Lucy McConnell's Blog - Posts Tagged "harvest-ranch"

Starting a new series is like starting a new adventure in life.

There's a whole lot of discovery, imagination, meeting new characters, and sometimes struggles.

One of the challenges is that the author has to look beyond this first book, beyond the second book, and see where the series is going to end up. Including elements/characters that will play a part down the road, without being obvious, can take work.

For example, in "From Best Friend to Husband," we meet several extended family members. Their stories will come into play later on, but for now, they are scenery. Scenery that needs names and personalities, quirks and talents. A series starter definitely is more involved in the planning stages than a later book in the series would be.

On the flip side, all those beautiful, long-term details can overload the immediate needs of the current romance if you're not careful. And those side characters can become more interesting than the current characters. Finding that balance can be tricky.

One way that I keep everything in order is to have a series bible. In it, I keep track of characters who will get their own story, places, side characters, street names, local businesses, and family squabbles. I use a notebook and handwrite everything. It helps to be able to carry it around as I outline during my daughter's softball practice. :)

All in all I was really happy with the balance of setting up future romances and giving enough page time to Wynn and Judd in "From Best Friend to Husband: The Harvest Ranch Romances Book 1."

I hope you enjoy it!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FVJJ9ZJ

Happy reading,
Lucy

I hope you enjoy this excerpt!

I'm so happy that Alice has a family and is part of the Westbrooks. She deserved a home and a place to belong.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Russ stowed the posters in the trunk and climbed behind the wheel.


“I did my sixth-grade book diorama on The Three Musketeers. It was the first big book I ever read,” said Alice as they clicked their seat belts. “Did you know D’Artagnan was made a musketeer twice? Talk about plot holes.”


Russ reached into the back seat. “I didn’t know that, but I did know you did your diorama on the book. That’s why I bought it for you.” He placed a tired, well-loved book tied with a blue bow in her lap. “Happy birthday.”


Shocked beyond belief that he’d not only remembered it was her birthday but had bought the one thing that could make her heart beat faster than running a 5k, Alice squealed and threw her arms around Russ.


He hugged her close, and Alice breathed in the subtle scent of his cologne. Brisk, it reminded her of the awe-inspiring view from the top of White Top Mountains and the whipping winds of desire that pulsed through her veins when Russ was near.


Air was suddenly a hot commodity, as she had a difficult time getting enough of it into her body. Wanting to run her hands up his back and through his pirate-length hair, she became self-conscious and moved back, only to be stopped by his formidable arms still holding her close.

Meeting his intense gaze, she searched his soulful eyes for a spark of the heat burning inside of her. She became acutely aware that this was the first time she’d hugged Russ.

Though they’d spent a lot of time together over the last year, they’d never had any type of physical connection—and here she was, her skin humming and feeling hot and cold and everything in between.
“You’re the best,” she said.


Russ glanced at her lips, and Alice dropped her eyes, the intensity of the moment overwhelming her control.

😁
Thanks so much for reading. If you'd like to find out what happens next, click here:
https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Libr...

They say writing a book is a personal thing. That an author has to go so deep into their own world, and remove all outside influences, to create .

But that's not always the case.

In fact, I find that my books are often inspired by real life situations, events, memories, and sometimes even things I overhear at the grocery store. 😁

For example, the Applesauce Cookie recipe in "Once Upon a Library" is my great-grandma Phoebe's recipe. I added a piece of her history to the book, inspired by the love she had for her large (99 great-granchildren at her passing) family. It was that love that went into Grandma Westbrook's character and helped her see Alice's need to belong.

I think being inspired by the goodness in others can bring an added level of reality to a character.

What do you think? I'd love to know. Leave a comment below. 🥰
Happy reading,
Lucy

P.S. If you'd like to read "Once Upon a Library" you can get a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FVJW312

I was recently asked:

If you could go back in time to any time period, what would it be?

Instantly, the quote from Doc Brown on "Back to the Future" came to mind...

"Say you want to see the signing of the Declaration of Independence... Or witness the birth of Christ..." 😁

Well. Yeah! I'd love to be there for both of those events.

But I think, what I'd like to do most of all, is go back and meet my grandparents as teenagers. I'd like to see who they were when they were young, understand where they came from, have a conversation about school and the world and where they saw themselves going.

I guess that's not very exciting to the whole world, but it's meaningful and real. 🥰

What about you? Who would you want to meet or what would you like to see?

Good day to you!

I love trying things out before I buy them. Like pants. I can’t buy a pair of pants without putting them on and seeing how they fit.

I think books are like that too.

Trying a book on is a little different than trying on pants. With pants, I can tell you within 5 seconds if I like them.

Sometimes books take a minute to evaluate. I look at the cover. Then read the back. Then I’ll read the first couple of pages.

When my kids were little, I’d hand them a book and tell them they had to read the first three pages before they could tell me they didn’t want it. 🙂

That’s why I like to share excerpts from my books. I know it’s nice to try something on.

Here’s an excerpt from “His Small Town Fresh Start: the Harvest Ranch Romance Series Spring Flings and Engagement Rings.”

Happy reading,

Lucy

Excerpt:

The early evening air brushed Lucky’s skin with a sense of possibility. Tonight was the family roping, and he was all over dusting off his skills and seeing how he held up against these longtime cowboys.

“Are you warm enough?” Lucky adjusted the blanket over Swayzie’s sore leg as he situated her on the bleachers. She was not happy to be here, and the scowl line between her eyes needed to be smoothed away. His hand opened and closed with the yearning to do just that.

“I’m fine.” Her clipped tone had more to do with sitting on the sidelines than it did with his care for her. The crutches were tucked safely in the garage because he hadn’t figured out the perfect time to give them to her yet. She was stubborn and bullheaded in the best of ways. She’d insisted on riding the side-by-side instead of in the padded truck where he could put a pillow under her leg. Yet she hadn’t complained once when they’d jostled.

“I’m fine. If you don’t get going, you won’t be in the jackpot.” She shooed him away, readjusting the blanket he’d just moved.

Lucky grinned at her obstinance, looked her right in the eye, and moved the blanket back where he’d had it. “They can’t start without me. I’m the main attraction.”

She rolled her eyes. “I hate to tell you this, but Jaden’s the only one rooting for you tonight.” She nodded to where Jaden and Miles rode their horses in circles to get them warmed up. As they watched, Jaden had his horse change leads, putting him on the right one. Lucky swelled with pride to see his nephew make the change without anyone telling him to. The two boys would get time in the box, chasing the dummy attached to the four-wheeler for practice, while the grown-ups would rope live steers.

“I think I have more fans than that.” Lucky climbed down the bleachers, his long legs spanning the seats with ease.

“Who?” Swayzie called behind him.

“The most beautiful woman on the ranch.” Lucky stopped Carrie as she moved to join Swayzie on the bleachers. He bowed over her hand. “I can count on you to cheer for me, can’t I, Mrs. Westbrook?”

Carrie twittered. “Of course.”

“That doesn’t count!” Swayzie called to his back. “She cheers for everyone.”

***

If you enjoyed the sample, you can pick up a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7V4X6J