Book of the Heart...Cancer Love

by Tanya Hanson

Well, everybody says their book is a book of the heart...but my Sanctuary truly is. I nearly lost my hubby to testicular cancer. I still get shivers in the night. But on Easter Sunday (no coincidence IMO), he celebrated his fourth anniversary cancer-free!

That all said and sniffed over, I know he wouldn’t be here without the scientific advances at Indiana University-Bloomington (you go, Dr. Einhorn!!) of the last 30 years.

So...comment to this question so I can maybe draw your name as the winner of the Full Set of my Hearts Crossing Ranch series at Pelican Book Group. (leave your e-addy, too, please.)

What is the greatest scientific advancement of the last fifty years?

Here’s the blurb for Sanctuary, which was an exclusive feature and web review at Romantic Times! (P.s. Mallie is based on the real-life struggle of our dear, 32-year old family friend who is desperately battling glioma. Please say a prayer if you’ve a mind.)

Ranch foreman and single dad Hooper Martin is ready to put his health and life back on track after battling testicular cancer...including re-entering the dating scene. His little girl sure could use a mother. Falling hard for wedding guest Malia Cameron makes perfect sense to him: she's a survivor, too. 

Mallie has put her heart on hold, knowing she will never recover from her struggle with a brain tumor. She can't promise a future to anybody and vows never to fall in love. Letting Hooper Martin into her life would be a big mistake. But his good looks take her breath away, and his living faith starts to gentle her confusion about Who's really in charge.

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/sanctuary

Once, again, what in your opinion is the greatest scientific advancement of the last 50 years?

Hugs,

~Tanya Hanson

www.tanyahanson.com

www.petticoatsandpistols.com

So...what's the best way to see America?

by Tanya Hanson

So...what’s the best way to see America?

Let me know your thoughts in a comment and leave your e-mail addy. I’ll be picking one commenter’s name tomorrow from all of my posts today for the full set of my Hearts Crossing Ranch series. (Five books so far. Eight eventually, from Pelican Book Group www.pelicanbookgroup.com )

Well...I’ve flown lots of places including Boston, NYC, Omaha, Chicago, San Antonio, London, baby. Leaf-peeped throughout New England. Taken a guided tour of the historic sites of the east coast on a fancy bus. Driven Route 66 (well, to Kingman AZ). But one of my best times ever was a wagon train around the Tetons!

Kinda reminds me of Book One in my series from Pelican Book Group.

Here’s the blurb for Hearts Crossing Ranch. (I won’t bore you with an excerpt. They take too long to read.)

A beautiful city slicker and a rugged cowboy…The perfect Wild West adventure. Cowboy Kenn Martin bears the guilt for allowing a coach to ruin his younger brother’s bright athletic future. Feeling unworthy of any happiness, he’s lost his faith in relationships and in God. When he meets Christy Forrest, he begins to hope for redemption but soon learns his past mistakes aren't something she'll easily forgive.

On the Colorado wagon train adventure planned by her late father, landscape designer Christy Forrest seeks to find peace in the nature she loves. However, she can't let go of her anger at the drunk driver who killed her dad—or the woman who did nothing to stop the man from driving. Falling for Kenn Martin begins to lighten her heart…until she realizes the handsome cowboy carries heavy a burden all his own—a burden she’s not sure she can accept.

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/hearts-crossing-ranch

Okay? So what’s your thought on the best way to see America?

Hugs,

~Tanya Hanson

www.tanyahanson.com

www.petticoatsandpistols.com

*****

Worship practice has never been this interesting…

From Carla Rossi and Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishing:

This weekend I celebrate the release of the first in my series of inspirational romances about the worship team at fictional Cornerstone Fellowship. Unlikely Praise is the story of talented musicians, dedicated believers, and good friends. But everyone has secrets, and even the most devout followers are creatures of human sin and error. Join Candi and Shade on a journey of discovery as they grow in faith and learn God’s forgiveness and renewal.

Blurb:
A tattooed rocker and an uptight music teacher - who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?
Candi Canaberry has been the worship leader at Cornerstone Fellowship since the doors opened. Candi has dedicated her life to praise and worship, so when Cornerstone explodes into mega-church territory, Candi is sure she’ll be the one to take her team to the next level…isn’t she the obvious choice? Apparently not. Church leadership has other ideas. She’s given a partner to share her duties. But a one-time rocker with zero praise and worship experience?

Recently saved Samuel “Shade” Blackledge is new to Cornerstone Fellowship. He’s convinced a strong church family is what will help keep his head above water as he turns from things of the past and builds a new life. Ex-Dead Lizard rock guitarist, Shade is shocked when the pastor suggests he might be just what the worship team needs. But could God really want a tattooed veteran of the club scene? And what about his less-than-Godly lifestyle to this point --not the
least of which is a baby girl he’s never seen? Worship practice has never been this interesting as Candi and Shade work their way toward each other…and Unlikely Praise.

Leave a comment to be entered in my drawing to win an e-copy of Unlikely Praise.
Happy Reading!
Carla Rossi

Finding "Sanctuary"...Book Three, Hearts Crossing Ranch ~Tanya Hanson

I know, I know. It sounds kinda gnarly, a love story between two cancer survivors like I wrote about in Sanctuary, Book Three of the Hearts Crossing Ranch series..but it's got a happy ending, it's full of faith, hope, and love...and I think you might enjoy it.

BLURB :

A beautiful plus-one at a wedding, a hunky cowboy..autumn leaves and rugged horse trails. The perfect setting to unite two healing souls…

Ranch foreman and single dad Hooper Martin is ready to put his health and life back on track after battling cancer…including re-entering ing the dating scene. His little girl sure could use a mother. Falling hard for wedding guest Malia Cameron makes perfect sense to him: she's a survivor, too.

Mallie has put her heart on hold, knowing she will never recover from her brain tumor struggle. She can't promise a future to anybody and vows never to fall in love. Letting Hooper Martin into her life would be a big mistake. But his good looks take her breath away, and his living faith starts to gentle her confusion about Who's really in charge.  

It got a four-star Web Exclusive Review from RT, and the CTRR Award.

"Sanctuary was a spellbinding story. It captivated this reader completely. Just when I thought it could not get any better, Ms. Hanson throws in a curve with the ex-wife. This remarkable read was extremely hard to put down. The refreshing characters of Mallie and Hooper really connect with the reader. They indeed are unforgettable, as well as the secondary players in this marvelous story. It felt like being surrounded by a huge loving family. This extraordinary read is one that I truly recommend to everyone. Tanya Hanson gives the reader promise in her characters."

Hope you try it out sometime. I'll be giving away a PDF copy of my current release, Book Four in the series, Right to Bragg, to one commenter from all of my posts. So don't forget to leave your email address! 

Christmas Movies...and Christmas stories! My favorite~ Tanya Hanson.

I am an absolute sucker for Hallmark movies any time, but at Christmas, I overload the DVR with them. My guilty little pleasure each night is staying up late to slaver over them, likely with a steaming cup of pumpkin spice coffee at my side. 

Sometimes hubby wrecks my routine and joins me. Bless his heart. Last night as I savored one with him at my side, he mentioned:, I bet he/she she finds whatever they lost just in time. I bet the kids become friends. I bet he/she fall in love. I bet it does snow on Christmas Eve.

Okay, why not? I said. What Christmas movie doesn’t have the blizzard stop at the right time? The gentle snowfall START at the right time? The old man making peace with his son? A special kiss under the mistletoe? The little boy getting exactly the present he’d ached for? Finding the lost money or Old Ebenezer waking up in time to make everything nice… Come on!

Well, with this attitude in mind, it’s no wonder my latest release ended up set at Christmas. The heroine Tiffany (named for my dear friend and neighbor) has been abandoned and disowned by her own family. She blames herself. She comes to work at nanny at Hearts Crossing Ranch, where the baby’s uncle, hottie cowboy Bragg Martin, tries to lead her to peace and faith…and love. All the while a big “bag o’ rocks” hangs around his own neck. The thing is, I’d sold this novella on a one –paragraph synopsis, so upon setting down to write the story and delve into its why’s and wherefore’s, I realized the plot just begged to take place at Christmastime.

You can probably predict the rest, but I hope you’ll read Right to Bragg anyway. I’ll be giving away a watermark PDF copy today to one commenter from all of my posts today...leave your e-mail address. I'll be pulling one name from the Stetson soon.

BLURB:

Disowned by her family, Tiffany Vickers faces a lonely Christmas and takes great comfort in the baby boy in her care. Her faith in tatters, she guards her heart against the baby's uncle, handsome cowboy Bragg Martin, a man with baggage of his own. While Bragg longs to open his heart and family to the lovely nanny, he doesn't understand her interest in his arch enemy. Saving a man's life and saving Tiffany's faith bring the couple together…and home to Hearts Crossing Ranch. 

EXCERPT:

     Tiffany got up for another cup of coffee, Matty’s eyes watching her every move.

     “He sure notices you,” Bragg remarked as the baby drained the bottle.

     “Yeah. We bonded right off. I’m so glad about it.” As she’d made a snap decision just then, she rushed on. “I left behind my precious nephew. I guess in my psyche somewhere I figured maybe nanny to Matty might help ease that hole in my heart.”  Gently she rubbed her hand over Matty’s head, the edge of her hand tugging at Bragg’s shirt and causing a funny havoc. Mostly though he listened to her pain.

     She sank back down into a kitchen chair, resting her cheek in her hand. “I was with Connor from the moment he was born. Paul and Diana wanted me there. Then things went haywire. It was my fault. You talk about forgiveness, but there isn’t any in this case. And I miss that little boy. Oh, I miss him so. I need him. His love was unconditional, you know. He’s three now. I can’t let him forget me.”

     Bragg’s heart tugged at the agony on her face, and Matty’s little hand flailed. Tiffany took it at once. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”

     “I’ve been disowned, so, yeah, Bragg. It’s that bad.”

Check out my Trailer: Hearts Crossing Ranch, An inspirational series by Tanya Hanson

Isn't it pretty? I hope you like it...it looks just like everything looks in my head.

It's about Books One, Two and Three in an eight -book inspirational  novella series, each story about one of the eight siblings of Hearts Crossing Ranch.. Book Four, Right to Bragg, has just been released through White Rose Publishing.. I hope you like that, too.

For a chance at an e-copy, leave a comment and your e-mail address at any of my posts throughout today, and I'll pick one "winner."

                                                                          Book four

Bye for now,
~Tanya Hanson
Western Love, today. Tomorrow. Forever.
www.tanyahanson.com
www.petticoatsandpistols.com

In Time for Christmas: Right to Bragg...Book Four. Hearts Crossing Ranch and

One of my favorite Christmas songs has long been Amy Grant’s “Grown up Christmas List.” Well, I get weepy easily, but it’s one of those songs that really starts the waterworks.  Mostly—because I have some really wing-nut relatives, I like to change a couple of words so that the lyrics can easily pertain to a family in need.

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown-up now
And still need help somehow.
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a family (world) in need

[Chorus:]
No more lives torn apart,
That fights (wars) would never start
And time would heal all hearts.
Everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

When I started my latest release Right to Bragg, the fourth book in my Hearts Crossing Ranch series, I knew the heroine Tiffany Vickers is a woman alone, abandoned, dealing with wing-nuts of her own and trying to find her way. Cowboy Bragg Martin uses his own faith to help guide her…even as he struggles with guilt of his own. Then somehow, as the story took off and I plotted all the why’s and wherefore’s, the setting ended up being Christmastime. The time of hope and healing, reunion and peace.

I hope you enjoy Tiffany’s falling both in faith and love during a picture-perfect Christmas on that fictional little ranch, Hearts Crossing, where everybody loves to come home.

BLURB:

Disowned by her family, Tiffany Vickers faces a lonely Christmas and takes great comfort in the baby boy in her care. Her faith in tatters, she guards her heart against the baby's uncle, handsome cowboy Bragg Martin, a man with baggage of his own. While Bragg longs to open his heart and family to the lovely nanny, he doesn't understand her interest in his arch enemy. Saving a man's life and saving Tiffany's faith bring the couple together…and home to Hearts Crossing Ranch. 

EXCERPT:

     Tiffany got up for another cup of coffee, Matty’s eyes watching her every move.

     “He sure notices you,” Bragg remarked as the baby drained the bottle.

     “Yeah. We bonded right off. I’m so glad about it.” As she’d made a snap decision just then, she rushed on. “I left behind my precious nephew. I guess in my psyche somewhere I figured maybe nanny to Matty might help ease that hole in my heart.”  Gently she rubbed her hand over Matty’s head, the edge of her hand tugging at Bragg’s shirt and causing a funny havoc. Mostly though he listened to her pain.

     She sank back down into a kitchen chair, resting her cheek in her hand. “I was with Connor from the moment he was born. Paul and Diana wanted me there. Then things went haywire. It was my fault. You talk about forgiveness, but there isn’t any in this case. And I miss that little boy. Oh, I miss him so. I need him. His love was unconditional, you know. He’s three now. I can’t let him forget me.”

     Bragg’s heart tugged at the agony on her face, and Matty’s little hand flailed. Tiffany took it at once. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”

     “I’ve been disowned, so, yeah, Bragg. It’s that bad.” 


For a chance to win a PDF copy. please comment and leave your e-mail address at any of my posts today. I'll draw one winning name at the end of the party. Thanks so much. 

Faithful Danger...my first suspense. Leave a Comment to win an e-copy

No matter, my heroes are always cowboys. Point rider, horse doctor, ranch foreman. Even Rhee Ryland, the hero of my latest release, Faithful Danger, from White Rose Publishing. Yeah, he might be a high -priced private investigator, but he's never forgotten his cowboy roots. Meeting mysterious widow Caffey Matthews in the beautiful ranch country of Santa Ynez, California, starts his pulse racing.

Leave a comment and your e-mail address for a chance to win a copy.

Blurb:

 Frightened and alone, Caffey Matthews leaves behind her wealthy Manhattan life after her husband's financial crimes and suicide…knowing his enemies are in pursuit. Finding succor in remote California ranch land helps her to reclaim her faith and trust in God. But the heart-stopping stranger Rhee Ryland frightens her even as she’s powerless to halt her deepening feelings for him…

Believing she's involved in her late husband's misdeeds, cowboy-turned high-priced private investigator Rhee Ryland arrives in Rancho Lorena on her tail ready to haul her back. Never expecting to fall in love with her, even more surprising is his return to his childhood Lord. 

Excerpt:

Locked in the trunk of the car!

Caffey battled to stay calm, to breathe normally, to hold down panic. To conserve air. The compartment wasn’t air tight, but heat and hyperventilation could kill. Lord, keep me safe, she begged. But even knowing He was at her side, she had to figure out what to do by herself.

 Breathe deep, slow. Breathe deep, slow. Amazingly, she did know what to do. Everett had borne a pathological fear that one day, either one of them might be kidnapped and held to ransom. Now, he was the abductor. Her lip quivered, and she swallowed tears.

            Scrunched into a bundle of bones and hot, tightened skin, she widened her eyes in the darkness to try to detect a glow-in-the-dark-handle. Spirits deflating, she understood the car wasn’t a late model with a required trunk release. Just in case, she groped with her fingers to try for a toggle switch or button.

             Nothing. Her heart flew into her throat, and she concentrated on easing the pain in her cramped shoulders. Maybe, just maybe the backseat would fold down. Doubtful she’d find a release in the trunk, she explored anyway with her fingertips, then unsuccessful, tried to unwind her legs enough to push the seat down. It didn’t give a centimeter.

           Panic started to roil, but she refused to let it. A Psalm of David dashed through her mind. Keep my soul and deliver me, for I put my trust in You. The words had saved her before, too many times to count, and a smidge of relief skittered through her. The Lord wouldn’t let her face this alone.

Available: http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Faithful-Danger

First Kiss Scene from Mr. Shipley's Governess by Joanne Troppello

In my latest inspirational romance, Mr. Shipley’s Governess, I loved writing the first kissing scene between the main characters, Sophie and Sebastian. Their love story is sweet, but the first time they kiss, they feel an electric connection and that starts them on a trail towards romance.

The first kiss happens when Sebastian finds Sophie reading in the library of his Family’s London town home. Sophie is a huge Jane Austen fan and Sebastian enjoys bantering back and forth with her over whether or not she thinks he is as charming as Mr. Knightly from Austen’s novel, Emma. When Sebastian can no longer stand to refrain from touching her soft lips, he corners her and they share that sweet, but passionate first kiss. Here is a short excerpt. I hope you enjoy it.

We enter the scene mid-way through their bantering…

“I see. You’re all about a woman’s prerogative.”

“Yes, I live by that rule.”

He played along, enjoying the playful banter. “Oh, so you’re one of those.”

“You’d better believe it. It’s my prerogative to change my mind whenever I want.”

He fluidly maneuvered his way to the ottoman where her feet rested and he sat down. “I hope you don’t change your mind about me.”

“Well, that all depends on you.”

“I’d better be on my best behavior then.”

Sophie got up quickly and before he realized it, she walked across the room to the bookshelf. “So, you really read Emma, too. That’s still surprising and sweet.”

He followed her. “You’re avoiding any serious conversation, young lady.”

She moved away, running her finger along the spines of the books. He kept following, backing her into a corner. She leaned her hands against the windowsill and backed up as far as possible. She laughed nervously. “So, tell me again why you interrupted me.”

“I did it because I’ve wanted to do this for a long time now.” He cupped her face, tracing the outline of her lips with his thumb. Then he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her gently, at first, but soon his fervor matched hers. She put her arms around his neck and moved in closer. Finally, they pulled away from each other, both breathless. “I…I’m sorry.”

She touched his cheek. “Don’t be. I’ve wanted you to do that for a long time, too.”

He squeezed her hand. “I should get back to work. David’s going to wonder what happened to me.”

Sophie gave him a flirty smile. “Oh, I’m sure he knows.”

“Now try not to compare me too much to Mr. Knightly because there’s no contest, really.”

As he walked out of the room, he still felt the warmth of her lips on his and the softness of her body in his arms. He chided himself. “Shake it off, man.” Then he walked down the hall in search of his brother.

Joanne Troppello, Author of Mr. Shipley’s Governess

www.joannetroppello.weebly.com

Find my book online: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-mrshipley039sgoverness-481158-149.html