Interview, Review, and Giveaway - Oh my! Anything But Sweet by Candis Terry

Please welcome Candis Terry to the blog today. She has graciously answered a few interview questions. Let's learn a little more about her and her book -- which you'll love!

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Thanks for having me here today! If I’m a new to you author I write sexy, small town, contemporary romance with a hint of quirky, a lot of heart and soul, and very often, some culinary delights.

2. Please tell us about your latest release ANYTHING BUT SWEET and how you came up with the idea.

ANYTHING BUT SWEET is a story about a man who hates change and a woman who wants to change everything. It’s a "What happens when an unstoppable force (TV Makeover Show and Designer, Charlotte Brooks) meets an immovable object (Former Marine/Rancher/Store Owner, Reno Wilder)” type of story. And it just might be the first book I’ve written that broke my heart. Yes, it’s funny and quirky, but there were some parts where I just had to lift my fingers off the keyboard and take a moment. I came up with the idea because I am a total HGTV fan and love makeovers. So I started with “What if?” and the story was born.

3. Is it part of a series?

ANYTHING BUT SWEET is the first full-length book in the Sweet, Texas series. However, the town and some of the characters were introduced in my short story HOME SWEET HOME which is available in the anthology FOR LOVE AND HONOR (with Cathy Maxwell and Lynne Hinton) and also in the anthology CRAZY SWEET FINE with Rachel Gibson and Jennifer Bernard.

4. A must have snack while you write.

Anything crunchy. Preferably almonds but if there are radishes in the refrigerator those will work too.

5. A fact that someone might not know about you.

I completely stress out with every single book I write and drive my family nuts claiming “It sucks.” They always reply, “You say that every time.” I always respond “But I mean it this time.”

6. If you had to choose a favorite book that you’ve written, which would it be?

Impossible! There’s something about every book I’ve written that is my favorite. I have favorite scenes (either the chocolate handprints on the wall scene in SOMEBODY LIKE YOU or the dance scene with Charli and Reno in ANYTHING BUT SWEET, favorite characters (hands down Letty Silverthorne in the Sugar Shack novels), and favorite storylines (ANYTHING BUT SWEET). But if I have to choose one as my absolute favorite it might be SECOND CHANCE AT THE SUGAR SHACK because that’s the very first book I sold and the one that got me started on this adventure.

7. Advice to writers who have yet to be published.

Yes! Don’t ever, ever, ever give up! It took me 22 years to finally connect with the right editor and the right publisher. If things aren’t progressing well and the rejections keep coming in, take the time to reevaluate what you are doing. Don’t be stubborn like me! For years I had my heart set on writing for one specific publisher. After a lot of interest (several times) and editorial revisions (several times without a contract), I had to face the fact that I didn’t write what they were looking for. Once I finally broke free of that, things worked in my favor. Also, don’t spend a lot of time rewriting and rewriting one manuscript. Even if you get favorable comments on it in contests, etc. Move on. Write more. This will give you more to work with. Plus the added bonus that you learn with each book you write.

8. Is there a genre you haven’t written yet that you want to?

I really think my voice fits contemporary romance. However, I am drawn like crazy to the paranormal. So if I dip my toes in other waters it would probably be there.

9. Any quirky habits?

Don’t know if it’s really a quirky habit or a personality quirk but I am totally like Dug, the dog in the animated movie UP. I am easily distracted by shiny or moving objects like birds and squirrels. SQUIRREL!

10. Have you written a character that most resembles you?

I have several heroines who are very outspoken and that’s pretty much me. But other than that, my characters are all just who they are.

11. What type of hero do you enjoy writing about?

Out of six books I’ve written five really tortured heroes so I guess that must be it. Although I had a ton of fun with Dean Silverthorne in ANY GIVEN CHRISTMAS.

12. What are you currently reading?

BLUE FLAME by Jill Shalvis. I have to admit to being a total addict of her books.

13. What are you currently working on?

I’m currently writing SOMETHING SWEETER, the third book in the Sweet, Texas series. This is Jesse Wilder’s story and he’s turning out to be a whole lot of fun.

14. Anything that you’d like to share.

I love connecting with readers and I’m very active on Facebook. I like to mix up my posts with book stuff, and things from my crazy life (and it is crazy!), and photos from the amazing place where I live. So please “LIKE” my fan page https://www.facebook.com/candis.terry and say hello!

A man who doesn’t like change . . .
The Wilder family is something of a Sweet, TX institution: between their yearly BBQ blow-outs and their Hardware and Feed store, they’re an institution—an institution that ex-marine Reno Wilder has tried to preserve, in honor of his lost loved ones. But it seems like he’s the only one who’s got any respect left for traditions when a new TV makeover show rolls in to renovate Sweet to bring in more tourists. Everyone is pleased except Reno—and this cowboy is determined to keep everything just the way he likes it.

A woman who wants to change everything . . .
Inquisitive. Stubborn. Smart. Drop dead gorgeous. That would be makeover show host and designer, Charlotte Brooks—the woman Reno has declared war against. And yet, he can’t seem to keep away from her, or to get her off his mind. Charlotte isn’t afraid to back down from a challenge—of any kind—and she’s promised to prove to Reno that change can be sexy, hot, and very, very sweet, if Reno and Charli learn to let go of their pasts and grab hold of a future full of promise.

Buy Links

B&N / Amazon / IndieBound / Powell’s Books / BAM

Review:

I think I've found a new go to author. LOVED this story to pieces. It was full of fun, witty humor that kept me flipping the pages until I had this thing finished! Reno was my kind of hero. The man who isn't looking for love and doesn't know what to do when it smacks him right in his stubborn face. And Charli Brooks is the last woman he ever thought would be the one.

One thing I really liked about this story was how well Reno and Charli were perfect for each other. If you're like me, you read a lot. And often times heroines and hero's make us swoon and we enjoy watching them fall in love. But these two characters that Candis Terry created were like watching two friends who you know are perfect for one another, they just don't know it.

If you're looking for a story that will keep you entertained, this is it. I've been lounging by the pool all week reading this one. Its a perfect beach read for this summer!

Author Info

Candis Terry was born and raised near the sunny beaches of Southern California and now

makes her home on an Idaho farm. She’s experienced life in such diverse ways as working in a Hollywood recording studio to chasing down wayward steers. Only one thing has remained the same: her passion for writing stories about relationships, the push and pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily ever after.

Givaway

Open International:

Black and White Striped Summer Tote Bag, "Cooking with Love" Heart-Shaped Baking Set, Red Heart-Shaped Alabaster Paperweight, Signed copies of Anything But Sweet, Second Chance at the Sugar Shack, Any Given Christmas, Somebody Like You,For Love and Honor, and Crazy Sweet Fine.

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