WELCOME AUTHOR SHANNON TAYLOR VANNATTER

WELCOME AUTHOR SHANNON TAYLOR VANNATTER
Thursday, April 6, 2017 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: Winning Over the Cowboy

AUTHOR’S NAME: Shannon Taylor Vannatter

PUBLISHER: Love Inspired

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

STAND ALONE OR SERIES: Book 2 in Texas Cowboys series (Each book stands alone)

TARGET AGE: Teen - adults

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR SHANNON TAYLOR VANNATTER TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. SHANNON SHARES WHAT TEXAS AND COWBOYS HAVE DONE FOR HER WRITING CAREER.

SHANNON IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SEE BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO WIN A COPY OF WINNING OVER THE COWBOY.

I had stories in my head from the time I was fourteen, but I didn’t know what to do with them. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I realized they were books. At thirty-four, I started writing and promptly received a manila envelope full of rejections. I stopped counting at two-hundred.

All of my rejected manuscripts were set in rural Arkansas where I live. During those unpublished years, I read an article claiming that if a book has a cowboy on the cover or Texas in the title, they sell better. I just happened to marry a Texan and have made several jaunts there to visit his dad on his ranch.

But I liked writing about Arkansas and no Texas ideas really sparked. Until my husband and I took our son to the Arkansas State Fair. There I saw a cowboy wearing the requisite Stetson, Wranglers, and Justins holding hands with a girl wearing a pin-striped business suit and suede boots. I wondered how they met and what they could possibly have in common.

With a bit of cowboy experience at my disposal since my dad once announced our small town rodeo, that odd-couple sparked a story about a city girl and bull rider. There are rodeos in Arkansas, but a Texas ranch fit my cowboy. I submitted it and one of my Arkansas books to Heartsong Presents and Love Inspired. Finally, I got my first three-book contract at forty-three with Heartsong for the Arkansas book. A few years later, I signed a second contract with them for my Texas Rodeo series.

By fifty, I thought I’d be rich and famous. Not. But last year, at fifty-one, I finally became a Love Inspired author through a series of backdoors. Sadly Barbour decided to close the Heartsong Presents line after publishing my first five books. Harlequin bought the line. Five more rodeo books later and with four more books contracted, Harlequin made the same decision and the line closed. But the back door opened for me again when Harlequin decided to publish my remaining four books through Love Inspired. Why? Because I write cowboys.

I always thought eventually, I’d go back to writing Arkansas books. But Texas cowboys have been good to me and my agent says I’ve accidentally created a niche for myself. I don’t believe in leaving, old unpublished books in a stack in a drawer. I wrote those characters because I loved them. Through the course of thirteen published books and two more contracted with LI, I’ve reworked all of those old unpublished manuscripts to see the light of day.

Except for three. Two of those will be in my next proposals. The third is a longer length manuscript. My agent and I are waiting for the right timing to shop it around, so maybe I’ll achieve another first with longer length books in the future. But if not, I’m content with Love Inspired and having lots of fun with cowboys.

Blurb for Winning Over the Cowboy

The Rancher Stakes His Claim

When she inherits half a dude ranch after losing her best friend, Landry Malone is determined to see Eden's legacy flourish. That is if her friend's broad-shouldered cowboy brother will give her the chance. Chase Donovan isn't happy that his sister left their family business to an outsider—and he's determined to test Landry's mettle, hoping she'll give up her claim. Soon Chase is impressed by Landry's ability to rise to every challenge he puts in her way—and worried that his attraction to the perky spitfire seems to know no end. Finally working together to ensure the ranch's future, will their business partnership be the foundation for something more?

Discussion for Readers: Share an accomplishment you’ve achieved, at any age.

Giveaway details: Comment to enter the drawing for a copy of Winning Over the Cowboy. Eleven copies will be split among names drawn during the blog tour from April 3 -20. One winner will receive a fishing themed memory board personally crafted by the author.

This fabric is special because my son loves to fish as do the characters in the book. Great for displaying kids or grandkids or as a gift for the little fisherman in your life. Winners will be revealed on the author’s blog on April 29th. Sign up to enter more giveaways.

Follow my blog tour for more chances to win Winning Over the Cowboy:

April 3 – http://www.danarlynn.com/blog /

April 4 – http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com /

April 4 – LI Release Party - https://www.facebook.com/events/1858400871097392/?__mref=mb

April 6 – http://www.pattishene.com/theover50writer

April 4 & 7 – http://shannonvannatter.com/blog /

April 10 – https://whispersinpurple.blogspot.com /

April 11 – http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog /

April 13 – http://eahendryx.blogspot.com /

April 13 – http://www.castlegatepress.com/blog /

April 17 - http://www.inspyromance.com /

April 20 - http://seekerville.blogspot.com /

April 20 – http://www.whollyloved.com/blog-1 /

Award winning central Arkansas author Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. She once climbed a mountain wearing gold wedge-heeled sandals which became known as her hiking boots.

She has twelve published titles and is contracted for three more. Her books are available online. Learn more about Shannon and her books at her website and check out her real life romance blog with weekly book giveaways.

Connect with Shannon:

Comments

Shannon Taylor Vannatter From Central, AR At 4/7/2017 3:40:55 PM

You''re right, Cleo. I used to cry when something bad happened in my career. Now I just roll with the flow and see what God''s got for me next.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/7/2017 9:33:45 AM

You are right, Cleo. Thanks for stopping by to say hello to Shannon.

Cleo Lampos From Oak Lawn, IL At 4/7/2017 9:24:18 AM

Your life journey is fascinating. God has a sense of humor.

Shannon Taylor Vannatter From Central, AR At 4/6/2017 11:03:43 PM

Cool Lucy. Someone taught me to make a chain when I was a kid, so I made miles and miles of crochet chains. A friend in high school finally taught me to read patterns. U used to make sweaters, baby blankets, and afghans. But that was before I started writing. I don''t have time anymore.

Shannon Taylor Vannatter From Central, AR At 4/6/2017 11:01:03 PM

Hi Tina, I''m so glad you enjoyed the book. That''s awesome, Donna. I''m with Patti. I don''t have the patience and I can''t seem to bring things down to child level. I''m good with crafts though, so I''m always the craft lady at our VBS.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/6/2017 8:58:11 PM

Hi Lucy! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I did a little crocheting years ago, but never really mastered the craft.

Lucy Reynolds From WV At 4/6/2017 8:45:33 PM

I taught myself to crochet when I was expecting my first child many years ago. This a new author to me. Thank you for the chance.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/6/2017 6:40:24 PM

Donna, you are to be commended for your dedication. I like kids, but don''t have the patience to teach them. Thank you for stopping by.

Donna B From Illinois At 4/6/2017 6:01:56 PM

I have loved reading other books written by Shannon. I have helped at a home daycare caring for the kids and assisting the owner. I love working with the infants more than the school age kids. I also was a Sunday school teacher for the ages birth to 2 yrs for over 20 yrs. Thanks for the giveaway.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/6/2017 4:20:41 PM

Hi Tina! Thank you for popping in and letting us know you were here.

Tina Wyatt From Adamsville, Al At 4/6/2017 4:17:03 PM

I have read one of Shannon''s cowboy books before and I really like them. I am looking forward to reading this one to.

Shannon Taylor Vannatter From Central, AR At 4/6/2017 3:53:30 PM

You consistently make my day, Jennifer. Hope my cowboys make yours.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/6/2017 3:24:14 PM

Hi Jennifer! I guess I''m going to have to meet Shannon''s cowboys! She is a new author to me. Thank you for stopping by.

Jennifer Hibdon From from rural Michigan, reside in Lubbock, Texas At 4/6/2017 3:12:49 PM

I love Shannon and her cowboys!!! Cannot wait to read this book. Thanx for the giveaway!!!

Shannon Taylor Vannatter From Central, AR At 4/6/2017 12:04:01 PM

Hey Cindy. Cowboys are just fun. Congrats on the book. I lived in Elgin, IL from age 2 -7. My dad built houses and hung drywall, so we followed the housing booms. I''ll be 52 there year. Over fifty writers rock. Patti, I hope your cowboys come kicking out of your computer soon.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/6/2017 11:32:26 AM

Hi Cindy! Thank you for coming by. I like to write cowboys too. Unlike you ladies, mine are still trapped in my computer, waiting for their stories to be completed! I love over 50 (I''m way past that) writers! They inspire me!

Cindy Ervin Huff From Illinois At 4/6/2017 11:07:59 AM

I can so relate. My debut novel has cowboys. I''m also over 50. Well over 50. I started my novel writing journey at 50. Thanks for encouraging to late-bloomers.

Shannon Taylor Vannatter From Central, AR At 4/6/2017 10:54:34 AM

Hi Sally, Glad you popped in. My agent is Nalini Akolekar with Spencerhill. Our first conversation, we asked how to say each others names. Uh cola car and Van Adder. Shelia, that''s awesome. It takes a special calling for teaching kids. I stink at it. I bore them to tears.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/6/2017 10:45:57 AM

Hi Sally. Thank you for visiting and shouting out to Shannon. Glad you enjoyed the post.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 4/6/2017 10:44:39 AM

Hi Shelia. Thank you for sharing with us. Think of all the lives you have touched over the years with your faithfulness! I congratulate your dedication.

Sally Shupe From Newport VA At 4/6/2017 9:22:22 AM

Shannon! It''s so great to see you here! Love reading your writing journey and can''t wait to read your books! Who is your agent? Thanks for sharing about your writing!