I’m pleased to be a part of the release event for Drawn to Her, Book 1 of the Southern Heat series by Jenna Harte! I’ve had the pleasure of reading this title and really enjoyed it (see my review here).
Feisty and outspoken, Lexie McKenna will do anything to protect her cantankerous and ailing patient—even if it means going up against his cold and calculating, but sexy and irresistible grandson. After all, as a nurse, her number one priority is her patient.
Drake Carmichael doesn’t trust the nurse who’s taking care of his grandfather—despite how adorable and compassionate she seems. He refuses to let her get her grips into their hard-earned money. But as the two square off and begin to battle about what is best for the dying man, Lexie and Drake realize they know very little about each other and that first impressions are deceiving. Once they finally give into their desires, the battle has only just begin.
With a fight between family and fortune, love and lust, will either one be able to find the southern comfort they both truly crave?
———————————————
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jenna Harte is a die-hard romantic writing about characters who are passionate about and committed to each other, and frequently getting into trouble. She is the author of the Valentine Mysteries, the first of which, “Deadly Valentine,” reached the quarter-finals in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. She has a bundle of stories filled with romance, mystery and even time travel rattling around in her head and is eager for the day when a device is invented allowing her to download what’s in her brain onto her computer. When she’s not telling stories, she works by day as a freelance writer, author, blogger and online entrepreneur. She lives in central Virginia with her husband, two college-bound children and a fat cat.
I really liked this book. I don’t often read straight romance, but I really liked it.
The heroine was petite and spunky, a nurse – not someone I can identify with at all (being super tall and introverted). However, I liked her and wanted her to have her guy even though she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted him.
As for the guy, when I read the synopsis, I wasn’t sure he’d be my type since I’m more of a beta hero type of girl. He has everything in world except the love of family, and that definitely made me want to root for him.
When they come together, it’s truly an opposites attract situation, but the attraction felt very natural. I really love them together and I hope they’re the main characters in the remaining books of this Southern Heat series. I want to read more of their story.
This was an easy read, and with summer coming soon, definitely pick this up for a beach read or to enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
February 29th only comes around every 4 years, so today I’m giving away a Kindle copy of my New Adult romance, Altered, to celebrate.
Easy to enter. Facebook like this post and share on Twitter (both buttons are at the end of this post below), then enter your name and email address in the form below.
This flash giveaway is open until midnight tonight. I’ll announce the winner Tuesday morning at 7:00 am CT.
More about Altered
A New Adult romance drawing on the author’s own experience studying law, the novel follows Liv, a young woman in her a first semester of law school. When her fiancé abruptly breaks things off, Liv is heart-broken.
Enter Nicholas, a classmate who is so withdrawn that he is an enigma to everyone around him. Nicholas is unusually young and unusually quiet, and keeps his past a tightly guarded secret.
While Liv is still reeling from her break up, Nicholas begins appearing in her life and coming to her rescue. Intrigued and grateful to this quiet young man, Liv becomes determined to unravel the mystery of who Nicholas is.
At first, I saw him as everyone else did.
But then, I saw him for who he really was.
Recognized the beauty beneath the pain.
Loved the quirks disguising the insecurity.
Embraced the man who hid behind the boy.
But there was so much more…
More I didn’t know.
And once I did, I couldn’t let
go…
Of the boy.
The man.
The lover…
…even if his past is threatening
our future.
Nothing will alter what we’ve built.
Are you a Sweet Harte? If you’re a fan of Jenna Harte (which I happen to be) then indeed you are a Sweet Harte. Jenna is the author of the Valentine Mystery series and the upcoming Southern Heat series which will be published through Penner Publishing. I’ve read the first installment of the Valentine Mystery series, Deadly Valentine. See my review.
Background Info
Author name: Jenna Harte
Book title: Deadly Valentine; Old Flames Never Die; With This Ring, I Thee Kill; ‘Til Death Do Us Part, To Love, Honor, and Kill, Death Under the Mistletoe (novella) – All are part of the Valentine Mystery Series
Tell us a little about yourself and your background: I didn’t grow up reading or wanting to write, so it’s a bit odd to find myself in middle-age wanting to do both. My background is in social work (mostly adoption), but when I had kids, I wanted to work from home, and eeked out a career online in freelance writing, entrepreneurship, and writing non-fiction.
I’m a die-hard romantic with a particular fondness for passionate couples who get into trouble (think Nick and Nora Charles, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, Jonathan and Jennifer Hart). I started writing fan fiction as a way to put characters I loved into new situations. I developed a fan base, and I had one story stolen twice. At that point, I wondered if maybe I had some talent and decided to write an original story. Deadly Valentine was the first in a planned series about a committed, passionate couple who gets into trouble a lot.
My other interests are chocolate, coffee and Disney. Although California born and raised, I’ve lived in central Virginia for 22 years. I have an extremely supportive husband, two kids in college (when did I get that old??) and a fat cat.
Tell us a little about your novel: Deadly Valentine is the first book in the Valentine mystery series, which I refer to as a “sexy cozy” so romance readers know they’ll get a series with a passionate couple, but die-hard cozy readers who don’t like intimate scenes can avoid it.
The story starts three years after Tess had a life changing event (revealed in the book) and is confronted by a man from her past, Jack Valentine, while at a party where the host is murdered. Jack is accused of the murder, and Tess, a lawyer, agrees to represent him. During the course of the investigation, they learn a 30-year old secret that changes Jack’s life forever. Along with a murder investigation, Tess has to learn to trust and possibly love again.
The following books also include a murder mystery that sometimes puts a wrench in Tess and Jack’s relationship, but through it all they grow individually and as a couple. The stories are light, romantic, filled with banter, and yes, as a loving couple, they do the things that loving couples do.
Have you written anything else (including novels, short stories, novellas, etc.): I have two out of three romances written for Penner Publishing due in 2016. The first, Southern Comfort is a straight romance, and the second, Southern Persuasion is a romance that includes a mystery, and pays homage to of my all time favorite books, Persuasion by Jane Austen.
The Delecoeur stories are novellas involving a slightly older couple (40’s) that get into trouble. While the stories were previously published, they’re currently not available as I work out what I want to do with them.
Q & A
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk: My family says I make faces when I write, probably because I’m trying to figure out how to describe an expression.
Is there a specific time of day that you enjoy writing the most: I do my best writing first thing in the morning.
What romance books would you recommend to readers who will love your books: The closest are JD Robb’s In Death Series, although my stories are lighter and less gritty. The Thin Man is light and has the same banter, and Agatha Christie’s Partners In Crime stories involve a crime-solving couple, although they’re not highly romantic.
Do any of your characters take off on their own tangent and refuse to do what you had planned for them? If so, which one did it the most and what did they do: Interestingly, most of my character development happens during the writing, so I follow them wherever the heck they want.
Who’s your most memorable book crush: Well, the obvious choices are Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) and Captain Wentworth (Persuasion), but going with more current books I’d say, Rafe MacKade (The Return of Rafe MacKade by Nora Roberts), Jack Boudreaux (Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag) and of course, Roarke (In Death books by JD Robb – Nora Roberts). For the most part, they’re all the same guy (dark, dangerous, sexy). Interestingly, most my male protagonists aren’t that guy.
What other types of stories do you have in the works: I have a marriage of convenience story which will be the third book in romance series for Penner Publishing. I’m also in the middle of writing a traditional cozy involving an underemployed Harvard grad and an airplane repo guy. I have notes and a few scenes written on a paranormal trilogy (I know, we have enough of those), possibly a cozy paranormal mystery and opening scenes for a YA time travel.
What’s the biggest challenge in the writing process: Right now I’m having trouble because the characters making the most noise in my head are not from the story I want to write at this time. But since they’re talking, I guess their book is the one I’ll work on. The biggest challenge, though, is getting unstuck or not having the mental energy to write.
Do you have any pointers or advice for aspiring writers: Write a lot. Make it a part of everyday like going to work or brushing your teeth. If you want to sell your work, start building your author platform now.
Favorite song: Today, it’s Sugar by Maroon 5. I love old R&B, particularly Marvin Gaye.
Favorite movie/tv show: Persuasion (Amanda Root version) (movie)/ Hart to Hart TV show. Today I like Bones and Castle (notice all are couples who get into trouble…LOL).
Chosen superpower: Force/Magic
Toilet paper: over or under: Either
Real book or tablet: Both
Star Trek or Star Wars: Wars
Excerpt
This takes place in Chapter Four of Deadly Valentine. Tess has had a hard night. She’s got the flu, has run into Jack Valentine, a man from her past, and found the host of the gathering she was at murdered. In this scene, Jack has brought her home after being questioned by police, and is putting her to bed.
Jack’s one hundred percent electric sports car, which he said was a Tesla, drove nicely. So nicely that she fell asleep and only woke when he lifted her from the car.
“Whoa, what are you doing?”
“I’m taking you to bed.”
“What?”
“Not to make love. Not tonight, anyway.”
Tess felt her jaw drop to her chest.
He laughed. “That’s what I love about you, Tess. You’re clueless to your own appeal.” He shifted her slightly as he slipped her key into the door. “I got your key from your purse.”
She wanted to be annoyed. She was a little bit. But a part of her liked being coddled. Being in Jack’s arms brought her back to three years earlier. He hadn’t carried her then, but he’d held her when her world crumbled. He promised he’d stay with her, help her. He hadn’t been able to keep that promise. Remembering the events following that fateful night reminded Tess why she hadn’t wanted to see Jack again.
“You don’t need to carry me around. I’m not that sick.”
“Where’s your room?”
She pointed towards the short hallway that led to one of the two bedrooms in her small home. He carried her in, setting her on the bed. “Do you have pajamas or something?”
“Yes, I have pajamas! Not that I’m going to let you put them on me.”
“I’ll get them for you. I promise not to look.”
“You can go now. I can take care of myself.” She slipped her hand under her pillow to pull out a pair of faded flannel pajamas. There was nothing like flannel to make a man turn and run, she thought. But Jack stood his ground, determined to keep watch over her.
“Get settled. When I know you’re okay…”
“Then you’ll leave?” she asked.
“Maybe.” He turned his back to her, but didn’t leave.
Tess sighed. She was too tired to argue. Her black dress was cut low enough in the back that she could reach the zipper. She slipped the sleeves from her shoulders and stood to let it drop to the floor. As she reached for her pajama top she heard a quick hitch of breath. Looking up, she caught Jack’s eyes watching her through the reflection of her dresser mirror.
Her first thought was that she wanted to poke his eyes out with a stick. But then she was struck by how he was looking at her. A woman could live her whole life and not have a man look at her like that. So her second thought was how glad she was that she wore the black Carine Gilson bra with matching panties. Despite her attempts to live a modest life, she hadn’t been able to give up her love of fine lingerie.
Her third thought was that although Jack wasn’t a stranger, after three years apart, he wasn’t in a position to be allowed to ogle her, even if the awe in his eyes stirred something inside her she’d thought long dead.
Their eyes caught and she was pleased that he seemed as off guard as she was. She was sure he blushed as he gave her a sheepish smile and stepped to the side, effectively cutting off his view of her.
Tess finished putting her pajamas on and tossed her clothes on her treadmill, promising herself she’d hang them up in the morning. She slipped under her covers telling herself that when she had her energy back, she’d get mad at him. For now, she just wanted to rest.
“Okay,” she said as she pulled the covers up to her chin.
He turned to her. “I suppose I should apologize.”
She shrugged.
“But I’m not sorry.” He sat on the side of her bed as if he’d done it a hundred times before. It should have annoyed her, but it didn’t. Despite the years apart, there was still a connection. What did bother her was the effect his nearness had on her hormones. Apparently, they weren’t as dormant as she’d hoped.
“I’d like to tell you what I’m really thinking, but I don’t think you’d appreciate it.”
“How unusual for you to hold your tongue.”
He grinned. “It’s difficult.”
“I appreciate your restraint. Are you going now?”
He frowned. “Why is it so disturbing for you to see me again?”
She sighed. That was a topic she didn’t want to get into. “It’s been a long night. Seeing Asa like that…” She let her words trail off.
He nodded. “It’s been a difficult night. But you were upset about seeing me before that.”
“I have a new life now.”
“You talk like I’m a secret you don’t want anyone to know about. Is that why you want me to think you and Deputy Dan are an item?”
“What makes you think we’re not? Daniel loves me.”
“That’s painfully obvious. Poor sap.”
“Jack!” She nearly laughed because it was true. But she didn’t want to encourage Jack. “I care for him too.” That wasn’t a lie. She did care for Daniel. He and his parents were like family. They were the only people she connected with at an emotional level. They had been there for her as a teenager and again three years ago when her life unraveled and she needed a safe place to fall.
“Maybe. But you aren’t in love with him. Why did you want me to think you were?”
“I never said I was.”
He gave her a chastising look. “You didn’t correct me when I asked. Why is that?”
What could she say? Because I didn’t want you to think I’m available? He hadn’t cared when she was available. He would laugh at the idea that she thought maybe his flirtation meant more.
“That part of my life when we knew each other is over. I’ve moved on.”
“Moved on.” The tone in which he repeated her words let her know she hurt him.
Author Bio
Jenna Harte is a die-hard romantic writing about characters who are passionate about and committed to each other, and frequently getting into trouble. She is the author of the Valentine Mysteries, the first of which, Deadly Valentine, reached the quarter-finals in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. She entered into a three-book deal for a romance series with Penner Publishing in 2015, with release dates in 2016.
She has a bundle of stories filled with romance, mystery and even time travel rattling around in her head and is eager for the day when a device is invented allowing her to download what’s in her brain onto her computer.
When she’s not telling stories, she works by day as a freelance writer, author, blogger and online entrepreneur. She lives in central Virginia with her husband, two college-bound children and a fat cat.
Author: Jim Cangany Release Day: January 26, 2016 Genre: Sports Romance Publisher: Penner Publishing
SYNOPSIS
On The Rebound is a sweet, sports romance set on the campus of fictional Irving University. It’s a story about second chances and features a women’s college basketball team. Here’s a teaser for you.
After he’s caught in a grade fixing scandal, men’s college basketball coach Greg Miller is thrown a lifeline when an old friend offers him a job with the small-school Irving University women’s team.
Academic Advisor Ciara Monaghan knows first-hand the heartbreak and havoc a cheating man can wreak. She wants nothing more than to protect the University’s reputation by seeing to it that Greg’s stay at Irving is short.
The last thing either of them wants is the attraction they can’t deny. Can a struggling member of the basketball team bring them together to see how wonderful a second chance at life, and love, can be?
ABOUT JIM CANGANY
Jim Cangany was forty pages into his first manuscript when he realized it was a romance. He went with it and has great joy writing sweet, contemporary love stories. A lover of things that go fast, when Jim’s not writing, you can probably find him checking into the latest from IndyCar or pro bike racing. He lives in Indianapolis with his saint of a wife Nancy, his sons Seamus and Aidan, and the princess of the house, kitty cat Maria.
I’m not sure where to even begin with Jim. Whenever I’m on some sort of self-deprecating or woe is me roll, he “puts his dad hat on” and straightens me out. Mind you, we’re pretty much the same age, but it works every time. He’s the nicest person in the world and a great writer to boot. I’ve read a couple of his books (see my review) – you should do yourself a favor and pick one up. His newest, On The Rebound, will be out tomorrow.
Background Info
Author name: Jim Cangany
Book title: On The Rebound
Tell us a little about yourself and your background: My wife, Nancy, and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this May. We have two teen aged sons, Seamus and Aidan, and cat, Maria, who is the princess of the house. After years of dabbling in writing, I got serious in 2011 and had my first book published in 2013.
Tell us a little about your novel: On The Rebound is a sweet, sports romance set on the campus of fictional Irving University. It’s a story about second chances and features a women’s college basketball team. Here’s a teaser for you:
After he’s caught in a grade fixing scandal, men’s college basketball coach Greg Miller is thrown a lifeline when an old friend offers him a job with the small-school Irving University women’s team.
Academic Advisor Ciara Monaghan knows first-hand the heartbreak and havoc a cheating man can wreak. She wants nothing more than to protect the University’s reputation by seeing to it that Greg’s stay at Irving is short.
The last thing either of them wants is the attraction they can’t deny. Can a struggling member of the basketball team bring them together to see how wonderful a second chance at life, and love, can be?
Have you written anything else (including novels, short stories, novellas, etc.): I’m the author of The North Star Series (Fallen Star, Lucky Star, and Wish Upon a Star), a sweet contemporary trilogy that follows the adventures of Annie Wilson and E.J. McCarty.
On The Rebound is the first installment in the three-book Irving University Series. Take Two and Time Out are the next two books in the series.
I’ve also written a holiday-themed short story called The Christmas Angel.
Q & A
What romance books would you recommend to readers who will love your book: As a sweet, contemporary romance, I think fans of Kristan Higgins and Karen Rock, especially Karen’s A League of Her Own, would love On The Rebound.
How did you decide on the setting for your book: I’m a fan of women’s college basketball and don’t think it gets the publicity it deserves, so I wanted to write a story that gave women’s college hoops it’s due.
Do you have any writing rituals: I have a full-time day job, so I try to write at least 500 words per day. It kind of slow, but the progress is steady.
If you were writing a book about yourself, what would the title be: Well, given that my wife’s a breast cancer survivor, my older son attempted to take his life and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2013, and I’ve battled depression for years, probably something like Hold on Tight because life is never boring in the Cangany household.
What character was the most difficult to write and why: Ciara was probably the toughest to write. I wanted her to be no-nonsense, but she initially she came across as quite bitchy, so I had to “soften her up.”
What’s next for you: Take Two and Time Out will be out later this year. I’m just starting a sci-fi novel, which is a major departure from my contemporary romance. I grew up a sci-fi fan, so it should be fun.
Do you have any pointers or advice for aspiring writers: Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to write the stories in your head, those stories you want to write. As I was told once, the stories you love are the ones that sparkle.
Favorite song: “One” by U2. An incredible song that becomes more relevant every day.
Favorite movie/tv show: Movie- Field of Dreams; TV show – Star Trek, The Next Generation
Chosen superpower: Superspeed
Toilet paper: over or under: Over
Real book or tablet: Both
Star Trek or Star Wars: Trek
Excerpt
Greg turned to Ciara. She was practically glowing with pride and exhilaration. It was only fair since these were her girls, too.
Which gave him an idea.
“Thanks. Do you have a minute? I need to ask you something about tomorrow’s game.”
Marie looked at her watch. “Iron Man and I will give you five minutes. If you’re not back by then, the party train leaves the station without you.”
Ciara gave a quick nod and followed him into the basketball office. Rather than settling into one of the chairs, she leaned against a desk.
“I know Marie’s not kidding about five minutes, so I’ll cut to the chase. Would you say a few words to the team before the game tomorrow night?”
“Me? I’m just an academic advisor.” Her brow had creased. “What could I possibly have to say?”
He didn’t have much more time. Every word needed to count. “You’re in a unique position. After what happened to you ten years ago, you understand better than anybody on this campus that this moment won’t last. The players have to seize it and embrace it, but most of all, enjoy it. Because it could all be taken away in the blink of an eye.
“This is a huge game for this school. A win tomorrow night will make history. But there’s more to life than wins and losses. What matters most is taking the time to treasure those special moments and the special people who make them happen, because if we’re not careful, both the moments and the people are gone before we know it.”
Ciara ran a hand through her hair. It was all Greg could do to keep himself from reaching out to run his fingers through it too. Her lips curved downward as she glanced around the room in what seemed to be a concerted effort to avoid making eye contact.
She finally looked at him. “What do you mean by what happened to me ten years ago?”
“I know what happened during the conference championship game your senior year.” He shrugged. “When Sharon told me I’d be working with you, I researched you. The recruiter in me, I guess. To have that happen to you must have been one bitter-as-vinegar pill to swallow. Since you never brought it up, I never did. Didn’t think it was my place. But now—”
“Is this speech thing your idea?”
“Yes.” That part was true. “Coach Leonard’s totally on board with it.” That part was a big fat lie, but he’d figure out a way to talk Sharon into it.
There was a knock on the door.
“I know you need to go. Think it over and let me know tomorrow. Please?”
“Fine. But let me ask this, why should I do this for you?”
“I’m not asking you to do this for me. I’m asking you to do this for them. And for yourself.”
Author Bio
Jim Cangany was forty pages into his first manuscript when he realized it was a romance. He went with it and has great joy writing sweet, contemporary love stories. A lover of things that go fast, when Jim’s not writing, you can probably find him checking into the latest from IndyCar or pro bike racing. He lives in Indianapolis with his saint of a wife Nancy, his sons Seamus and Aidan, and the princess of the house, kitty cat Maria.
If I look over at the counter on the left side of my website, I can see there are 11 days to go before the official release of my debut New Adult novel, Altered. I began reflecting on how I got to be in this situation exactly.
I really never had much of an interest in writing. I was a medic in the army, an administrative management systems major in college, and an MBA. I even had a brief stint in law school (as you will soon learn when you read Altered). I didn’t take literature classes beyond what was required for my diploma or degree. I did however develop a love of reading in high school.
My tenth grade English teacher, Mrs. Janet Ghio, recognized there was no multicultural-influenced literature in our curriculum I could relate to. She gave me a copy of The Color Purple (ha! I’m dating myself), and once I’d finished, she took me out to lunch to discuss what I’d read. That definitely sparked something in my reading life that had been mostly non-existent before (I was more of a tomboy-type kid). The next year, I took philosophy as my elective and fell in love with Dostoevsky and Kafka (The Metamorphosis is still my all time favorite short story).
At some point a couple of years ago, I started bouncing this idea around in my head that I might want to write about. I kept it there – in the back of my head. Around the same time, I really got into the Outlander series and the author, Diana Gabaldon, was very vocal about the writing process. I still kept my idea in the back of my head.
I also follow a celebrity gossip blogger (perhaps I should be thoroughly embarrassed by that, but I’m not), @laineygossip, who introduced me to the New Adult genre. I tore through all of her recommendations plus more and found them to be easy, quick reads that were somehow satisfying. That also prompted me to think, “Wow, I can write that.”
I signed up for NaNoWriMo in 2013, but didn’t write a single word. I finally revisited this idea the following April and was finished with it by mid-May. I was completely embarrassed to be writing and only told my younger daughter who was still in high school at the time. I made her promise not to tell anyone. After the story started pouring out of me, I told another “reading” friend (who lives in another state), Anna, and started sending her what I’d written in 20K chunks. She loved it and that encouraged me to keep going and also share with others in my life that I was writing.
I signed up for NaNoWriMo again in 2014 and this time completed it, as well as another book that’s a contemporary romance (Scale Steps). Again sending it to my friend 20K words at a time.
A few months went by and I really didn’t know what to do with either of my finished manuscripts. Then one day I saw a post in an Outlander Facebook group I frequent (ahem) by one C. H. Armstrong singing the praises of the publishing process she’d been going through with her debut novel, The Edge of Nowhere. I checked out her publisher, Penner Publishing, and decided to submit both manuscripts.
I waited about two weeks. And when I say waited, I mean refreshed my email every single hour. Finally I saw the email I’d been waiting for. I nervously clicked on it to open and read through squinted eyes. “Thank you for querying Penner Publishing with ALTERED and UNEXPECTED (Scale Step before I changed the name) and for giving us the opportunity to consider your manuscripts. Unfortunately, UNEXPECTED is not a good fit for us at this time…” My heart sank, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected (pun intended) given how difficult I’d heard it was to get published. And this was my first query after all (I didn’t even realize I was querying at the time).
I went on to read, “…but we quite enjoyed reading ALTERED. If ALTERED is still available, we would love to talk further.”
Um, talk about burying the lead!
This has been quite a journey and I’ve had a LOT of support along the way. I know it’s an overused word, but I can’t describe the experience as anything other than surreal.
Read from November 29 to December 03, 2015 — I own a copy
I must confess that I didn’t know what a cozy was before I picked up this title. Now I realize that I’ve read many cozies and really do like the genre. This book fits perfectly and I’m looking forward to reading the remainder of the series.
There’s a story to Tess. She leaves her affluent parents and fiance behind to move to a small town and set up a fledgling law practice. We have hints as to why and certainly the reason for leaving the boyfriend behind eventually becomes clear, but there’s still some mystery to who Tess is.
There’s even more mystery to who Jack is although he doesn’t even realize it. He’s heartbroken by the news and reacts as anyone in his situation would – although that puts Tess out a bit.
Although this is the first book in a series, it’s definitely a standalone. Thank goodness. I’m not a huge fan of cliffhangers and am happy to continue traveling along on Jack and Tess’s adventures. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes cozies, romance, or mysteries.
Cathy and I are published by the same press, Penner Publishing, although I do not know her as well as I do some of the other authors. I have read her debut historical fiction science novel, Natural Attraction (see my review), and I have had some interaction with her. I think she’s incredible. I follow her Twitter closely to keep up with all the quirky and interesting science stuff she posts as well as listened to a radio interview detailing the process of how Natural Attraction came about – it was fascinating. I’ll post links at the end so you can follow into her wondrously experimental world.
Background Info
Author name: Catherine Haustein
Book title: Natural Attraction
Tell us a little about yourself and your background: I’ve always enjoyed traveling through life in several directions as a mom, scientist, teacher, and author. I’m married and have two dogs, three kids, and seven grandkids. I like live theater, music, and walking. ( I don’t like to drive. ) I’m from Michigan but call the small Dutch town of Pella, Iowa home.
Tell us a little about your novel: Set in 1871, it’s about a young woman who wants to be a scientist so she takes a tonic that allows her to resemble a man. She goes on a prospecting expedition as their naturalist and falls in love with a preacher.
Have you written anything else (including novels, short stories, novellas, etc.): I’ve written numerous short stories. My most recent is in an anthology called The Female Complaint. I’m working on another novel and a novella right now. When my kids were teenagers and I felt really poor I wrote non-fiction for encyclopedias and companies. I’ve also written two lab manuals.
Q&A
How long did it take you to write your book: Two years.
Is there a specific time of day that you enjoy writing the most: I’m a morning person and fortunately my dog is too so I have someone to share it with. I like to write when I first wake up and then before bed.
Is there a supporting character in your book you’d love to write a story for: Yes, the Madame’s daughter Mae Peacock.
What’s an aspect of being a writer that you didn’t know about going in: How isolating it can be. I have an MFA so you think I’d know but working shopping stories and drinking with your writer friends isn’t the same as working alone on a novel.
Science based novels are usually set in the future. Why did you place yours in the past: I chose to set Natural Attraction in 1871 because it was a time of great social change. The theory of evolution and the discovery of sperm and egg cells were quietly ushering in ideas of social equality. I wanted to compare the past with today to show what has changed and what hasn’t for women.
What challenges do you see facing you as a writer: Getting romance readers to see science as something accessible to them and getting scientists to appreciate the craftsmanship found in a romance and the importance of fiction.
Do you have any pointers or advice for aspiring writers: I like duotrope.com for finding new markets.
Favorite song: Silver Lining by First Aid Kit
Favorite movie/tv show: The Lego Movie
Chosen superpower: Shape shifter
Toilet paper: over or under: Random
Real book or tablet: Real
Star Trek or Star Wars: Trek
Excerpt
During the six-day train ride, as the transforming hand of science moved over me, Oudwijf Gesternte, a retired teacher of classics on a trip to visit her sister in San Francisco, patted my hand and called me “sonderling,” which sounded close to the Dutch term for “odd.” On occasion, she whispered clove-scented advice on how to be a man.
“Don’t cross your ankles. Sit with your knees apart.”
“Keep your hands off your face unless it is to scratch something.”
“When thinking, put your hand to your chin, or place your elbow on your knee and rest your chin in your palm.”
“Look straight at a person when you address them. Casting your eyes down is for women.”
“Shake the hand of a man firmly. Kiss the hand of a woman.”
I wrote her advice in my sketchbook and studied it as the train rode on. Spookstad’s roll of water on sand and fog horn’s moan were superseded by the rhythmic strain of pistons in cylinders and the startling shriek of steam whistle. Until this time, I’d gone nowhere but Chicago by boat. The train didn’t reach Spookstad yet and our only visitors were lumberjacks rolling logs down the Zwart River. We were a place few could find and even fewer left.
I re-read The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection and studied my Field Guide to Order Rodentia, pouring over drawings, descriptions, and observations of connection and struggle between living things. When my ardor and choleric ambitions exhausted me, I slept in the steamy sway of the Pullman, traveling the path forged by General Dodge and his crew with nitroglycerin.
In a coal-fired haze, I questioned why I wanted to be a scientist at all. It began, I decided, when Granny and I turned over a pine log and found a salamander – simultaneously aquatic and earthy, a product of water and forest. I knew then the enticement of discovering hidden things and that every species has a story to tell filled with intimacy of different ilks. Among the salamander, the male will court but leave his spermatophore on the ground, letting the untouched female retrieve it. Some animals knew how to make things better for the females of the species.
I had good hands for sketching and a mind for numbers, both traits valuable to scientists. Science drew me towards it as a well-adapted mate. I didn’t take after my mother, a beautiful woman with a tiny waist, love of French fashion, a perfect passionless disposition, and a life that was pleasant, settled, but done. I feared such an early resolution to my own brief existence. A man such as Darwin, by example, wrote his incendiary book at age fifty and rumors are that he has more to come – a tome on sexual selection and human origin. A man over sixty barely getting his start! A scientific mind won’t fade as beauty does. The passing of time sharpens it and leads to greater boldness.
When the trip stretched across the prairie, I recalled the giddy feeling of getting my letter of selection informing me that I’d been chosen as the naturalist for the expedition. I craved the recognition that was withheld from women. If I stayed in Spookstad, my parents expected me to marry someone agreeable, my father’s bat-eared banker friend. That wasn’t happening, even though I had given my family false hope by sharing one dry kiss with him. After that, there was a wet kiss tasting of coffee with Lars the lumberjack at Lumberjack Days in the nearby town of Singapore. I’d spent just a moment in those strong arms and we whispered our names to each other before being spotted by my brother Todd, who pulled me away. For many months following he called me Swamper Sally, a swamper being a lumberjack who cuts branches off the felled trees. Having kissed two men, I had a reputation. I would be a scientist now and if I kissed at all, it would be with someone intelligent, bursting with vitality, a native, mysterious and deep. It would be kept secret from the town of Spookstad. Perhaps I wouldn’t go back at all to a place so small that family and Oudwijfs watched all. I’d be a man with status, a famous naturalist.
Author Bio
After a year of pursuing her graduate degree in chemistry at The University of Iowa, Catherine Haustein couldn’t get fiction writing out of her system. She was accepted into the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and enrolled in the MFA program there without telling her chemistry adviser. Thus her career as a writer of scientist characters was launched.
Most of her life has centered around science and raising a family. She barely wrote a word of fiction when her kids were teenagers. Her scientific research focuses on analytical chemistry and biologically active chemicals in plants. She’s written a lab manual where the toxic chemicals in classic labs have been replaced with non-toxic ones. (Yes, she also hugs trees.) She hopes to release a series of novels with scientific women as protagonists. She’s a professor at Central College where she teaches chemistry and short story writing.
On The Rebound is a sweet, sports romance set on the campus of fictional Irving University. It’s a story about second chances and features a women’s college basketball team. Here’s a teaser for you.
Jim Cangany was forty pages into his first manuscript when he realized it was a romance. He went with it and has great joy writing sweet, contemporary love stories. A lover of things that go fast, when Jim’s not writing, you can probably find him checking into the latest from IndyCar or pro bike racing. He lives in Indianapolis with his saint of a wife Nancy, his sons Seamus and Aidan, and the princess of the house, kitty cat Maria.
