Saddle up for today's FOREVER TEXAS Blog Tour with Jane Graves and Christie Craig. First stop - Plano, Texas, the setting of Jane Grave's HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS. From Jane Graves,
Plano, Texas is a perfect setting for my series because it's an exercise in contrast, just as my characters are. In West Plano, people live in McMansions, drive Lexus SUVs, drink a lot of Starbucks coffee, and play a lot of golf. West Plano is upper-class Texas living with a sprinkle of glitter and a swimming pool in every backyard. East Plano used to be home only to blue collar folks who live in fifty-year-old tract homes with pickup trucks out front. Then the light rail came through and connected Plano to downtown Dallas, and the old downtown area was revitalized with trendy condos, restaurants, and bars. East Plano is middle-class Texas living with a touch of urban cool.
Alison Carter from HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS owns a condo in downtown Plano, while the hero of that book, Brandon Scott, lives in a Victorian house on the edge of downtown he inherited from his grandmother. Because of its diversity, Plano, Texas gives me a great opportunity to show who my characters are by where they choose to live.
I enjoyed reading HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS. I was laughing from page one as the modern heroine tackled a timeless challenge - how to lasso a lifetime partner:
He's the man of her dreams. . .
In a world full of frogs, Alison Carter is determined to find her prince. Maybe her dating past is more Titanic than Love Boat, but she's seen enough happy marriages to know that true love is possible. No matter what, she won't give up on happily-ever-after. If she can't find Mr. Right, she'll simply hire someone who can.
Sbe just doesn't know it yet
When Brandon Scott inherits a successful matchmaking business, he thinks his prayers have been answered. Set up a few lonely ladies, collect the fee, how hard can it be? No one needs to know he's not really a professional matchmaker--especially not his first client, the beautiful, spirited Alison. Soon he's falling for her--and her dreams of kids and carpools. But Alison is getting close to figuring out his secret, and if she learns he's deceived her too, she'll walk right out the door, taking Brandon's heart with her.
Forever is giving away a print copy of Jane Graves' HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS plus Christie Craig's DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about something unusual you have inherited - matchmaking business? A Victorian house? Or something unusual you'll pass to your family!
2. This giveaway is open to North American residents only .... but I'll give away my review copy Jane Grave's HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS to an international reader. Comments are welcome from all!
3. Comments are open through Saturday, September 24, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winners on Sunday, September 25.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Jane Graves, check out her website at this link.
To continue the blog tour with Christie Craig, check out Part 2 at this link.
To increase your chances of winning, check out Mary Gramlich's review, interview, and giveaway at this link.
Heart stings image from cdashnaw.wordpress.com.
Diamond ring image from aclutx70th.com.
I haven't inherited anything unusual. I have some jewelry and coins.
ReplyDeleteBoth my parents are still living, so anything from the family came to them. There are some beautiful pieces of china & jewellery, but I have 4 older sisters with prior claims. We are very open about these things in my family. My Mother has already told us how she wants her funeral. Not macabre, just practical.
ReplyDeleteI already bought Christie Craig's book & can't wait to read it. Jane Graves is a new author to me. I definitely should give her a try as I love books set in Texas. Maybe because the setting is so different from Italy :)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't have any inheritance stories to share, but since my main hobby is stitching I hope someday to pass to someone all my finished pieces and stash.
The only thing I inherited was allergies and who wants them
ReplyDeleteAloha, Jane! What kind of coins? My English grandfather gave me a box of Victorian one penny pieces - most are worn away. But still - the history!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Marybelle! I agree it is best to be practical. I've already told my children to bury me holding the first romance I read - Cathy Maxwell's A WEDDING CONTRACT. I have enough paperbacks to keep my busy until then!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Natalija! We often spotlight places around the world ... so perhaps you'll spotlight Italy for us! I have been to Roma and Venice!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Debby! Perhaps you inherited their sense of humor?!?!
ReplyDeleteI've never inherited anything out of the ordinary either except my parents pots and pans?
ReplyDeleteI have inherited an old Flag from my late Mother-in-law. It probably dates back to the mid 1800's and lots of depression glass and old WWII magazines. She never threw anything out.I've been hearing so many great things about both these books lately. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Hey, y'all!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've never inherited anything in my life. That long-lost relative with a million bucks has yet to surface, but I'm still hopeful.
Debby--had to laugh at you inheriting allergies. Guess we all get something from our relatives whether we want it or not!
No inheritance stories for me to share. I have not inherited any items (interesting or not so interesting) from anyone. I did inherit a sense of humor from my dad though! :)
ReplyDeleteOnly time will tell, but I rather hope I've inherited the genes of those grandparents and innumerable cousins who made 90+ with clear minds if somewhat infirm bodies.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for success of Heartstrings and Diamond Rings and Don't Mess with Texas.
I'm going with something nice I inherited--long eyelashes from Mom's genepool. And I've already passed them on to both children and one grandchild.
ReplyDeleteI passed on my super-thick hair to my daughter, which she likes. Unfortunately, she's cussing me for also passing on the early-graying gene. She's only 27, but I'll be darned if there's not a gray hair or two in the midst of all that beautiful, thick hair.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if we will her our house or something it'll make up for it.
Aloha, Dani! Maybe those pots and pans will be famous on Antiques Roadshow!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Carol! How appropriate that you, an Army mom, have an antique flag! The Depression glass is very popular at antique stores. I'm sure the magazines offer a glimpse of the past.
ReplyDeleteAloha, Jane! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Linda! A sense of humor is priceless!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Liz! We all hope for clear minds at 90!
ReplyDeleteAloha, LSU! Long eye lashes to bat your eyes at your beloved!
ReplyDeleteI inherited my grandpa's large green geode rock that he found and polished when he was younger. I have no idea what sort of rock it is, but it is a really pretty green color. I've taken it to several rock places and they said in order to tell me exactly what kind of rock it is they would have to cut a piece off...I said no, I'll just keep it on my shelf as is.
ReplyDeleteWe've inherited many interesting items from my father-in-law's many travels while in the service. We have some wonderful paintings from France, Japan and elsewhere and somely lovely oriental furniture inlaid with Jade and statues from Africa. I also have a gold cross that my mother-in-law had made while in Africa that I cherish. From my side I have a small wooden cart drawn by a horse decorated for a parade that they use in Italy. It's been passed around a lot and shows a lot of wear but I still really love having it displayed.
ReplyDeletecatslady
Nothing unusual inherited and I don't think I'll pass along anything unusual either... probably only things like jewelery. However, like Ms. Graves, my mom's side of the family has rather thick hair and have passed that trait onto me and I do like my hair, lol :)
ReplyDeleteAloha, Mary1 Good call to keep the rock intact. I'm sure it an endearing memory of your Grandfather!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Catslady! You'd be another great candidate to attend Antiques Roadshow!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Winnie! Thick hair is a treasure in the long run. I have it, it is heavy in the summer, but every stylist who touches my hair goes bananas over it!
ReplyDeleteI have never inherited any thing.
ReplyDeleteAh, Kim...Antiques Roadshow. I love it! And all those other shows where they talk about vintage stuff, including If These Walls Could Talk. Now I'm getting weirdly addicted to Storage Wars. You never know what's going to be behind one of those big metal doors...
ReplyDeleteMy family is kinda boring we don't have anything special to pass down. I don't own anything either that would be cool to give my own kids. My mom does have some antique dolls but they are not in good shape and would have to be repaired. Thanks for sharing a great post today!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Estella! No doubt your heirs will inherit your awesome book collection (still in the making!)
ReplyDeleteAloha, Jane! I recently discovered Storage Wars. It is incredible what people abandon! Since we move every three years, I have a big purge. I did store my European antiques and Polish pottery before moving to Hawaii. In fact, I stored everything that I didn't want to loose in the Pacific Ocean (storage crates are stacked like Legos on cargo ships). So it will be Christmas next summer when we move and receive our stored items!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Johanna! No family is boring ... there is something lurking in the closet that would be fun ... you just don't know it yet!
ReplyDeleteTwo things come to mind. One is a purple glass ladie's spittoon (at least that is what my parents told me; they dealt in antiques). It's actually very pretty. The other is a pair of scissors that were made in Italy; the handles have a very intricate design.
ReplyDeleteI haven't inherited anything unusual.
ReplyDeleteAloha, Karen! Wow, a ladies' spittoon! I'll have to look that up! And I would be curious to see the Italian scissors!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Chey! Have you spotted anything you might like at an antique store?
ReplyDeleteKim, I haven't inherited anything unusual but my mom did give me her unique engagement ring. It's antique, handmade and has rubies on it. I really like it because it looks like a classic piece. Who knows maybe in the future I will inherit something outlandish.
ReplyDeleteI inherited a soft spot for fifties kitchen appliances. No I didn't get a real thing, sadly... But I love those fridges and toasters just as my my gran did. The pastels are cute and I still hope to find something special one day for a good price.
ReplyDeleteI did inherid some of my grandmothers clothes. I turned them into a quilt. Just to remember her by, as I would not wear them myself and hated the idea of getting rid of them.
Jo's Daughter...I once saw an exhibit of fifties stuff at the Dallas Museum of Art (yes, I guess it's considered ART when it's fifty or sixty years old!) I remember a pink blender in particular, along with other appliances, and a lot of Frank Lloyd Wright stuff. It was really fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim, for being such a great blog host, and for all you guys for coming out to say hi. Good luck with the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteIt's not that unusual but I inherited a desk from my grandpa. It's one of these old dark brown wooden ones that weigh a ton. :) I loved it when he was alive and it's a great memory of him.
ReplyDeleteAfter my daughter was born I found this book for my mom to fill out and then give to my daughter when she gets older or before she passes away. The book asks question and my mom just fills out the stuff and answers questions about her past. I know that I want to read this also.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com
Problem with blogger making me post anonymous. GFC follower and blog follower: Chris Bails
Howdy ladies!
ReplyDeleteNothing unusual items here. My hubby's grandmother gave us a hutch cabinet to store our dishes in when we moved out to California. There's hooks to hold mugs put in by his parents when they used it in their first apartment. It's quite sturdy and survived an earthquake or two since inheriting it.
I haven't inherited anything unusual. My grandmother left me an antique buffet.
ReplyDeletemarlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to win HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS and DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS. They sound like fun and must reads.
ReplyDeleteI haven't inherited anything unusual. I do have my grandfather's rock collection and we have an antique hutch from my husband's grandmother. I also have boxes of family pictures that I inherited.
I have read a review on Heartstrings and Diamond Rings, and it sounds fabulous. Would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteI inherited my great grandmother's and grandfather's diaries. I love reading them.