Writer Jennifer Slattery On Reading

Jennifer, welcome to Writers on Reading! Your most recent novel,

Intertwined, released this fall, your next comes in March, and you have several other Women’s Fiction/Contemporary Romance novels to your credit—In fact, your CP recommended one of your books in her interview last summer! I’m curious, what was the most out-of-character book you’ve recently read, and what led to your choice?

 I’m reading The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks. I started reading it because I like her as a person and realized by the first page I loved the book and her writing. It’s intense; it has a CSI feel, and I normally don’t read crime type books—I tend to be pretty squeamish. But her writing is so good, my love for the story and Carrie’s characters has pulled me in.

As a writer, you should know better, but as a reader, you know we all do it…so, when did you last “judge a book by the cover”? How did it work out?

I do this all the time. I love browsing bookstores and picking up various titles that catch my eye. If I know and love the author, I probably won’t pay too much attention to the cover. (Like with Nicholas Sparks; I’ll read anything of his!) But for new authors, I find

them from their covers. As to how that worked out… Well, I don’t buy solely on cover. If the cover grabs me, I read the back cover then usually a couple pages, one from the front of the book and another random page.

Having published four books so quickly do you find time to read during the months you spend writing or with deadlines ahead is it either/or for you? If so, what did you read while working on your last book? If not, what did you read when you finished this one?

My husband calls me a veracious reader. I always have time to read! I read to relax at night, usually from 8pm-10pm. What I don’t have time for, however, is television. Or movies. I’d rather read. The characters act so much better in my head than real life!

What was the last book you absolutely couldn't put down? Why?

I read two at once, which I rarely do, but I was in the middle of one when my mother-in-law gave me the second—one I’d been anxious to read—for Christmas. The first book was Where Rivers Part by Kellie

Coates Gilbert. I had a tough time getting into this book initially, and I’m not sure why, but by the third chapter I was absolutely hooked. And Ms. Gilbert kept me guessing. The plot was unique, I loved the setting, and I really wanted to see the heroine succeed.

The second book I read, which may be one of my all-time favorites, is The Purple Hibiscus. It’s about a girl living in Nigeria at the start of the war of Biafra, when things begin to get tense and families start to flee. It was disturbing in parts, thought provoking, one of those books I will likely always remember.

I love reading in bed, especially on a Sunday afternoon, with a mound of pillows behind me, a sweetened mug of decaf filled ¼ of the way with almond milk in hand, and my husband lying beside me watching football.

If Tammy Kuhn, the heroine in Intertwined, were to pick a book from today’s shelves, what do you think it would be?

Something by Mary Connealy for sure—something on the light, fun, sweet and romantic side. She’d love anything by Shannon Taylor Vannatter as well. Tammy has a crazy stressful job and deals with some tough stuff, not to mention her personal time is short. When she reads, she wants something like and uplifting. Something that

reminds here there are real heroes out there, and maybe, just maybe one day a woman like her can fall in love again.

Thanks so much for visiting and letting us get to know you better as a reader, Beth! Folks, you can continue to connect with Beth—and find out more about her Romantic Suspense books!—at the links below.

BIO:

PURCHASE AND CONNECTION LINKS:

Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband.

Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

Intertwined:

Abandoned by her husband for another woman, Tammy Kuhn, an organ procurement coordinator often finds herself in tense and bitter moments. After an altercation with a doctor, she is fighting to keep her job and her sanity when one late night she encounters her old flame Nick. She walks right into his moment of facing an unthinkable tragedy. Because they both have learned to find eternal purposes in every event and encounter, it doesn’t take long to discover that their lives are intertwined but the ICU is no place for romance….or is it? Could this be where life begins again?

Buy it:

CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/intertwined-a-contemporary-romance-novel/jennifer-slattery/9781596694439/pd/694430?event=ESRCN

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Intertwined-Jennifer-Slattery/dp/1596694432/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intertwined-jennifer-slattery/1121268293?ean=9781596694439

Writer Shannon Taylor Vannatter On Reading

Shannon, welcome to Writers on Reading and, folks, while you’re here make sure you check out Shannon’s unique giveaway plans at the end of the interview to commemorate the closing of Heartsong Presents. Shannon, your covers bring to mind everything I want America to be. (You may have guessed the Fourth of July is on my mind.) I’d say any one of your books looks like a perfect fit to curl up with next weekend. For now, I’m gonna have to start out asking if reading fits into your plans during the Fourth of July?

 

I usually don’t read much in the summer. But this year, I have. My son is a bit older, thirteen, so he doesn’t require my undivided attention anymore and I do my writing late at night in the summer.

Do your tastes as a reader conflict with your tastes as a romance writer?

No. I read mostly Inspirational Romance, and that’s what I write. Occasionally, I delve into Women’s Fiction or General Fiction. And on rare occasions, I’ll read Romantic Suspense.

Other than genre, when you’re browsing for a book, does something in particular draw you?

I have three trusted authors I always read and keep up with their new releases. Each one I found by cover. If it’s obviously a contemporary by the cover, I’ll pick it up, read the back cover. If it interests me, I’ll buy it.

Can you tell us what speaks to you most as you pick your next reading experience?

I love stories where the hero has been in love with the heroine for years. Or where the hero and heroine are forced to pretend they’re in a relationship and fall in love during their ruse.

Oooh, those are always sooooo fun! Well, now that we know what you normally read, can you tell us what was the most out-of-character book you’ve recently read, and what led to your choice?

The Chronicles of Narnia. All seven books. I never read them as a child, but my husband had. So when they started making the new movies, we took our son and I was lost. I got the collection in one volume and read them. I bought it in 2005 and finished last year. It was slow going since I’m an adult, but I’m glad I read them. I love the movies.

As a writer, you should know better, but as a reader, you know we all do it…so, when did you last “judge a book by the cover”? How did it work out?

I discovered Becky Wade on cover alone. Undeniably Yours—it was the pink heels. I love shoes, so the shoes grabbed me. I loved it, went back, and read her first book and have read all of her new releases, except the one that came out this month. It’s been ordered for me by the Christian bookstore I frequent, but hasn’t come in yet.

Okay, I just love that. Oddly, someone was telling me there’s a whole scene in a recent movie about book cover designing and the draw of shoes for women! Well, whoever it was: they’re right. LOL

Your most recent novel, Rodeo Reunion, released this month—and looks good!—and Rodeo Family released a mere six months before that. With such a tight writing schedule, when you are writing, do looming deadlines hold your full attention, or do you find time to read too? If so, what did you read while working on Rodeo Reunion? If not, did you treat yourself to a book after you typed The End?

I used to have 4 months between deadlines. It was doable, but it exhausted me. My last several deadlines have been 5 months apart, which works much better. I don’t usually read when I’m on deadline, unless I get stuck on my book, then I’ll take a break and read. I always reward myself with reading after I type The End.

Did a book recently make you laugh/cry/sigh/shiver?

One of my go-to authors is Melissa Tagg. How the hero and heroine met in From the Start made me laugh. I think it was the best first meeting scene I ever read. I sighed and almost cried because I didn’t think of it.

Any book by my three faves: Denise Hunter, Melissa Tagg, or Becky Wade always make me shiver. I just love a good romance, and these three authors never disappoint.

Excellent recommendation for those ladies’ books! And what you said about From the Start, gives us fantastic glimpse into a writer’s reading experiences! Okay, now I have to know what was the last book you absolutely couldn't put down? Why?

The last one I read was by Denise Hunter, Married ’Til Monday. It was one of those pretend relationships that I love. I loved the characters, the romance, and Denise writes the best kisses.

How very fun. Were you the kind of kid/teen who loved reading? Which novel do you first remember reading?

My mom has always been a voracious reader. I was a library patron at a very young age. I had a little Golden book called Baby Farm animals that I loved. There wasn’t much reading to it, but I loved the pictures of all the cute animals. I still have it. I remember reading Dr. Seuss and other kiddie books. I read all the Little House books because the TV show was on and I loved it. In my teens, my mom started letting me read clean romance, and I was hooked.

Oh, thank you, Shannon, your answer really lets us see you as a reader clear through your past to present. So, when did you know you wanted to write? Did any or multiple books influence this desire?

As an adult, I went to the library to find clean romance and couldn’t find any. I decided to write one, but my characters kept talking to God, so I let them. It ended up being inspirational romance.

With summer officially started, what is on your to-read list?

I’ll be reading Becky Wade’s A Love Like Ours as soon as it comes in at the store. Jennifer Slattery’s When the Dawn Breaks and Brenda Anderson’s Memory BoxSecrets are in my to be read pile. Jennifer and Brenda are both critique partners, so I’ve read both books. But I’m looking forward to reading the finished product in book form instead of on the computer.

Just a quick aside, folks, Jennifer Slattery will be sharing her reading experiences with us on January 22. Okay, back to present—Shannon, what is your ideal reading experience?

I love reading in my recliner. It’s in the living room away from the TV in the family room. It’s in a quiet corner. I usually have a huge glass of water by my side and sometimes my cat sits in my lap.

Yes, I can see you there. While you’re nestled in, is there a book you are looking forward to rereading?

I’ve reread several of Denise Hunter’s books. They were just as good the second time around. I’m sure eventually I’ll get around to rereading Becky Wade and Melissa Tagg too.

What is it? Check out Shannon's giveaway!

This was so fun. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Shannon, and letting us get to know the reader in you! Folks, you can continue to connect with Shannon—and find out more about her books—at the links following her bio. And don’t forget to leave a comment (with contact info) to enter her giveaway.

Award winning, central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. She lives in a town with a population of around 100, if you count a few cows and once climbed a mountain wearing gold wedge-heeled sandals, which became known as her hiking boots.

She has eleven published titles and is contracted for four more. Her books are available at christianbook.com, barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, harlequin.com, and barbourbooks.com. Learn more about Shannon and her books at http://shannonvannatter.com and check out her real life romance blog at http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/.

Connect with her on Facebook: http://facebook.com/shannontaylorvannatter, Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29672798-shannon-vannatter, Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stvannatter/, and Twitter: @stvauthor.

BLURB:

RAQUEL MARRIS NEEDS A MAN WHO'LL STAY PUT 

And Slade Walker's not a likely candidate. Even if the former major league pitcher just agreed to coach her son's little league team. The single mom can't risk everything on a bronc-riding chaplain who's only passing through Raquel's small Texas town.

Slade is taking a hiatus from the rodeo circuit to meet the sister he never knew he had. But the pretty widowed nurse next door is making him think twice about hitting the road again. He can't turn his back on the cowboys who need him, but Raquel and her boy need him, too. Can Slade fulfill his calling and finally find a place to hang his hat?

PURCHASE LINKS:

http://www.christianbook.com/rodeo-reunion-shannon-vannatter/9780373487851/pd/487851?event=ESRCG

http://www.amazon.com/Reunion-Heartsong-Presents-Shannon-Vannatter/dp/0373487851/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1431697907&sr=1-5&keywords=Shannon+Taylor+Vannatter

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Here’s something special to commemorate the Heartsong Presents line since it’s ending this month. Comment to enter the drawing for a copy of Rodeo Reunion. Ten copies will be split among names drawn during the blog tour from June 1 to July 1. One winner will receive a baseball themed memory board personally crafted by the author. Winners will be revealed on the author’s blog on July 22.