Author C.H. Admirand: One Day in Apple Grove

It’s my pleasure to welcome author C.H. Admirand back to Thoughts in Progress today. She joins us to talk about the latest release in her contemporary small town series, ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE.

Thanks to C.H. and the lovely Danielle at Sourcebooks, I have a copy of ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE to giveaway to a lucky visitor. Please see the end of the post for the giveaway details. Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:

    Welcome to Apple Grove, Ohio (pop. 597), a small town with a big heart.
    Caitlin Mulcahy loves her family. She really does. But sometimes they can drive her to her last shred of sanity—from her dad ("I'm not meddling, I just want what's best for you") to her eight-months-pregnant older sister to her younger sister, who will do just about anything to avoid real work. Cait just needs to get away, even if for only an hour.
    When she sees someone in need of help on the side of the road, of course she's going to pull over. She might even be able to fix his engine—after all, the Mulcahy family is a handy bunch. She's not expecting that former Navy medic Jack Gannon and a little black puppy named Jameson will be the ones who end up rescuing in her.

C.H. has graciously answered some questions about her new release and her writing.

Mason - What drew you to write about happenings and people in a small town?

C.H.:
Having grown up in a small neighborhood of 20 – 25 homes with a bunch of dead-end streets, it felt as if we were a tiny town all our own. We moved 25 minutes north of where my husband and I grew up and raised our family in a tiny lake community that had everything we were looking for. A safe place for our kids to play and grow while experiencing the tight-knit community we loved. It was my former editor’s idea to write a series set in a small town, and I jumped at the chance to try something new.
 
Mason - With the book’s release, as you look back what was the biggest surprise that occurred in writing the story?

C.H.:
I really had no idea the little black ball of fuzz—stray puppy Jameson—would run out in front of Jack or straight into Caitlin’s arms, bringing those two together.
 
Mason - What would you recommend visitors to your hometown do that they wouldn’t find noted in any tourist brochures?

C.H.:
I’d tell them to take a walk and experience the wildlife that lives in and around our town. There are woods all around us and a large part of our town is watershed property, so it can never be developed. I really like that. There are so many different types of birds, animals, and creatures that crawl and slither… I’ve got this great idea for a children’s series based on the abundance of nature surrounding us here.

Mason - As a published author, has your perspective of authors in general changed?

C.H.:
I suppose it has—having just turned in the copyedits for my 15th book, I wonder how my favorite authors have had the staying power to keep writing while dealing with all of the things that life tosses in our paths as roadblocks now and again. I have great respect for these women who have balanced life, family, writing, and the business side of being an author.

Mason - Has anything strange or unusual ever happened to you at a book signing, author event or literary festival?

C.H.:
Hmmm…I don’t think it’s especially unusual, but I have been asked where the bathroom is more than once at book signings. What I find delightful, and never tire of hearing, is when readers come up to me and tell me how much they’ve enjoyed reading my books.
 
Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?

C.H.:
The second book in my contemporary small town series: ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE released on June 4th and the third book: WELCOME BACK TO APPLE GROVE releases on December 3rd. In between, I’ve re-released the first two books in my historical Irish Western Series: THE MARSHALS’ DESTINY and THE RANCHER’S HEART, and will be releasing the 3rd and 4th books soon. I’m working on a proposal for a new Historical Western Romance series…so keep your fingers crossed!

C.H., thanks for visiting with us again. Your love of the small town atmosphere comes through in your books, making it a place readers wants to visit.

C.H. was born in Aiken, South Carolina, but grew up in New Jersey. She has been delighting readers with her Secret Life of Cowboys Series, featuring three cowboy brothers with Irish charm, and is now working on the next book in her small town contemporary romance series, featuring the town and quirky characters of Apple Grove, OH. 

She lives with her husband, who is the inspiration for all of her heroes’ best traits, in New Jersey. For more information on C.H. and her writing, visit her at www.CHAdmirand.com  

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE:
    “The talented Admirand is able to write about these serious issues realistically but in a way that makes this book still feel light and fun.” — RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars

ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE is available at the following locations:
Amazon  *  Barnes and Noble  *  Books-a-Million  *  IndieBound  *  Chapters/Indigo  *  Discover a New Love  *  Sourcebooks

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
    To enter this giveaway, please send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win One Day In Apple Grove.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. And, just so you know, I don’t share this information with anyone other than the publisher nor use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance to win a copy of ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE is 8 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, July 3.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Which do you prefer - small town life or big city lights?

Author C.H. Admirand: A New Series, Writing And A Giveaway

It’s always a pleasure to have author C.H. Admirand stop by Thoughts during a blog tour. Today she’s here to answer writing questions, talk about her latest release, JESSE, and offer a giveaway.

JESSE is the third and final installment in C.H.’s Secrets Life of Cowboys series. Thanks to C.H. and the delightful Danielle at Sourcebooks, I have 1 copy of JESSE to giveaway to a lucky visitor who comments on today’s post by 8 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, July 24. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Be sure to include your email address with your comment, if it’s not included in your profile.

Now C.H. joins us to answer some questions.

Mason - Do you plot out your story or does it come together as you begin writing with a certain theme?

C.H. - I usually plot out my stories from start to finish, but the interesting part of that is my characters often decide to go off in a different direction. The one time I didn’t pay attention to them, the story just didn’t ring true, so from then on, I made sure to pay attention and make adjustments along the way. :-)

Mason - What is the most useful writing advice you've been given?

C.H. - Keep writing and attending workshops and conferences to hone your craft. The more you write, the better you become. My advice is to NEVER give up, you never know just how close you are to achieving your goal of being published if you do!

Mason - How did you come to be a writer?

C.H. - I’ve always loved writing, but my 7th Grade English teacher, Mrs. Smith, sparked the need to write. I started with poetry, and short stories before penning my first full length novel: THE KEY TO THE BRIAR KEEP…which is still in a box under my bed! :-)

Mason - For new fans, what other books do you have available?

C.H. - For historical fans, check out my Medieval Trilogy and historical Irish Western Series on my website: http://www.chadmirand.com and my other titles, too.

Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?

C.H. - My Small Town USA series, coming from Sourcebooks in November: Welcome to Apple Grove! The first book, A WEDDING IN APPLE GROVE releases on November 3rd. The Mulcahy sisters: Megan, Caitlin, and Grace have been running the family’s handyman business since their father retired. Love is always in the air in Apple Grove, Ohio…the proof is painted on the town’s yellow water tower in John Deere Green. And then in March 2013, my first digital comic…BRING ‘EM BACK ALIVE will be released from Sea Lion Books…and if you are attending RT’s Book Lovers Convention in Kansas City, MO, you can get your limited edition copy at the E-Book & Graphic Expo!

C.H., as always thanks for stopping by. It sounds like we readers have a lot to look forward to with a new series and a digital comic.

For those who don’t know C.H., here’s a bit of background on her. She was born in Aiken, South Carolina, but grew up in New Jersey. She has been delighting readers with her Secret Life of Cowboys Series, featuring three cowboy brothers with Irish charm, and is now working on her new small town contemporary romance series, featuring the town and quirky characters of Apple Grove, OH. The first book, A WEDDING IN APPLE GROVE, hits stores this November. 

She lives with her husband, who is the inspiration for all of her heroes’ best traits, in New Jersey. For more information about C.H. and her writing, visit her website at www.CHAdmirand.com and follow her on Twitter, @CHAdmirand. 

Here’s what RT Book Reviews had to say about JESSE “Get swept away with C.H. Admirand…A storyteller with "amazing flair...Readers will be left panting." 4 ½ Stars

Here’s a brief synopsis of JESSE:
Loneliness Will Take a Man Places...
Jesse Garahan has plenty of Irish charm, but having had his heart demolished twice, he's sworn off women forever. Until the fateful day he meets Danielle Brockway and her tiny daughter on their way to their new home in Pleasure, Texas.

But There May Be Places He Doesn't Want To Go...
Fiercely protective of her little girl, Danielle isn't about to let Jesse get anywhere close enough to hurt either of them, no matter how much longing she sees in his eyes...

Do you like to get swept away by a good book forgetting all of life’s problems for just a little while? Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting with C.H. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of JESSE.

Jesse by C.H. Admirand

Good wholesome stories that focus on family, friends, love and caring are always fun and uplifting to read.

Author C.H. Admirand has such stories in her The Secret Life of Cowboys series with her latest release, JESSE, being a great example.

Admirand makes her characters realistic people you’d really like to know. She sprinkles in a little mystery, some steamy romance and a delightful sense of humor for a well-balanced story.

Jesse Garahan is a sexy and charming cowboy who has given up on love after being hurt twice by the same woman. Being a true cowboy though, Jesse stops to give a stranded motorist help and finds more than he bargained for.

Danielle Brockway doesn’t much care for cowboys anymore thanks to her ex, a bull rider. She’s just trying to get to her uncle’s with her little girl to start a new life. When Jesse stops to help, life takes an unexpected turn.

The easy flowing conversational-style writing moves the story along while holding your attention. It will have you shaking your head and laughing. It may even pull on your heart strings a bit and have you turning up the AC as things heat up between Jesse and Danielle. You won’t be able to resist Lacy either.

JESSE is the third and final installment in The Secret Life of Cowboys series but is a stand alone read. Readers will be treated to characters from the previous installments - TYLER and DYLAN - but won’t be at a loss as to what is going on.

For a fun-filled afternoon of pleasant, steamy reading, be sure to include JESSE in your list of books.

Author C.H. Admirand’s website is http://chadmirand.com/

 
Jesse by C.H. Admirand, The Secret Life of Cowboys, Sourcebooks Casablanca, @2012, ISBN: 978-1402265198, Paperback, 352 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

Do you enjoy books with a cowboy theme where family comes first? Be sure to stop by tomorrow when author C.H. Admirand joins us. She will answer some questions about her writing and tell us about her new series.

Author C.H. Admirand: Cowboy Tidbits And A Giveaway

It’s always fun when author C.H. Admirand drops by to talk about her latest cowboy-themed release or discuss writing in general.

Today, C.H. joins us to answers some questions about her characters and their likes from her current release, DYLAN. In addition, thanks to C.H. and Danielle at Sourcebooks, I have 2 copies of DYLAN to giveaway to 2 lucky visitors who comment on this post by 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Be sure to leave your e-mail address in the comments, if it’s not included in your profile. 

Here’s a brief synopsis of DYLAN:
There was nothing he couldn’t tame…
Dylan Garahan might be an old hand at lassoing fillies, but one night at the Lucky Star club, and he ends up wrapping his rope around someone that even his formidable strength can’t tame. She’s wily and beautiful… and she’s his new boss. Dylan’s had his heart broken bfore, but even an honest cowpoke has to wrestle with temptation… 

Until he got his lasso around her…
Ronnie DelVecchio might be fresh off the bus from New Jersey, but she’s a hard-edged businesswoman and has had her fill of men she can’t trust—although she might consider getting off her high horse for that big handsome rancher with a Texas drawl.

Now for the questions. 

Mason - Do your main 2 characters have a library or a collection of books? What would be their favorite genres to read?

C.H. - There are a couple of shelves in the living room at the Circle G filled an eclectic mix of books and magazines that the Garahans have collected over the years. Classics—American and British, murder mysteries, science fiction, back issues of National Geographic, The Cattleman Magazine, The Texas Longhorn Journal, and their family treasure: a set of Encyclopaedia Brittanica from 1880. When Ronnie married Dylan she brought her collection of romance novels with her.

Mason - List 5 of their favorite books.

C.H. - Dylan’s favorites are: To Kill a Mockingbird and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Ronnie’s are: The Last Honest Woman, Falling for Rachel, and Born in Fire.

Mason - Tell us one thing about each of the 2 main characters that even their friends don't know.

C.H. - Dylan is a romantic at heart. Ronnie always wanted a big family.

Mason - How did these main 2 characters first come to you?

C.H. - Dylan and Jesse came to me almost immediately while writing their older brother Tyler’s story. Once I began Dylan’s story, I knew he needed a strong, feisty woman to give him a run for his money while teaching him how to love. Ronnie was right there as soon as I started plotting Dylan’s story.

Mason - Do you try to include some type of meaning or message (such as enjoy life) in your story or does it just develop on its own?

C.H. - Because of the strengths, weaknesses, faults, and virtues that I’ve given each of my characters, there is always a meaning/message in my stories. Life isn’t for the faint of heart and everyone deserves to be treated well and loved for who and what they are. As my characters grow and develop their particular message becomes clearer to the reader so that they’ll be cheering for my characters as they struggle through adversity to reach their happily ever after.

C.H., thanks so much for guest blogging today. I enjoyed learning more about Dylan’s taste and how Ronnie’s character came about.

Here’s a bit of background on C.H. She was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and has published 9 bestselling novels for the library market. Her Secret Life of Cowboy series, published by Sourcebooks Casablanca includes TYLER (available now), DYLAN (in stores January 2012) and JESSE (in stores July 2012).

She lives with her husband, who is the inspiration for all of her heroes’ very best traits, in northern New Jersey. For more information on C.H. and her writing, please visit http://www.chadmirand.com/ or follower her on twitter, @chadmirand.

 

What are your thoughts on cowboys/cowgirls and their books? Remember to leave a comment by 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, for a chance to win 1 of 2 copies of DYLAN. Thanks so much for stopping by today.