Cover Reveal...

A Chance on Love by Kristine Raymond

Synopsis

Dr. Ben Kincaid is content to spend his days and nights treating the people of Hidden Springs. Not even his closest friends know the heartbreak that haunts him. Ten years earlier his wife left him, taking their only child with her. Ben vowed to never again trust anyone with his heart.

Shiloh Bishop came to Hidden Springs looking for a fresh start. Having been forced into an arranged marriage with an older man, she’s lived a life of misery. When she finds herself suddenly widowed and expecting her first child, she looks forward to starting a new life.

Ben is captivated by Shiloh the first moment he sees her but he is unwilling to let go of the chains of mistrust that are wrapped around his heart. Shiloh is determined to rebuild her life and has no intention of ever becoming another man’s wife.
When a deadly illness strikes the town, they have no choice but to rely on each other. Admiration and respect soon turn to passion, but will it be enough for them to take a chance on love?

Meet Kristine Raymond

Kristine Raymond loves to read and that naturally transformed into a love of writing. She has always been a fan of the Old West and lived in Arizona for several years, where she was able to appreciate the beauty and history of the region.

She has released three books in the Hidden Springs series and is currently working on a contemporary story. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and furry family, and she occasionally watches a TV western or two.

website

twitter username: @k_raymondauthor

Welcome to my entry in the blog hop, a kind of relay race for authors!  First of all, a huge thank you to  Nerika Parke who tagged me to do this.  Nerika is an amazing author of two books; Defenceless, and Paving Paradise.   Check out her blog, Nerika Parke or visit her Facebook page.

Now for the answers to the questions that I know are keeping you up at night!


1)   What am I working on?

Well, right now I'm working on the fourth book of the Hidden Springs series.  It's called A Chance on Love.  Do you remember Ben, the town's doctor?  This is his story.  I have also started a contemporary novel called Tempted, which I will complete after I'm finished with Ben.

2)     How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Although I write historical romances, they have a contemporary feel to them.   The setting is the late 1800s but the emotions are just as real as if the stories were taking place today.  Just with a lot of uncomfortable clothing on the women.  And no running water. 

      3)  Why do I write what I do?

      I've always been a fan of the Old West.  There's something about the ruggedness and lawlessness that appeals to me.  You fought for what was yours, you provided for yourself and your family, and you depended on the people around you.

           4)  How does my writing process work?

      I just write.  I have all of these ideas in my head, and I  sit down and start putting the words to paper, or the computer screen, whichever one is closest.  I know the major plot but I let the characters take me where they want to go.  There are times when I come up with plots that I hadn't even thought about beforehand.  Somehow, by the time that I'm finished, the jumble of ideas that were in my mind have become a story that hopefully, you'll want to read.

  

      You can find out more about me at www.kristineraymond.com or visit me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Instagram, Amazon, or contact me at  kristineraymond.author@gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you!  And don't forget to check out my books - Here to Stay , Hearts on Fire, and Abby's Heart.

Next up are three talented authors, (and friends), who will be sharing their own writing processes.

MaryAnn Jordan

           I have always been an avid reader. I joke that I "cut my romance teeth" on the old bodice ripper romance books. Last year I started a blog to showcase wonderful writers. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head pleading for their story to be told. Thus, Emma's Home was created. I work as a counselor in a high school and have been involved in education for the past 30 years. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for 32 years and have 2 adult, very supportive daughters. When writing, my dog or one of my cats will usually be found in my lap! I love to hear from readers, so please email me!  authormaryannjordan@gmail.com

           You can find MaryAnn on Facebook and Amazon.  She is the author of two books, Emma's Home, and Laurie's Time.

  Andrea Michelle
     

  Once upon a time in the boot of Louisiana, a young girl made a mess of things and began writing dark poetry to cope. She often found herself day dreaming, creating stories in a far away land that didn't exist and was always out of her reach. Her mission was to move on, find love and a reason to believe in the beautiful things in life. She didn't expect to be counting her blessings daily for all that she has found since then. Her once dark poetry became colorful and bright—it became music. She found purpose and her make believe stories slowly vanished away. Her poetry also sat in the backseat as more important things took priority. However, life can catapult you in the blink of an eye. A long forgotten coping mechanism of writing would once again become her escape. This time, though, she realized that this escape where she created stories was not a curse, but a gift. Embracing her vice, she breathes life into her characters and poetically weaves together stories for readers to enjoy. She is no longer the young girl who feared the unknown, but is stronger and has faith that beautiful things will always be in reach. She is married to her best friend, and is a mom to three beautiful daughters who are her favorite cheerleaders. She is excited to have the opportunity to share her love of writing with readers. The stories are fictional, but they are real to her. She has always felt things passionately and this new journey as an author is no different. She is no longer looking back, but looking ahead to this amazing adventure with all of you. She invites you to connect with her if you desire to do so.

  You can find Andrea on Facebook , Goodreads, and Amazon.  She is the author of two books, Escape the Doubt and Embrace the Moment

  Katija O

           Not to stray from the common Author cliché, I loved to read as a child – I actually excelled in reading from a young age. This was definitely to my advantage. In saying that I only enjoyed reading “happily ever after stories.” As I grew older my pleasures turned to “teen romance stories” with the obvious transition being heavy love stories and of course Jackie Collins’ novels. Then due to relationship and work commitments my reading all but ceased until my children were at an age where I could steal and hour or two (which then became and hour or four). A few years ago I discovered the Twilight Saga, this kept my thoroughly entertained for years as I read and re-read numerous times… Enter 50 Shades. Whilst I was a little fearful to read this erotic tale, something tugged at my inner thoughts and I succumbed, like everyone around me falling for the likes of one Christian Grey. I continued from that moment reading many many stories and getting involved with Indie Authors from around the globe – something then happened to me. I awoke one Saturday morning with a whole story fixed in my mind. This had happened to me a lot over the years but this story was so clear and concise and I acted on in with the inspiration of the Indie Authors. That’s when my first novel Majestic Pearls was born – it has grown from there and is a beautifully work in progress. In the interim, I wrote my current story, a novella entitled Que Sera Sera. When I'm not at my desk, I'm reading – beta reading, or just plain reading. As a full time mother and wife my life is very full. My other passion, other than writing and family is Music … music from yesteryear is my genre.

You can find Katija on Facebook and Twitter.  She is the author of two books, Que Sera Sera, and Majestic Pearls.

 






 

Wow...I'm really slacking!

I haven't written a post in two months.  Sorry about that.  This book promoting stuff keeps me way busier than I ever imagined.  I'm trying to set reasonable goals for myself, and one of them is to write a blog post at least once a week.

Yeah, right, we'll see how that goes.  Best intentions and all of that!

Fingers crossed...

I hate it when I'm not motivated...

I have so many tasks that need to be accomplished and most days I pray for enough time to complete everything that needs to be done.  But every once in a while, regardless of how long my to-do list is, I have to force myself to perform the most menial tasks.  It is so frustrating because then I feel guilty that I have fallen that much further behind in my work.

So my question is...does this make me more productive or less productive?  I wonder.  I work so much better under pressure.  So maybe I should start seeing my unmotivated days as blessings rather than curses because the more I have to do, the more I get accomplished.

Works for me...

Don't worry about the details...

I have a hard time being myself. The person who I was meant to be. The person who lives inside of the person who I am. I'm a rule follower. I like to research the 'correct' way to do something before I do it. I hate this part of my personality. Yeah, yeah, I know that it makes me who I am but it also stifles my creative side in a BIG way! So when I decided to become an author, I momentarily got caught up in the 'details'. How many words should I write? How many chapters should I have? Should I put my acknowledgments at the front of the book or the back of the book? Should I edit as I go or wait until I finish the book? I drove myself crazy with these kinds of thoughts (well, actually, these EXACT thoughts)for a week after I started writing. And you know what I discovered?

It doesn't matter.

The only right way to write a book is the way that it comes naturally to you. I'm not suggesting that you overlook good grammar and spelling, or completely disregard punctuation. I'm saying that the way that you write is uniquely yours. You may find other authors who write the same way that you do. I guarantee that you will find plenty who don't. My advice? Listen, learn a thing or two, and then do it your own way. Because that is the only way that it is truly your story.

Happy writing...

I am a new author...

Most of you have never heard of me...or maybe you have since you found your way to my blog.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Kristine Raymond and I am a newly published author. Very new. As in, three months new. I self-published my first novel on November 6th. I am getting ready to publish my third novel on February 15th. A lot of people told me that I was moving too fast. In some ways, they were right. But it was important to me to release on the schedule that I had created for myself. And I did it! (Well, on the 15th, I will have done it!)

It has never been my lifelong dream to become an author. I never really gave it much thought. I tossed the idea around once or twice, way before self-publishing came on the scene. And I always thought that it was too much trouble to find a publisher and find an editor. I never wanted it badly enough to do those things. My husband told me on and off for years that I should write a book. I'd laugh and say, "Yeah, right, someday."

So what made me sit down at my keyboard this past Labor Day weekend and start writing? I wish I had the answer to that question. And it's a question that comes up often in interviews. "What inspired you to become a writer?" I don't know. Honestly; I don't know. I've always felt that I was a creative person. I just had trouble figuring out exactly where that creativity lay. I tried music, crafts, jewelry making, crocheting; and although I enjoy all of those things, I never really had a passion for them.

So back to writing. I love to read. And I love to correct spelling and grammar. (I would have made a great English teacher! Well, except that I don't like teaching.) So over the summer I decided to start a proofreading business. I saw it as a chance to do two things that I love. My first 'job' was proofing for a friend of mine who had just self-published her first book. As I talked to her about the process, I started thinking that maybe I could write a book. It took me another month to talk myself into it and on Labor Day weekend I sat down and wrote my first novel. (Not in one weekend, mind you, it took me 18 days.) I hit publish nine weeks after that and I was hooked!

So now I am a published author. And though it's only been three short months, I can't believe how much I have learned and how far that I've come. I've met some truly amazing people along the way, people who inspire me and cheer me on, people whom I've never met face to face but who have become lifelong friends. And I've discovered that I LOVE to write. It took me 46 years to find my passion.

My advice to you? No matter what age you are, don't stop until you have found yours!

I'm in a weird place right now...

I have never done anything in my life up to this point that has taken me on such a roller coaster ride.  One day I am at the highest point that I think I will ever reach and the next day I want to scrap it all and hide under the covers.  And you know what?  I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world (except Jason Statham.  Yeah, definitely Jason Statham!)

Speaking for myself, being an author is an emotional experience.  I never knew how much I loved to write... until I'm not writing.  Finishing a book gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment which is quickly followed by a let-down of knowing that I'm done.  It sounds silly I know but as soon as I finish one book, I want to start writing the next.  And with self-publishing there is so much more to do than just write the book.  So I'm not able to devote every minute to putting words on paper even though I feel like a part of me is missing if I'm not creating my next adventure.

I wonder if all authors go through this or is it just me?  Is it my dysfunctional, disorganized mind that craves to write?  Is it a hidden talent that until very recently lie dormant, hiding in the depths of my soul, and now, after seeing light for the first time, refuses to be locked away?  Is it a phase that will pass as all of my other creative endeavors have done?

All I know is, that for this moment in my life, this is what I need to do.  Write.  Just write.