Author Guest Post with Nancy Fraser

Welcome to one of the July 19th stops on the blog tour for Return of the Runaway Bride by Nancy Fraser with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, author guest posts & interviews, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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Author Guest Post

Out of the Shoebox and Into a Book

Like most authors, I’m often asked how and where I get inspiration for the books I write. I like to think a lot of what I put into my books comes from personal experience. Not so much the steamy love scenes, or otherwise I’d probably still be married. Most often, my character’s personalities and story lines come from somewhere in my past. Usually, the more off beat the better.

The perfect example of using life experience resulted in the first book I ever sold. Many years ago, I worked for a large medical center in the very heart of a big city. One night on my way home I stopped at a red light. A man stepped off the curb and came to stand in front of my car. The neighborhood was dangerous, and I was terrified. I thought, if this man pulls a gun on me, I’m going to run him over right here in the street. No ifs, no ands, no buts! Instead of drawing a weapon, he whipped open his coat and he was stark naked underneath. I began laughing, so hard in fact I think I insulted him. He got angry, closed his coat and stomped away. That ridiculous incident became the beginning of Courting Trouble, part of the Precious Gems line, from Kensington way back in 1996.

I remember telling that story at a writer’s retreat and one of the ‘younger’ participants bemoaned the fact that she must have led a sheltered life because nothing exciting ever happened to her. As authors, we should never assume we’re too young (or too old) to have a book-worthy experience. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to use the stories handed down over generations as well.

When my mother passed away a few years ago, I was cleaning out her house and found a shoe box filled with what most people would consider junk. Not the writer in me … the writer saw every item for what it was: a story waiting to be written. From the ten-cent card of pearl cluster buttons to the book of ration stamps from WWII, everything screamed RESEARCH ME, PLOT ME, WRITE ABOUT ME! My creative mind just KNEW there was at least a dozen stories in that one box of junk.

The experiences don’t have to be your own. The next time you’re out of fresh ideas, if you’re lucky enough to still have parents or grandparents, call and ask them to recount one of the silliest, or most dramatic, events of their early lives. Chances are not only will you get a new story idea, but you will have also brightened their day and yours!

And, with any luck, you’ll brighten the day of a your reader’s as well.

About the Book

Return of the Runaway Bride
by Nancy Fraser

Published 5 July 2021
Books From a Romantic’s Heart Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Steamy)
Page Count: 225
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

Five years earlier, Emily Bennett ran out on Chase Michaels on the eve of their wedding. At twenty-two, she wanted more than the island of Last Chance Beach could offer. Intent on making a name for herself as a world-class journalist, she left to take a job with a big city newspaper.

Chase Michaels left Last Chance Beach not long after having his heart broken and joined the Coast Guard in an effort to rebuild his life. Returning four years later for a family emergency, he decided to stay and go into business with his best friend.

Emily’s returning as well. Not as the journalist she’d hoped to be but as a bestselling romance author. One of her books is about to be made into a movie, and filming will take place on Last Chance Beach and in the mainland town of Summerville.

Will Emily’s return give them a second chance at the love they once shared? Or, will her ‘other’ reason for leaving put a wedge between three best friends that can’t be healed by time or intention?

Currently on sale in Kindle eBook format for $0.99 USD!

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Excerpt

Vernon Patterson, his new, much younger wife Tiffany, and Chloe stood off to one side of the yard, deep in conversation with the mayor and the head of the island’s historical society. From what she’d heard in passing, Emily realized they were discussing the coup of attracting a movie production to the area.

“You know,” her mother whispered, stepping close to her side, “It wouldn’t hurt to let them know it’s your book that made all their bragging possible.”

“I’m not quite there yet, mom. I’m still fielding questions about what I’ve been doing and how long I’m staying.”

“Let me guess. That last question came from Chloe Patterson.”

Emily pressed her fingers to her lips to hold in her laugh. “Yes.”

“No doubt she’s worried you’ll interrupt her pursuit of Chase—even though I’m pretty sure he’s not the least bit interested.”

“She’s got nothing to worry about,” Emily said, wishing she sounded more confident than she felt. “Chase and I are cutting one another a wide berth.”

The look her mother gave her was less than subtle.

“I’d better go inside and get another vegetable tray,” her mother said. “Why don’t you straighten out the food table and check the cooler while I’m gone?”

Emily gave a smart salute. “Yes, Ma’am.”

She’d gone no more than a few feet in the direction of the picnic tables and makeshift bar, when a large, warm hand gently grasped her arm. Without turning, she said, “Hello there, Jared. I was wondering when you’d finally come to visit.”

Jared’s familiar chuckle rang in her ear. “I wasn’t sure what to make of your return. Or, of how it was going to affect my best friend. I thought I’d give it a few days to see if I’d need to talk him off a ledge.”

Emily swallowed the dryness in her throat, and asked, “And did you? Need to talk him down?”

“No, apparently he’s doing just fine. Or so he says.”

She turned to face him then, meeting his green gaze. “I didn’t come home to cause anyone heartache, Jared. Least of all Chase. I came to see family, to straighten a few things out with friends.”

“And have you? Straightened things out?”

“So far, so good. It’s a work in progress.”

“I would imagine it is. Heaven knows it was for me. First, you left, taking away the only true confidant I’ve ever had.”

His words stalled and Emily realized how much he was struggling. Sometimes secrets ate you up inside.

“And, then, Chase left,” she said softly.

“That was a relief of sorts,” he admitted. “It kept me from having to admit I was part of the reason you left. And it put things in perspective for me.”

“Well, I’m back now, if you need to talk.”

“Thank you. You’re a good friend. Or, at least you were,” he teased.

“And I still am.”

About the Author

Nancy Fraser —Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon— is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for two publishers, and has recently thrown her hat into the self-publishing ring. She has published over thirty-five books in full-length, novella, and short format.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

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Giveaway Alert!

Nancy Fraser will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.