Thursday, June 16, 2016

Her Rancher Bodyguard and Q&A with author Brenda Minton

1) List two books you’ve read more than three times. 
 That’s a long list. And when I started writing, that was my goal. To create books that readers loved so much, they would read them again and again. A favorite from childhood would be “My Wolf My Friend” By Barbara Corcoran. And “The Truth About Cowboys” by Margot Early

2) Is anything in your new release based on real life experiences or purely all imagination? 
There are always small pieces of my life in each book, in each character. Her Rancher Bodyguard is for the most part imagination.

3) How much research goes into your books? 
It depends on the book. I love research so I can bury myself for hours searching the internet for places, experiences, and even real people who have gone through something similar to what my characters are experiencing.

4) You get a brilliant phrase/idea/thought at an inopportune time (while driving, drifting off to sleep/in the shower). What do you do? 
I’ve been known to scribble on McDonald’s receipts, type notes into my phone or tell one of my kids “Grab a pencil and paper out of my purse and write this down. Yes, write it on that payroll check, I don’t care.” (the last part is fiction. I wouldn’t write on a payroll check)

5) What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Is there such a time as ‘not writing?’ 
 My life is really busy. I have 3 grown children, a granddaughter and we’re adopting five children. When I’m not writing I hide and eat chocolate. I love my screened in porch and a cup of coffee. I also take walks. Alone if I can. And I plant flowers. Lots of flowers.

6) Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before? 
New York City

7) What does your family think of your writing? 
They support me, fantastically. They tag team the kids, vacuum, shampoo carpets and order pizza.

8) How do you decide on the setting of your book? 
I think of places that I’d like to go and I figure my readers my like to take the journey with me. I love Oklahoma and Texas. If I didn’t live in Missouri, I would pick either of those two states.

9) What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it. 
 Why does Boone live in a camper when he could live in his family home?

Boone went through a lot in Afghanistan. Not only the explosion that injured him and left him an amputee but the loss of a friend, the loss of trust. He loves his family and is loyal, he wants to be there for them. But he needs space to heal. He needs quiet. With his rowdy family, the camper is his space.

10) What is your favorite summer read? 
I love a great historical. Anything that takes me far away, with a castle, a chivalrous hero and a heroine who doesn’t really need to be rescued but is willing to give it a try.


Title:  Her Rancher Bodyguard
Series:  Martin's Crossing #5
Author:  Brenda Minton
Publication Date:   June 1/16 by Love Inspired
Length:  224pgs
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  review
My Rating: ★★★
Book Links: GoodreadsAmazon(US)Amazon(CA) - B&N - Kobo - Indigo - Google Play

Back Cover Blurb:

Her Texas Protector

Bodyguard Boone Wilder isn't keen on his latest mission: watching over a pretty politician's daughter. Boone is from quiet Texas Hill Country, and Kayla is a showy city gal. But once safely settled at the Wilder Ranch, Boone watches Kayla enjoy cooking with his family, caring for his relatives and bottle-feeding calves. There's more to her than he ever knew. Still, the former soldier's wounds are way too deep to let Kayla close. But when he discovers that someone wants to hurt Kayla, Boone must risk his heart to protect what he cares about most.

My Review:

I really enjoyed the scene development in this novel. Minton presented everything to readers in a manner that really allowed me to experience it. She develops solid suspense throughout, without overshadowing the relationship building between the main characters. Because of this I found that the suspense doesn’t really pop. The story is solidly plotted, but the development could have used a bit more fleshing out. Don’t get me wrong. This was a very fun and enjoyable story, but for me it was missing that absolutely unforgettable quality.

I enjoyed the growth and changes that we saw in Kayla’s character throughout. She was truly inspiring without ever being perfect. Combined with the realness of Boone’s character these two really popped. At the same time I found that they kind of got drowned in the myriad of other characters that we meet throughout the novel. But I also loved the supporting cast in this novel. They were so real and so much fun to get to know.

As a whole this was a sweet, fun novel. It can easily be read on its own or as part of this series.


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