Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Bragging Rights...Tanya Hanson

One of my favorite Christmas songs has long been Amy Grant's "Grown up Christmas List." Well, I get weepy easily, but it's one of those songs that really starts the waterworks, especially during the holidays. Mostly because I have some really wing-nut relatives, I like to change a couple of words so that the lyrics can easily pertain to a family in need.

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee.
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow.
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown-up Christmas list.
Not for myself
But for a family (world) in need:

(Chorus)
No more lives torn apart,
That fights (wars) will never start
And time would heal all hearts.

Everyone would  be (have) a friend
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

So....when I started my latest release Right to Bragg, the fourth book in my Hearts Crossing Ranch series, I knew from the one-paragraph synopsis on which I'd sold the story that the heroine Tiffany Vickers is a woman alone. Abandoned. Dealing with wing-nuts of her own and trying to find her way.  Cowboy Bragg Martin uses his own faith to help guide her…even as he struggles with guilt of his own. As  I plotted all the why’s and wherefore’s, the setting just called out that it needed to be Christmastime. The time of hope and healing, reunion and peace.

My latest, released 11/11/11!

I hope you enjoy Tiffany’s falling both in faith and love during a picture-perfect Christmas on that fictional little ranch, Hearts Crossing, where everybody loves to come home.

BLURB:
Disowned by her family, Tiffany Vickers faces a lonely Christmas and takes great comfort in the baby boy in her care. Her faith in tatters, she guards her heart against the baby's uncle, handsome cowboy Bragg Martin, a man with baggage of his own. While Bragg longs to open his heart and family to the lovely nanny, he doesn't understand her interest in his arch enemy. Saving a man's life and saving Tiffany's faith bring the couple together…and home to Hearts Crossing Ranch. 


EXCERPT:
     Tiffany got up for another cup of coffee, Matty’s eyes watching her every move.
     “He sure notices you,” Bragg remarked as the baby drained the bottle.
     “Yeah. We bonded right off. I’m so glad about it.” As she’d made a snap decision just then, she rushed on. “I left behind my precious nephew. I guess in my psyche somewhere I figured maybe nanny to Matty might help ease that hole in my heart.”  Gently she rubbed her hand over Matty’s head, the edge of her hand tugging at Bragg’s shirt and causing a funny havoc. Mostly though he listened to her pain.
     She sank back down into a kitchen chair, resting her cheek in her hand. “I was with Connor from the moment he was born. Paul and Diana wanted me there. Then things went haywire. It was my fault. You talk about forgiveness, but there isn’t any in this case. And I miss that little boy. Oh, I miss him so. I need him. His love was unconditional, you know. He’s three now. I can’t let him forget me.”
     Bragg’s heart tugged at the agony on her face, and Matty’s little hand flailed. Tiffany took it at once. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”
     “I’ve been disowned, so, yeah, Bragg. It’s that bad.” 

22 comments:

  1. Lovely post, Tanya, and beautiful photo. Look forward to reading RIGHT TO BRAGG.

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  2. I've not heard many of Amy Grant's song, but this one has beautiful words. The excerpt for the story is precious. Congratulations on a wonderful story. It should do really well as a Christmas love story.

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  3. Hi Caroline, thanks so much for your kind words. It's a story of the heart, for sure...but then, I guess most stories are! oxox

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  4. Hi Celia, last year at Wild Rose I got asked to do a Christmas anthology and had the hero be a good-hearted outlaw. And I love Jack Ransom. But I love Bragg just as much.

    And listen for the song this Christmastime. It's gorgeous, and let me know if you're dry-eyed at the end of it!

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  5. I do love Christmas Stories & Songs.

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  6. Tanya,
    I don't know Amy's song, either, but I love her voice, so I am going to have to find it on youtube and listen to it! Loved the words. Bragg is a hunk. Is there more to say? LOL I love Christmas stories and really, Christmas is my favorite time of the year, even though I don't like the cold. It's really the only time of winter I like. LOL Great excerpt Tanya! This book is bound to be a winner.
    Hugs!
    Cheryl

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  7. HI Marybelle, it's a real heart-tugger song, and I think this story is as well. We all have "bags of rocks" hanging around our necks and Christmastime is so miraculous, we hope our loads will ease this time of years. Thanks so much for joining us here.

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  8. Cheryl, my wonderful friend. Your good wishes mean the world. Thanks and love to you. oxox

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  9. Tanya,

    Your stories are so amazing, and Right to Bragg is no exception. Thank you for sharing your gift with us!

    Many good wishes sent you way.

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  10. Tanya, I haven't heard Amy Grant's song, but I'm going to try and find it. I love the words, and the way you change them really works for today. Many blessings and best wishes for continued success with the Hearts Crossing Ranch series.

    --Carol Ann

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  11. I ADORE any song Amy Grant sings! Love the excerpt for RIGHT TO BRAGG, Tanya. Congrats and blessings!

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  12. That is one of my favorite Christmas songs! I love the chorus, especially.

    I must say, your excerpt almost made me cry. Right to Bragg is definitely going on my "To Read" list. :)

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  13. Sounds wonderful, Tanya. I got teary-eyed just reading the lyrics!

    Best wishes on a successful series!
    What a better time of year to write the 4th installment. There's nothing like Christmas.

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  14. What a great song, and what a wonderful inspiration for you! Looks like it'll be an awesome book.

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  15. Hi Mary, seeing you here touches my heart like yo can't believe, and as always, your words mean the world. Thanks! oxox

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  16. Hi Carol Ann, oh, it's a really heart rending song. You're gonna love it. And changing the words really helps sometimes. I thank you so much for your good wishes. oxoxxo

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  17. Hi Dora, I love her, too, and the Christmas album this song is on is one of our family's favorites. Often decorate the tree with it playing in the background. So appreciate you stopping by today. oxox

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  18. Dear E.A., the ending gets me weepy, too. I guess because I wish it could be that way for all troubled relationships. Thanks! You made me feel great just now.

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  19. HI Lynne, I'm finishing up the last book (#8) and it's gonna be sad to leave the ranch. Sigh. But it's been a good run and a fun world to imagine. Thanks for your good wishes, as always.! oxox

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  20. Hi Christine, well, LOL, one can only hope. Thanks for stopping by and the good wishes.

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  21. Oh, Tanya, I'm such an Amy Grant fan from DECADES back to the present moment. Love Grown Up Christmas List - sums it all up. Great post, love, and I can't wait to read Right to Bragg!! It's on the Kindle, and a review will be posted as soon as I read it!!! xo

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  22. Hi Marianne, you're the best. Thanks for the support and all the behind-the-scenes hugs. oxoxox

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