Writer Chrissy Hartmann is chatting with me about her new sweet contemporary western romance, Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation.
Bio:
Blind Ohio author, Chrissy Hartmann, always wanted to be a librarian, but when she lost her eyesight, she did the next best thing. She became a sweet contemporary western romance author. And novels aren’t the only thing she writes. She has 2 award-winning short stories and has been known to pen a few lines of poetry. Plus, now, she’s working on a cookbook, an anthology of her short stories, and a coffee table book on a local historical watermill.
She grew up near Lake Erie and always wondered if she’d survive the sailing excursions on a 36-foot Erikson sailboat that her mom owned, but she did. The rest of her time she spent on her grandparents’ horse farm.
Now she spends most of her time writing her novels and editing for Prickle Forrest Books. But when she does get a moment, she’s off to the local coffee shop or the library for a change of scenery. But most of the time, she can be found at home tapping away on the keyboard or hanging out with her hubby spinning vinyl records or discussing Star Wars and playing with her black Persian kitten and retired black lab dog guide with her Eagle Scout.
One day, she says she’ll grow up, but that won’t happen until the Muses decide to leave. In the meantime, she hopes to retire with her hubby somewhere up near Lake Erie and write about island romances.
And hey, she says “Cowboys can live on tropical islands too, right?” So, if you love sweet contemporary western romances and like a good laugh too, check out her Whiskey Salvation Series — available everywhere!
Welcome, Chrissy. Please tell us about your current release.
Welcome Back to Whiskey!
If only a good cup of coffee could solve Charlie Stockton’s problems. Not that his circumstances will allow him to enjoy even a single cup in peace.
Now a retired United States Army colonel and a Texas cattle rancher, Charlie is used to tough challenges. But his 28-year-old daughter’s plans to quit her high-powered job at his wife’s company to instead reopen a homeless shelter might break him.
Charlie will need much more than coffee to save his faltering marriage, especially when supporting his daughter seems like betraying his wife. Throw a troupe of clowns into the mix, and no wonder Charlie feels at the end of his rope.
Loaded with humor and a touch of quirkiness, this contemporary sweet western romance is sure to brand your heart with love.
What inspired you to write this book?
Loss and love inspired the creation of Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation. Let me explain…
When I wrote my debut novel, I included my protagonists/heroine’s parents. The conflict in my first book had a lot to do with her relationship with her mom. Now, her dad kind of snuck into the story. Unfortunately, the story grew too long, Charlie’s scenes got axed. Devastated at the thought of losing Charlie, I picked his chapters up off the cutting room floor and with a little finesse I managed to string them together as a novella to give the readers a little more depth on the debut novel.
And I’ll admit, most of the inspiration came from the guys in my life. I wanted to write a “father figure” using their qualities and thus Charlie came to life. It’s my own way of paying homage to the guys that I love.
Excerpt from Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation:
The herd of cattle kicked up clouds of dirt as they passed the crowd.
Charlie held onto his breath for a moment. The dust only made him thirsty along with the rising heat. He would enjoy a coffee right now to parch his thirst, but in this crowd, the chances of him finding a vendor selling some were slim to none. He scanned the skyline down toward the conference center. Just above the building stood a lit sign announcing the new hotel that would host most those who traveled to the conference — the Hilux. He licked his lips in anticipation of a good hot fresh cup of coffee once he checked in.
One of the cowboys rode by. A few of the onlookers distracted him from his thoughts of coffee when they cheered for the mystical-looking boys on horseback who kept the four-legged long-horned troublemakers from breaching the crowd.
Charlie did some of his own cheering. Well, cheering to himself that the entertainment seemed to go on without a hitch. IN all reality, he conjured up the idea half-heartedly from a time when he and his best buddy sat on a balcony in Pamplona and watched the daring Spaniards try to outrun the bulls. But not one for promoting a goring type of celebration, he thought a somewhat old-fashioned cattle roundup would help draw more people into the trade show. He smiled and pushed up on his sunglasses. Ready to pivot on his boot heel, he froze with the light touch on his forearm. Not wanting to stay and chat, as he needed to find where the voting would take place, plus, a cup of coffee.
What exciting project are you working on next?
I am working on five different writing projects. First is the third book to the Whiskey Salvation Series called “treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation,” which is the wrap up to this part of the Whiskey Salvation Series, but will open the door to the next two books in the series. One of these new books will take a short jaunt to my hometown of Wooster, Ohio. The second is an anthology of short stories called “Tales From The Prickle Forrest” These are far different from my romance novels. These are more on the style of Shirley Jackson and Marilyn Todd. My third book is a cookbook on the benefits of using grapeseed oil with recipes. My fourth book is a collaboration with another author and her hubby. It’s going to be a coffee table book to help raise funds for a historical watermill that is being restored to its glory. And my fifth book is a self-help book for Indie Authors on how to get their books into libraries and schools. I hope to have all books done by next year.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I won my first short story. Then when I won two more short story contests and they were published in an anthology it confirmed it.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
At the moment, I do not write full time. A few hours a week I’m a medical transcriptionist editor. I also recently opened my business, Prickle Forrest Books to help out other Indie Authors. I work on author interviews, book reviews, media shout-outs, plot development, and blind sensitivity critiques. All other hours of my day and week are spent on writing, writing, and more writing. I start around 7 am or earlier if my retired dog guide, Winnie and/or my black Persian kitten, Punkin wakes me up before then. I usually work until noon. From noon to 5 pm I edit medical reports. Then after that, I could write until 3 am on my books and short stories. I don’t sleep much, although, once in a blue moon, I’ll sleep one whole day away to recharge my batteries. If I’m not in the mood to write, I spend it with my hubby and son or a few of my writing buddies.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Unfortunately, I have a number of writing quirks. First, I can’t start without some kind of coffee. Hot or cold, flavored or straight black, I’ve got to have it. And if it’s pumpkin season then all the better. Love pumpkin cream! Once in a great while, a Diet Coke will fill the need. Another writing quirk is that I can’t write anything without going back over it and editing it. I can’t even read one line without editing. Drives me nuts. My last, I’ll mention for now is that if I get stuck on something, I go take a shower. The hot water and steam seem to clear out my problems and the answer appears. Just wish I had some kind of tablet to write the solution on in the shower. Not a pretty site watching me streak through the house to get to the computer to tap it out so I don’t forget.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to work at the Library of Congress as a research librarian, but when I lost my eyesight in 1995, I picked the next best thing and started to write.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Dare to live out your challenges…
About 10+ years ago, my brother dared me to write a better story since I complained about the endings of books I read. I took him up on the challenge. At first, I thought it would be easy. But oh boy, I should have researched it before I accepted the challenge. If you are a writer, you’ll understand what I mean and if you’re an Indie author you’re laughing at my pain. But hey, some 10 years later, I can say my first and second novels, Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation and Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation are published. Sometimes it’s hard to believe I did it since I can’t actually see the books, but when I doubt my abilities as a writer I reach over and pick one of my books up to remind myself that yes, I can do this. So, no matter your circumstances, anything is possible if you dare to reach for it.
Links:
Author Website | Editor Website | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation | Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation
