Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Tanya Agler & A Ranger for the Twins

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for A Ranger for the Twins by Tanya Agler – hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I’m delighted to be chatting with Tanya today about her new book!

Title: A Ranger for the Twins
Author: Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance

She fell from grace…

Before falling for him

When her husband defrauded the town of Hollydale, now-divorced mom Lucie Decker went from being the town darling to total pariah. Now she’s launching a new business and needs ranger Caleb Spindler’s help. And her twins adore Caleb. After all, he’s a genuine hero—even if he is hiding a secret. But while Lucie’s heart has forgotten how to trust, it still remembers how to fall in love…

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Hi Tanya! Welcome back to the blog!

Tanya: I love dogs! Cats are great, too, but I love curling up on a couch with a book and a dog. Last Christmas, our Basset hound, Vera, received a dog bed and she radiated happiness. We tried to move the bed into the office, but the first spot for it was in front of the fireplace so there it stayed.

Carrie: Dogs are so funny how particular they get about stuff, aren’t they? Lol

Tanya: I’m a tea drinker. I love English Breakfast in the morning, and I try to switch to decaf iced tea in the afternoon. When I was in Denver, someone turned to me and asked if I was from the South because I ordered unsweet iced tea.

Carrie: haha well…  i mean… they’re sorta justified asking that 😛

Tanya: Music! My parents always had music playing in the background. To show my age a little, I was their official record flipper when the side of the record was over. I grew up listening to so much great music and I try to make sure my kids listen to a wide range of artists. My twins love Louis Armstrong as much as I do!

Carrie: aww i love that!

Tanya: I prefer print and I have a huge stack of print books in my TBR pile. I will say, however, in the past, I have appreciated ebooks when standing in lines to buy Christmas presents. But my heart belongs to the smell and texture of a print book.

Carrie: that last line ♥

Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Tanya: I think my kids believe I have eyes in the back of my head. There were times I wished my arms could extend as long as Elastigirl’s or that I had the scientific genius of Shuri, but I love that your superpower is reading. Last October, I went and read books to my twins’ elementary school class during their Halloween party. The room mom, who had organized the whole party and brought incredible snacks, came up to me and said she wished she could make the voices I did when I read the book, which I accepted as one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received. 

Carrie: oh man! I’m jealous of that too lol

Q: Who is your favorite book character from childhood? 

Tanya: Honey Wheeler. Trixie Belden fans will instantly know who I’m talking about! The first book series I fell in love with was Trixie Belden. I’ve always loved supporting characters and I felt that Honey was the heart of the series even though Trixie was the go-getter. Honey was able to ride horses, had a strong support network, and had adventures with Trixie.

Carrie: Honey was the best!

Q: Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

Tanya: Just yesterday, I was writing a scene and I realized a teenager would not need to use a landline because of cellphones. When I get in situations like that, I have three things I like to do, depending on time and where I am. If possible, I like to take a long walk or walk on a treadmill (I’ve been walking in my neighborhood more in the past six months). If that’s not possible, it might be time to stop for the day and think about it. Do some fun things and relax. Yesterday, however, I went for the third option and I just let my mind wander for a while. I went through scenarios and kept going and just pictured myself in that character’s shoes. I’m not sure whether I fell asleep or not (!), but I did come up with what I hope is a plausible explanation for why the teenager used a landline.

Carrie: Falling asleep can totally be productive haha!

Q: Some authors like to hide little things in their stories. Is there anything you have hidden in A Ranger for the Twins? 

Tanya: I try to plant family names or fun little Easter eggs in my books. One of my cherished keepsakes from my dad is a family history called Frederick’s Hope, and I try to insert one or two last names from my family or my husband’s family into each book. Caleb Spindler’s last name is actually the maiden name of my great-great-great grandmother. I also try to slip in something fun. In A Ranger for the Twins, Ladybug is a bulldog, which is a tie-in to my college alma mater, the University of Georgia (mascot: Bulldogs).

Carrie: Go Bulldogs! (I need to practice saying this since I’ll – hopefully – be a Georgia resident soon lol). I love that you use family names!

Q: What is one of your favorite quotes from A Ranger for the Twins & why do you love it?

Tanya: “It was glorious to step into her old self and find her glass slippers still fit after all this time.”

I love this line of Lucie Decker’s because it sums up her philosophy toward life. Her ex-husband committed a serious crime against people she loved, and it was hard to find herself again. Lucie’s a romantic at heart, and it took her standing on her own feet to find she could be herself and hold her head high.

Carrie: what a great line!!!

Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.

Tanya: Thank you so much for hosting me! My third book, The Soldier’s Unexpected Family, is coming out in March. In The Sheriff’s Second Chance, Georgie formed a Car Care Class with Lucie Decker and Natalie Harrison. This next book is Natalie’s story. Kindergarten teacher Natalie loves to make people happy, and she meets her match when Aidan Murphy arrives in town to take over custody of his nephew. And I’m presently writing Jonathan’s story. Jonathan is Caleb’s cousin, who also appeared in book one, and my critique partner is excited that he’s getting his own story.

Carrie: YAY!

An award-winning author, Tanya Agler moved often during her childhood and settled in Georgia where she writes sweet contemporary romance novels, which feature small towns, family and pets, and themes of second chances and hope. Her debut, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, is a January of 2020 Harlequin Heartwarming release with the sequel, A Ranger for the Twins, coming in October 2020. A graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and law, she lives with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable Basset, who really rules the roost. Represented by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, she’s currently at work on the sequels to her debut. When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, walking, and a good cup of tea.

CONNECT WITH TANYA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

(1) winner will receive a reader tote bag, a signed print copy of A Ranger for the Twins, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 6, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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This giveaway is hosted by JustRead Tours, not RimSP
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What about you? What makes you want to read A Ranger for the Twins by Tanya Agler? What did you enjoy about my Q&A with Tanya?