Wild Roses Blog Tour: Lauri Robinson

The Wild Roses Blog Tour continues with western romance author Lauri Robinson.... (Comment to today's post and any other Wild Roses Blog Tour post at these participating authors' blogs and be entered to win a giveaway basket!)

Lauri Robinson lives in rural Minnesota where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and five grandchildren. She works part time for the local United Way , volunteers for several organizations, and is a diehard Elvis and NASCAR fan. Lauri has over a dozen books and novellas on the market.

What compelled you to write in your chosen sub-genre? What is your favorite aspect of this type of story?

I write historical romances because I always wanted to grow up and marry Little Joe Cartwright. (Me and about a million other girls.) Something about Little Joe just made my heart somersault. Perhaps his graceful and casual swagger or flashy, cocky smile, I don’t really know, but he portrayed an image that sticks with me to this day. Western historical romances deliver that kind of hero. They’re always somewhat worldly, yet down home good—full of fiery pioneer spirit, yet hold the class of a refined, passionate gentleman.

How did you come up with the premise of Boot Hill Bride? What do you like most about this story?

Boot Hill Bride, which was released in April, is the third book in the Quinter Brides Series. Its set in Dodge City in the 1880’s, and is about Hog, or Howard Quinter and his ‘shotgun’ bride Randilynn. From the time I wrote the first Quinter Bride book, I knew Hog’s story would be about him opening a restaurant. My favorite part of this book was how Hog and Randi relationship bloomed.

Tell us about the heroine. How do you think readers will identify most with her?

Randilynn Fulton has been a lost soul for years, and I believe readers will identify with her journey in realizing her own self worth.

Tell us about the hero. Is he an alpha or a beta? What will readers like most about him?

Hog is a thoughtful man, and he needed time to fall in love with his bride. I think readers will like how genuinely he cares about Randi even before they fall in love.

What kind of research did you have to do for this storyline?

Since Randi’s father has political aspirations, I had to do a lot of research on all of the political parties back then and their beliefs.

How does this book compare with other books on your backlist or that you have written?

With each book in this series, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to include the rest of the family. It’s kind of like a family reunion.


Would you like to share reviews for this work?

Long and Short Reviews gave it 4.5 books and nominated it for book of the week. http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2010/06/boot-hill-bride-by-lauri-robinson.html

And Night Owl Reviews gave it the Top Pick award. http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Reviews/Zollyanna-reviews-Boot-Hill-Bride-by-Lauri-Robinson.aspx

Now for the fun part of the Q&A! What is your zodiac and what is it telling you today?

Libra. Today it said I won’t want to miss a moment of the great day the universe is bringing.

If you could set a story in your real-life setting, what would it be? Heartfelt contemporary, high-flying fantasy, or steamy romantic suspense?

Heartfelt contemporary that includes a cowboy.

Nice! If you were a mixed drink, what would you be and why?

I have no idea. I’m pretty common, and down to earth, so maybe something simple like gin and tonic.

Or a Shirley Temple, like me? ;) What recent read would you recommend?

The book I just finished last night was A McKettrick Christmas by Linda Lael-Miller. I love all her books.

What is your favorite smell and what makes it significant?

Lily’s of the Valley. I’ve had them outside my front door for over 25 years.

And last but not least, if you found the Mirror of Erised from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, what would you see in it? (Note: If you aren't an HP junkie like me, the Mirror of Erised is a magical object that is inscribed “I show not your face, but your heart’s desire.” Orphaned Harry sees his parents, his friend Ron sees himself distinguished as Head Boy and Quidditch Captain, and Albus Dumbledore supposedly sees himself with a pair of socks.)

Thanks for the explanation! It would be me reading a book to my granddaughters.

That's lovely! Would you like to share an excerpt from Boot Hill Bride with readers today?

Even sitting here, stinging from the cold of the night, his fingers tingled, wanting to touch her silky skin, caress the curve of her back and examine those perfect dimples—

“Holy shit!” Snake exclaimed under his breath.

Howard snapped his head up. Both of his brothers stared over his shoulders, their mouths agape, and their eyes as round as biscuits.

“What?” he asked, twisting his neck to follow the trail of their gazes. His jaw went lax, the bottom of his chin all but slapped against his chest. The sight he stared at knocked the air out of him harder than being thrown off a wild bucking bronc.

Inside the canvas, the flickering light of the lantern made his tent glow brighter than the moon.

The white, heavy tarp had become pale yellow, and a dark silhouette moved about inside the gently billowing sides. It was a moment before his eyes locked on the shadow and registered what he saw, sending the impulse to his brain.

Randi was undressing, and the light projected each movement against the canvas screen more clearly than the finest painter could create. Her graceful, womanly profile moved with perfection as she drew her gown over her head. The contours of her breasts, flat stomach, the inward arch of her lower back, and her long, slender legs became clearly visible to onlookers.

“Shit!” Howard leaped to his feet. Almost as an afterthought, he grabbed the hat off his head and swiped it at both of his brothers, knocking theirs askew. “Turn around!” he demanded before storming off toward his tent.

Jogging across the grass, he shouted, “Randi! Randi! Dowse the light!”

The silhouette inside stalled.

“Dowse the light!” he repeated.

Thank you so much for sharing with us Cozies today, Lauri! Readers, you can pick up your copy of of Boot Hill Bride in ebook or paperback today at The Wild Rose Press:

Howard (Hog) Quinter is hell bent on getting The Majestic, the finest hotel and restaurant west of the Mississippi , open by May 1st. The last thing he needs is interference from his family, but that’s exactly what he gets when Ma Quinter strikes one brisk morning. Sound asleep, Howard rolls over to discover a lovely young woman lying beside him, however, standing at the foot of the bed are his mother, the girl's father, and a blubbering preacher reading wedding nuptials.

Randilynn Fulton runs from a forced marriage to her aunt in Dodge City , only to discover Aunt Corrine is one of Danny J’s brothel girls. If she stays, Randi may become one as well, which would damage her father's chance at running for the Governor’s seat. But it gets worse when she finds herself in the middle of what she ran from—a shotgun wedding, and she’s the bride.