Tanya Writes Down Some Things You May Not Know About Me...

These are the basics. I had a very happy childhood with two brothers in suburban Los Angeles but now live on the central coast on a nice little cul de sac surrounded by strawberry fields.

Married 40 years to my personal hero-fireman...my son and daughter are the best thing I have ever done. Ever. And now I’m gramma to two darling little boys, my new favorite thing. I taught English forever at the local Catholic school and now enjoy traveling with Hubs and volunteering at the local horse rescue.

This isn't me at the horse rescue but at one of my favorite wineries!

Hubs and me at Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, last fall.

Now are some non basics I had fun thinking up. It was hard because I truly am the most boring person on the planet.

1. My husband and I went to high school together but were not sweethearts. In fact, he was Football Team Captain/Boyfriend of the Homecoming Queen/Head Cheerleader. I was a dork.

2. When we re-met at a Christmas party right after college. I picked "Deliverance" for our first date. He married me anyway. Sheesh.

3. I rarely wear lipstick but am pretty much addicted to lip balm.

4. I have a pathological terror of stepping on a down escalator without somebody in front of me.

5. I love and subscribe to Vogue and possibly would have gone Into fashion had I thought about it soon enough.

6. Hubs and I went to Disneyland for our honeymoon and now get season passes for the fam.

7. Hubs is a survivor of testicular cancer. Ladies, make sure your menfolk check themselves regularly! http://tinyurl.com/n4ualv3

8. My son is 6'6" and his two year old nephew wants him to dress up as a giraffe for Halloween.

9. I'm still bestest friends with Tina...since we were five years old!

10. I majored in Art in college. My favorite medium is oil painting. My favorite genre is Abstract Expressionism.

Hence favorites Vasily Kandinsky https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=wassily+kandinsky+paintings and Arshile Gorky. http://www.moca.org/museum/exhibitiondetail.php?&id=425

This is one of my paintings. Well, the only one on display at home. If you check out Kandinsky and Gorky, you might see their influence.

11. I have a fantasy football team named Wild Thang.

12. I am obsessed with the movie Frozen.  My grandsons and I all cuddle up with their Olaf dolls and watch and do the singalong.

13. I love Fall best of all, but hope to get my little guys to real snow this Christmas, what else? To build a snowman. With our niece living near Lake Tahoe...it’s gonna happen. 

14.  Louisa May Alcott's Jack and Jill is my go-to book when I need a hit of emotion. The chapter, A Sweet Memory--when the kids’ friend Ed dies suddenly, takes my breath away with its simplicity and spare beauty.

15.  Visiting her home, Orchard House, in Concord MA was awesome!

That’s pretty much it...other than the third book in my Lawmen and Outlaws Trilogy just got released! Outlaw in Love! Although the first two books are sensual, this is a sweet romance because...outlaw Ahab Perkins fancies himself in love with a...wait for it. Nun. A nun with a a price on her head. What? Throw in an abandoned little girl and a kindly sheriff and, well, you’ll be head over heels just like not-Sister Teresa.

In case you wanna find out, I’m giving away either a pdf or Kindle copy today so PLEASE leave a comment.

Thanks for setting a spell with me today!

Ahab came to sit beside her, and Teresa suddenly realized how she’d missed him at her side. Just these last few minutes. Her, a nun who should have no such thoughts. Even it was all pretense. Besides, he was an outlaw with a price on his head. Same as her. Whoever found him would find her, too.

The thought brought on a sudden tear.

And a sudden fear. How much was her head worth these days?

His chest still plunged into itself once in a while like he hadn’t yet recovered all the air he needed. Some of the breathlessness, she reckoned, might be the remains of getting shot at this morning but likely he’d lived through such antics before. Her own heart still danced macabre when she thought about their circumstance just an hour ago.

“I’m thinking...” He started slow and didn’t look at her, kept his eyes on the shrinking flickers of the fire. “Found a saddle in the barn. Spade, too. Think I might take one of those horses--“ He pointed to the corral. “--and head over to....” He paused for a long while. “Head over to Nitro and bury him proper. Get the rest of my own gear. Reckon I could leave a pearl or two at this place for purchase. Maybe some food, too. Saw a smoke house.”

“You’d leave me here alone?” Teresa all but shrieked. Dread drenched her. She might have lived in Arizona these past years, but she was foremost a city girl. Her heart sank when the truth hit her. “Oh, I get it. You’re leaving me behind. Like your gang leaves folks behind when they’re too much trouble.”

His face turned that handsome purple she’d seen before. “Not doing any such thing. Reckoned you could wait for me here and rest up some. It’s been a hard trudge. Reckon you’re ankle’s a tad sore.” His voice turned so low she could barely hear him. “I know how to treat a lady.

http://tinyurl.com/ktp8uqx

www.tanyahanson.com

www.petticoatsandpistols.com

Tanya Writes About Sisters...one more time.

Sorry to get here late. Life is exploding around me. And I gotta say, here we go again. A reprise of my current release. Two stories in one, and all for only two dollars. Quite a bargain.

http://tinyurl.com/q2zb3bq

And to make all of this even better, Sisters already gained me a Best Selling status.  Be still, my heart, and thank you, God.

Anyway...Her Hurry-up Husband was released in a Mail-Order-Bride anthology a while back, and features Omaha  debutante Elspeth Maroney who needs a husband just for one month, after leaving her rat of a bridegroom at the altar. With good reason.. So off she goes to Miss Mamie's Hearts and Hands Club to find a mail-order one. Only handsome Colorado rancher Hezekiah Steller wants a wife for life... and won't have it any other way. Sigh.

Upon acquisition of HHUH,  my editor said, wow, we gotta get Ellie's sister Judith away from their awful mama. So...Her Thief of Hearts was born in time for last February's Valentine collection. Indeed, we have socialite Judy, an adorable orphan, her sister Elspeth's rat of a spurned bridegroom, the sisters' former governess...all stuck together on a speeding train in a Nebraska blizzard that gets held up by bad boy outlaw, Black Ankles...only it's not Black Ankles at all,  but the Colorado cowboy 

In conclusion, Black Ankles himself finds love and redemption in Her Holiday Husband, my contribution to PRP's 2015 Christmas anthology. Which yes, involves both a Mail Order Bride AND a Mail Order Groom. So stay tuned...

Find me at

www.tanyahanson.com 

www.petticoatsandpistols.com

   

Tanya Writes About Sisters...

Howdy, I'm a bit late getting here today...yesterday was busy and fun, fun, FUN. A "fandango" all day on Facebook along with twenty other Prairie Rose authors to celebrate Christmas and our new releases.

Yup, Christmas in July, that is. And even though my duo, SISTERS, is not a Yuletide tale, the bargain price of two dollars for two stories is pretty much a holiday bargain in my book.

http://tinyurl.com/q2zb3bq

And to make all of this even better, Sisters has gained me a Best Selling status...right now, it's #75 in short western tales at AZ.  Be still, my heart, and thank you, God.

Anyway...Her Hurry-up Husband was released in a Mail-Order-Bride anthology a while back, and features Omaha  debutante Elspeth Maroney who needs a husband just for one month, after leaving her rat of a bridegroom at the altar. With good reason.. So off she goes to Miss Mamie's Hearts and Hands Club to find a mail-order one. Only handsome Colorado rancher Hezekiah Steller wants a wife for life... and won't have it any other way. Sigh.

Upon acquisition of HHUH,  my editor said, wow, we gotta get Ellie's sister Judith away from their awful mama. So...Her Thief of Hearts was born in time for last February's Valentine collection. Indeed, we have socialite Judy, an adorable orphan, her sister Elspeth's rat of a spurned bridegroom, the sisters' former governess...all stuck together on a speeding train in a Nebraska blizzard that gets held up by bad boy outlaw, Black Ankles...only it's not Black Ankles at all,  but the Colorado cowboy who stole Judy's heart the last visit to Colorado. Oh, sighing again.

What better than combine the two stories now into one volume?

In conclusion, Black Ankles himself finds love and redemption in Her Holiday Husband, my contribution to PRP's 2015 Christmas anthology. Which yes, involves both a Mail Order Bride AND a Mail Order Groom. So stay tuned...

Find me at

www.tanyahanson.com 

www.petticoatsandpistols.com

   

Tanya Reviews WHEN LOVE TRIUMPHS, by Dora Hiera

I don't normally review books, yet alone post them here (This is not a review blog) but...I love reading Dora Hier’ stories. 

When Love Triumphs is not my first one. She writes from the Christian worldview but never hesitates to accept that physical desire is part of falling in love, particularly as she stresses the blessings of restraint and strength. When Love Triumphs features two first-responders, professions I find heroic to begin with. 

With a name like Winter, our heroine is nothing at all cold and unfeeling. Giving her heart instantly to the hero’s little niece Chaney is her loving nature personified, peppered with other important examples of Winter’s generosity and care for others.  The author presents a very full cast of characters, and I hope best-friend and fellow softballer Andi gets her own story someday soon.

While Winter is a strong woman, her character is touchingly vulnerable as she recovers from a childhood tragedy in which she feels responsibility for her sister’s death. Hence results her terror of water and water-related activities. When the hero installs a swimming pool next door, the reader can feel Winter’s dread.

An ex-Navy SEAL now a paramedic, Tanner steals anybody’s heart, particularly in his gentle goal to get Winter back. Nothing does it for me more than a reunion story, and Ms. Hiers hits every mark. The proposal scene is every woman’s dream. And Chaney’s legal name change, be still my heart!

I especially love Ms. Hiers’ compassionate treatment of Tanner’s alcoholic father. Any reader who loves someone dealing with substance abuse will appreciate her tenderness and hope.

Well done, Dora Hiers!

http://tinyurl.com/mtbzhqj

Tanya Shouts Out Again! Black Dog/White Dog...arf.

Black Dog, White Dog, my first-ever middle grade story, is part of a great anthology My Dog Can Do Magic. Me? Who's Anya then? Well, my pen name for my stories for the young and young at heart!

http://tinyurl.com/pcfymet

Feddie Harper, almost 12, has survived the death of his beloved black Lab. Volunteering at the nearby horse rescue helps him find a life-saving dog...in more ways than one. Add a touch of Chumash history and legend, and well, his summer turns out pretty good! Will he and Helene have more adventures? I think so!  

Excerpt: 

Mom taught third grade at his school. Luckily, Feddie had never had to enroll in her class. Oh, he knew she was a cool teacher, but what did you call your mom if she was your teacher? Mom? Mrs. Harper?

“Which reminds me...” she started off again.

Feddie’s heart thumped. He read her mind, too

“Your summer book list. Have you started?” She definitely tossed him a classroom glare.

“Mo-om. School’s been out, like, an hour.”

“More than a week now. And you have six books to read for your reading journal.”

Buh-ruther.

“Thing is...you know Mrs. Wegner from school, don’t you?”

“Mom.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s a small school. Know. I know everybody.” Then he ground his teeth. If she thought for one second to get him a tutor he’d..

.

“Well, she’s a volunteer at the local horse rescue.”

Horse rescue? Feddie perked up at that. Like McKnight’s ears had when he heard something. Horses were almost as cool as dogs. “So?”

“Well, I thought that was something you and I could do to pass the time. There’s an orientation meeting this afternoon.

“All right.” Anything to postpone the reading list.

“Thing is...volunteers under twelve aren’t allowed in the stalls.”

“I’ll be twelve in September!”

“It doesn’t matter. You aren’t twelve yet. Anyway, I want to muck to get some exercise. There’s a reading program where kids read to the horses. You could do that while I clean stalls.”

“What? Read to the horses?” Well, it wasn’t that weird of an idea. He’d done his homework with McKnight his whole life.

“Yes. That way, the horses get acquainted with the next generation of volunteers. And with you having a list of books to read, it just seems fortuitous.”

Another big word. She did it all the time. He grumped out loud. “English, Mom.”

Tanya Writes About ANYA NOVIKOV's Black Dog, White Dog!

Yay, it's Release Day! Black Dog, White Dog, my first-ever middle grade story, is part of a great anthology My Dog Can Do Magic. Me? Who's Anya then? Well, my pen name for my stories for the young and young at heart!

http://tinyurl.com/pcfymet

Feddie Harper, almost 12, has survived the death of his beloved black Lab. Volunteering at the nearby horse rescue helps him find a life-saving dog...in more ways than one. Add a touch of Chumash history and legend, and well, his summer turns out pretty good! Will he and Helene have more adventures? I think so!  

Excerpt: 

Mom taught third grade at his school. Luckily, Feddie had never had to enroll in her class. Oh, he knew she was a cool teacher, but what did you call your mom if she was your teacher? Mom? Mrs. Harper?

“Which reminds me...” she started off again.

Feddie’s heart thumped. He read her mind, too

“Your summer book list. Have you started?” She definitely tossed him a classroom glare.

“Mo-om. School’s been out, like, an hour.”

“More than a week now. And you have six books to read for your reading journal.”

Buh-ruther.

“Thing is...you know Mrs. Wegner from school, don’t you?”

“Mom.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s a small school. Know. I know everybody.” Then he ground his teeth. If she thought for one second to get him a tutor he’d..

.

“Well, she’s a volunteer at the local horse rescue.”

Horse rescue? Feddie perked up at that. Like McKnight’s ears had when he heard something. Horses were almost as cool as dogs. “So?”

“Well, I thought that was something you and I could do to pass the time. There’s an orientation meeting this afternoon.

“All right.” Anything to postpone the reading list.

“Thing is...volunteers under twelve aren’t allowed in the stalls.”

“I’ll be twelve in September!”

“It doesn’t matter. You aren’t twelve yet. Anyway, I want to muck to get some exercise. There’s a reading program where kids read to the horses. You could do that while I clean stalls.”

“What? Read to the horses?” Well, it wasn’t that weird of an idea. He’d done his homework with McKnight his whole life.

“Yes. That way, the horses get acquainted with the next generation of volunteers. And with you having a list of books to read, it just seems fortuitous.”

Another big word. She did it all the time. He grumped out loud. “English, Mom.”

Nobody Compares to you...

Always in My Heart...

I shiver. I still cry. Seven years ago today my twin brother died. Cancer, ravenous, irrevocable, incurable. We got the dreaded news of his diagnosis on Mothers Day weekend, in a phone call at 8:30 p.m.--the time he always called, with a joke, news of his two daughters, plans for a get-together. All the stuff of real life. We never expected a death sentence.

But I believe in miracles and prayed for one. A transplant. Some magic experimental drugs. Which, truth to tell, there was one of the latter. (The former was impossible.) But the drug so compromised Mike's quality of life he said, no thanks, after several months of poison and misery.

In those last months, we danced together at niece Katie's wedding, myself in tears. The Beatles' "In My Life." There's nobody who compares to you, I wept into his shoulder.

I love your family like my own, Tonna. That was his special name for me. My son used it until he was about five, never calling me mommy.

With our spouses and closest friends, we did manage one last trip to Palm Springs, one of our favorite places, in July. Oh, the memories! Now, knowing what chemo does to the human body, I can only applaud Mike for his courage in accompanying us. I know now he was in hell much of the time.

Oh, I miss him every day. Every major event of my life, he was at my side. In some way, he still is. I know he was looking down and laughing at his wife Deb's surprise birthday party last August. I know he chuckles at the antics of my two little grandsons. I know he sent me his love and care during those harrowing months of my hubby's chemo--Hubs was diagnosed just ONE MONTH after you went to heaven, Mike.

Even still, when the phone rings in the evening, my heart stops, and I wish things were different.

Because that was Mike's time, not some stupid "Unknown" junker that shows up on Caller ID.

I gave a talk at his graveside, and I managed laughter instead of tears. My hubby got up to speak, but just couldn't, awash in emotions. Our best man. Godfather to our son, an incredible uncle, father, husband...one month later, we got the horrific diagnosis of cancer ourselves.

In my life, Mike, there's nobody who compares to you.

Love always....

Four-Star Web Exclusive Review at Romantic Times!

Our recent vacation had many highlights, but just about the best one was receiving a terrific review from Romantic Times.

"Hero Hooper will appeal to many fans of inspirational fiction. He is thoughtful, caring and devout. Surviving his life-threatening illness has only reaffirmed Hooper’s faith in the Lord. Mallie is an equally winning character. She is upbeat and open, welcoming new experiences into her life. However, while both characters put their faith in the Lord, they are also aware that their cancer might return, which adds a bittersweet, yet realistic, aspect to their relationship."

Check it out the whole thing by clicking on Romantic Times above, and thanks!
                                     Thanks be to God, too.

Meet me at Dora Hier's blogspot today!

Dora Hiers author of God-gracing, heart-racing romantic suspense, has become a good friend through our publishing house, White Rose. I'm so honored she took the time to feature Faithful Danger at her blog today. I'd love to have you join us.

See you there!

Dora Hier's Blog

Mary Manners' Buried Treasure....available now, White Rose Publishing

I'm thrilled to tell you about Mary Manners' latest release, Buried Treasure, from White Rose Publishing. I just finished her other recent release Kate's Kisses, and let me tell you: Hero Logan is as delectable as Kate's bakery confections. It's the start to a wonderful four-part series about four very interesting sisters.


As for Buried Treasure....
Ever notice sometimes the things that are right in front of us are the things we fail to fully recognize? Caroline's about to experience that very thing. You don't want to miss handsome, Matt Carlson, as he convinces Caroline he's her second chance at happiness. Download it today!

When Caroline flees Chicago following the brutal murder of her husband, the last thing she expects—or wants—is to fall for Matt Carlson, a builder with strong roots in the small town of Mountainview, Tennessee. She needs to focus on raising her six-year-old daughter and protecting both their hearts from ever being shattered again.

Matt is struggling with issues of his own…guilt over the death of his wife and the responsibility of raising a cynical teenaged nephew who is dropped on his doorstep, abandoned by Matt's alcoholic sister. He doesn't have time to fall in love, yet he can't help being drawn to the woman who is ready to defend her home—and her daughter—with nothing more than a feisty attitude and a broom handle.

Can Matt's help and friendship convince Caroline to trust again…and when Caroline's daughter goes missing, will Matt be able to find the girl before it's too late and he loses everything he loves…again?

This talented author never disappointed. That I promise. That I know!

Check out my new book trailer!

Hope you check out my new trailer, encapsulating the first three books in the Hearts Crossing Ranch series.

CAPA AWARDS...Favorite Author Nominee: ME

Humbled, honored, freaked. What alternate reality is this when I'm nom'd for Favorite Author along with Nora Roberts, Christine Feehan, and Philippa Gregory?


Thanks, Romance Studio!

Meet Anne Greene, inspirational romance author

inspirational romance author, Anne Creene

I’d like to welcome my friend and fellow White Rose author, Anne Greene, to my blog for a few days! I know you’ll enjoy the interview as much as I do. Don't forget to leave a comment for the name-draw for a copy of Anne's book!

Anne, tell us about yourself.

Thanks so much for the interview, Tanya. I’m not sure what readers want to know about me, but here’s a sampling. In my early years I lived in a small farm town in Ohio, and have lived in San Diego, Chicago, and now live in a suburb of Dallas, Texas. I have four grown children, and just recently returned from spending a year in Seoul, Korea where my husband served in the Military. He is a Special Forces Colonel (Green Beret). I love to play sports, sail in the ocean, and travel. I’ve visited twenty-five foreign countries and every State in the US except Alaska. I also enjoy horseback riding, though I haven’t ridden English for several years. And I enjoy swimming. But writing is my passion.

How long have you been writing?

Masquerade Marriage is my second published book. I’ve been writing about ten years. Reading was my escape in my growing up years, and I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I graduated from the University of Texas cum laude with a degree in Literary Studies, but worked as a photographer and as a Real Estate Agent before diving in full-time to write. When I joined American Christian Romance Writers, the journey to writing got much easier. I have a wonderful critique group, and because of their annual conference, I’ve met many editors and agents. Finalling in writing contests gave me excellent feedback, plus got me my latest contract with White Rose Publishing. So, I recommend both contests and conferences.

What genre do you write and why?

I write in the Historical, Historical Romance, and Romantic Suspense genres. As a girl, I didn’t like history—until I read my first Historical. Then I was hooked. So, I know many people today don’t enjoy history, and my goal is to open up the glories of the past to them. History was modern life lived with all its heartache, joy, and excitement in a world very different from our own. I bring these different worlds into vivid, living color, and give a painless dose of history along the way. I write Romantic Suspense because I like to see good win over evil with fast action, surprises, and some who did it and why.

Masquerade Marriage is a book of my heart. My paternal ancestors are Scotch of Clan Gunn, which was located in the far north of Scotland in the Cathness area where Vikings intermarried with the Scots. I visited Scotland with the purpose of setting one or more historicals there, and fell in love with the country. The final battle between the English and the Scottish Highlanders changed the Highlands forever. A way of life ended. The drama in this story appealed to me, and so I wrote Masquerade Marriage. I love this time in history and so enjoyed living it as I wrote the book. I hope the reader finds a new world to love as he reads my book. The following is a blurb and an excerpt.

A SECRET LIST

To protect his loved ones and escape the dark fate of his brothers, a noted warrior abandons his identity. Hiding from relentless soldiers who want him dead, Brody MacCaulay vows to protect the woman he loves more than life, more than freedom, more than Scotland. But his presence throws her into danger.

A VOW HONORED

To escape an arranged marriage to an abusive noble, a Lowland Lady weds a stranger to save his life. But vows spoken do not make a marriage, especially when Megan MacMurry holds a different love inside her heart.

A SACRIFICE MADE

Outlawed, and with a price on his head, Brody condemns himself to a life of heartbreak without Megan. Wanting her desperately, knowing he can't have her, he heads alone to certain death...

EXCERPT FROM MASQUERADE MARRIAGE

Like a determined hero, the fugitive warrior strode through the door at the far end of the tiny stone kirk.


Megan’s eyes widened. Her clenched jaw relaxed. Some of her dread dissolved.


“Impressive.” Molly, Megan’s Irish maid, whispered from where they stood together in the vestibule.


He stopped in front of the hand-carved altar and half-turned toward her. Megan pulled in an uneven breath. This Highlander, wearing formal kilts, was no scrawny lad grown older, nor was he a big, hairy Scot with a bushy beard. The tall, strapping soldier stood with legs braced as if about to do battle.


Her heart skipped. Though she’d known Brody when she wore short skirts, this blond warrior was far more than she expected. Her pulse throbbed in her temples. Doubt niggled her brain. Brody was too tall, too obviously a Highlander. How could she hope to pass him off as a Lowland Laird? He appeared to have too big a chip on his shoulder to let her command him.


Brody’s thick sandy hair swept the collar of his linen shirt. Lace-trimmed cuffs matched the white jabot at his muscular throat. A silver broach clasped his crimson and black tartan to his wide right shoulder. His claymore, dirk, and thick sword belt startled her.


Megan suppressed a shudder. The English outlawed kilts. With his dress, Brody spat in the face of the English and further imperiled his life. Why?


His intense sapphire stare blazed a trail across the empty wooden pews toward her. His eyes made her feel dizzy as if she just danced a fast reel with a lively partner.


Molly grinned and handed Megan the bridal flowers.


What had she gotten herself into?

Do you plot your books before you write them?

I am a pantser. I have tried plotting out a book in advance, including storyboarding, and that just doesn’t work for me. I start with a general idea, a setting, and a general idea of what characters I’m using. But very soon into the first draft the characters take over and direct the book. It’s a bit like watching a movie and just writing down what is happening. It’s quite exciting to see where the book will go.

Do you do much research?

I do a great deal of research for all my books, including the contemporary ones. I always visit the setting and get some good pictures. Then I find books about the history and time. Small details I research on the internet, but the important ones come from non-fiction books. I am extremely careful in my research because if a reader discovers one error, then I lose credibility. If I’m writing detective, I have a detective look over the manuscript before I send it out. If I’m writing WW11 stories, I find someone who has been there. I always find a person who has done the job I’m writing about to look over the finished manuscript. Of course, when I go further back into history I have to rely solely on the non-fiction books. But I enjoy research and often do far more than I ever use in any one book.

The character I love writing about the most—is the one I’m currently working on. I love all my characters. However, I do think I like being in the male point of view slightly more than the female. I like being macho and looking at life from a different perspective. I like being strong enough to handle a couple of thugs. Of course my detective knows martial arts, but she doesn’t use her fists. I like looking at a woman I’m interested in and being totally confused as to what makes her do the crazy things she does. But, on the other hand, I love having a woman use her wiles and smarts when that’s all she has going for her. But Megan and Brody from Masquerade Marriage are probably closest to my heart.

I don’t think I can NOT include faith in my writing. I am a new creation in Christ. I have a Christian worldview. I have deep beliefs and a few boundaries that cannot be crossed. I want my books to have meaning and take-away value. I want my readers to take a deep delicious breath and say—Oh, now I understand. How beautiful God’s way is.

I have a website, http://www.annegreeneauthor.com//. My books can be purchased at WhiteRosePublishing.com and on Amazon. My blog is also on my website.


I’d love to share my email, but I’ve been told that is not a good thing to do. So, readers can reach me through WhiteRosePublishing. I’d love to hear from them. If readers join my website, they can leave comments. I’m also on Facebook where comments are welcomes.


Anne, thanks for spending time with us today. This is an awesome interview. It's truly an honor to be part of White Rose Publishing, isn't it? I am so happy there. God bless you with much success and many more books! oxoxox

Tidbits Welcomes Tanya Stowe!

I'm so happy to introduce my "doppelganger" from White Rose Publishing, the wonderful Tanya Stowe. I hope Tidbits makes her feel welcome! 

Howdy! It’s such a thrill to spend the day at Tanya’s Tidbits to tell about my new release, Tender Trust,
from White Rose Publishing.


California Gold played an important part in the Civil War. It was gold from California and the newly found Colorado mines that kept the Union army afloat when the Confederate army began to flounder in debt. But California gold almost didn’t make it to the Union.

One of the pivotal scenes in my new novel, Tender Trust, occurs when word about hostilities at Fort Sumter reaches the small mining town of Harperville. Emotions run high and a group of Union sympathizers turn into a mob that drives a small band of Southern men out of town. One of the Southern men is Royce Darnell’s best friend and mine foremen, Alex Marsden. Alex and his friends barely escape Harperville with their lives and head to Southern California where Confederate sympathizers had already issued a call for cession from the Union to form the Pacific Republic which would have included Oregon, Washington and possibly New Mexico.

In reality, it took almost 10 days for news of war to reach California by telegraph and Pony Express. When it did, outbreaks of violence like the scene in my book took place everywhere. Pro-Union Democrats rallied in San Francisco and had to be controlled with Federal troops … commanded by a Southerner, Brigadier General Albert Sidney Johnston. Rumors ran rampant that General Johnston was part of a Confederate conspiracy to take over California but he remained true to his Oath to the Federal government by reinforcing the garrison at San Francisco and quelling the riots. His actions insured that California gold made it back to support the Union cause.

Fortunately!

I hope you enjoy the excerpt of Tender Touch, my first Western-set work. My first novel, Time’s Embrace, a time-travel adventure, was released in the United States in 1993 and internationally released in 1995. Most recently I have contributed to a collection of women’s survival stories titled, Triumph! The Beautiful Face of Courage and collaborated on at full-length play, a Christmas musical titled The Night Before Christmas.

I have been a member of Romance Writers of America since 1992, and I have taught writing at conferences and workshops, and have held seminars throughout California. I’d love for you to follow the workshops, classes and ups and downs of writing at http://www.creativewritingforces.blogspot.com/.

"Lacy--look at me," Royce commanded. She looked up. "Feel the music, Lacy. Just move with me."


Her muscles eased. Her breathing slowed. She seemed to sense the rhythm of his body and took her cues from the slight touch of his hand. He dipped, she followed. He swept, she flowed, her skirts swinging in a graceful arc behind them. They sailed around the room in perfect motion.


Royce smiled. "I knew you could do it."


"Thank you for teaching me," she murmured.


Royce looked at the woman in his arms. He'd known the minute she'd entered the room. He was shocked to see her, knowing instinctively that the crowd and the noise would not be to her liking. But, when he'd seen the pink of her cheeks and the high color of her eyes, he knew she was enjoying herself ... and that made him happy. He liked the little giggle she tried to suppress and the way her eyes lit when the dancers came near her. So he’d asked her to dance.


“Thank you," Lacy repeated.


"My pleasure, ma'am. Is there anything else I can do for you?"


Her features turned somber. "You can let me go, now, before it's too late.”


She was asking him to do what he'd vowed to do. But looking at her lovely features, he knew he wouldn't do it.


"I can't, Lacy. I've tried and I can't."


The truth of his words flowed over both of them. They stood still in the middle of the dance floor. He wondered where the words had come from, and how he could take care of this fragile, beautiful creature in his arms.
Thanks, Tanya, for inviting me here today!

You're so welcome, Tanya! Come again, for sure! oxox



Available White Rose Publishing

 

Nominated for Best Book of 2010: Marrying Mattie YEE HAW

Wow. I'm over the moon about this one. Getting nominated by Love Western Romances for the best book of 2010 has got to be a highlight of an already amazing year.

I hope you'll do me the honor of riding on over yonder to http://www.lovewesternromances.com/ and casting your ballot for my little novel. I'm facing stiff competition and need all the votes I can get. Voting commences today through January 11...but don't y'all take too much time.

Thank you so very much!

FIVE SPurs for Marrying Mattie at Love Western Romance

One of the most venerable review sites of all, Love Western Romance, has awarded Marrying Mattie FIVE Spurs! I am over the moon!

"This book is a sweeping tale with a plot that kept me glued to the edge of my seat. More than once I imagined how this story would plan out on the big screen...the author treats the reader with a great deal of respect, tearing you with little snippets of information...but leaving you to try to figure out the whu's and how's along the way in this wonderful tale."

To check out the whole review, please visit this wonderful site! Love Western Romance rocks!

Hero performed by Michael Israel in New York

Marrying Mattie: treat yourself!

Marrying Mattie, avail. print, digi and Kindle...

Mattie and Call's love story steams up the pages. Yeah, I know. I'm concentrating on Christian romance now (Please visit Hearts Crossing Ranch...)  but the folks in Paradise, Nebraska circa 1880 need love too.

I hope you enjoy your trip back in time!

(Marrying Molly and Marrying Marguerite are in the works...)

Spicy and Sweet...at The Romance Studio

Hop on over to The Romance Studio for a peek at my latest releases, and see if "spicy" and "sweet" conflict with each other..or make it work like Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Hope you enjoy Marrying Mattie, available now at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon...Kindle version, too. Sign my guestbook at my website to enter a name draw for a signed copy.

Marrying Mattie is here, here, HERE

Jumping the gun a bit, my second book in the Paradise Brides series, Marrying Mattie,  is already available at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/   Yee-haw!

All along, I've thought the Big Day was August 27...but while I was up in the Tetons on a wagon-train trip (more details to follow...or you can check out http://heartscrossingranch.blogspot.com/ ) my dream came true. Sincere thanks to my editor Helen Andrew for making it all happen.

The hero, schoolmaster Call Hackett, makes an important appearance in my current release, Marrying Minda, when he woos mail-order bride Minda during her troubled marriage. But her reluctant hubby, hottie cowboy Brix  Haynes mans up and falls hard for his woman. So I reckoned Call deserved a love story all his own.

My free short story His Christmas Angel introduces him --now a self-described horse "doctor"--to Minda's sister, Mattie, and this new longer book shows their road to a marriage interrupted by her rich, evil ex-husband.

I hope you enjoy getting to know the folks of Paradise, Nebraska, their toils and tribulations, their triumphs and loves.

Don't be a stranger at http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com/