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Monday, December 16, 2013

Interview with C.H. Admirand & Giveaway

author interview rr graphic

I would like to welcome C.H. Admirand to Royal Reviews!

1—Tell us something about yourself, so that we can get to know you a bit better…

C.H.: I’m still married to the man I fell in love with at first sight when I was 17. We’ve been together for 38 years and married for 34. We have two sons and a daughter in the middle. Our daughter is married to a wonderful man and mom to our adorable grandson, expecting another boy in February. ;) I love to bake, play in the dirt in our gardens, and spend time with my family—they are my rock.

2—Your contemporary romance novel, Welcome Back to Apple Grove, is out now—congrats! Could you tell us about it?

C.H.: It’s the last story in my Small Town USA series which centers around the lives of the Mulcahy sisters, three sisters who have taken over the family business when their father retired—a handyman business. That’s right these girls know how to use power tools, all except for the youngest, Grace. This is her story and she is the only sister who doesn’t like to get dirty or use power tools, but she’s amazing at keeping their office running smoothly. She’s the black sheep of the family because she is the one who couldn’t wait to leave town. With the help of her sisters, friends, and meddling neighbors, they will lure Grace back home and try to keep her there with the unknowing help of one auburn-haired, broad-shouldered hunk of fireman—Patrick Garahan. But Patrick carries a heavy burden, one he hasn’t figured out how to live with yet. He and Grace will have to work to get to their happily-ever-after, but it’s well worth it. ;)

3—Welcome Back to Apple Grove is the third book in your Small Town USA Series. What inspired you to write this series?

C.H.: I’d had the idea for this series for a while, but it wasn’t until my editor asked if I’d be interested in writing a small town series for her that I was able to find a home for Megan, Caitlin, and Grace—The Mulcahy sisters.

4—Do you have a favorite character from the series or one that was easier to write?

C.H.: Actually my favorite characters are always the ones I’ve just finished writing about. So if you’d asked me this question after the first book was published, I’d be telling you it was Meg and Dan. If you asked after the second book was published, it’d be Cait and Jack, but since you’re asking right now—hands down it’s Grace and Patrick ;)

5—Do you do anything special to get into the right frame of mind for writing?

C.H.: No, actually I don’t. It’s tricky trying to schedule everyday life and writing ;)

6—What can readers expect next?

C.H.: I just signed contracts for a new series for Sourcebooks—a Historical Irish Western trilogy plus a novella. I’m so excited about this series because I get to go back to my writing roots. The books will be set in the town of Golden, Colorado in the late 1870s and features three Irish cousins: Michael Flaherty, Jack McDevitt, and James Leach—former Union soldiers now U.S. Marshals working undercover.

7—What inspired you to become an author?

C.H.: My 7th Grade English teacher sparked my need to write with her creative writing assignments. I’ve always loved writing poetry and short stories, but it was my husband who suggested writing one of my own stories the night I ran out of romances to re-read. It was like a door opened and a fresh breeze blew through and all these characters started talking to me!

8—Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring authors?

C.H.: NEVER GIVE UP. You never know just how close you are to getting “the call” if you do. Join a writer’s group. If you are writing romance, then the Romance Writers of America (RWA) is a must. Once you join RWA, find your local chapter. I’ve been a member of RWA and New Jersey Romance Writers (NJRW) since 1995 and never would have published that first book all those years ago without NJRW. Learn all that you can about your craft, the industry, networking, and the business of being an author.

Welcome Back to Apple Grove CoverWELCOME BACK TO APPLE GROVE BY C.H. ADMIRAND – IN STORES DECEMBER 2013

There's No Place Like Home...

Grace Mulcahy thought she'd finally gotten Apple Grove, Ohio, out of her system. Then she's lured back for a family barbecue and spies a broad-shouldered hottie hanging out at the grill. He somehow seems utterly at ease, whether flipping burgers or horsing around with her hellion nephews. Why didn't her brother-in-law tell her he had such gorgeous friends? Suddenly her mouth is watering for more than her best friend's famous pie.

Some fires aren't meant to be fought…

When firefighter Pat Garahan sees Grace, it's like a five-alarm bell goes off and he's the one ablaze. She says she wants to leave Apple Grove, but he will do whatever it takes to keep her around. The life of a firefighter isn't an easy one though, and he'll have to prove their immediate spark can have a lasting chance at love…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.H. Admirand was born in Aiken, South Carolina, but grew up in NewC.H. Admirand Pub Photo Jersey. She has been delighting readers with her Secret Life of Cowboys Series, featuring three cowboy brothers with Irish charm, as well as the Small Town USA Series, with the quirky characters of Apple Grove, OH. She lives with her husband, who is the inspiration for all of her heroes’ best traits, in New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.CHAdmirand.com.

To Purchase Welcome Back to Apple Grove:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

Chapters/Indigo

IndieBound

iBookstore

Sourcebooks

Discover a New Love

 

I would like to thank C.H. Admirand for stopping by Royal Reviews.

giveaway rr graphic

I have 1 copy (print) of Welcome Back to Apple Grove to giveaway.

Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only.

To enter, please leave a valid email along with the answer to the following question:

What is your favorite small town to visit and why?

Giveaway will end: December 30

11 comments:

C.H. Admirand said...

Good Morning, Angela! Thanks so much for inviting me to be interviewed at Royal Reviews ;)

Unknown said...

Hi! I live in Canada, but my favorite place to visit in the U.S. is New Hampshire, where we found a resort in Waterville Valley!Love this town, because it's so charming.
thank you for the giveaway of Ms. Admirand's book. She is new to me, but would love to discover her book. Merry Christmas to all!
nlaverdure88@videotron.ca

C.H. Admirand said...

Hi Nicole, waving to you from northern NJ. I'm adding Waterville Valley to my list of places to visit. ;) BTW, my great-grandfather was born in Trois Rivieres, Canada ;) Years ago, our family vacationed in Lake Winnipesaukee, NH and stayed at the Sweetwood Cottages, it's always been a favorite childhood memory. Thanks for reminding me ;)

Martha Lawson said...

Well, I'm from a small town, so I don't know any great small towns to visit. I tend to gravitate toward larger places! Thanks for the giveaway, can't wait to read this one, love this series.

mlawson17 at Hotmail dot com

Di said...

I live in a very pretty small town - Basking Ridge NJ (not far from C.H.) - I like to wander around Chester NJ too - lots of cute shops and good places for food.
sallans d at yahoo dot com

lag123 said...

My hometown Brewton, AL. It brings back such wonderful memories. Everyone knew everyone.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

C.H. Admirand said...

Hi Martha! Isn't that always the way? The other side of the fence is always greener ;)

C.H. Admirand said...

Hi Di, you're right, you're probably only about an hour or so South of me ;)Basking Ridge and Chester are pretty towns with lots to do there;)

C.H. Admirand said...

Hi Lag123 - Brewton sounds like a nice town. And I really do love when things remind me of happy times.;)

Alyn said...

I lived in a small town before and I can't say I liked it at all. Everything was within walking distance but it was always way too quiet. I like bigger cities, but nothing like New York and Chicago!

Anita Yancey said...

My favorite small town to visit is the one I grew up in. I go back there and visit as often as I can. This book sounds really good. Thanks for having this giveaway.

ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com