LuAnn McLane – Moonlight Kiss – Interview & Review

 

Moonlight Kiss
Cricket Creek series -Book 5
by LuAnn McLaneLinks to order Moonlight Kiss:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its baseball, shopping, and cuisine. After finally rebounding from the recession, the residents are ready to repair their lives—and their hearts…

After two very public broken engagements with two very famous men, Addison Monroe is ready to avoid the spotlight. She decides to put her wedding planning experience to good use by opening a bridal boutique. Setting up shop in small town Kentucky is the perfect way to escape prying eyes and live a quiet, single life.

Investment consultant Reid Greenfield is fed up with weddings—and not his own. He’s certain his sister’s plan to turn their family farm into a wedding reception venue will lead to bankruptcy. Reid hopes that city girl Addison will be an ally in getting his sister to change her mind before she loses her savings. Instead, Addison adores the idea and jumps on board. It’s a risky business—especially once romance gets involved. But sometimes a little risk brings a huge reward…

Review:

Moonlight Kiss by LuAnn McLane is the 5th book in her Cricket Creek series.  I was concerned that not having read the earlier books in this series that it might be difficult to follow, but it had been noted that this could be read as a standalone.  I can safely confirm that is true.  I enjoyed Moonlight Kiss, and at no time did I feel like I was missing anything.  Though some members of the town of Cricket Creek probably had their stories told earlier.  
Moonlight Kiss belongs to Addison and Reid, as our romantic couple in this story.  Addison Monroe has been unlucky in love, having been engaged twice only to see it breakup before she walked down the aisle.  She decides it’s time to get away from Los Angeles to visit her cousin in a small town in Kentucky.. Cricket Creek.  It doesn’t take long for Addison’s cousin Mia to convince her to stay, open up a bridal bouquet shop (she does have experience planning weddings :).

Addison has sworn off men, and is excited to be around friends and family in a small town atmosphere.  But best laid plans do not always work.  She meets Reid Greenfield, who was born in Cricket Creek, but is now a successful Financial consultant.  Reid is home to help his family fix up their place, and then he plans to return to his practice.  He meets Addison, and tries to get her to stop his sister from investing all her money into turning their huge barn into to a wedding site.  Unfortunately for Reid, once Addison meets his sister Sara, she agrees to help with fixing up the barn.  But Reid cannot stay angry for long, as he finds himself becoming attracted to Addison.  She too finds herself attracted, but her past comes back a couple of times to bite her, and Addison is not too happy with Reid’s “jump to conclusion” comments.  Sara and her mother plot in the background to get Reid to go after Addison as they want him to settle down.

What follows is a cute romance, in a small town, where everyone knows each other.  Since this is pure romance, despite some problems, you knew they would eventually move past the issues and fall in love.  It was cute to see some of the things they did to push the two together.  There was also a back story of another older couple, which was nice.  If you like a simple sweet and light romance; with a small town country background, look no further then Moonlight Kiss.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome LuAnne McLane today for an Interview to discuss who newest release, Moonlight Kiss.

Let’s meet LuAnn!

 

 

TRC:  Hi LuAnn and welcome to The Reading Café.  We would like to start with some background information…  Please tell us something about yourself?

LuAnn: I was born and raised in Northern Kentucky just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio so while I’m a small town girl who enjoys all things southern, I also learned to appreciate theater, music and art.  I’m also a diehard fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals but my big obsession is the University of Kentucky Wildcats.  I have four adult children that I love spending time with and two amazing grandchildren and another one on the way!  Yes, I’m that grandma who gets into trouble allowing my grandchildren too much candy and staying up late to read just one more story.

TRC:  Have you always been interested in writing? 

LuAnn: My interest in writing started with my love of books.  My mother will tell you that as a toddler I begged to read to so much that I memorized stories leading people to believe that I could read at the tender age of two.  Going to the library was my favorite outing and required reading in school was never a chore.  Reading one chapter for homework was never enough.  Why stop and not finish the book?

My love of romance began after watching Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren and Stuart Damon and I knew at an early age that not only did I want to write but I wanted to write love stories.

TRC:  Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

LuAnn: The biggest challenge in writing is the amount of time involved.  There aren’t enough hours in the day!

TRC:  You recently released another book in your successful Cricket Creek series.  Can you tell our members, who may not have read the series, the premise?  Also, how many books do you plan for Cricket Creek.

LuAnn: My parents had a vacation home in the panhandle of Florida.  When we would drive there from Kentucky I was always saddened by the small towns that were struggling.  Storefronts boarded up and peeling paint had me longing to see the towns during their heyday.   Small towns are the backbone of our country and I wanted to write about a town struggling but then have everyone band together and save their businesses and homes.  Although Cricket Creek is rural, the town is also known for its shopping, theater and cuisine.  I wanted readers to long to step inside the pages and walk into shops and restaurants in the little town that I’ve come to love so much that at times it does seem real.

Cricket Creek was supposed to be three books but has grown to nine.  My ideas for this town are endless so I will continue write the series as long as readers want to read it.  I keep the stories fresh by going in different directions but also having past characters make appearances so we know where their lives are going.

TRC:  Moonlight Kiss was just released a couple of weeks ago.  Can you please give us a brief description of the book? 

LuAnn: Addison Monroe, my sweet little heroine, has been hurt by two very public engagements to two famous men.  She jokingly tells her cousin Mia (Pitch Perfect) that she has enough experience planning weddings to open her own bridal boutique… and she does so in Wedding Row in Cricket Creek.

Reid Greenfield, my sexy hero, is trying to stop his sister from turning their family farm into a wedding reception venue by hosting barn weddings. (And they are so pretty!  I did the research). Fearing bankruptcy, Reid asks city girl Addison to convince his sister that this is a very bad idea.  But Addison adores the notion and jumps on board much to Reid’s displeasure.   Addison butt heads and fight their attraction… oh and I want to tell so much more but fear spoilers!

The secondary plot is about an aging rock legend and a real estate agent Maggie McMillan (Tristan’s mom from Whisper’s Edge).  I get such a kick out of writing second chance love stories with mature couples!

TRC:  You write romance, and have so many wonderful books.  How do you come up with these ideas for your stories? 

LuAnn: Thank you so much!  I must admit that I’m a people watcher.  Everyday life is my inspiration.  Ever since watching Cinderella dance with the handsome prince I’ve believed in the notion that true love will win against all odds 🙂

TRC:  Do you have a preference between writing Contemporary Romance, Southern Romantic Comedy, and Sensual Romance?  Have you ever thought of writing another genre other then romance?

LuAnn: I enjoy writing all three but the common denominator is definitely laughter.   Whether subtle or full blown I believe that love and laughter go together both in my stories and in my life.

I think that there is a real need for more compelling middle grade stories.  We see lovely picture books and amazing YA but I think there is a gap between the two and we lose readers during those middle grade years.  At some point I’d like the opportunity to write stories or even a series for children in grades four-sixth.

TRC:  What are you working on now, and what we can look forward to in 2014? 

LuAnn:  I just finished up Wildflower Wedding, a Cricket Creek novel that will come out in the spring of 2014.  Right now I’m writing Sweet Harmony and enjoying combining my love of romance and country music!

TRC:  Many author bounce ideas and information between each other and their family and spouses.  With whom do you bounce ideas? 

LuAnn: It’s funny because when I bounce ideas off of my daughter she has trouble figuring out whether I’m talking about real people or fictional.  We will be in a conversation about a scene or conflict and she will suddenly ask, “Wait, are these friends of yours or characters in your story?  I want to answer both but that might scare her…

I chat with my mother about stories and she always tells me that she can’t wait to find out what happens.  But for the most part the characters take over and pretty much write the story for me.

TRC:  Can you please tell us your writing process?  Do you have a favorite spot or specific time to write? 

LuAnn: When I’m on a deadline I write almost every day.  I begin with reading back over the pages written the day before to get my head back into the story.  I edit as I go so when I finish the book it’s pretty polished and ready to turn in.  My best work is done in the morning and into the afternoon.  If I’m in a deadline crunch I’ll write in the evening as well.

I prefer to write near a window where I have light and a view.   Seeing trees, birds, water… nature in general is a calming factor and keeps me in touch with my senses.

TRC:  You are a big Country Music fan.  Who are your favorite singers?

LuAnn: Yes I am!   Country music has had a big influence on my writing.  Many of my chapter titles are based on country music songs and I actually listen to that song and soak up the lyrics.

Oh, I have so many country music artists that I adore for different reasons   Keith Urban is a favorite because he sings with such emotion.  I enjoy Jason Aldean because he sings about small towns, farms and country life.  Fly Over States is a great example.  Toby Keith can make me laugh with songs like Red Solo Cup!  The music of Rascal Flatts has gotten me though some tough times in my life.  Of course I love Wynonna Judd.  Her voice is so pure.  Working with her on Restless Heart was such a thrill!  I could go on and on…

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else? 

LuAnn: The added joy of writing romance novels is the readers and authors I’ve met and become such close friends with over the years.  Romance readers are such loving, loyal people!  And knowing that I can bring the same joy to readers that I’ve gotten from reading is such a wonderful feeling.  If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d still write romance novels.  Writing love stories isn’t a job or even a career.  It’s my passion and I want to share it with readers for as long as they read my stories.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food:  A really awesome cheeseburger….the kind that is messy and too big to bite into.  

Favorite Dessert: Red Velvet cake for special occasions but good quality ice cream is my weakness.  

Favorite TV show: I really enjoy Justified.  It’s set in Kentucky and stars Timothy Olyphant. I also love to laugh so I watch Modern Family and The Middle.  

Favorite Movie: Love Actually 

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark!  But I won’t turn down milk chocolate either. 

Favorite Literary Character (male & female) not your own: Jo in Little Women 

Dog or Cat: Dog 

TRC:  LuAnn, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. The Reading Café wishes you good luck with Moonlight Kiss!

LuAnn: Thank you for having me as your guest!

If you want to learn more about LuAnn, you can find her at the following links:Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads