Trusting a Warrior by Melanie Hansen

Please welcome Melanie Hansen author of Trusting a Warrior

Melanie Hansen will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Trusting a Warrior

by Melanie Hansen

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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INTRVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

I actually started off writing fanfic, when I discovered an M/M romance series about two FBI agents who fall in love. Well, I fell in love, too, and when certain things happened off-page that I really, really wanted to see, I decided to write them myself. One thing led to another, and now I’m a published author! TRUSTING A WARRIOR is my ninth book.

2. How did you come up with ideas for your books?

I’ve been around the military for most of my life. My dad was career Air Force, and my husband is career Navy. Most of my ideas come from reading military nonfiction, although I also listen to podcasts and comb the internet for military news. Plus, some of my characters are modeled on people I actually know or have met in real life.

3. What expertise did you bring to your writing? The only expertise I bring to my writing is that of a life-long romance reader who knows what she likes! Writing fanfic was my jumping-off point. In my opinion, fanfic is an awesome tool for an aspiring writer to get their feet wet. Working with someone else’s characters in someone else’s world takes a lot of the pressure off, and then you’re able to focus on plotting and actually writing a piece of original fiction from start to finish.
4. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans? I’ve recently dipped my toe into self-publishing, and my immediate goal is to rework and self-publish my first three titles, which I’ve received the rights back to. I also have something totally new in the works! I’m very excited about it and hope to have some news on that soon.
5. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? I have a close circle of friends who’ve been my biggest cheerleaders from the moment I posted my first fanfic. They’ve supported and encouraged me tirelessly, from attempting my first novel, to encouraging me to submit it to a publisher, to now! They’re the best, and I don’t know what I’d do without them. Thanks, girls!
6. Do you outline your books or just start writing? I used to call myself a pantser, but writing that way, especially when working with a publisher who has to set deadlines, has become really stressful. So over the summer I took an outlining course put on by a fantastic editor and have been working really hard on refining my process. We’ll see how it goes!
7. Do you have an all time favorite book? I do! ROUGH CANVAS by Joey W. Hill is one of my all-time favorite books. It’s my catnip—deeply emotional, with layered, nuanced heroes who are both strong and vulnerable. It’s one of the few romances I’ve read over and over, and even today it’s still my comfort read. Highly, highly recommended.
8. Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book? Yes! I’m currently working on an M/M romance about a flower truck owner and an architect. I’m really excited about it, and I hope to release it in the summer of 2021.
9. Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?

The black moment in TRUSTING A WARRIOR comes when Lani’s past rears its ugly head and does its best to convince her that Geo isn’t right for her. She acts impulsively, and out of self-protection, but quickly realizes her mistake and then does her best to make it right. Rest assured, there is an HEA, and of course, an epilogue!

10. Anything else you might want to add?

If you want to read about a Navy SEAL who lets himself be vulnerable, a woman who takes charge of her own future, plus one badassmilitary working dog, then TRUSTING A WARRIOR is for you!

Thanks so much for hosting me today!

BLURB:

George Monteverdi always had one goal, to become a navy SEAL. Now that he’s both a SEAL and a K-9 handler, saving lives is his priority. When tragedy touches his own life, he handles it—with the help of his crew and his dog, Bosch. Having those guys by his side means he’ll never be alone…though any sort of romance feels like a faraway dream.

Heartbroken after her fiancé falls in love with another woman, Lani Abuel seeks comfort in the arms of a stranger, only to find herself pregnant and alone. She’ll do whatever it takes to be a good mother, which means finally facing the trauma in her past. The last thing she expected was a warrior with wounds all too similar to hers finding his way into her heart and loving her child as his own.

As their worlds entwine, Lani and Geo find the joy and redemption they’ve been seeking. But despite the sanctuary they’ve created, a forever love seems impossible. A K-9 handler who spends most of his time deployed with his SEAL team, staring danger in the eye, is far from what Lani—or her baby—needs, and Geo can’t imagine a future doing anything else.

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EXCERPT:

Holding Lani’s eyes with his, Geo tilted the tip of the bottle toward her. “To new friends.”

Smiling, she clinked her glass with his. “And badass dogs.”

Geo couldn’t remember the last time a meal tasted so delicious. He stuffed himself to the gills, finally leaning back in his chair to hide a satisfied belch behind his hand.

Forking up the last bite of her spinach salad, Lani groaned. “I’m so full. I need to get out and move.”

He couldn’t resist. “I thought you didn’t like to exercise. Ow!”

She glared at him as she kicked his shin again. “You’re not supposed to make fun of me.” She surged to her feet in mock outrage and started clearing the table. As she bent over him to pick up his plate, he found himself reaching up to brush the backs of his fingers down her smooth cheek.

“You had some flour there,” he said huskily. “Got it.”

Their eyes met, the spark of desire in hers kicking his heartbeat into a sudden gallop.

“Mmm, well…” As he sat breathless, she picked up his napkin and dabbed it gently along the corners of his mouth. “Had some butter there. Got it.”

They stared at each other, and she leaned in closer. Helplessly, he lifted his face, lips parting…

Crash!

The fork sliding from his plate to the table broke the spell, and with a self-conscious chuckle, she straightened and turned to carry the dishes to the sink.

Geo raked a hand through his hair, once again willing his body to calm down.

She’s having a baby and you’re leaving, asshole.

Shit. If he repeated that enough times to himself, maybe he’d eventually be able to remember it.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Melanie Hansen doesn’t get nearly enough sleep. She loves all things coffee-related, including collecting mugs from every place she’s visited. After spending eighteen years as a military spouse, Melanie definitely considers herself a moving expert. She has lived and worked all over the country, and hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to the love stories she gets up in the wee hours to write. On her off-time, you can find Melanie watching baseball, reading or spending time with her husband and two teenage sons.

Trusting a Warrior Buy Link:

Website:

https://melaniehansenbooks.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009084006829

Twitter:

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13505006.Melanie_Hansen

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Melanie Hansen will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3564