Guest Bloggers Candice Speare and Nancy Toback

Candice Speare and Nancy Toback teamed up to write A Hero for Her Heart, which releases this month through Heartsong Presents. This is the first book in a series set in Washington State.

Candice lived in the desert of Kennewick, Washington, for several years, and her siblings still live there. One of her vivid memories is riding a horse in the desert and suddenly hearing the distinct sound of a rattlesnake poised to strike. She had the presence of mind to cling to the saddle horn when the horse leaped sideways and took off across the desert—an experience she drew on and embellished for a scene in A Hero for Her Heart. Nancy, who loves writing romance, confesses she knows little about horses—except that they bite. That particular scene in their book only confirmed her opinion that horses are best watched from a distance, preferably with a big fence between her and them.

The State of Washington is a study in extremes, and it’s the authors’ goal to show that in this series. On the northwest corner is rainy Seattle. On the southeast corner is desert complete with sagebrush, tumbleweeds, and barren hills.

“Hero” is set in Walla Walla, a town near the Oregon border. The scenery is spectacular, particularly where the Columbia and Snake Rivers meet. In the south are the Blue Mountains. Walla Walla is known for its onions and wheat, and lately has become an up-and-coming yuppie haven, with art galleries, vineyards, and trendy restaurants.

The two follow-up books in the series are Boxed Into Love and Mending Fences. Look for them both later this year!

Candice Speare is the author of three cozy mysteries, Murder in the Milk Case, Band Room Bash, and Kitty Litter Killer. She lives in Maryland farm country with Mr. Winston Churchill the African Gray Parrot and Jack the dog.

Nancy Toback is an award-winning inspirational author. The mother of three is a native New Yorker and has now settled in South Florida. She is the author of Love Online and Anna’s Journey, two Heartsong romances.