Regina Jennings Book Interview

(**Disclaimer: This is a biased book interview.  I am directly related to the author. Her Grandpa and my Grandpa are brothers and her Grandma and my Grandma are sisters. She may or may not have been my best friend growing up and college roommate.)

So, today I have a giveaway on my blog and an interview with my new favorite author. Honestly, just because she is my second double cousin and we go way back, whether I like the book or not I would tell you that I absolutely adore it. Just sayin.... But the truth is that I do.  Adore it. Regina has always been brilliant and witty and is one of the smartest people I know.  I was so excited when I found out she was writing historical romance novels.

I love historical romance.

When we were young my cousin and I would spend the night at each other's house and stay up past bedtime reading books under the covers with flashlights.

Really? You're shocked?

(Regina, do you think your Mom is going to read this???? Sara, if you are reading, just go ahead and skip over this next section)


In fact, we may or may not have used to sneak historical romance books out of my cousin's Mom's room and stay up all night reading so we could finish them and put them back before she noticed.

That, my friends, is true devotion to the Historical Romance genre. Don't ya think?

So, needless to say, when I found out Regina was writing historical romance I was thrilled. New books!! New author!! I always love finding a new favorite author.  I will read every single book they write.

And just as I had anticipated... I love every single one of Regina's books.

I especially loved reading her latest book, Caught in the Middle,  and I just absolutely couldn't put it down....

backyard swing

volleyball practice

basketball practice

horse camp

Caught in the Middle
 She wants the freedom of the open plains
He wants the prestige of a successful business
And the baby just needs someone who can change a diaper.
The train to Garber, Texas, is supposed to bring life’s next victory for Nicholas Lovelace.
Instead, it gets held up robbers who are thwarted by the last person Nick ever
expected—Anne Tillerton from back home in Prairie Lea.
Anne’s been hiding away as a buffalo hunter.
She’s only in town to find their runaway cook, but the woman
flees—and leaves Anne with her infant son. With Nick the only person she knows in town,
the two form an unlikely team as they try to figure out what to do with the child.
But being in town means Anne’s forced to act and dress for polite
society—and it’s not going well. Meanwhile, Nick’s work is bringing new pressures,
and being seen with Anne isn’t helping his reputation. Caught between their
own dreams, a deepening relationship, and others’ expectations—can the
pair find their way to love?

Regina! Cousin! Welcome to my blog! 

Thanks! So, before we get started, you do have that list of topics, don't you? The ones you can't mention?    

Um.... sure. I promise I will behave and make all my questions appropriate for public consumption and applicable to the topic at hand.  hahaha 

So, Anne is a buffalo hunter..... do you hunt? 

Not regularly, but when I do it’s usually quail and pheasant hunting. Lately my family has been doing a lot of deer hunting and I prefer walking around, staying warm instead of sitting in the cold being quiet. And now I have this writing job that makes weekends home alone a precious commodity.

What was your favorite part in “Caught in the Middle”?

That’s tough, but I really liked when Nick and Anne took out across the wilderness. Throughout the book, Anne was the one who didn’t fit in and she had to rely on Nick to show her around town. It was great to finally see Anne in her element. After that Nick has a better appreciation of her strength.

 I love the humorous descriptions in your book, like “his intentions were as unhealthy as Tessa’s deep-dish cobblers, and for the cook, just as irresistible.” Where do you come up with those?

I don’t know. Mostly I try to get into the character’s thoughts, use their vocabulary, their experiences, the way they see the world, and put a funny twist on it. The challenge is to make it original and authentic to the times and the character.

 Can you give us a sneak peak overview of what your next series is about?

 You bet! My next series starts this December with the release of A Most Inconvenient Marriage. This series is set near the end of the Civil War in the Ozark Mountains. The first book stars a nurse named Abigail Stuart who feels like her only friend in the world is the sweet but gravely wounded patient Jeremiah Calhoun. Fearing he won't survive, the Confederate soldier's last wish is that Abigail look after his sickly sister at home. Marry him, return to his horse farm, and it'll be hers.

Abigail takes him up on his offer and moves to Missouri after his death, but just as the family learns to accept her, the real Jeremiah Calhoun appears—puzzled to find a confounding woman posing as his wife. Jeremiah is determined to have his life back to how it was before the war, but his own wounds limit what he can do on his own. Still not fully convinced Abigail isn't duping him, he's left with no choice but to let the woman stay and help—providing that she give up her claim that she’s his wife and doesn’t ruin his chances with his childhood sweetheart.

“Inconvenient” barely scratches the surface of what the two feel about each other, but maybe they’ll find some common ground.

I’ve had several friends express interest in writing books. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

To create good stories and keep your sanity you need two groups of people. First you should have people who love you and support you in your dream, no matter what discouragements you face. Second, you need people who know writing, know stories and who are willing to tell you the truth, even if it might hurt your feelings. These heartless people can usually be found in writing or critique groups. They are essential to your growth as a writer and will celebrate with you when you find success. (But also know that you can get bad advice too…Oy! It’s so complicated.)

Pray. That’s what I meant to say.

Also connect with other writers who write in your genre. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and comment on their blogs. You'll learn a lot as well as make friends.

So far this has been really easy. No personal questions.

Just getting started here cuz.  ;) ......  I loved your dedication at the beginning of the book.

 I was wondering if you have a running list of things Coy has bought without permission and been charming enough to get away with?

Well, I could name any number of hunting rifles, shotguns or a high-powered pellet gun you might recall from our 4^th of July outing. I didn’t know about that one until he revealed it in front of guests.  Niiiiiice   Then there was the Great Dane puppy that magically appeared in our backyard and has never magically disappeared, and the karate equipment that now fills our spare room. Awesome!  But even though I complain, he is the primary breadwinner. As long as he takes care of all the other expenses, I try not to mind too much.  That's the spirit! Take the high road. hahaha.....  Thanks for sharing. They say people really like self-disclosure.

 Who would you cast to play Nick and who would you cast to play Anne if there was a movie made from your book?

I’ve learned to decide this on the first draft so my descriptions match through out the book. In my imagination Nick looks something like Chris Hemsworth and Anne could be played by the tough yet vulnerable Jennifer Lawrence. Now, the only real problem I have with this casting is that Ms. Lawrence plays opposite Chris’s brother Liam in the Hunger Games movies, so this might be a little weird for them. If so, we’ll double their salary and they’ll get over it.

Wait, what? You're casting Chris? 

This Chris? 

Bwahahahaha......  yes, that Chris.... from our old Wild West Saloon Girl Days in Texas. Hahahahahaha.    Our cousin will be crushed that you replaced him with Chris Hemsworth. 

Yes, Yes he will. 

At one point in the book, Nicholas expresses his concern over Anne wearing the same ratty clothes day after day…… have you ever had something that you wore day after day that you were known for? Something purple? Not saying ratty…..  just maybe worn…..?

Who, me? You’re just determined to air all my dirty…. oh, nevermind. At one time I was fond of a pair of purple Nike tennis shoes. I don’t know why everyone makes such a big deal about it. It was back in the fifth grade, for crying aloud. Once they got too old to wear anymore, I threw them away. End of story.

HAHAHAHA!!!  Because I didn't see you wear those purple nike shoes almost every week in middle school and  high school and you didn't wear  those same purple nike tennis shoes  in your wedding pic? Whatever.  I'm not going to use words like 'busted' or anything but you are SO Anne. Aren't ya?  I have no words except those purple Nikes were awesome.

Thanks  for the interview! I hope I'm still your favorite cousin/college roommate. 

You were my only cousin/college roommate. 

Well there you go. I retain my title as favorite.  And you have to admit, that picture with Chris was pretty awesome. 

Sooo..  we had a nice appropriate interview, I stuck to the list of things I could and couldn't ask,  and now on to the super fun giveaway! 

Best interview ever!  And I absolutely love your prize package! I can't wait to see who wins.

I'm calling my giveaway my 'Texas Cowgirl Prize Package' and you really have to say it with a long drawl and add in a couple extra syllables to get the correct feel for it.

The prize package includes (drumroll please):

*a brand new signed copy of 'Caught in the Middle' by Regina Jennings (the well read copy in the pic is actually mine.. promise you will get a new one shipped straight from the author herself)

 *a genuine buffalo hide made-in-Texas lone star coaster (because really all Texas cowgirls need somewhere to set their long tall drink of sweet tea)

*a super fun rustic Texas ornament that says "The Stars at  Night are Big and Bright" (bought one for myself, I loved it so much)

* and a gorgeous turquoise and silver plated necklace (nothing says cowgirl quite like turquoise).

In order to enter, you just have to leave a comment telling me what kind of book you prefer to read on a rainy day. You also get an entry if you share on facebook, twitter or your own blog. Just come back and leave another comment for each place you posted and tell me where.  If you shared on your own blog we would love a link back to that also.

So, you have a chance for 4 comments and 4 entries!!! U.S. entries/winners only please. If you live outside the U.S. and you win, your prize will automatically go to Regina.  Ha! (can I just make up rules like that?)

I will randomly draw a name and post it at 9am on August 1st, 2014. So come back and check so I can send you your prize if you win. If the prize is not claimed in 2 days, I will move on to the next randomly generated winner.

And y'all, only one alias per person please. You can't just keep making up new names and entering again and again.  If you have to make up one, please make it brilliant and witty and amusing.

Yee Haw!

Be sure to check out Regina's blog at www.reginajennings.com or visit her on facebook.

****I've had several people ask if it counts if you share on instagram or pinterest instead. Yes, yes it does.  You can comment once for one entry and then comment up to 3 more times for 3 more entries for each place you share a link to this giveaway.  Does that make sense? But please comment once for each entry, don't write in one entry that you shared in 3 different places.  Thanks y'all!