Monday, December 17, 2012

Today's Special - - Katie Lane


Today, we welcome contemporary author Katie Lane to The Romance Dish!  Katie's recent holiday romance, Hunk for the Holidays earned 4.5 stars from Andrea.  (read her review here)  Her newest book, Trouble in Texas looks to be just as much fun.  Andrea recently interviewed Katie about her books.  Take it away, Andrea and Katie!






Hi, Katie, and welcome to the Romance Dish! We’re happy to have you join us today. Congratulations on your newest releases, Hunk for the Holidays (September) and Trouble in Texas (out tomorrow!). Can you please tell us a little about each book? 

Trouble in Texas is about Miss Hattie’s Henhouse, an infamous house of ill repute.  Elizabeth Murphy is the straight-laced librarian who has inherited the henhouse, along with the three old women who still live there.  Brant Cates is an emotionally wounded cowboy who comes to Miss Hattie’s in search of his great-grandfather’s murderer.

Hunk for the Holidays is about Cassie McPherson, a workaholic who ends up hiring an escort for her family’s company holiday party.  Except the escort turns out to be more than Cassie bargains for, and she’ll soon discover a few surprises beneath the sizzling smile and sexy tuxedo.   

As you can tell by my review, I absolutely loved Hunk for the Holidays, which is a Christmas-themed romance. What was your favorite part about writing a Christmas story?  

I adore Christmas, the entire shopping-decorating-cookie-baking craziness.  So I loved putting all those elements into my story and making it one big festive holiday party!

The upcoming Trouble in Texas is the fourth book of your Deep in the Heart of Texas series. What can readers expect from the books in this series?   

A hot cowboy.  A strong heroine.  Zany townsfolk.  And, hopefully, a lot of laughs.

What prompted you to write a series set in the great state of Texas? 

I traveled there with my husband and fell in love with the friendly people.  So I brought them home with me:o)

Which comes first for you, the characters or the story?  

Always the characters.  They are the ones who tell me how the story is going to play out.

What do you find is your biggest challenge while writing?  

Sitting down and writing.  I can be easily distracted so it’s hard for me to get started every day.  But once I write that first sentence, I’m golden.

Which of your heroines is most like you and why?  

I’m a mixture of all my heroines.  Faith’s insecurities.  Hope’s bossiness.  Shirlene’s bluntness and wit.  Elizabeth’s love of books and solitude. 

What hobbies/activities do you like to do when you’re not writing?  

I love to read, play golf, and knit. Although my golfing and knitting leave something to be desired.  Lol!

What are a few of the books on your keeper shelves? 

Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer, Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss, and One Summer by Karen Robards.

Can you give us a hint about what is next for you after Trouble in Texas?  

Flirting with Texas comes out July 2013.  This is Beau’s story.  Beau is the younger brother to Brant (Trouble in Texas) and Billy (Catch Me a Cowboy.)  I teamed him up with Jenna Jay, Hope’s and Faith’s younger sister.  Beau is a lover and Jenna a fighter, so as soon as I started writing, I knew they were going to be a fun match. 

Quick Six Time!

Coffee or tea?  Tea
Early bird or night owl?  Early bird
Alpha or beta?  Alpha
Diamonds or pearls?  Both
Heels or flats?  Flats
Blond, brunette, or ginger hero?  Redhead

Thanks for answering all my questions, Katie! Now it’s your turn—is there a question you’d like to ask our readers?  

Absolutely.  Describe your favorite type of hero.

14 comments:

  1. Hi again, Katie, and welcome! :)

    My favorite type of fictional hero is tall, dark, handsome, loyal, and protective. In real life, my hero must make me laugh...which my husband does. The fact that he encompasses all the traits of my favorite type of fictional hero is a plus! ::wink::

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    1. Hi Andrea!

      Sounds like my type of man. I love loyal and protective heroes with a sense of humor. My husband keeps me laughing too. One day, I decided to give him a pedicure. (Why are alpha men so bad at cutting their toenails?) As I was filing his nails, he looked down and said, "I feel just like a show dog." Ha! He kills me. Happy Holidays and be sure to give your hero a big kiss!

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    2. LOL!! Thanks, Katie. I sure will!

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  2. Someone with a sense of humor and I do like the alpha male in my reading. Someone honorable - tough on the outside but a softy on the inside. And if he's a hunk too, I won't complain lol.I have to say I really enjoyed Going Cowboy Crazy!

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    1. Isn't a sense of humor essential, catslady?

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    2. I agree, Catslady! Love a sense of humor. And a tough softie. I think you're going to like the hero I'm working on now. Dusty Hicks is tough on the outside but a softie with women and kids. I'm so glad you liked Going Cowboy Crazy. I hope you have the happiest of holidays!

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  3. Hi Katie! So nice to have you with us today. I enjoyed Hope and Faith's stories and am looking forward to reading the rest of your books. Andrea's been raving about Hunk for the Holidays. It's on my tbr waiting for a break in my hectic holiday schedule!

    I tend to gravitate toward alpha males but with a sense of humor and a soft core when it comes to their ladies.

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    1. I hope you get a chance to read it soon, PJ!

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  4. Katie, I've been enjoying some modern westerns lately, and Trouble in Texas sounds like great fun! So does Hunk for the Holidays. I'm on the lookout for holiday-themed books in the hope of actually reading them soon.

    My favorite hero type is the alpha male with highly developed honor and compassion.

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  5. Intelligence, integrity, and a sense of humor are high on my list. I'm glad romance readers don't have to choose one type of hero to the exclusion of others. I can certainly think of alphas and gammas that have left me sighing blissfully, but I have a special place in my heart for beta heroes.

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  6. I just got 'Hunk for the Holidays' so I get to read that over Christmas!
    I like my hero to be big & strong, have a sense of humor, caring, relates well children-animals-seniors, is committed to something and loves the heroine with his whole heart.

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  7. I am a Beauty and the Beast fan and like the Beast type of hero. Wounded, misunderstood, and a bit discouraged but refusing to acknowledge it. He may be rough around the edges and abrupt, but it is a protective measure to keep from getting hurt. He has a lot to give, but doesn't think anyone wants it.

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