Today I’m excited to host Angela Smith, author of Burn on the Western Slope, as she talks about books and writing! Don’t forget to read all the way down to the end, because Angela’s giving away an Amazon gift card to a lucky reader!
Burn on the Western Slope
by Angela Smith
Blurb:
Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels. With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time. When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life. Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the death of his partner, FBI Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain retreat. That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door. He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes compromised when his attraction to her heats up. Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?
An Interview with Author Angela Smith:
- Tell us more about your book—take us beyond the official “book blurb“.
Ah, the book blurb is hard enough , to write, haha! Basically, Reagan inherits a stash of stolen jewels, is accused of heisting those stolen jewels, and falls for the sexy FBI agent investigating her. She leaves everything she knows and moves to the condo she’s inherited, hoping to release some of the old burdens she’s collected in her life. But amid extreme mountain adventures, murder, priceless jewels, and falling for a man she knows nothing about, she discovers there are some burdens she just can’t escape.
Sorry to add the extra pressure 😉 Seriously, though–sounds like a fun read!
Give us more info about your main characters—who are they?
The heroine, Reagan, wants to find contentment more than anything. She refuses to unpack for fear she’ll grow too complacent. She never wants to settle again. The mountains outside her window remind her she’s in one of the most unsettled parts of the United States and is just what she needs to begin her new life. The hero, Garret, has gone home to Montana for a much needed break. Right now, all he cares about are the jagged outdoor elements surrounding him and his brother’s bone-chilling cocktails. He plans to find solace the only way he knows how: in the arms of the mountains he’s grown up with. That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate a woman staying in the condo next door. They meet in his brother’s bar. Garret has rules against becoming involved with Reagan, but attraction lolls in his stomach like an agonizing hangover the moment he lays eyes on her.
Excellent! Can’t wait to read more…
What scene in your book was the most fun to write, and why?
The fight scene between the Reagan and Garret. Because I love getting two characters angry at each other, watching them hash it out, and seeing how they’ll make amends. I also loved writing about the first time they met. My favorite part of any romance novel is the reaction, the feeling, between the hero and heroine when they first meet.
I agree–I always love those first scenes between them! I can see how they’d be fun to write too.
How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?
I was about nine years old when I discovered I wanted to be a writer, although I’m pretty sure I knew at birth. My mom read so much to me that I could recite books before I was able to read, and then she gave me romance novels with words I could barely pronounce, must less tell you the meaning. And yet I didn’t end up damaged. I always thought I’d like to write but didn’t give it a try until I spent a week with my aunt, who wrote poetry. She helped my sister and me pass the time with writing and told us it was okay if we just wanted to rewrite a movie that we loved and write it how we would want it to go. Right about that time, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and writing helped me get through those first few years. Writing was just something I knew I had to.
I love the idea of rewriting movies! There’s so many I know I’d love to change….
What do you like best about being a writer?
When I know the scene I just wrote was awesome and I’m surprised I wrote it. It doesn’t always mean the words flow, because sometimes it takes a lot of effort, but I know it’s awesome when it’s done.
That has got to be a fantastic feeling…and the next best would be seeing that awesome scene in print for the first time, I’d imagine!
What is the most challenging part of being a writer?
Sitting down to write after a hard day at work, especially when the words don’t come.
Hmmm. Yes, just talk to me midway through NaNoWriMo month. I can feel your pain.
What are you working on right now? What can readers look for from you in the next year?
I’m working on the last two novels in this series. The next one is about Garret’s brother, and the next about a character we’ll meet in the second story.
What authors and/or books have inspired you as an author?
As far as the genre I write, romantic suspense, I’d have to say Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts, because they inspire me to write better and go beyond the normal. Also, Heather Sellers in Page after Page and Stephen King’s On Writing are books I return to when I need writing inspiration.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read Stephen King’s book–it’s awesome!
What are you currently reading?
Sandra Brown’s Deadline.
Please share a favorite scene from your books with our readers.
“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” Reagan said, running her tongue over her lips as she rested her glass on the counter. “Skiing, that is,” she quickly added. He would never know she’d been thinking of kissing him, but she had to force herself to look away from his mouth. Nudging Naomi, she stood. “It’s time for me to go. I need to settle in. I haven’t even unpacked yet.” And she had no intention of doing so now, but it was a good excuse to leave. She wiped her hands on her jeans before extending her hand to his, praying hers weren’t clammy. “It was great to meet you.”
Garret grasped her proffered hand and nested his other on top, engulfing her hand. She burned. Everywhere. “Meet me on the slopes tomorrow?”
Reagan bit her lip and glanced at the floor. “Tomorrow? I don’t know. I might need a little more time to get used to this place.”
“We’ll start with sledding. You can’t not like sledding.”
She didn’t know, seeing as how she’d never done it, but cozying up to him at a hundred miles an hour would probably be amazing.
“I’m safe,” Garret said as he dropped his hand.
“You’re what?” she asked, meeting his eyes. Maybe he was a good guy in most people’s standards, but he made her heart beat too fast to be anything but dangerous.
“I’m harmless. Several people in town will vouch for me.”
“But I don’t know them either.”
Thanks so much for being with us today, Angela!
Burn on the Western Slope is available right now–at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Goodreads link
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my email is angie1977t@gmail.com
I didn’t leave my email. angie1977t@gmail.com