Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Introducing THOSE VIOLET EYES

Nearly a year ago a call went out from The Wild Rose Press about a new series: Honky Tonk Hearts. The editor was clear in what she wanted.

"Lonely hearts seem to gravitate to the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. Owner and bartender, Gus Rankin, has seen his share of the wandering souls cross his bar and dance floor over the years—he'd even like to think he helped a few find true love along the way. (Word count: 20,000-40,000)

One pivotal scene MUST take place at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. This could be the hero and heroine's first meeting, the black moment, big finale, a scene where important information is divulged or an important realization is made etc."

And so I wondered could I write a short story? I tend to write on the "long" side. I had an opening scene in mind: Win, my hero, easing his Harley onto the parking lot of the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk on a cloud of dust.

I knew my characters "points of pain." That's a term I've coined for when I create my heroine and hero. You see, I create them from the inside out. Once I know their points of pain--and we all have them--those points (or push buttons) create their personalities. My heroine's points of pain were never measuring up to her older brother in her parents' eyes and the promise her dying Momma exacted from her to always care for her older brother. My hero's points of pain? He's an ex-Marine who lost part of a leg in Iraq. He's suffering PTSD.



Writing the story was fun. Evie is a spunky woman, a little angry at the world. Win--a dream, ladies--is fractured by the war, yet he has a dream: to operate a ranch for children with amputeed limbs. The sparks between these two was a delight to write. So, I take this time to introduce my new literary baby.

Here's the blurb:

Evie Caldwell hates her life. Five years ago, she gave up college and her dream of teaching to care for her ailing mother. Now, she’s trapped taking care of her worthless brother and the family ranch. Waiting tables to earn her way out of Texas, the last thing she wants is a muscleman with a macho Marine attitude complicating her life. But, oh, how that man makes her insides melt.

Wounded vet Win Fairchild returns to Texas to heal, find a piece of his soul, and open a ranch for amputee children. Finding someone to love is not on his agenda. But when he starts work at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, a spitfire with violet eyes and a major attitude instantly captures his heart.

Evie just wants to escape, but now that Win knows what he wants, can he convince Evie to stay in Texas—and his bed?


RELEASE DATE -- JUNE 27th.

25 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

Yay, Vonnie! What a beutiful cover. Funny, I wrote Nothing But Trouble for this series because I couldn't get my opening scene out of my head! Something about the Lonesome Steer must spark our imagination. Keep us posted when you have a release date. I can't wait for this series!

Joya said...

Wow, wow, wow! Gorgeoous cover. What a neat name for a series. Can't wait to find out more about your book...especially the release date so I can get my hands on this one. :)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Hi Janinne. Yes, I think there's something romatically special about the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. I'm eager for the series to start, too.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Ooops!! Jannine I totally butchered your name in my previous comment. Now my secret is out!!! I can't spell worth a hoot! I'm so sorry, hon.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Joya, thanks for stopping by. Isn't it a gorgeous cover? I think it captures Evie. I'm eager to share snippets of the story, but havne't gotten the red light from the editor yet.

Nightingale said...

Sounds intriguing!

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Ooo, Vonnie. Sounds like fun! And the pic, very droolworthy!

Maeve Greyson said...

Beautiful cover and the story sounds yummy!!! I can't wait.

Calisa Rhose said...

That is a great blurb! I love the sound of this one, Vonnie. Do you have a release date yet? I'm still working on mine for this series.

AJ Nuest said...

Vonnie, this sounds OUTSTANDING! Oooo...I can't wait! Let us know as soon as this one comes out, okay? I wanna get it loaded onto my Kindle! Hugs, AJ

Katherine said...

Vonnie,
I will definitely be adding this to my growing TBR list. It sounds amazing. The bad part is we have to wait for it to come out. :o)

Sarah Grimm said...

Vonnie, this one sounds fantastic! I should hire you to write my blurbs. Seriously, yours are wonderful and I hate the one I have for my WIP. :-)

Can't wait to read this one!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Oh, wow!!! I cannot wait to read this, Vonnie! It's a gorgeous cover and the blurb is great. Be sure to let us all know the release date. Me and my Kindle will be waiting;)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Lovely Nightingale, how nice to see you here. Thanks for the compliment.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks Mackenzie. Wait until you meet sassy Evie and my man on the Harley, Win.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Maeve, Win (short for Sherwin)is more man than Evie can resist.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

No release date yet, Calisa. Do you like the title? I'd originally named it "Waiting on a Dream," but Stacy, the editor for the line, wasn't too enamored of it. We were back and forth for over a week with ideas and finally ended up with this.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

AJ, thanks for stopping by. I loved the chemistry, the back and forth verbal sparing of these two. Evie doesn't take any nonsense off of anyone.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Katherine, I agree. Waiting is hard.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Sarah, I'm sure your blurb isn't as bad as you say. Not as lovely as you write. Tweak it. Rub it with some of your magic.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Jennifer, keep your Kindle warmed up. I'll let you know once I hear a release date.

Lynne Marshall said...

wow, sounds wonderful, Vonnie! Plus the cover is fantastic!

Looking forward to this release.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks, Lynne. This is my first attempt at writing short. I worried about getting the readers to know the characters in such a short time, but they vaulted onto the page powerful, lovable and full of spirit.

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Vonnie,
Gorgeous cover, those eyes are truly stunning. I just love stories containing wounded veterans. This sounds like a real page turner.

Cheers

Margaret

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks for stopping by, Margaret. I think wounded veterans need love and understanding. Their stories need told, too.