Annabeth’s new novel, Arctic Heat Frozen Hearts #3, releases September 23rd. She stopped by for a Q&A about her the book.

Hi! I’m so delighted to be here on one of my all-time favorite blogs with some Q&A  about ARCTIC HEAT, my newest release in the Frozen Hearts series set in Alaska. As with the other two books in the series, this one stands alone fine—there’s only the briefest of mentions of the prior books’ couples and no spoilers. This is my opposites-attract, odd couple roommates, snowbound romance as a seasoned ranger finds himself paired with a newbie volunteer for the winter season where they’ll be snowed in together at a remote Alaska state park. Quill and Owen were so much fun to write, and I can’t wait for readers to meet them!

SB- Describe your perfect book hero or heroine.

AA- To me, regardless of gender, the main character of a romance needs to be authentic—I want to feel them as a three-dimensional person. I want them to have flaws and shortcomings, not be idealized perfection. I want strange little quirks and individual preferences. I love unique backstory that shapes who they are right now as people. And above all else, I want to see a deep need in their life for love—I want to see its lack as the book opens and see the potential for it to transform their world.

SB- If you had to describe your heroes, Quill and Owen, in three words each, what would those three words be?

Quill is my grumpy, older, long-time park ranger. He’s forty something and set in his ways. I’d probably call him: loyal, lonely, and lickable (I like alliteration!). Owen is younger than Quill, in his thirties and an optimist who recently kicked cancer’s ass. I’d call him: sunny, sharing, and sexy.

SB- Can you give us some insight into what makes Quill and Owen tick?

Quill has been shaped by his time outdoors as a park ranger. His younger life wasn’t very happy, and it’s outdoors in Alaska where he’s found solace and safety. He’s reluctant to do anything that could rock the boat as far as his safe space and routine is concerned. He’s a little lonely as the book opens, but old fears are holding him back along with feeling like maybe love simply isn’t in the cards for him. Owen, on the other hand, is an optimist who’s been successful in life—good schools, good career, and good job stomping cancer to the curb. But he’s never been truly challenged before. Quill feels like the challenge he needs, but also the job and the setting—he’s never tackled an Alaska winter before, and he’ll have to dig deep to find staying power he never knew he had. He’s going to have to fight for what he wants most in life.

SB- What was the highlight of writing this book?

The book takes place over a long, cold snowy season—late fall to spring, and I loved the slow progression from near-enemies to friends to companionable roommates to committed lovers. I loved really being able to explore how they come together. And for me, one of the best things about the book was the middle, when the holidays hit. It’s not a holiday romance, but the winter holidays do show up, and they allowed me to really capture that progression in the relationship, and some fabulously romantic moments.

SB- Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

Yes! In October, I have a story in the Heart2Heart anthology. I’m super excited about this one! November, I’ll have a holiday novella out starring a former marine in need of a fake boyfriend for the season and his foodie neighbor who steps up to the job. I haven’t really done neighbors to lovers before, and it’s been a ton of fun. Then in 2020, lots of stuff is coming! There’s a new adult gamer road trip romance coming that I can’t wait to talk more about. And then there will also be a series set in central Oregon centering around wildfire fighters and smoke jumpers! I can’t wait!

Thank you so much for having me! If readers have more questions for me, I love hearing from readers on social media or through messages! Happy reading!

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About Arctic Heat-

A lasting connection needs more than simply surviving a winter together—they’ll have to outsmart danger, let down their defenses and open their hearts.

Owen Han has a fresh lease on life—he’s kicked cancer’s ass and is roaring through his bucket list. The former investment banker hopes to find his next challenge in Alaska, volunteering alongside park rangers and fulfilling his childhood dreams of snowy winters and rustic life. Of course, those dreams did tend to feature big strapping mountain men in vivid detail…

Ranger Quilleran Ramsey would like to be anywhere other than dealing with newbie volunteers. And really, the only thing he needs less than a green volunteer “partner” is the flirty attentions of a buff city boy who doesn’t look ready to last a week, let alone an Alaskan winter. They’re all wrong for each other, even if Quill’s traitorous body enjoys the flirting more than it should.

As the weeks pass, the two snowbound men give in to temptation. But can their seasonal romance last until spring? For them to have a future together, each will have to trust the other…while hoping that the harsh elements and omnipresent dangers don’t destroy what happiness they’ve found in the moment.

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