Hi everyone,
Today I’m sharing a look at the making of my contemporary
summer romance, Trust with Hearts.
Readers are always curious about how books “happen” ‒ how do
they start out as a random idea and become an actual book, filled with great
characters, drama, and sizzling love scenes? The answers vary, and each novel
comes to me in a different way.
So how did Trust with Hearts come about? Is the sexy and
sultry Curtis based on a particular country music celebrity? Here’s the scoop…
The idea for Trust with Hearts came to me before a country
music concert. I was sitting in the front row before the show started, when all
of a sudden the whole plot and all the characters jumped into my head.
Naturally, I started scribbling down notes (on the back of an envelope, of all
things!) before the house lights went down.
Although inspired by real-life, the character of Curtis
isn’t based on that one particular country music superstar – he’s a blend of
three or four cowboy-hat-wearing singer/songwriters. Elements of the
“inspirational” singer are there, but I used my imagination to fill in
background details and invented whatever else I needed to make the story work.
Trust with Hearts is a bit different from my other romances
in that it has a more “traditional” romance novel feel – but still contains
plenty of heat. Although Sherrie and Curtis are attracted to each other, they’re
total strangers and are hesitant about getting involved in a relationship.
They’ve both been unlucky in love, and aren’t sure if giving their hearts away
is even worth the time or trouble.
The book gives them the whole summer to get to know each other.
Readers peek into their troubled pasts and follow along as Curtis and Sherrie
heal their hearts, love, and learn to trust again.
The subplot of the book – Sherrie’s devotion to save Kitty
Corner – was crucial because I wanted to give her a purpose, something to build
her self-esteem. Sherrie’s cat adoption project lets her help unfortunate cats
who need rescuing and good homes. It parallels how Dave takes Sherrie in (aka
“rescues” her) and gives her a second chance at a new life.
And, on a more personal note, giving Sherrie the “job” of
helping cats allowed me to make a social/personal statement. I’m a cat person
and I’ve written three cat care books. I always advocate adopting pets (of all
kinds) from shelters and giving them a real home. (Would you want to live out
the rest of your life in a wire cage?)
Back on topic: Knowing how I often write sequels, a reader
asked if there will be another book following up Trust with Hearts. Will Dave
get his own story?
I do have an idea for a sequel in mind. What if Curtis’s
cousin Jen suddenly had to move in with Dave? Hmm… I already have a plot
brewing in the back of my mind, so if readers would like to see a follow-up
story, let me know!
And here’s a little-known fact: Once upon a time, Trust with
Hearts had an entirely different ending. Curtis and Sherrie were driving back
to Dave’s house when they got into a car accident. The Ventura was demolished,
Sherrie was thrown clear, but she had to go back into the burning car and
rescue Curtis.
I opted to delete the “car wreck” chapter after several
people told me it felt too “tacked on” and was depressing. This version of the
story has a new epilogue, and readers can see that Sherrie and Curtis are
certainly living happily-ever-after.
Here’s the book summary & links:
TRUST WITH HEARTS
After a bitter breakup, Sherrie Parker seeks refuge at her
cousin Dave’s house in rural West Virginia. Early one morning, she runs into
Dave’s other houseguest, a singer named Curtis Taylor. The last thing Sherrie
wants is to share living quarters with a country music crooner – even if he is
sexy, in a cowboy sort of way.
Thrown together by circumstances, Sherrie and Curtis get off
to a rocky start, but soon discover they have more in common than they ever
imagined. Unable to fight their growing attraction, they give in to their
desires and start a sizzling summer romance.
Everything is perfect between them until Sherrie discovers
that Curtis is keeping secrets from her – and his biggest secret of all will
change everything. Can their newfound love survive, or will destiny keep them
apart forever?
Order your copy here:
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mgrK7R
I created a Facebook page for my contemporary romances.
Visit it here:
I’m posting book blurbs, excerpts, and more.
I hope you’ll check it out. Trust with Hearts was a lot of
fun to write and blends a sultry romance with heartwarming drama.
Happy Reading!
Kelli
Visit my NEW site www.KelliWilkins.com to learn about all of
my romances.
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