Book Review Riversong by Tess Harwick

Instead of an interview this month, I've chosen to review a book from an author I've never met, but would like to! Riversong, by Tess Hardwick was part of the giveaways in my goodie bag at the Emerald City Writer's Conference in Bellevue Washington last fall. I'd never read Tess's work, and okay, maybe I took a chance because her name is Tess and mine is Tesa? We're both writers and we both love writing about the Northwest. Those motivations might have been what made me open that first page, but the skill, characters and story development kept me going. The motivation of the main character, Lee Harper, was clear from the very beginning and not to give away more than you'd learn from the back cover blurb, she had a lot to live with and overcome.

Lee Tucker is the kind of woman you find yourself rooting for long after the last page is read. When her husband commits suicide, he leaves her pregnant and one million dollars in debt to a loan shark. Out of options, she escapes to her deceased mother's dilapidated house located in a small Oregon town that, like her, is financially ruined, heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh start. Lee's resilience leads to a plan for a destination restaurant named Riversong, to new chances for passion and love, and to danger from her dead husband's debt as her business blooms.

When looking for the book cover to share on this blog, I discovered Tess had two more books in this series; Riverbend & Riverstar. I love continuing character series! As a matter of fact, that's what I'm working on right now! Book one is being reviewed by an editor while I work away at book 2 and plot book 3. More to follow on that project! For now, check out Tess Hardwick's 3 book series and prepare to step into the beautiful Northwest and emotion you won't soon forget!

Jenna Night Interview!!

Happy March! I’m so excited to have Harlequin author, Jenna Night, as my guest this month. Jenna’s first book, Last Stand Ranch, a Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, was released March 1st in eBook and March 8th in paperback. I give this book 5 stars. It’s definitely worth reading and keeping on your shelf to reread later!

Hi Jenna! Tell us, what first led you to writing suspense and then the added twist of Love Inspired? I’ve loved reading mysteries and suspense since I was a kid. There’s nothing like diving into a book and having that whodunit question lingering over the story. It makes you feel like you can’t stop reading until you get to the end. It’s so fun. As I got older, I also became interested in romance novels. Putting the two types of stories together seemed like the perfect match. Once I discovered Love Inspired Suspense books, I realized I’d discovered the perfect combination of story elements for me. Awesome—so when you decided to write in this direction, where did you find the inspiration to Elijah Morales? As a fan of writing and reading about former special ops guys, I really found Elijah intriguing, both for his military background and the way he uses his strengths and training to help Olivia. Yeah, those special ops guys can make for some fascinating characters. I read several military blogs a while back and learned a lot about the lives of military men and women. And I read books like Lone Survivor and House to House. I wanted Elijah to be a ‘regular’ guy who’d lived an extraordinary life. So my inspiration came from all the humble and extraordinary servicemen I’d read about. I’ve read about the veteran’s groups who attend military funerals and help with charitable fund raisers, were these the heroes who inspired you to put Elijah in the leadership role of such a group? I used to attend a church that had a motorcycle outreach ministry and I was thinking of them when the idea for the story first came to me. But of course that got me thinking about the Patriot Guard Riders and other groups who ride for causes that are near and dear to their hearts. Without giving anything away to those who haven’t yet read your book—you had some nice twists throughout the story and a character I wasn’t quite sure of until the end. Nice job! So my sneaky plan worked? That’s very good to know. And thank you. Jenna, what’s next? Is there a book two coming as a series, or something different? The book I’m working on now has some of the same characters from Last Stand Ranch plus a few new people who find themselves in serious trouble. I can’t wait for the next book—keep writing! Thank you, Tesa.

Selkirk Ridge Photography

Happy January and 2016! I have great hopes and goals for 2016, I hope you do too! This year I'm going to post a new blog monthly with as many interesting interviews as possible--other artists of all kinds and related professions. This month I had the privilege of interviewing Amy Peterson, owner of Selkirk Ridge Photography. When I took the step to hire Rae Monet to build a website for Tesa Devlyn, Rae suggested my then current photos were far too bright and cheerful for a Romantic Suspense writer. While my books aren't dark, I agreed with her. Having watched Amy's work expand, I knew she was who I needed and I'm very happy with the results! Hi Amy! Thank you for joining me on this month's blog. Thank you for having me, what an honor! Amy, what initially drew you to photography? I have to say there's always been a love for photos since my grandmother bought me my first camera in the 3rd grade. I was also influenced by my father as he took photos when I was a kid. But I really started photographing and getting the bug to learn more after I had my kids. I loved photographing their milestones as they grew. I still love taking lifestyle photos and portraits, as well as scenery and wildlife. About 8 years ago my direction changed a bit, since I also have a love for horses, ranching and outdoor life. I read an article in a western magazine about photographer, David Stoecklein, whom I admired very much. He documented ranch life and the ways of the west. His photos are amazing! Little did I know that I would get the opportunity to mentor with him. It was life-changing. and really stepped up my game, sending me in a direction I had only dreamed of going. Unfortunately, we lost Dave just a year ago to cancer. It was devastating. This past May, I was able to go back to David's ranch, located in Mackay, Idaho and work with his sons Drew and Taylor. They are also amazing photographers and I have learned so much from them. I look forward to sharing the same passion that David passed on to me. Amy, with such a wide variety of experience in subjects, do you have a favorite? I'm most passionate about Ranch and heritage style photography. I enjoy capturing ways of life that most don't see these days such as Ranching, farming and logging. I enjoy telling a story about their way of life and all the hard work that goes into it. I want people to know that it still exists in this busy world we life in and that it is so valuable to our culture. I think that's one of the reasons I so enjoy your work. You tell a story with your photos just like writers use words. On several occasions, I've heard it said that looking through a lens gives photographers a different view of the scene. What are your thoughts? I have to agree. I see photos in everything I look at and if my camera isn't in my hand, I feel like I'm missing an opportunity. There are so many different ways to capture a moment or a scene and it's very magical when you see the same thing, yet in such a different way than it's typically looked at. You know the second you snap that photo and look at the result if it's going to be a WOW photo. You can just feel it. What are your goals as a photographer? My goals are to continue learning as much as I can, and to have quality work that tells a story that people can relate to. This year, my plans include growing my business and do a little traveling to work with some ranch magazines. I'd love to have one of my photos published on the cover of a ranching or logging magazine. I'm not sure where it will lead me, but I have a great feeling and I'm going into this year with an open mind and see what it brings! Thank you so much for sharing with us! It's always so interesting to learn about other forms of art. Rest assured, I will highly recommend your work! Thank you, Tesa, it's been a pleasure! Good luck with your books and happy trails! Please check out Amy's work at Selkirk Ridge Photography www.selkirkridgephotography.com and at www.facebook.com/selkirkridgephotography

Launching my new website!

I'm so excited about my new website--truly a milestone in becoming better at promoting my writing.

Over the past 3 years, I've dealt with some challenging health issues and sadness with loss of close family members, ending with My Mother's passing this past February. While I continued to write, I didn't have the energy to work on promotions or reaching out to anyone out of my immediate circle. I'm sure you can understand.

Please check out my new website at www.tesadevlyn.com created by the amazing Rae Monet and her team.

There are links for my Facebook page, Twitter account, Blog and an opportunity to sign up for my quarterly newsletter. Please have patience as we fill in the blanks.

Please check it out--click around and stay awhile! I can't wait to update you on my current writing projects!

Tesa

Travel Tip

Most you probably know this, and possibly do it, but I've found for road trips, renting a car is a great way to make my own car last longer. Last weekend I made a quick trip to Seattle for a family wedding and rented a Toyota Prius. My first time behind the wheel of a hybrid!
The gas mileage is awesome, but there is a learning curve--a slight one--when you're handed a key bob with no key! I pressed the unlock button, slid behind the wheel and searched for the key. I pressed the sides of the black gadget hoping the key would flip out like a switch blade. Nothing.
Finally I found an attendant...a nice young man who thought he was dealing with a geriatric:) and  he kindly pointed out the key is wireless...something like my iPhone WiFi connection! What a novelty. I followed his instructions, laid the gadget in the cup holder, pressed my foot  on the break and pushed the power button on the dash. The dash display flashed all the information you can imagine and the electric motor made not a sound:)

This is old hat for those of you with hybrid vehicles, but very exciting for someone driving a seven year old Subaru Outback with a regular key, engine and gear shift! Don't get me wrong, I love my Subaru, but it was fun to try out the current technology.

Renting a car for your road trip isn't only a great way to save mileage on your car, but a great way to test drive the latest and greatest!

Just Plain Lucky update

Okay, so I'm terrible at blogging like I should, but I have been busy writing! The galley's for Just Plain Lucky arrived on Tuesday, just as I sat down on my 2nd day  of vacation to work on my new manuscript I'm calling, The New Adventure, at least for now:)

But that's all right! At least I had a couple of days to go through the galley's and make the correction list. They are now winging their way back to my wonderful editor:)

Please check out my facebook page at tesa.devyn1@facebook.com  for a twitter post I found explaining the difference between, which and that. All those little things writer's need to be reminded of!

Romance is Real...

Romance is real...ever get tired of people putting down the romance genre..stating life isn't really that way, it's just escapism? Well in the first place, what is wrong with escaping the cares of our everyday life once in a while? People who read crime novels, mystery, westerns, etc., are all escaping their everyday life too.
Do non-romance readers really know what lays between page one and the last page...the happily ever after? It's the journey of a man and woman who have pasts, who have challenges, wounds to heal, money problems, family problems, maybe work in a job they don't like, or isn't their dream career, want a solid relationship but can't find the right person? Find the right person but their past haunts them to the point of endangering the possibility of moving forward with Mr or Mrs Right? 


Sound familiar? 


That's because it is real life, and it's addressed in our modern romance books. We're not fluff and fantasy. We deal with the real issues but in a way that lends hope to the reader, and the character to find that right fit, that right person to share their life with. 
I can attest to there being a happily ever after...not a life without issues and conflict, but a life where you keep learning and keep falling deeper in love with your partner. Today is the 40th anniversary with my Mr. Right and it becomes more right everyday:) Never give up on the romance genre or on your own romance.