CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE (Sweetwater Springs #1) by Annie Rains-Review, Excerpt & Interview with the Author
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About the book: Release Date September 25, 2018
‘Tis the season for a fresh start . . .
It’s the start of the holiday season in the North Carolina mountains, and the air is fresh and crisp and filled with promise. After the devastating loss of her job in the big city, the small town of Sweetwater Springs feels like heaven to Kaitlyn Russo. She’s inherited her grandparents’ charming (if a little rundown) bed and breakfast, and it’s just the new lease on life she needs. Only “heaven” comes with a catch-and a handsome and completely infuriating one at that.
After what he hopes will be a quick trip, Mitch Hargrove wants nothing more than to put his hometown in the rearview mirror. But his plans get derailed when he learns he’s now half-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. The fact that he’s given only two months to make the inn a success is a huge problem, but it’s his pretty-and incredibly headstrong-partner who’s the real challenge. With the holiday fast approaching and a grand re-opening looming, will Mitch keep running from the ghosts of Christmas past . . . or will he realize the true gift he’s been given?
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REVIEW: CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE is the first instalment in Annie Rains’ contemporary, adult SWEETWATER SPRINGS romance series focusing on the small town of Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina. This is interior designer Kaitlyn Russo, and retired US Marine Mitch Hargrove’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Mitch and Kaitlyn) CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE focuses on the building relationship between interior designer Kaitlyn Russo, and retired US Marine Mitch Hargrove. The recent death of her grandmother Mable pulled Kaitlyn Russo to the small town of Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina where our heroine inherited her grandmother’s beloved Sweetwater B&B, an inheritance that came with a questionable caveat. Enter retired US Marine Mitch Hargrove, one-time B&B caretaker and friend to Henry and Mable Russo, and the new co-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. A two month ‘obligatory business arrangement ‘ in order to inherit or sell the B&B finds our couple working together to make the small hotel into a thriving business. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Kaitlyn and Mitch, and the potential fall-out as Mitch struggles with memories of the past, and the perceived sins of a teenaged boy.
Mitch Hargrove wants nothing to do with Sweetwater Springs, a town that brings too many fractured memories of long ago. Aside from him mother, there is nothing and no one that calls to his heart. Preparing for a security assignment in the new year Mitch is surprised to discover that Ms. Mable has ‘arranged’ a two-month assignment of her own. Kaitlyn Russo was a successful New York interior designer but a designer whose career was destroyed by a professional fall-out and the accusations of a celebrity extraordinaire. Hoping to restart her life Kaitlyn is shocked when she is forced to work alongside a man who wants nothing to do with the Sweetwater B&B. If they cannot find a way to work together, the B&B will be sold, and everything will go to charity.
The relationship between Mitch and Kaitlyn begins as a forced business arrangement, an arrangement neither one is happy to oblige. Mitch’s plans do not include running a run-down B&B, and Kaitlyn hopes to rebuild her grandmother’s once-successful business. The sexual attraction between Kaitlyn and Mitch is palpable and immediate. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate but mostly implied.
We are introduced to the colorful and charismatic people and places of Sweetwater Springs including attorney Jacob Garrison; police chief Alex Logan; Mitch’s mother Gina Hargrove, and aunt Nettie, and longtime friend Tucker Locklear; Fudge Shop owner Dawanda; bookstore owner Julia Kent; Kaitlyn’s best friend and journalist Josie; as well as a number of Sweetwater B&B guests including graphic designer and biker Paris. I am definitely hoping to read a happily ever after for Paris.
CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE is a sweet and sexy story line; a small-town romance focusing on two people who lives are interrupted by a meddling but well-meaning old lady. The premise is entertaining, engaging and endearing; the characters are dynamic and lively, especially the B&B guest; the romance is tender and dramatic as Mitch continues to pull away giving mixed signals with every encounter. A wonderful holiday read, CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE is a great start to the holiday season.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
NOTE: The excerpt has been provided by the publisher
“So,” the lawyer clapped his hands together, “congratulations, you two. Looks like you’ll be business partners.”
Kaitlyn straightened. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Mable left you half of the Sweetwater B and B,” he told her and then looked at Mitch. “And you the other half. I’m sure you know the Russos thought of you as a grandson, Mitch. They were very proud of your service as a military police officer.”
Kaitlyn’s eyes darted between the two men. “Excuse me, Mr. Garrison, but I was under the impression that I was the new owner.”
“You are. Along with Mr. Hargrove.” Mr. Garrison pointed at the papers in front of him. “Says so right here. Under one condition that your grandmother spelled out in no uncertain terms.”
Kaitlyn’s head was spinning. “Condition?” she asked.
Mr. Garrison nodded. “That’s right. The condition is that you and Mr. Hargrove must run this place together for the first two months after signing these documents.”
“I love Mable but no way am I staying in Sweetwater Springs for two months,” Mitch said flatly.
Kaitlyn shot him a scornful look. “This was my grandparents’ business. We can’t just let it go.”
“I hate to break it to you but this place has been declining for years,” Mitch said. “Mable rarely had a full inn. I say we save ourselves the trouble and forfeit now.”
“We are not forfeiting,” Kaitlyn snapped between gritted teeth. She didn’t care how big or attractive Mitch Hargrove was—and he was big and attractive—she’d lost too many fights lately. She was fighting for this B&B with every ounce of strength she had. “Is there any way to get around the legal terms?” she asked. “So I can run the B and B and Mr. Hargrove can go on his merry way?”
Mr. Garrison frowned. “I’m afraid not. The will is detailed. Mable was insistent that you two work here together. Leaving the inn to the both of you was her final attempt to revive this old place.”
Mr. Garrison angled himself to look at Kaitlyn. “Mable was proud of how creative you are. She said you could turn menial things into magic.” He turned back to Mitch. “And she said you could fix just about anything.” Mr. Garrison’s gaze flitted between them. “She knew it would take the talents of both of you combined. “So,” Mr. Garrison said on an inhale, “do you accept or not?”
“No,” Mitch barked at the same time that she said, “Yes.”
Kaitlyn folded her arms across her chest. How dare he even consider refusing her grandmother’s final wish. “We’re not giving up on this B and B.”
“This inn is a money pit. We’d be fools to go into business together.” Mitch shook his head. “And I don’t know about you but I have a life to get back to. Two months of trying to avoid the inevitable isn’t in my plans.”
“I have a life,” Kaitlyn shot back. Albeit one that seemed to be in shambles lately. Apparently, Grandma Mable had been struggling too. How had Kaitlyn not known her grandmother was under so much financial strain? Not that Kaitlyn could’ve helped. All she’d really had of value when she’d driven down from New York to the North Carolina mountains was hope, and even that was dwindling fast.
TRC: Hi Annie and welcome to The Reading Café.
Annie: Hi! Thank you so much for inviting me today!
TRC: Congratulations on the recent release of CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE
Annie: Thank you! I’m very excited about this release! I really hope readers enjoy this story!
TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?
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Annie: Yes, I’m a wife and mother of three kids, ranging in age from 4-10. I also have a full-time job, so all my writing is done in the wee hours of the morning. I love coffee, reading (romance and women’s fiction), and going to the beach. I also enjoy a good rainstorm.
TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?
Annie:I fell in love with reading at an early age. I always admired the authors of what I was reading and wanted to be just like them. I think that was my biggest influence. Just loving books and the people who wrote them, and wanting to emulate them.
TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing your first novel?
Annie: The first several novels that I wrote were never published. It was a long, hard, learning experience for me. Each book made me better and brought me closer to publication though. The challenge was continuing to believe in my dream and finding the time to invest in making it happen.
TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE and the Sweetwater Springs Series?
Annie: The premise is that the hero and heroine, Kaitlyn and Mitch, are two strangers who have inherited a bed and breakfast. Together they must run the inn for two months or they forfeit it to charity. Kaitlyn is all-in, but Mitch needs some convincing to stay in the hometown he never planned on returning to.
TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?
Annie: I’m in love with the town of Sweetwater Springs. I want to stay there indefinitely so I’m hoping there will be quite a few more books. As of right now, there are 3 full length novels and two short stories planned.
TRC: Will Paris get his own story ???
Annie: Nothing is planned for Paris yet, but it’s possible ☺
TRC: From where did you get the idea for CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE?
Annie: It started with my hero, Mitch. He has a tragic backstory that I knew about from the beginning. It’s the reason he never wanted to return to his hometown. From there, I created a compelling reason to bring him home.
TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE?
Annie: I created a vague outline with characters and goals prior to starting and then dove in. I find that the plot changes as I write. I also don’t know what I need to research until it’s on the page, so I research as I go. I needed to research the mountains of NC and how to run a functioning bed and breakfast, among other things.
TRC: There is a fine line between romance, erotic and erotica fiction. What do you believe are the differences? And where should the author draw the line?
Annie: I don’t write erotic or erotic fiction so I can’t really speak on it. I don’t think there’s a line though. I feel like each author must make that choice for themselves. How far do they feel comfortable going? Likewise, each reader must decide what heat level they prefer to read.
TRC: What was the most challenging scene to write?
Annie: The black moment, where all is lost, is always, always, always the hardest for me. It has to be done right to gut the reader and make them feel all the emotions. If they don’t, they won’t care if the hero and heroine get back together at the end.
TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?
Annie: I think a great cover is key. At least it is for me as a reader. I’m first attracted to the book based on the cover and/or the author. Then I read the blurb and if that’s good, I buy the book. A cover reveals so much, including the tone of the story.
TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?
Annie: The characters are in the driver’s seat. I like to think I write their stories, but they’re in control, lol. I’m just along for the ride!
TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?
Annie: Pulling the reader into the storyline is definitely key! I think to do that, an author has to create likeable, relatable characters that readers fall in love with. Readers have to feel for these characters in order to care if they get their hearts broken. I think, as authors, we all do our best in trying to do this. It’s not easy. I know that if I love a character and care about them, and if I’m crying as I’m writing their stories on the page, then hopefully my readers will too.
TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?
Annie: I don’t listen to music while I’m writing, but I do when I’m plotting a story. I love to make a soundtrack for my books to listen to and get me in the right mood for the story.
TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?
Annie: I’m not sure. I guess that authors live glamourous lives. When I’m in author mode, I’m in my pajamas and tucked away in a quiet office, usually during the hours when most are sleeping. I spend the rest of the day running around and doing other things for my day job and my family.
TRC: How should authors measure a book’s success?
Annie: Speaking for myself, I measure success by how well my book is received. I love to hear from my readers and know that they enjoyed a book. That’s success to me. I want to give my readers an escape and make them feel a wide range of emotions.
TRC: What is something that few, if anybody, knows about you?
Annie: Hmmm. That’s a hard one! I guess most people don’t know that I’ve always wanted to be an author, but romance wasn’t my first love. It was suspense and horror.
TRC: Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?
Annie: Favorite author, hands down, is Nora Roberts. Not just because of her awesome books, but because she’s such an inspiration to the writing and romance community. I’ve seen her speak in person several times and I always walk away in awe of her. She’s absolutely amazing!
TRC: On what are you currently working?
Annie: Right now I’m editing book 3 in my Sweetwater Springs series. It’s due in November and then I’ll start writing a short story for the series.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food
Steak.
Favorite Dessert
Bananas.
Favorite TV Show
The Handmaid’s Tale
Last Movie You Saw
Infinity Wars
Dark or Milk Chocolate
No milk.
Secret Celebrity Crush
Dwayne Johnson, The Rock!
Last Vacation Destination
Denver, Colorado
Do you have any pets?
A dog named Carter.
Last book you read
Kristan Higgins’ On Second Thought.
TRC: Thank you Annie for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE. We wish you
all the best.
Annie: Thank you so much for having me! This was fun!
