When your book finally feels like a book…
March of 2022 I signed a contract with Love Inspired Suspense for a book that was then titled, Blizzard Warning. Before signing, I’d actually gone through TWO complete edit/rewrites with two separate editors.
When I got the call, it was with an editor I had met at a conference in 2017 and that made meeting this goal all the sweeter. A few months later (after another full edit and rewrite), I was handed to one of the new Harlequin editors, not realizing at the time that my editor was going to be leaving.
And that editor wanted…you guessed it…another rewrite.
This isn’t surprising, every editor has their own things they like to see. They want to be proud of every book they sign off on. And, I’ve got to tell you, I’m incredibly proud of this book.
So, you get to be the first to meet the characters. Because you’re awesome.
Meet, Yellowstone naturalist, Tamala Roth
She follows bears and studies their habitat and movement. When she’s trapped by a poacher who takes aim at her, the hunter becomes the hunted. Tamala has to not only save the bears, but herself.
And did I mention she’s trapped in Yellowstone during a blizzard?
Law Enforcement Ranger Clint Jackson has a long list of things to do with an impending blizzard, but saving lives takes top priority. But what will he do when he and Tamala are locked alone in Yellowstone with a raging blizzard and nowhere to turn? Find out Oct, 24th when Deadly Yellowstone Secrets releases!
While this story isn’t outwardly western, Clint has the heart of a cowboy. He reads like a cowboy hero, so I hope you’ll accept him as a cowboy that wrangles bad guys instead of cows.
What would you do if you found yourself trapped in Yellowstone with a blizzard moving in?
Where western meets happily ever after.
Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.
Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn't) South Dakota.
Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one's listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.
Probably seek shelter in a cave
If you were close to one, that would be a good option.
Hopefully, there’s some sort of shelter one can use, ranger cabin or similar, with emergency supplies. It would be rustic, but four walls and dry.
Yes, I read about those with little wood stoves and…vending machines. Everything is getting so modern these days. At least you might be able to find some food then.
Look for shelter
Hopefully you happen to be close to some. 🙂
Finding some sort of cover. Cave sounds great unless a bear is in it! I would hope I would have located the nearest cover or knew the area before going out! LOL
Good luck on this book! It sounds like it has it all!
Yeah, wandering off the paths in Yellowstone could be dangerous and thank you! I’m pretty excited about it.
I would look for some type of shelter and pray!!
Both very good ideas!
Kari, I just love your cover–it’s very intriguing! And the story sounds very exciting. I will definitely be reading this one! Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
I figure caves have bears sleeping in them, but a snow cave would work.
Great cover.
Thank you! I agree, even without my hesitation about caves, I might have trouble picking one.
Nice blurb & cover!
If I was trapped in Yellowstone with a blizzard moving in I would seek or create some kind of shelter & then find a way to stay warm.
Thank you! Yes, staying warm would be a bit priority too.
Fabulous cover. I would try to find shelter of some kind. God bless you.
Thank you, Debbie. You’re always so kind.
First I would try to notify someone where I was and what my situation was and approximately where I was. Ot would help a search party find me after the storm. If I could, I would get to my vehicle and stay in it even if I couldn’t drive out. If I couldn’t get to my vehicle, finding some sort of shelter out of the wind and snow would be my first priority – an overhang I could enclose, a shallow cave that would not likely be inhabited, or if necessary use branches to construct a shelter. If possible, locating the shelter near a thermal source might help mitigate the cold. If there is already snow on the ground, pack it around your shelter to act as a windbreak and insulation. Staying as dry as possible is important. Staying put would be the best option until the storm was over and a search party could locate me or I could walk out.
And I think everyone just decided that if they were stuck in Yellowstone with an impending blizzard, they would hope you were along! Great answer!
oh wow. thanks for sharing today. well if this happened, the first thing I would do is find shelter or make one. after that it would be food so I could last a few days. a fire and some snow for water would work great
oh this is right up my alley – I work for the “Game Wardens” here in Indiana!!
Kari, there is so much more to “western” than just cowboys. This book sounds very western to me. Besides how could you be more western than a setting in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho which is where Yellowstone Park is located.