1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE SPARK OF LOVE
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Fearing a spurned suitor, Alexandra Tarkington flees to Mesquite Springs, hoping for a happy reunion with her father. Little does she know that two men have followed her, each with his own agenda, and that the intriguing man she met on the stagecoach is an investigator determined to unmask a con man … her father.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
That was actually very simple. Since this is the third book in the Mesquite Springs trilogy, it takes place in the Mesquite Springs, the small town in the Texas Hill Country where danger lurks in the most unexpected places.
4--Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?
Absolutely. Alexandra is strong, determined, and has the talent I’ve always wished I had: being able to draw and paint. Who knows? Maybe if we spent time together, some of that talent would wear off on me.
5--What are three words that describe your hero?
Principled, determined, handsome. (It’s a romance, so you knew I’d include the last one, didn’t you?)
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Since I’m not an artist, as you know from my response to question #4, I spent a fair amount of time researching watercolor techniques. It was fun learning some of the terms watercolorists use, including “charge.” And, no, it has nothing to do with credit cards, batteries, or military advances.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I write the first draft, which is so basic that I refer to it as the skeleton, from beginning to end before I do anything else. When that’s finished, I do a second draft, adding the flesh and bones that turn the skeleton into something that doesn’t make small children scream in horror. That’s followed by a final polishing, otherwise known as the makeup and accessories stage.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
A tin roof sundae. I even traveled to the small town of Potter, NE, to have one at Potter Sundry where the sundae was invented. Quaint building, delicious food, too many calories, but who’s counting?
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have a fairly formal office with a desk where I do the handwritten parts of creating a book (more than you might suspect) and a separate computer desk where I turn those penciled scribblings into coherent English sentences. One of the best things about my office is that it has sliding glass doors leading to the backyard, so I can watch ravens wash their food (including pieces of bread) in the birdbath while cottontail rabbits munch on the grass.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I admire a number of things about Jody Hedlund. In addition to writing some of the best historical romances I’ve read, she also gave me hours of reading pleasure with her Waters of Time time travel books. What amazing versatility!
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Sorry, but I can’t pinpoint any one book.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)
The “call” was actually a number of emails. The first came when my editor told me the trilogy had passed the editorial committee’s review. The second came when the full pub committee approved it. And the third included the offer itself. Each was exciting and had me doing the Snoopy dance. Fortunately, no one was close enough to record that!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
It’s evolved from historical romances to contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Why? I’m not sure, other than perhaps I’m afraid if I read too many historicals, they’ll influence my own books.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
When I tell you that I love old sentimental movies, you probably won’t be surprised that South Pacific is my favorite. In addition to the storyline and the music, I enjoy the special effects (tame by today’s standards) the cameraman created by using different colored filters. And, of course, the setting is gorgeous.
15--What is your favorite season?
Spring. It’s the season of rebirth, and that fills my heart with joy.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
A picnic lunch at a beautiful spot. Most recently, that’s been Rocky Mountain National Park.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I was enchanted by Regina Scott’s A View Most Glorious. Besides giving readers an outstanding historical romance, she included so many fascinating details of climbing Mount Rainier that I wanted to buy some gear and head off to the park.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Blame it on majoring in French and studying in France. Yes, you guessed it – French cuisine with a special preference for the pastries.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Besides reading? Over the past couple years, I’ve rediscovered my enjoyment of knitting and have begun designing my own sweaters. Winter’s long in Cheyenne, so you can never have too many sweaters. At least, that’s my story.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
March 2023 will mark the beginning of a new trilogy, which I’ve tentatively called the Sweetwater Crossing trilogy. As you might have guessed, it’s set in a fictional town called Sweetwater Crossing in – where else? – the Texas Hill Country during the late nineteenth century. What you might not guess is that it features three sisters who are part of what we’d call a blended family. I’m having so much fun with the sibling rivalry as well as the romance and light suspense elements readers have come to expect from me.
Mesquite Springs #3
When a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.
But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler. When a series of apparent accidents threaten her life, Alexandra and Gabe will have to work together to discover the truth. And perhaps along the way they will discover that the sparks of attraction they've felt from the beginning are more than sparks--they're love.
Bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you back to 1850s Texas for this exciting and heartwarming tale of treachery, love, and learning to trust.
Romance Historical | Christian [Revell, On Sale: March 1, 2022, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800735371 / eISBN: 9781493434138]
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart and A Borrowed Dream, as well as the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.
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