Shannon here: Friday I shared how Jenny Carlisle broke into fiction. Today, she’s here giving insight into her characters’ romance from her debut Women’s Fiction novel, Hope Takes the Reins. Comment on any post dated April 1st – 5th to enter the for a copy. Deadline: April 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jenny:
Today, the two main characters from Hope Takes the Reins will answer the same questions. I asked them
these questions at the beginning of their story. They did not hear the other person’s response. I hope your readers will want to know how these two will come together.
- What is the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Hope’s answer: Honesty is number one for me. I must be able to trust the person I will be spending the rest of my life with.
O.D.’s answer: I guess the quality I look for is sincerity. I want someone who is genuine, not superficial or fake.
- Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Hope’s answer: Definitely Church. My forever partner must share my faith in God.
O.D.’s answer: The rodeo. If she enjoys the excitement of these traditional events and the people who hang out there, we will get along.
- Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
Hope’s answer: A Casino. If gambling is their idea of a good time, I would be very worried about our finances.
O.D.’s answer: A Bar. I don’t enjoy drinking. I’d rather be in control of what’s happening, and probably wouldn’t get along with someone who enjoys being “out of it”.
- What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
Hope’s answer: Betrayal of trust. If I found out someone had been lying to me, it would be very hard to get over that.
O.D.’s answer: Excessive suspiciousness (Is that a word?) In other words, I would get very tired of someone constantly doubting me, checking up on me because she couldn’t trust me. Give me some space.
- Where do you dream of spending your honeymoon?
Hope’s answer: Maybe the beach. I’ve spent my whole life around mountains, which I love. But, our family did take a vacation to the coast once, and I love the peaceful feeling of sitting on the beach. For a honeymoon, though, it would have to be a private beach. No need for a “spring break” vibe.
O.D.’s answer: I don’t think it would matter much, as long as we were alone. I would just say stay home, but around my house, there would not be much privacy. So, that’s a stumper. Finding the right person is more important than the location of a honeymoon.
Saddle up and hold on tight for a rip-roaring good time at the Caldwell Family Rodeo. While Carlisle’s steadfast heroine determines to honor and keep her mother’s legacy intact, her bungling big-hearted hero strives to live up to the shadow cast by his big brother and clean up his messes while he’s at it. Through twists and turns, they never saw coming, both learn what’s really important when they let go and let God handle their happily-ever-afters.
~award-winning, mutli-published author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter~
About Jenny: Jenny has been writing stories since she learned to hold a pencil. She retired from a career in Human Resources for the State of Arkansas. She was a long-time columnist for Ouachita Life magazine, and two collections of her inspirational articles have been self-published. She is past president of American Christian Fiction Writers – Arkansas Chapter and past president of Saline County Preservation, Inc.
Her first fiction project, Hope Takes the Reins released from Scrivenings Press in March of 2022. She and her husband, James live in Benton, Arkansas where they worship with a service-oriented congregation of the Church of Christ. They are the parents of three married children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys substituting a few days of the week in middle school, junior high and high school classrooms. Learn more & connect:
Jenny’s Website Jenny’s Facebook
Jenny Facebook Author Page Jenny’s Twitter
About the book – Hope Takes the Reins: O.D. Billings has problems beyond the awkward name that led him to use only initials years ago. Now that his war hero older brother has returned, their dad thinks he can turn over managing their truck dealership and start to prepare for retirement. But the hometown hero is not ready for new responsibility, and O.D. saddles up to make things right, while keeping an eye on his younger brother, who is set on being the greatest bull-rider Crossroads, Arkansas has ever seen.
Nineteen years old is very young to take on the business end of a family rodeo, but Hope Caldwell feels
she has no choice after cancer takes away her mom. She is used to helping behind the scenes as her dad handles the announcing, sister Faith excels at barrel racing, and brother Junior entertains the crowd as a rodeo clown.
On the family’s first night back after the funeral, an overdressed stranger seems to be conspiring with Hope’s uncle to make a huge change to the only life she’s known since before she could braid her own pig-tails.
Will these two long-time neighbors finally realize that they don’t have to shoulder their burdens alone? Will teaming up to help each other be the right path, or will they continue to stumble over their own cowboy boots on the way to finding God’s direction for their lives?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Jenny’s nonfiction titles?
Get your copy/copies now! Hope Takes the Reins
Question for Readers: How have the qualities you look for in a close friend or a potential partner changed over the years?
Come back April 8th for Paula Peckham!
Thanks for hosting me, Shannon. As you can see, Hope and O.D. have some common beliefs. But she wants honesty, and he says don’t be suspicious? Could make things difficult. (It kind of does).
I agree with honesty, but respect tops my list.
Yes, ma’am. Respect is very important to a relationship.
As a grew older I matured and came to realize that I wanted an honorable man who loves the Lord and his family.
I have a winner! Shelia Hall won the drawing. I appreciate Jenny for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.