Stephanie Hurts 2013 Christmas Romance is call part of an Alpine Romance series – Open the Heart an Alpine Christmas Romance.
Here is my review:
Open the Heart – Alpine Christmas Romance is the first book in Stephanie’s Alpine romance series. Stephanie’s books are gentle romances and usually indulge in her passion for horses and cowboys. This is no different except the scene takes a giant leap to Switzerland and the beautiful snow covered Alps. The story begins with Lacey, a bride left at the church without a groom. A sad setting from which Lacey must pull herself up from and move on with her life. Who can blame her for cashing in her honeymoon tickets and exchanging them for a very different destination. Drake Tyler has his own reasons for hiding away on a Swiss mountain, but he misses the company of fellow Americans, so he more than willing to share his hose for the holidays. In the snow filled scenery a romance blossoms and the story will continue in the second book in the series.
Find a copy on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Let’s check out Stephanie’s interview;
1) Tell us about where your passion for Cowboys has come from.
I’ve always loved horses and what comes with horses, Cowboys. There’s just something about a rugged, windblown cowboy in a Stetson and cowboy boots. I’ve known several personally and let’s just say they are a different breed. I try to bring out their personalities in my books.
2) Your romances are gentle, what age range would they be suitable for?
I try to write my romances so that as young as 16 can read them. I remember reading tender romances at that age and dreaming of one day finding that kind of romance. I just want to remind people that romance is a beautiful thing.
3) How do you choose the names of your characters? Do you have to be mindful of family and friends?
I am very careful when I choose my names. I try not to choose family or friend names very much. I do on occasion use their names but only in dire circumstances. With my cowboys I try to use traditional cowboy type names. They have to be masculine and sturdy.
4) How many books are you planning for the alpine series?
Oh my, the sky is the limit, but truly I’m not sure. The original intent for this book was for it to be a standalone, but low and behold the writer in me couldn’t stand leaving them at one book. I had to revisit Switzerland and my characters. I think I get too attached.
5) When do you plan to have book 2 available for fans?
It should be out toward the end of January or first of February. It will be a Valentine story to continue their story.
6) If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Switzerland for sure. I’ve always wanted to travel there and I can just imagine being there for Christmas. I think that’s what spurred this story on for me.
7) How do you get through January after all the excitement of Christmas?
Oh January is depressing to me, no really. In December I get just like a child. I decorate everything that stands still and I giggle a whole lot. Then when it’s over I feel deflated, but with my writing it helps to bring me back up a notch or two.
8) Tell us about some of the settings for your other books.
As you know I write about cowboys mostly, so a lot of my books are set in rustic towns and horse ranches. Victoria stepped away from that setting. It’s set in my home state that I love, Georgia. But it’s based on a horse ranch during the Civil War. Then The Winner Is Love is mostly set in snow covered Colorado. But for the most part they are on a ranch and that’s also a dream of mine. Maybe one day my writing will allow me to live out that dream too.
9) I believe you’ve recently entered your writing into a competition, can you tell us about it?
Yes! The book is called “Finding The Right Time” it’s a sort of time travel romance. Of course you will still find horses and cowboys in it. It should be out by the end of the year. Entering a contest was a great experience.
10) Tell us about the next book you are writing.
I have several in the works. “Faith Through The Tears” is the 2nd book in my Christian Romance series “Lean On Him”. It’s about a man losing his wife to cancer and the struggle he has with finding love again. It’s a tear jerker for sure.
Then there’s “Finding The Right Time” which as I stated above is a time travel romance. It’s set in Savannah during present day and then the mid 1800’s. It’s a little different from my norm.
Also have the 2nd book in the series this interview is about.
Making good time on the 2nd book in The Winner series which was last year’s Christmas romance. Funny how you can have so many stories running in your head at once.
Thanks Stephanie, have a very Merry Christmas.
Today my Good Deed suggestion for this season of Goodwill is to give someone you know a lift in your car.
Rosie Amber 