Author Interview: Once Upon a Horse by Helena Smrcek

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Once Upon a Horse by Helena Smrcek, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Once Upon a Horse
Series: The Vets of Heavenbrooke County #1
Author: Helena Smrcek
Publisher: EverWind Press
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

In the charming Heavenbrooke county, where country life meets big-city dreams, 28-year-old accountant Stella Barkley is about to discover that sometimes love arrives when you least expect it. 

After a flat tire leaves her stranded on the side of the road, a handsome stranger comes to her rescue—Dr. Jason Alba, a dedicated veterinarian with a heart as big as his ambitions. Their initial encounter sparks an undeniable connection, aided by Stella's spirited Jack Russell Terrier, Milkbone, who takes an immediate liking to Jason thanks to his pocket full of treats. 

As their paths intertwine, Stella finds herself drawn to Jason, despite their differing views on farm life and future aspirations. Their budding romance takes unexpected turns, especially when a mysterious missing horse from a local breeder, Enrique Rodriguez, complicates matters. 

When Thanksgiving arrives, Jason becomes Stella's unexpected hero, saving her from a culinary disaster and charming her city friends with his warm spirit. But just as their relationship begins to flourish, a crisis emerges in the barn: the missing mare, Starling, is discovered in distress, leading Jason to perform a life-saving surgery that brings them even closer. 

However, secrets and misunderstandings threaten to tear them apart. Stella’s desperate attempt to protect a champion mare sends her on a collision course with both Jason and Enrique, forcing her to confront her choices and the future she thought she wanted. 

When Stella realizes that her life in Heavenbrooke may be over, she pens a heartfelt goodbye letter to Jason, leaving it at the church where their story began. Alone on Christmas morning, she grapples with loneliness and regret, only to be surprised by the appearance of the man who stole her heart. 

Can a simple letter and the magic of Christmas lead them to a second chance? Will they find a way to bridge the divide between city and country, love and loyalty? 

Join Stella and Jason on a heartfelt journey of love, loss, and the enduring power of second chances in Once Upon a Horse. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, this tale of unexpected connections and the bonds we forge will leave you believing in the wonder of love.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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Also Available

   

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About the Author

Stella pulled on her favorite hat, the only remnant of her ski gear, and exited the truck. A quick inspection confirmed her fear. A flat. She shivered and shoved her hands into the deep pockets of her grandma’s parka, thankful for the warm pair of comfy Sorel boots.

Had anyone from Rogers and James Public Accountants Inc., her former downtown employer, seen her allowing Milkbone to ride shotgun in her grandpa’s pickup, they wouldn’t have believed their eyes. Thankfully, the chance of that happening was virtually zero.

Milkbone scratched at the window.

“No,” she said sternly, patting the pockets for her cellphone. The wind picked up. If only I remembered to throw a tool bag behind my seat.

Stella took off the cable knit mitts and tapped her phone to life. The frosty air nipped at her fingers. No service. Hoping for the impossible, she crossed the road. No luck.

She needed to get to work fast. Mr. Barnes insisted the store always be open on time, with no exceptions. The delivery guy never waited. And as if on cue, Milkbone changed his tactics to whining.

Stella did a quick 360 and scanned the seemingly endless fields stretching on both sides of the road. No farmhouse. She had been driving through this stretch for months now, not considering the possibility of becoming stranded with no help to be found.

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About the Author

Helena Smrcek is an award-winning author, screenwriter, public speaker and writing coach. From her romantic suspense series to women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and humor, and her latest favorite, dual timeline historicals—like a box of chocolate truffles—she loves them all. With a passion for storytelling sparked by her grandparents, Helena Smrcek weaves heartfelt tales that explore themes of faith, love, and redemption.

Connect with Helena by visiting helenasmrcek.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Once Upon a Horse? 

Helena: When my husband and I bought our first farm, we didn’t know much about country living. I wrote Pitchforks and Pedicures that pretty much candidly describes our experience. We have met so many great people along this journey, who were most helpful and introduced us to farming. One of them was Sarah, who worked at our local feed store. As I got to know her better, I discovered that she rescued horses. I took her out to lunch. We talked about all kinds of horse related things, and she told me about her recent trip to Kentucky. Our conversation turned to race horses, and that opened a whole new world to me, and a story was born.


Q: How long did it take to write this book? 

Helena: I’m a fast writer, so I’d say about two months.


Q: What surprised you while researching/writing this novel? 

Helena: When I started to research this story, I had no idea how complex the world of thoroughbreds is. And by no memes do I claim that I understand it now. It’s a combination of deep passion, science and life-long commitment. I hoped to crack open the door for my readers, so they can take a little peek, without getting overwhelmed with facts and figures. I hope I have accomplished that.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Once Upon a Horse? 

Helena: I like this quote, because it captures the relationship between Stella and her rescue dog Milkbone. Once Upon a Horse is not only a love story between Jason and Stella, but it also portrays the love for our pets and animals. These creatures make our lives so much better, with their unconditional love, as well as their occasional mischief that makes us smile. I wanted to capture that in this story.

“All right.” She held the door open for him. “Go in and check.”

Milkbone zoomed straight to his doggy bed behind the counter, fetched a stuffed duck chew toy, and brought it back to the front door.

“See, no one took it,” she patted his head. “Now, let me get to work.”


Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an author? 

Helena: It was in the summer of 2020, at a writers conference when one of the most accomplished authors of our lifetime looked at my work (I wrote for magazines until that time) and asked me what I wanted to do. With barely enough confidence to form a complete sentence, I told him I wanted to write a novel. His reply astonished me, because right there he gave me his address and told me to send him three pages of my manuscript. He agreed to mentor me, and walked alongside me, as I learned how to write fiction.


Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know? 

Helena: Hmm, most readers may not know the names of my three goats. Rosie is the first goat I ever bought, and that too is a funny story which may end up in a book one day. Carmen is a sweetheart, and a great milker. Her daughter Iris is much like her mom, and comes to me when I call her name. If my husband allowed me, I would house train them, because at times they listen to me better than our dogs.


Q: What are you currently reading? 

Helena: I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read? 

Helena: I like romantic suspense, and also clean romance. But I also read biographies and historicals.


Q: What is your favorite hobby? 

Helena: I love to garden. My husband built several raised beds for me, so during the summer I spend a lot of time tending my vegetables, and of course the flower gardens around our house.


Q: What is your favorite season and why? 

Helena: I do love summer, because we spend a lot of time outdoors. Living on a farm is fun, but also a lot of work. Summer brings tomatoes, berries, and of course hay for our goats. I love the sounds, the wonderful scents and also the opportunity to host BBQ and share all the God’s beauty with our friends during the beautiful, sunny days of summer.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of all 3 books in the Alicia Yu FBI series plus Once Upon a Horse!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 9, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 16, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Winner location limited to where Amazon will ship. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Spotlight: I'll Be Home Novella Collection

Welcome to the Blog Tour for I'll Be Home by Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, and Melanie Stevenson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: I'll Be Home
Authors: Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, & Melanie Stevenson
Publisher: Independent (Fab Four Press)
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christmas anthology

With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? 

The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. 

Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Even, at times, life-threatening. 

Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for.  

I’ll Be Home is a collection of four stories of faith, hope, love, (and trains) that will warm your heart, encourage your soul, and draw you home this Christmas.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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Also Available

     

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Excerpt from Mistletoe and Mayhem in the Rockies by Darlene L. Turner

Emory’s gaze flew to Hunter’s. His contorted expression revealed the same thought as hers.

They still had a killer to catch.

If they didn’t, whoever had poisoned Rose Watson would get away with it.

The cowbell clanged, announcing breakfast.

Thirty minutes later, after yummy pancakes, Autumn rose from the table. “Time to get the turkey in the oven and then the kids can open their gifts.”

Their Christmas feast finished mid-afternoon after the kids enjoyed playing with their new toys. The group had scattered to finish packing, since they were leaving shortly.

“Sissy, can you get me some canned peaches from the root cellar?” Autumn asked. “I want to make a fresh peach cobbler for tonight. We’re gonna have a quiet evening. Joel, can you get more firewood? Hunter, can you stoke the fire in the living room? I don’t want it going out.”

“Yes, Mom.” Emory saluted before walking into the hallway and snatching the coat from the last hook. She put it on and stuffed her hands into the pockets.

And fingered a velvet bag. Wait—what?

She looked closer at the coat. Same dark color as hers, but not hers. Emory pulled the bag out and opened it, dropping the contents into her hand. Pearls. A ruby ring. An emerald necklace.

Rose Watson’s jewelry, but whose coat was Emory wearing?

“I wish you hadn’t done that,” a sinister voice whispered.

Emory gasped and pivoted, staring down the barrel of a shotgun.

And into the eyes of the Double H Ranch’s killer.

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Excerpt from Love Across Time by Helena Smrcek

Beth took her heavy coat off the hook in the staff room and slipped into it. It was the first day of December, and the English winter had a bite. The damp weather seemed to burrow straight into her bones. She picked up the remnants of her first attempt at decorating the ward for Christmas. The men who had rushed in earlier that afternoon had knocked over the coffee tin she used as a vase and trampled over the evergreen branches. She’d toss them back into the woods on her way to the nurses’ accommodations and pick fresh ones as she walked to the hospital tomorrow morning. The men in her hospital should have something festive to look at, if only twigs and berries.

Beth took her warm gloves out of her purse, then quietly closed the staff room door behind her, mindful of the injured.

As she walked to the front door, she passed the night nurse and Beth’s good friend, Henrietta, carrying a tray of tea to the ward.

Beth touched Henrietta’s arm. “Send for me if there is an emergency.”

“It will be a quiet night. The fog is thick today. The night bombers are grounded.”

“A good night’s sleep sounds fabulous.”

“See you in the morning,” Henrietta said, her voice already weary.

They were all tired. Exhausted. The airmen, their crews, ground personnel, support staff, doctors, and nurses. How much longer could this go on?

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Excerpt from Where My Heart Belongs by Melanie Stevenson

I turn towards a coffee shop, head down to block the wind, intending to step inside to call an Uber. I may as well have ice skates on, as I have taken to sliding my shoes along the ground instead of actually lifting them. The last thing I need is a concussion.

It’s in this assumed position that I skid into a post, which knocks me off balance. I grasp it to right myself, but it’s not attached to the ground. Me, the post, and whatever is hanging from the post tip over.

Now I’m laying prostrate in an ice puddle among, inexplicably, a barrage of coins and bills. I lift my head to watch my suitcase skid down the hill, bump over the sidewalk, and launch off the side of a staircase. It disappears over the edge alongside the plastic ball of money.

Hello day of the fallen books, my old friend.

As if that isn’t bad enough, I look up and, wait for it, the snow boots in my line of vision belong to an exceedingly tall Santa Claus who, mid-ring of a bell dangling from his hand, is staring down at me with dazzling blue eyes.

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Excerpt from Just a Gilbert Blythe Kind of Girl by Sara Davison

The first rehearsal was in two hours. How was she going to get there? Could she hitchhike?

Lucy shuddered at the thought of what her dad—and August—would have to say about that. She did know exactly what Anne Shirley would have to say about this situation. This is the most tragical thing that has ever happened to me. A tear of frustration slid down her cheek and onto the steering wheel, leaving a splotch in the dust. Like her dreams. Crumbled to death in the dust. Her forehead still pressed to the center of the wheel, Lucy sighed.

A soft rapping against her window yanked her from her thoughts, and she swiped at her cheek as she straightened. August. Lucy reached for the manual handle and lowered the glass an inch. “I’m fine.”

“Clearly.” His lips twitched. “Anything I can do?”

His amusement was not contagious. “Thank you for your offer of assistance, Mr. Dorey, but it is not required.”

He let out a short laugh. “Getting into character already, I see.” Resting a hand on the roof of the car, he ducked a little to peer through the window. “Look. I was wrong to say this car was worth a penny.”

“Thank you,” she said archly, both hands still on the steering wheel.

“And by wrong, I mean generous.”

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About the Authors

 

Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

Connect with Darlene by visiting darlenelturner.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

 

Helena Smrcek is an award-winning author, screenwriter, public speaker and writing coach. She is known for her thrilling and heartwarming stories. Her career began as a high school freelancer, leading to three decades in publishing. She co-founded Write!Canada and The Word Guild and has graduated from multiple writing programs.

Connect with Helena by visiting helenasmrcek.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Melanie Stevenson is an award-winning author and lives in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by her husband and four children. She attended the University of Waterloo and obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Melanie's first book, One More Tomorrow, was shortlisted in the Word Alive Press publishing contest out of over two hundred entries across North America and was published in 2019. In 2020, she won Best Romantic Fiction for One More Tomorrow and Best New Canadian Author at The Word Awards—Canada's top Christian literary awards. Her mission is to create stories of excellence that impact hearts and lives. Paper, canvas, and dirt are her favorite blank pages.

Connect with Melanie by visiting melaniestevenson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon card plus a paperback copy of I'll Be Home!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 29, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!