Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Nancy Naigle to HJ!
Hi Nancy and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, The Wedding Ranch!
Hi, Readers, I’m so excited to be back, and to share my latest novel with you!
Please summarize the book for the readers here:
The Wedding Ranch is my first women’s fiction for St. Martin’s Press. Have you seen the cover? Oh gosh, as soon as I saw it I was so excited. The pretty turquoise blue and beautiful wedding venue are so inviting, and what’s not to love about a big dog?
This story is about a woman who was on the verge of leaving her husband. When she gets home on Valentine’s Day her husband surprises her with a puppy. It’s the little lap dog she’d been wishing for, rather a giant breed mastiff-pup whose feet are already as big as anything she’s ever since, but she thinks this is his attempt to save their marriage. Dropping her guard she gives him another chance, only to have her husband leave her for the owner of a teacup yorkie he met at puppy school.
Embarrassed and broken, she relocates about an hour south of Raleigh to give herself a fresh start. In her new home in the country, she meets a family going through their own trials and a man who no longer believes in love either.
But when he rescues her from a runaway steer at the county fair, it’s just the beginning of a friendship and trust that catches them both off guard. With family fences to be mended on both sides, they are brought together by hope.
Please share your favorite line(s) or quote from this book:
There’s a line right after Ryder tells Lori about his late wife. My favorite quote is her response to him: “You really loved her.” He didn’t have to say it. It was in every word. It hung in the air like Christmas. You knew what it felt like, even though you couldn’t see it or touch it.
Please share a few Fun facts about this book…
- I actually have a large breed dog. A pyrenean mastiff who weighs 171.9 lbs. They are a whole lot of dog for a gal to handle. Thank goodness I don’t need a bedazzled pooper scooper since I live in the country and have 25 acres for Sarge to roam. I definitely could identify with Lori and her handling of Mister.
- I love a county fair. I could spend hours in the craft building and as crazy as it sounds, walking through the racks of home canned pickles and baked goods is really a good time to me. I hope folks who may not have ever taken the time to experience those things will see it in a fresh way after reading this book.
- I enjoyed the research about butterflies for this book. I love learning something new in every new story.
What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?
They literally meet by accident when the steer runs her over. He rescues her and at first it is simply him being neighborly and her somewhat unwillingly letting him. There’s comfort in that neither of them are looking for a relationship that drops the walls they have up, and that’s when the attraction sneaks up on them. A little trust, leading to hope and being able to picture a future together.
Did any scene have you blushing, crying or laughing while writing it? And Why?
Yes! Oh gosh, it’s hard to pick because there are a couple of really tender scenes, but I think I’m going to share a fun one here.
In this scene, Lori’s ex is getting remarried at The Wedding Ranch, the swanky venue just down from where Lori now lives. Now, this also happens to be on Ryder’s property and is run by his twin niece/nephew.
Well, Lori is dying to catch a peek of this extravagant affair her ex is paying for with his new toy Yorkie toting wife-to-be, and she just can’t keep that jealousy under control. She ends up sneaking into the wedding. Ryder spots her and not realizing she’s crashing…calls her out ALMOST blowing her cover.
Here’s a clip from that scene:
“Hey, you look beautiful. I didn’t know you were coming today.” Ryder was walking right toward her.
She couldn’t lie to him. “Surprise.” She backed into the building. Thankfully he followed without her having to tug him like it was a kidnapping.
“Friends of the bride?” he asked.
“Definitely not. She’s marrying my ex-husband.”
Ryder’s neck lurched forward. “What?”
“I shouldn’t be here.” She grabbed his hands. “I was just so nosy, and was going to take a little peek and now here I am and how am I supposed to get out of here without them seeing me?”
He laughed. “No way. You really are crashing this wedding.”
She peeked around Ryder and saw Craig was walking in her direction. “It’s not funny. It’s horrible and I’m humiliated to have to admit it to you, but now my ex is coming this way.” She pulled in close to Ryder’s chest. She looked up. “Please don’t let him see me.”
She could feel Ryder’s breath on her forehead.
He looked up. “That’s the guy who cheated on you?” Ryder’s jaw pulsed. “Doesn’t surprise me.”
“Shh. Shh. He’s coming.” She ducked, pulling herself closer to Ryder, all the while wishing to disappear.
Craig’s voice carried over the area. “Lorri? Is that you?”
She tensed, dreading the next moment when Craig got close enough to confront her.
A gentle hand tipped her chin. Ryder pressed his lips to hers.
It was doubtful even holding her breath bracing herself for the worst could leave her this dizzied. She responded to his kiss, relishing the way his strong hands moved her so effortlessly, and with just the brush of his lips to hers, her heart beat twice as fast remembering what it was like to feel this way.
He walked her into the shadow of the building out of sight, but then didn’t waste a second. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and broke into a run.
Unsteady from that kiss, she let Ryder drag her to the back of the building then out and through the bushes. Cars were double and triple parked in the lot.
She swung behind him as he darted between two vehicles and headed for a merlot-colored car with that old gangster style that was parked in the middle of the driveway.
“Go. Get in,” he said, swinging her past him into the bushes next to the car.
“What? I can’t steal someone’s car.”
“Jump in the passenger seat and hunker down. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She hesitated, but she didn’t have much choice. Hoping for the best, she waited in the bushes until the car attendant walked off to park another car. She darted out and jumped into the front passenger seat of the fancy ride.
Collapsing into a puddle on the floorboard, she kept her head down. If anyone discovered her, she didn’t know how she’d talk her way out of this one.
The door handle clicked, and the driver’s side door opened. She heard the jingle of keys and the engine turned over. She lifted her head, relieved to see the familiar leather cowboy boots mash the gas pedal.
“Stay down,” he whispered. The car swerved to the left and then to the right, then sped along for a ways before it halted. “Okay. The coast is clear.”
Readers should read this book….
NN: …because it brings small-town, family saga, forgiveness and trust into a beautiful story that’s realistic and will fill your heart with hope. I know you’ll be cheering Ryder and Lori on every step of the way, and you’re going to wish for a big ol’ sweet dog like Mister.
What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have in the works?
I’m working on another women’s fiction titled AND THEN THERE WAS YOU that’s slated for an early summer release. I’m absolutely in love with Chestnut Ridge and I’m tickled to share that we’ve got a full-length Christmas book set in that town for 2023 release too. Yippee!
Thanks for blogging at HJ!
Giveaway: 2 Print copy of THE WEDDING RANCH by Nancy Naigle, US only.
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Have you ever been to your county or State Fair? What was your favorite thing about that experience?
Book Info:
When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.
Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.
When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.
But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.
Book Links: Amazon | B&N |
Meet the Author:
USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home. Nancy is the author of Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas, both of which have been turned into film for Hallmark Channel.
Website | Twitter | GoodReads |
EC
I’ve gone to my local fair and my favorites are the food and crafts areas.
Leeza Stetson
I’ve been to both. I enjoy all the excitement of the people also attending, but I love the animals.
hartfiction
We took our kids to the county fair each year when they were young. My favorite part was Skeeball and cotton candy. I’m not big on rides.
debby236
I have. I love seeing all the exhibits. And trying the food
Amy Donahue
Our local fair has shopping and crafts so I usually go grab a lemonade and a few bars of handmade soap for my soap stash.
Lori R
I have and I enjoyed the food.
Pamela Conway
I have & it was a lot of fun!!
Lori Byrd
I haven’t ever gone.
Janine
I have been to our state fair several times. I enjoy seeing the craft areas and the food.
dodgerfannnat - Pat L.
I have been a few times and have enjoying seeing what food (jellies. etc.) and craft they had.
Texas Book Lover
I have but it has been a long time…it is just too busy and expensive any more!
lasvegasnan
I’ve been to both and love the food and crafts.
Glenda M
It has been a long time since I’ve been to a state fair. I was a teen and had friends who took their animals for FFA competitions. Seeing them having so much fun was great!
Joy isley
As a youth.I entered my sewing projects in the state and county fairs. I won several ribbons for my projects
Rita Wray
Yes I have and had a great time. There was so much to see.
Linda F Herold
Many many times over the years! The food and exhibits make it interesting!
SusieQ
I have never been
Dianne Casey
I have been to a county fair years ago. It was fun seeing the exhibits and trying all the different foods.
Linda Romer
I went to a state fair once and remembered the air show, it was fantastic. Thank you
Daniel M
nope
dholcomb1
I’ve been to both. I love the crafts.
Amy R
Have you ever been to your county or State Fair? No
Bonnie
I have been to a county fair, but never to a state fair. I enjoy the crafts and the food.
Ellen C.
We always went to the county and state fair. Being in 4-H, we entered sewing, baking, and garden projects. So much fun.
Mary C
I enjoy the crafts .
Diana Hardt
I went but it was years ago. So I don’t remember much about it.
Leanna Hiner
I went to the Minnesota State fair twice and vomited both times too many gross smells. Never again.
Diane Sallans
I haven’t been to a state fair in a long time, but I remember the animal exhibits and the wide variety of food – all yummy but not the healthiest of options.
bn100
no
Patricia B.
We have gone to many county fairs over the years. When I was a teen I was in 4-H and we spent all day, every day at the fair. We helped in the 4-H building and enjoyed the exhibits. We have gone to the fairs with our children an for a bit, belonged to a 4-H rabbit club in Northern Virginia. The children had their own exhibits and we supervised. We still drop in on fairs when we travel and here at home and have worked booths for organizations many years. I always enjoy the animal and craft exhibits.
Dana
I love the Minnesota State Fair love going to see Twin Cities Live and this year for the first time I tried the Texas State Fair my favorite thing was watching my granddaughter ride the merry go round her very first ride at 2 years of age.
Katrina Dehart
Yes. The food!!!
Tina R
No, I haven’t been to one.
Charlotte Litton
I love the exhibits at the fair and of course, the food.
Terrill R.
Growing up, I lived very close to where our state fair was located. We used to get a day off from school to attend. My favorite memory was going with my mom at around age 6/7 and she rode all the rides with me. Something I wouldn’t have been able to do at her age since motion sickness has kicked in.