Saturday, October 13, 2012

Which hat do you wear? - Krystal Shannan Features - Ann B. Harrison - Taming the Outback


Which hat do you wear?
I get asked this quite often because I write different genres and not everyone agrees that it is a good thing.

When I first started writing it was Young Adult. The books almost wrote themselves, they were bursting to get out and I often wonder why I waited so long to get started.
Only problem was, nobody except me liked them. Not in the publishing trade anyway.
'You have a great voice and we like your work but, no thanks.'
Witchling, Book one of Curse of Kin was put away and I bemoaned my unloved manuscript.
Not one to give up, I thought I would try my voice with Romance novels instead. No problem, two rural romances were soon ready for submission.
'Sorry, we like your voice but no thanks.'

I was ready to grab a tub of ice cream and sit in the corner by myself. If I couldn't write Young Adult or Romance, what was I going to do?

Lady luck was on my side. That and my never say die attitude.

I found out why publishers were saying no and with a little help from a freelance editor, Annie Seaton, my first book Taming the Outback was ready to submit again.

How wonderful it was to start getting offers instead of rejections. Within two days I had three contracts sitting on my desk. I thought I had found my niche and my little heart was soothed. Taming the Outback is out now and Mistress for Magnus is out 29th September.

I couldn't help but wonder if there was any hope for my Young Adult books. I had put so much into them and had the first three books written. Me being me I refused to give up hope. I had them evaluated by an editor that does a lot of work in this genre and she loved them. I was a little bit staggered.
Should I write both, could I write both?

I gave it a lot of thought and talked it over with a few different people. Everyone has their own take on this. There are a lot of authors writing cross genres now and doing well. I subbed Witchling again and also book two in the series, Changling. Both are due out before Christmas.

There was one more genre I wanted to try. Erotic Romance. Nothing tacky or gross, just very sexy books. I liked reading them, why shouldn't I write them? Irish Seduction was subbed a couple of weeks ago and picked up.

I think that three hats is enough for now, don't you think?
Hang on, there is that story I started writing for my granddaughter. I wonder if I should finish that? That would be middle grade I think.

And then there is that one about the young boy that ...........

***

Title: Taming the Outback
Author: Ann B. Harrison
Publisher: Breathless Press
Length: 159 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance

AVAILABLE AT:

BLURB:
Is Libby prepared to give up her new home for a chance to roll Nathan in the hay when her libido wakes up after five long years?

Nathan Miller rattles Libby's nerves more than she cares to admit. He is the one person that stands between her and the family home that has been left to her.

So why then is he the guy that stirs her up to such an extent that her body pulses with the need to have him? They do nothing but clash and snap at one another and he makes no bones about the fact that she shouldn't be on the station, but back in the city where he thinks she belongs.

Libby fights to learn about her new home while struggling to find a way into Nathans heart. She almost loses it all when a flood hits their tiny town and rips through her farm putting her daughter's life in danger.

Will she be able to convince him that she is not the irresponsible city chick he has dubbed her or will he see her as she truly is, a woman in love with him.

Excerpt:
"This is my dance, I think." Nathan shot a cool glance at his rival. The cowboy nodded his head in defeat and walked away. Nathan put his arm around her back and twined his fingers through her right hand, gripping her tightly. He dipped his hand lower to rest on the curve of her back, and he pulled her close. The music and the crowd ceased to exist as he danced with her. Libby couldn't tear her eyes from his as they moved as one, shutting out the rest of the world. When another cowboy tried to cut in, Nathan frowned enough to have him backing away.

The possessive action made Libby's stomach tighten. It was a machismo thing to do, and she loved it. He was jealous, and the thought made her groin clench tight as heat raced through her. When the band stopped for a break, Nathan led her to the door and guided her outside. Couples were spread out around the entrance talking and laughing as he led her over toward the cattle yards. The night was lit up with a full moon and a smattering of stars.

A chill rippled over her skin as he pushed her gently back against the wooden structure. His lips lightly skimmed over her chin before his tongue traced her bottom lip. She swallowed a gasp as he traced a line down one side of her neck with his lips before traveling back up to her mouth. His tongue sought refuge in her mouth, tasting and tempting her like a starving man grasping for food. The thrill went straight to her stomach, and her thighs clenched together to stall the explosion building up inside her.

She lifted her arms around his neck, and he pushed against her, his erection evidentially straining as he cupped her face in his hands.

"Sweetheart, what are you doing to me?" he whispered, his kisses raining over her face.

"I can stop at any time," she panted, her eyes half-closed.

"Bullshit." He grunted, kissing the side of her mouth. He trailed his lips down her throat to kiss the tops of her breasts, making her nipples rub against the soft fabric. He danced his tongue along the neckline as she squirmed against him, willing his mouth to go further. She groaned as he blew gently in the cleavage of her breasts, and her breath caught in her throat.

His hands stilled as a group of giggling teenagers came their way. He pulled away, leaving her suddenly cold without his body against hers. Libby pulled herself from the fence and stood on shaking legs, wishing they were somewhere more private where she could do what she had set out to do. Brushing her hands over her full skirt and checking her breasts were well-contained in her bodice, she spoke to him. "I think it's best if we go in now, don't you?"

He grabbed her by the arm and stopped her. "Give me just a minute."

Libby looked at his erection, still prominent against his jeans. She smiled to herself. The night hadn't yet ended. She would just find another place to seduce Nathan. She waited quietly as he adjusted himself and took a few deep breaths.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ann swears she was born with a book in her hand and has never put it down. A lifelong love of reading has finally culminated in achieving her dream of writing…and publication.

She lives in the middle of the desert in Australia in a small mining town with her own handsome hero of many years. Ann has always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities and she shares this with readers in her rural romances.

Strong, spunky heroines with a good dose of sass thrown in feature in her stories. Of course these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the Outback hero and watch the passion ignite.

When not writing, Ann runs a day care centre and looks after young children for working Mums and Dads. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking her very large dog, Hugo, and fighting with her computer.

Visit Ann at http://annbharrison.com


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Thanks for being my guest today Ann. Everyone, be sure to enter her giveaway below through the rafflecopter!








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3 comments:

  1. I am so glad you did not give up Ann! I so love this book and look forward to reading your others. Thank you also for being such a great example for all of the fledgling writers out there like me!

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  2. I would think that writing different genres would make the whole writing experience more exciting. Being able to put words on paper (or computer)and be able to entertain people is amazing.

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  3. So glad you didn't grab that tub of ice cream and go sit in the corner by yourself. These books look great!

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