I’ve been so excited about Tule’s new series featuring the Men of Marietta and invited good friends and wonderfully talented authors, Heidi Rice and Kate Hardy, to share something with us about their new books. Please join me in welcoming both of these fabulous authors to JaneBlog!
Heidi Rice and Kate Hardy interviewed each other about Heidi‘s Tempting the Deputy and Kate‘s Flirting with Fire, the first two books in the Men of Marietta series. Keep reading to hear about Marietta man candy, darkroom crushes, puppies with shoe fetishes, and the importance of rigorous cover research!
Kate: Heidi, tell me a little about yourself.
Heidi: Hi Kate. Well, I’m married with two sons – which can give me way too much of an insight into the male psyche – and I’m a Londoner, born and bred. But I adore travelling, particularly to the US, where I’ve been on numerous road trips with my best mate (she’s got two sons too… we need our girl time!). Basically we’re Thelma and Louise but without the driving off a cliff bit. That said, we haven’t been to Montana (yet), but thanks to Tempting the Deputy I have at least spent several wonderful months in Marietta. So Kate, let’s here a bit about you now.
Kate: I’m a mum of two teenagers – the oldest is away in his first year at uni and the youngest is in the middle of exams – and I live with them, their dad and a springer spaniel puppy in Norwich, England. And I was so pleased to be working on the series with you, especially as we were able to brainstorm so much of our books together. Tell me a little about your book, Heidi.
Heidi: Okay, so my book is the first in the series and it’s about Sheriff’s deputy Logan Tate – who also owns a small cattle ranch outside Marietta with his brother Lyle – and British photographer Charlotte (aka Charlie) Foster who’s travelling around America taking shots for a book project. Logan’s one of the good guys. He’s tough, stoic, he always plays by the rules, he’s very protective and he’s also, ever so slightly, uptight. So the last thing he needs is for a bad girl like Charlie – who decided a long time ago that rules are for other people – turning up in his town and messing with him. I absolutely adored writing these two because they were so wrong for each other and yet so right. So why don’t you tell us a bit about your book, Flirting with Fire, Kate.
Kate: I had a lot of fun writing my hero Lyle, who’s Logan’s laid-back younger brother, and Em, who just happens to be the uptight elder twin of Charlie! My book starts a week after your book ends when Em comes to Marietta, wondering if her sister is about to make the biggest mistake of her life. But she soon discovers a lot more than she bargains for. She realises that there’s a lot more to Lyle than meets the eye; and Lyle realises that he doesn’t have to keep searching for love because it’s right before his eyes… Best of all, the book is set in Marietta. This is my third book set in the town and I’ve really fallen in love with it. Though I did find some challenges – what did you find the most challenging thing, Heidi?
Heidi: To be honest, when I’m writing a series of connected books with other authors I get a bit nervous about using other people’s characters in my story. I worry about letting people down. I want to do their characters justice. That said, I had a terrific time writing The Fairy Tales of New York series for Tule last year and this series was no different, once we’d started working on it. Brainstorming with you was a big part of that, but I was also really inspired after meeting authors Jeannie Moon, Patricia Walters-Fischer and Kaylie Newell for the first time at a swanky breakfast in San Diego with Jane and her team. Still sad you couldn’t make that Kate, not only was it a great way to kick off the brainstorming for the series, but the pancakes were delicious! In the end I really enjoyed writing the scene where all five of our Calendar hotties meet Charlie in Grey’s Saloon, a few months later. Seeing our guys all freak out (all except Lyle!) when she suggests that they pose for a nude calendar to raise money for Harry’s House was even more fun… So how about you Kate, what was your most challenging thing, while writing your Men of Marietta book?
Kate: For me it was getting the continuity elements right – and making sure I was using American terms instead of British ones. I’m very grateful to our editor for flagging up my Britishisms! Now, I’m an only child, so I’m quite fascinated by sibling relationships. How about you?
Heidi: I am too, but for the opposite reason I guess, because I have lots of siblings! Maybe that’s why a high point for me was exploring the relationship between Logan and his brother Lyle in my book and then reading about it in yours. I loved that these guys are super close, but also so different in a lot of ways. While Lyle’s a joker and a charmer, Logan’s serious and reserved. Or at least that’s what Charlie sees on the surface. Luckily Logan also has an undiscovered wild side that me (and Charlie) had a lot of fun uncovering (literally). Okay, now you’ve gotta tell us a bit more about Lyle because I know you used him in the series that went before Men of Marietta, the Bachelor Bake-Off. Can you tell us any more about that connection? Also there’s a great moment in Flirting with Fire which has something to do with your Bake-Off book, right?
Kate: Yes, there’s an interesting history to that moment. Lyle’s good friends with Tyler, my Bake-Off hero in A Spoonful of Sugar, and he teases him mercilessly. Tyler has the chance to get his own back with a bet – although he loses, he and Lyle agree terms, and the result is Lyle dressing up as Lady Gaga and singing ‘Born This Way’. I do have a bad habit of slipping music into my books, and I ended up writing the songs for Lyle in the book. Heidi, I know you’re a film buff, but are you a photography buff as well?
Heidi: I didn’t know you wrote the songs, that’s so cool… And yes, I’ve always been a huge film buff, in fact I was a film journalist before I was an author. My interest in photography also goes back a few years. When I was 19, I worked one summer in Houston, Texas, on a low-budget movie. While I was there, I had a ‘thing’ for the guy doing the cinematography (who was gorgeous!) and he taught me all about taking photos, and how to develop stuff in a darkroom. So now you know where the inspiration for a certain hot scene in a darkroom came from in my book! LOL! So now I need to know, is it true you gave your new puppy a walk-on part in Flirting with Fire?
Kate: I couldn’t resist! Brontë is heavily based on Archie, even down to being a springer spaniel. The only difference is that we met Archie when he was five weeks old, so he wasn’t a rescue dog. However, he is a TERRIBLE shoe thief. Unlike Em, the heroine of my book, I don’t possess Louboutins – I normally scuff around in flats or trainers – but Archie did chew my only pair of posh shoes a couple of weeks before I went to an awards do… Thankfully, I was able to get another pair in time to go to London! Now, I know you love doing picture research, so tell me about the research you did for your cover?
Heidi: Yes, it’s true. * Heidi puts on her serious author face. * Hours and hours of arduous research went into scouring photos of hot shirtless cowboys to find the perfect Logan lookalike for my cover. But I think it was totally worth it. Never let it be said I am not prepared to suffer for my art!
So I guess that’s it from Kate and me. We had so much fun writing these first two stories in the Men of Marietta series. I really hope readers have as much fun reading about our guys – and the other three First Responder dudes – who all discover while taking their clothes off for a good cause that sometimes the way to a woman’s heart is paved with a naked pec, or two! Who knew?
Look for Heidi’s Tempting The Deputy at these online retailers:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google | Amazon UK
Look for Kate’s Flirting With Fire at these online retailers:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google | Amazon UK
Heidi and Kate, the reviews on these stories are fantastic and this series is quickly becoming a reader favorite. I am so glad you took time to talk to us about the series and working together. I have a very special Montana Born prize for readers as well. This mug has been handmade for Tule and the little red star shows where Marietta is on the Montana Map! For a chance to win, just leave a comment below for Heidi and Kate and you’ll be entered to win this prize. Contest ends Saturday with winner announced Sunday.
Congratulations Heidi and Kate, I’ve always been fans of your books and I will look forward to reading these and who can’t resist a cowboy. Kate I have loved your pictures of Archie and its great that you have put him in your book. Heidi I have always loved your books and I always take notice when you have been to see a film and I always go on your recommendations.
Good luck
Michelle XX
Can’t wait to read them!
Can’t wait to read them congrats on the books
I always love a Kate Hardy book!! I’m new to Heidi’s books..
So excited for this series! Great learning more about the behind the scenes stuff and the authors!
I am excited to hear about these authors and their books!
I am so looking forward to start on this series! I love every read back to Marietta.
What a great interview!! I’m starting this series today, sounds like the perfect reads to warn me up on cool gloomy day.
Congratulations to you both, and I really enjoyed reading about you and getting to know more about you! Thank you so much for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to read your books! 😀
Congrats on the new releases. they sound like they are wonderful stories.
Congrats on these books Heidi & Kate. I love your stories & have enjoyed visiting Marietta, via these brothers & sisters! 🙂 I love how even Archie made an appearance.
Hi Heidi and Kate, the books sound great! Love the covers.
Congratulations! The books look delicious!
Keeping my eyes open for this series!
Can’t wait to read these!
It’s just fascinating how women from the other side of the Pond, write such fun, detailed stories of the US. Love this blog post and learning a few fun things about both authors. Excellent entertainment and new book titles to read.
Looking forward to reading your books. Congratulations
What a fun interview! Thanks, Heidi and Kate!!
I LOVE the Montana born series books. Marietta sounds like an amazing place to live, with great people.
That mug is awesome. Thanks so much for the chance. Fun to read about you .
Congrats ladies I have been a fan for a long time! Thank you for giving me books to read
Enjoyed the interviews very much. Excited to read your books and continue the Marietta dream.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Love me some cowboys! Fun interviews. Thanks for the chance!
LOVE These covers and the Marietta books!!
Thanks so much for this interview and I can’t wait to read all these books! I love cowboy romances and this is something I am interested in reading! Thanks for chance!
Thanks for the chance to win and for the interviews!
So excited and can’t wait to read 🙂
Hi Kate and Heidi! Both your books sound good!I can’t wait to read them.
Congrats on the books, can’t wait to read them.
I love romances set in Montana…this series sounds wonderful!! Thank you for sharing.
Ladies,
Both of your books sound amazing. I can’t wait to dig in. Congrats.
Thanks so much ladies…loved this post! Congrats on the new releases
It’s always great to go back to Marieitta and these cowboys are so Hot!
What a neat way to learn about both the books and the authors! The books sound amazing and I’d love to read them. Thanks for the chance to win an awesome Montana Born prize.
The books look really good. I enjoyed the interviews too.
I have barely been to Montana. Crossed the state line, so I could count it as visiting. Take back in your books for a ‘real’ visit.
Congratulations on your new releases. Can’t wait to get started on this new series. I jut love series set in Marietta.
Read the first one, need to write my review,and starting the second one, having eye surgery has me a little slowed down.
What great interviews! I am on Lyle’s book now, but loved Logan’s. I can’t wait to see how this series rolls on…
Thanks, Ladies!
Thanks, Jane, for bringing it all together for us!
Thank you for sharing your stories Ladies .It is always interesting to know who the person is that is writing the stories Thank you Jane
Thank you ladies It is always nice to read about the person whom is writing the book
Awesome!!!!! Can’t wait to read them!!!!!
Hi Heidi and Kate,
I love learning about how characters in books come about. I enjoy the depth and real ness that it brings when reading the story!!! Thanks!!!
I have not read your books. Would love to win.
I’ve read books written by both of you! Looking forward to reading more!
Congratulations Heidi and Kate on these two books. I’ve read Logan and Charlie’s and plan to start Lyle and Em’s tomorrow. I love learning about the process behind the story and more about the authors who wrote them. Thank you so much for sharing this interview with us.
Looks wonderful! Would love to read your books!!
sounds like I’ve got some good reading to do!
thanks for the chance to win, and i’ve found some new authors!
Makes me want to read them. Thank you
Well Done, Heidi and Kate!!
These look fabulous!!
I’ve never read either of them. I would love to read and experience new writers!
Sounds wonderful – thanks for this chance.
All of these books look great!
Looking forward or reading these new books!! Can’t wait.
Looking forward to reading these two books
Covers are favilius
Bravo ladies! Who doesn’t love a shirtless, stetsoned hero!!
*fabulous …. Sorry it’s 5.18 am … My arthritis pain meds haven’t kicked in .. Or maybe they have lol x
Sorry just realized my email was spelt wrong … Le sigh
I need that shirtless stetsoned hero ASAP
Covers are awesome!looking forward to reading them.
What a perfect cap-off to Spring Break! ❤
Congrats Heidi and Kate on your new books looks like lots of fun. Brothers and twin sisters and opposites do attract. 🙂
Congratulations on your new books. I loved both Logan and Lyle. They made me laugh and cry. These two stories complimented each other perfectly.
Congrats on the new books. Those are some pretty powerful men, swoon.
Congrats! Sounds good.
Congratulations! Both are new authors for me and I would love to read these.
Congratulations! You are both new authors to me. I look forward to reading something by you!
Congratulations! What an interesting interview and wonderful books.
Would love ❤️ win your give away
What a wonderful post. Loved hearing about both books. Love seeing Archie, adorable. I can’t wait to read these first two books.
Carol Luciano.
There is something about spring that puts me in the mood for reading about cowboys! Thank you for sharing glimpses of your lives and writing inspirations!
So excited to read these !!
I grew up going to local rodeos. There is something about a guy on a horse in a Stetson!
Congratulations Heidi and Kate! I’m new to your books but will surely check them out and add them to my TBR list! I love reading country romance!
Thank you for great gift!
Hi! Just want to say congratulations to both of you!
What a fun post! *hours and hours of arduous picture research* LOL! I’m so glad you sacrificed for us. 😉
This was so much fun to read. Thank you for your time and effort in giving us such great reads!
Kate and Heidi you are both new to me authors. This new series seems like a really great place to start reading your work. Sending a big thanks to Jane for yet another great blog post. ~Karen Over-Gal
Awesome blog post Jane. I can’t wait to read the Men of Marietta series. Heidi & Kate thank you for writing the books. Thank you again for the great review and giveaway.
Can’t wait to read. These are just the medicine for vacation. It will be nice to get away and get lost in the stories!
Looking forward to reading them.
Interesting series
Congratulations Heidi and Kate. This series sounds awesome.
So excited to read this series!
Look forward to reading these books. Thanks for the interview.
Love, love that the new books are out and can’t wait to read!!
Congrats ladies!!!
Looks like a great series!! And what a wonderful giveaway!
Would love to win!! Could use some fabulous new inspiration.
Nothing like a great read and Cowboys to boot. Thank you for the chance to win this awesome giveaway.
Both books sound fantastic. I look forward to reading them 🙂 thanks for the chance to win this fabulous giveaway.
How exciting for You! And for me for getting this opportunity lol!
Two more authors/books for my TBR list! Thank you for doing giveaways:)
Just bought both books Cant wait to read them Something about cowboys and Marietta Just love them 🙂
Cannot wait to read These! These are the kinds of books I like to Read! Thanks Heidi and Kate!,
What a terrific interview and intro to these books! I love connected stories–can’t wait to add these to my TBR!!
#35 Kay Garrett, Congratulations! You’re the winner of my special Montana Born prize! Please send me your mailing address and I’ll get package in the mail soon.
Thank you, everyone for chiming in and I hope you enjoy Heidi and Kate’s books!