Greetings Readers!
For those who don’t know me, I’m Alanna Lucas and I write historical romance. Here are some random facts about me:
~ I don't write in chronological order, and my first draft is always on paper (in very messy handwriting-lol!).
~ I have a horrible memory for names. I have a name cheat sheet for my characters. But, I do remember everything about them, so I’m not totally hopeless ;-)
~ When plotting a scene, I (sometimes unconsciously) hum The Imperial March (yes, Darth Vader's theme song!). Why? I don't know. For whatever the reason, it helps me plot.
~ Oh, and I’m not really a plotter—lol! I usually write the first chapter, then who knows what comes next. I have tried to plot and write in order, but it stifles the creativity. Plus, writing out of order keeps things interesting. At least that’s what I keep telling myself ;-)
~ Music is a huge inspiration when writing, and Beethoven always makes every playlist.
~ I've been to all 50 states and traveled to 14 countries. I have family in 5 countries and try to see them as often as I can.
~ I might be dating myself, but… My first kiss was from The Fonz! I was five years old. My uncle knew someone at the studio and was able to get me on the set.
~ One of my favorite museums (I have lots of favorites!) is the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London. There are so many incredible statues, paintings, and unique artifacts that you can get up close to. On my last visit to London, my husband and I visited the museum twice!
~ My favorite color is blue—every shade is perfection.
~I love to cloud watch! Colorado Springs, Colorado and Holland have some of the best clouds!
~ Both my kids are in the Air Force! I wanted to join, but a severe ankle injury halted that path. Things happen for a reason and I wouldn’t change a thing.
~ I don't make New Year's Resolutions (but I do set daily and monthly goals). Making lists keeps me organized and on task.
~ I was bitten by a spider when I was little and had to go the emergency room. Sadly, I did not transform into Spidergirl and I have no superpowers, or do I?
I don’t, but when I was little, I did pretend, but that’s what imaginations are for, right? ;-)
~ I have lots of favorite movies (notice a trend??), but here are a few—in no specific order… The Princess Bride, Star Wars (the original, because that’s how I knew it in the 70’s), McLintock!, The Great Race, and Paint Your Wagon.
~ Most people have not heard of Paint Your Wagon. My stepdad introduced it to me many moons and I have fond memories of watching it with him. FYI, Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood sing in it!
Thank you for joining me today, and I hoped you enjoyed all the random facts!
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Title Once Upon a Montana Christmas
Author Alanna Lucas
Genre Historical Romance- Western
Book Blurb
Is a promise made…
Eva made a vow to her dying friend that she would deliver CeCe’s infant daughter to her family in Cottonwood, Montana. But when Hunt Strauss, CeCe’s brother, slams the door in her face, Eva realizes she and baby Lily must go it alone. Only, after a hotel fire destroys everything she owns, she’s forced to set her pride aside and go back to the arrogant, handsome Mr. Strauss and ask for a job…
a promise kept?
At first, Hunt is skeptical, certain that Miss Eva Kenward is nothing but a schemer intent on draining his family’s coffers. But once he sees Lily’s likeness to CeCe, and the sincerity in Eva’s beautiful eyes, he defers to his aunt’s suggestion that Eva stay to help out with the Cottonwood Christmas festival. As the days go by and he and Eva grow closer, Hunt’s desire for her grows too. But what about his past and its secrets that weigh heavy upon him? Surely, they’re reason enough for him to fight his feelings and not get involved…
Excerpt
“Why are you here?” Not waiting for her to respond, he jumped into an interrogation instead. “Where is your jacket? What has happened? Is—”
Eva’s patience snapped. “If you would just shut up and listen,” she stopped mid-sentence. “Bloody hell,” she murmured. Losing her temper was not going to help the situation. Rubbing her sore neck, she explained, “The hotel burned to the ground. My trunk—” She swallowed hard. She was trying not to sound desperate, but once the words started to flow, she couldn’t stop herself. “Lily’s clothes, all of our things, my money…everything is gone. I have nowhere to go, and…” She swallowed her pride and uttered the words she never thought would cross her lips. “I would like a job.”
Mr. Strauss stood glaring at her. She couldn’t even guess what he was thinking. But the truth was, she needed him. Her dream of reaching San Francisco by Christmas was shattered. In one night, all her priorities had changed. Surviving the winter was utmost in her mind.
His features softened, and before she knew what had happened, he’d closed the short distance between them, pulled her into him, and kissed her.
The moment their lips touched, she felt powerless to the onslaught of emotion. She did not know what she had done to first enrage him, then encourage this…
However, what had started as a harsh kiss quickly turned into something else, something unfamiliar. Something that thrilled and frightened her all in the same breath.
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Author Biography
Alanna Lucas grew up in Southern California, but always dreamed of distant lands and bygone eras. From an early age she took interest in art, history, and travel, and enjoys incorporating those diversions into her writing. Alanna makes her home in California where she spends her time writing historical romances, dreaming of her next travel destination, and spending time with family.
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Title A Cowboy’s Mistletoe Promise
Author Alanna Lucas
Genre Historical Romance- Western
Book Blurb
A Cowboy for Christmas?
Infamous gunman Drake Jaeger never thought he’d be hunting down a missing wife, but the reward was too good to pass up: a parcel of land he can call his own. Stopping off in the cattle town of Cottonwood, Montana, he realizes there are two women there who fit the description of Anna Bowyer. Best he take up the offer of a job at the Strauss ranch over the holidays and wait to see if his hunch is correct.
Michaela Akerman is intrigued when a handsome stranger rolls up in town—but also unnerved when he’s hired as a hand at the Strauss ranch where she’s found a home; her mind and body reel whenever he’s around. However, she’ll never get close to a man again, not after the way her husband treated her. Best she concentrates on preparations for the Christmas festival and keeps out of Drake’s way.
Drake has always assumed he would never marry, but his feelings for Michaela—and his urge to protect her—are like nothing he’s ever experienced. Too bad that he suspects she could be the woman he’s been searching for…
Excerpt
“Are you all right?” he whispered over her shoulder, his breath tickling her neck.
“Yes,” she lied, grateful he couldn’t see her face. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you haven’t turned around to face me.” She heard the challenge in his voice.
All her life, she had run away from such challenges, run away from living. With good reason. But something in his tone gave her courage, or perhaps it was just curiosity.
Slowly, she began to turn around. Her arms brushed against his and every nerve ending in her body quivered. She looked up into his cloudy grey eyes that held so much mystery. He leaned closer and brushed his rough, calloused hand across her cheek. His touch was gentle, and for reasons completely unknown to her, for the first time in her life, she did not fear being this close to a man.
He dipped his head close to her ear, his warm breath caressing her cheek as he moved, sending another pleasant shiver down her body. He whispered her name like a prayer, and before she could form a thought, crying babies, followed by Eva’s desperate pleas for assistance, interrupted their interlude.
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