HER COUNTRY HEART BY REGGI ALDER #Contemporary #Romance #MFRWauthor #MGTAB

HER COUNTRY HEART

BY

Reggi Allder

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Ever wonder what happened to your high school crush?

 

Blurb:

Why is Amy Long attracted to the only man who can prevent her from achieving her dream?

Amy needs a fresh start. After years of living in the city, she returns to her hometown of Sierra Creek to run her grandmother’s apple farm. Does she still belong in the small town?                                                                                                                                                                                                                         AMAZON

Cowboy Wyatt Cameron doesn’t think so. As half owner of the farm he’s promised to sell the place and send Amy packing, back the city where she belongs.

Will sparks fly without breaking a heart?

 

 

CHAPTER 1

 

“Sierra Creek,” the driver shouted as the Greyhound Bus came to an abrupt stop on the two lane highway.

Amy Long pushed her hair behind her ears and grabbed her worn suitcase. Surprised to see her hand tremble, she seized the case with both hands and rushed toward the front of the bus.

A gust of hot wind slapped her face as she stepped off the bus. Gravel pelted her bare legs when it drove away. She squinted and read a faded road sign, Sierra Creek population five thousand. There wasn’t a building in sight.

After years of living in the city, she’d forgotten how sweltering and desolate it was here. She’d vowed never to return to her home town. Odd it was the first place that came to mind when she and her young son needed a fresh start.

With Granny gone there was no family left to welcome her. She swallowed a sob. Maybe it was a mistake to come back.

The relentless afternoon sun beat down on her shoulders and her arms began to burn. San Francisco, the air conditioned city, seemed a million miles away.

Impatient, she cleared her dry throat, wiped perspiration from her forehead, and let out a groan as the minutes ticked by. What wouldn’t she give for some shade and a bottle of ice water?

With a sigh, she pulled out her smart phone and checked the time. Thirty minutes since she’d arrived at the bus stop and not a single car had gone by. Where was the arranged ride into town?

Granny’s handyman was supposed to meet her. He obviously wasn’t a stickler about being on time. She reminded herself she was in the California foothills not in a busy metropolis where time was money.

The sound of a truck rumbled in the distance. With the back of her hand, she pushed her bangs out of her eyes and squinted. Hopeful, she watched the pick-up come closer. A shiny black Ford F 150 with extended cab pulled up in front of her.

“Hi Amy?” A man yelled through the open window as his brown hair fell casually over a high forehead and deep-set blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. She moved nearer and stared at his wide cheek bones, square jaw and full lips. About thirty?

A flutter of recognition stirred in her as palpable charm radiated from his broad smile, Wyatt Cameron.

His muscular arms flexed as his huge hands squeezed the steering wheel. “Don’t just stand there. Get in. The judge is waiting.”

 

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I’m excited to host on of my fellow critique partners on the site today. Please give a warm welcome to Reggi Allder.

Hi Jacquie, thank you for having me on your blog; it’s a pleasure to be here.

Your social media?

Amazon:  www.amazon.com/author/reggiallder

Website  www.reggiallder.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reggi.allder

What do you write?

A few months ago I’d have said Romantic Suspense and I do still write that. But I’m pleased to announce I finished my first Contemporary Romance. Her Country Heart is book one in the Sierra Creek Series- Small Town Big Love.

I’ve planned for three books, possibly four. Each book will have a different hero and heroine. But there will be continuing characters from the previous books so the reader can find out what has happened to them.

I’ve also started another romantic suspense. Now if I could just write faster. : )

What genre do you favor?

That’s a hard one to answer. When I’m writing, it depends on the mood I’m in. Sometimes tension and conflict flow easily and that’s perfect for suspense, on other days not so much. I like writing suspense and it was my first choice, but I have found that contemporary novels give me a break from spending my days with truly bad people.

What is your favorite genre to read?

I like a suspense but not gory. I want a good mystery/ suspense and of course a romance.

Do your characters talk to you?

Yes. Not every time I write, but sometimes I have an idea and the character has a different one. A female character I wrote didn’t like the name I’d chosen for her. She finally won and I used a different one. My husband said it sounds crazy, but he understands it’s just part of the creative process. Still, he smiled and suggested I might not want to mention it outside my writers groups.

How do you approach starting a new book?

I have a file of ideas for new books. I put in story ideas and the names of possible characters. If I don’t have a book in mind, I’ll visit that file. But usually while I’m working on one book another idea will come to me.

What is your writing process?

Good question. It’s not always the same. Usually I’ll jot down general thoughts, but I’m a pantser so the book comes as I write. Often I’ll know the drift of the story. And of course the genre is known, so I just start writing and let it flow. I usually have an idea of the black moment and the end of the book. It’s exciting to see how the characters get there.

Also, an important part of the writing process is joining a supportive writers group. If I were just starting out, I’d be sure to Google and find a group in my area. I found Romance Writers of America and they were a great help. But there are many others.

Navy SEAL or cowboy?

I’d have to say they both have appeal. But I’ve just written Her Country Heart, a book with a gorgeous cowboy, so I choose the cowboy. Strong, tan and astride a horse, yeah, that works.

Chocolate or chips?

That’s tough. A bit of melted chocolate would be good, so I can dip the chips in it.

Fancy restaurant or picnic?

I love a fancy restaurant with great service, but the thrifty part of me thinks I could make wonderful food and take it on a picnic. And maybe I’d have enough money left to buy a new pair of shoes.

Your favorite author?

There are so many great authors; I couldn’t name just one favorite writer. The joy for me is discovering a wonderful writer I’ve never read.

Thanks again for having me.

Best Wishes,

Reggi Allder