Tena StetlerAuthor of Paranormal Romance/Suspense & Cozy Mysteries With Magic Spark!

May 12th Welcome Author, Mariah Ankenman

Give a warm welcome to Mariah author of Love on the Sweet Side released May 11th!

Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a peanut butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Mariah.

What inspired you to write?

I’ve always had a vivid imagination. I never needed toys as a kid, just a cardboard box and I was off, sailing the high seas in my pirate ship, zooming to the moon in my space rocket or driving across the country in my racecar. I was making up stories before I could even write. It never felt right that we only get to lead one life so I found a way to live many. Writing lets me experience a thousand different lives in my one lifetime.

Do you see yourself in your characters?

I think every writer puts a little bit of themselves in each of their characters, good or bad. I have a penchant to write very short heroines, as I barely reach past five-foot. I also like to add plenty of sass to my characters. Wallflower has never been a term used to describe me so I tend to write very outspoken characters. Still, I try to write a quite character every now and then. It’s important to step outside your comfort zone and grow as a writer.

Where do your story ideas come from?

Most of my initial story ideas come from my dreams. I have very detailed dreams almost every night. Oftentimes I will dream a scene that sparks an idea for a book. For example, Love on the Sweet Side arose from a dream I had about two people being snowed in at a remote cabin in the woods.

RWA® Golden Heart® Nominated Mariah Ankenman began writing at the tender age of five. Her first book “George and the Green Glob” received high praise from her mother. Many years, and green glob stories later, Mariah received a playwriting degree from the University of Wyoming. After a few years in Hollywood, working in “the biz,” she came home to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. When she’s not writing Mariah loves to read, crochet, and play her ukulele. Mariah loves to hear from readers. You can find her at: http://mariahankenman.com/

Twitter: @MAsbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahankenmanauthor/

Tell us a little about Love on the Sweet Side.

Maggie Evans is back in Peak Town, Colorado to take over her grandmother’s cupcake shop, but problems keep arising. Is it rotten luck…or something more nefarious? To top it off, her former best friend/childhood crush, Colton Denning, won’t leave her alone. He’s sexier than ever. But Maggie has no time for love.

When his best friend comes back into town all grown up, Colton finds his feelings for her go far beyond friendship. Unfortunately, the pretty baker only sees him as the town playboy. He plans to convince her otherwise, but may not get the chance when someone starts threatening Maggie’s life.

Whether she likes it or not, Colton plans to take her safety into his own hands. How will Maggie keep her shop afloat with a madman after her? More importantly, how will she keep her heart intact when Colton admits her safety isn’t the only thing he wants in his hands?

How about a sneek peek inside your book?

“Colton Denning, get out from behind my counter this minute,” Maggie admonished and smacked him on the shoulder.

Ouch. The tiny woman packed quite a wallop. He put Jamie down and turned. “Oh come on now, Magpie. I was just caught up in the excitement of the news.”

“Yeah well, catch up on that side of the counter. You’re going to violate my health codes.”

He looked down at himself—dusty, faded jeans that may have been worn one season too long, a relatively clean, long sleeve flannel over a black T-shirt, and cowboy boots caked in dried mud. Okay, she might have a point. Not that he would ever tell her that. One thing Maggie did not need to hear was that she was right, again. Besides, it was much more fun to tease her.

“I’m not that dirty.”

She rolled those pretty green eyes of hers. “You’ve got hay stuck in your jeans.”

A quick glance revealed a short stalk stuck in the waistband of his wranglers. Not surprising. Working on a horse ranch, you were bound to get a stray piece of hay here and there.

“Why, Magpie, were you eying my unmentionables?”

She snorted, a very unladylike snort, but adorable as hell.

“Oh please. You probably put it there on purpose to draw attention to your unmentionables. You’re a shameless flirt, Colton Denning, and you know it.”

“What’s wrong with a little harmless flirting? Especially when it’s with such a pretty lady.”

Well, I can’t wait to get my hands on Love on the Sweet Side.  So here’s where you can find her book.

Amazon  and The Wild Rose Press –

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting with us!  Please feel free to stop by any time.

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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary, Romance, Suspense by Tena Stetler with 23 comments.