LET's TAKE A HIKE with NANCY LENNEA

Author Nancy Lennea stopped by the Press box to tell us about her latest release from Red Rose Publishing, DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN.
K.T.: Describe the genre of this particular title, and is this the only genre you write in?
N.L.: DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN is a romantic suspense set in present-day New Hampshire. My last Red Rose Publishing release, SECRET LOVE MATCH, a contemporary romance, also contained a lesser amount of intrigue. A dysfunctional family, an absent father set on kidnapping his child, and the vastly different age and professions of my hero and heroine makes for a great romance. In my newest release, I incorporate a young woman—Destiny Blake who is bothered by two local men intent on garnering her attention—but I have her fall for an older art history professor, whom she saves on a mountain trail. A murder, a stalker, and her hot and cold relationship with Jacob come together during an icy snowfall on her mountain. I also write paranormal romance as Nancy Lee Badger at www.nancyleebadger.com and www.RescuingRomance.nancyleebadger.com.
K.T.: Why have you become a published author?
N.L.: As a mature, married, mother of two wonderful adult sons, my high-stress job as a 9-1-1 dispatcher needed an outlet. A way to let off steam, I suppose. In the wee hours of an overnight shift, I was fond of reading newspapers and paperbacks. When I took pencil to paper to try my hand at writing, several fellow dispatchers were gracious enough to help. Their editing suggestions and camaraderie led to the creating of DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN. The simple joy of creating characters and making them come to life aided me when my husband and I toyed with the idea of moving closer to family. When we actually pulled it off, I became a fulltime writer.
After selling two other manuscripts, I took DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN out of the drawer. Using skills I learned at workshops and conferences I polished it, submitted it, and sold it!
KT: Tell us about yourself.
N.L.: As a writer, I use memories to bring my stories to life. I use recollections from my years at college in New Hampshire where I met my husband. I reminisce about my years as a volunteer EMT and firefighter in a small, rural town surrounded by New Hampshire’s White Mountains. A couple of paramedic-firefighters figure in the story…imagine that! Hiking fills the opening chapters of DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN and I had the good fortune to hike both Rattlesnake Mountain and Stinson Mountain in Rumney, New Hampshire as well as many trails in the larger White Mountains to the north. Twice I led my cub scout pack on a twenty kilometer hike across various trails. I have hiked to the base of the famous Rumney Climbing Cliffs to rescue fallen climbers. It’s no wonder a hike in the woods is an integral part of DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN.
Book Blurb
In a quirky college town surrounded by the mountains of New Hampshire new art history professor, Jacob Oliver, hikes a trail on a crisp September morning. He contemplates his life. Divorced and forced out of his job with the Boston Police due to a horrific accident, he spots a naked woman beneath a majestic waterfall. Escaping, he falls and reinjures his knee.
Destiny Blake hears a noise. Someone is on her mountain. She finds a handsome man sitting in the mud. Love blooms and lust consumes them after she helps him to the safety of her cabin. Soon, assumptions pull them apart, leaving her vulnerable to the unwanted attentions of other men.
When Jacob decides he cannot live without her, he must save her from a madman who chases her up her mountain through the cold, snowy darkness of a November night. Ghostly voices push Jacob onward, and urge Destiny to fight back. Pain, hypothermia, and death threaten before the sun rises. Can Destiny and Jacob make it off Destiny's mountain...alive?
Excerpt
A shout jerked her to the present, and then two large hands grabbed her around the waist. Her rescuer and she spun together and landed with a thud against a brick storefront. A milk tanker truck barreled down the empty street. The whoosh of air brakes and the truck’s horn added to her momentary disorientation. The passing vehicle’s bulk blew hot air into her face. Blinded, she tried to jerk free of her savior. He held tight.
“Are you trying to kill yourself? Let me know now so I don’t risk my life again,” said a gruff masculine voice. He dragged her into the alley.
“Jacob? Let go.”
“Are you for real? Didn’t you see the truck?”
She shook her head then realized his gaze followed the rise and fall of her chest. Before he could move or say another word, she leaned in and kissed him. So he couldn’t pull back, she curled both arms around his neck. So he couldn’t retreat, she wove her fingers through his wavy hair and held tight.
Her tongue entered his warm mouth and made him groan. She pressed her body tight against his. He tasted of coffee and smelled like cinnamon toast. When he pushed the length of his body against hers and pressed her hard against the wall, she felt the solid bulge of his arousal. He still desired her.
“Destiny,” he said, “we mustn’t do this. I’m sorry.” He pulled away and freed his lips from her mouth.
“Why shouldn’t we be together?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he pushed back from the wall, turned, and walked away.
Author BIO
Nancy grew up on New York’s Long Island then attended college in the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire. An avid downhill & cross-country skier and hiker, she worked during college in their dining hall while earning a degree in art education. After meeting her husband there, they raised a family in a small, nearby town. She volunteered as an EMT/firefighter on their small fire department then worked for the State of New Hampshire as a 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Dispatcher. Retired from public service, Nancy now writes full time, lives in North Carolina, and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Celtic Heart Romance Writers, and Sisters-in-Crime. She also writes paranormal romance, such as her recent release, DRAGON’S CURSE, as Nancy Lee Badger. Visit that website at www.nancyleebadger.com or her blog at www.RescuingRomance.nancyleebadger.com.
K.T.: How can my readers buy your book?
N.L.: DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN is available for download from Red Rose Publishing.
The buy link is: http://bit.ly/a4NOHE
Visit my website at: www.nancylennea.com
Visit my blog at: www.nancylennea-inlove.blogspot.com