Interview with Bestselling Author RaeAnne Thayne
I’m so excited to welcome RaeAnne Thayne to Mary’s Garden today! Let’s not waste time, hurry fill your plates and your glasses from the goodie table. I’ve placed heaters around the tables so find a chair and settle in. Let’s get started!
Mary: RaeAnne is a very busy lady, so I’ve promised to keep this short. I’m going to give you her bio and a link to her site if you’d like to know more.
Bio: Stories of Hope, Healing, Heart by New York Times Bestselling Author RaeAnne Thayne.
I’m not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged. - See more ...
Mary: Okay, we have the bio out of the way. RaeAnne, can you tell us a little about yourself that is not on your web site. Maybe, a bit about RaeAnne the woman, what would be your favorite non-related writing activity?
RaeAnne: First of all, thank you so much for having me! I always love the chance to talk with you, Mary. You had to start out with a tough question! I’m trying to finish a book right now so I don’t have many activities not related to books! I’m usually either reading or writing one. When I’m not, I’m also kind of addicted to beading. If I have a free afternoon, I can usually be found with my beads spread out on the kitchen table making earrings, bracelets or bookmark charms. Wait. Does that count as writing-related?!
Mary: It is the holidays and I know I have many traditions, some carried with me from childhood and some I’ve started over the years with my family. What are your favorite traditions from childhood and your favorites that you’ve started along the way as an adult?
RaeAnne: I love holiday traditions too! My parents instilled in me a love of family and togetherness. We have come to love our quiet Christmas Eve nights, playing board games and having a delicious dinner (usually steaks on the grill and shrimp). During the holidays, we always spend a few evenings driving around town looking at Christmas lights. We also try to teach our children to think about others by doing a few fun activities that help our neighbors. One favorite tradition I started when my children were small is our advent calendar of storybooks. I take all the Christmas books I could find (sometimes my own, sometimes from the library!) wrap up twenty-four of them and let my children open one each evening until Christmas Eve, when we always read the Christmas story from the New Testament.
Mary: Before the bestselling hits, before you became a name with fans, did an established author take you aside and give you valuable advice that helped you get to where you are today? If so, can you share it with us?
RaeAnne: I have been very fortunate to have many mentors over the years who have helped me along my journey. I love this writing community! As for advice that has stuck with me over the years, years ago (before I ever sold my first book in 1995) I remember sitting in a workshop with a writer named Tonya Woods, who wrote at the time as Ryanne Corey for Silhouette Desire. She said she tries to give her readers something extra on each page – a particularly clever bit of dialogue, an emotional zing, a nicely worded description. I think about that often and try to incorporate it in my writing, especially during the revision phase.
Mary: You have a Hope’s Crossing series out and your sixth book in the series, Christmas in Snowflake Canyon was released on October 29th. (yes I’ve already read it). Can you tell us what inspired you to write this series?
RaeAnne: This is a series about community and neighbors learning to reach out to help each other. It was inspired by my own neighbors, who have shown incredible kindness and support to my family. We have a son with special needs who is now sixteen and from the time he was a frail little thing in the NICU, our friends and community have rallied around us to help buoy us up. I wanted to show readers that even one person can make a difference in his or her community and that when we all work together, we can each do our part to bring a little light and joy to others. I have to confess that while I have loved writing each book in the series, Christmas in Snowflake Canyon has a special place in my heart. Not only was it my first title to hit the New York Times Bestseller list, but I just loved the main characters, Genevieve and Dylan, and was so happy to give them the happy ending they deserved.
Mary: You also have another Christmas book out from your Cowboys of Cold Creek out (Yes I have it and will be reading it soon). If you wouldn’t mind would you post a blurb for both of your Christmas stories?
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RaeAnne: CHRISTMAS IN SNOWFLAKE CANYON: No one has ever felt sorry for Genevieve Beaumont. After all, she has everything money can buy. That is, until she discovers her fiancé has been two-timing her and she's left with two choices: marry the philanderer to please her controlling father or be disinherited and find a means to support herself.
Genevieve's salvation appears in the most unlikely of prospects: Dylan Caine, a sexy, wounded war vet whose life is as messy as hers. Dylan's struggling to adjust after his time in Afghanistan, and the last thing he needs is a spoiled socialite learning about the real world for the first time. True, she may have unexpected depths and beauty to match. But he knows he could never be the man she needs…and she knows he could never be the man she thinks she wants. So why are they each hoping that a Christmas miracle will prove them both wrong?
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A COLD CREEK CHRISTMAS SURPRISE: Hardened rancher Ridge Bowman has long told himself he has no need for love—just work and his little girl are enough to get him through. But when his "cleaning lady," Sarah Whitmore, gets injured on his staircase, well, of course he has to invite her to spend the holidays with him. It's only the responsible thing to do.
Only, Sarah isn't really there to work on his house. She came bearing precious artwork belonging to Ridge's late mother, and possibly a secret that could devastate them both. But as Christmas draws closer, so does Ridge—and Sarah convinces herself that she will tell him what she knows as soon as the holiday is over. She might be the key to his past—if only he could be a part of her future….
Mary: Where can people find you? What is your web site? Any social media where people can find you?
RaeAnne: I truly love to hear from readers you can reach me through my Facebook page http://www.fb.me/AuthorRaeAnneThayne through my website, http://www.raeannethayne.com or on Twitter, @raeannethayne
Hope's Crossing Series I have read every one of them. And overall they are a five star and a must read. If I have one comment it would be, when is the next one coming? RaeAnne doesn't write straight frou frou romance. Her characters are human. They have ups and downs, they have faults, gasp, I know, huh? And in every book there is emotion, you laugh, you cry, you root for her characters! If only every author could write with such depth and emotion. If you pick up one of her books you will be hooked!
RaeAnne has generously offered to have a giveaway! Woohoo, She will be giving a copy of Snowflake Canyon and A Cold Creek Christmas Surprise along with a hand beaded bookmark! So make sure to comment about why you love her books, or ask a question!
Thank you so much for joining us today, RaeAnne, I hope you drop by again.
RaeAnne: Thank you again for having me! I would love to do a giveaway to one person who comments, a copy of both Christmas in Snowflake Canyon and A Cold Creek Christmas Surprise, as well as one of my handbeaded bookmarks!
Mary: RaeAnne is a very busy lady, so I’ve promised to keep this short. I’m going to give you her bio and a link to her site if you’d like to know more.
Bio: Stories of Hope, Healing, Heart by New York Times Bestselling Author RaeAnne Thayne.
I’m not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged. - See more ...
Mary: Okay, we have the bio out of the way. RaeAnne, can you tell us a little about yourself that is not on your web site. Maybe, a bit about RaeAnne the woman, what would be your favorite non-related writing activity?
RaeAnne: First of all, thank you so much for having me! I always love the chance to talk with you, Mary. You had to start out with a tough question! I’m trying to finish a book right now so I don’t have many activities not related to books! I’m usually either reading or writing one. When I’m not, I’m also kind of addicted to beading. If I have a free afternoon, I can usually be found with my beads spread out on the kitchen table making earrings, bracelets or bookmark charms. Wait. Does that count as writing-related?!
Mary: It is the holidays and I know I have many traditions, some carried with me from childhood and some I’ve started over the years with my family. What are your favorite traditions from childhood and your favorites that you’ve started along the way as an adult?
RaeAnne: I love holiday traditions too! My parents instilled in me a love of family and togetherness. We have come to love our quiet Christmas Eve nights, playing board games and having a delicious dinner (usually steaks on the grill and shrimp). During the holidays, we always spend a few evenings driving around town looking at Christmas lights. We also try to teach our children to think about others by doing a few fun activities that help our neighbors. One favorite tradition I started when my children were small is our advent calendar of storybooks. I take all the Christmas books I could find (sometimes my own, sometimes from the library!) wrap up twenty-four of them and let my children open one each evening until Christmas Eve, when we always read the Christmas story from the New Testament.
Mary: Before the bestselling hits, before you became a name with fans, did an established author take you aside and give you valuable advice that helped you get to where you are today? If so, can you share it with us?
RaeAnne: I have been very fortunate to have many mentors over the years who have helped me along my journey. I love this writing community! As for advice that has stuck with me over the years, years ago (before I ever sold my first book in 1995) I remember sitting in a workshop with a writer named Tonya Woods, who wrote at the time as Ryanne Corey for Silhouette Desire. She said she tries to give her readers something extra on each page – a particularly clever bit of dialogue, an emotional zing, a nicely worded description. I think about that often and try to incorporate it in my writing, especially during the revision phase.
Mary: You have a Hope’s Crossing series out and your sixth book in the series, Christmas in Snowflake Canyon was released on October 29th. (yes I’ve already read it). Can you tell us what inspired you to write this series?
RaeAnne: This is a series about community and neighbors learning to reach out to help each other. It was inspired by my own neighbors, who have shown incredible kindness and support to my family. We have a son with special needs who is now sixteen and from the time he was a frail little thing in the NICU, our friends and community have rallied around us to help buoy us up. I wanted to show readers that even one person can make a difference in his or her community and that when we all work together, we can each do our part to bring a little light and joy to others. I have to confess that while I have loved writing each book in the series, Christmas in Snowflake Canyon has a special place in my heart. Not only was it my first title to hit the New York Times Bestseller list, but I just loved the main characters, Genevieve and Dylan, and was so happy to give them the happy ending they deserved.
Mary: You also have another Christmas book out from your Cowboys of Cold Creek out (Yes I have it and will be reading it soon). If you wouldn’t mind would you post a blurb for both of your Christmas stories?
.jpg)
Genevieve's salvation appears in the most unlikely of prospects: Dylan Caine, a sexy, wounded war vet whose life is as messy as hers. Dylan's struggling to adjust after his time in Afghanistan, and the last thing he needs is a spoiled socialite learning about the real world for the first time. True, she may have unexpected depths and beauty to match. But he knows he could never be the man she needs…and she knows he could never be the man she thinks she wants. So why are they each hoping that a Christmas miracle will prove them both wrong?
.jpg)
Only, Sarah isn't really there to work on his house. She came bearing precious artwork belonging to Ridge's late mother, and possibly a secret that could devastate them both. But as Christmas draws closer, so does Ridge—and Sarah convinces herself that she will tell him what she knows as soon as the holiday is over. She might be the key to his past—if only he could be a part of her future….
Mary: Where can people find you? What is your web site? Any social media where people can find you?
RaeAnne: I truly love to hear from readers you can reach me through my Facebook page http://www.fb.me/AuthorRaeAnneThayne through my website, http://www.raeannethayne.com or on Twitter, @raeannethayne
Hope's Crossing Series I have read every one of them. And overall they are a five star and a must read. If I have one comment it would be, when is the next one coming? RaeAnne doesn't write straight frou frou romance. Her characters are human. They have ups and downs, they have faults, gasp, I know, huh? And in every book there is emotion, you laugh, you cry, you root for her characters! If only every author could write with such depth and emotion. If you pick up one of her books you will be hooked!
Thank you so much for joining us today, RaeAnne, I hope you drop by again.
RaeAnne: Thank you again for having me! I would love to do a giveaway to one person who comments, a copy of both Christmas in Snowflake Canyon and A Cold Creek Christmas Surprise, as well as one of my handbeaded bookmarks!
Comments
Great interview ladies... I wish the the warmest of holiday season to you both.
Thanks for visiting!