Today I'm sharing a fun character interview with Sam Hixton,
the hero from my historical romance Love, Lies and Redemption. Let's see what
makes Sam tick.
Q: Greetings, Sam. Before we get started, could you tell our
readers about the book?
Sure, I’m glad to. Love, Lies and Redemption is a
full-length novel set on the Nebraska prairie in 1877 and blends a steamy
Western romance with mystery and danger. It has a little bit of everything:
humor, sadness, and more than a few spicy love scenes. (Grins.)
Q: Tell us about yourself. What got you in the crosshairs
for your author?
I’m not sure what I did to make Kelli annoyed at me, but the
book begins with me shot and half-dead, stumbling across the prairie. I’m at
the lowest point in my life then, and I was ready to fall down and not bother
to get up. I’m not usually like that; I’m known for being resilient and
determined. Once I set my sights on a goal, I go after it. Of course, that’s
how I got into that predicament in the first place—but that’s a long story.
I made my way to Cassie Wilcox’s store and she saved my
life. Against her better judgment, Cassie allowed me to stay with her until I
recovered. When I was back on my feet I felt that I had a debt to pay, and that
it was my duty to watch over Cassie. Naturally, this led to lots of conflict
between us. And it didn’t help that the townsfolk (and Luke, the sheriff)
didn’t trust me because I was a stranger, and I defended Cassie when she needed
it.
Cassie brought me back into the land of the living (in more
ways than one), although it wasn’t easy for either of us. We both had issues
with trusting other people, and ourselves.
Q: What drew you to Cassie? Tell us about her.
Cassie is an amazing woman for our time. When I met her, she
was running a general store that had seen better days. The store meant
everything to her and she was determined to keep it open, no matter what.
Cassie lived in Holloway all her life, and her father used to run the store.
After a tragic incident, Cassie inherited the store, but the puritanical
townspeople didn’t approve of her independent ways and wanted to drive her out.
I admired Cassie’s strength and perseverance, and discovered
that under her seemingly gruff exterior, she was a sensitive woman who longed
to be loved. Of course, she refused to admit that, and we had our fair share of
spats from the moment we met. (Laughs.) That probably made me love her even
more.
Q: What is it about Cassie that makes you crazy in a good
way?
Sometimes she’s just so dang headstrong! She’ll get an idea
to do something, and off she goes. Of course I’m able to settle her, but that’s
because she loves and trusts me. In the book, I have to be the calm voice of
reason and tell her to slow down and make a logical plan to do something.
Cassie was on her own and had to rely on herself for everything. Now she has me
to help her, whether she wants the help or not.
Q: Was there an instant attraction between you?
Oh yes! I was attracted to Cassie from the moment I first
woke up—even though she wasn’t very nice to me. Cassie fell for me, too, but
she had a hard time admitting it. Part of her didn’t want to get attached
because her heart’s been broken before, and she didn’t want to feel vulnerable
again.
Q: Do you sometimes want to strangle your writer? What sort
of upsetting or embarrassing things did Kelli do to you and Cassie in the book?
I was put through the worst trials and tribulations
imaginable before the book started. (I can’t divulge them here, but they were
whoppers!) Of course, the troubles from my past resurfaced just as I was settling
in and making a new life with Cassie.
Our relationship was nearly destroyed a few times (thanks,
Kelli!) due to trust issues (or rather, “lack of trust” issues), and we almost
went our separate ways toward the end. It was a very emotional time for me, and
I’ll admit, I wasn’t always seen in a good light. But, as in all great
romances, Cassie and I do live happily-ever-after.
Q: Describe yourself in four words.
Loyal. Dependable. Funny. Mysterious.
Q: What do you do for a living?
Right now I’m working in a hardware store, and loving it.
Why? (Laughs) Nobody’s shooting at me! A long time ago, I used to be a sheriff,
and that got me into a lot of trouble. That experience came in handy in the
book, but I’m glad to put that violent lifestyle behind me.
Q: What do you fear the most?
I fear what most people fear—losing the people they love.
Before I met Cassie I suffered a great personal loss and it took me a very long
time to get over it. I nearly lost Cassie a few times in the book, and I was
reminded all over again how short and precious life is.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
Love, Lies and Redemption is a great book, if I do say so
myself. It’s gotten several excellent reviews and is a perfect way to lose
yourself in another place and time. If you like Westerns, you’ll love this
story. And if you’ve never read one, now’s your chance.
Kelli has written several other historical romances, but her
other two most recent releases are: The Viking’s Witch and Dangerous Indenture.
From what I heard, they’re pretty good, too. Lots of action, adventure,
mystery, drama, and hot love scenes! I’ve learned that Kelli doesn’t write
boring books. She says that although she writes a lot of historical romances,
they all take place in different time periods and different places. So, she’s
not “just” writing Westerns or “only” writing about a certain century.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with readers. This
was fun. I might ask Cassie to visit in an upcoming chat.
Thank you, Sam, for joining us today. Here’s a look at Love,
Lies and Redemption:
Love, Lies and Redemption
Shot and left for dead, Sam Hixton stumbles into a general
store on the Nebraska prairie and collapses into the arms of Cassie Wilcox.
Cassie’s world is turned upside down when the handsome
stranger drops into her life. Sam is another complication she doesn’t need: her
business is dying and her trouble with the townspeople is escalating. Yet she’s
determined to keep the store open — no matter what the cost.
As Sam recovers from his injuries, he hides the truth about
his identity and convinces Cassie to let him work in the store. He’s attracted
to her and admires her independent nature, but quickly realizes Cassie’s in way
over her head. They fight their growing attraction, and Cassie questions
whether she can trust her fragile heart to a mysterious stranger. Will he
accept her once he knows about her troubled past?
Cassie resists Sam’s advances and represses her feelings
until one fateful night when they give in to their fiery passion. Together,
they work out a plan to save the store, but find their efforts are thwarted —
and their lives endangered — by the locals.
Sam’s secret returns to haunt him and pulls him away just
when Cassie needs him the most. Will he regain her trust when she learns the
truth?
Cassie has everything invested in the store — can she save
it and find true love with Sam before it’s too late?
Order Love, Lies and Redemption here:
Happy Reading!
