Today's Special - - Laura Trentham

I'm so excited to host Laura Trentham today! I fell in love with Laura's writing while reading her Falcon Football series and the first book in her new Cottonbloom series has made me love her books even more. Her stories are filled with humor, sizzle, and a whole lot of heart in a small town setting. Laura knows a lot about small towns, having grown up in one in Northwest Tennessee. She loved reading and English in high school but pursued a Chemical Engineering degree in college, spending many years working in a hard hat and steel-toed boots. These days, she's busy raising a family and creating wonderful stories in Regency England and small, southern, American towns. 

Please give her a warm welcome! 

Hi, Laura! Congratulations on the release of your first mass market paperback, Kiss Me That Way!  What should readers expect from this book?

They should expect to laugh, get little teary eyed in places, and breathe a huge sigh of happiness at the end!

I did all three! 

There’s more than where they grew up standing between Cade and Monroe. What is it about these two characters that convinced you they were destined to be together?

Although their paths are vastly different, they had to face terrible things too young and each has tried to conquer their fears. In the other person, they found someone they can trust and who truly understands them.

Kiss Me That Way kicks off your new Cottonbloom series. How many books will be in this series? Will each book stand on its own or do you recommend reading them in order?

This series is a perfect beach read! There are three books in this story arc, taking place over one summer: Kiss Me That Way in June, Then He Kissed Me in July, and Till I Kissed You in August. They are standalones, but I recommend reading them in order because of the secondary storylines that connect them. Plus it’s more fun that way.

Starting summer 2017 will be another three-book series set in Cottonbloom! Different family, different story arc, but I’m sure some favorite characters will make an appearance. First up is Turn the Night On!

And one last project that connects my Falcon Football series and the Cottonbloom series is a Christmas novella featuring Jeremy Whitehurst (aka Whitey) and Kayla Redmond, who is a secondary character in Kiss Me That Way. It’s coming to e-readers everywhere this October!

Marking my calendar for all of the above! I have to tell you how excited I am to hear you've written a story for Jeremy/Whitey. I was so intrigued by his character in your Falcon Football series. 

You have a gift for creating a vivid sense of place. I felt it while reading your Falcon Football series (which I highly recommend, readers!) and again during Kiss Me That Way. Have you spent time in Louisiana or Mississippi? You sure brought it to life in this story.

Except for passing through both states and spending time in New Orleans, I haven’t! Cottonbloom is entirely of my imagination. But, I have spent lots of time in Alabama and Tennessee and know the flavor of towns like Cottonbloom. I also loved the idea of a town divided over a state line.

I love the small towns that you've created. What is about small town settings that appeals to you as a writer?

I grew in a small town in Tennessee, and every day finds me more and more nostalgic for my childhood. It was such a great place (still is!) and yes, you knew everyone. The kids I went to kindergarten with were the same ones I graduated high school with. Unfortunately, that’s not the experience my son will have. The world is changing. Small towns are disappearing or losing that sense of place all over the country, and my goal is to recapture it for the reader. As an aside, my hometown was the basis for Falcon, Alabama, down to the layout of the library.

Growing up in a small town, I remember well how residents are identified by what dish they bring to the church potluck or town festival, as in this encounter from Kiss Me That Way where Cade is introduced to Ms. Effie, an elderly resident of Cottonbloom:

“I was acquainted with your parents. Your mama made the best deviled eggs in Cottonbloom. People loved to see her coming at the church potluck.” Cade’s smile came easy and natural. It felt strange. “I remember. She was like the pied piper of deviled eggs.” 

What is your go-to potluck dish? Or, if you don’t cook, which dish do you make a beeline for

first?

I make a killer broccoli salad! You know the one with the bacon and raisins and sunflower seeds and sugared mayo dressing…Sounds totally weird, but it is heaven on earth which is why it’s perfect for a church potluck! (You can find the recipe on my website.) But, I will stake out the deviled eggs if available, because it’s something I don’t normally make yet love.

Ah, yes. I know that broccoli salad well. It's a favorite! Readers, you can find the recipe here. 

Our recent warm weather here in North Carolina has me anticipating summer. What’s your favorite season? What sets it apart from the others?

Fall is actually my favorite season because…FOOTBALL! I’m a huge Tennessee Volunteer football fan.

A kindred spirit! The day after the college football championship, I start counting down the days to kickoff game for the next season. ;-) 

Will you be attending any book signings this year where readers can meet you?

I will be in San Diego at the RWA Literacy Signing July 13^th! My very first signing and I would absolutely love to meet some readers.

Where can readers find you online?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraTrentham

Website: http://www.lauratrentham.com/

Cade’s brother’s and sister’s books will be out in July and August. Will you tell us a bit about what we can expect from their stories?

Nash and Tally were best friends growing up but were ripped apart by tragedy. Then He Kissed Me is a really sweet friends to lovers book.

Regan and Sawyer’s book (Till I Kissed You) might be my favorite. It’s enemies to lovers with a little second chance love thrown in. These two have some explosive chemistry, plus they made me laugh.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Laura! Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Talking about food made me hungry…What’s your favorite potluck take-along dish?

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a signed copy of Kiss Me That Way. (US only) If the chosen winner lives outside the United States, a $10 Amazon gift card will be substituted for the book.

 A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?