Guest Blogger and Contest - Randi Alexander

New Release and Book Giveaway!

Thank you, Amber, for having me as your guest today.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?
Since I've begun writing cowboy romances, I'd love to travel anywhere there are cowboys. I think Texas is the place to start. I'd begin in Amarillo and take my convertible on a big, meandering loop of the state's perimeter, then hit all the spots in the middle that seem interesting. I'd like to meet and chat with as many cowboys as possible, looking for ideas for my next book and immersing myself in Texas life.

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?
I write all the time. Mostly days when my hubby is away at work, and some evenings after supper when he's occupied with television. I don't write much on weekends unless I'm behind, or it's raining, or I have an all-consuming scene in my head that I have to write.

Where do you research for your books?
I research online, mostly, but I have a number of writer-friends around the world, and I'm not shy about asking them things like, "So, when a cowgirl gets off a horse after a long ride, what are the first things she does?" My horse-lover friend said, "She finds a bathroom!" I laughed at her practial response because it's pretty rare that I read a romance novel where the heroine is racing for a restroom.

What does your family think of your writing career?
They're very supportive. They spread the word for me and help with research projects. The books are a little too spicy for most of them to read, but I do ask my macho hubby to check over my manuscripts to make sure the male voice is macho enough.

What do you think makes a good story?
For me, a good story involves fascinating characters who are flawed, but have a lot of integrity. They may do things that seem wrong, but they're doing them for the right reason. A good story has a lot of tension, sexual, mysterious, thrilling, etc., and keeps the reader engaged with a twisting, complicated plot.

What are your favorite TV shows?
One of the things I've given up in order to have more time writing is TV. And holy cow, was that difficult! The one television guilty pleasure I allow myself is watching Hawaii 5-0 on Monday nights with my hubby. The scenery is beautiful, and the stories are interesting. He and I play the plot-game, to see which of us can guess the ending first. Oh, one other show I watch but don't admit to anyone is Bravo's The Millionaire's Club. I allow myself one episode per week. I like it because it gives me insight into the dating scene, which I've been out of for a long, long time. It's helpful for my writing (and a lot of fun to watch!)

What is your favorite meal?
My lunch every weekday is fat-free whole-wheat tortillas wrapped around melty soy cheese, which I dip in salsa. I haven't gotten sick of it yet!

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?
Take time to learn the craft. Go to your local library and check out as many books as you can on writing. Join a writing support group, like Romance Writers of America, and find a local chapter and a critique group. When I started writing, I had no idea what I was doing. The urge to write was strong, but my skills were not, and to become a marketable writer, you have to have both. And don't ever give up! One day you'll find the agent or editor who will LOVE your writing, and they will be your strongest advocate.

What hobbies do you actively pursue?
I'm a drummer. I'm not in a band right now, but I bang around on the kit a little every day. Good stress relief!

Tell us about your current release.
My first book, Chase and Seduction was released May 27 from The Wild Rose Press' Cowboy Kink line. Here's the book's blurb and a romantic excerpt.


Country music superstar/actor Chase Tanner has yet to be denied anything–and he’s never wanted anything or anyone more than gorgeous screenplay writer Reno Linden. So when the film they are working on is finally finished, Chase decides to turn up the volume on seducing Reno.
Reno Linden lived a quiet, rural life until she was thrust into the Hollywood scene when her book was adapted to film. Chase Tanner is larger than life, sinfully sexy and hell-bent on getting her into bed. Skittish after a failed wedding engagement, Reno risks the plunge into Chase’s arms, and is surprised that her good girl self can keep up with bad boy Chase.
Though Chase returns to his cowboy roots often, and Reno cherishes the time spent with him on his ranch, the two find their careers pulling them in different directions. Will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame?

EXCERPT: Over 18 only

Chase brushed his lips against her hair, and settled in. As exhaustion took him, he smiled. He couldn’t remember being this happy. Ever. But he had to know what she was feeling.

“Are you excited to go home, Reno?”

She hauled in a long breath and let it out slowly. “I wouldn’t say excited. Maybe anxious. I have so much to do once I get there.”

“Your book edits?”

“Yes, and I’m teaching a class in a few weeks. I haven’t prepared for that yet.”

The floral scent of her hair snuck into his nostrils. Another thing about her he’d never forget. “Is that what you want to be when you grow up? A teacher?”

She laughed and ran her hand over his ribs. “I do. I love to write, but I have a longing to share what I’ve learned with others. I get so excited reading young writers’ work, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to guide them. I’ve had some amazing mentors…and some not so great.”

She was talking about her ex-boyfriend. The one who tried to change her writing style. Make her into something she wasn’t so she’d fit into his life better. Asshole.

Her shoulder shrugged once, and she asked, “What about you, Chase. What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Staring into the dark, he couldn’t find the answer. He’d always wanted to go back to school. Not high school, but college. Take some classes and learn about things that people talked about. Politics and religion. Evolution, the planets, stuff under microscopes.

But he couldn’t tell Reno that. Hell, two years ago, he’d asked Jorjia to help him find a college, and she’d freaked out. She didn’t want the media to get a hold of the story. It would embarrass her if people knew she was dating someone so low class. That’s what she called him. Low class. She’d slapped him down hard, and the ache still lingered, flaring up every time he thought about going back to school.

He kissed Reno’s forehead. She’d never say something like that to him. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to remind her how uneducated he was.

“When I grow up, baby, I wanna be twice as sexy as I am now.”

She giggled a couple small laughs, then her breathing grew heavy and slow.

His last thought before he followed her into sleep, was that he’d never do anything to embarrass her the way he’d almost done to Jorjia.


To celebrate the release of Chase and Seduction, I'm giving away, to one lucky *commenter, an e-copy of my novella Her Cowboy Stud. Just leave a comment today and we'll choose a winner tomorrow. *Commenter must be 18 years of age or older to win.


I'm also giving away a cowgirl hat to one subscriber to my newsletter. For more details, and to sign up for this contest, please go to my website, RandiAlexander.com And while you're there, you can read the first chapter of Chase and Seduction.
Good luck, and thank you!
Randi
RandiAlexander.com
WildAndWickedCowboysBlog
Buy Chase and Seduction at The Wild Rose Press Wilder Roses