Sit Down Saturday with Carol Ross

I’m thrilled to sit down on this lovely Saturday morning and answer a few questions about my latest book, A Family Like Hannah’s.

Where did you get the idea for this novel?

The heroine, Hannah James, was introduced in my second Seasons of Alaska book, A Case for Forgiveness. In that story, Hannah is recovering from the accident that ended her professional skiing career and trying to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. She’s suffered so much and has tried so hard (and so cheerfully) to overcome it all, she just had to have her own story!

What is your favorite scene?

This book has a lot of fun scenes. (At least they were fun for me to write.) I’ll go with the one where Hannah tries to “save” the hero, Tate, from a potentially humiliating karaoke-like moment at the Cozy Caribou on New Year's Eve. She ends up embarrassing herself instead. 



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

I’m going to borrow a quote from someone else for this one: “The family you come from isn't as important as the family you're going to have.”
~ Ring Lardner

What does this book mean to you in a personal way?

I love to ski. I think I was about seven or eight when I learned, and I don’t remember ever not knowing how. Some of my best childhood memories involve skiing with my family. Now, I’m creating memories with a new generation of kids by teaching my nephews to ski. It means the world to me to be able to share this with them the same way my dad and mom, aunts and uncles, siblings and cousins shared it with me.

Skiing through the years! (Upper left - that's me in the front with the blue ski pants. Upper right - me and my nephew, 2016. Lower right - me circa 1980-something. Lower left - me on the right with my best pal, 2016.) 

What do you plan to work on next?

I am currently working on book five for Heartwarming. It’s about two members of the Coast Guard – a rescue swimmer and a pilot. The setting is here in the Pacific Northwest. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love living here, so I find it an absolute treat having it as a backdrop.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Happy Valentine’s Day & President’s Day & Family Day weekend!

For more information about Carol and and her books stop by her website:


A Family Like Hannah's back cover:

Starting over is serious business 


With her professional skiing career cut short by an accident, Hannah James is putting all her energy into transforming Snowy Sky Resort into something special. There's only one obstacle. Famous pro-snowboarder-turned-consultant Tate Addison has his own ideas about taking the Rankins, Alaska, lodge to the next level. But Hannah won't compromise her dreams. She gets that Tate is trying to create a stable home for his orphaned six-year-old nephew—a boy Hannah already adores. And if she isn't careful, she could also fall for the boy's too-attractive uncle. Is she risking heartbreak? Or do she and Tate really want the same things out of life? 


A Family Like Hannah's is available now at the following locations:





Don't forget to check your local WalMart stores for all Heartwarming books.
A Family Like Hannah's will be on the shelves in March!


Comments

  1. Congratulations on another terrific release, Carol!

    I look forward to reading it.

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    1. Thank you so much, Kate! Hope you have a great Family Day weekend (hope that's what you call it up there.)

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  2. Hey, my family and some extended family all learned to ski at Snoqualmie in the days when night skiing was a new, big deal. We'd get off work, toss everyone and a lunch and hot chocolate in the van and off we'd go from Brier where we lived. My sister-in-law's family would come from Oregon for weekends and go skiing with us. Alas I hate to say that the onset of arthritis in my knees stopped my skiing, but I was able (sans skis) to teach a lot of my kids friends how to ski. Can't wait for your book. I've just finished all of the great January selections.

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    1. Roz, I love this! Sounds like you know exactly what I mean by making memories. Night skiing is a blast. I really enjoy teaching the kids, too. It can be a little hard on the back sometimes, but it's so fun to see them get better and better each time.

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  3. Your book sounds great, Carol! And your Pacific Northwest setting sounds like a place I would love to explore.

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    1. Thank you, Amie! I'm sure you would love the Northwest. It's one of the most beautiful places on the entire planet and there's so much to explore!

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  4. I always wanted to learn how to ski, but alas never did. Now I get to experience it through your books! At least I won't get hurt. Looking forward to reading A Family Like Hannah's.

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    1. It's never too late, Patricia! That getting hurt thing does tend to arise in my mind the older I get. I'm definitely more careful about that now. I tend to avoid the moguls and black diamonds these days!

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    1. Thank you so much, Beth! I really hope you enjoy it.

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  6. Love you and know I will love this book too!! Happy Valentine's Day and congratulations on your new release xoxox

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  7. Congratulations on your latest release, Carol. The cover is fabulous! I skied when I was a kid, but after two back surgeries in my 30's, I hung up the ski boots. Happy Valentine's Day!

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    1. Thank you, Jill! Ooh, sorry about your back. I can certainly understand why you'd retire after that. Happy Valentine's to you too!

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  8. LOVE that cover, Carol! Hope you have a beautiful Valentine's Day!

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    1. Thank you, Loree! I had two different people tell the cover looked "inviting." I love that description and I owe a huge thank you to Harlequin's art department for it.

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  9. Thank you for a glimpse into Hannah's story, and congratulations on the new release. I can't wait to read it. Since I've take a personal vow to read a Heartearming title along with whatever other book I'm reading from now on, even if it's another Heartwarming book, I should get to it even sooner. ( :

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    1. You're welcome, Laurie! Well, that is a wonderful vow that no one here is going to complain about! We so appreciate all of your support. Have a great weekend!

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  10. I love that you love to ski - and your photos are great, blue ski pants and all. I have absolutely no physical thrill chromosome in my body - and a great number of try-not-to-kill-myself ones. Love your cover. Really enjoy blended family stories or kids grafted on stories. If Amie comes to see you, you both have to come to see me. Happy Weekend, Everybody!

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    1. Thanks so much, Muriel! I'm incredibly grateful to my dad for making sure we learned how to ski. Thinking back on it now, and now that I'm trying to teach my nephews, I can see what a huge endeavor it was for him to take on. Oh, Amy and I would definitely come and see you!

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  11. Carol, I'm so excited for this next installment. And I'm especially looking forward to the book you're working on about the Coast Guard. I love the PNW, too. I will make sure to have that one pre-ordered, as well.

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