Writing Wednesday: Tena Stetler and CHARM ME, a Candy Hearts Romance

Today I'm chatting again with author Tena Stetler, whose latest book is a novella in the Candy Hearts romance series. Her cute and magical story released last Wednesday - a short excerpt and and my review follows our chat. Welcome, Tena, and glad to have you back again!

Tell us a little about yourself, and what kind of books you like to read and write.

I have an over-active imagination so writing paranormal romances comes a natural for me. I penned my first vampire romance at the age of twelve, to the chagrin of my mother and the delight of my friends.

Colorado is home; shared with my husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle.  Any winter evening, you can find me curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn.

I like to read cozy mysteries, paranormal romance , science fiction and fantasy. My writing passion is paranormal romance and cozy mysteries with magic spark. I do have a romantic suspense in the works.

Tell us 3 things people may not know about you.

1. I worked as a radio DJ for a few years at a popular rock station.  Loved it.  Meeting and talking with bands, free concerts but working two jobs was tough.  I was a paralegal by day a radio DJ at night, weekends and writer in between.  Talk about burnout.
2. Cooking and baking is a passion of mine.  My husband is a great cook too, we via for kitchen time on the weekend.
3. I am a chocoholic.  I love chocolate of any kind. 

If you could have one superpower for 2016, what would it be and why?

To be able to cross over  into different dimensions at will.  

  

Tell us about your new/latest release! 

Charm Me released January 6th. I’m so excited for everyone to read it.  It’s all about Valentine Day’s Magic bringing two unlikely people together.

Blurb:

Summer Dawn Riley’s an extraordinary elemental witch whose troubled past haunts her. She’s created a calm life for herself teaching yoga and keeping people at a distance. Her life takes a one eighty degree turn when she enrolls in a women’s weapons class and meets ruggedly handsome Devlin Sawyer.

Devlin, a former Navy Seal, has sworn off women after two long-term failed relationships, but there is no denying his attraction to Summer. She intrigues him like no other woman ever has. Despite her attempts to ignore him, Summer is drawn to Devlin. His magic signature is strong, but he’s no warlock. Will Valentine’s Day magic find them a future together?

Excerpt:

Getting to her feet, she brushed the dust from her black yoga pants, tugged at the bottom of her bright orange tunic, and flipped the light switch on. A soft glow of florescent lighting flooded the large room, soothing Summer’s nerves. Guess she would never be the same carefree individual she was before the incident. Oh, shake it off. You’re safe and it’s time to get on with life. “Come on Pip, let’s get this place open.”

A massive stone fireplace towered in the corner.  She picked up an arm full of wood and flung it in the general direction. Logs landed in the fire pit and neatly arranged themselves in a tepee shape. With a magic flick of her finger toward the hearth, flames raced up the aspen logs. “That’s better.”

She raised her arms, about to send the yoga mats back to their proper place when the heavy wooden front door creaked open. Piper rushed toward the door, teeth bared and a growl rumbled in her throat. Summer whirled around and yelped as Devlin ambled into the room, black hair tousled and glistening with melting snowflakes. His nonchalance at the dog’s approach surprised her as he slowed to a stop. Piper sniffed around him, backed up a few inches, then stood at alert in front of Devlin.

“You scared the bejeebers out of me.” Summer held her hand to her chest as her heart thundered.

“What are you doing here?”

“Call your guard dog off and I’ll tell you.” The corners of Devlin’s mouth curved up into a smile, a faint light twinkled in the depths of his dark eyes.

“Piper, leave it…come.” The dog gave Devlin a last sideways glance, trotted back to Summer and sat at her side.

Okay, you’re casting the movie version of your novel – who would you choose for the main characters? We’re talking dream cast.

Chris Helmsworth (Thor) and Molly Caitlyn Quinn (Castle)

Love it! Now tell readers where to find your book, and where can they find you online?

Website: http://www.tenastetler.com

Blog: http://www.tenastetler.com/my-blog

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author

Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/TenaStetler

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler

Amazon:  www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler

Buy Links for Charm Me.

http://amzn.com/B018L2U904

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6579

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/charm-me

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/charm-me-tena-stetler/1123082834?ean=2940157816506

Thanks for visiting with me, Tena! Now for my review of CHARM ME:

 My Take:
Summer and Devlin have a complicated relationship from the start. The reader finds out quickly that Summer is a witch who realizes Devlin is also a magical creature as soon as they shake hands. He's also the owner of the shooting range where she signs up for lessons.

The author packs a lot of information into the novella, making it a slower read than some of the other Candy Hearts stories, but no less intriguing. The paranormal elements add context and backstory, but the attraction between Summer and Devlin seems grounded and real.

If you like your contemporary romance with a dose of magick, check out Tena Stetler.
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