Finding inspiration in goats, teenagers and geeky stuff

Today's featured authors: Sara Jane Stone, author of Caught in the Act; J. Hughey, author of Eruption; and Amanda Berry, author of One Night With the Best Man. They're sharing their inspirations for their latest releases and some favorite songs.

Sara Jane Stone, author of Caught in the Act

Three things that inspired Caught in the Act:

• A birthday present from my husband. A decade before I wrote the first chapter of Caught in the Act, my husband (then boyfriend) gave me three cashmere goats for my birthday. We were living in a Manhattan apartment, so clearly this was a logical present. Thankfully, he'd arranged for the goats to live on the farm in Oregon where he grew up, and his mother had agreed to care for them. Ten years later, she has over 50 goats. And I love hearing the stories of their mishaps and adventures.

I knew I wanted to open Caught in the Act with Katie, the heroine, trying to fix a flat tire on the side of the road. The only person offering to help? The sinfully handsome man who broke her heart seven years ago. He stops his motorcycle and offers her a ride. But she refuses, leading to a long walk down memory lane. What keeps her from getting on the back of the bike? The three goats in the backseat of her station wagon.

• A trip to Oregon. Set in the Willamette Valley, Caught in the Act takes place against the backdrop of the timber industry. When I was still in the early stages of writing this book, my family and I went to visit my in-laws' farm. I spent hours hiding Easter eggs with my kids while quizzing my father-in-law about logging. My in-laws set up a tour of a local private forest. Most of the details never made it into the story, but each conversation helped solidify the world in my head.

• Writing Full Exposure. The first installment in this series tells the story of Georgia's journey to a happy-ever-after love. As a young woman who recently served her country and now struggled with PTSD, Georgia was a strong woman. I knew when I was writing Full Exposure that I wanted this series to focus on strong heroines. Katie did not fight for her country, but she is still determined to go after her dreams, do what she believes is right for her family, and make her own decisions. I hope you enjoy Katie's story!

Here's the blurb about Caught in the Act:

Falling for his rivals' little sister could cost him everything …

For Liam Trulane, failure is not an option. He is determined to win a place in Katie Summers' life before she leaves Independence Falls for good. But first, he needs to make amends for the last time they got down and dirty.

Only problem?

His professional success hinges on striking a deal to buy Katie's family business. And after Liam's relationship with their Katie went south years ago, the Summers brothers are more enemy than friend. If both parties agree to set the past aside, they can reach an understanding. But when Katie welcomes him back into her bed, Liam risks everything to make her his.

After Liam betrayed her trust, Katie Summers will do anything to keep him from walking away with the family business. She decides to seduce him, knowing that when her brothers find out, they will back off from the deal. And she'll finally have her revenge. But when her plan spirals out of control, Katie learns that payback may come at too high a price …

Find out more at www.sarajanestone.com.

J. Hughey, author of Eruption

Three things that inspired Eruption:

• Teenagers. My husband and I are in the midst of raising two teenage boys. This brings back memories of a time in life when independence and opportunity hovered right at the end of my fingertips. I couldn't wait to get started! In the Yellowblown Series, Earth pulls a dirty trick on my heroine, Violet, at her cusp-of-adulthood moment when the eruption of the Yellowstone caldera turns civilization in North America upside down. Instead of her life expanding, it begins to retract.

• Geeky stuff. I was the only Geology major in my graduating class. The study of Earth incorporates most branches of science — I loved them all — and gives a unique perspective on the scale of time and unstoppable power of natural processes. In Eruption, I weave threads of big cool science into a young woman's coming-of-age story.

• Strong female characters. The popularity of courageous women as leading characters in books and movies is fabulous! These heroines take charge and conquer every obstacle. My Violet has learned some tough lessons about friendship and men, and is working hard to get on the path of her choosing when disaster strikes. She isn't overthrowing governments, but she might not have to with society falling apart. How will she find a road through the devastation to get a life? What will that journey look like through her eyes?

Here's the blurb for Eruption (Yellowblown book one):

I'm in the middle of the perfect college semester, hundreds of miles from Mom, with an awesome roomie and my freshman crush finally becoming a sophomore reality—Hotness! I'm figuring out calculus, I've got both hands on the handlebars and the wind of freedom in my hair. What on earth could slow my roll?

How about if the Yellowstone volcano erupts for the first time in 630,000 years, spewing a continuous load of ash (crap) all over North America? Think that'll put a kink in my bicycle chain?

Make that kinks, plural, because here's a scientific fact I'll bet you didn't know. Nothing ruins the perfect semester like a super caldera. My name's Violet Perch, and now that I've made you smarter today, maybe you can tell me how to keep my life cruising in the right direction—no to Mom, yes to roomie, double yes to Hotness!—during a global disaster?

My lame name is Violet Perch and I'm not hanging from the side of a cinder cone on the last page of this trauma, but there's definitely more to come. Unless, of course, humans become extinct and then there's not. Duh.

Find out more at www.jhughey.com.

Amanda Berry, author of One Night With the Best Man

My three favorite love songs:

• Magic by Coldplay. It's one of those songs that's soft and subtle. About love that still exists after years together. It's been on repeat more than once when I write.

• Into the Past by Nero (from The Great Gatsby soundtrack). Haunting and melodic, captivating and entrancing. I don't think this one will fall off my playlist for some time.

• Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth. The message in this song "Let me see beneath your beautiful" speaks to the romantic in me. Its lyrics remind me what a romance is supposed to be about. Finding the other person's soul and recognizing that it's so much than the physical appearance.

Thank you for having me. : )

Here's the blurb about One Night With the Best Man:

A bride for the best man?

Running into his first love at his brother's wedding isn't the homecoming Dr. Luke Ward imagined. Maid of honor Penny Montgomery should have been his bride. And now, despite how things ended between them, the former Tawnee Valley bad girl just made him an offer the still-smitten best man would be a fool to refuse.

Eight years ago, Penny lost the only man she ever loved. Spending the weekend together is a huge risk—and the only way to see if she's really over Luke. But when a family emergency forces the handsome surgeon to extend his visit, their passionate reunion fling flames into a deeper attachment. Does Penny have the courage to try for a second chance with Luke—and say "I do" to her best man?

Find out more at www.amanda-berry.com.