Welcome to my stop on the JustRead Publicity Tour's BLOG TOUR for Falling for the Cowgirl by Tina Radcliffe!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Series: Big Heart Ranch, Book 2
Author: Tina Radcliffe
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: June 19, 2018 (Print) July 1, 2018 (Ebook)
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Western
Links: Goodreads l Book Bub
Traveling for Book Research
By Tina Radcliffe
Confession time! I the only place I have ever traveled for research is to the deep and scary recesses
of my mind.
of my mind.
I’ve lived in many places, which is a plus when deciding where to set a book. I’m from Western New
York, mere blocks from Lake Erie. I’ve lived many years in Oklahoma, Colorado and now Arizona.
During my time in the Army, I temporarily called Alabama, Massachusetts, and Germany home.
York, mere blocks from Lake Erie. I’ve lived many years in Oklahoma, Colorado and now Arizona.
During my time in the Army, I temporarily called Alabama, Massachusetts, and Germany home.
I first learned to appreciate the unique attributes of each home when I was in Germany. The barracks
I lived in originally housed the German Luftwaffe. I can remember hanging out the window one
evening and looking at the Gablingen Kaserne (my base) and thinking, I may never pass this way again.
(Okay, yes, Seals & Crofts did inspire that thought).
I lived in originally housed the German Luftwaffe. I can remember hanging out the window one
evening and looking at the Gablingen Kaserne (my base) and thinking, I may never pass this way again.
(Okay, yes, Seals & Crofts did inspire that thought).
There are distinctly unique locale memories from every place I have lived. The key is to layer the details
in to enrich your story, not to create a travelogue.
in to enrich your story, not to create a travelogue.
Western New York: Picking grapes in summer, building snow forts in winter.
Alabama: Red ants. During basic training, I sat on a hill which turned out to be red ants.
Massachusetts: I’ll never forget visiting Walden Pond, and Author’s Ridge, a section of Sleepy Hollow
Cemetery in Concord.
Cemetery in Concord.
Oklahoma: Too many wonderful memories. I lived there for nearly two decades, which is why I’ve set
six Love Inspired books here.
six Love Inspired books here.
Colorado: I called home for 17 years. My favorite local. I have set 4 Love Inspired books there.
Arizona: My current home. Is it time for an Arizona series?
My favorite writer’s trick is to create a fictional town based on a real town. This allows me the structure
I need for planning distance, evaluating the weather and flora. It also allows me use my past to bring the
story to life. The other plus is that using a fictional town allows you artistic license. There will be no
reader letters to advise you that the Denny’s on the corner of Main and State Street is now closed.
As a contemporary fiction writer are many ways to enhance and update my memory.
Google Earth- This tool provides a 3D map of the earth and the street view. I used this to explore Del Norte, Colorado the fictional setting for
my Paradise books and to get the layout for Pawhuska, Oklahoma for
Big Heart Ranch series.
YouTube videos- We all know the value of YouTube for learning a new
skill. I’ve used it to watch recordings of tornados (though I have been
in several) and to view a road trip my hero and heroine would take.
skill. I’ve used it to watch recordings of tornados (though I have been
in several) and to view a road trip my hero and heroine would take.
Online forums- Online tourist forums and the comments on popular
sites like Yelp are hugely helpful to discover nuggets of information
about local eateries and traditions.
sites like Yelp are hugely helpful to discover nuggets of information
about local eateries and traditions.
Chamber of Commerce- Don’t forget to contact the chamber for your
fictional or real location. They can send booklets and brochures that
can trigger story ideas. I’ve called and talked to them to verify facts.
fictional or real location. They can send booklets and brochures that
can trigger story ideas. I’ve called and talked to them to verify facts.
Interviews- It goes without saying that interviews are a great way to make sure you have the correct
information. I called and spoke to a local sheriff for one of my Paradise series books and have spoken
to quite a few experts on the phone for my Big Heart series. A few simple questions answered by an
expert can untangle a plot issue.
To me, it’s as much fun to layout a fictional town as it is to create compelling characters. Some authors
would argue that a well build fictional world is as much a character as the hero or heroine. I agree.
What do you think? Do you enjoy fictional towns? Or do you prefer authors set books in real location?
She won the job… Can he win her heart?
Hiring Amanda “AJ” McAlester as his assistant at the Big Heart Ranch isn’t foreman Travis Maxwell’s first choice—but his sisters insist she’s perfect for the job. And AJ’s determined to prove she’s just as qualified as any man. But with money on the line, AJ and her innovative ideas could put him at risk of losing everything…including his heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Originally from Western, N.Y., Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. Her move to Colorado led to a career as a library cataloger. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina is a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, two-time Carol Award finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Arizona where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.
Stay up to date on all her releases by signing up for her newsletter HERE. (http://bit.ly/2angfWP)
TO CONNECT WITH TINA: website, facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, Book Bub
GIVEAWAY
Tina has graciously offered (1) winner an awesome Falling for the Cowgirl prize pack that includes:
- An autographed copy of Falling for the Cowgirl
- Corkcicle Canteen Classic Collection-Water Bottle & Thermos-Triple Insulated Shatterproof Stainless Steel, 9 oz, Gloss Pink
- ESVAN Original Floral Tote Bag Shoulder Bag for Gym Hiking Picnic Travel Beach
- $20.00 Amazon Gift Card
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Complete prize open to US mailing addresses only. If international winner, winner will win the gift card only.
ENTER HERE or use the Entry Form below
Giveaway will begin at midnight June 25, 2018 and last through 11:59 PM on July 4, 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.
Be sure to stop at a stop each day for extra entries!
TOUR SCHEDULE
For the full tour schedule, click on either of the launch pages below.
TOUR SCHEDULE
For the full tour schedule, click on either of the launch pages below.
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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