I am always excited to host my good friend Shannon Taylor Vannatter. We were newbies at the same time, and we met when I caught a ride with Shannon and Linda Fulkerson to go to my first American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference in 2010! (see the pic at the end of the post!)
Today I get to interview Shannon, and there’s a giveaway of a signed paperback copy of Sweetheart Reunion, a 2-in-1 Love Inspired volume that includes Shannon’s Reuniting With the Cowboy and Tina Radcliff’s Rocky Mountain Sweetheart. Simply comment on this post from May 10-17, and I’ll announce the winner the following week!
And now, here’s the interview!
Welcome, Shannon!
- What inspired you to write, initially, and what encouraged you to continue?
I went to the library and couldn’t find any clean romance to read back in the late nineties. I’d had a story in my head since I was a teen and decided to write the kind of book I wanted to read. I set out to write a clean romance, but my characters kept talking to God, so I let them. I wasn’t familiar with Christian Fiction at the time, so it just turned into that because I’m a Christian and I couldn’t leave God out of my characters’ lives.
Once I finished it, I was determined to get published. A sea of rejections followed, but a few editors took the time to write notes on the pages telling me that my story was good, I just needed to hone my craft. Those encouraging notes kept me going through 9 1/2 years of rejection.
I love that you kept on writing through all of that, because it’s HARD, isn’t it? It’s so important that the editors gave you feedback that kept you going!
- What is one story from real life that you’ve included in one of your books?
When I was writing Reunited with the Cowboy, I asked my vet for stories since my heroine is a vet. While he vaccinated my cats and dog, he told me about vaccinating some cows for a local farmer and a mad mama cow going on attack. In real life, a man was hurt, but recovered. In my book, no one got hurt and of course I added romance.
Vets have the best stories – I guess that’s why I’ve read and re-read James Herriot’s books about his life as a vet in post-war England! We go to church with our vet, and he’s always teasing my mom about her mean cat! LOL
- What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?
Romans 8:38-39 – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It’s hard to chose just one. But this one always comforts me since there are so many things this world throws at us.
I love those verses. It’s so huge that God loves us that much!
- What is one thing you have to do to yourself before you go out in public?
Put on makeup. Until a few years ago, I could count on one hand the number of people who’d seen me without makeup. I used to wouldn’t even answer the door. I’ve gotten more relaxed since I have a teenager and there are often extra kids at my house. But I still don’t leave the driveway without it. I’m an ex-hairdresser and an avid primper, so I like looking my best.
Ha! I knew the answer to that one! This is the girl who hikes in heels! 😉
- Is there someone, alive or dead, who had a major influence on your writing life, or on your life in general?
My husband has been my biggest fan. He’s taken me to countless conferences initially to learn and later to speak and driven me wherever I needed to go for book signings and research trips.
Husbands are a married female author’s greatest resource! Mine is terrific, too – he takes care of the money and carrying the boxes so I can talk to the guests!
- If you were on a deserted island with a laptop and no WiFi, what are two programs or apps you would have to have on your computer?
Pinterest. I use it for scene and character inspiration. Then later it comes in handy when my editor asks for images to help with the cover design.
Word. So I can write books.
Those are probably the two I would choose, as well! I might want to sneak Solitaire in for downtime! 😉
Sweetheart Reunion: Hearts Reunited in Cowboy Country
Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
The Cowboy Next Door
A charming cowboy moving in next door shouldn’t be bad news. But veterinarian Ally Curtis knows Cody Warren—she’d never forget the boy who left her when she needed him most. Cody is doing everything he can to show his beautiful neighbor he’s not the wild bull rider he once was, from helping her find homes for her beloved strays, to protecting her when her business is threatened. But Cody has a secret that keeps him from fully reaching out. Yet as they continue to work together to promote her shelter, he can’t keep himself from hoping that Ally might have a home for him…in her heart.
Rocky Mountain Sweetheart by Tina Radcliffe
A Cowboy’s Second Chance
The last person cowboy Joe Gallagher thought he’d see on his ranch was high school sweetheart Rebecca Anshaw Simpson. Twelve years after she married another man, she’s back as his physical therapist. But healing his body is nothing compared to guarding his heart from the woman he never forgot. There’s much the single mom would rather forget, but Becca won’t let regret and a surly rancher get in the way of her job and the chance to start over with her little girl. She has only a few weeks to make peace with her past. But Becca never expected she’d fall all over again for her first love.
It’s a two-fer! Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win TWO BOOKS IN ONE!!
More about Shannon . . .
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.
She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
Connect with her: Shannon’s Website, Shannon’s Blog, Shannon’s Facebook, Shannon’s Goodreads, Shannon’s Pinterest, Shannon’s Twitter, and Shannon’s Amazon Author Page. Sign up for her Newsletter to get a free e-book and behind the scenes info: Shannon’s Newsletter
If you’d like to purchase Sweetheart Reunion, which will be released in the next few days, click HERE.
Thanks for joining us today, Shannon, and come back any time!
Don’t forget to comment to enter, and have a great reading weekend!
ACFW 2010, Indianapolis, Indiana. Back row, L-R: Brenda Anderson, Shannon Taylor Vannatter, Lorna Seilstad, Linda Fulkerson. Front row, L-R: Dawn Ford, Kimberly Payne, and me!
P.S. Have you read Carolina Grace yet? I would appreciate SO MUCH if you’d leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads!
Hey Regina. Thanks for having me today. You’re website is lovely. I love beachy.
Thanks, Shannon! I had a really good website developer . . . she did a good job combining the beach and SHIPLAP!!! 😉
Can you get Pinterest without internet? lol–maybe if I was stranded without internet I would do some writing. 🙂 Great job ladies!
LOL – I think that would be called “scrap-booking!” Thanks for stopping by, Beth!
There’s an app for that. I looked it up. You have to go to the Google store to get it, which would require internet. Maybe I need to get it now, so I’ll always be prepared.
Like you I put my face on before leaving.
Would you believe that question was semi-designed just for Shannon? 😉
Hey Michelle. Years ago, I was on bedrest for two months with my pregnancy. I saw this lady on Dr. Phil who never let anyone see her without makeup. He talked her into taking it off. On NATIONAL TELEVISION. And she did it. That’s when I decided she was crazy.
Sometimes, I’m lazy and don’t put my eyeshadow on. But the last time I did that, I saw a friend’s book at Walmart and I just had to get my picture taken with it, so I could put it on Facebook. I’ve decided to wear eyeshadow now, even if I’m feeling lazy.
last thing I do is turn out lights and lock the door before I leave
My husband likes every light in the house on. Even when we’re gone. It drives me crazy. He likes a lamp on while he sleeps too. I draw the line at a light in the hall and a night light. Even with that, I sleep with a mask on. I don’t want any light when I’m sleeping.
Loved the interview, ladies! So fun!
Thanks Candace. Seems she tweaked a certain question especially for me.
Shannon, you know me too well . . . 😉
great interview ladies! love that Shannon would choose Pinterest
I spend entirely too much time there, Shelia. I have a board of cute things to make that I’ll never get done. But it’s fun. And relaxing.
Love these little glimpses into an author’s life. Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
I’m so glad you stopped by, Vickie! I like to read author interviews, too! 🙂
Thanks for sharing Shannon and Thanks Regina this souds like a great book Thank you for the chance to win!
Thanks for stopping by! Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
One thing I do is check to make sure the lights are all off and the doors are locked ! Thank you for the chance to win!
Me? I make sure I have my house keys! LOL – I’ve had to break into my house more than I’d like to admit! 😉
That’s a good habit, Sarah. My husband thinks all the lights need to be on all the time. He leaves 4 or 5 on even when we’re sleeping. I like complete dark when I sleep, so I wear a mask to bed.