Catching Up With Jesse Hayworth

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Catching Up With Jesse Hayworth

Jesse HayworthThe Reading Cafe is happy to welcome back the wonderful Jesse Hayworth.

Jesse is here to catch us up on her new release, Summer at Mustang Ridge, which was just released. This is her first book in her new series, Mustang Ridge.

Let’s talk to Jesse.

 

 

 

Hi Jesse. Thank you for taking the time to revisit us at The Reading Cafe, to discuss your new release “Summer at Mustang Ridge”, as well as to give us an update as to what you have in store for us in 2013.

TRC: When you were last here, as Jessica Andersen, we discussed mostly the final countdown to your fabulous The Nightkeepers series.  Now, as Jesse Hayworth, you have started a new contemporary romance series, which starts off with the release of your first book, Summer at Mustang Ridge.  Can you please tell us what made you decide to use a new pen name, Jesse Hayworth, and how you came up with the idea of the Mustang Ridge series?

Jesse: Hi, and I’m so pleased to be back at the Café! Thanks for having me. I’ve got my hot chocolate (just a dab of whipped cream, thanks), and can’t wait to kick back and dish about romance 🙂

Why take a new name and write contemporary romances? Two words: true love. (Or, if we’re having a Princess Bride moment here, twooo wuv.) When I met my one-and-only, Arizona (thank you, Match.com), I lost my need to blow stuff up and started wanting to write happier, funnier romances. At least for the time being.

As for the pseudonym, these stories are so different from the Nightkeeper books that I wanted to use a different name so there wouldn’t be any confusion (for me or the readers!). I went with “Jesse” because I didn’t trust my own ability to remember a new name, and “Hayworth” because it combines my new married (and admittedly unpronounceable) name with that of my extremely cool grandfather.

TRC: Being a new series, can you tell us the premise of the Mustang Ridge series?

Jesse: The stories center on a ten-generation Wyoming cattle ranch that twins Krista and Jenny Skye have turned into a dude ranch, much to their grandfather’s annoyance. But with their grandmother ruling the kitchen, the barn full of horses, and the cabins booked to capacity, there’s no question that Mustang Ridge is a success. Too bad they can’t say the same for their love lives …

summer at mustang ridgeTRC: Would you please give us a brief description of Summer at Mustang Ridge?

Jesse: Absolutely! It’s the story of, eight-year-old Lizzie, who hasn’t spoken in nearly two years—not to her teachers, not to her friends … not even to her mom, Shelby. Which is why Shelby takes a sabbatical from her real life in advertising, and heads west to a family-run Wyoming dude ranch. There, she’ll be the assistant cook and Lizzie will get some hands-on time with the horses. The traditional treatments haven’t worked … maybe this will?

Shelby soon butts heads with the trail boss, Foster, but Lizzie takes an instant liking to the cowboy and his horses. Sparks fly and the city lady as the cowboy discover some common ground, but junk food and b-grade science fiction aren’t enough when they come from two different worlds. As the summer comes to a close and Lizzie’s condition deteriorates, Shelby knows they have to return to the real world … even if it means leaving Mustang Ridge—and Foster—behind.

Links to order Summer at Mustang Ridge:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

TRC: You released a novella last month, Sunset at Keyhole Canyon, to start this series.  How many books do you plan for this series? 

Jesse: There are two more books in the works, but I’m keeping the series open-ended after that. I’m having way too much fun with the Skye family and their guests, who come to whoop it up at Mustang Ridge Dude Ranch for everything from Singles Week to Round-up Week. There’s never a dull moment!

TRC: Now that The Nightkeepers series has ended, do you have any plans to return to writing a similar type of the more darker paranormal romance stories, as Jessica Andersen?

Jesse:  I definitely plan on writing more Jessica Andersen books, though I couldn’t tell you what they’ll be yet, or when. I recently started watching Criminal Minds again, which suggests that as Arizona and I approach our second wedding anniversary, I’m emerging a little from my puppies-and-kittens fog and potentially regaining the urge to write about demons and mayhem, at least part-time.

TRC: Was it hard to switch from writing about warriors, mages, demons, and then switching to contemporary romance with cowboys as our heroes?

Jesse: Actually, I’m going back to my roots here, as my first few under-the-bed manuscripts were contemporary romances with horses in them. Back when I first started writing, “Western” was a swear word in publishing, but these days, hunky cowboys are in! I’ve ridden professionally and had a farm for many years, and these stories just flowed out of me. They’re tender, romantic, funny, and about people and animals I truly love.

TRC: Would you like to share with us what you are currently working on, and what you have in store for us in 2013?

Jesse: I’m finishing up a draft of the third Mustang Ridge book as we speak. The novella and Summer at Mustang Ridge are my only releases in 2013, with the following books due out in Feb and July of next year.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Jesse: I had hoped to be able to direct you guys to an awesome video trailer for the new books, but that backfired so thoroughly that it was laughable. In fact, you’re invited to laugh at me, if you want to check out The Video Trailer That Wasn’t. (http://jessehayworthbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-video-trailer-that-wasnt.html)

TRC: Thank you, Jesse for visiting us to tell us about your new Mustang Ridge series, as well as what we can look forward to in the 2013. It was a pleasure talking with you again, and we wish you good luck with Summer at Mustang Ridge.

Jesse: Thanks so much for having me here! To celebrate, I’m giving away a Mustang Ridge prize pack that includes made-in-Wyoming Cowboy Chocolates, Buffalo Smooch lip balm, and a signed copy of Summer at Mustang Ridge. To enter, tell me about your favorite (or least favorite!) piece of Western wear. Me? I’ve got a concho belt that I’ve been wearing since the late 90s, and I’m a sucker for a pair of Justin boots.

If you want to learn more about Jesse Hayworth, you can visit her at the following links:Jesse Hayworth Website: http://www.jessehayworth.com/
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

Jessica Andersen Website:

 

GIVEAWAY-WHITEwithblue

As noted above, Jesse has graciously offered to give one member of The Reading Café a Mountain Ridge prize pack of a signed copy of Summer at Mustang Ridge, made in Wyoming Cowboy Chocolates, and Buffalo Smooch lip balm.  Please follow the rules below.

1.  Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment answering the following question:
    Comment about your favorite (or least favorite!) piece of Western wear.

4.  Giveaway open US only.

5.  Contests runs from June 6 to June 9, 2013

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39 thoughts on “Catching Up With Jesse Hayworth”

  2. Nice to see you again Jesse. I think it’s great that you are happy, and it reflects in this new series, which I cannot wait to read. Reading the review, this sounds like a fun read, perfect for summer. I loved your Nightkeepers series.

    • Thanks for the welcome back, Amy! I’m delighted to be here, and so pleased to share these stories. It’s nerve racking at the same time, is it’s such a change, but in a good way. I will always love the Nightkeepers (glad you do, too!), but there’s room in my heart for hunky cowboys, too!

  3. Great to see you back, Jesse. I loved reading about why you used a different name and your series sounds wonderful.

    I have a cowboy shirt that I used to wear a number of years ago, when I went out to some parties with friends. It really doesn’t fit anymore, but I keep it anyway for the memories.

    • Thanks so much, Mercy!

      You know, now that you mention it, I had a fringed suede jacket that used to be my going-out-fancy go-to, like your shirt. I donated it during a ‘out with the old’ cleaning binge … and kind of wish I’d kept it.

      Thanks for sharing!

  4. Great interview, and the series sounds wonderful. I am going to have to check it out. Welcome back to TRC Jesse, it is great to hear from authors who were here before and learned to enjoy. 🙂

    • Hi Mary Ann, and thanks for the welcome back! Yes, I’ve definitely learned to slow down and enjoy since the last time I was here. Hubby is one of those ‘ooh, let’s see what’s down that road’ kind of guys, which has given me a new appreciation of making the journey, not just reaching the destination 🙂 Wishing you a lovely day!

  6. Great interview ladies!! I look so forward to reading your new book Jess!! I read your post where Ward met you, along with all of the hot cowboys in Mustang territory!! I literally cracked up laughing!! Well done and look forward to all of your work!!

  7. Hi Jesse, your series sounds very nice. Lizzy has captured my heart already. Will Krista and Jennie Skye get a HEA before this series ends. I haven’t read or heard of your Nightkeepers series but I’ll be checking out your website when I leave the TRC.

    My favorite Western wear is cowboy boots! In Southern, CA we only get about 6 weeks of cold and rain and that’s when I pull out my black and brown cowboy boots. I even have a red pair from Texas that were given to me as a Valentine gift years ago.

    • Hi Lavonda! Yes, ma’am– Jenny is the heroine of Winter at Mustang Ridge (Feb 14) and Krista takes the reins in Harvest at Mustang Ridge (July 14). The books aren’t super interconnected, though, so you should be able to pick them up in any order. Thanks for asking.

      And ooh, love me some sexy boots! Thumbs up.

  8. Lovely to have you back at TRC no matter which persona is present! 🙂 I just posted on Barb’s wonderful review that a hot cowboy romance fits in nicely between supernatural stories. I’m going to make it my goal to make sure Mustang Ridge and your Nightkeepers are my summer beach reads.

    Looooves me some cowboy boots! My youngest has some in hot pink. 🙂

    • Thanks, Sandy! It’s lovely being here at the cafe. I’m nearly done with my hot chocolate, and am thinking of going for round two. I’m thinking of cookies and Diet Coke (to cancel out the calories, yanno).

  11. Welcome back to TRC Jesse. I have started reading more romance again. This series sounds really good . Will pick up the novella that starts it.

  13. Sad to say I’m not really a fan of any Western wear unless jeans are considered true Western clothing. “Summer at Mustang Ridge” looks like a great read – I’ve already added it to TBR list.

  14. Thanks Jesse for spending time with us today. Summer at Mustang Ridge was a wonderful read, and I hope everyone visiting buys the book.

    I also wanted to say I got a kick out of your video. lol and absolutely loved your post with JR. super fun.

  16. Welcome back to TRC Jessie. I love me some cowboys, so this new series is exactly the type of books I’d read. Adding this one to my tbr list right now.

  17. Hey Jesse, welcome back. The new series sounds wonderful – I just love cowboys and horses…mostly cowboys! LOL Loved your video trailer that wasn’t! When I was in H.S. (long time ago) I tried to make a 3D mural on my mom’s dining room wall…pretty much like your video…sure looked great in my head! Anyway, welcome back and thanks for chatting with us!

    • Hi Georgie! Glad you liked the trailer that wasn’t, and appreciate you sharing how you feel my pain. Yep, you know the old ‘eyes are bigger than the stomach’? Sometimes the creativity outstrips the technology! Thanks for checking out the interview, and for the shout out 🙂

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