Chatting with Stacey Joy Netzel

by Jeannie Ruesch

Chasin' MasonI'm happy to welcome a fellow Wild Rose Press author, Stacey Joy Netzel. Stacey Joy just launched her newest book, CHASIN' MASON, a contemporary Western.  (Who doesn't love those sexy cowboys?

Jeannie: Welcome to Happy Endings, Stacey Joy!  I understand you have a new release in March. Can you tell us a little about that, when it's available, where to get it, etc… 

Stacey Joy: Jeannie, thank you so much for having me here to visit!  My new release, CHASIN’ MASON, is a contemporary western available now in e-book at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/chasin-mason-p-1181.html, and in print, May 1st.  

When his father announced his engagement to a gold-digger with a lying, scheming fourteen-year old daughter, seventeen-year old Tripp Warner left Warner Ridge Ranch and never looked back. Until the day he got the phone call that his father had died unexpectedly.

Reggie Reed lives with her guilt every day but can't quite work up the courage to track down the son of the man who raised her as his own. When Tripp shows up at his father’s funeral eleven years later–and a hell of a man to be reckoned with–he has no interest in her too-late apology. Worse, they’ve inherited half shares of the family ranch—but only if they work together to catch Mason’s Gold, the stallion a young Reggie let escape and made sure Tripp took the blame for. Tripp proposes a secret competition to the beautiful witch who stole his life: whoever catches the stallion first gets the ranch all to themselves. It sounds simple, but once they’re out on the range, tempers and passions flare in the Texas heat and nothing goes as either of them expects. Can they work together to keep the ranch, or will their past get in the way of their future?

J: What inspired you to write romance?  What romantic genre do you write? 

SJ: The name of your blog says it all.  I MUST have that happy ending.  In fact, I’m sure Nicholas Sparks is a wonderful writer (his sales say it all) but I’ll never read one of his books or watch another movie of his after having seen Message in a Bottle.   I write mostly contemporary, although, I do have one paranormal, IF TOMBSTONES COULD TALK.  I intended the hero and heroine to meet at the cemetery, but I was very surprised when they met and Andrew was a ghost.  I seriously had not planned that when I started writing. 

J: What is your biggest challenge as a writer? 

SJ:  It’s a challenge to find time between work, my family, and taking care of the house.  My second biggest challenge is promotion.  In the spare time I do manage to eke out, I would rather be writing.  <G>

J: On the flipside, what is the one thing that gets you most giddy as a writer?  

SJ:  I get giddy when I get a new contract (just signed one for a Christmas book), when I hold my print book in my hands, when someone tells me their husband read my book and he loved it—it only happened once, but it was cool, and lastly, I got giddy when my promotion pens arrived.  I LOVE pens and agonized over which ones to order (much to my critique partner’s amusement), but when they came it was SO worth the little extra I paid for them.  LOL  It doesn’t take much.  Oh, oops—you said just one.  Sorry. *sheepish grin*

J: Who are YOU reading these days?

SJ:  I’m currently reading Time Out of Mind by Barbara Raffin, and recently finished Circumstantial Memories by Carol Ericson.  Next up: There’s Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers.  And, I just bought Linda Lael Miller’s Montana Creeds: Dylan because the guy on the cover is so HOT!  The blurb on the back sold me, but that cover sunk the hook in deep.  Others on my TBR pile: The Catalyst by Sandra K. Marshall, Blackest Heart by Amber Leigh Williams, and soon to be released, The Conqueror by Kris Kennedy. 

J: Have your heroine in your current/upcoming release introduce herself to us. What is one thing we absolutely will be fascinated to learn about her? 

SJ: Thinking back over her story, especially the things she did as a girl, Reggie was a little too embarrassed to show her face.  I reminded her how much she changed from that girl, but she doesn’t feel she’s fascinating at all, is still amazed that Tripp does, and is thankful every day for his love. 

J: Your hero…what attracts him most to a woman? 

SJ: Tripp did his best not to like Reggie, really he did.  But here’s an excerpt when he realizes she just might not be the same person he remembers: 

After soup and salad was served, dinner became an exercise in patience for Tripp for two reasons. No, make that three. He was now dying to find out what was in the envelope to make Nana smile like she had a secret, Nana and Ernesto bombarded him with more personal questions he had no desire to answer in front of Regan, and he was having a hell of a time keeping his eyes off her.

She’d changed into a purple, v-necked shirt that deepened the color of her eyes to match the violets growing on the hillside near the cemetery. Unlike the miniature Loretta he remembered, now she didn’t wear a speck of makeup, but then again, with her dark lashes, she had no need to. And anything else on her face would’ve covered up the sun-freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. A light tan added a healthy glow, not the leathery look of too many hours in the sun.

Her silky-looking curls were pulled back at the sides, revealing the elegant line of her neck, and he thought absently that Regan really did fit so much better than Reggie—and not for the reason he’d said in the barn. Reggie was much too casual for her regal bearing. He’d noticed her walk held an unconscious dignity and strength, back straight, head held high as if to say to the world, “Bring it on.”

Even now, picking at her food and looking bored out of her mind, there was an innate gracefulness to her movements that couldn’t be learned. He lifted his fork after cutting another bite of steak, but paused when he caught sight of her nails. Hmmm. Whereas he wouldn’t have been surprised to find manicured, red claws, they were cut short and practical, without any polish. They didn’t fit.

Tripp scowled at his plate and tried not to notice anything more about her. When Nana wouldn’t stop prying and he got tired of sidestepping her questions, he steered the conversation to the ranch. After all these years, he wasn’t quite ready for an all out inquisition, no matter how much he loved Nana.

His pointed question about the horse-breeding program his father had begun just before Tripp left brought Regan’s head up. Light entered her eyes until she saw him watching her. She quickly looked back down at her plate.

So the horses interest her, do they
? The topic meandered to other areas of the ranch, and, after awhile, she seemed to forget he was there and joined the discussion. It didn’t take long for him to realize not only was she fully involved and knowledgeable about all aspects of the ranch, but her passion for the place resonated loud and clear in her voice.

Apparently, the princess not only gave orders, but she knew how to work, too. Something else that didn’t fit. Since seeing her again and learning she lived here, he’d pictured her lounging around, doing as she pleased, taking a leisurely ride when the mood stuck like earlier, or heading into Amarillo for a day of shopping. Listening to her and Ernesto discuss what needed to be done in the next week alone, he grudgingly acknowledged a smidgeon of respect. He knew what it took to run a profitable business the size of this ranch.

Maybe she had changed. A frown creased his brow at the thought.

J: If we were to be a fly on the wall in your living room, what would we hear and see on a normal day? 

SJ: When I work as a corporate travel agent, it’s usually 7a-5:30p.  When I get home, I’m sorry to say, there’s definitely some reminding the kids to pick up their coats and backpacks, then dinner, followed by bickering between the two younger ones as my 15yr old son and I watch Stargate SG-1 (love Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks), then I read to the kids before bed, there’s usually a little yelling after an hour for them to actually go to bed, and last, me back on the computer until my hubby gets home from work.  Sound fun? LOL

J: If you could go (or send one of your heroines) on a date with a Superhero, who would it be and why?

SJ: Well, first let me just say that I count Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood as a Superhero.  And heck no, I wouldn’t give him up for one of my heroines—I’ve already given them their own heroes.  Robin’s mine. <G>  

J:  Because this IS Happy Endings, I have to ask: What is your favorite fictional romantic happy endings — either from a book, a movie or TV show. Why that one? 

SJ: This is quite easy for me, my absolute all time favorite is the ice-skating movie, The Cutting Edge, and its ending is a classic for me.  *spoiler alert* At the end of their Olympic program, after a dangerous move Kate added back in at the last minute, Doug’s holding her in their end pose; Kate laid back over his knee, him leaning over her. 

Doug asks: “Why’d you do it?” 
Kate:  “Because I love you.” 
Doug grins:  “Just remember who said it first.”

…and they kiss.  Melts my heart every single time.  (I’ve seen it at least 20 times.)

Thank you so much for being with us, Stacey Joy!  Commenters, Stacey Joy is working today, but she will be around this evening to respond to your comments — so please, say hello! 

———-

STACEY JOY NETZEL

Stacey Joy Netzel fell in love with books at a young age, so for her it seemed only natural to graduate to writing them. A member of RWA and WisRWA, she credits not only her parents for encouraging her dreams of becoming a published author, but also the very talented friends she’s made in WisRWA since joining in 2004. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and kids, a couple of horses, and six barn cats. When not writing and living life in general, she loves to read and watch movies—Happily Ever Afters a must. 

Published books with The Wild Rose Press include:  If Tombstones Could Talk, Welcome to Redemption (Champagne Rose anthology with Donna Marie Rogers), Dragonfly Dreams (Christmas Novella), and  Chasin’ Mason.  She just signed a contract for a Christmas Anthology that she hopes will be released this year.  You can visit her at www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com
 

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16 comments

Donna Marie Rogers March 23, 2009 - 8:56 am

Great interview, Stacey! Chasin’ Mason is the next book on my TBR pile, and I can’t wait!

I also love The Cutting Edge. Such a great movie. πŸ™‚ I remember when it released. I was working at a video store and the owner had me take the screener home to watch. He wanted to know if it was worth buying more than one copy. It became a sleeper hit….since I recommended it to everyone who came in. *G*

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Stacey Joy Netzel March 23, 2009 - 9:12 am

Hey, Donna, thanks for visiting. πŸ˜‰ (I managed to sneak in here on my lunch hour.) My younger brother Troy, of all people, recommended The Cutting Edge to me back over 10 years ago. I have a whole list of other favorites, but always come back to that one.

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Lavada March 23, 2009 - 10:41 am

Hi Stacey,
Enjoyed your interview and I love the title and cover for Chasin’ Mason.

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Mary Ricksen March 23, 2009 - 10:46 am

I have no idea how you work full time, raise children, keep a house, take care of a husband, and still have time to write.
Amazing. I wish you the best of luck with your books!

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Jeannie March 23, 2009 - 10:52 am

Hi Stacey! Thanks so much for hanging out with us today! So, I want to know…why Robin Hood? Not that I blame you for Kevin Costner, he was yummy in that movie. LOL

Great cover — looking forward to your book.
~ Jeannie

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Silver James March 23, 2009 - 12:26 pm

Nice interview, Jeannie and Stacey. The “prodigal son” is a plot device I enjoy reading. There are always interesting issues to be discovered and it sounds like Tripp and Reggie have them in spades.

What’s your next project?

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Stacey Joy Netzel March 23, 2009 - 3:16 pm

Lavada-thanks! It’s also the name of a really good Milwaukee based country music band. http://www.chasinmason.net/ Check them out!

Mary-I usually only work part-time, 2 10 hr days a week, but I’m currently filling in for someone’s maternity leave until June. And I’m also not writing anything new until I’m back to part-time. I can’t imagine those who do do it all, AND run their kids around for tons of after school stuff. I don’t have to do that just yet. Oh, and I don’t clean much–I pay my 15yr old for that, plus my hubby is pretty supportive. Thanks for stopping by! πŸ™‚

Jeannie-First, Thanks for that gorgeous picture of Kevin! You made my morning when I saw that. Why Robin Hood? Well, half of it is because he will always live in my mind as Kevin played him and what’s not to love about that, and the other half is because he’s an outlaw for the good of common people. That’s very sexy to me.

Hi, Silver! Yes, I had fun writing the issues between Tripp and Reggie. Especially figuring out a way to make things okay for Tripp deep inside because his father’s dead and he doesn’t have any way of getting closure. In the end, he had to make peace with his own actions.

My next project was contracted by TWRP, a Christmas anthology about the Riley siblings and a matchmaking Santa that, fingers crossed, will be out this year yet.

I have three different books started, and plan to write fresh again in July, just not sure which one I’ll work on.

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Jill james March 23, 2009 - 5:59 pm

Wonderful interview. I love Cutting Edge. That movie is so awesome. Can’t wait to read your book.

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Carol Ericson March 23, 2009 - 6:46 pm

Great interview, Stacey. Chasin’ Mason sounds like a great story. One movie happy ending I like is Crocodile Dundee.

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Stacey Joy Netzel March 23, 2009 - 6:46 pm

Thanks, Jill!!

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Stacey Joy Netzel March 23, 2009 - 6:52 pm

Hi, Carol. πŸ™‚ It’s been awhile since I saw that one, though I did really like the movie. I’m looking forward to your next intrigue.

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J.K. Coi March 23, 2009 - 8:05 pm

I love that: “Just remember who said it first.” Great line.

Great interview too πŸ™‚

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Amber Leigh Williams March 23, 2009 - 10:08 pm

Hey Stacey! Loved the interview. I always wanted to write my own take on Robin and Marian, I really can’t wait to read Chasin Mason. The blurb’s so intriguing and that cover is gorgeous! I wish you tons of sales πŸ™‚

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Sandy March 24, 2009 - 10:06 am

Stacey,

What a great interview. I loved your excerpt, and I can’t wait to read Chasin’ Mason.

Thanks for mentioning The Catalyst.

Hugs,
Sandy

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Kris Kennedy March 24, 2009 - 12:31 pm

Stacey ~
Oh, yes, I loved Costner in Robin Hood too. And Alan Rickman as the Sherrif of Nottingham, actually. LOL
I did battle with TWRP (oh, the lament of the repeatedly lost password) but I was finally able to download Chasin’ Mason, and plan to read it in Germany. πŸ™‚ That’s one book I won’t have to lug on the plane. πŸ™‚
Congrats, Stacey!
Kris

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Stacey Joy Netzel March 24, 2009 - 3:19 pm

JK, if you haven’t seen the movie, it’s definitely worth it. Thanks for stopping!

Amber, thanks so much–I was blessed with the cover. πŸ™‚ Ask Donna, I sat and stared at it and brought it to my RWA meeting and passed it around, it’s even my desktop background at work! (Home is Richard Dean Anderson. *grin*)

Sandy, you’re welcome. I like your current covers, but I’ll be very curious to see how your new publisher redesigns them. Best of luck with your new house. πŸ™‚

Kris, I have to say I enjoyed Christian Slater in that movie, too. πŸ™‚ AR was perfect. He makes a good villian. Thanks for picking up a copy of CM for the plane–I hope it keeps you entertained. Have a safe trip!

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