Giveaway: Wyoming Bold by Diana Palmer

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books, another giveaway! One lucky commenter on Traveling With T will win a copy of Wyoming Bold!

Summary from Goodreads:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author DIANA PALMER is back with a thrilling new story featuring the Kirk brothers of Wyoming Former border agent Dalton Kirk thought his life was over-literally-when a gang of smugglers left him for dead. Defying all odds, he survives his ordeal and returns to his Wyoming ranch ready to dedicate his future to a more peaceful home on the range. Until lovely Merissa Baker knocks on his door.

Merissa is well aware of her reputation as the local eccentric-she knows things before they happen-and she’s had a vision that Dalton is in danger. Even though her beliefs clash with Dalton’s cowboy logic, she’s determined to save the handsome rancher she’s secretly loved forever.

Visions? It’s all ridiculous to Dalton…until things start happening that prove Merissa right. And now Dalton is not the only target-so is Merissa. Can Dalton be bold enough to trust the unknown? Is this Wyoming man ready to love?

Want to win? Comment on this post November 12th-November 19th for a chance to win! Winner will be notified November 20th! Please leave your email (you may use the AT and DOT). Giveaway is only open to US/Canada!

Giveaway: The Perfect Match (Blue Heron #2) by Kristan Higgins

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to the nice folks at Harlequin Books, I have another giveaway for November!

Summary from Goodreads:

What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out thereor she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn’t easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn’t easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love.

Want to win? Simply comment on this post from November 5th-12th! Winner will be notified November 13th! Please leave an email address (you may use the AT and DOT). Giveaway is open to US/Canada only (sorry!)

Excerpt from Three Month Plan by Kimberly Patterson (CLP 4)

Photo Credit: CLP

Today, I’m one of the stops on the The Three Month Plan blog tour hosted by Chick Lit Plus. The Three Month Plan is book written by Kimberly Patterson- and she was kind enough to provide me with an excerpt for your reading pleasure!

Please visit The Three Month Plan blog tour page to see what other tour stops are saying about the book, read interviews or other excerpts. While you are there, comment for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card. Even better- buy The Three Month Plan- send Samantha an email with their receipt attached- for 5 extra bonus entries!

Want to know more about Kimberly Patterson? Read on:

Photo Credit: CLP

Horses were one of my first loves, and writing soon followed. As a child, I spent hours writing poems, and short stories (about horses). My parents realized that I was horse-obsessed and decided to buy me one after taking riding lessons for two years. I think they hoped that all of the hard work, and hours spent mucking stalls would help me give up this expensive hobby. They were wrong. Writing is still a passion of mine, although now I primarily write fiction. My first novel, Red Rock, was published in 2010, and big surprise, there are horses in it. My second novel, The Three Month Plan was released August 2013.
Other Loves: My family, yoga, skincare and makeup, sushi, and raising money for pediatric cancer. I have two rescue dogs and would have more if there weren’t zoning restrictions. I’m always trying something new, as I tend to get bored very easily. Thankfully, my love of driving around with the gas light on fuels some excitement. I love novels with happy endings, and am a hopeful romantic. My latest obsession is browsing Netflix, and I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 30 seconds. Do I feel a wager coming on? Want to connect with KImberly? Visit her Facebook, blog, Three Month Plan website, and her website.

Excerpt from The Three Month Plan

Chapter One – Kelly

The boardwalk wasn’t as crowded today, but it was still early, and the fog hadn’t yet cleared even though it was afternoon. San Diego fell victim to June gloom every year, and it always seemed to wait until summer had officially started. The patio on the Breakwater Café was the perfect place to sit and people watch and crush on the surplus of college students. It was an eclectic mix of teenagers and twenty-somethings flecked with small families here and there, not to mention this was the only restaurant in the area that had a man-made wave machine. When the sand was empty and the weather still cold, this was a popular hangout. It had only been two weeks since I graduated from high school and I was convinced now that it was summer I’d have more options for a boyfriend.

“I just don’t get it,” I complained. “Sara Jennings has a great guy and she is awful.”

“You just have to be patient, Kel. It’s not like you haven’t had your share of dates,” my friend Michelle assured me, “Besides, you’re only eighteen.”

Michelle was right. It wasn’t for the lack of trying; it just seemed all the wrong guys clung to me like lint on velvet. I went through all of the stereotypes: the jock focused only on his next score; the quiet boy that couldn’t open up; I even dated a nerd that spoke in sexual innuendos. I was ready for a real boyfriend, somebody I could be serious with.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Michelle said, pointing in the direction I was staring. “Him?”

“What?” I smiled, taking another sip from my soda.

“No offense, but you do know he’s totally out of your league,” Michelle replied. I just ignored her and kept staring in his direction, admiring his short, dark hair. His eyes had a piercing blue quality that reminded me of the blue in the ocean. His casual demeanor showed in his flip flops, grey t-shirt and black and grey board shorts that hung low on his hips as he prepared to start the wave machine.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said, meeting Michelle’s gaze. “But, I bet he’d be interested if he knew my awesomely charming personality.” I grinned.

“Is that a challenge?” Michelle snickered. “You wanna make a bet?”

I just laughed and shook my head. “Um, no,” I said flatly. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

“It’s not like you have anything to lose,” Michelle teased. “You don’t start your yoga training for another three months anyways.”

I replied wistfully, “But he doesn’t even know I exist.” I looked toward him as he continued to ready the machine and talk to the crowd that had gathered. He yelled for the people to form a line – his voice deep, sexy and made me flush at the sound of it.

“That is what it looks like, isn’t it?” Michelle said dryly, looking in the same direction as me.

“Besides,” I explained, “he probably has a ton of girls throwing themselves at him.” I sighed and looked down to my lap disappointed at my own lack of confidence.

“You can always ask Brian to introduce you.” Michelle grinned at me.

I felt the heat really fan my cheeks. “Nooo, I’d be way too embarrassed.”

Michelle looked at the guy again and said, “C’mon Kel, do you see how hot he is?” She lifted one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “Three months,” Michelle said, looking back towards me, smiling softly.

“Three months for what?” I asked, meeting her gaze.

“The bet. You have that much time to get him to date you,” Michelle replied smugly. “You can call it the three month plan.”

“You’re serious about that?” I laughed, but was cut short when I realized Michelle was serious. My expression quickly faded to a dull stare.

“I wish you could see your expression right now.” Michelle chuckled.

I paused at the silence, contemplating the challenge as I gazed in his direction. He was smiling to his latest customer who had entered the restaurant and climbed in line for the machine. Michelle had a point. I planned on making this a summer to remember. I wasn’t enrolled in college this fall since I had decided to take a year off before starting. And the yoga teacher training program didn’t begin until four months from now. “You know,” I replied with a newfound confidence, “I think that’s perfect.”

Michelle’s mouth fell open in surprise that all her prodding worked. “So in three months you will have landed him is what you are saying?” Michelle asked in disbelief.

“Yeah. One way or another,” I laughed. “I’m gonna’ do, wear, and say everything that I would imagine a guy like that would want me to do.”

Michelle grinned. “You’re crazy. A guy like that is gonna’ want you wearing nothing.”

“Very funny, Michelle.” I playfully slapped her hands from across the table. “But since you were so instrumental in creating this bet, I am going to need your help.”

“I was just kidding,” Michelle laughed. “Why am I getting dragged into this? You should ask Brian to help you.”

“Well, you certainly encouraged it,” I responded and looked at the guy again. “But you’re right, how else am I going to get into his head, without some guy’s input?”

“I’m sure his head isn’t the only place you want to get in to,” Michelle smiled. “Virginity is overrated anyways.”

My face flushed, “You’re a bad influence, and you know that, right? I’m not going to sleep with him.” I must admit my mind did have a tendency to drift to such things. I’d never allowed the guys I’ve dated get very far with me, but watching him had me fantasizing of pressing against his lean body.

“Of course. But you still love me anyways.” She grinned.

“Yes, yes I do. But that may change after this whole three month plan is over.” I cocked my head to the side sarcastically.

“Well, you had better get started then,” Michelle said. “And your first step might be getting rid of what looks like competition.” She lifted her head and looked behind me.

I turned my head slowly to see him casually talking with what looked to be a supermodel. She twirled her naturally curly long blonde hair around her perfectly manicured pink nails, while batting her lashes up at him. Her low cut, cleavage revealing top left little to the imagination as she pressed her chest against his. She was thin, leggy, and annoying already even though I had never met her. “Uhm,” Brian cleared his throat, startling me. “Do you want any more drinks?” He arched his eyebrow at me, and I realized I had been scowling. I swear he was meant to be a spy the way he seemed to sneak up on us. Brian was my oldest friend, and before we were friends I had a huge crush on him. He never knew, and I was too afraid to tell him and ruin our friendship. Now he was more like a brother to me, although a much cuter brother than I imagined I’d have. Brian worked here part time as a server. It was yet another reason we came here. He always gave us a great discount.

“Brian, thank God you’re here,” Michelle hurriedly said, “Do you know who that guy is over there talking to that girl?”

“Who, the new guy?” Brian replied, motioning the direction of the hot guy as Michelle nodded. “Oh, that’s Jake; he just started two weeks ago.”

Michelle looked at me and smiled.

“Jake,” I mouthed, a slight smile turning up my lip on one side.

Brian just laughed, “Sorry, girls. You might wanna’ get in line for that one. You see that blonde girl he’s talking to? That’s his girlfriend.” He nodded toward the Amazon girl. “And you see all those other girls in line. Well, let’s just say they aren’t in line for the machine.”

Crap. This isn’t going to work. I mumbled under my breath.

Giveaway: The Night is Forever by Heather Graham

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Thanks to Harlequin books, I have a copy of The Night is Forever to give away to a lucky commenter!

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:

What happened here, on a historic ranch outside Nashville, during the Civil War? And what’s happening now?

Olivia Gordon works at the Horse Farm, a facility that assists patients with mental and physical recovery; her specialty is animal therapy. She’s always loved her job, always felt safe ;until now.

People are dying, starting with the facility’s founder, whose body is discovered in a ravine on the property and site of a massacre in 1862. And before every death, Liv sees a horse and rider, wearing a soldier’s garb, in the night sky. Warning? Omen? Or clue?

Liv calls in her cousin Malachi and his Krewe, an FBI unit of paranormal investigators, to discover the truth. New Krewe member Dustin Blake knows they need Liv’s involvement in the case, yet he’s worried about her safety. Because he and Liv quickly become more than colleagues and he doesn’t want to lose her to the endless night.

Want to win this book? Comment below (please leave your email- you may use the AT and DOT). The giveaway runs from October 25th-October 30th at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be announced October 31st. Giveaway is open to US/Canada!

Giveaway: So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl

Thanks to Harlequin Books, I have a copy of So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl to give away to a lucky commenter!

Here’s the synopsis from Goodreads:

Tough to tame, but not too tough to love… Charlie Allington is supposed to be on the fast track to the top-a small-town girl who was making it big in her career. Instead, she’s reeling from a scandal that’s pretty much burned all her bridges. Now, out of options, she needs a place to lick her wounds and figure out her future. True, working at a ski resort in rugged Jackson Hole, Wyoming, isn’t her dream job. But if there’s one perk to coming back, it’s a certain sexy hometown boy who knows how to make a girl feel welcome.

Cowboy Walker Pearce never expected a grown-up Charlie to be temptation in tight jeans. She’s smart and successful-way out of league for a man like him. But he’s not about to let that, or his secrets, get in the way of their blazing-hot attraction. Yet when passion turns to something more, will the truth-about both of them-send her out of his life for good…or into his arms forever?

Want to win So Tough to Tame? Comment below for a chance to win! Please leave your email in the comments (you may use the AT and DOT). Giveaway runs from October 14th-October 21st at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be announced October 22nd. Giveaway is open to US/Canada residents.

While following Traveling With T or “liking” Traveling With T will not gain you an extra entry- if you have been enjoying the content- consider following or “liking”!

Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

Photo Credit: Barnes and Noble

Jo Marie, young and widowed, opened the bed and breakfast as part of a dream she had. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan and she is working through her grief the best way she can. The never ending duties of the B&B seem to be a place to help keep her mind occupied, while she grieves and moves on with her life.

Jo Marie has a cranky man doing odd and ends jobs for her around Rose Harbor. Jo Marie wanted a garden of roses planted for an event- and Mark, the cranky handy man, did not finish it. He seems to be dragging his feet for a reason- but being a secretive man- it’s not obvious as to why. The friendship between Jo Marie and Mark is odd- and filled with misunderstandings!

Annie has planned a perfect weekend at Rose Harbor Inn to honor her grandparent’s 5oth wedding anniversary. Because of past complications with her love life, she needs a weekend of basking in her grandparent’s obvious adoration of each other. However, someone needs to tell her grandparents to act like the loving couple Annie remembers- as they are spending their anniversary weekend fighting. Annie is beside herself, and mad that Oliver, a boy she used to have a crush on, is spending the weekend at Rose Harbor Inn. Oliver used to tease Annie, but now, he’s interested in her. Annie can’t see beyond the years ago Oliver, though. Can Oliver show Annie he’s changed and that a good love is right before her eyes?

Mary comes to Rose Harbor Inn to escape her life for a bit. Diagnosed with cancer, Mary is looking back at her life- and some of the mistakes she made. There is a huge mistake in Seattle- and Mary is looking for the strength to connect with George, a past love. Mary knows she broke his heart years ago- and wants forgiveness- even though she is not sure she deserves it. Can George forgive Mary for the past heartbreak? Is their story over?

Love. Forgiveness. Dreams. Happiness. Second chances. Rose Harbor in Bloom has it all.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Being a fan of Blossom Street series, I wanted to really like Rose Harbor in Bloom. Being written by Debbie Macomber, I did not see a problem with this wish. Something fell flat with me about this book. Maybe it was the cantankerous handy man? That storyline seemed to take up a good bit of the book. Perhaps it was because this is the 2nd book in the series and I need to read the first to get more of a feel for the characters.

It’s not a bad read. It’s just not as good as I expected. However, the heartwarming aspects of a Debbie Macomber book are there.

*This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Wedding Belles by Beth Albright

Photo Credit: Goodreads

The Sassy Belles are Back! Wedding bells are ringing for Vivi- unless the psychic’s prediction is true! Blake O’Hara Heart knows this- in the Deep South, in August, you do not upset a pregnant bride- it’s just too darn hot for that mess!

Blake is knee deep into planning her best girlfriend ever an over the top wedding and baby shower! Vivi asks Blake to have Myra Jean, trailer park psychic to the ladies in Tuscaloosa, read their futures at her combo wedding/baby shower. Blake agrees because she is the most loyal matron of honor. As part of booking Myra Jean for the shower, Vivi gets a sample reading. Oh if only Blake had herself a magic ball- then she could have known the trouble heading Vivi’s way! Myra Jean lets Vivi know there is another woman in the picture- which prompts Vivi into a full-on hissy fit. Blake mollifies Vivi by saying that it could be the baby girl (Vivi just has a feeling it’s a girl). However, it’s not long before Vivi, Lewis and Blake find out that Myra Jean is right. A woman from Lewis’s past is going to make this wedding a bit more difficult!

Blake’s law practice has problems as well. The body that was discovered while looking for Lewis is a man who recently inherited his family’s money, amongst a disagreement with his other family members. Blake is trying to find out what happened to him and who earns his inheritance since he was recently married. The barge company says he must have fallen off the boat, the insurance won’t pay till they can rule out suicide, and Blake needs to find this wife! Cal, Lewis’s computer whiz best friend, finds the wife and also finds Lewis’s first wife- when Blake realizes they have the same last name, her pretty head wonders “What if they are the same person?”

On the political front, Harry is working hard to win the November Senate election- and Blake, being the consummate Southern Belle, is going to stick by him in public and help him win this election. In private, though, Blake’s a bad girl- she’s found her true love, Sonny, and wants to make things work with him. Harry has his own private fun- and that nosy reporter, Dallas, is doing her best to crack the case on the Hearts. Dallas is worried about her job, so having the inside track on a story about a falling out between the Hearts could lead to some juicy air time.

Between getting Vivi ready for her wedding, balancing her professional and personal life with Sonny, helping Harry get elected, and finding out what happened on that barge- Blake is busier than a bee in a bonnet. Watching Vivi, her Sassy Belle best friend, on the verge of everything she’s ever longed for- makes Blake happy- and a tad bit wistful. Life is changing for the Sassy Belles- but Blake’s about to find out exactly how much life is changing!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

The Sassy Belles are back! If you thought Blake and Vivi were going to let a wedding be a calm and serene event- you were wrong! The sassy girls are ready for whatever curveball life throws them- and life’s got quite a few!

Funny, charming, and sweet- Wedding Belles is a read that should be enjoyed with a glass of sweet tea. After reading Wedding Belles, you might feel like talking in Southern accent and watching some college football- don’t fight the feeling!

Perfect for fans of light reading, romance, and Southern Belles.

*This book was provided to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Hotshot by Julie Garwood

Photo Credit: Amazon

Peyton Lockhart’s life was saved when she was 6 by a hotshot swimmer named Finn. Can he save Peyton’s life again?

Peyton, young and beautiful- recently graduated from college, unlucky in love- takes a job in Minnesota at a magazine. She’s excited to have a great job- and looking forward to the work. Until she finds out the work that her boss really wants her to take part in. Peyton’s boss is sexually harassing her- and she has no where to turn. Her work friends, Mimi and Lars, want Peyton to leave before something bad happens- and after Peyton’s boss makes a particularly threatening move- she sets out to leave Minnesota. Just not before she gets some proof of the harassment.

Back home with her sisters, Peyton runs into to Finn at his brother’s wedding- and sparks fly. When Finn, a FBI agent, finds out why Peyton left Minnesota and sees bullet holes in her car- he’s instantly on alert. And makes it his business to save her life again.

While home with the sister, Peyton’s uncle has an interesting proposition- run Bishop’s Cove for a year, make a profit and it’s theirs to do what they want- or he could sell it and give the girls the money earned from the sale. All agree that selling makes more sense- and yet, they take ownership of Bishop’s Cove. If Peyton thought life was going to get easier by being in a relaxing area- she was wrong. Between a contractor wanting to buy the land for his own personal resort, a cousin that thinks she has rights to the property, and her Minnesota problems coming to Florida to try and kill her- Peyton’s hands are full. Lucky for her- she has Finn “HotShot” McBain around to protect her in the day and watch over her all night long.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is my first Julie Garwood novel- and I enjoyed it. The romance between Finn and Peyton was cute, hot even- maybe a tad bit predictable- but enjoyable. The plot line where Peyton was being sexually harassed and threatened was interesting and a nice way to link Finn back to needing to save Peyton. Hotshot has been a nice book to enjoy sitting poolside and while relaxing! There was enough mystery and thrills to keep me interested. Enjoyable.

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

Photo Credit: Amazon

The Firebird is July’s She Reads Book Club pick. Part historical fiction, some magical realism, romance, and a mystery- this book has much that can and will appeal to a variety of readers.

Nicola has a gift (or a curse as she sees it sometimes). She can touch an object and see things from it’s past. Nicola works for an art dealer, Sebastian, in London. A woman comes in desperate to see this little bird- a bird that she claims to have belonged to Empress Catherine at one time. Sebastian is interested- but since there is no proof- he cannot buy the bird. Nicola, though, before the lady leaves, touches the bird. Instantly she has a vision of Empress Catherine telling a girl named Anna “You were never a nobody”. She knows the bird is what the woman claims- yet, she can’t reveal what knows without revealing her “gift”.

Nicola, shaken, thinks about what to do next. She goes in search of a person that she knows from 2 years ago- a man named Rob. He has a gift like Nicola- yet, he does not regard it as a curse. When Nicola and Rob meet again- the reader finds out about their history- and that there is still something unfinished between them. Together, the 2 of them embark on an adventure- an adventure that is designed to prove the truth about the firebird.

While on this adventure, with both Nicola and Rob using their gifts- they learn about this mysterious Anna. Her background, her story, how and why Nicola had a vision of her with Empress Catherine. Told in alternating tales, what Anna lived through and how her life was and the story of Nicola and Rob – The Firebird takes the reader from past to present and through a multitude of historical references.

Partly a romantic story, party a historical fiction, a few dashes of magical realism- The Firebird opens the reader to a world they may never have dreamed of knowing- and a story, Anna’s story, that they are better for reading.

My thoughts:

Conflicted. The little synopsis about this book had me intrigued. I began reading- and the first chapter or so, I was intrigued. Interested. Curious. Then Nicola goes in search of Rob- and I encounter a dialect that I’m not familiar with. Words such as “Aye, Ken and more”. I re-read the sections, and essentially get the meaning. Yet, it’s distracting to me. I find myself in a reading groove- and then the Scottish dialect rears it’s head. I continue, though, partly because I want to know what happens. Anna has caught my interest. Nicola and Rob have caught my interest.

The story continues and I faithfully read- I’m learning quite a bit as the book is well researched- and yet, the amount of characters is almost hard to keep up with- some are mentioned at 1 point- and then not mentioned again for nearly 200 pages. I found myself wishing I’d made a note of each character. Then, when I’m about convinced that it’s not the book’s fault, it’s me- some books just don’t capture my attention- I start getting a bit more caught up in the story- Anna’s older, her story is growing more and more interesting as the pages go. The interactions between Nicola and Rob are better- the unfinished history between them is apparent. Even the Scottish dialect is not distracting me. I flew through the last 100 or so pages- dying to know what happens next. Who can be trusted, who can’t be- what will become of Anna?

With the ending being as strong as it was- it definitely ended the book on a positive note (for me!) I liked how things were revealed bit by bit- and how the author used misdirection at times. However, it took several pages for me to get to this point- and honestly, if I’d borrowed this book from a library- I’d have returned it before I finished it. In the end, I’m a better person for having read this- for sticking with it. For learning about an unfamiliar author to me. My advice for you, if you decide to read this, is to know that it’s slow moving- it will get to a point that the reader has to know what happens next- but it takes it’s time getting there.

* This book was provided to me by She Reads in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above opinions and thoughts are mine alone.

Interview with Beth Albright author of The Sassy Belles

Beth Albright, author of The Sassy Belles, found time in her busy schedule to stop by and answer some questions. Interviewing Beth was a fun experience- and if her book, The Sassy Belles, is half as fun as finding our her answers- then we are in for a delight! The Sassy Belles is part of Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List– a list that has quite a few good books- whether you are from the South or just long to read about Southern life and Southern belles.

Interview with Beth Albright:

What was the inspiration for The Sassy Belles?

Literally, I was homesick. I had had many careers from being an actress on Days of Our Lives, to being a long-time radio talk show host all over the country. After my son was born, I opened an acting school for kids and after nearly 7 years, the Enron scandal happened in Houston, TX, and my school was collateral damage. I sat in a rainy parking lot waiting for my husband to run into a grocery store, when I pulled my directors notebook from my purse and scribbled out the very first words of what would become The Sassy Belles. “My name is Blake O’Hara Heart and boy do I have a story to tell. It wouldn’t be such a story if Vivi hadn’t done what she did.” I was homesick and needed my mom and sassy girlfriends around me—with some salty margaritas!

From the beginning to end, how long did The Sassy Belles take to write?

It took many years because I wasn’t serious about it. I wrote most of it after my acting school closed and we were living in Nashville. Then we moved to LA for the third time, and my son became a competitive pairs figure skater and I put it away for three years. But my mom kept pushing me to finish, telling me I really had something, so I finished, went to the San Francisco Writers Conference, met my agent and she sold a three-book deal to Harlequin/MIRA!

Do you have a writing space? A writing routine?

I have a favorite chair, with my cat nicely sprawled behind my head on the back of the chair. Also, I love my desk and my writing space on the fourth floor of my SF townhome, but the chair in the bedroom seems to be where I land. My routine is hard…I had only about 5 weeks each to write the last 2 books in the trilogy. We wanted to keep a tight production schedule and I wanted to get the books out, so I wrote from about 9am till about 2-3am, taking breaks of course. With the next trilogy, I will be taking more time, but I am pretty diligent and focused when I write. I get inside the story and sometimes it’s hard to get me out!

Are any of the characters based on people in real life? Or just figments of your imagination?

All of the characters are good amalgamations of many of the people I know. I like to take traits of different people and put together new people. The character of Meridee is very much like my late maternal grandmother. She is closest to her actual character.

Will you be going on a book signing tour? If so, what are you looking forward to the most about the tour?

We just did a huge launch and book party at the Barnes and Noble in Tuscaloosa Alabama, where the books are based. We sold 200 books in four hours!! It was crazy. I definitely want to go on a huge book tour and I am hoping to put one together this fall when all 3 books are out! What I look most forward to is meeting my readers! I love people and love shaking hands, and talking with them!

Do you want The Sassy Belles to be made into a movie one day? If so, who are the actors that would comprise your dream cast?

Actually, the book is currently being packaged for a pitch for an hour long TV series!!! Vivi was written for Jessica Chastain!! I love Allison Brie as she appeared in Five Year Engagement as Blake! Betty White as Meridee for sure, Delta Burke for Kitty, Jessica Simpson (not pregnant) as Dallas. The men, oooh I love so many of them! Maybe Jon Hamm as Harry, Blake Shelton as Sonny, and Vince Vaughn as Lewis. Bonita would be played by Octavia Spencer and Arthur would be played by Denzel Washington! His character becomes huge in later books! I think that would be awesome!

The Sassy Belles is the first in the series. Can you tell us anything about the next two books, Wedding Belles and Sleigh Belles?

Wedding Belles, out July 30^th, to me, is the funniest of the three books. Here is the quote from the back of the book:

Seven months pregnant and head over heels in love, Vivi Ann McFadden is busy pulling together the final details for her wedding to Lewis Heart, famous play-by-play announcer for the Crimson Tide. But with two wedding-planners-gone-wild and a psychic giving her advice, a missing wedding ring and the ceremony happening on the same day as the wildly popular Crimson Tide kickoff game, chaos reigns supreme. Luckily, maid of honor Blake O’Hara Heart is on the job. She’ll tackle this wedding if it’s the last thing she does!

Sleigh Belles is much more poignant. While there are funny scenes, the story is a tale of tying to put pieces of a fragmented family back together for Christmas. You’ll need your hankies for sure. It is the most deep and emotional of the three books. Here is the back cover:

With her hair perfectly coiffed, nails freshly manicured and a heavy trail of perfume wafting behind her, local news reporter Dallas Dubois is sure she’s about to kick her career—and maybe her love life—into high gear. The director of the Tuscaloosa children’s Christmas play has fallen ill, and Dallas is ordered by her station manager to take the reins. Everyone is shocked—especially Cal Hollingsworth, who still remembers her as the Ice Queen from high school.

If nothing else, Dallas has never met a challenge that a little lip gloss and a Chanel knockoff couldn’t fix. But she has no idea how to relate to these kids, and their brutal honesty is giving her pause. Things are made even more complicated by the butterflies she gets whenever Cal is near….

But when long-lost family members reenter her life, Dallas’s icy veneer begins to melt. And with Cal by her side, she soon realizes that it’s what’s under all the hair spray that counts.

Now that you’ve read the interview- is your inner “sassy belle” just having a fit to read The Sassy Belles? If so, you are in luck! Come back on Friday- Beth will be revealing her #literarycrush, some Southern writers that she just LOVES, and more. There will also be a #giveaway of The Sassy Belles!

Beth Albright, author of The Sassy Belles, loves her sassy girlfriends and some salty margaritas ( Beth sounds like a very good person to be friends with!) For more information about Beth, please visit her website, The Sassy Belles Facebook page, or Twitter.

*Special shout-out goes to Beth for agreeing to this interview. Long live The Sassy Belles!