A special treat today on a Tuesday! Please welcome my guest, Jannine Gallant. She's on a blog tour that I'm proud to be part of. Please read on and enjoy...
Family is
central in all my books. Let’s face it—we don’t exist in a vacuum, and neither
should our characters. Most have parents or siblings who enter into the
picture, even if it’s just on the periphery, but with my new release, I didn’t
stop there. In Every Move She Makes,
I take family to a whole new level. My heroine has parents who love to give
advice, siblings who provide a sounding board and never fail to step in when
she needs them, in-laws who drive her a little crazy (thanks to an ex-husband)
and three daughters who create their own brand of drama. Too much? Maybe, but I
hope all those relatives give the reader a more complete picture of what Rachel
has to contend with in her life and why she’s hesitant to jump into a romantic
relationship with the hero. Here’s a little glimpse into Rachel’s family…
After the earlier theatrics,
the eighth-grade graduation ceremony was anticlimactic—the only bit of drama
created when Lark walked across the stage wearing a summer dress that bared her
tattoo for the world to see. Rachel’s mother sagged in her seat, her gasp
audible through the applause.
A short time later, Audrey
Hanover entered the kitchen of her big, rambling farmhouse, still in a huff.
“Neither of you would have gotten away with a stunt like that when you were
teenagers.”
Though she’d grown plump over
the years, and her red hair was mostly gray, she was still a beautiful woman—and
a force to be reckoned with. She cast another dark look in her granddaughter’s
direction.
“Believe me, Lark isn’t
getting away with it either.” Rachel washed her hands and dried them on a dish
towel. “Now, what can I do to help with dinner?”
Audrey ignored her daughter’s
attempt to change the subject. “Then why wouldn’t you let me speak my mind when
we were at the school?”
“Because I didn’t want a
public scene. I’m handling the situation, and Lark is well aware of my
displeasure. Please, can we just drop it for now?”
Grace took her mother’s
sweater from her and hung it on the hook by the door. “Don’t worry, Mom. Lark
is in serious trouble. Rachel let her have it earlier. Now, let’s get the ham
out of the oven and eat. I’m starving.”
Her sister led their mother
away, and Rachel reached up to massage her temples.
“Here.” Will handed her two
aspirin and a glass of water. “You look like you could use these.”
“My savior.” She gulped down
the tablets.
“Is Mom giving you grief?”
“She doesn’t bother me. It’s
the situation in general. Lately I feel like my life is one disaster after
another.”
“Keep your chin up, kid.
You’ll survive.”
I’d love to hear
how you feel about family in romance. Is it important to you in the books you
read or write? Please share your thoughts!
Blurb:
No matter where she goes, he knows her
every move…
Long
ago, Rachel Carpenter was a glamorous soap star. She gave it all up to move to
Napa Valley with her daughters to open a bookstore near her family vineyard.
Her life is safe and dependable, until she encounters Kane Lafferty at a
wilderness camp in the rugged High Sierra. A burned-out police detective
struggling with his own demons, Kane is instantly attracted to Rachel. And like
Rachel, he isn’t sure if he’s ready to open his heart. But everything is about
to change…
Someone
is watching from the darkness. A fanatic obsessed with Rachel for years has
decided to claim what he believes is his. It will be up to Kane to not only
protect his new love and her family, but to uncover the identity of the stalker
before it’s too late for all of them…
Buy
Links:
About
the Author:
Write what you know. Jannine Gallant has taken this advice to heart,
creating characters from small towns and plots that unfold in the great
outdoors. She grew up in a tiny Northern California town and currently lives in
beautiful Lake Tahoe with her husband and two daughters. When she isn’t busy
writing or being a full time mom, Jannine hikes or snowshoes in the woods
around her home. Whether she’s writing contemporary, historical or romantic
suspense, Jannine brings the beauty of nature to her stories. To find out more
about this author and her books, visit her website atjanninegallant.com.
Author
Links:
I love family in romance--and out of it. They are like seasoning. I loved this scene, though I can't imagine my moms (or for that matter, me) interfering in child-raising! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Liz, thanks for visiting. Rachel's mom is very free with advice. Actually pretty fun to write. I have colorful characters scattered throughout this book!
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DeleteI love how family dynamics play out in books!
ReplyDeleteThey're fun to watch, Jennifer. I hope I did them justice!
DeleteHmmm. Write what you know. Great advice. I can identify. Your characters are so realistic. They are fun to watch. Best of luck with this one, Jannine. Hello, Brenda!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margo. Hope people can relate to the entire cast of characters.
DeleteI have four siblings, so a 'full house' is something I understand...and love to replay at family reunions. The interactions are novel-worthy, for sure. Good luck with your new book, Jannine. Waving to Brenda.
ReplyDeleteI hope the big family resonates with a lot of people, Rolynn. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI hope the big family resonates with a lot of people, Rolynn. Thanks for stopping by!
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