Sit Down Saturday with Melinda Curtis

Today we're celebrating the release of One Perfect Year by Melinda Curtis.

This is Book 4 in your Harmony Valley series. Where did you come up with the idea for this book?
I've had Shelby and Gage in the back of my mind for a long time (even before Harmony Valley began). Who doesn't like a best friends to true love story? I wanted to expand the series beyond the original three friends, so this idea seemed a great way to so.

If you could caption the cover, it would say...
At last (Gage's thought: poor guy's been waiting a long time for Shelby).

In a nutshell, this story is about...
Best friends whose friendship has faded. They met in high school. It was love at first sight for Gage, but he ("a man of science") didn't trust in his feelings. And just as he's about to ask Shelby out, his best friend beats him to the punch. So he kept his feelings to himself - all through high school, all through college, and through their marriage. Now's his chance, except she wants to stay in Harmony Valley, and he's got a job in Kentucky.

You usually feature a few of Harmony Valley's elderly residents. Who will we meet in this book?
I love adding the warmth and humor of town residents. One Perfect Year features Doc, the town vet (Shelby's grandfather), and Mae Gardner, who used to own the town bridal shop. Mae was a lot of fun, because she has the ability to match a girl with the perfect dress (and give some interesting love advice in the process).

Do you have a favorite scene in One Perfect Year?
I really like the first kiss scene. It involves a starry night, a misunderstanding, and an enthusiastic St. Bernard. I like writing humor into touching moments.

What other behind the scenes info can you give us?
The inspiration for the title was Shelby thinking she lived in Harmony Valley one year while growing up and it was the one perfect year of her life. I tossed it into a list of possible titles and Victoria liked it.

As for other behind the scenes tidbits, I have a habit of putting my animals into books. Calvin, our chocolate lab, was the family dog in
Tally Discovered Sprinklers
Getting Married Again (his trenching of the yard for gophers was based in reality). Bonnie, my daughter-in-law's Aussie, was the inspiration for the dog in Summer Kisses. And Remington, my son's St. Bernard, is the very large sweetheart in One Perfect Year. Tally, my Shorkie, will be making an appearance in my December book (those who follow me on Facebook have seen her grow up over the past year) - can't wait!

We'll be seeing recurring characters soon. Kathy, Flynn's sister, is back and will meet her match in Time for Love (Book 5, out August 1). And then Will's sister, Tracy, finds herself back in town (Book 7, 2016).

What are you working on now?
I'm finishing up Book 6 (due out in December) and expecting to review Book 5 (Time for Love) one last time.

Thanks for stopping by today. Any last words?
I'm wondering if anyone would want to go back and relive a year of their lives. If so, which year and why? I welcome comments from both writers and readers. One reader commenter will be chosen Monday to receive a free autographed copy of any book from my backlist.

And don't forget: sign up for my book release list and receive a free read!

Happy Weekend!
Melinda

Comments

  1. Congratulations on your release, Melinda. The story sounds wonderful, and I loved reading about how you put your animals in your books.

    Best wishes for continued success with all your books!

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  2. Mel, I love your Harmony Valley people and I'm so happy to hear you will be continuing on with them. You have created a land of enchantment and love that makes me never want to leave the city limits. Congratulations and keep them coming! I'm such a fan!

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  3. Mel, I love your Harmony Valley people and I'm so happy to hear you will be continuing on with them. You have created a land of enchantment and love that makes me never want to leave the city limits. Congratulations and keep them coming! I'm such a fan!

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  4. Mel, It would be nice to live in Harmony Valley. Looking forward to reading this book. Glad you're staying with the same area.

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  5. You are the busiest gal around! That's a lot of deadlines to meet, but thankfully it means you get to keep bringing us those sweet reads!

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    1. Thanks, Amy! As long as I stay off social media, I'm fine...ooops

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  6. I love your story lines and the way you feature animals and elderly ones in your books. I've been observing Tally's growth. She has the cutest and funniest face!!
    If I could relive a year of my life it would be the year I met and dated my husband. He was such a gentleman and I felt so special going out with him, and so secure having him in my life. It was a whirlwind romance and 21 years later I'm still fortunate to have found such a loving, wonderful man. ( :

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    1. Thanks for sharing, Laurie! All those firsts are really great, aren't they?

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    2. Congratulations Laurie! You have won a single titled book from my back list! Go ahead and take a look at all your options here http://amzn.to/16wMb3P, then send me an email at melinda @ melindacurts [dot] net with your decision. :)

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  7. Not sure I'd want to go back and relive any year in my life. But I love the idea of Shelby thinking there was a perfect year in her past. Can't wait to read it.

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    1. It is hard to find one perfect year. Now, if it were perfect moments...

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  8. Melinda, you know how I love Harmony Valley! Looking forward to all of these. Great question--I don't think I'd like to relive a year of my life--unless I could remember all the bad stuff that happened while I was living and avoid it(: I like your perfect moment idea though....

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  9. Congrats on the new book, Melinda! My perfect year stretched into two. Right after college I moved to NYC (much to my parents' dismay) to fulfill my dream of working in publishing. Met my future husband the same week I arrived (a story in itself). I was soon in love with the city, with him, and with the very idea of being in love! But that was a golden time all around.

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    1. The best laid plans, Leigh (wouldn't that be a good book title, Amy)! Thanks for sharing

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  10. Congratulations, Mel! Dogs and old people - right up my alley. Love the hero on your cover, and I want the heroine's green jacket. How do you get so much done and retain your signature sense of humor with a full-time job and a family? Whatever the formula - keep doing it!

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    1. Thanks, Muriel! The colors on the cover are really great.

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  11. Mel, I'm reading this right now and loving it! And boy are you a busy writer or what? Best wishes for success!!

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  12. Sounds like a great read, Mel! If I could relive a year, it would probably be the year my daughter was born. Looking back, it's such a blur, and I'd love to experience some of those moments again!

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