It’s hard to believe it’s already February! I’m still not used to writing 2017 when I have to write down a date, and here we are already in month two.
February is a fun month for us this year. As you’re reading this post, my family and I are on the way to Galveston, Texas. We’re taking a family vacation, and we get on a cruise ship tomorrow headed to the Caribbean! (Tomorrow is also my birthday, so there’s a lot of celebrating planned!)
This is a month dedicated to romance, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, so it’s kind of interesting that I’m working on the first novel in my Homegrown Love series, On Board for Romance…and the heroine in the book is staunchly ANTI-romance! Little does she know what I have in store for her…
If you’ve read my novella, A Romance Rekindled, part of the Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley collection, you’ve already met Riley Jennings. (and if you haven’t read Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley, a collection of 6 novellas that each kick off a different series, I hope you’ll do so now! The e-book is only 99 cents and I think you’ll fall in love with Arcadia Valley and the eclectic mix of characters that live there!)
Riley is a self-proclaimed introvert (I can identify with that! Anyone else?) and she spends most of her time rescuing animals in need (she’s a volunteer for the local animal shelter and has a knack for matching up families with their perfect pets), and building her business—she operates a pet boarding business as well as creates and makes dog and cat treats from locally grown ingredients. She sells her treats at the Arcadia Valley Farmers Market.
Between work, church, and spending time with her family, Riley has (possibly on purpose?) left no time for love.
Enter Blake Taylor. Blake is one of my favorite kinds of characters to write. The “bad boy” who turns out to have a heart of gold. Blake is definitely someone who sparks Riley’s interest, and writing their interactions is turning out to be a lot of fun. Blake has an interesting history and (you guessed it!) some secrets that might come back to haunt him.
I’m working on the story now, but wanted to stop by and share a little bit about Riley and Blake, as well as the gorgeous cover for On Board for Romance. I love all the Arcadia Valley Romance covers. I hope you’ll sign up for my newsletter so you can be among the first to know when On Board for Romance is available for pre-order! It releases in July!
Here’s the blub for the book:
Riley Jennings spends most of her time rescuing and caring for animals, leaving no time for love. When Blake Taylor moves to town and looks to start a pet therapy program for the local nursing home, he turns to Riley for assistance. When Riley finally begins to let her guard down, she’s blindsided by a secret from Blake’s past. Can he find a way to regain her trust? Or is their chance at love gone forever?
Once we get back from our vacation, I’ll be finishing up Riley and Blake’s story. I’m planning to leave my laptop behind for the week, but even so, I may be jotting down some ideas for when I get home. A writer’s brain is never really on vacation. I hope you all have a wonderful month!
Happy birthday and happy holiday:) I have read romance grows in Arcadia valley and enjoyed all the stories- looking forward to Riley’s story.
Happy birthday! I hope you have tons of fun in this celebratory cruise. Looking forward to Blake and Riley’s story.
Blessings on your birthday and enjoy your cruise. I enjoyed reading Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley. What a fun interactive concept for this new boxed set and the series. A Romance Rekindled was my favorite in the set. The ending had me crying. I was emotionally involved with Kate and Drew. My favorite line was in Chapter 6 and I think is the theme of the set and the romances to come: “Know your farmer, know your food.” Living in SW Michigan, the #1 blueberry producer for the United States, plus our farmers grow apples, peaches, tomatoes, potatoes, and miles and miles of vineyards; I know the local farmers and their produce. Great looking cover for on Board for Romance. Happy Birthday Annalisa and enjoy your holiday and Valentine’s Day.
Happy Birthday, Annalisa! I look forward to reading Blake and Riley’s story. Enjoy the cruise!
Happy birthday! I love the cover of this book. Can’t wait to read the story. It sounds great! Have fun on your cruise!
Happy Birthday! Have fun on your cruise. I am an avid reader but am WAY behind as far as reading your books…plan to correct that!!
Will sign up for your newsletter.
Happy birthday. Have a fund trip!
Have a wonderful cruise, and a fabulous birthday!
Happy birthday! Happy cruise! I enjoyed the Arcadia novellas and am looking forward to the sequels!
Happy birthday and enjoy your cruise! Hubby and I are heading out to Galveston in exactly one week for a cruise (with our favorite singing group!), and I’m counting down the seconds! Have a wonderful time and fill up that creative well!!
Happy birthday!
Yes, Happy Birthday and happy cruise! The book sounds fun. I loved the first batch of novellas!
Happy birthday! I hope you have a fabulous time on your cruise.
Enjoy your cruise and happy birthday! Can’t wait to read Riley and Blake’s story. :)
Happy birthday Annalisa! I hope you have fun on your cruise :-) Someday I hope that to be me and my husband!
This whole book set for Arcadia Valley sounds terrific! Thanks for sharing about “On Board for Romance”.