ Spot

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MELINDA WANTS TO KNOW: How big is your to-be-read pile? Don’t just count your print book pile. Be honest and take a look at what’s on your ereader or phone.

Meet Hero & Rancher Chance Blackwell

THE BLACKWELL BROTHERS ARE COMING HOME…

…whether they want to or not.

THE RANCHER'S HOMECOMING

Chance Blackwell’s return—
Could cost her everything!

Ten years after he eloped with Katie Montgomery’s sister, Chance Blackwell is back in Montana to sell his family ranch. Katie could lose her job and the only home she’s known. But the loyal cowgirl is keeping a secret that could shatter trust and jeopardize her future with the widowed musician and her toddler niece. Unless Chance’s growing affection for her and all things Blackwell can earn Katie his forgiveness—and his love.

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A geek at heart, USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J Stewart writes sweet to spicy romance across the genre. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious SUPERNATURAL, STAR TREK, and SHERLOCK addiction. 

When she's not writing, you can usually find her at fan conventions, at her local movie theater, or building up her content editing services for writers. 

           

Amazon  | BookBub | Facebook | Twitter @AJStewartWriter | Website | Review Team

THE Q&A

ANGI:  Writing a continuity series takes a lot of work and cross-referencing with your co-authors. Is there any back story you needed for your characters that either didn’t make it into the book (no spoilers) or that you needed to brainstorm from a co-author?

ANNA: We actually brainstormed over all our characters. Thank goodness for Skype, since we’re from all over the country. We kept an online spreadsheet with salient details, but when it came to hashing out who the characters really were, what had happened to them, and more importantly, how each of them saw the others (speaking of the brothers of course), yeah, there was a lot of consultation. One of the reasons I chose the runaway brother (Chance Blackwell) was because it really freed me up to not being tied down to a lot of the details of what had happened in previous stories. Except that Katie Montgomery was my heroine, who, as the acting ranch foreman (fore-woman?), was in each of the other books. I’d get the occasional text message saying “Are you good with Katie doing this?” or “Can she be okay with this?”. The bonus to that is it really kept me in the story before I even began writing it.

ANGI: What’s special about Chance Blackwell, the hero of your book?

ANNA: He’s the reluctant rancher. He just wasn’t born for it in the same way his brothers have a natural affinity. Even Ty, who went a completely different route, too. He’s also the baby of the family (granted only by a few minutes). He’s also the one who followed his dream, the dream he had from the time he was a boy, and he kept at it despite the adversity. He’s also a single father to a precocious little girl, Rosie. I so love that all the brothers have only had girls. One of those added humorous elements I think we needed. Also, he will always stand up for what’s right and sometimes that just gets him into all kinds of trouble. He’s a good foil for Katie, who is used to taking care of herself, but things are getting unmanageable for her and Chance can’t just stand by and do nothing. He’s just a really good guy who’s been hit with a lot of real, harsh life events.

ANGI: What do you love about a rancher or a rancher’s life?

ANNA: Um, who doesn’t love a cowboy? LOL. And horses are pretty! And so is land. But that’s about the extent of my love for ranching and ranchers, LOL. One of the caveats I had when I jumped on board was I wanted the inept brother when it came to ranching; the brother who wanted nothing to do with it. I thought that would make my lack of knowledge about ranching easier. Until I remembered my heroine was Katie who was even more of a rancher than most of the brothers! That’s writing Karma for you.

ANGI: Would Chance take Katie to a fancy restaurant or a picnic? 

ANNA: Oh, a picnic. He might have had a mildly successful run as a musician, but he’s still a simple guy at heart. He’s comfortable enough at a fancy restaurant, but Katie wouldn’t be, and he’d take her where she’d be comfortable. I’m not sure his desires or wants would enter into the decision.

ANGI: Favorite TV rerun you watch every time you channel surf? 

ANNA: Supernatural. Second would be Elementary. I’m more likely to be binging on Netflix or watching my DVDs though, LOL.

ANGI: Worst thing about ranching (according to you or your hero)?

ANNA: According to Chance the answer would be everything. He completely got gipped out of that gene in his DNA. The fact he’s horrible riding a horse is an ongoing joke through the series. One I got to play with even more in my story.

ANGI: The most daring thing you’ve ever done… Care to share?

ANNA: As someone who’s always had a fear of water, the day I went snorkeling in Hawaii was a huge accomplishment. So for me, that’s the most daring. And I can’t wait to do it again!

ANGI’s GOTTA ASK:  Where did you write THE RANCHER’S HOMECOMING?

ANNA’S GOTTA ANSWER:  In the same place I write all my books, in my kitchen, on an ancient laptop with no virus protection so I can’t go online, LOL. I’m easily distracted, so I like all the white noise available in that room (gardeners and their tools, dishwasher, or my go-to CD of ocean waves and instrumental music). As you can see, my space is completely decked out with a selection of obsessions from Supernatural to Wonder Woman to Aquaman and Barbie (I’m a lifelong collector).

UP NEXT for ANNA:

My next release will be Holiday Kisses, the fifth book in my Butterfly Harbor small-town romance series for Harlequin Heartwarming. This one features Calliope Jones, one of my all-time favorite characters. I like to call her Butterfly Harbor’s answer to the Good Witch (LOVE those movies and that series).

HOLIDAY KISSES

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His family’s honor is at stake…
And she holds the key

Calliope Jones, Butterfly Harbor’s free-spirited organic farmer, is the most vocal objector to Xander Costas and his design for the butterfly sanctuary that he hopes will save his family’s architectural firm. Strangely, it’s Calliope who shows him what the town, and he, really need. Calliope makes Xander listen with his heart. And soon his heart may be telling him to stay with this extraordinary woman!  

GET LOST WITH ALL THE BLACKWELLBROTHERS

JON | ETHAN | BEN | TYLER | CHANCE

PURCHASE:   JON | ETHAN | BEN | TYLER | CHANCE

Melinda, Carol, Anna, Cari Lynn & Amy

 ANNA is giving away a digital set of the first four books in the Butterfly Harbor series (THE BAD BOY OF BUTTERFLY HARBOR, RECIPE FOR REDEMPTION, A DAD FOR CHARLIE, and ALWAYS THE HERO).

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Your host, Angi Morgan

Get Lost on Facebook   @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

AND OUR NEW Facebook Group: The Readers’ Spot 

ANNA WANTS TO KNOW: 

WHAT IS IT YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT CONNECTED BOOKS?

Meet Hero & Rancher Tyler Blackwell

THE BLACKWELL BROTHERS ARE COMING HOME…

…whether they want to or not.

THE RANCHER'S FAKE FIANCÉE

“I’m coming home…
With my bride-to-be.”

Tyler Blackwell just announced that he and Hadley Sullivan are getting married. And they’ve never even dated! Now she and her boss are in Montana so Tyler can sell his family ranch. Hadley only agreed to continue the deception in exchange for a promotion. But moving up the corporate ladder pales beside her growing feelings for Tyler. Will his past and Blackwell family secrets sabotage what Hadley wants more than anything—a real wedding?

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AMY VASTINE has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read. Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart husband, three teenagers who keep her on her toes, and their two sweet but mischievous pups.

           

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THE Q&A

ANGI:  Writing a continuity series takes a lot of work and cross-referencing with your co-authors. Is there any backstory you needed for your characters that either didn’t make it into the book (no spoilers) or that you needed to brainstorm from a co-author?

AMY: My fellow Blackwell authors and I did multiple brainstorming session. We talked a lot about what the boys were like when they were younger. I remember sending someone a list of things Tyler would have been into as a kid because her character was going to be digging around the attic. I imagined Tyler was into superheroes and had decks of playing cards because the boys used to play cards, pretending they were like their dad and grandpa who played poker with some of the ranch hands.

ANGI: What’s special about Tyler Blackwell, the hero of your book?

AMY: What makes Tyler special is that he’s driven to be the best but vulnerable at the same time. He spent most of his life feeling like there was nothing about him that made him stand out amongst his brothers. He makes a concerted effort to right his wrongs and not make the same mistake twice. Instead of holding him down, his insecurities drive him to better himself.

ANGI: What do you love about a rancher or a rancher’s life?

AMY: I am a city girl through and through. I am not a big fan of all the work that has to be done on a ranch. I don’t even like mowing my lawn! But the one thing that appeals to me about ranch life is the horses. I think horses are gorgeous creatures. I would love to be able to go riding whenever I wanted.

ANGI: Would Tyler take Hadley to a fancy restaurant or a picnic? 

AMY: This is a great question because I think that Tyler in the beginning of the story would take Hadley out for a fancy dinner because he would have thought he needed to wine and dine or show off a bit. In the end, though, he would have preferred the simple intimacy of a picnic. Tyler learns that being flashy isn’t as important as being genuine.

ANGI: Favorite TV rerun you watch every time you channel surf? 

AMY: There’s something about Friends that always makes me stop. I think I know I don’t have to watch long before I am chuckling. It was such a funny show!

ANGI: Worst thing about ranching (according to you or your hero)?

AMY: The absolute worst for me is the early morning work schedule. Ranchers have to get up and start working at first light. I am not a morning person. Sleeping in is my favorite thing to do!

ANGI: The most daring thing you’ve ever done… Care to share?

AMY: I am known for being one of the most cautious people around. I have always been that person who thinks about all the possible consequences of my actions before I do something. This leads to me not being very “daring”. I would say that deciding to put myself out there, entering Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest, and getting my first book published at the age of 40 was probably the most daring thing I have ever done. Sending my first book (which is very much like a child) out into the world to judged and possibly rejected was terrifying!

ANGI’s GOTTA ASK:  Where did you write THE RANCHER'S FAKE FIANCÉE?

AMY’S GOTTA ANSWER: I don’t really have a set spot for writing. I take my laptop wherever I want. Sometimes I write at the kitchen table. Sometimes I sit on the couch. Sometimes I write while snuggled under the covers of my bed. No matter where I write, I need music playing in the background or the television on. I cannot write in silence. It’s actually more distracting to me for some reason.

  

UP NEXT for AMY:

THE GUARDIAN

Grace Note Records Series Book #4

I just signed the contract for Book 4 in the Grace Note Records series. I don’t have a release date yet but am excited to continue this series! Leave a comment and enter the Rafflecopter for 3 chances to win the first book in the Grace Note Records.

GET LOST WITH ALL THE BLACKWELLBROTHERS

JON | ETHAN | BEN | TYLER

Coming next month… CHANCE

PURCHASE:   JON | ETHAN | BEN | TYLER | CHANCE

Melinda, Carol, Anna, Cari Lynn & Amy

AMY is giving away three (3) signed copies of The Girl He Used to Love. book #1 in the Grace Note Records series. (Paperback US only, ebook internationally)

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You host, Angi Morgan

Get Lost on Facebook   @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

AND OUR NEW Facebook Group: The Readers’ Spot

AMY WANTS TO KNOW: Tyler and Hadley are opposites when it comes to neatness. Hadley is kind of a slob and Tyler is very organized. Which one are you like - tidy like Tyler or messy like Hadley?