I want to welcome Stacey Joy Netzel to the Guest Author blog this week.
Thanks so much for inviting me Judy! I love small town romance and am excited to share my little part of the genre with all of you.
Tell us about your latest Book.
It is Spring Serendipity, book 8 of the Romancing Wisconsin Series
Sometimes love happens when you least expect it…
Lora Howell is stunned to find out her husband cheated on her before his death, but drinking too much and picking up a one night stand to get back at him might not have been the smartest thing to do. Facing the stupidity of her actions, the thirty-two year old mother of two recognizes the emptiness in her heart can’t be filled by sex—especially not with the town playboy whose reputation for loving-and-leaving is legendary.
Charismatic SWAT Officer Shane Parker was perfectly happy with his carefree bachelor ways until that one night with the beautiful widow. Now he can’t get the woman out of his head, and the more time he spends with Lora and her young boys, the higher the risk to his heart. Convincing her he’s ready to settle down becomes the most important negotiation of his life—until one last unexpected bombshell threatens everything.
Available at all retailers listed here: http://staceyjoynetzel.com/books/spring-serendipity/
Where is your series set?
Romancing Wisconsin is set in northeast Wisconsin, in the real town of Pulaski—well known around WI for its lively Polka Days Festival every year. I live about 8 miles out of town, and while I’ve kept the name, flavor, and a few businesses true to life, I’ve also taken liberties to create some fictional parts of the town and surrounding area, as well as fictional events.
The series is broken up into ‘seasons.’ The first 3 books revolve around Christmas (though Book 1 is a Christmas in July story), the next 3 are set in Autumn, and I’m currently working on the Spring set. Each season has 3 books and one short bonus story. When I get to Summer next year, you can be sure some of the characters will be going to Polka Days.
What sets your series apart?
In each book of the series there is a matchmaker named Santa Butch who has a hand in getting the hero and heroine together. Sometimes it’s very subtle, and leaves the reader guessing, “Was that Butch?”, and sometimes it’s very obvious he had a hand in the match. Even the townspeople are starting to catch on to him.
Butch holds a special place in my heart because he’s loosely based off my dad, who played Santa for families around the lake while we were growing up.
Very cool to use your dad. What attracted you to the small-town romance genre?
I grew up in a small town of just under 1000 people, about an hour north of Pulaski. And even then, that’s mostly where I went to school. We lived 14 miles out of town on a lake, and my parents didn’t drive us many places, so that lake, and out of town vacationers were what kept us active (swimming/ice skating). As a kid, I wasn’t so sure I liked being so far away from everything, but once I left home and ended up in bigger cities, I longed to go back to country living. I like setting my characters there because I can write them from the standpoint of where they can’t wait to get out of the boondocks, and others are relieved to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Do you have a new book coming up?
I’m currently writing book 9 in the Romancing WI series, Spring Dreams, and then I’ll also have the short bonus story Spring Spark (9.5) that goes out FREE to all my newsletter subscribers. (make sure to sign up at www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com)
What a great idea! What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
Reading, watching TV, gardening/canning. Though the older I get, the less my back can handle being out in the garden for too long. This year, I’ll be supporting the local organic farm a few miles away by ordering my canning veggies from them.
Is it coffee or tea for you?
Tea. Unfortunately, I have to limit myself to a cup or two a day because I only like it with sugar and honey.
Wine , whisky or beer?
None. I like raspberry vodka slush (a recipe I came up with by modifying a brandy slush recipe), or some Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur) over ice. And even then only occasionally, because again, lots of sugar, and I’ve never been much of a drinker.
Hazelnut liqueur sounds fantastic. What’s on your desk?
Besides the usual pens, books, notebooks…Puffs Plus with lotion, tea mug or water glass, a little stuffed K-9 dog from when I attended the Writer’s Police Academy, Himalayan salt lamp, a match-box sized Delorian from my son because we love all the Back to the Future movies, a smooth rock with the word ‘inspire’ from my daughter, a ‘Joy’ knickknack from a good friend, and occasionally peanut butter M&M’s, marshmallows, and fresh flowers.
If money was no object, where would your next vacation be?
Alaska. Cruise, train tour, hiking…all over the course of a month or two so I’m not rushed and stressed. That’s a version of Heaven to me.
Thanks again, Judy! It was great visiting! I’d love if you all visited Pulaski in the Romancing 
Wisconsin Series and let me know how you like it. In addition to giving away an ebook copy of Spring Serendipity, Book 1 in the series, Mistletoe Mischief, is perma-free on all retailers. Go to http://staceyjoynetzel.com/books/mistletoe-mischief/
You can find all of my books at my website, and you can also sign up for my newsletter for FREE reads, new release information, and exclusive sneak peeks, and cover reveals.
Okay. Thanks for doing this today Stacey. To qualify for the draw next Monday to win an eCopy of Spring Serendipity, send Stacey a comment below. Come back next Monday to see who the winner is, when I’ll be talking to Kimberley Lang.
Thanks for stopping by.
Stacey, I haven’t been to Wisconsin, but I’d like to one day. My husband’s family is from that area. Your book sounds wonderful and I love the idea that you used your father as inspiration.
Hi, Stephanie! Thanks so much. 🙂 It’s a beautiful state, and I haven’t explored it half as much as I should. What town is your husband from?
Love the premise for this series! I’ve never been to a Polka Festival but it sounds like fun 🙂
Thanks, Jacquie! I’ve heard it’s fun. 17 yrs in our house and we still haven’t gone. I do remember doing polka’s with my dad at weddings years ago. Those were fun!
That seems like another world to me – living in a small town your whole formative years. As a child I lived in big cities, but we moved a lot. Then, the first six years I was married we moved thirteen times.
I remember joking about buying a potted plant because I needed some roots. I look forward to
reading about characters who are deeply rooted in their community. At your Polka Festival do they
do the Viennese waltz too?
Hi, Helena–and it’s the opposite to me. Cities are way too busy for me. 🙂 Though, my daughter just told me today she can’t wait to move to a city.
And my goodness, I can’t even imagine moving that many times.
Not sure on the waltz at the festival…maybe I’ll find out this year.
fun hobbies
🙂