Make You Mine by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

Make You Mine by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
When his family’s company is on the line, business and pleasure definitely don’t mix, but maybe they should…

Madeline Ross left the city and a career glass ceiling behind, hoping to build a new life as the crew supervisor for Walker Construction in River’s Edge. She’s qualified and experienced, but new CEO Jackson Walker hires someone else. Even as she searches for a different job and builds a life in River’s Edge, the sexy memory of Jack teases.

After a rough year, Jackson Walker’s family business is still struggling. He needs a new construction crew supervisor, and Maddie Ross is perfect, except for the first time in his life, player Jack is suddenly smitten with the curvaceous redhead. He wants her in his bed more than on his payroll.

When his second-rate new hire is a disastrous mistake, Jack humbles himself on Maddie’s doorstep with an offer she can’t refuse. Maddie could be the key to saving his company as long as he hides his heart. But does he have to?

 

 

Review:

Make You Mine by Nan Reinhardt is the first book in her The Walker Family series. River’s Edge is a wonderful small town with great characters. The story revolves around the Walker family, and their construction company, with Jackson Walker taking over as CEO.  Things have been a bit rough the past year, with the business still struggling, in hopes to win a new contract. Jackson is looking to hire a new construction crew supervisor, when he interviews Maddie Ross, he knows she is perfect for the job.  But he finds himself very attracted to her, and does not want to mix work relationships; so, he hires someone else.  

We meet Maddie Ross, who recently moved to River’s Edge, hoping to build a new life, with high hopes to be hired for the Crew supervisor position. Maddie had met Jackson the night before, working behind the bar, to help, and thought he was a bit too aggressive.  However, when she went for the interview the following day, to her surprise, the CEO was the man at the bar the night before. Even though Jackson was impressed with her credentials, he decided to hire someone else, which turned into a big mistake.

Maddie searches for a different job elsewhere in River’s Edge, and has befriended Annabella Walker, Jackson’s cousin, and their friendship grew.  Jackson realizes that the man he hired caused a number of problems, and had to fire him.  It is Annabella and Eli (Jackson’s brother) who push for him to hire Maddie, who was the person he should have hired.  Of course, Jackson knows the real reason he didn’t hire her, was because of the strong feelings he has for her. Finally, Jackson offers Maddie the job, with extended benefits, which she really couldn’t turn down.   Maddie was very good at her new job, especially coming up with a plan for the custom homes division building spec homes for factory workers, which they are in competition with other vendors in River’s Edge. 

Jackson fights off his feelings for Maddie, but with each passing day, he finds it harder; and slowly Maddie too is falling for Jackson.  One day, Maddie finds herself in danger, with the man who was fired, and threatens her life.  It is Jackson who worries where she is, and manages find her and save her. Though he was injured, Jackson is desperate to see Maddie, to tell her his feelings, that he can’t deny.  Maddie too reveals her true feelings. I really loved Maddie and Jackson together.

Make You Mine is a wonderful heartwarming story, with a terrific couple, great secondary characters, and a sweet small town.   Make You Mine was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt; as I have read her other previous series, and loved them.   If you enjoy a fun, sweet romance, I suggest you read Make You Mine.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Christmas in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

Christmas in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
You can go home again…

After a painful divorce from her high school sweetheart, triplet Jenny Weaver returns to River’s Edge with her young son. While happy to be reunited with her sisters and working at the family’s marina, she has no intention of jumping into the dating pool, especially going into the holidays. Then Gabe Dawson, once a shy nerd who tutored her in history classes, arrives home transformed into a handsome hunk who makes her pulse race.

Archeologist and history professor Gabe Dawson thought he’d long ago outgrown his teen crush on Jenny. Back in town for a few months to help his mom post surgery, he can’t resist reaching out to Jenny. She’s as beautiful, warm, and funny as he remembered and soon Gabe is reconsidering his future.

Gabe is determined to seize this second chance, but can he convince a very wary Jenny that a globe-trotter is ready to come home for good this Christmas?

 

 

Review:

Christmas in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt is the 3rd book in her wonderful Weaver Sisters series. Christmas in River’s Edge, revolves around the third Weaver sister, Jenny (they are triplets). River’s Edge is a small town that has a wonderful community. It was great to see the Weaver sisters again, as they are such a wonderful close-knit family.  

Jenny Weaver, our heroine, is a divorcee, with a young 8-year-old son, Luke.  Jenny works for her family’s marina, and is happy to have her sisters around for the holidays; though Jo is moving to be with her boyfriend, Alex.  Jenny is not happy though when her ex, Tuff decides to return to River’s Edge, and wants to spend more time with Luke. She is happy to see Gabe, arriving to help take care of his mother and work on a rig in town.  Gabe and Jenny always had a crush on each other during their high school days.

Archeologist and history professor Gabe Dawson always thought he got over his crush on the beautiful Jenny Weaver, but one look at her has him totally enamored with her. Gabe started spending more time with Jenny, and he finds himself very attracted to her, as she was warm, friendly and funny to be with.  In a short time, they both become very close, especially with the wonderful chemistry between them.  Gabe also becomes close to Luke, and is not thrilled with Jenny’s ex’s attitude, as well as his overall behavior.  Things will blow up when Tuff takes Luke to visit family, and Jenny gets a call from her son, crying that he is alone.  When Gabe and Jenny go to where the boy is, it is Gabe who will find Tuff, but Jenny is the one confronts him to change his ways or else.  I loved Jenny and Gabe together, as they made a perfect couple.   

Christmas in River’s Edge was a wonderful, fun, sweet romance and heartwarming story. It was great to see the Weaver family together for the Holidays.  I love the sisters, who were so close. 

Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, with a terrific atmosphere in this small town. Christmas in River’s Edge was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt, which is no surprise, as I loved her last book, as well as her previous series.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, wonderful couple, great secondary characters, and pure fun, I suggest you read this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
He ticks every one of her “never again” boxes…

Jo Weaver loves her job as a boat mechanic for her family’s marina in River’s Edge, Indiana. But when she’s pulled away from her high school reunion with her sisters to fix a stranded yacht, she can’t restrain her irritation. Jo doesn’t like wealthy men who think they can have whatever they want, and she has no intention of falling for rich and charming again.

Born into the international Briggs Hotels empire, Alex Briggs has never felt comfortable with his life of privilege. Abandoning his family’s business to pursue medical research, he’s far more at home in his lab. When the yacht he restored himself breaks down on the way to an important conference, Alex begrudgingly goes in search of a boat mechanic and falls, literally, into Jo Weaver’s arms. The fireworks he feels are impossible to ignore.

Jo does her best to keep Alex in the business zone, but he keeps slipping into something more. Can she trust her fragile heart, especially when Alex and his life-altering research are so far from River’s Edge?

 

 

Review:

Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt is the 2nd book in her The Weaver Sisters series. Meet Me in River’s Edge, revolves around the second Weaver sister, Jo (they are triplets). River’s Edge is a small town that has a wonderful community. It was great to see the Weaver sisters again, as they are such a wonderful close-knit family.   Jo Weaver, our heroine, loves working at her family’s marina as a boat mechanic.  

All three sisters are attending their high school reunion, when a young man accidently bumps into Jo, which turns out that the man’s yacht is stranded, and he was told to look for the Weaver sisters.  Jo agrees to leave the reunion (changing her dressy outfit to her overalls) to help him, though she looks at him like a wealthy “river rat”, men who cruise on fancy boats; she had a bad past experience on one of those men. 

Alex Briggs, our hero, comes from a wealthy family, and owns the fancy yacht. Alex has always stayed away from the family business, not comfortable with his privileged life; pursuing medical research (he is a diabetic) and his lab with a friend to develop equipment for diabetics. Alex finds himself totally attracted to Jo, though she early on is antagonistic with him, but in a short time, she will begin to see Alex in another light. Despite her keeping her heart safe, especially from someone who hurt her in  the past, Jo is finding herself falling for Alex, as he already has fallen for her.

The repair of the boat will take longer to fix, as Jo will need to get her father to work on it.  Alex and his mentor Rich, make arrangements for the guests to move forward to the next stop, and they both stay in River’s Edge. Jo and Alex each begin to tell some of their past events that hurt them; Alex lost his twin sister, which still haunts him, despite not being his fault; Jo became pregnant when she was young, with the man having treated her badly, and she eventually had a miscarriage. 

They both become very close, and when he needs to continue his trip to New Orleans, giving a speech on his new developments; she knows he will return.  But while on the phone with Jo, in New Orleans, he passes out due to an insulin pump malfunction, and is taken to the hospital.  Jo flies to be with him, but Alex decides to send her away, as he feels she deserves better than always worrying about his condition.

Meet Me in River’s Edge was a wonderful, fun, sweet romance and heartwarming story. Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, with a terrific atmosphere in this small town.

Meet Me in River’s Edge was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt, which is no surprise, as I loved her last book, as well as her previous series.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, wonderful couple, great secondary characters, and pure fun, I suggest you read this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

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Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
She’s determined to start a new chapter, so why is she still drawn to a man from her past?

When Jasmine Weaver, the chief of staff to a powerful D.C. congresswoman, chose integrity, she didn’t anticipate ringing in the New Year disgraced, unemployed, and sleeping in her childhood bedroom. Now back in River’s Edge, Indiana, identical triplet Jazz has her sisters’ support while she plans her next steps. She agrees to lead the committee for their high school’s fifteenth reunion, never dreaming that her co-chair is the man who broke her teenage heart.

As the new CEO of Walker Construction, Elias Walker has taken the family business to new levels of success. He’s buried himself in work to ease the grief of losing his fiancé several years earlier and wants nothing more than to be a carpenter again. Elias grudgingly agrees to co-chair the high school’s reunion committee, but when Jazz Weaver blows into town, suddenly anything seems possible.

These high school sweethearts have lived half their lives apart. Can they reinvent themselves back in the town where it all began?

 

 

Review:

Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt is the first book in her new The Weaver Sisters series. We meet Jasmine Weaver, our heroine, when she is travelling back home to River’s Edge, having been fired from her job in Washington, DC.  Jasmine was the chief of staff for a congresswoman for many years, and when she discovers the woman she idolized was doing something disgraceful behind the scenes, she approaches her and gets fired. Now unemployed, losing friends, she sells her home and heads home to her family, which includes two sisters, with all three being triplets.

Eli Walker, our hero, is the CEO of Walker Construction, and has helped successfully increase the business.  Eli lost his fiancée a few years ago, and is still grieving from her death, burying himself totally into his work.  When a car slams into his fender, they both are shocked as they recognize each other from many years ago.  Jazz is shocked to see Eli, the man who broke her heart during her high school days.  Together they could see that each had their own hard times, with Jazz now unemployed and Eli not being able to go back to the house he was building, still grieving the loss of his fiancée.  While talking, they both agree that they need to move on, and a friendship begins.

With her sisters help, Jazz finally pulls out of her doldrums, and decides to help out at the local restaurant, until their helpers can return.  She begins to enjoy the comradery meeting old and new friends, including spending time with Eli, especially him able to return to fixing up his house, with her help.

Jazz agrees to lead the committee for the high school’s 15th reunion, and to her surprise, Eli is the co-chair person with her.  Eventually, Jazz will be offered a job as a councilwoman, working close to the Mayor, especially since her experiences is perfect for the job.  Eli and Jazz begin to have feelings for each other, and a wonderful slow burn romance begins. I really loved Eli and Jazz, as they were great together; I also loved the amazing wonderful secondary characters. The Weaver sisters were great, as well as the Walker family; it was fun to see many of the Lange family (previous series).

Home to River’s Edge was a wonderful, fun, entertaining and heartwarming story. Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, making this story even better.   The atmosphere of this small town was terrific, with a sweet romance, and wonderful friends to lover’s story.

Home to River’s Edge was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt, which is no surprise, as I loved her previous series.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, wonderful couple, great secondary characters, and pure fun, I suggest you read this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
Her heart is wide open, but he’s nailed his shut.

Preschool teacher Harley Cole has always viewed life through rose-colored glasses. With a career she loves, friends she enjoys, and a home that is her haven, there’s only one thing missing—finding her soul mate. As the holidays approach, Harley is inspired to help her former high school crush rediscover his holiday joy. It’s just a good deed…until the feelings she thought were gone come rushing back.

Fire Chief Becker Lange returns home to River’s Edge with a heavy heart. His divorce has emotionally ravaged him, leaving him more confused than ever about what women want. So to protect himself from another failure, he closes his heart. And then Harley Cole makes him a flirty dare that she can help him overcome the holiday blues. Beck’s not sure he wants to, but Harley’s a hard woman to tell no.

Can the magic of Christmas and a sweet stray kitten bring these two lonely souls together?

 

 

Review:

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt is the 3rd book in her The Lange Brothers series.  Harley Cole, our heroine, is a teacher and volunteer for all activity in River’s Edge, as well as a huge Christmas fan.  Harley is not only beautiful, but also makes the perfect girl next door, though she has no boyfriend.

Becker Lange, our hero, is the Chief for River’s Edge Fire and Rescue.  Becker is divorced, and keeps walls around his heart.  After his divorce, Becker returned to River’s Edge, assumed the responsibility of this family, being loyal to his two brothers and mother; their father abandoned them years before, showing up for money on rare occasions.

Becker has always been friends with Harley, and with Christmas near, she is determined to get him to help her with all the preparation, including putting up trees and decorations at her place, his place, and fire department.  With Harley dragging him everywhere, Becker begins to awaken his feelings, which keeps him still trying to be nothing more than friends.  Best laid plans never work. 

I absolutely loved the part where Becker finds a kitten outside his house, and in a short period he finds himself loving Lucy and adopts her; of course, Harley falls in love with the kitten too.  The parts with the kitten were precious.  I really loved Becker and Harley together, and prayed they would give in to their feelings. 

Closer to the end, Becker is surprised to see his father (many years later), and learns why he has come.  Becker and his brothers, as well as his mom will make amends in this time of need. Beck’s past does hold him back, but will he find happiness with Harley and be her happy place? 

Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, making this story even better.   The atmosphere of this small town was terrific, with a sweet romance, and wonderful friends to lover’s story.

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish was a terrific story, that was very well written by Nan Reinhardt. If you enjoy pure fun, enjoyable romance, wonderful couple, and great secondary characters, then you need to read all three books.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Falling for the Doctor by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

Falling for the Doctor by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
They were in it for the fun, but never expected the storm…

Life for hometown ER physician Dr. Max Lange has always been sweet. He loves his job and is dialed in socially with his family, friends, and community. But lately, something feels like it’s missing. When a visiting doctor pulls him in for a hot kiss and asks him to play along in order to avoid unwanted attention from a hospital administrator, Max knows exactly what he wants and needs—the lovely Dr. Mitchell.

After a tragic error shakes her confidence beyond repair, Dr. Lauren Mitchell has abandoned her career in cardiothoracic surgery and instead works as a lead medical consultant for a top cardiovascular technology company. She enjoys her simple life on the road—hotel rooms, room service, and no emotional entanglements.

When a violent storm throws her into service at St. Mark’s hospital, Max has only a few days to prove to Lauren that they belong together, while she must reevaluate her career…and her life. Will Max’s love be enough to make River’s Edge and Max her home?

 

 

 

Review:

Falling for the Doctor by Nan Reinhardt is the 2nd book in her The Lange Brothers series.  I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and happy to say Falling for the Doctor was just as great.  We meet Lauren Mitchell, our heroine, at the start, when she is discussing her consultant training on the new cardiovascular technology that the hospital purchased.  Lauren notices that the administrator is making her uncomfortable with his attention.  She notices a handsome doctor walking into the cafeteria, with kind eyes, and immediately jumps up to greet him with a kiss; Lauren whispers to him to please play along.

Dr. Max Lange, is an ER physician, living all his life in River’s Edge, and happy in the job he loves, and being with family.  When a strange woman gives him a kiss, Max happily returns the kiss, and finds himself attracted to Lauren, as she is to him.  A slow build romance begins, with Max learning all about Lauren, and her famous doctor father and grandmother; as well as why she no longer does surgery. 

Lauren walked away from surgery when she lost a young patient, and decided to be into a safer job, as a consultant and technical advisor to train doctors and nurses using cardiac surgery equipment. As their relationship escalates, Max tries to convince her to return to practicing medicine, using her excellent abilities.  When a tornado hits the town, Lauren is asked to help at St. Mark’s hospital, and finds herself in a past similar situation that will change everything. Max also pushes for Lauren to stay at River’s Edge, as he loves her, and they could work together, with her resuming her career.  Will Lauren be able to move forward, and stay with Max?

Nan Reinhardt gives us some wonderful secondary characters that were so likable, making this story even better.   The atmosphere of this small town was wonderful, as everyone helped one another.  What follows is a sweet wonderful romance between a great couple in Lauren and Max. 

Falling for the Doctor was a terrific story, that was very well written by Nan Reinhardt. I look forward to reading the next book in this fun series.  If you enjoy pure fun, enjoyable romance, wonderful couple, and great secondary characters, then you need to read both The Valentine Wager and Falling for the Doctor.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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The Valentine Wager by Nan Reinhardt – Review & Guest Post

The Valentine Wager by Nan Reinhardt – Review & Guest Post

 

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Description:
He’s a notorious flirt, so she lays down a challenge she’s sure she’ll win.

When playboy police lieutenant Ryker Lange stops Kitt Boynton for driving on the wrong side of the road, his attraction to the feisty Irish lass is immediate. Yet, despite the sizzling chemistry between them, Kitt quickly turns him down.

Kitt has moved to River’s Edge for a fresh start and is ready to focus on her new marketing job at her cousins’ winery. She’s done with players, and vows she won’t let the local sexy cop distract her, but Kitt, a flirt herself, is definitely tempted. To keep her sanity as she prepares for several Valentine-themed winery events, she and Ryker make a bet: for the next three weeks, neither of them can flirt with the other.

The game starts out lighthearted, but when the town takes sides, Ryker and Kitt must choose between winning a wager or finding lasting love.

 

 

Review:

The Valentine Wager by Nan Reinhardt is the first book in her The Lange Brothers series.  This is a spinoff from The Four Irish Brothers Winery series.  Kitt Boynton, our heroine, has recently moved to River’s Edge from Ireland, to be the marketing manager for her cousins at their winery. Kitt had a bad experience with her ex-boyfriend, who was married, and she has sworn off men.

Ryker Lange, our hero, is a police lieutenant, and when he sees Kitt driving on the wrong side of the road (she still is used to driving on the other side), he pulls her over.  Ryker, who is a playboy, is immediately attracted to the beautiful Kitt, but she brushes him off.  Ryker, despite his family and friends warning him to stay away from Kitt, as he has never allowed himself to get serious, thereby hurting many women along the way; but he is determined to win Kitt over. 

They both feel their sizzling chemistry, but Kitt recognizes that Ryker is a player, and constantly ignores his attempts.  As she helps prepare for the winery Valentine events, Kitt is fun to be with, and most of the townsfolk love her friendliness; though they both like to flirt, they make a bet. For the next three weeks, neither of them can flirt with each other, and just become friends. Who will win that bet?  Now the town has begun to place bets as to who will win. 

Kitt having been badly hurt previously, tries to convince Ryker to be friends, and hang around together with their friends; even though she does feel the attraction to him.  Ryker plays the friendship card, but finds himself falling hard for Kitt; and when his family and friends tell him how he breaks other women’s hearts, he tries to change.

This was my first book by Reinhardt, and I really did enjoy meeting all the wonderful secondary characters that were part of the previous series (Sam, Conor, Sean, Mac, Tierney, Brendan, just to name a few).  What follows is a sweet wonderful romance between a great couple in Kitt and Ryker.  Will they remain friends or open their hearts to love? Who will win the Valentine Wager?  You will have to read this book to find out.

The Valentine Wager was very well written by Nan Reinhardt, and I look forward to reading the next book in this fun series.  If you enjoy pure romances, wonderful couple, and great secondary characters, then you need to read The Valentine Wager.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

Building and Maintaining a Setting Through a Series of Stories

Awkward title, I know, but that really is what I want to talk about—how we keep a setting and secondary characters fresh and fun through more than one series. There are lots of great examples of authors creating a place and using that setting for several series of books. Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series; Tule Publishing’s multi-author Marietta, Montana books; Marie Force’s Gansett Island series; Cheryl Brooks’s Cat Star Chronicles—ten books that all happen on other worlds, but are connected by characters who travel to those worlds; Jan Karon’s Mitford series… and, of course, my own River’s Edge stories, which will be 10 stories strong by the end of 2023.

The Four Irish Brothers Winery series took place in the same type of small town, but in those books, the setting itself has nearly become a secondary character. The little town of River’s Edge, Indiana, is inspired by the Ohio River town of Madison, Indiana, and I’ve had the time of my life populating it with quirky and fun characters.

Most of them are purely from my imagination, but friends/family may see a little of themselves in Mac Mackenzie, the Cordon Bleu-trained chef who owns the local diner and cooks amazing dishes or in Dot Higgins and her sister Mary who own the quilt shop. Guitar-playing Duane is the local sheriff and Paula Meadows owns the Bread & Butter bakery, happily keeping all the townsfolk in bread, doughnuts, and pies. Janet at the yarn shop and her sweet kitty, Fiona, were inspired by a dear friend at my church, as was Noah Barker, who owns the hardware store.

In River’s Edge, the River Walk is the place to meet-and-greet during any season. You might run into any one of the Flaherty brothers and their families on a warm summer evening or see Harley Cole, the nursery school teacher, rowing her kayak down on the river. Chances are good that Mateo Santos and his stepdad Aidan Flaherty are up on the deck of the River Queen showboat, singing lustily as they put on a new coat of white paint, scrub the decks, or wash windows in preparation for the new Showboat Summer season.

You could have a craft beer at Hutchins House, the oldest still-operating tavern on the river and have you stopped by the restaurant at the new Cotton Mill Inn? The hotel just opened in the newly renovated nineteenth-century cotton mill that overlooks the river. They’ve got a fabulous menu.

If you’re looking for a hike or a picnic among the cliffs and waterfalls of southern Indiana, the state park is just up the hill, and on the way up, you’ll pass Four Irish Brothers Winery and Vineyards. Stop in, taste some wine, and enjoy a snack on the deck overlooking the vineyards. There are several department stores and chain restaurants up on the highway, but if you looking for authentic pizza, head to Mario’s—his is the best—and check out all the great shops in town, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for that special someone. 

You get the idea—when you invent a setting in a romance novel, make it a place you’d love to be, a place where you could find your HEA (happily-ever-after). River’s Edge is a town I’d love to live in.

Craft background characters who fit in with the ambiance of your town and who are likeable. Every character is inspired by someone I know or someone I would like to know. It’s okay if they’re quirky, but remember, don’t let them take over the story. Mac Mackenzie appears in each Four Irish Brothers Winery novels and readers love him, even though he is window dressing for the real story. Giving handsome Mac a love interest in Book 2 was fun and worked so well that we’re all following along to see what will eventually happen with him and super-sophisticated Carly Hayes, who starts out as sort of a not-nice person in Book 1, but grows and evolves in Books 2, 3, and 4. The same thing is happening with a little romance that has developed between Noah and Dot. Having their own stories brings background characters to life, and you can do it with just a moment or two of interaction with your main characters.

Setting and background characters are what bring your story to life as it flows along behind the romance between your hero and heroine. It’s where you can break out of the expected storyline or personalities of your main characters and really have some fun. So don’t be afraid to let them evolve and to build on your setting and background characters as you write a series. Readers become invested and will be back for more!

 


Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, however, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, woman in her prime. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 48 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake.

Talk to Nan at: nan@nanreinhardt.com

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