Tag Archives: Charlene Sands

Tule Author Q&A: Charlene Sands discusses she-sheds and reunion romances

Charlene Sands stopped by to talk all about her new Last Stand, Texas, book, One-of-a-Kind Bride!

 

 

How do you relate to Taylor and Coop, and how do you hope readers will relate to them?

First of all, let me thank you for inviting me on the Tule Blog. I’m honored to be here to talk about my new Tule release! 

I hope the readers relate to the fact that sometimes romantic relationships don’t work the first time around. I developed these characters first as a young boy and girl and we learn a great deal about them in just those few early pages. It’s how I saw them, as kids first, creating a bond that wouldn’t fit perfectly until their later years, after they’d both been through some trying times. But I think, both Taylor and Coop are uplifting types, Taylor determined to keep her promises, a loyal, sweet friend, a talented designer. And Coop, coming home to Last Stand, giving up his successful high-profile job, to raise his daughter and help his father, all to create a loving family unit. I may be biased, but I can’t help love these characters. 

 

Man Holding Clapper BoardIf your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?

Oh, that’s an easy one! As you might guess, I’m a big fan of Hallmark movies and series so my picks for Taylor Preston is Meghan Ory from Chesapeake Shores.  She’s got that classic beauty and grace, like Taylor, but she also has a fun, goofy side. And Jesse Metcalf as Coop, would be perfect.  I can see Jesse being the rugged carpenter, tool belt and all, but he’d also be a great father to his eight-year old daughter Cassie. 

 

 

One-of-a-Kind Bride is such a sweet reunion romance. What drew you to this trope? What’s your favorite trope to write?

Well, you caught me on this one, because reunion stories are my favorite stories to write!  There’s something special about two people who’ve lived a good deal of their lives apart, only to come together and find love again.  A widower sure has a lot of struggles, especially if he’s raising a young daughter. Coop’s first priority is to make sure she doesn’t get hurt in any way. So, I love that protective side of Coop.  As for Taylor, she’s come back to Last Stand temporarily, determined to fix her life and keep the promises she made to her mother. The last thing she ever expected was to fall for her one-time best friend, a guy she dumped on her last summer in Last Stand.   

On a side note, I fashioned Coop’s eight-year old daughter Cassie after my two eight-year old granddaughters, Everley and Kyra. It was fun to think, what would Everley say in this situation? What would Kyra do? So, I dedicated the book to those girls, because they were my inspiration for young Cassie.

 

Brown Wooden Commode Near GrassYour characters are building a she-shed in the novel. What would you put in your she-shed?

Well, the obvious answer is books. And I would line the walls with shelves of books and enjoy the sunshine beaming into the windows as I read peacefully, with no interruptions. Doesn’t that sound nice? But I’m also a big movie buff and have a collection of old movies, Clark Gable, Doris Day, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, to name a few. So, by night I’d love to make it into a screening room, where I could invite my best friends over for a girls’ night of movies and junk food!

 

What are you currently reading?

 I’m reading and enjoying Jane Porter’s newest novel, Montana Cowboy Romance. I love romance the best, but I also read other genres, like Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing.  I need a book that catches me from the beginning and doesn’t let go! 

 

TO WIN THIS BEACH GIRL NECKLACE, COMMENT YOUR ANSWER BELOW: WHAT WOULD YOU PUT IN YOUR SHE-SHED IF YOU HAD ONE? (US only)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED: CONGRATS TO GIRLFROMWVA

 

About the Author

Charlene Sands is a USA Today Bestselling author writing sexy contemporary romances and stories set in the Old West. Her stories have been honored with the National Readers Choice Award, the Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award and she’s a double recipient of the Booksellers’ Best Award. She was recently honored with Romantic Times Magazine’s Best Harlequin Desire of 2014. Charlene is a member of the Orange County Chapter and Los Angeles Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

When not writing, she enjoys great coffee, spending time with her four “princesses”, bowling in a woman’s league, country music, reading books from her favorite authors and going on movie dates with her “hero” husband. Sign up for her newsletter at www.charlenesands.com for new releases and special member giveaways. Charlene loves hearing from her readers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

*Bold, strong, heart-melting heroes… and always real good men.*

Celebrate the Release Day of Taming the Texas Cowboy with Author Charlene Sands!

* Congratulations to Lois I! You have won a free print copy of Whiskey River: The Kellys. Please email info@thetulegroup.com to claim your prize. *

1. What inspired you to pick Texas as the setting for Trey and Maddie’s story?

True Texans are a breed all their own. I have family who live in Texas and have studied the ways of the people of the lone star state, the pride and work ethic and love of the land. In my experience with Texans, I found them to be men and women of honor and intense manners. And you’ll see that come through in Taming the Texas Cowboy, the first book in my Forever Texan series. Trey is a good man, who believes the very worst about himself, and Maddie is a woman who sees him for the fine man that he is. Getting him to realize that takes a bit of doing, and at times, Maddie isn’t sure she can get through to the stubborn, prideful, protective Texan. Continue reading

Bachelor Auction: Fact or Fantasy? by Charlene Sands

Sands-Bachelor-300dpiI have to admit the notion of a Bachelor Auction gets my juices flowing! It seemed like a perfect trope for a writer of romance and lover of all things romantic! How could I resist writing a romance about women opening up their purse strings for a hot date with a local small town hunk for a charitable cause? Pure female fantasy, right?

Setting up this series with three other talented authors meant ironing out details of the actual event, but it also meant developing characters– four high school buddies, ex-football jocks and alpha males to the limit—coming together for one special cause. To raise funds to help their beloved Coach D, these guys braved being on the Bachelor Auction chopping block! Fun, right?

Little did I know that bachelor auctions aren’t just make-up tropes in romance novels! They are REAL!

As I did my research, among other things, I learned these 5 Basic Rules of a Bachelor Auction. See how we applied them to our hot hunky Montana Born bachelors:

  1. Location, location, location. Find a large public area with a stage. (Memorable Grey’s Saloon in Marietta is the perfect place for our auction)
  2. Decide who will be auctioned and be sure not to force or guilt the participants. (Yes, we’ve picked the hottest guys in Marietta. Ex-football jocks and alpha men in their own rights. And whoops, all four bachelors were guilted into doing this!)
  3. Be sure to inform the bidders of the charitable event. (Not hard to do with a small town gossip grapevine. All the ladies come out for the Bachelor Auction in Marietta)
  4. Decide on how the Auction will be performed. (Got that covered with Coach D calling the auction and bidders raising their hands to make their bids)
  5. Bachelors must provide a Dream Date for the bidders. (Our guys are very inventive in their hot date plans. Falling in love is not necessarily an objective- but it seems to happen anyway)

A couple of the real Bachelor Auctions held recently:

Fireman’s Brew Firefighter Bachelor Auction—Proceeds of this event went to the L.A. Fireman’s Relief Association funding widows, orphans and disabled fireman. (Can you actually imagine bidding on a real firefighter? Wow!)

Jingle Bell Bachelor Bash 2015 – The funds raised went to the Junior League of San Diego. This Auction came with a Bachelor Menu (I wish we’d thought of that!) which included a photo and a brief paragraph about the hunky guy being auctioned off. They even offered Group Dates, perhaps a safer alternative for all parties, to ward off awkward moments.

So Bachelor Auctions are Fact AND Fantasy! And after doing extensive research on the subject (hard work, I know) I feel another story coming on…

Would you ever participate in a Bachelor or Bachelorette Auction? (Yes, ladies get auctioned off, too.) Could someone twist your arm if it was for a worthy and noble cause? Who would you chose to be on your Fantasy List?

And don’t forget…

charleneX2

Buy Bachelor for Hire here:

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charleneCharlene Sands is a USA Today Bestselling author writing sexy contemporary romances and stories set in the Old West. Her stories have been honored with the National Readers Choice Award, the Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award and she’s a double recipient of the Booksellers’ Best Award. She was recently honored with Romantic Times Magazine’s Best Harlequin Desire of 2014. Charlene is a member of the Orange County Chapter and Los Angeles Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

When not writing, she enjoys great coffee, spending time with her four “princesses”, bowling in a woman’s league, country music, reading books from her favorite authors and going on movie dates with her “hero” husband. Sign up for her newsletter at www.charlenesands.com for new releases and special member giveaways. Charlene loves hearing from her readers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

*Bold, strong, heart-melting heroes… and always real good men.*