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Hi, reader friends! Today, we welcome back our author friend Lorna Seilstad to celebrate her story within the newly released Cowboys of Summer collection with a JustRead blog + review tour spotlight including five favorites, a q&a, and a giveaway!

about the book

Title: Cowboys of Summer
Authors: Mary Connealy, Lorna Seilstad, Cheryl St. John, Missy Tippens, Tina Radcliffe, & Sherri Shackelford
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance / Western

As the summer weather sizzles, relax by the pool with stirring tales of handsome cowboys and the spirited ladies who wrangle them into romance.

Six of Christian fiction’s most beloved authors join forces to bring you a collection of humorous, romantic and heartfelt novellas set against the sultry heat of summer.

In Mary Connealy’s, “Dr. Tess and the Cowboy”, sparks fly when Dr. Tessa Rhoades discovers dinosaur bones on Joe Holt’s ranch and decides to excavate—even if that means kicking Joe off his own land.

In “Hometown Girl” by Cheryl St.John, injured rodeo champion Justin Cooper returns to the sleepy Oklahoma town he escaped for fame and fortune–and takes his biggest tumble yet–straight into the arms of Stevie Marshall, his first love who soon has him questioning his life choices.

In Tina Radcliffe’s, “Lake Effect”, cynical cowboy Tucker Jackson knows he’s in trouble when he starts counting the days until the end of summer and praying ‘summer girl’ Jessica Richards will find a home for her heart in Paradise.

In “His Lone Star Heart” by Missy Tippens, rancher Zeb West tries hard not to fall for Beecher Brown, the feisty but off-limits sister of his best friend. As she tries to prove she’s capable of running her family’s ranch–the one he’s trying to buy–he might just find he’s met his match…for life.

Will Lorna Seilstad’s characters make “Great Strides” when Dana Etherton, the owner of a horse therapy ranch, must choose between the kids she serves and Adam Malone, the embezzler who’s been assigned to do community service there?

When Paige Monroe agrees to draw the press away from a country star’s wedding by pretending to be the look-alike bride, she wasn’t counting on having very real feeling for her decoy fiancé, Sterling Tanner.  In Sherri Shackelford’s, “The Decoy Bride”, two people feigning love forget they’re acting.

goodreads | amazon

 

about the author

Lorna Seilstad has called Iowa home her whole life. She received her B.S. in education from Lubbock Christian University. After her first child was born, she stopped teaching and became a professional wiper. “I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby’s bottoms, and countertops every day. But at naptime, I wrote.” Today, she writes historical fiction with a generous dash of humor.

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five favorites of “Great Strides”

favorite character

Lorna: Adam Malone, the hero, is a hard-working man of honor, kindness, and loyalty who made a big mistake in his past.

Beth: I am intrigued and can’t wait to meet him!

favorite secondary character

Lorna: Angela, the hero’s little sister with Down syndrome and a sweet, sweet spirit

Beth: Aw, I love sweet little sisters! 

favorite couple (of any kind)

Lorna: Booth and Bones

Beth: These names have my attention! Oh, Lorna! You are drawing me right in!

favorite research fact

Lorna: I loved reading about and studying the stories of the children who’ve benefited from hippotherapy, and who knew that a horse’s gait mimics that of a human hip rotation?

Beth: Well, I certainly didn’t! Interesting!

favorite part of writing this story

Lorna: Coming up with all of the kid-friendly horse names like Cactus, Miss Kitty, Lemon Drop, and Magic.

Beth: I’m sure the horses were very good natured about their cutie-pie names.

 

q&a

Tell us about “Great Strides.”

Lorna: Since I usually write historical romances, it was so much fun to have characters with vehicles and cell phones. The idea came after the 4-H club that I work with was looking for possible tours. I happened to discover a horse therapy ranch not far away. I was fascinated with the concept and decided to study it more. I thought it would make a great, fresh setting for a story.

Beth: Therapy animals are completely fascinating!

What are you working on now?

Lorna: I’m currently putting together some new story ideas and patiently waiting to hear if a few others will be finding a publishing home.

Beth: Ugh, the waiting isn’t fun on this end either!  

Describe yourself in five words.

Lorna: Jesus-loving, happy, passionate, committed, and creative.

Beth: Hyphens are our friends! 

What do you want readers to gain from “Great Strides?”

Lorna: I hope readers will see two people who are better together than they are separately. I also hope readers will see how quick we are as a society to label someone who has made a mistake. There is so much more to every person’s story.

Beth: Great message.

What are you reading right now?

Lorna: The Lacemaker by my dear friend Laura Frantz

Beth: Oh! I adore Noble and Liberty!

What is your comfort food? 

Lorna: Ghiradelli Hot Chocolate or Oreos. (Do you see a theme here?)

Beth: Mmmmmm! Great choices and another mmmmmmm for chocolate!

What is your go-to beverage?

Mary: Diet Mt. Dew

Beth: You are hardcore, my friend.

 

giveaway

The authors of Cowboys of Summer are giving away the following prize to one winner:
$25 Amazon Gift Card
‘I Trust in God’s Unfailing’ Mug
Reading at the Cafe Candle from Frostbeard Studios

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. 

Giveaway will begin at midnight May 21, 2018 and last through 11:59 PM on May 28, 2018. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Be sure to check out other stops on the tour to meet more Cowboys of Summer authors!
Are you horse-lovers, reader friends? Anyone familiar with hippotherapy?

tour schedule