This “Meet the Character Day” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each “Behind the Scenes” blog, I talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book.
The “Meet the Character
Day” blogs are fun chats with the heroes and heroines from my romances.
Warning: blogs may contain spoilers.
Today we’re chatting with Sam Hixton, the hero from my
historical romance, Love, Lies and Redemption. Let’s get to know him better…
Q: Greetings, Sam. Before we get started, could you tell
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.)
Here’s the summary and links…
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:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0849LN73Z
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mdzL6W
***
Q: Tell us about yourself. How does the story begin for you?
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, 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, but 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: You have a lot of emotional and physical struggles in the
book. Kelli put you through the wringer at times. How do you feel about that?
Well, I realize Kelli knows what she’s doing when it comes
to writing a good story, but really? I had my fair share of heartache,
self-doubt, lack of purpose, and I nearly died over the course of the book.
And, I was put through the worst emotional 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: 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: 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. It blends adventure, danger, and wry humor into an anything-but-boring romance.
Kelli has written several other historical romances, and 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.
Her romances span all genres (contemporary,
historical/fantasy, gay, paranormal) and range from mild to super-spicy. I
encourage everyone to check out all of her books here:
www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins or
https://www.books2read.com/ap/nkvddR/Kelli-A-Wilkins and read more about them
on her site: www.KelliWilkins.com
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with readers. This
was fun. If readers missed any blog in this series, they can catch up here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog
Best wishes,
Sam Hixton
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has
published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, 7 non-fiction books,
and 5 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes
to scare readers with her horror stories.
Her latest novel, In Another World, was released in early 2022. This contemporary mystery/romance is set in the world of the paranormal.
She also released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021.
Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins
and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor
Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.
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