Roped Into Paradise

by

Sometimes the idea for a story catches me completely by surprise.

Such was the case for my wholesome rom-com that releases next week.

Last February, I was sitting at my desk, looking outside at the cold, wintery day, and wondering why we don’t plan vacations to sunny locales during the coldest months of the year, when an email popped into my inbox from my dad’s cousin, J/J.

J/J loves to go on cruises. In fact, at the time, he was on a multi-week, back-to-back series of cruises in the Caribbean.

When I saw an email from him, I thought, “Oh, fun! More news from someplace where it is warm and sunny and you don’t have to put on wool socks just to go get the mail.”

The email read:

“Is there any chance in the future I might see a book about romance on the high seas where a cowboy takes a cruise to some exotic location?”

After reading that question, I couldn’t help myself. My imagination shifted into high gear and I began brainstorming story ideas.

What if there was a cowboy from someplace cold, going to spend time with his grandmother who lived someplace warm, and the grandma—being an eccentric ol’ gal—drags him onto a cruise without giving him any warning or opinions on the matter? From there, the ideas kept rolling.

I’ve never been on a cruise, but, thankfully, J/J was so kind to answer my many questions and share day-to-day cruising details with me. For a week, I almost felt like I was right there on the cruise ship. J/J was also kind enough to save a bunch of information he received on the cruise, like their daily planners, and mail them to me when he returned home. There was so much great information that he shared, and I tried to work in as much as I could into the story.

A cowboy, a cruise, and a meddling grandma—what could go wrong?

JJ McKade expected to spend two weeks with his grandmother at her condo in sunny Florida, celebrating her birthday. Instead, he got shanghaied by his mischievous grandma on a Caribbean cruise—complete with hot pink luggage, a gaggle of giggling octogenarians, and a humiliating childhood nickname haunting his every move.

Between meddling matchmakers, unexpected friendships, and the endless chaos of cruise life, JJ can’t help being drawn to Kinsley Kline, the ship’s enchanting horticulturist. There’s just one catch: crew fraternizing with passengers is strictly forbidden.

With only a few months left in her contract aboard The Affinity, Kinsley can’t let anything rock her boat or derail her plans. Then the arrival of a hunky cowboy on the ship makes her question if some rules are meant to be broken, and a little boat rocking is a good thing.

From sun-drenched beaches to moonlit strolls, JJ and Kinsley must decide if an onboard romance can last on land, and if love is worth risking their hearts.

Packed with laughter, longing, and a grandmother who refuses to play by the rules, Roped Into Paradise is a heartwarming and wholesome romantic comedy about family, hope, and finding love where you least expect it. Perfect for fans of witty banter, unexpected romance, and cruise ship escapades that sweep you off your feet.

Here’s a little excerpt from the book:

JJ tugged on the only pair of clean jeans he’d packed in his bag and unrolled a green plaid western shirt, fastening the snaps with one hand while using the other to finger-comb his hair. In the adjoining bathroom, he splashed his face with cold water and brushed his teeth, then he moseyed into the kitchen, lured by the scent of coffee.

“Here,” Grams said, shoving a travel mug into his hand. “You can drink that on the way.”

“On the way to where?” he asked, taking a long, bracing sip of coffee so strong and black, he could feel it peeling away layers of tissue as it traveled down his throat.

“The store, JJ. Do try to keep up,” Grams said, snagging her car keys off a hook by the door that led into her garage. She gave him a look that clearly conveyed her thoughts that he was hopeless as he stumbled over the step into the garage. “I’ll drive.”

He thought about arguing, but refrained. Until the caffeine kicked in, he wasn’t sure he could find his way out to the end of the driveway.

Ten minutes later, Grams pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of a superstore that sold everything from fried chicken to pontoon boats. Hungry as he was, the fried chicken didn’t sound all that bad, even if it was a grease-soaked remnant from yesterday’s offerings.

Confused as to why they were at the store before most of the population was even awake, JJ took another long drink of coffee and then set the mug in the cupholder of the SUV.

“Why on earth are we here?” he asked as he got out of the vehicle and walked with his grandmother to the door.

“We can’t go on the boat ride until you are properly outfitted.”

“Boat ride? Outfitted?” JJ thought maybe he’d dreamed the part about Grams mentioning a boat ride last night. Did he really need new attire for a ride around the lake? Usually, they took a fishing charter cruise around the lake at some point during his visit. Cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and an old pair of sneakers would work just fine for that. “What are you talking about, Grams?”

“I told you I booked a boat ride, JJ. Aren’t you listening?” Grams asked as though he were five and incapable of paying attention.

He watched as his grandmother snagged a shopping cart from the row of them outside the door, set her purse inside, and grabbed his arm in one seemingly smooth motion as she marched inside the store.

“What kind of boat ride requires getting up this early in the morning to come shopping here, of all places, so I can be properly outfitted? Last I checked, you and Mom would both develop acute hives if you had to purchase your wardrobe here.”

Grams smiled at the greeter standing near the door and made a beeline for the men’s clothing. JJ hoped he could still move with as much agility as his grandmother had when he was her age. Then again, she attended a yoga class three times a week and took pride in walking at least a mile every day.

“It means, JJ, that we are boarding a cruise ship at half past ten this morning and setting sail for the Caribbean. You need clothes for an eleven-day trip. From the pathetic contents of your duffel bag, you’ll be forced to wash your undies in the bathroom sink every other day. You should have listened when your mother suggested you pack a suitcase with plenty of clothes, baby. Now, stop dawdling and get to shopping.” Grams pointed to a rack of cargo shorts.

Releasing January 29!

If you could snap your fingers and be on a dream vacation today, where would you go and what would you see?

Post your answer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

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After spending her formative years on a farm in Eastern Oregon, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield turns her rural experiences into sweet historical and contemporary romances filled with sarcasm, humor, and hunky western heroes.
When this USA Today bestselling author isn’t writing or covertly hiding decadent chocolate from the other occupants of her home, Shanna hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

101 thoughts on “Roped Into Paradise”

  2. Either Ireland (my heritage) or Croatia (my husband’s heritage) would be my destination choice.

    Thanks for running the giveaway.

  3. I love the premise of your book. I’ve been on 15 cruises and, like JJ, find it a great way to see the world in comfort. Crusing around Australia and New Zealand is still on my bucket list.

  5. I would love to go on another cruise back to Grand Cayman. We have been on quite a few, but it’s been a long time.

    I love the premise of your book.

  8. Good morning Shanna! Love the sound of this book with Grandma! I see myself in a cottage by a beach some where! Not touristy though. I have never been on a cruise either. I know we don’t have many cold days in Florida, but I still like sunshine and warmer days! My cousin lives in Rockledge. She said the other day it was sunny and in the 70’s! Here it was cold and was in the low 50’s. We aren’t far from each other, but far enough this time of year!

    Best wishes to you always Shanna!

  13. Your book sounds great!
    I worked with a woman from Switzerland. It would be my dream vacation. A couple of years ago author Toni Blake went and shared amazing photos. I’d love to see the lakes, the Alps and eat the delicious food.

  15. I’d love to visit Alaska, and see the northern lights, wildlife, and all its natural beauty. Even though I enjoy snow, I don’t think I’d go in the winter. 🙂 Brr!

  22. Scotland!! that is my dream vacation, I want to go to the Scottish highlands and see all the castles and just experience Scotland……hear the brogue, probably won’t understand it but I don’t care, hear the bagpipes, hang out in a pub and try authentic Scottish food, just absorb the atmosphere.

  23. I loved the exert from the book!! I can just picture his face when he found out about the 11 day cruise:) I would go to Italy and eat my way from one of the country to the other as I LOVE Italian food!! I would also want to take in all the sights along the way – the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel would be at the top of the list.

  24. As I’ve been on the hunt for pictures for a mood board to represent Roped Into Paradise, I keep finding myself wistfully sighing as I look at pictures of crystal clear water. I can almost smell the sea water and feel the breeze, so I’m going to say I want to go somewhere tropical.

    ?? Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
    To Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
    Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
    Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo??

    I’m going to go daydream about traveling somewhere warm while it’s a balmy 30° F here ?

  30. I have been on a couple of cruises to the Caribbean but if I could have my dream vacation I would want to go to Hawaii. I would love to see all the tropical flowers, birds and butterflies and go to a pineapple plantation. Can’t wait to read your book. Love all your books.

    • Hi Sarah! Thank you so much! That’s so neat you’ve been on cruises. I also have Hawaii on my bucket list. I would love to see all the things you listed! Have a beautiful day!

  32. With temperatures in the single digits and dire warnings of upcoming blizzard conditions, a Caribbean cruise sounds like just the ticket right now! I enjoyed the one I took decades ago… But (in more clement weather!) I’d really enjoy any cruise–rivers in Europe or a trip to Alaska are two I haven’t tried, and I really don’t remember by passage (as a listed passenger!) on the U.S.S. United States, as a two-year old, so such an ocean voyage would be fun, too! Unfortunately, my HEA is not fond of cruising…

    Your new story sounds delightful! Thanks for sharing!

  34. This sounds delightful. I love his grandmother already. I noticed how you paid homage to your Dad’s cousin in naming your cowboy hero.
    My travel list is too long and all places are important to me. I am trying to plan several trips for the next year. Health issues keep interfering and I had to cancel two trips last year. My husband will likely not be able to travel in another year or so, so I am packing in as many trips as I can between doctor appointments. I hope to go to Costa Rica this spring. In August into October., I hope we can make it to Ireland, Scotland, and England. Feb of next year I am hoping we can make it to Hawaii then on to New Zealand and Australia. We will likely be broke by the time we finish, but these are trips he has wanted. I still want to make it to Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat, but time may have passed me by for that.
    I do hope you can make it on a cruise. We have been on a few, some good some not so much. The Alaska cruise off Princess line was wonderful. There are 3 and 4 day cruises to the Bahamas are reasonable. If you seriously would like to cruise, there are some really good deals. I am sure J/J could tell you about them.

    • Oh, I hope you can make those trips this year and make new memories. Sending good thoughts your way!
      And thank you. J/J has done his best to convince me we would love a cruise!
      Happy New Year!

  35. Hi Shanna, wow, your book sounds like a Great read and I love your book cover!! I would love to go to Scotland or Greece and take as many trains as needed, I love traveling by train. Have a great day and a great rest of the week. I will definitely be adding your book to my TBR!

  36. Route 66 starting in Chicago and ending in San Monica, Ca. It’s a long drive but, so much to see. And it wouldn’t hurt to be in a convertible too! ?? ?

  39. I would like to travel US 20 from Albany, Or, to Albany, NY. I’ve driven much of it but not from Central Oregon to Nebraska. There are so many historical sights and interesting places along that route.

  41. OH! The tropical islands are so enticing to me. I once had a vacation in Hawaii and fell in love with the islands. I only visited Oahu, but would love to see the rest of them.

  43. Yellowstone National Park. The winter tours sound interesting and the photo opportunities would be great!
    The book idea was certainly not the routine or stereotypical one regarding cruises (have never been on a cruise myself).

  44. I think I would want to go to Alaska. I’ve heard it’s beautiful, and I would like to see the Northern lights.

  45. We love cruises and are booked in July for a cruise down the St. Lawrence River, starting in Boston heading north to Canada. Our bucket list is a Wales, Ireland, Scotland trip.

  46. I would like to tour the national parks in the western U.S., enjoying all the scenery, but probably would wait for warmer weather.

  47. Oh, I’d either be Alaska or in New Zealand!! Alaska because I’ve always wanted to go, and New Zealand to see my niece and her family!

  48. At this point, ANYWHERE warm! We’re having below zero wind chills (-25 to -35 this weekend coming!!!!!) I live in the Toledo Ohio area. Please send warm weather and sunshine!!!!!!!!! Yes we are fetting 1-3 inches of powdery white stuff that’s blowing and drifting…..

  52. I would go to Israel. I know it’s a touchy topic at the moment but I would love to walk where Jesus walked and experience His culture. I wouldn’t want to go to all the touristy churches. I would love to go to Bethlehem, Nazareth, the wilderness, the Jordan, and even to the small tabernacle in the desert to see what the people of God worshipped at, hoping for the Messiah to come one day and free them forever. I watch a YouTube channel with a young couple who travel around their country showing all of this. Archaeological digs even! I’d love to see them as well.

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