Tuesday, May 08, 2018

KENTUCKY COWBOY - Marlene Worrall - One Free Book

Welcome, Marlene. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
It varies. With Kentucky Cowboy, the heroine shares my love of real estate and horses, but that’s about it. A professional equestrian, she is focused on achieving her goal of winning the Kentucky Derby. I learn from my characters. I need to be more focused myself.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Dance on a chess table New Year’s Eve.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
In about 4th grade. The teacher gave us a writing assignment. When I handed mine in, she told me I did not write it. She said it must have been written by one of my parents or an older sibling. I insisted I wrote it. She then told me to sit back down and write another assignment and then she would decide whether or not I wrote it. She apologized.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Suspense. Mystery Romantic suspense/mystery. Romance. Biographies. History. Non-fiction spiritual books, non-fiction general.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Who said I was sane? (Just joking) I think really good friends, meditating on scripture, and swimming and power walking help me to stay balanced.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
They just appear as if in a dream. I do not work at it usually. Though with a former book, the name Ayita High-Eagle took some considerable research until it felt right. So, again, it varies.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I guess being cast in a West End play in London after arriving in that city only two weeks prior; and both myself and the hit musical Promises, Promises were a grand success.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A cat, a beautiful, white Persian with green or blue eyes. I could lie around and observe/study people all day, while my master took care of my needs.

What is your favorite food?
Hot, spicy Mexican food.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Marketing the books once they are finished. I’m still working on that. The writing comes easy; it’s the marketing that is a challenge; as well as time consuming.

Tell us about the featured book.
When Dana Lockhart’s brother Stefan is killed performing a show jump, Dana walks away from her career as a show jumper. Opening a real estate office specializing in horse farms in Bluegrass county, she meets handsome gentleman farmer, Graham Van Rensellier, and his two sons, Will and Jay. Graham’s beloved wife Myrna has gone on to Glory. Heartbroken, he moves from Houston to Kentucky, leaving behind his painful memories, hoping to forge a new life for him and his two young sons. Certain he will never love another woman the way he loves Myrna, he is thrown for a loop when he meets the gorgeous, charming Dana. But he’d promised Myrna, despite her protestations, that there would never be another woman for him. Powerfully drawn to the aristocratic Graham, she sells him a horse farm. Due to unlikely circumstances, she must move onto the farm and live in his guest house, taking her two thoroughbreds with her. Together, they embark on a mission to train a colt with the goal of winning the purse at the Kentucky Derby. Their colt is stolen. They hire a P.I. and embark on a mission to find the stolen colt. Their pursuit takes them to the Bahamas. Will they get their colt back in time to finish training and compete for the purse at the Kentucky Derby? Will Graham and Dana admit their love for each other before it is too late?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Dana’s cell chirped just as she was settling into her office and sipping her morning coffee. A number she did not recognize flashed on her screen. I bet it’s a call on my new listing…Sugarbush Stables. The sign just went up but I know it’s a hot listing. A caller was on her cell. “Dana Lockhart, Lockhart REALTY.” She put a smile into her voice as she spoke.

 “Graham Van Rensellier. I’m calling about Sugarbush Stables. Ah was drivin’ around and just spotted the new sign.” The man’s voice was husky, his accent Southern. The timbre of his voice held power. Whoever he was, she would bet he was force to be reckoned with.

“Ah’d like to view the property at your earliest convenience.” His voice seemed to waiver somehow, making him sound almost vulnerable.

Dana played by the rules. Ever since an acquaintance of hers had been murdered at a showing on a remote ranch, she’d been cautious. Roger, her sometime partner, usually accompanied her.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
 Marlene Worrall Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest. IMDB.

Thank you, Marlene, for sharing this book with my readers and me.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Kentucky Cowboy (Sagebrush Ranch) (Volume 1) - Paperback
Kentucky Cowboy: A poignant romantic mystery of love, betrayal, and shared passions (Sagebrush Ranch Book 1) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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11 comments:

Melanie Backus said...

What a great book! I would love to read it.

Melanie Backus, TX

Vivian Furbay said...

Sounds very interesting! This takes place in a part of the USA I have never been through except at night but hear it is beautiful country. Vivian Furbay of CO

Robin in NC said...

A cowboy mystery...sign me up! :) Sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing with us.

Robin in NC

Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for the interview with Marlene Worrall and the information on "KENTUCKY COWBOY".

Love the cover! Of course I love horse and the color purple is my favorite so the background color draws me in and the light at the barn just finishes the admiration of this cover.

Enjoyed reading the first page and would love the opportunity to read the whole book. Appreciate the chance to win a copy!
Kay Garrett from Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Library Lady said...

Mystery and Romance, my two favorite ingredients for a book.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

rubynreba said...

Kentucky is a beautiful state and I love to read books in that setting.
Beth from Iowa

Becca said...

Horses and mystery - my favorite combination. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

Becca in New York

Emma said...

"KENTUCKY COWBOY by Marlene Worrall Sounds wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity to win.Have a good weekend.PA.

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Shelia64 said...

Sounds interesting! Shelia from Mississippi!

Lourdes said...

Love what I read already, thank you for a chance to win.

Lourdes Long Island, NY