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Aug
4 2014 | ||
Three weeks from tomorrow THE BEST KIND OF TROUBLE releases!
I’m a fan of settings as characters – which is easier to do when you personally love a place (or when you make it up, like Petal) and this part of the United States is one of my very favorite. The story is set, like many of my books, in the northwest – only this time we spend our days in Hood River, Oregon. A small town (4500 residents) on the Columbia river, Hood River is home to a lot of great agriculture, it’s a gateway to all the stuff you can do in the area – hike, camp, boat, swim, etc. Mt. Hood looms in the distance as just north, over the river, Washington’s big mountains beckon in the distance as well. It’s a beautiful part of my side of the country so I was so thrilled to set a series there.
Here’s a fun link to a local business (Dirty Fingers Bike Repair – and brewpub!) with a gorgeous photo of the area and some of the best things to do.
It’s a picturesque small town and a fun setting for the Hurley family and Sweet Hollow Ranch to be set in. The Hurleys have pear orchards, and alfalfa and their spread of land affords a view of the river in the distance and Mt. Hood. It’s also big enough that each Hurley has his own house and a bit of land. While the brothers in the band go off on tour, it’s Ezra, the oldest brother, who runs the ranch (and the band!). Paddy is the second oldest brother and he’s home, helping on the ranch and enjoying his time before the band gets back in the studio when he’s in downtown getting himself some coffee…
And that’s when Natalie comes back into his life.
Natalie, who he’d had a pretty hot and heavy fling with well over a decade before, is now a librarian in town. She’s gotten her life together and has made her own success story, much like Paddy has done. Sparks fly immediately but she isn’t ready for him and he’s got to do some chasing to show her he’s worth the work.
There aren’t car chases. No one gets kidnapped or taken hostage. This is the story of two flawed people who bump into (and sometimes race into) one another’s broken parts and then they’ve got to work to get past that and make something real. To me, that’s scarier than any car chase. Real vulnerability with someone you love and who loves you.
Anyway, I’m off to word it up but I wanted to pop in and say hello and give you a little bit of info about THE BEST KIND OF TROUBLE.
Crowdsourcing here – what sorts of author swag do you all like best? Pens? magnets? Excerpt booklets? Today’s contest is for a copy of my two holiday themed, interconnected novellas – TO DO LIST and SWEET CHARITY (digital). The winner will be announced in the Friday Winners Post. (PLEASE ENTER CONTESTS AT MY BLOG ONLY)
August 4th, 2014 at 7:51 am · Link
I like pens, because it’s something I can always use
August 4th, 2014 at 8:02 am · Link
My favorite author swag are pens since I actually need and use them. I like bookmarks and do use them but I also give them to friends as a reminder to check out a book or author.
August 4th, 2014 at 11:33 am · Link
pens
August 4th, 2014 at 11:57 am · Link
Pens and computer cloths.
August 4th, 2014 at 12:11 pm · Link
I love excerpt booklets because I can’t wait for your stories and always want more. I love, love, love novellas after the stories to let me visit characters and see where they are in their happily ever after 🙂
August 4th, 2014 at 1:02 pm · Link
Pens
August 4th, 2014 at 1:44 pm · Link
I love magnets as swag. Your description of the story in BKOT is why I love your books!
August 4th, 2014 at 2:40 pm · Link
Pens!!!
August 4th, 2014 at 3:25 pm · Link
I like book excerpts and pens. I always use pens and feel pride in using one that’s special. All my bookmarks I use are from my kids mother’s day presents so I take pride in using them.
August 4th, 2014 at 4:11 pm · Link
Thanks for more Hurley details…excited!! I’m a pen/magnet type of fan! But I love the idea of giving bookmarks to let family & friends know about your favourite book/series & authors.
P.S. Had to look up Author swag. Prior military made me think it was an acronym 🙂 Stationed in Australia I thought it might be a sleeping bag. Who knew.
August 4th, 2014 at 5:33 pm · Link
Love pens. They remind of things when I use them.
August 4th, 2014 at 7:36 pm · Link
I love useable stuff…pens, chip clips, post-it’s, nail file, dangles for key rings/zipper pulls, totes for groceries.
August 4th, 2014 at 7:41 pm · Link
I love pens and bookmarks
August 4th, 2014 at 7:59 pm · Link
Pen, bookmarks, water bottles, mugs, trading card, tattoos…
August 4th, 2014 at 9:14 pm · Link
Pens. I keep losing them, so I alway need more.
August 4th, 2014 at 9:52 pm · Link
any I love all swag!!
August 5th, 2014 at 1:27 am · Link
Wow, I never knew there was such a thing as Author swag. I guess that’s what we’d call freebies and I’d be delighted with anything you wanted to send me, I think that pens & bookmarks are the most obviously useful things and always welcomed.
August 5th, 2014 at 10:00 am · Link
I prefer pens because I can actually use them. Second best would be shirts.
August 5th, 2014 at 12:33 pm · Link
Pens!! Love Pens! Never can have enough! 🙂