Shelly Alexander's Blog, page 2
January 22, 2016
The Real Life Characters of Red River: Steve Heglund
Texas RedsLike many of Red River’s residents, Steve Heglund didn’t grow up there. A young, gutsy entrepreneur, he visited Red River and decided to stay. And he’s seen it all as the owner of the infamous Texas Reds Steak House, the Lost Love Saloon & Lodge, The Motherlode and the Rockin’ 3M Amphitheater where Michael Martin Murphey plays for a chuckwagon dinner crowd every summer.
Steve & PriscillaSteve can regale you with stories from the old days when Neil Young stopped in at Reds and stayed for two weeks, serenading the patrons with his guitar in a sarape. Or more recent stories of the good-natured paranormal host in room 221 at his lodge that greets the overnight patrons. Just about any night of the week you can find Steve and his lovely wife, Priscilla, hard at work tending to the needs of Red River’s tourists, so stop in and say howdy!
On page 172 of It’s In His Heart, the owner of Cotton Eyed Joe’s has to throw out a band of troublemakers that pick a fight with Ella and Coop. Ella drops one of them with a Taser. What funny stories do you have of vacations, bars, and country music?
January 14, 2016
Cover Reveal ~ THE SECRET TO LETTING GO by Katherine Fleet
About the Book:
One summer can change everything…
Release Date: Feb. 1, 2016Haunted with guilt after his girlfriend’s death, Daniel Hudson has no interest in committing to anyone. At the end of the summer, he’ll be leaving Florida for a new start in college. If only he could avoid the mysterious new girl in town, who seems every bit as naive and eccentric as she looks. Trouble is, she’s hard to ignore, with her beautiful piercing eyes, pitiful-looking dog, and unsettling tendency of finding trouble.
Clover Scott lived her whole life off the grid and arrives on the Gulf coast in search of her grandparents. She never expected to nearly drown, or get caught in a hurricane, or fall in love with the boy who rescues her. Now, she has a chance to rewrite her life’s story, to finally fit in somewhere, but Daniel wants answers about her past. When the police start asking questions about the disappearance of her parents, she must make a choice: go to jail or confess her secrets—even if they might destroy her chance at a happily-ever-after.
Goodreads Book Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26877648-the-secret-to-letting-go
Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1682810704
Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-to-letting-go-kathleen-fleet/1123170247
iTunes Buy Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-secret-to-letting-go/id1073591332
Kobo Buy Link: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-secret-to-letting-go
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Letting-Go-Katherine-Fleet/dp/1682810704
Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Letting-Go-Katherine-Fleet/dp/1682810704
Entangled Page: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-secret-to-letting-go/
About the Author:
Originally from Newfoundland, Katherine Fleet gave up the cold winters of Eastern Canada for the year round warmth of the Caribbean. The slower pace of island life has given her
time to pursue a long-time goal—becoming an author. When she’s not writing, she spends her time baking, chauffeuring her three amazing, talented kids around, and having sun-filled adventures with her husband and wonderful friends in Curaçao. She is also a very thankful breast cancer survivor. In 2007, she joined RWA and has enjoyed the support and camaraderie of the YARWA and OIRWA writing communities. She’s participated in NaNoWriMo since 2012 and is an active supporter of the associated Young Writers Program. She is represented by super-agent Carrie Pestritto of Prospect Agency. The Secret to Letting Go is her debut novel. You can connect with her at www.KatherineFleet.com.
Author Website: www.KatherineFleet.com
Author Twitter: @KatherineFleet
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKatherineFleet/
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14439407.Katherine_Fleet
Author Instagram: @Katherine_Fleet
Newsletter: www.KatherineFleet.com
January 8, 2016
The Real Life Characters of Red River: Fritz Davis
The moment I met Fritz Davis at the Mountain Treasures Gallery In Red River, I knew he’d have interesting stories to tell. In a black beret, we talked over a cup of coffee for hours, and I found him one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met. Originally from Witchita, Kansas, Fritz moved to Red River in 1989.
Fritz Davis at Mountain Treasures GalleryBesides his trademark beret, Fritz has worn many hats as a resident of the Red River Valley. Whether it’s entertaining both tourists and residents by playing with a group of musicians on the porch at Mountain Treasures on Sunday mornings, or his day job as a writer for the Red River Miner, or organizing some of the popular community events like Red River’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, Fritz is always hard at work. And his work is always something that benefits Red River.
Even though Red River incorporated in 1971, Fritz says what he loves most about his town is that it’s a community not a corporation. If you ever get the chance to visit Red River and meet Fritz in person, you can see that’s true in everything he does.
On page 198 of It’s In His Heart, the entire town rallies to bring food to Coop after he’s injured. What’s your favorite thing about small-town life?
December 9, 2015
Launch of Shelly’s Official Street Team
Hi, Gang! My official Street Team will launch in January. What is a Street Team, you ask? Basically, a street team is anyone who reads my books. As a member, you’ll be eligible for monthly prize giveaways, excerpts, advanced reader copies of upcoming releases, and deleted scenes that no one has seen yet. And all you have to do is join the group and spread the word about my books.
To celebrate the launch of my Official Street Team, everyone who joins during the month of December will be entered into a Christmas Celebration giveaway. I’ll choose four lucky winners who will each receive one prize: 1) A copy of Christmas in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk 2) Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan (digital only) 3) Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair 4) One grand prize – $25 Amazon Gift Card
(Winners will be randomly selected via the Random Number app. I’ll post a screen shot of the results on my Street Team page the first week in January.)
If you’re interested in fun, prizes, and lots of laughs, click here to join!
December 4, 2015
The Real Life Characters of Red River: Ron Weathers
Ron Weathers is another of Red River’s most interesting residents. And as do most of the residents, Ron functions in several different capacities, each of his jobs helping to weave the close-knit community of Red River.
Ron Weathers photographing the beauty of the Red River ValleyRon held a corporate position with UPS until he moved to Red River in 1993. Now he is the owner and chief photographer for Mountain Mist Photograph. He takes live photos of skiers and snowboards on the slopes during ski season, and he holds a major position at Red River’s Chamber of Commerce.
There are sixteen major community events held each year in Red River, and Ron has sat on every committee for every event.
Two fictional charity events to benefit the Red River community are written into the story of It’s In His Heart. Can you name both of them?
Photo Courtesy of Mountain Mist Photography
November 6, 2015
A Taste of the Old West at Texas Reds
Smack dab in the middle of Red River’s Main Street is the infamous Texas Reds Steakhouse. Named after a nineteenth century outlaw that roamed the area when New Mexico still belonged to Texas, Reds still offers a nostalgic old west 
flare, friendly atmosphere and one of the best steaks in them there hills.
And after dinner, you can have a drink and listen to live music in the bar at The Lost Love Saloon right there inside of Reds. The local talent is amazing, and out of town acts will wow you all the more.
On page 88 of It’s In His Heart, Ella and Coop share a dance that sparks an attraction neither can ignore. How many of you like to scoot a boot? What song is sure to have you heading for the dance floor?
November 3, 2015
Book Birthdays!
It’s Here! The Book Birthday!
by Asa Maria Bradley
Today is the big day! My debut book is released and about to make its way into the hands of readers!
Before VIKING WARRIOR RISING grew up and became a proper book, it was a want-to-be published manuscript named Valhalla’s King. In early 2014, I got a phone call to tell me that my manuscript was a finalist in the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest. The best thing about placing high in the contest was to meet the other amazing finalists. We call ourselves the Dreamweavers, because that’s what we do. We weave dreams into reality.
This group of talented women have been such a source of support and encouragement that I couldn’t imagine having a writing career without them. And so it is with special happiness that I actually share my book birthday with three of my Dreamweaver sisters. Laura Trentham and Shelly Alexander, are several books into their careers. Pintip Dunn and I are sharing our debut day. Yay!
And here, alphabetical by title, are books and the authors in their full birthday glory!
FORGET TOMORROW, by Pintip Dunn
Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.
It’s Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she’s eagerly awaiting her vision-a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they’re meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist.
Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.
In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo-a hellish prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes.
But on the run from her future, as well as the government, Callie sets in motion a chain of events that she hopes will change her fate. If not, she must figure out how to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all-Callie, herself.
About Pintip
Pintip Dunn graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A
.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the YALE LAW JOURNAL. She also published an article in the YALE LAW JOURNAL, entitled, “How Judges Overrule: Speech Act Theory and the Doctrine of Stare Decisis,”
Pintip is represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. She is a 2012 RWA Golden Heart® finalist and a 2014 double-finalist. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, YARWA, and The Golden Network. She lives with her husband and children in Maryland. You can learn more about Pintip and her books at www.pintipdunn.com
Get Your Own Copy of FORGET TOMORROW:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forget-tomorrow-pintip-dunn/1121154538?ean=9781633752382
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/forget-tomorrow
Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-Dunn/9781633752382
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forget-tomorrow/id...
Powell’s: http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781633752382-0
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Forget-Tomorrow/Pintip-Dunn/9781633752382?id=6425412589020
IT’S IN HIS TOUCH, by Shelly Alexander
She came to Red River to win a case. . . but she never thought the town would win her heart.
There’s nothing that Angelique Barbetta can’t handle, no illness she can’t recover from, not one item on her outrageous bucket list that she can’t conquer—not even alligator wrestling! But after discovering her fiancé in a less-than-professional position with their perky assistant, even tough-as-nails Angelique needs a break. Her law firm sends her to Red River to work on a case that should be a piece of cake. Until she meets her sexy neighbor Blake Holloway . . . one of the proprietors who will lose everything if Angelique wins.
On opposite sides of a hostile legal battle—with a pair of Angelique’s silk undies ending up in Blake’s hands—undeniable chemistry swirls between them. As Blake shows Angelique just what Red River has to offer, her heart begins to melt for the people whose businesses make up the soul of the town. Can she put aside her feelings to win the case? Or will he convince her there’s much more at stake than winning—like love?
About Shelly
Shelly Alexander grew up traveling the world, earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, 
and worked in the business world for twenty-five years. With four older brothers, she watched every Star Trek episode ever made, joined the softball team instead of ballet class, and played with G.I. Joes while the Barbie Corvette stayed tucked in the closet. When she had three sons of her own, she decided to escape her male-dominated world by reading romance novels and has been hooked ever since. Now she spends her days writing steamy contemporary romances while enjoying the arid climate of the beautiful Southwest. Visit Shelly at www.ShellyAlexander.net
Get Your Own Copy of IT’S IN HIS TOUCH
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RxZ4fI
B & N: http://bit.ly/1Ltfhxx
MELTING INTO YOU, Falcon Football #3 by Laura Trentham
Alec Grayson returns home to Falcon, Alabama, to rebuild his life after a knee injury ended his NFL career. As the Falcon high school quarterback coach, Alec’s love for the game is 
reignited. Meanwhile, he puts his hard-partying past and the betrayal of the people he trusted most behind him, and adopts a hard demeanor. That is, until a spitfire artist with soulful eyes and a body that haunts his dreams gets under his skin and threatens to crack his armor.
Lilliana Hancock is forced to leave her struggling-artist lifestyle in New York and return to Falcon after her father’s unexpected death leaves her a decrepit family mansion. Determined to use her skills to turn the home into a successful bed and breakfast, Lilliana is stopped at every turn by the town contractor, who happens to be Alec, the gorgeous and arrogant jock to whom she lost her virginity in college. Except Alec doesn’t remember, which infuriates her. Too bad she can’t forget the way his body felt against hers or how his heated gaze follows her…
Will they be able to put their pasts behind them for a future together?
About Laura
Laura was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to 
starvation! So, Laura chose the next most logical major – Chemical Engineering- and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now she lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, Laura loves to get lost in another world, whether it’s Regency England or small town Alabama. Visit Laura at www.lauratrentham.com.
Get Your Own Copy of MELTING INTO YOU:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Md3kwf
iBooks: http://apple.co/1Ov0N7j
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Md3tzS
VIKING WARRIOR RISING by Asa Maria Bradley
Immortal Vikings are among us.
Leif Skarsganger and his elite band of immortal warriors have been charged to protect humanity from the evil Norse god Loki.
Under attack from Loki’s minions, Leif is shocked to encounter a dark-haired beauty who fights like a warrior herself. Wounded and feverish, the Viking kisses her, inadvertently triggering an ancient Norse bond. But when Naya Brisbane breaks away and disappears before the bond is completed, Leif’s warrior spirit goes berserk. If Leif doesn’t find her fast, he’s going to lose himself to permanent battle fury.
But Naya doesn’t want to be found…and he’ll do anything to track her down. Because they’re both running out of time.
About Asa
Asa Maria Bradley grew up in Sweden surrounded by archaeology and history steeped in Norse mythology, which inspired the immortal Vikings and Valkyries in her paranormal 
romances. She also writes romantic suspense and currently resides on a lake deep in the pine forests of the Pacific Northwest with a British husband and a rescue dog of indeterminate breed. Visit Asa at www.asamariabradley.com and sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on news, receive exclusive content, and be entered in a monthly drawing for fabulous prizes.
Get Your Own Copy of VIKING WARRIOR RISING
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WqexiX
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/viking-warrior-rising-asa-maria-bradley/1121863785?ean=9781492618843
Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781492618843
kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/viking-warrior-rising
October 23, 2015
The Heart Of Red River
The heart of every small town is the people.
Many of the townsfolk showed up in Red River as tourists but found the beauty of the Sangre de Cristo mountains impossible to leave behind. Now Red River is their home, and this wonderfully quirky band of transplanted folks embody the pioneering spirit that is the very heartbeat of Red River.
A sense of belonging hangs in the crisp mountain air as the residents greet each other at the local watering hole, pick up mail at the post office, or stock up on a few groceries at Red River’s supermarket. Their lives intersect on a daily basis so a family-like thread runs through them all, connecting and twining them together. They laugh together, argue with each other, and band together in times of tragedy.
And secrets? Well, there aren’t any in a town of 475 year round residents.
On page 32 of It’s In His Heart, Ella’s faced with the challenge of keeping her profession a secret. How long do you think it would take to ‘out’ her in a town this size?
Photos courtesy of Mountain Mist Photography
October 12, 2015
Another Dreamweaver Book Bundle Giveaway!
One winner wins the entire bundle!
Enter the Giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...?
Shelly Alexander – IT’S IN HIS TOUCH
Laura Trentham – CAUGHT UP IN THE TOUCH
Erika Kelly – I WANT YOU TO WANT ME
Amy Patrick – HIDDEN DEEP
Nan Dixon – SOUTHERN COMFORTS
Julie Mulhern – THE DEEP END
Sarah Andre – LOCKED, LOADED, & LYING
Laura Trentham – AN INDECENT INVITATION
October 9, 2015
Getting WILD In Red River
You don’t have to try very hard to find wildlife in Red River. Whether you’re on a scenic Jeep tour, a hiking trail, or simply traveling down highway 38 just outside of Red River, wildlife is likely to find you.
Big horned sheep have been know to wander across your path on the way in or out of Red River, and white tails can often be seen meandering down Main Street. Even an occasional bear will make an appearance looking for food.
On Page 20 of It’s In His Heart, Ella looks at some old wildlife photographs that her late husband took of Red River’s wildlife. What animals have you seen in the wild?
Photos Courtesy of Mountain Mist Photography.
