Sit-Down Saturday with Catherine Lanigan

So, Catherine, where did you get the idea for this novel?

          
            When I devised the concept of the Indian Lake Series, this was one of the first story ideas that came to me. Granted, there were more than the first dozen, but this one, set in a vineyard in Northwestern Indiana fascinated me. Just north of us, along the western edge of Lake Michigan are numerous vineyards, that some say, rival those of California. I lived in Stevensville, Michigan for three years back when Tabor Hill Vineyard was just beginning to take root. I also have always been drawn to strong female heroines who will do anything and everything to preserve her family heritage, whether it be a botanical garden in Houston or a farm in Indiana. 

In looking at the cover, if you could add a caption or captions, what would they say?

          This cover is delightful to me, because it reminds me a bit of the movies “A Walk in the Clouds” and “French Kiss” two of my favorite films ever.

How long did it take you to write?

     About six months including a few months to cogitate the story in the very beginning.

What is your favorite scene?

    My favorite scene is opening sequence when Liz catches Gabe stealing her soil for samples. She’s got a shotgun in her hand and she wants some straight answers, which Gabe is reluctant to give her.

Who was your favorite character and why?
    
     That’s a toss up between Liz and Gabe.  I love Liz’s feisty attitude and her die-hard loyalty to her father’s memory and his dreams, even though they trip her up in her own life.  Gabe is funny, charming and daring.  He’s determined to build a life of his own, away from his father’s shadow, and that takes real guts.

If you could pick fictional characters to play the hero and heroine, who would they be?
     
          Jennifer Gardner for Liz. She soft and yet athletic and believable in tough situations.
     Ryan Reynolds for Gabe.

Tell us one thing you learned during research.

    I learned a great deal with this research. Though a lot is not in the book, the massive equipment and investment it takes to open and run a vineyard today is astounding. Fascinating was the number of vitners who travel the world and buy grapes from South Africa, Argentina, France and Australia to make that one perfect, unforgettable tasting bottle of wine.

What music would match the mood of this novel?

    Old classic romantic songs.

This is your 3rd book in this series.   Exactly what does that mean to you?

    I feel as I’m just getting started with my Indian Lake series. There are so many romances on my plate in this “town” of characters. I want to write them all!!

What do you plan to work on next?

    Next up is KATIA’S PROMISE coming in May. Right now, I’m working on UNBRIDLED LOVE.
    
What are you reading for pleasure right now?

          I am reading two political theory books, The Goldfinch, and my order for all the January Heartwarming releases is on its way!

Comments

  1. Best wishes with your release, Catherine. I love the cover!

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    1. Hi, Kate!
      Isn't this cover wonderful? I know how much work it takes me just to raise a few tomatoes and squash. I can't imagine what a respite it would be for Liz and Gabe to actually sit down and rest in their own garden of Eden.

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    2. The cover is beautiful, Catherine. I look forward to reading Liz and Gabe's story!

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  2. I love the cover, too, Catherine--and of course the heroine's name. :-) Good luck with the release.

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    1. Hi, LIz!

      I thought you might like that. Ha! She's an amazing woman as are you. Hope you have a great weekend. Can't wait for your next book as well!

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  3. I'm almost finished reading the book as my January subscription finally arrived. Love the cover and love the story. Already looking forward to the next one in the series.

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    1. Hi, Roz!
      Thanks for your lovely email yesterday. You have such a wonderful story of your own relating to vineyards. I've always and still do believe there is something magical about those vines growing up and down hills. How the grapes ripen and those leaves. When I was a young mother I lived in Michigan near St. Joseph in Stevensville, actually and there were so many people with grape vines in their yards. Back then we used to take the vines, strip them, make wreathes with them and garlands. I hung those garlands everywhere to make up for the fact that I didn't have much furniture and couldn't afford decorations of any other kind. I dried my own flowers with a great deal of help from my mother, God rest her soul. So, my affinity for these magical plots of earth---and I, too, adore the vineyards in California!... goes back a long, long way. Thanks to Victoria and Claire I was finally able to write a romance against this setting.

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  4. Looks great! I've got a stack of five to read, but my RITA books came so it will probably be later in February :)

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    1. Hi, Pam,
      I feel your pain! I have two sets of books on my nightstand. One for research that needs me desperately and one that my heart wants to jump into---all my fellow Heartwarming authors! Not enough hours in the day or NIGHT! Right?

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  5. Pretty cover! Makes me want to open a bottle of wine and have a picnic! And I want her hat!

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    1. Hi, Kristine,

      Ah, wouldn't that just be great? Right now, we have a very frigid day out there but actual sunshine which we haven't seen for 6 days. So I am very thankful for that. Tomorrow, after I finish my writing, I'm having friends for dinner and some shrimp scampi along with Chardonnay and maybe a Chenin Blanc. Haven't decided.

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  6. I would love to tour vineyards, and had no idea there were vineyards in Indiana. Can't wait to read this book.

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    1. Hi Patricia,

      We live nearly in Michigan, we're so close to the border here, but there are several up here and more coming all the time. I was surprised to find out there are vineyards downstate! I also lived in Arizona for many years and there was a lovely vineyard in Page Springs we visited. Along with many others once you get up into Oak Creek Canyon.

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  7. Catherine, you've sold me on this one! French Kiss is one of my favorite movies, too.

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    1. Hi, Carol,

      Yep. That's a really good one. ANYTHING with Kevin Kline is a winner in my book. I have the CD and play it for dinner parties all the time. Frankly, I realize I now have three French CD's on my player which I enjoy while editing my pages each night by the fire. That's during the winter! Joke there..

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  8. Congratulations, Catherine. Heroine's hat looks like something from Ralph Lauren. French Kiss is one of my favorites, too. We have many vineyards in Oregon. I love that grapes thrive in soil nothing else could grow in, and that awful conditions often produce the best grape and therefore wonderful wine! Just like people.

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  9. Hi, Muriel,
    You are so right about Oregon! I've been fortunate enough to taste some good ones from your region. My aunt and cousins live in Oregon and I love that country. Truly God's country. All this talk about French Kiss, I think I need to pull out my DVD and watch it again from my treadmill!

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  10. Catherine, you're so heroic. I had the same impulse, but I was going to do it with tea and cookies.

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    1. It's self-defense. When I crushed my kneecap two years ago, I was told my re-hab would never end. If I don't workout in some capacity almost everyday, the pain is just too much. So, to make the re-hab not so painful, I watch movies. LOTS of romance movies. Frankly, they don't make them like they used to. I'm so sick of these LOSER heroes whom no mother would claim and no woman would want. I think the scriptwriters honestly believe this is "Character evolution". SPARE ME. Give me some oldies and goodies.

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  11. I love this cover - I am not a wine drinker, but I love stories set in vineyards. The people who run them usually have such passion for what they do and that usually means they are passionate when it comes to love as well! :)

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    1. Hi, Amy. I agree with you that there is just something mystical almost about vineyards that is not the same about a farm.
      There is a different passion with vintners.
      The Greeks used to ask upon a person's death, "Did he have passion?"
      I believe that a life without passion is no life.
      So, to that end---I need to get back to my writing. Have a blessed weekend.

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  12. Oh, wow, I can totally see French Kiss and A Walk in the Clouds in that gorgeous cover of yours! I absolutely love the movie French Kiss and just watched it on dvd a few weeks ago...for the twentieth time or so ;)

    Liz and Gabe's story sounds fantastic! Congrats!

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    1. ONLY 20 times? I'm kidding. That's how much I love it, too. Thanks, Rula.

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