Monday, April 10, 2017

Another 'Story Behind the Story' guest blog post ♦ Shannon Taylor Vannatter ♦ Giveaway

Please join me in welcoming author Shannon Taylor Vannatter to Whispers in Purple. Shannon is sharing the Story Behind the Story of her newest release, Winning Over the Cowboy.

Take it away, Shannon, the floor is yours!


While writing my last book, I wanted my hero to escort my heroine to a wedding. She was in danger, so the wedding was a chance for him to protect her and for him to see her all dressed up and realize she’s a girl, since they’d always only been friends. I came up with a wedding for her cousin. That way, she’d have to go even though she was in danger.

I didn’t really want to get into the wedding, just the trip there and back. Since I’d recently heard a headline about a jilted bride who donated her reception food to a homeless shelter, I went with the groom dumping my heroine’s cousin at the altar. This gave my heroine more reason to ban men from her heart. And fodder for the next book.

Sure that bride in the headlines did a good deed. But how did she move on after that. How could her fiancé hurt her so badly? He had to realize he didn’t want to marry her before all the food was ordered. Right?

In Winning Over the Cowboy, Landry Malone is trying to move on after her ex-fiancé dumped her ten months before. On the heels of her prospective groom shattering her heart, her best friend died in a tragic accident only weeks later.

With heavy backstory, the book begins with Landry arriving at the dude ranch her deceased friend left her. The problem, her deceased friend’s brother owns the other half. From the beginning, Chase pegs her as scammer. Unwilling to tuck tail and go home—where everyone feels sorry for her—Landry is determined to win his respect and manage an amicable relationship with her new business partner.

As Chase begins to see her hurt and how much she loved his sister, her unflustered attitude as she tackles issues at the dude ranch earn his grudging respect. Things get complicated when they run into her ex-fiancé and Chase pretends they’re in a relationship to save face for her. And even more tangled when he accompanies her to her hometown. Tired of everyone feeling sorry for her, Chase—well, I’ll let you read the book.

Landry was a challenge to write, but also fun. She’s everything I’m not. Doesn’t mind getting dirty, baits her own fish hook, cleans her own catch, and gets way too acquainted with a cow for my comfort level. I may live in Arkansas, but I like a nice sturdy fence between me and farm animals. Watching Landry chip away at Chase’s armor was fun to watch and I’m glad I got the chance to share her story.

Question for Readers: Are you outdoorsy like Landry? Or squeamish like me? Share something that tested your limits whether outdoorsy or squeamish.

Giveaway details: Comment to enter the drawing for a copy of Winning Over the Cowboy. Eleven copies will be split among names drawn during the blog tour from April 3 -20. One winner will receive a fishing themed memory board personally crafted by the author. This fabric is special because my son loves to fish as do the characters in the book. Great for displaying kids or grandkids or as a gift for the little fisherman in your life.

Go to my website http://shannontaylorvannatter.com and sign up for my newsletter to enter more giveaways and get a free book download.
Deadline: April 27th. Winners will be revealed on the author’s blog on April 29th.

Follow my blog tour for more chances to win Winning Over the Cowboy:










  Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife/award winning author. She once climbed a mountain wearing gold wedge-heeled sandals which became known as her hiking boots. Shannon writes inspirational contemporary romance and it took her nine years to get published in the traditional market.

Shannon hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as her characters struggle with real-life issues. Their journeys, from ordinary lives to extraordinary romance through Christ-centered relationships, demonstrate that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her family, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.


Thank you so much for sharing this peek behind the writing of your book, Shannon. I think these glimpses into a writer's processes is fascinating.



5 comments:

  1. I am squeamish when it comes to fishing especially in baiting my hook!Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com

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  2. Hi, Shelia, thanks so much for stopping by. I've never liked fishing, but I do like being out on the water. Baiting my hook? Nuh uh. I've entered your name in the drawing

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  3. Hey Shelia. Me too. I'm terrified of fish hooks. Worms are yucky and fish are slimy and stinky. They sure taste good though.

    Thanks for having me, Peggy.

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  4. LOL, Shannon. I'm not even fond of fish. I'm terrified of bones. Bad experience.

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    1. That sounds interesting, Peggy. I've never been hooked, but once we were enjoying a public pond. These two boys came running up with their family. They were swinging their lines like crazy and I just knew a hook was gonna sink into my back before we could get out of range. It didn't, but I've been afraid of them since.

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