Guest Post and Giveway: Hearts and Hazelnuts by Kris T. Bethke

We’re so pleased to welcome author Kris T. Bethke today on the tour for her new release in Dreamspinner Press’s house line States of Love, Hearts and Hazelnuts. She’s giving us a little insight into the setting of the book, and is also offering one lucky reader the chance to win an eCopy, so be sure to check out the Rafflecopter widget below for details.

Welcome, Kris!

I Get By With a Little Help

Hearts and Hazelnuts just released and this book is one of my greatest joys. It was also probably the biggest pain in my butt. This book had the most revisions of any book I’ve written to date. There were times when I couldn’t stand to look at it any more. But in the end, I know that all those revisions payed off.

Since this book is part of the States of Love collection, Oregon factors in heavily. On the first pass, the publisher wanted more. I was all for putting more Oregon in the book—I love the state and think it deserves it’s due. But I was a little wary too, because I didn’t want it to read like a bullet point of attractions. It needed to be more than that. It needed to have the feeling of Oregon. I worked hard to find the right places to visit, and the right atmosphere to include.

It turns out that on that pass, I managed to get the first thing right, but not enough of the second. So back into the text I dove, fleshing out feelings and thoughts. I spent an extraordinary amount of time immersed in blogs, articles, and pictures, absorbing gorgeous Oregon in order to convey those things.

Finally, I had it right. Oregon was a major player in the book, and I finally managed to get that across with all the respect it was due. And now the atmosphere is one of my favorite parts of the book. When I read it, and I hope when you do to, it feels like taking an armchair vacation. And inspires you to visit the real thing some day!

But I wasn’t done with revisions yet, because there were things the plot needed that I, as the author, was too close to see. In my head, it all worked. But because I knew the story, I couldn’t see what was missing. Thankfully, I have a fantastic editor who knew exactly what I needed. But in order to make it work, I had to get a little outside help.

Fortunately for me, I have a brother who is always happy to hash out plot points with me. And over dinner one evening, we worked out how to make the missing pieces fit with my vision for the story. As an author, I sometimes fall in love with my own words, and change isn’t the easiest thing. But when I was done writing the new scenes and piecing it all together, I knew I had a winner on my hands.

Beckett and Jordan find love on a hazelnut farm in northern Oregon. It’s not always easy, but when two people are meant to be together, it will all work out in the end. I hope you get a chance to pick up Hearts and Hazelnuts, and fall in love with Oregon, Beck and Jordan too.

About the Book

Mechanic Jordan Hart is down on his luck, so he gladly accepts a temporary job servicing tractors at a hazelnut farm in Newberg, Oregon. He doesn’t expect to be attracted to his boss, Beckett Shaw. Still working on embracing his bisexuality, he’s reluctant to start anything, but Beckett’s gentle coaxing convinces Jordan to take a risk.

Beckett has vowed not to get involved with anyone until he can restore the Shaw Farms name as a leader in hazelnuts. But there’s no denying his interest in the shy mechanic who shows up at his door. Just as they begin to find a balance, outside forces threaten to tear them apart. Job opportunities force Jordan out of the Portland area he loves so much. But when danger comes too close to Beckett, Jordan must decide if he can follow his heart to the Willamette Valley… and straight back to Beckett.

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About the Author

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long.  An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head.  She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project.  Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time.  A classic muscle car will always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty pleasures.  She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy cat and the voices in her head.  She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.

Find her on her Website, Facebook, or on Twitter.

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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