Learn more about Mechelle Morrison and 'Painted Boots'

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful to have the opportunity to introduce you to author Mechelle Morrison and her book 'Painted Boots.' In between your bites of turkey and pumpkin pie, remember to leave her your own comments and questions below!

What was the inspiration for this book?

PAINTED BOOTS grew from my senior year in high school. My parents had moved to a new area and I spent my summer building a wardrobe from thrift stores. My wardrobe, in turn, built my new friendships—or at least opened the door to a lot of possibilities.

How did you come up with the title?

Aspen [the main character] has a habit of painting the heels of her boots to match her clothes—and her moods.

Which character spoke to you the most during the writing process?

Aspen’s life ran through my head like a never-ending movie. I started calling my daughter Aspen … I think I even called my husband by her name once or twice. But I’ll admit, I became so vested in the lives of all of my characters while writing their story that they were as real to me as family.

What is one of your favorite things about this book?

I love Aspen’s stoic, go-on-no-matter-what attitude. She’s a survivor, and she survives on her own terms.

What is so appealing about cowboys?

I could go on about cowboys for hours. Seriously. They’re strong. Lean. Gentle. Sure of themselves. Funny. Poetic. Patient. Their lives are entwined with nature in a man-vs-beast sort of way and it brands their very souls as different from the rest of us. The other day I was going to the grocery and two cowboys happened to be walking into the store in front of me. They were wearing chaps and spurs. They were dusty from a hard day on some ranch somewhere. They walked in the trade-mark saunter of cowboy boots, tipped their hats to a woman who passed by then shoved their hands into their pockets like shy school boys. Cowboys are fabulous men.

On what other projects are you currently working?

BEING is my next release. It’s a different kind of ghost story about the nature of the universe, the power of memory and just how wrong things can get when true love lasts forever. It’s due out in February and I can hardly wait!

When not writing, what can you be found doing?

Gardening. Painting. Remodeling the house. Tucked away in a coffee shop with my husband. Helping my daughter with homework. Volunteering as the token-parent for our middle-school’s manga club. Then there’s the laundry and cleaning ….

When did you first know that you wanted to become a writer?

I’ve been an artist all my life, and writing is a part of that. I can’t remember a time that I did not write and paint. When I worked as a graphic designer, writing was my hobby. Since becoming a mom twelve years ago, I’ve focused on writing as my favorite form of expression –it’s all about translating feeling into words and I love the challenge.

What are you currently reading?

Plainsong, by Kent Haruf. It’s beautifully written; a true classic in the American tradition. What is coming up on your TBR pile? Next up is Lost in Thought, by Cara Bertrand.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

I skated in the 2002 Olympics—as an opening ceremony volunteer cast member. Such a cool experience, and as close to the Olympics as I’ll ever get!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes! Thank you so much for hosting PAINTED BOOTS!

PAINTED BOOTS
by Mechelle Morrison

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BLURB:

When her father drags her to a new life in Wyoming, Aspen Brand doesn’t expect to fall for a cowboy named Kyle Thacker—but she does. Aspen and Kyle share unexpected ground: guitar, running, physics. And guilt. Aspen blames herself for her mother’s car accident, while Kyle can’t find a way past his brother’s suicide.

On their first date they open up to each other, forging an unbreakable bond between them. But Kyle has spent two years living with a vicious secret—one his ex-girlfriend will do anything to protect—and sharing his truth with Aspen makes her a target. Now if Kyle is to be her love story, Aspen must first win the fight of her life.

Read an excerpt:

From Chapter Ten

Just outside the kitchen, Kyle stops near a rope ladder anchored to the wall. I look up, following the rungs to a dark square hole in the ceiling, picking out the faint hint of starlight coming from somewhere beyond. Kyle pulls off his boots and sets them together on the floor. I pull mine off as well, though before I can set them down he takes them from me. “I love how you paint these things,” he says, turning them over and studying the heels.

I don’t know what to say, so I grin.

Book buy links

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a child, Mechelle filled her journals with someday-my-prince-will-come fantasies. Then one day her prince arrived, driving a silver Tundra, and they adopted a fine daughter. Life got busy—work, family, daily cooking—but she still spends her evenings giving voice to the stories inside her head. Only now, instead of locking them away, she publishes them.



Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Mechelle_Morrison
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MechelleMorrison
Website: www.mechellemorrison.com

Mechelle will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a unique, hand-crafted bookmark to one randomly drawn commenter at each stop. Follow the tour for more chances to win!