So since my latest release, The Cowboy’s Missing Memory is in stores as we speak, I thought today, I’d interview my characters. Hopefully, you’ll gain a little insight into what makes them tick, along with pictures I used as inspiration to create them.
Lexie Parker – heroine
- Are you open to your own romance?
Priyanka Chopra Attribution: Bollywood Hungama / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
I guess. But I’m an occupational therapist. I work a lot and usually the only men I encounter are colleagues or patients and there are ethical rules about such things.
- What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
He’d have to be a Christian.
- What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate?
He’d have to be content to live in my hometown Medina, Texas. After living in San Antonio for the last eight years, I just got to move back home. And I’m staying.
- Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Church. When I lived in San Antonio, my church was huge. There were lots of men in my singles class, but I didn’t want to fall for anyone in San Antonio and get stuck living there indefinitely. Now that I’m back home, all the men in our small church are married or taken.
- Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
The rodeo. I can’t count the number of bunged up bull riders I’ve worked with over the years. They seem to have a death wish and I’m not getting caught up with someone like that.
- What type of character traits are you attracted to?
A good sense of humor, faithfulness, confidence without deceit, and strength.
- What type of features are you attracted to?
I’ve always had a thing for guys with dark hair and green eyes.
- What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
The rodeo. Besides knowing how hard bull-riding is on the brain and body, I’m afraid of bulls.
- What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
If I found out he competed in the rodeo or if he became my patient.
Clint Rawlins: hero
Ruben Cortada Attribution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons
- Are you open to your own romance?
I don’t really have time for that. Besides, right now I can’t remember the last two years. I need to recover before I can even think of such things. And besides that, for some reason I planned to move to Fort Worth and buy a beefalo ranch there. I need to find out why I wanted that and if I still do. And, my dad was a pro bull rider. He died from a degenerative brain disease caused by too many concussions from bull wrecks. They tell me this is my second concussion. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll follow in his footsteps and slowly fade away.
- What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
She’d have to be a Christian.
- What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate?
She’d have to be loyal. My parents were happily married until my dad died six months ago. Wait. It’s actually been two and a half years. I just don’t remember that last two. Anyway, I want someone who will stick with me for the long run. But I have to find out if I’m okay first. I wouldn’t want to sentence anyone to watching me slowly die. If I can get my memory back and the doctor gives me a clean bill of health, then we’ll see.
- Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Church. But all the women in our small church are married or taken. And like I said, I need to get my brain back before I could even consider letting a woman into my life.
- Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
In the hospital. It makes me feel weak. Doctors, nurses, therapists—all of them. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate them and I know I need their care. But I’m ready to get back on my own two feet with my memory intact.
- What type of character traits are you attracted to?
Caring, compassionate, spunky, and loyal.
- What type of features are you attracted to?
I’ve always been attracted to women with dark hair and eyes.
- What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
I can’t stand hovering. I know I’m injured, but I need to get my strength back and someone constantly hovering won’t allow me to do that.
- What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
If I can’t get my memory back. Or I remember why I wanted to buy the beefalo ranch in Fort Worth and move there. Or if I find out I’ve got the same disease my dad died of.
So there you have it. If you want to see my Pinterest page of other images I used for characters and scenes, you can check it out: Pinterest – The Cowboy’s Missing Memory. There’s no red Jag or suit for Clint. He’s all cowboy and drives a pick up truck while Lexie wears fun scrubs most of the time. This handsome cowboy will disappear from store shelves in mid July and then only be available on Amazon.
So what do you think? Can these two get over their hangups to be together? Do amnesia stories intrigue you? All comments will go in the drawing for a print copy. Us & International included. Deadline: July 9th.
Can he reclaim his past…and build a future?
He needs to remember.
She’s his best hope…
After a rodeo accident took away Clint Rawlins’s mobility and two years’ worth of memories, occupational therapist Lexie Parker is his only shot at recovering and regaining independence. Lexie is drawn to Clint…but she’s wary of the amnesiac’s all-too-vulnerable feelings. And with the possibility of him returning to his dangerous bull-riding side job, she refuses to risk her heart. But resisting her charming patient may be harder than she expected…
(Available in Walmart mid-June through mid-July)
The Cowboy’s Missing Memory – Amazon The Cowboy’s Missing Memory – Christian Book
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
I do enjoy amnesia stories. So many possibilities.
I loved the interview and I need to go check your book out!
Love the concept of interviewing a character
Amnesia story intrigues me because I cannot imagine losing my memory and have to deal with all of it over again. I wonder how do you reconcile the period of time with no memory and then when everything back.
Great interview! I’d be very surprised if they didn’t end up with a HEA, lol!
I think they can make it work! Just might take a little time=)
Yes Mary. It always amazes me how each author can take a popular character type, setting, or plot and each write a completely different story.
Thanks Lori. I always find it fun to get into my characters’ heads. Especially when it’s been a while since I wrote the book.
Thanks Yvonne. It was fun ‘talking’ to them.
Agreed Sonnetta. I totally wouldn’t want to live it. But I love reading it.
Hi Danne. Thanks. Well it is romance. But the fun part is how they get there.
Hey Patty. I gave them a month since she’s between jobs :)
Yes, I enjoy amnesia stories. This sounds like a great book.
Thanks Susan. I really enjoyed writing it.
Thank you for sharing. I must add this to my wish list. Blessings
Thank you, Lucy. I hope you enjoy it.
Oh, this is going on my wishlist!!!!
I’m so glad, Trudy. I love the cover. The cover artist captured my image of Clint Rawlins perfectly.
Your book sounds like a very good read, and yes I like amnesia stories. I Love the cover it is Gorgeous , and yes, I hope they make it together. Thank you for sharing about your book and thank you for the chance at your Awesome sounding book.
Oh, I have to agree with that! Very handsome!!
How fun to interview the characters! For some reason this question and answer format made me “hear” their voices so much more clearly than when I read. Can’t wait to read their story.
Hey Alicia. I love the new covers LI is doing. They’re turning out great even though they can’t do photo shoots because of this crazy virus.
Anitra, thanks so much for the compliment. A lot of authors interview their characters before they write them. I don’t, because they live in my head for a long time before I ever write them, so I get to know them pretty well.
This sounds intriguing. I do enjoy amnesia stories as long as the story is realistic.
Thanks Denise. So true. I only like any type of story that is realistic.
Hi, Shannon! This sounds like such a fun read!!!!
Thanks Jennifer. Poor Clint, I was terribly mean to him thru the course of his story.
Now this sounds like a fun storyline! When two people meet and fall in love in spite of all the reasons why that person is “wrong” for them, it can cause some pretty fun sparks! :-)
I do love amnesia stories, it adds an extra layer to the plot. The characters finding out who they are right along with the reader is an added bonus. I know for sure I’d enjoy reading “The Cowboy’s Missing Memory”!
I think I like amnesia stories but I can’t remember. :) I especially like that both the characters think that the best place to find a mate is in church. I can testify to that. For Clint to lose his connection to his context, his plans, even his sense of purpose, he is one hurtin’ puppy. Sounds like the perfect open door for a compassionate healer!
Best wishes for the release and on-going sales.
Sounds like a good story! I enjoy a good amnesia storyline because it adds an extra layer that the couple has to get through before ending up with their happily ever after.
LOL. I can’t remember either, Lincoln. Yeah, I felt pretty sorry for him as I was writing his story. But it made for lots of conflict. Thanks for checking in.
Hey Megan. Thanks, I like to give them lots of layers and hoops to jump through. My poor characters.
I’m sure it was worth it for us…Clint will just have to get over it!!!!!
Wonderful <3 Thank you!
I think Medina is so pretty. I’m in San Antonio.
Yes I Love reading these stories and what an amazing cover Thank you for the chance to win a print copy!
So glad you enjoyed the interview, Natalya.
Hey Mary. I’ve been to San Antonio several times. To the river walk and road the boat once. To the Tower of the Americas for lunch. Of course The Alamo. And to The Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum for research.
I’m glad Sarah. I love the cover too. It might be my favorite of all my books so far.