On Board for Romance, the first full-length book in the Homegrown Love series (an Arcadia Valley Romance) releases later this month! (July 18)
A new release is always so exciting, and Riley Jennings, the heroine in On Board for Romance, has become one of my favorite characters. (what makes it even more fun is that the next two books in the series are about Riley’s sisters—so we will get to see what she’s up to even after her “starring role” is over.)
I thought it might be fun to get to know Riley a little more…so here’s a little character interview:
Question 1: You’re the youngest of the Jennings sisters—and you’re also younger than your cousin, Kate (from the novella A Romance Rekindled). You’re all so different—give us one word to describe Kate, Olivia, and Brooke.
Riley: Hmm. One word? That’s tough. Here goes… Kate: Perfectionist, Olivia: Energetic , Brooke: Peacemaker.
Question 2: How about yourself? One word?
Riley: Tenderhearted.
Question 3: Why do you say that?
Riley: (laughs) Because I can’t stand for anything to suffer. I’ve even been known to take pity on spiders and try and shoo them outside instead of killing them. It drives my sisters nuts. Everyone in town knows me as the animal rescuer. People call me if they see a stray dog or cat because they know I’ll try and help it.
Question 4: You grew up in Arcadia Valley and later chose to make it your home. Why?
Riley: Well, I’m close with my family. Most of them live in Arcadia Valley (except for Olivia) and it’s pretty nice to be able to see them all so often. Beyond that, I really love the area. And the town itself has such a sense of community. I spend weekends working at the Arcadia Valley Farmers Market, and it’s so much fun to see so many like-minded people come through.
Question 5: Speaking of the farmers market, what’s your favorite booth?
Riley: I feel like I should say something really healthy like Brooke’s farm fresh eggs or Jimmy Hall’s tomatoes…but hardly a week goes by that I don’t stop in to see Mrs. Patti Plunk. Patti’s Pies is always my suggestion for a “can’t miss” booth. The pecan pie is amazing!
Question 6: The homemade dog treats you sell at your booth at the farmers market are very popular. Any chance you might share one of your recipes?
Riley: I guard those pretty heavily. (grins) But if you happen to read On Board for Romance, I might share one there…
Question 7: Last question! Your sisters claim you fill your life with projects to keep from having time to date. Is there any truth to that?
Riley: (laughs) They do know me pretty well. But I will share that I’m finally warming up to the idea of letting someone into my life. Learning to trust someone—to rely on someone—that’s not easy for me, but I think I’m getting there…
On Board for Romance is available for pre-order now and will release July 18th. It’s part of the Arcadia Valley Romance collection—6 authors, 6 series, all set in Arcadia Valley. There’s still time to get caught up on the first book in each series!
Renate says
Hi Annalisa! Love the interview with Riley. Never had a sister but like the one word character description of both.
I can soooo identify with her. Spiders never bothered me until I had a reaction to a spider bite. Pecan pie is delicious. The best part is that Riley makes homemade dog treats. Some people think my 15 year old Sheltie Penny is spoiled, because I make her homemade doggie treats. She has always been a finicky eater. She never eats treats that other people give her – the pet store or at the bank drive through. I have two dog treat recipes: Oatmeal Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Bacon. Pumpkin Bacon was published by Midwest Magazine. This recipe is made at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago for their doggie clients. Pumpkin Bacon Dog Biscuits are Penny’s favorite. She begs for them from morning to night. I make doggie treats for my three granddogs for Christmas.
Anticipation! You peeked my interest. Is it July 18 yet. On Board for Romance is preordered.
lraines78 says
I cannot wait for this book to come out. I love this series!
Sally Shupe says
This interview was so much fun to read!
Linda says
Love the interview.
I anticipate the release of your book.
Alexa Verde says
What a fun interview! And I loved one-word descriptions of sisters.
Andrea Byers says
What a fun interview! I am so looking forward to reading this whole series, and so far have kept to just pre-ordering and not reading til they are all out. :) Love the whole story arc idea and want to have everything fresh in my mind as I read through them.
Jackie Smith says
I have GOT to check this series out….sounds fantastic!
Julianne Archer says
Sounds great! I played with some doggie treat recipes last year. The results: Two paws up!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks, Renate! And Pumpkin Bacon Dog Biscuits sound like something my 3 dogs would love! I’ll have to look it up! :)
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks! Glad to hear you’re enjoying Arcadia Valley!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thank you, Sally!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks, Linda!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thank you!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks, Andrea! Sounds like you will have lots of reading to do once the final book releases! :)
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks, Jackie!
Annalisa Daughety says
My dogs love homemade doggie treats, too! :)
Trixi says
I love character interviews! It not only gives a glimpse into the charter themselves, but a little of the inspiration that the author had to create them. Getting into the mind of the author, if you will :-)
We no longer have a dog. She was 18 and it was time to let her go, so we had to put her down in April. But I too, loved to go to the market or the pet store for the natural dog treats. I think her favorite was the peanut butter ones!
This sounds like such a fun book and I can relate a little to Riley. So I already know I’d love it! ;-)
Laura says
what a fun interview!