Nan Reinhardt, from "the corner of Life and You Better Get Going ..."

Nan and Me

Friend and Tule author extraordinaire Nan Reinhardt and I have visited each other's blogs so often, we've kind of run out of ways to say, "Hey, over here! Look at me!" every time we fill in for a no-show guest or release a new book. This time, we decided to go with an interview. I think her answers are fun. And, after the interview, check out her new book!

1.   What is your favorite thing about yourself? And your least favorite?

Hmmm… I think my favorite thing about me is that I am a storyteller. I love to tell stories and adore being a writer. Least favorite? At one time I’d have said the size of my butt, but you know, that is so insignificant in the light of the rest of the world and its problems. Least favorite would be that I can waste time like nobody else—I passed amateur status years ago—I am a world-class time waster. I try not to do it, but well…I’m probably too old to change at this point. Sigh.

2.   Is there a particular line you won’t cross in writing, even to satisfy a trend or—possibly—to make a story more compelling?

No graphic violence or sex. I don’t read and I won’t write it, and I really hate how much that has become such a part of films and TV. I tend to go back to watching my old favorites instead of starting something new because of it. Although there are some good new shows/series out there now, give me All Creatures Great & Small or Anne of Green Gables (the Megan Follows PBS version) … I know, boring.

3.   What do you do on those days when you’re pretty sure the muse has died and you’ll never again write a publishable word?

Some days if I’m on a deadline, I just push through and write words and figure I can fix them later. Other times, if I’m able and can take the time, I fill up the well with books and film and music. I take a walk. I call Liz because I know she’ll know the right words to say to boost me.

4.   What was a best day of your life? A worst? (Feel free to skip this one—I know it crosses the line into nosiness, but I’ve been fascinated by it ever since the first time I saw City Slickers.)

Best day? When my son was born. Too easy, I know, but facts are facts. It was a joy-filled day that can never be topped. Worst day? When my sister called me to tell my mom had died—suddenly and without warning. She was young, only 60, and had a massive heart attack. Suddenly, I was an orphan. Crazy, but at the tender age of 35, I was orphaned. It’s been 38 years since she left us and I still miss her every day.

5.   Do you have a favorite quote? Feel like sharing it?

Speaking of Mom: “Snap out of it.” No kidding. It was a Muriel-ism that I sometimes smack myself with. The other favorite comes from actor Camryn Manheim and for years, I’ve had it on my bulletin board to remind me what’s truly important: “Suddenly, I thought this is my body. I live in it, I play in it. I can’t deny it anymore. That is my fat body. I’m standing at the corner of Life and You Better Get Going. I stepped off the curb and never looked back.” Man… so very powerful!

6.   Who are your heroes / heroines? Have they made a difference in your writing?

Writing heroes? That list is endless, starting with Gene Stratton-Porter, L.M. Montgomery, Stephen King, Jenny Cruisie, Lani Diane Rich, Liz Flaherty, and dozens of others.  Life heroes? My mother, who always believed in me and my writing; my grandfather, who was the most caring man in the world; my husband, who supports me always; my sister, who is always just a phone call away; my Son, who never lets anything stop him; my daughter-in-law who is incredibly energetic and encouraging… that list is endless too.

7.   When you are choosing a book to read, what do you look for?

A story that will engage me and keep me engaged. I confess to sometimes skimming through a book when it didn’t catch me from the start and even hitting the DNF button if I just can’t get past poor writing or lack of story. I want to fall into a writer’s world and stay there to The End.

8.   What writer would you like to spend the afternoon with?

Can it be a group? And do they all have to be still living? I’d love to nab bestie Liz Flaherty and then collect up Lani Diane Rich, L. M. Montgomery, cozy writer J.C. Kenney, southern romance author Laurie Beach, Gene Stratton-Porter, and for kicks, Dorothy Parker, and take them all to lunch with lots of wonderful food and good wine. Wouldn’t that be a party though?

I am so glad to be invited to that party! - Liz

The Cowboy’s Comeback, Book 2 in the Juniper Falls Ranch series

It’s an enemies to lovers showdown between the cowboy who can’t trust and the cowgirl who won’t forgive.

Injured rodeo cowboy, Bo Kennedy, takes a job as a horse trainer at a Montana ranch. His skills training cutting horses are in high demand, but he’s holding out hope his days of competing aren’t over. Then his first client arrives, desperate for help with her mare. One problem, she’s his ex.

When World Champion barrel racer Cassie Franklin needs a new horse quickly, her last hope to rebuild her career is to switch to cutting competitions. She brings her new mare to Juniper Falls Ranch, hoping the highly hyped horse whisperer can help. She’s stunned to see Bo. They haven’t spoken in five years after he wrongly accused her of sabotaging his horse when he saw her flirting with his fiercest competitor.

Working together seems impossible, especially as the chemistry still sizzles. Will one of them finally lower their guard and admit they were wrong?

Buy Link:  https://tulepublishing.com/books/the-cowboys-comeback/

Aside from being my travel partner, beta reader, and dear friend, Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet, small-town romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, however, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, woman in her prime. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 52 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake. You'll find all you need to know (probably more than you ever wanted to know) about Nan here: https://linktr.ee/nan_reinhardt. And links to all her books here: https://tulepublishing.com/authors/nan-reinhardt /.