Welcome to the Cowboys of Summer Blog Tour and giveaway, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Cowboys of Summer
Authors: Mary Connealy, Lorna Seilstad, Cheryl St. John, Missy Tippens, Tina Radcliffe & Sherri Shackelford
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance
As the summer weather sizzles, relax by the pool with stirring tales of handsome cowboys and the spirited ladies who wrangle them into romance. Six of Christian fiction’s most beloved authors join forces to bring you a collection of humorous, romantic and heartfelt novellas set against the sultry heat of summer.
In Mary Connealy’s, “Dr. Tess and the Cowboy”, sparks fly when Dr. Tessa Rhoades discovers dinosaur bones on Joe Holt’s ranch and decides to excavate—even if that means kicking Joe off his own land.
In “Hometown Girl” by Cheryl St.John, injured rodeo champion Justin Cooper returns to the sleepy Oklahoma town he escaped for fame and fortune–and takes his biggest tumble yet–straight into the arms of Stevie Marshall, his first love who soon has him questioning his life choices.
In Tina Radcliffe’s, “Lake Effect”, cynical cowboy Tucker Jackson knows he’s in trouble when he starts counting the days until the end of summer and praying ‘summer girl’ Jessica Richards will find a home for her heart in Paradise.
In “His Lone Star Heart” by Missy Tippens, rancher Zeb West tries hard not to fall for Beecher Brown, the feisty but off-limits sister of his best friend. As she tries to prove she’s capable of running her family’s ranch–the one he’s trying to buy–he might just find he’s met his match…for life.
Will Lorna Seilstad’s characters make “Great Strides” when Dana Etherton, the owner of a horse therapy ranch, must choose between the kids she serves and Adam Malone, the embezzler who’s been assigned to do community service there?
When Paige Monroe agrees to draw the press away from a country star’s wedding by pretending to be the look-alike bride, she wasn’t counting on having very real feeling for her decoy fiancé, Sterling Tanner. In Sherri Shackelford’s, “The Decoy Bride”, two people feigning love forget they’re acting.
PURCHASE A COPY: Goodreads | Amazon
MY PERSPECTIVE
Ladies, have your fans out when you are reading these stories! My goodness, I didn’t think there could be so many swoon worthy heroes in one book. Each story is unique and yet they all go together like a puzzle. You can’t have one without the others! Each couple had their own obstacle to overcome – I mean we are talking romance and cowboys people, there has to be some drama otherwise we would just constantly be wiping the drool off our chins! Quite honestly each story touched my heart – I cannot choose a favorite. They are all quick reads – you could probably read two in a day. Or maybe all of them if you’re a speed reader like me! The bottom line is these stories will melt your heart, make you laugh, and make you turn your fan on high. Read it now before the hot weather sets in!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.
TO CONNECT WITH MARY:
website, facebook, twitter, instagram
You can also find Mary at these sites: Seekerville and Petticoats & Pistols
Lorna Seilstad has called Iowa home her whole life. She received her B.S. in education from Lubbock Christian University. After her first child was born, she stopped teaching and became a professional wiper. “I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby’s bottoms, and countertops every day. But at naptime, I wrote.” Today, she writes historical fiction with a generous dash of humor.
TO CONNECT WITH LORNA: website│facebook
Cheryl believes in paying it forward, and her some of her most rewarding experiences have been sharing in the successes of writers she has coached over the years.
Cheryl loves hearing from readers. You can email her at StJohn[at]aol[dot]com.
TO CONNECT WITH CHERYL: website, facebook, pinterest
Born and raised in Kentucky, Missy Tippens has lived in Georgia for the last 25+ years. She is a pastor’s wife and mom of three. A former microbiologist and teacher, she now focuses on her writing.
After more than ten years of working toward publication, Missy finally made her first sale of a novel in 2007. She feels very blessed to be working at home in her dream job!
Tina Radcliffe is a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, a 2014 Golden Quill finalist and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. She has won first place in over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. Tina is also a short story writer and has sold over twenty-five short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. She currently resides in Arizona where she writes fun, heartwarming romance. Find her at http://www.tinaradcliffe.com where you can sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss her fun giveaways and bad jokes.
TO CONNECT WITH TINA: website, facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram
Sherri Shackelford is an award-winning author of inspirational, Christian romance novels for Harlequin/HarperCollins Publishers.
A wife and mother of three, Sherri’s hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul. Look for her new adventure in Love Inspired Suspense, No Safe Place, in stores January of 2019.
TO CONNECT WITH SHERRI: website, facebook, twitter
INTERVIEW WITH MARY CONNEALY!
Hi Mary! Welcome to A Baker’s Perspective. So happy to have you hear today. Let’s get right to the questions, shall we?
I love the tag line on your website. “Romantic comedy with cowboys.” Can you tell us about your real-life romance with your “Cowboy”?
Wow, it’s a pretty sweet but ultimately non-exciting story. We were high school sweethearts. That’s how a youthful woman like myself (please ignore the filter and low lighting on my author picture) has been married for 42 years. We had our third date as our junior prom. Both sixteen years old. And we were really good friends for a couple of years before he asked me out. So I knew just what kind of sweet guy I was getting.
You’ve written both novellas and novels. Which do you find more difficult to write?
I like jumping back and forth, writing a short book, then a long book helps me find inspiration for what comes next. I really loved this collection because I always (well almost always) write historical romances. It was so cool to give them cars and showers and cell phones. I was giddy from the use of electricity and fossil fuels.
There’s something about cowboys that make us readers swoon. Which cowboy that you’ve written is your favorite and why?
Mean question! I sort of fall in love with whoever I’m writing about RIGHT NOW, because you have to try and get to know them, make them real. That takes you deep into their character and so the current hero tends to be your favorite. Over all in my life???? Ethan Kincaid from the Kincaid Brides series. Tom Linscott from the Sophie’s Daughter Series. Dare Riker from the Trouble in Texas Series. Right now I am in love with tough but vulnerable Trace Riley from The Accidental Guardian.
If you could have any job on the planet, what would it be?
That is so easy. I’d be a writer. Yep, I’m doing exactly what I love and I am delighted and frankly amazed that people want me to keep doing it.
It’s a chilly, rainy day. Time to curl up and watch a good movie with your cowboy. What do you watch?
We watch a lot of lifetime movies. So that’s what we curl up and watch (keeping in mind he’s curled up in his recliner and I’m curled up in mine) Favorite movie though? My personal favorite, and My Cowboy likes it too, is While You Were Sleeping. It’s the perfect romantic comedy, and a Christmas movie so we watch it every year at Christmas time.
What do you munch on while watching movie?
I didn’t get in this shape by being picky! Let’s say popcorn and diet coke. If I was in a real movie theater, that’s what I’d watch. Extra butter, please!
Can you give us a peek of what’s in your TBR pile?
I am right in the middle of Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers. This is the second novella collection this group of seven authors has written and it’s an amazingly fun read.
I’m also a big cop drama fan. I’m reading John Sanford, David Baldacci, Lee Child, Vince Flynn…so many authors, so little time.
What can readers look forward to next?
The Reluctant Warrior, Book #2 in the High Sierra Sweetheart Series comes in October 2018. Six months! I’m making even more trouble (and finding more love) for my High Sierra Ranch company.
Can’t wait for the next book to come out!! Thanks for chatting with me today 🙂
GIVEAWAY
The authors of Cowboys of Summer is giving (1) winner:
Prize:
- (1) $25 Amazon Gift Card
- (1) ‘I Trust in God’s Unfailing’ Mug
- (1) Reading at the Cafe Candle from Frostbeard Studios
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 21, 2018 and last through 11:59 PM on May 28, 2018. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Be sure to stop at a stop each day for extra entries!
Thank you for your review on “Cowboys of Summer” and for being part of the book tour.
Enjoyed the interview with Mary Connealy. Love the idea of novellas so you can enjoy stories from several of your favorite authors. I would love the opportunity to read this book with several of my favorites.
Love when authors get together to write stories for just one book. Most are new authors for me.
Love this interview! Awww. Such a real-life sweet story with a cowboy too! Thanks Mary and Jessica for a great interview!
How wonderful. I love this cover. Thank you so much for your review. I look forward to reading this book.
Jessica and Mary, thanks for the fun interview! Mary, I think it’s so sweet how you and your hubby met. And since I’ve gotten to meet him, I know what a good guy he is! 🙂
Jessica, thanks for reviewing Cowboys of Summer! We appreciate you reading.
“I didn’t get in this shape by being picky! Let’s say popcorn and diet coke.” SNORT!!! That is a Maryism for the books.
Thanks for having us here today in Baker’s land.
This collection of stories sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Great interview! I love learning more about my favorite authors!
Fun interview! I’m excited to read this collection!
Awesome cover! Really enjoyed the description of the book, sounds like a great collection of stories.