Coffee with Cora at the Grace Place

This is Cora Applebaum again. Thanks for meeting me at the Grace Place. Go ahead and get some coffee and maybe try one of those little pastries that look like cream puffs. They’re called “knee-caps” around here, you know.

OK, you’ve got your coffee now. It smells delicious. And I see you took my advice about the knee caps. Do you really think two, though? Well, it’s not my place to say.

An old woman like myself, I have a lot of time for observing people. But I just keep it all to myself, of course. I’m not one to go around telling tales, you know.

For example, my next door neighbor, Hope Velasquez, has been having an interesting summer. I’ve seen her several times with that new gym teacher Oliver Laurence. Just between the two of us, he’s not hard on the eyes. I see him out running a couple of times a week, in those little shorts he wears. It’s practically indecent, but that’s the way things are today, I guess.

Anyway, this Oliver seems to be interested in Hope, but I don’t think he knows how to show it. There’s been stories…I’ve heard those two snuck off in some corner at a party and then not long after that, he was seen dragging Hope out of the pizza parlor. I don’t know what’s going on there, but I have to tell you, there have been some mighty steamy kisses on her front porch. I only noticed because I was looking for my cat. She usually comes home about the time this happened. You know I’m not nosy or anything.

I wonder what Hope’s best friend Sarah thinks of all this? That girl could use a nice young man to pay attention to her. She’s so sweet, and I’ve heard she’s great with the kids at the elementary. Sarah works there as a speech therapist, you know. There’s just got to be someone out there for her. I was telling Misty Green that the other day and she got this strange look on her face. Now, Misty’s been known to dabble in matchmaking. I wonder if she’s planning something.

Now, there’s no doubt in my mind about how Hope’s brother Joseph feels about all these goings-on. I’ve heard he confronted Oliver about it, in the church building, no less. Joseph’s pretty protective of his little sister. I think Oliver had better watch out.

Unless Joseph gets distracted by those three nieces of his that he took in. Dori, Lucy and Belle are their names, but I hear that at the school, they’re known as the “terrible trio.” It’s a wonder Joseph can handle them all by himself, on top of his own three children. It must be three years or more since his wife passed away. Now there’s a man who could use a wife. But how many women would want to take a household like that? I asked Pansy Parker that question the other day and she said she could think of someone. I wonder who she meant.? To be honest, Pansy is a bit of a matchmaker herself.

Are you finished already? Well, I don’t want to keep you. I know how you young folks are always rushing around with things to do. Who wants to sit around with an old lady like me. I have nothing to talk about anyway.

Thanks for having coffee with me. Let’s do it again real soon.

(Kara’s note: Sarah’s story will be told in Accepting Charity and Joseph’s in Disrupting Harmony.)

An Interview with Nicola Martinez

Today I'm talking with Nicola Martinez, the editor for the Orchard Hill Romances and also the cover designer.

What role have you played in the Orchard Hill stories?

I just get to read and enjoy them. Kara Lynn does all the hard work. She's developed an entertaining series.




The covers for the stories are absolutely beautiful, even better than some of Angel Marcel's work. How do you do it?

You are too kind! I wanted there to be a continuity between the covers. Saving Gracie was the toughest, but after I focused on Gracie, I decided all the covers would focus on the heroine in each respective story with a little hint of what's between the pages as a backdrop for her.


I especially like the logo for the Orchard Hill stories. Where did you get the idea for it?

Thanks. I'm glad you like it so well! I knew the logo had to be an apple tree--we are in Orchard Hill, after all--and since the entire series revolves around our rival cupids, the arrow came into play.



As Ms. Russell's editor, do you have any inside information on the author? What is she like to work with? Any bad spelling? Missed deadlines? Poor grammar?

Kara Lynn is terrific to work with. She never misses a deadline, takes instruction so well, that each project comes in with less editing needed than the project before--not that she was ever "bad"--and she's a sweetheart personality. She's an editor's dream, is what she is.

Hmmm. I'm not sure I buy this. But never mind. Let's move on.



What do you like about being an editor?

There are many aspects to editing which I enjoy, but my greatest pleasure comes in being able to help an author see the fruition of his or her dream. It's a privilege to get to share in the excitement.

Who do you think will win the matchmaker's challenge, Pansy or Misty?

Ah, now you know I can't answer that. I can't play favourites. OK, maybe I'm leaning a little towards Pansy...no wait, Misty...See? I'm rooting for them both.

An excerpt and a free read!

Exciting news! A free Orchard Hill story is now being offered by the Wild Rose Press as part of their new free reads program. "Catching the Bouquet" features Jeff and Angel, the couple from "Entertaining Angel." This really is a big week for Orchard Hill!

Some of you may not know this, but there's another free Orchard Hill story available on Kara Lynn's website. In "A Long Silly Love Chase" Steve decides he wants Gracie back, but Riley's not about to give her up.

Before you run off to check out those other stories, here's the promised excerpt from "Enduring Hope." You won't see this one posted anywhere else!

***

Enduring Hope 3
Confused by his feelings for Hope, Oliver decides to keep his distance from her for a while. But unfortunately this has left her open to his rival Jordan’s advances.

“Too bad you weren’t fast enough when Hope asked for a ride home. I’ll be taking over that duty tonight. And I plan on getting more than a good night handshake in return, if you know what I mean.”

That did it. Oliver stood up so quickly the stool he was sitting on wobbled and threatened to tip over. Pushing past Jordan, he strode to their table, grabbed Hope’s arm and hauled her out of her chair.

Shock registered on her face. “What are you doing?”

“I’m taking you home.”

“But I’m not finished…”

“Hope, we’re leaving now.” Oliver pulled her along behind him, oblivious to the questioning looks from his teammates.

As they passed Jordan, he opened his mouth as if to protest, but Oliver glared at him, and Jordan didn’t say a word.

They came out into the fading light in the parking lot. Oliver opened the passenger door of his car and handed Hope in. Then, he went around to the driver’s side and slid into his seat.

“Oliver, what…”

“Save it,” he growled and backed out of the parking space.

Hope was silent during the entire drive to his house, but he could tell she was angry. He didn’t care. He was angry, too.

When they arrived at her house, he went around to open her door again, but she’d already left the car and was halfway up the walk. He caught up with her and followed her into the house.

Two steps inside she rounded on him and shouted “Why did you do that?”

“Because Jordan started telling me his plans for your ride home, how he’d be taking the ‘scenic route’ and such. How could you accept a ride from that jerk?” Oliver yelled back.

“I didn’t want to, but no one else offered.”

“He was all over you from the minute you said ‘yes.’”

“I can handle guys like Jordan. It’s you that I don’t know what to do with.”

He’d never seen her so angry before. Her eyes were dark and stormy, her hands clenched into fists at her side, and her whole body shook with emotion. She was beautiful that way, filled with fire and passion.

She may not know what to do with him, but he knew exactly what he wanted from her. He took a step toward her, and she backed up, bumping into the wall behind her. He moved closer, until his body was pressing her against the wall. Then his mouth captured hers.

***

Please stop by tomorrow to read an interview with the editor and cover artist for the Orchard Hill series, Nicola Martinez. She's a wonderful lady and interviewing her was a pleasure. Remember to leave a comment, so you can be entered in the drawing. Multiple entries are fine, so leave a comment every day if you wish.

See you tomorrow!

Cora Applebaum

Stacey Joy Netzel and Donna Marie Rogers on Small Town Romance

Cora Applebaum here. With the fifth Orchard Hill Romance due out on Wednesday of this week, I thought it was time to take a look at what makes this series so special. Please stop by every day this week for interviews, excerpts and a chance to win your own copy of "Enduring Hope." Just leave a comment on the blog this week and a way to contact you and you'll be entered in the drawing. The winner will be chosen on Friday.

Today I'm posting an interview I did recently with Wild Rose Press Romance authors Stacey Joy Netzel and Donna Marie Rogers. These talented ladies were kind enough to take time from their busy schedules and chat with me. Let me introduce them to you.

Stacey Joy Netzel fell in love with books at a young age, so for her it seemed only natural to graduate to writing them. A member of RWA and WisRWA, she credits not only her parents for encouraging her dreams of becoming a published author, but also the very talented friends she’s made in WisRWA since joining in 2004. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and kids, a couple of horses, and three barn cats. When not writing and living life in general, she loves to read and watch movies—Happily Ever After’s a must. You can visit Stacey at: staceyjoynetzel.com.

Donna Marie Rogers lives in a renovated old schoolhouse in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and children. She's an avid gardener and home-canner, as well as an admitted reality TV junkie. Her passion to read is only exceeded by her passion to write, so when she's not doing the wife and mother thing, you can usually find her sitting at her computer creating exciting new characters, fresh new worlds, and always happily-ever-afters. Please visit her at: www.DonnaMarieRogers.com


I understand you two have written a book of short stories set in a small town in Wisconsin called Welcome to Redemption. What is Redemption like and is it like Orchard Hill at all?

Stacey: In my mind, Redemption is very similar to Crivitz, the town I grew up in in Northeast Wisconsin, only ‘newer’ and a little bigger. Crivitz has population about 1000, and Redemption is somewhere between 5000-8000. It has a sense of family and the familiar, where everyone knows everyone, and that includes, sometimes unfortunately, everyone knowing everyone else’s business, too. Living between two small towns now, I think many small towns in the Midwest are basically alike, and after reading Saving Grace and Entertaining Angel, I have no problem picturing Orchard Hill in my mind. In fact, with Angel flying into the Green Bay airport, it kinda sounds like it’s not far from Redemption. LOL Maybe I’ll have Tara take Wes for a Harley ride through Orchard Hill this summer. And I bet Sugar and Cherub would get along great!

Donna: To me, Redemption is the small town I dreamt about while growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago. I used to spend weekends up in Edgerton, Wisconsin with my best friend's family, and to me, it was heaven. Now I make my home in Northeast, Wisconsin so I live in heaven...okay, most of the time anyway. LOL Orchard Hill actually sounds a lot like Redemption, with lots of small town businesses, great people, and plenty of drama.

What is it about small towns that makes them great settings for romance?

Stacey: I think a small town is a great setting for a romance because of the sense of family and of coming home. Or being home. Creating crazy, quirky secondary characters is also a definite plus.

Donna: I've always preferred small town settings, they're just easier to imagine myself living in, falling in love in, raising a family in. There's something so comforting about a close-knit community. And yes, those quirky secondary characters really come to life in a small town setting. ;-)

Are there any matchmakers in Redemption?

Stacey: Well, Tara had to battle her brother’s over-protectiveness to spend time with Wes, and Dana had to convince her cousin Allie she wasn’t simply falling into old habits when she fell for her tortured hero, Charlie, so no, not in my two stories, anyway…Oh, geez, wait—how could I forget??? Sugar. Charlie’s Great Dane (one of those quirky secondary characters I mentioned) is the entire reason that Tara and Wes were even introduced in the first place! She’s the matchmaker, definitely.

Donna: I like to think that Rosalee, Caleb's mother who passed away before the start of the book, had a little something to do with his finally coming home and ending up on Lauren's doorstep. Rosalee adored Lauren and her kids (Max & Emma), and is no doubt quite pleased with how well things turned out. And it was Caleb and Lauren who played matchmaker to Carrie the hothead and Matt the dreamiest librarian in the Midwest. LOL

Is there any chance that we'll read more about Redemption?

Stacey: Yes, there’s a definite chance you’ll read more about Redemption. I have the first story of the sequel written with Allie and Rick, and Donna’s working on her first story, too. With other projects in the works for both of us, it’ll be a little time, but we fell in love with the town as much as readers have, so we don’t plan to abandon it. At some point, we'd love to do a historical anthology of how the town was founded.

Donna: Drew and Lindy's story just has to be told. They seem like an explosive couple, and I sure hope they live up to my hype. Unfortunately, I have another project to finish before diving into the sequel. And since I'd only be repeating what Stacey said, ditto on the rest.


What else have you written, together or separately?

We started out in the same RWA chapter in 2004, WisRWA, joining within one month of each other, and shortly after became critique partners. We write so differently, and like to read different things, the idea of us writing together never crossed our minds until our dear friend Delia Deleest (It Takes Moxie, Eye Of The Beholder, both available at The Wild Rose Press.) suggested the three of us write related stories for an anthology. We decided to give it a shot, and Welcome to Redemption was born. Only Delia decided to pursue other interests, so we were 'forced' to each come up with a second story to round out the anthology. Needless to say, we thanked Delia in our dedication.

Stacey: I’ve written a Christmas novella, titled Dragonfly Dreams, which was nominated LASR Best Short Romance E-book 2007, and a paranormal miniature rose, If Tombstones Could Talk. Both are published with The Wild Rose Press. I am also awaiting edits with my most recent contract with TWRP, Chasin’ Mason, a Yellow Rosebud I hope will be released this year yet. I just got the cover...what do you think?


Donna: Golden Opportunity (a Yellow Miniature Rose which takes place in Golden, Colorado) and There's Only Been You (a Champagne Rose which takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin) both release this year from The Wild Rose Press, with There's Only Been You available in print April 2009. Meant To Be (a Champagne Rose and second in the series to There's Only Been You), is contracted and going to edits soon. I also write erotic romance as Liza James and have several short stories published with both The Wild Rose Press and Red Rose Publishing.

Who do you think will win the matchmaker's challenge, Pansy or Misty?

Stacey: Seeing as how I’ve only read the first two stories so far (but have the others waiting in my computer because I truely enjoyed the first two) this is a tricky question. Honestly, I think Misty worked a little harder for her first match than Pansy (so does Misty) and going off that, and the epilogue at the end of Entertaining Angel, I’m gonna put my money on Misty. Any chance I can get you to whisper who wins?

Donna: Okay, to keep it interesting, I have to go with Pansy, but to be fair I haven't had a chance to read the whole Orchard Hill series yet, so I reserve the right to change my mind. ;-).

Thank you Donna and Stacey, for taking the time to answer my questions. I'd love to visit Redemption sometime. That's all for today. Check back tomorrow for an exclusive sneak preview of "Enduring Hope."

Cora Applebaum

Get Ready for "Enduring Hope"

I've just heard that another Orchard Hill Romance will soon be released. Orchard Hill chronicler Kara Lynn Russell says that "Enduring Hope," the fifth story marks the halfway point in the series.

"I wanted to make this story extra special," Kara told me "to celebrate reaching this point. "Enduring Hope" is longer than any of the previous stories and I absolutely fell in love with my characters. I hope readers will have as much fun reading about Hope and Oliver as I did in writing about them."

"So what's this story all about?" I asked, as if I didn't know. I'm Hope's neighbor and I'll tell you that their courtship has been particularly interesting. It involves softball, an unwanted suitor, an extreme aversion to marriage, Hope's triplet nieces, her big brother's disapproval and fireworks. Not to mention Oliver dragging Hope out of Big Apple Pizza, a well-timed punch in the face, and lots of ice cream. I saw a fair bit of kissing, too when I was looking out my window at night. Not that I was snooping, I was just watching for my cat Whiskers, to return after her nighttime prowls.

Come to think of it, that's a better explanation of the story than the one Kara gave. I'll leave hers for another time. She tells me she'll be doing some special things here on the blog to celebrate the release of "Enduring Hope." Check back for exclusive excerpts, a chance to win a free copy of "Enduring Hope" and interviews with fellow authors Cindy K. Green, Donna Marie Rogers, and Stacey Joy Netzel, and with editor and cover artist Nicola Martinez. Sounds like a party to me.

Cora Applebaum

Romance Writers Descend Upon Green Bay

I picked up the Green Bay newspaper today and what do you think I saw? There's a group of ladies - and few men, too I hear - gathered in Green Bay to learn about romance writing. I guess there's a lot to learn if you're going to write that stuff. But I do love a good romance.

There's plenty of that these days in Orchard Hill, even without cracking open a book. There seem to be couples everywhere. I asked my good friend Pansy Parker about it. She said she didn't know a thing about it but between you and me, she looked like the cat who's got into the cream. I think I'll have to keep my ears open on this one. You'll let me know if you hear anything won't you?

In the meantime I'm going to hit the books. This romance conference has got me to thinking about all the great authors we have right here in Wisconsin. I've got a copy of "Welcome to Redemption" by Donna Marie Rogers and Stacey Joy Netzel, a copy of "A Wish in Time" by Laurel Bradley and a copy of "It Takes Moxie" by Delia DeLeest. They all look so good, I don't know which one to read first.

Until next time,

Cora Appelbaum

Happy Mother's Day from Orchard Hill

There's no doubt about it, being a mother is hard work. It's a good idea for moms to take some time off every once in a while. What better way to make your family appreciate all your hard work! Let them come home to no dinner and dirty laundry for a few days and they'll appreciate you, believe me.

That's why they invented Mother's Day. It gives your children a chance to show that appreciation for you so you don't get any ideas about taking a vacation and leaving them in the lurch.

Single mothers out there deserve a little extra gratitude from their children. And just think of single mother Faith Fielding! Not only is she raising a teenage son by herself (and doing a great job. Her late husband would be so proud.) but Faith is also our town's elementary school secretary. She's done a lot of mothering to all the children of Orchard Hill in that role. Faith's desk should be filled with flowers and candy come Monday morning, if you ask me.

So, all you mothers out there, listen to me. Take it easy today and soak up all the love and attention your family can dish out. You deserve it. And you aren't likely to get any more of it before next Mother's Day.

Cora Applebaum