Author Guest Post and Giveaway: Angie Stanton

Angie Stanton is the author of several books, including her latest, Snowed Over, which she writes about here.  You can enter to win a copy of Snowed Over at the end of this guest post!

Since I was a teenager, I’ve always loved Christmas stories. There is something magical about that time of year. I guess it’s the twinkling tree lights, crackling fires and romantic candlelight. Throw in wrapped packages, delicious food, everyone decked out in their finest and it’s a perfect time of year.

For years I’ve read a couple of Christmas books each year, and now I finally have written one of my own, Snowed Over. When I tried to decide what to write for my Christmas book, the first thing that came to mind was being stranded in a remote cabin during a blizzard. I live in Wisconsin, and we usually have at least a couple huge snowfalls a year where schools are cancelled and much of the city shuts down.

When weather reports predict these big snows, I always go to the store and stock up on supplies to make hot chocolate, stew or chili, and chocolate chip cookies. Always. I hunker down with a good book, start a blaze in the fireplace and watch the snow fall. It’s magic.

There’s a whole lot of snow in Snowed Over. Readers have even commented on the feeling that they were transported into the blustery storm and needed hot chocolate. In Snowed Over, Katie and Alex are two college students riding north for the Christmas holiday. They’ve never met until that day. All Katie knows of Alex is that he is engaged to his high school sweetheart. What she doesn’t know is that Alex is dreading going home and harbors a secret. Of course, the weather turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex end up forced to work together to survive a dangerous situation. Much fun ensues.

Here’s a teaser from Snowed Over:

Alex slowed to take the turn. “River Road hasn’t been plowed.” The truck fishtailed as he took the corner.

“Whoa, don’t do that!” Katie gripped the dash.

“Sorry.” Alex peered out at the deep, unmarred snow before them. Someone had driven by from the other direction not too long ago; he used their tire treads to help guide the way.

“So where’s the river?” Katie peered into the darkness with nothing but snow flying all around.

“I don’t know. I’ve never been this way before. It could be right next to us for all I know. I can barely see the road.” He gripped the steering wheel and peered through the mesmerizing snow.

“At this rate, you’re going to end up staying the night with me at camp dysfunctional. Ha!” she taunted, sounding more nervous as they neared her destination.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? To make me suffer alongside you?” He might not mind staying at her place. The closer he got to home, the more he dreaded his task ahead.

“Anything to save me from facing Mom and Not the Boyfriend alone. I feel like I’m going to death row, not celebrating Christmas. How messed up is that?”

“Pretty messed up, but isn’t that what the holidays are about? Forcing families to spend time together so they can be reminded how odd everyone is.”

“Look out!” she yelled.

He snapped his head forward. A deer stood in the middle of the road, staring transfixed at the headlights. The truck careened forward.

“Shit!” He slammed on the brakes. Unable to get any traction, the truck slid, turning sideways. The four-wheel drive was useless in the deep snow.

Alex turned the steering wheel to keep the tires pointed forward. He laid on the horn. The deer bolted. He struggled to get the truck under control.

A second deer ran across their path. This one wasn’t so lucky. Alex had no choice. The truck clipped the deer’s hindquarter and sent them spinning.

The truck turned like a Tilt-a-Whirl, and with the heavy snow falling, he had no idea which direction was forward, or if they were about to hit a tree. “Hang on!”

The truck careened off the road, back end first, then turned sideways. He felt sure the truck would flip. He thrust out his arm to hold Katie in place. Each nanosecond passed in slow motion.

The truck bounced down a steep embankment, turning forward and finally sliding to a halt.

Then Katie screamed like he’d never heard anyone scream before.

The headlights revealed rushing water splashing at the front of the truck.

They were in the river.

Thanks for stopping by to share a little Christmas cheer. I wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday. And if you like the sample of Snowed Over, I hope you scoop it up for your own secret pleasure this Christmas season.

Cheers!

~Angie Stanton

For more about Angie and her books, you may find her at:

Blog:  angiestanton.wordpress.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AngieStantonAuthor

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Angie Stanton Bio

Angie Stanton is the best-selling author of Rock and a Hard Place, Snapshot, Dream Chaser, Love ‘em or Leave ‘em and her newest release Snowed Over.
She never planned on writing books, she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in a rural setting with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head she began to write them down, and the rest is history.
Angie is excited to announce that she just signed a four-book contract with HarperCollins. They will be publishing her best sellers Rock and a Hard Place and Snapshot. Angie will be writing two additional books for them as well.
She loves dipping french fries in chocolate shakes, all natural disaster movies and Broadway Musicals. When not writing, Angie is concocting ways to make more dreams come true, whether it be tickets to a Broadway show or convincing her family they should rent an RV and travel the country. She's still working on that one.
Angie is a proud double finalist of the 2011 National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em, as well as a finalist for the Golden Quill Awards.