Kimberly Lewis's Blog, page 47
June 1, 2012
May 31, 2012
Announcing the winner of "Cowboy Fever"
The winner of "Cowboy Fever" by Joanne Kennedy (chosen through the service random.org) is..................Angie Adair! Congratulations Angie! And thank you again to everyone who left a comment for the drawing!
May 30, 2012
A Big Thanks!
Wow! Yesterday was such an exciting day:) So many people visited my little blog to support one of my favorite authors, Joanne Kennedy. Some of them were fellow authors...of which I love so it was really cool having so many people I admire and look up to visit my blog! I want to thank Joanne again for taking the time to visit with me and wish her all the best with her new book:) And thank you to everyone who left a comment! I will post the winner of Cowboy Fever sometime this week, so make sure you check back to see if you won. It's such a good book and honestly one of my all time favorites. You're in for a treat:) Thanks again everyone!
May 28, 2012
Interview & Giveaway with Western Romance Author Joanne Kennedy
What an exciting day! Today it is my pleasure to host western romance author Joanne Kennedy! Joanne is joining us today to talk about her love of writing and her amazing books. Please join me in welcoming her:)
KL: Thanks so much for joining us today Joanne! When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?
JK: I always wanted to be a writer, but it wasn’t until my midlife crisis hit that I realized I was never going to fulfill my dreams if I didn’t go after them. Discovering romance also made a big difference. I wanted to write literary novels, or mysteries, or thrillers, but every time I submitted anything agents said it was “too romancey.” Once I got the hint and focused on the kind of stories that come naturally to me, I was off and running.KL: Where do you find the inspiration for your novels?JK: Inspiration can come from anywhere—a glimpse out a window, an overheard conversation, or an article in the newspaper. But the two things that inspire me most are my home state of Wyoming and my husband. I try to show my readers that there’s a place in the world where they belong and a love that is waiting for them. If they’re true to themselves and open to the possibilities around them, they’ll find the life they’re meant to live.KL: What do you enjoy most about writing western romances? Have you ever dabbled in writing any other types of romance or genre?JK:I love the way history and tradition blend with the challenges of the modern world in the West. Ranching is a hard life to hang onto these days, and it takes a lot of determination and hard work. That’s what makes cowboys such great heroes.I actually write in many genres. My agent originally signed me for a paranormal romance, but it didn’t sell and when the cowboy crazy hit, we switched gears. I also love thrillers and mysteries. I need more hours in the day so I can write all the books that are rattling around in my head! KL: Out of all of your novels, which female character would you say is your favorite and why? How about favorite male character?JK: I have a real soft spot for Charlie and Nate from One Fine Cowboy. I get more e-mails about Nate than any of my characters, with readers often saying I’ve brought back someone they loved and lost. Charlie is simply the woman I’d like to be—brave, funny, passionate, and determined to create the life she wants. Both of these characters are so real to me that it wouldn’t surprise me to run into them on the street – I’m sure they’re out there somewhere!KL: If you had to choose one, and only one, of your novels to be made into a movie, which one would it be and why?JK: My first book, Cowboy Trouble, was under consideration by a producer for a while, and I would have loved to see Luke and Libby brought to life along with all the quirky residents of Lackaduck. Then again, I’d love to see Cowboy Fever as a movie because it focuses on therapy riding, which is one of my favorite causes, and a movie might get more people to understand how much horses can do for people with disabilities.KL: Many people I know, including myself, love reading series. Any plans for possibly writing one?JK: Yes! I have two series ideas in my head right now that I’m working up into proposals. I think writing a series is a real challenge, since you have to satisfy both new readers and faithful followers. You have to introduce new readers to your world without boring those who have followed the series from the start, and you have to find a satisfying ending that leaves room for a sequel. I really want to make sure that every book in the series is a complete and satisfying reading experience, no matter where in the series you start.KL: As an accomplished romance author, what would be the best piece of advice you can give to other authors who are just starting out?JK: I think the most essential skill a writer can have is the ability to take criticism. It can be very hard to hear negative things about your writing, but as the writer, you’re probably the least qualified person to judge the quality of your work. Every book is a collaboration between the writer, who lays the groundwork, and the reader, who fleshes out the details in their mind. You need to know how others will see your story, and while you don’t have to implement every suggestion, you do have to listen and be open to ideas that might make your good book even better!KL: Your newest release, Cowboy Crazy, comes out on June 5th of this year. What can your readers expect to see from you in this novel?JK: For starters, they can look forward to my hottest cowboy hero ever! Lane Carrigan is an oil company heir turned rodeo cowboy who’s trying to get back to his family’s ranching roots. Sarah Landon is a small-town girl who’s in a big hurry to kick the country dust off her boots and become a part of the wealthy world Lane takes for granted. They meet in the middle between the two world and the result is a wild ride. I loved writing this book because I got to do a lot of rodeo scenes. I’m a big fan of the sport and did my best to put the reader right in the arena! KL: What would you say was your favorite part of writing Cowboy Crazy? Any scenes that you particularly enjoyed bringing to life?JK:Without a doubt, researching the rodeo scenes! I spent a lot of time behind the chutes at Cheyenne Frontier Days, listening to the cowboys, watching them prepare for their rides, and seeing the action up close. KL: What's next for you? I'm sure after we all get our cowboy fix with Cowboy Crazy we'll be itching for more…any new novels in the works?JK: I’m just finishing up Cowboy Tough, which is about a rodeo cowboy who returns to the family homestead to help his family turn it into a dude ranch. Their first guest is an artist who’s bringing a group of students to learn to paint in the Wyoming backcountry. He’s a pretty basic guy, and a big-city artist is the last woman he expects to fall for—but sometimes opposites really do attract.
Joanne's new book Cowboy Crazy is out on June 5th!
From stable to boardroom...
Sarah Landon's Ivy League scholarship transforms her from a wide–eyed country girl into a poised professional. Until she's assigned to do damage control with the boss's rebellious brother Lane, who's the burr in everybody's saddle.
He's determined to save his community from oil drilling, and she's not going back to the ranch she left forever. Spurs will shine in this saucy romp about ranchers and roots, redemption and second chances. - from Amazon.com
***Giveaway!*** Joanne will be giving away one free copy of her novel Cowboy Fever to one random lucky person who leaves a comment on this post today. Trust me folks, this novel is so good and super sexy with characters you will just fall in love with. Don't miss out on your chance to own a copy of it:)
Visit Joanne:
http://joannekennedybooks.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joanne-Kennedy-Books/114277591920110
KL: Thanks so much for joining us today Joanne! When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?
JK: I always wanted to be a writer, but it wasn’t until my midlife crisis hit that I realized I was never going to fulfill my dreams if I didn’t go after them. Discovering romance also made a big difference. I wanted to write literary novels, or mysteries, or thrillers, but every time I submitted anything agents said it was “too romancey.” Once I got the hint and focused on the kind of stories that come naturally to me, I was off and running.KL: Where do you find the inspiration for your novels?JK: Inspiration can come from anywhere—a glimpse out a window, an overheard conversation, or an article in the newspaper. But the two things that inspire me most are my home state of Wyoming and my husband. I try to show my readers that there’s a place in the world where they belong and a love that is waiting for them. If they’re true to themselves and open to the possibilities around them, they’ll find the life they’re meant to live.KL: What do you enjoy most about writing western romances? Have you ever dabbled in writing any other types of romance or genre?JK:I love the way history and tradition blend with the challenges of the modern world in the West. Ranching is a hard life to hang onto these days, and it takes a lot of determination and hard work. That’s what makes cowboys such great heroes.I actually write in many genres. My agent originally signed me for a paranormal romance, but it didn’t sell and when the cowboy crazy hit, we switched gears. I also love thrillers and mysteries. I need more hours in the day so I can write all the books that are rattling around in my head! KL: Out of all of your novels, which female character would you say is your favorite and why? How about favorite male character?JK: I have a real soft spot for Charlie and Nate from One Fine Cowboy. I get more e-mails about Nate than any of my characters, with readers often saying I’ve brought back someone they loved and lost. Charlie is simply the woman I’d like to be—brave, funny, passionate, and determined to create the life she wants. Both of these characters are so real to me that it wouldn’t surprise me to run into them on the street – I’m sure they’re out there somewhere!KL: If you had to choose one, and only one, of your novels to be made into a movie, which one would it be and why?JK: My first book, Cowboy Trouble, was under consideration by a producer for a while, and I would have loved to see Luke and Libby brought to life along with all the quirky residents of Lackaduck. Then again, I’d love to see Cowboy Fever as a movie because it focuses on therapy riding, which is one of my favorite causes, and a movie might get more people to understand how much horses can do for people with disabilities.KL: Many people I know, including myself, love reading series. Any plans for possibly writing one?JK: Yes! I have two series ideas in my head right now that I’m working up into proposals. I think writing a series is a real challenge, since you have to satisfy both new readers and faithful followers. You have to introduce new readers to your world without boring those who have followed the series from the start, and you have to find a satisfying ending that leaves room for a sequel. I really want to make sure that every book in the series is a complete and satisfying reading experience, no matter where in the series you start.KL: As an accomplished romance author, what would be the best piece of advice you can give to other authors who are just starting out?JK: I think the most essential skill a writer can have is the ability to take criticism. It can be very hard to hear negative things about your writing, but as the writer, you’re probably the least qualified person to judge the quality of your work. Every book is a collaboration between the writer, who lays the groundwork, and the reader, who fleshes out the details in their mind. You need to know how others will see your story, and while you don’t have to implement every suggestion, you do have to listen and be open to ideas that might make your good book even better!KL: Your newest release, Cowboy Crazy, comes out on June 5th of this year. What can your readers expect to see from you in this novel?JK: For starters, they can look forward to my hottest cowboy hero ever! Lane Carrigan is an oil company heir turned rodeo cowboy who’s trying to get back to his family’s ranching roots. Sarah Landon is a small-town girl who’s in a big hurry to kick the country dust off her boots and become a part of the wealthy world Lane takes for granted. They meet in the middle between the two world and the result is a wild ride. I loved writing this book because I got to do a lot of rodeo scenes. I’m a big fan of the sport and did my best to put the reader right in the arena! KL: What would you say was your favorite part of writing Cowboy Crazy? Any scenes that you particularly enjoyed bringing to life?JK:Without a doubt, researching the rodeo scenes! I spent a lot of time behind the chutes at Cheyenne Frontier Days, listening to the cowboys, watching them prepare for their rides, and seeing the action up close. KL: What's next for you? I'm sure after we all get our cowboy fix with Cowboy Crazy we'll be itching for more…any new novels in the works?JK: I’m just finishing up Cowboy Tough, which is about a rodeo cowboy who returns to the family homestead to help his family turn it into a dude ranch. Their first guest is an artist who’s bringing a group of students to learn to paint in the Wyoming backcountry. He’s a pretty basic guy, and a big-city artist is the last woman he expects to fall for—but sometimes opposites really do attract.
Joanne's new book Cowboy Crazy is out on June 5th!
From stable to boardroom...
Sarah Landon's Ivy League scholarship transforms her from a wide–eyed country girl into a poised professional. Until she's assigned to do damage control with the boss's rebellious brother Lane, who's the burr in everybody's saddle.
He's determined to save his community from oil drilling, and she's not going back to the ranch she left forever. Spurs will shine in this saucy romp about ranchers and roots, redemption and second chances. - from Amazon.com
***Giveaway!*** Joanne will be giving away one free copy of her novel Cowboy Fever to one random lucky person who leaves a comment on this post today. Trust me folks, this novel is so good and super sexy with characters you will just fall in love with. Don't miss out on your chance to own a copy of it:)
Visit Joanne:
http://joannekennedybooks.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joanne-Kennedy-Books/114277591920110
May 25, 2012
May 24, 2012
My "Hunter Moon" by Cait Lavender Review
Bawling cattle tore Shelby Flint from her bed. With lawyer fees to pay in her struggle to keep her ranch from the clutches of her greedy cousins, she couldn’t afford the loss of even one calf. When she sees a large wolf circling her cows, she aims and fires. While the wolf escapes, Shelby can’t seem to get away from her troubles when a marijuana grower sets up shop on her land, sabotaging her property and eventually coming after her. Adding to that, a handsome game warden is poking his nose into her business and working his way underneath her skin. Shelby will have to fight harder than she ever fought before to keep from losing her heart and everything she ever loved.My Review:
I’m just going to go ahead and admit this right now. When I first read the synopsis for this novel I thought it was all over the place. Here we have twenty-six year old Shelby Flint who inherits her grandfather’s ranch; the same ranch she was raised on by said grandfather and helped maintain throughout the years. On top of having to run the ranch by herself now, she has to deal with her money hungry cousins suing her as they believe she put their grandfather up to willing her the land instead of selling it and splitting the profits with the family. Shelby is having enough trouble making ends meet without the added lawyer fees and new form of trouble for her herd of cattle in the form of a large wolf that she finds hovering around her property. Things couldn’t get any worse, right? Wrong. To top off the list of bad things going on in her life, she stumbles across a dead body on her property and soon finds out that marijuana growers are using her land for their product. Little bit of everything in this book, huh? That being said, the author really makes this work. The novel is written from Shelby’s point of view and I really enjoyed seeing things through her eyes. I will also say that I loved her inner monologues. LOL. She had me cracking up more than once through this read. I have never read a book before with a heroine like Shelby. She is a no-nonsense, gun wielding, strong willed woman who doesn’t back down to anyone. She fights for what is hers and isn’t afraid to stand her ground. That being said, I also liked how she interacted with Cash Newcomb, the new game warden in town and Shelby’s love interest. Cash has this ability to make Shelby shed her tough girl exterior and lose herself in the moment. The relationship between the two of them was so teasingly sexy that I actually felt every bit of sexually frustrated as Shelby. And Cash. Cash is just so…sigh. He is super sexy and very alpha male, which makes him way protective of Shelby. I loved their whole love/hate relationship and how the two of them just couldn’t stay away from each other. I read this novel in one day, staying up well past my bed time just to finish it. The only complaint I have about this novel is the fact that it ended:) I swear, when I hit that last page I honestly didn’t believe it was over. I kept swiping my finger across my kindle screen to get the page to turn, and when it didn’t I started tapping it like a mad person. If my kindle had the ability to file assault charges against me I think it would, lol. Honestly this was a very, very good novel. Cait Lavender is a talented writer and I’m expecting big things from her. That being said…Cait, please hurry up and write the next novel because I’m dying to know what happens next!
My Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
Book Content:
Some Adult language, Mild Sexual Situations and Mild Violence
May 23, 2012
My "Cowboy Moon" by Cait Lavender Review
Hank Cooper pretended an average bull rider, going from town to town trying to get those elusive eight seconds. But when he and his best friend, Sam, come to the cowboy town of Clovis, California, he meets a woman destined to be his. Hank can’t run away from what he is any longer, but will she? Tammie Flint is just a girl who wants to have a good time at the rodeo with her best friend--maybe even meet a few cute guys. She didn’t expect to fall in love with a cowboy or to put the lives of everyone she holds dear in danger.
Will any of them survive the Cowboy Moon?
My Review:
This is a very quick and enjoyable read. So enjoyable that I hated for it to end! Hank and Tammie have this instant connection that at first just seems to be completely sexual, but soon you realize that they are destined to be together. This story is written in the first person, and I found that a bit confusing at times because it jumps from Hank’s point of view to Tammie’s. But after a while you get use to it and it’s not confusing anymore. All in all, this was a very good story and I definitely recommend it for others to read. Word of warning though…make sure you have plenty of time to spare because as soon as you hit the last page of this novel you will be wanting to read more:) And that’s where Cait Lavender’s full length novel, Hunter Moon, comes in to play. Check back tomorrow for my review of Hunter Moon!
My Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
Book Content:
Some adult language, sexual situations (mild), and mild violence.
May 22, 2012
Writing Quote of the Day
"Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window."
-William Faulkner
May 18, 2012
"When the Heart Falls" Blog Tour Stop #9
Happy Friday everyone! Today I am visiting at MK McClintock's blog sharing one of my greatest adventures. I hope you all will stop by and check it out. Don't forget to leave a comment on the post for your chance to win a $15 amazon gift card or a copy of my book (ebook for Kindle). Have a great weekend!
