Please give a warm welcome to my
guest Alisha Guenzel. Today, Alisha’s stopped by to talk about her new book
Jason’s Duty and what’s ahead in The McGregor Series.
1. Alisha, thank you so much for being here. To
start off tell us a little about yourself and how you got into writing?
Thank
you so much for having me Carol. I always enjoy being on blogs. A little about
me: well I’m a mother of five kids and married to the love of my life. I got
into writing as a child. But never took it seriously until two years ago. I
found an old manuscript of a story I wrote when I was fifteen called “Unspoken
Dreams” I published it with Mountain Springs House. But I pulled it from Amazon
when I became an Indie Author two years ago. My husband John was the one that
made me make the first step to being published and through all the up and downs
I have to say it’s been a wonderful experience.
2. Congratulations are in order, your book Jason's Duty was recently released, what inspired you to write the story?
The McGregor Saga is actually a
spin-off of an old short story I wrote when I was eight years old. Back then it
was called “A Cowboy’s Tango”. And there was only one story. But after learning
how serials are so popular I decided to separate the personality of the “original”
Jason.
It’s actually quiet more than the
original thought process of a cowboy falling in love with a city slicker. As
you know there are also horses that are main characters and Runner, Lexi, and
Star are real horses. I based them off of my horses I had at one time. But
Runner’s real name is Ranger, Lexi is really Lilly, and Star was my paint
Peanut. One of the reason’s I will hold this story dear to my heart is because
they are in it.
3. Jason and Haley's relationship proves the adage that opposites attract is true, do you find it easy to write an opposites attract love story and why do you think they're popular.
It was so much fun writing Jason
and Haley’s love story.
J
I really grew to love the dynamic of the traditional cowboy falling for the
modern day damsel in distress. Every story has its challenges but with Haley
and Jason it was how they were going to meet in the middle. Because their love
was always there. They just had to find a way to be in each other’s worlds
without being lost in the others way of life.
As far as popularity, I think
it’s because opposites still have the love they just have to find a way to show
it. Even in book 2 Jesse’s Choice. Haley is pulling tricks to get Jason off the
ranch as they get ready for their wedding. Jason knows why she’s doing it but
unlike in the
Jason’s Duty he doesn’t
complain because he wants the same thing.
4. Jason's Duty is the first book in The McGregor Saga; can you give us a hint at what's to come in the series?
Hmm. . .Let’s see what can I say
without spoiling the series? Well as you know there are two more books. Jesse’s
Choice and Jude’s Dream. In book two it’s about Jesse of course. The middle
son, the numbers nerd and how he deals with life as being different from his
brothers. Each book has a purpose really.
Jason’s
Duty was kind of like a sample of a cake. To get the my readers appetites
ready for book 2 and 3. Every story needs a happy ending in my book but I leave
a lot of things open in
Jason’s Duty that
leaves the McGregor brothers scrambling to get Jason married and still take
care of Jonas in Book 2
Jesse’s Choice.
Which in the mix some new characters come in as Jesse gets himself in a pickle
with two girls and Jude finding love interests at Twister that goes into his
story
Jude’s Dream.
5. When can we expect the next book in The McGregor Saga to be released?
Jesse’s Choice will hopefully be released Winter of 2015. It all
depends on him really. To be honest out of all three books
Jesse’s Choice has been the hardest to write because he is so
different from the country boy image that his brothers are. But as I write his
story I fall in love with him and his love story of life and how to be more
part of his family’s life. I think once
Jason’s
Duty is popular people will want to read about Jesse and his story.
6. Aside from The McGregor Saga do you have any other books you're working on?
Yes I do. I am working on another
serial. It’s called the Unspoken Series. I plan on re-releasing my first novel
and renaming it
Unspoken Promises.
It’s about two friends that grew up next store to each other and they lose
contact after Samantha Sharp (MC) tells Jonathan Carson (LI) that she is
pregnant with his baby her senior year of college. It takes eight years of
separation and eight years of Samantha raising an autistic child to make them
realize their love was still within their hearts. It will be different than the
McGregor Saga because although it’s going to be a serial a reader could pick up
book four before reading book one and get into the story. It will be
interesting because I plan to write a love story for each child that the Samantha
and Jonathan have. Oops Spoiler alert. But it will still be a good collection
of mine to put on a reading list. I also have this sci-fi romance cooking in my
head but I’ll leave that one for another interview. It’s still a working
progress in my head.
7. What does your family think of your writing career?
My family thinks it’s cool. They
all have a part of my success.
My eldest daughter is my onsite
beta reader. I let her read scenes to tell me if they are good. And when I make
teasers she actually helps me with colors. My other four kids just brag that
I’m an author.
My husband helps me with ideas
and when I need to confirm on info he’s my go to guy. The only thing he won’t
do is read my books. He told me when I was trying to improve Unspoken Dreams
once that “I would rather gauge my eyes out. I’m proud of you honey, but please
don’t’ make me read another page.”
8. I heard you've had a lot of positive feedback about your books, is there a special fan encounter or story you'd like to share?
Wow that’s a hard one. Because
for a new author (I’m still considered new), I’ve had a lot of good feed back.
Because I have learned you are considered new until you are in the industry at
least three years and a lot of books later. But back to the question feed back
and stories…Hmm well there is this one review I received just the other day.
Jim Goodman: Great read, Alicia
Guenzel!! Can't wait to see what happens to Jason in the next one.
Granted he spelt my name
wrong..Lol..but it was still awesome because a guy wrote it. As far as
experiences with my fans. There was this time with a guy from Tractor Supply I
won’t ever forget. I was walking around with my husband getting horse feed,
because at the time I still had my horses. And he came up to me and said:
“You’re that new Author from the flyer from the bank. I got your book for my
daughter and she loved it. When will your next one coming out.”
Granted that experience was from
after I wrote Unspoken Dreams but I feel that The McGregor has equal great
reviews because the reviews it has had have been great. For example:
Great read, great price, what's
to lose?
By Badger on February 19, 2015
I bought this book for my wife
and she really enjoyed it! So much so that she had me read it too, I must say
it was a great read. I really look forward to the next book in this saga.
Or even this review by Brenda
Perlin:
5.0 out of 5 stars Jason's Duty!,
March 18, 2015
By Brenda
This review is from: Jason's Duty
(The McGregor Saga) (Volume 1) (Paperback)
Jason's Duty by Alisha Guenzel is
a smooth read and a great start to the first book in The McGregor Saga. A
down-home story that read clear and inviting. This is an touching tale that
both touched me and captured my interest. The characters are interesting and
quirky in their own ways. Easy to get involved in the drama and emotional turns
that were entertaining and unpredictable.
The love of horses and family is
quite evident as the author writes with great passion.
Quote ~
"The day had been great, but
as soon as Andrew called her guard was up again. Jason wanted the Haley that
laughed and smiled. Not the one that was prickly and icy. Even when he stole a
look at her he noticed her chin a bit higher and more rigid. Like she was
trying to hide behind the glare of those blue laser-like eyes."
But there are also my fans that I
see every day; like a friend from the local laundry mat has been so involved in
Jason’s Duty that she went down to
our local library and she recommended me for the annual Literacy Reading
Convention that the Library has. I was so surprised it touched my heart.
You see I have a theory: It’s not
about the numbers at first it’s how you reach your audience. Now I know my
numbers aren’t where they need to be but they will be with the right exposure
and word of mouth. Because with every person who has picked up my book
Jason’s Duty they fall in love with not
just the story but the family. That was my goal.I want my readers satisfied
enough but coming back for more. And so far with the help of my street team
“Cowboy Up” and my wonderful friends and fans I think my goal is being reached.
9. What do you find challenging about the writing/publishing industry?
Hmm…I would say getting the right
exposure. Don’t get me wrong I love promoting and I think that is part of the
business if you want your book to survive the rat race of popularity. But to
find people who can help you with that and get your book out to the public is
hard. I’ve been out of publication so long since my first book was published
it’s taking time to get noticed again. But with all the good things that have
happened with The McGregor Saga, I think it will put me on the map per say.
10. When you're not writing what do you like to do in your downtime?
Spend time with my family and
work as a cashier. I have a day job at a grocery store that I love. I cashier
and bag and it’s so much fun. But when I’m wanting down time. I love spending
time with my kids and watching movies or T.V. shows with my husband.
11. Do you see yourself writing other genres or is romance your main focus?
I want to venture out but slowly.
I like to challenge myself so I’m thinking sci-fi or super heroes. I have two
boys and I want write something that they would read.
12. Out of all the McGregor boys, which one is your favorite?
I would say Jude. Because out of
all three brothers I feel he’s the one that grew the most. In
Jason’s Duty he is in his late teens and
fighting to be himself and by the end of the saga in
Jude’s Dream he is a man of integrity.
You start to see how he’s grown up in
Jesse’s Choice but in his story
Jude’s Dream you see his thoughts and
dreams and how he achieves them is a breath taking. Because he deals with his
own issues with the family but learns how to adjust what he wants and helps his
family deal with the cruelty of what happens with the McGregor’s.
Just for fun:
Last book you read? Divergent
Favorite meal? Susi
Favorite dessert? Coffee Ice Cream
Favorite type of romance? Historical
Favorite cowboy? Traditional Cowboy like Tom Selleck
Celebrity Crush: Nathan Fillion, Theo James, Frank Sinatra
Which is better books or movies? Books
Alisha Guenzel The Author
She is a native to New England
although she was raised on the plains of West Texas. She has always loved to
write stories. But it wasn't until she married her husband did she take a
chance on her dream to become a published author. Although writing is her
passion, she also loves to spend time with her kids and husband on their five
acre ranch.
Author Links
Author
Web Page: http://alishaguenzel.wix.com/authorwebpage
FB
Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/RomanceNovelistAlishaGuenzel
The
McGregor Saga Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSaga
Jason’s
Duty Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSagaJD
Trailer
for Jason’s Duty: http://youtu.be/PqxEkZ7ZTnU
Synopsis
A Cowboy and his Duty
Jason McGregor was a country boy
raised on a horse ranch. His daddy taught him the meaning of family
responsibility but that didn't teach him anything about the rules of love. In
Jason's eyes it was all about the horses and keeping the McGregor Ranch going.
When Haley Sheridan came to visit, Jason's world gets turned upside down. He
could no longer see black and white anymore.
Haley Sheridan was far from home
and lost without her father. Her emotions were all over the place. She only
came to Montana out of duty to her mother. She didn’t understand how Mrs.
McGregor took care of all the house hold chores from cooking, cleaning, and making
sure her husband and sons were taken care. But when she looked at Jason there
was something in his eyes that made her want to understand.
Could a cowboy love a city
slicker? Or a city slicker love a cowboy? Neither one knew how to communicate
what they really wanted. Come follow Jason and Haley in Book 1 of The McGregor
Saga. See how two hearts can become one with enough faith.
Buy Links
Amazon
Link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jason%27s+Duty+by+Alisha+Guenzel
http://www.amazon.com/Jasons-Duty-McGregor-Saga-1/dp/1507810725/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424113333&sr=8-1&keywords=Jason%27s+Duty+By+Alisha+Guenzel
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/520290
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