It's March Madness...
whether you're talking about NCAA basketball or the weather! But it's also Wednesday, time for book talk on the Coffee Chat and to meet another author. Today's guest is Laura Haley-McNeil.
Ally: Good morning, Laura. What may I get you to drink?
LHM: I go in spurts. For years, I only drank white chocolate mocha, then I decided I liked caramel macchiato. Now, I own a Keurig and I’m drinking hot chocolate. I even had my office buy a Keurig. I’m hoping I get tired of hot chocolate soon. The scale hasn’t been kind lately.
Ally: There are no scales around here! Hot chocolate it is. While I fix our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.
whether you're talking about NCAA basketball or the weather! But it's also Wednesday, time for book talk on the Coffee Chat and to meet another author. Today's guest is Laura Haley-McNeil.
Ally: Good morning, Laura. What may I get you to drink?
LHM: I go in spurts. For years, I only drank white chocolate mocha, then I decided I liked caramel macchiato. Now, I own a Keurig and I’m drinking hot chocolate. I even had my office buy a Keurig. I’m hoping I get tired of hot chocolate soon. The scale hasn’t been kind lately.
Ally: There are no scales around here! Hot chocolate it is. While I fix our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.
Bio:
Laura Haley-McNeil is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and women’s fiction in novel length and in short stories. Her work has been featured in several women’s magazines. She has studied piano and ballet and has been a board member for two community orchestras. She and her husband reside in Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she jogs, bicycles and crochets.
Something most people don't know about Laura: "At one time, I had planned to be an artist. I still hope to one day find time to draw and paint again."
Contact Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraHaleyMcNeil/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurarmcneil
Website: http://laurahaleymcneil.com/
Email: Laura@laurahaleymcneil.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramcneil/
Laura Haley-McNeil is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and women’s fiction in novel length and in short stories. Her work has been featured in several women’s magazines. She has studied piano and ballet and has been a board member for two community orchestras. She and her husband reside in Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she jogs, bicycles and crochets.
Something most people don't know about Laura: "At one time, I had planned to be an artist. I still hope to one day find time to draw and paint again."
Contact Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraHaleyMcNeil/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurarmcneil
Website: http://laurahaleymcneil.com/
Email: Laura@laurahaleymcneil.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramcneil/
INTERVIEW:
Ally: What book are you featuring today?
LHM: Defending Her Heart, a romantic suspense novel that is G rated.
Ally: Tell us about the main character.
LHM: JT Whitloch is the main character in Defending Her Heart. One night he made a decision that changed his life forever. He can never forget that night. He can never forgive himself for what happened. He can never love again. Defending Her Heart is about forgiveness and redemption.
Ally: How did you choose the title?
LHM: I wanted to brand the Crystal Creek Series and wanted the title of each book to have the words "her heart," then I had to think of another word to go with the branding words. Defending Her Heart is the title for this book.
Ally: If you had a chance to meet JK Rowling, what would you talk about?
LHM: I’d ask her a thousand questions about how she created Harry Potter’s world and the characters. She’s such an amazing writer. I’d have to record the discussion. I’m sure she would say so many wonderful things that I’d never remember everything.
Ally: Do you include animals in your stories? If so, what part do they play?
LHM: Because my characters live on a ranch, there are lots of animals in my books. The Whitlochs, the main characters of the Crystal Creek Series, raise Arabian horses. Many years ago, I dated a man who owned an Arabian horse farm and traveled with his horses to various competitions. This is the basis for my fictional family.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
LHM: I always wanted to write a bride series and so started a new series that will be short contemporary romances about the Duvall family and the Lowe family. This series is called the Beaumont series. The first book in the series, Wherever Love Finds You will be released Summer 2018.
Ally: Let's finish up with some quick answer questions that are all about you.
Ally: What book are you featuring today?
LHM: Defending Her Heart, a romantic suspense novel that is G rated.
Ally: Tell us about the main character.
LHM: JT Whitloch is the main character in Defending Her Heart. One night he made a decision that changed his life forever. He can never forget that night. He can never forgive himself for what happened. He can never love again. Defending Her Heart is about forgiveness and redemption.
Ally: How did you choose the title?
LHM: I wanted to brand the Crystal Creek Series and wanted the title of each book to have the words "her heart," then I had to think of another word to go with the branding words. Defending Her Heart is the title for this book.
Ally: If you had a chance to meet JK Rowling, what would you talk about?
LHM: I’d ask her a thousand questions about how she created Harry Potter’s world and the characters. She’s such an amazing writer. I’d have to record the discussion. I’m sure she would say so many wonderful things that I’d never remember everything.
Ally: Do you include animals in your stories? If so, what part do they play?
LHM: Because my characters live on a ranch, there are lots of animals in my books. The Whitlochs, the main characters of the Crystal Creek Series, raise Arabian horses. Many years ago, I dated a man who owned an Arabian horse farm and traveled with his horses to various competitions. This is the basis for my fictional family.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
LHM: I always wanted to write a bride series and so started a new series that will be short contemporary romances about the Duvall family and the Lowe family. This series is called the Beaumont series. The first book in the series, Wherever Love Finds You will be released Summer 2018.
Ally: Let's finish up with some quick answer questions that are all about you.
- book you're currently reading – Tender is the Night by Barbara Freethy
- an author (living or dead) you'd love to take to lunch- Jane Austen, naturally. I’d take notes and ask her how she wrote such a perfect book (Pride and Prejudice).
- favorite movie – Gone with the Wind. I’ve watched it thousands of times.
- high heels or sneakers- I wish I could wear sneakers all the time, but alas I have a day job.
- favorite quote – Never give up, by Winston Churchill. I must remind myself of that frequently.
Defending Her Heart (Crystal Creek Series, #6)
by Laura Haley-McNeil
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: G
Official release: March 27, 2018
His head says no. His heart won’t let go.
JT Whitloch can’t close his eyes without seeing the body of the woman who drowned in his swimming pool two years ago. Though he doesn’t remember that night, he blames himself for her death and walks away from a life that gave him everything he ever wanted…almost everything. His move to Crystal Creek gives him the solitude he longs for, but still he can’t find peace.
Then Gretchen Moore moves to town, and she doesn’t just stir up his desire. She stirs up his past, a past with a secret so deadly it could destroy her.
Gretchen wants nothing to do with JT. Because of him, someone wants her dead. The terror from his past forces them into an alliance that soon ignites their passion. Fighting these feelings leads them to the secret of the woman floating in JT’s swimming pool, but the knowledge doesn’t ease JT’s inner turmoil. Instead, it reveals an answer that could destroy him and Gretchen. His own destruction he could accept, but he’ll defend Gretchen to his death.
Buy Links:
Amazon pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Defending-Heart-Crystal-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B079QVZDFH
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/defending-her-heart-laura-haley-mcneil/1127951550?ean=2940155417736
Crystal Creek Series in order:
Guarding Her Heart #1
Crystal Creek Christmas Book #2
A Ring Around Her Heart #3
Steeling Her Heart #4
Risking Her Heart #5
Defending Her Heart #6
Buy link for all her books:
Website: http://laurahaleymcneil.com/books/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Haley-McNeil/e/B008S3WD10/
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