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The Cycle Can Be Broken
Broken Ties follows a woman on the run from an abusive ex who winds up in a small town in Wyoming where she meets a man just as cautious as she is about relationships. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Believe it or not, the inspiration was actually the setting. My past 4 books have all been set in northern or central Arizona, and I wanted to write about someplace else, but I had to keep the series together. So, I had Bailey leave Arizona right at the beginning of this book, and Jackson Hole was always my ideal setting to continue this series. Bailey’s story started in the first book in the series, The Ties That Bind. She was such a pivotal character in that book that her happily ever after was begging to come out. I started with the move out of Arizona and let the story develop organically as any unplanned journey might actually unfold.
One thing that makes a great romance novel is the ability for readers to connect with the characters. What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
I really wanted Bailey’s struggle to be real, not forced. I’ve known people who came from abusive relationships, so I know how they think, feel, and act. My main goal was to let readers know that the cycle can be broken. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. That was always foremost in my mind when the story was under construction. I also didn’t want my hero to be a typical Type A personality, Alpha Male, so popular in romance novels. That personality wouldn’t have worked in Bailey’s recovery process. I needed a hero with a quiet, gentle strength, who was just one of the good guys, without being spectacular in any way other than having money in this case. I just wanted to develop real people with real problems and real solutions.
There is so much to be said about love in this book. What do you hope your readers take away from your story?
I hope that readers will walk away feeling like they should never give up on their dreams of finding a mate who suits them and makes their lives better. I also feel it’s important for people to trust their instincts. It took Bailey a long time to learn that, but when she did, her life changed for the better.
Will there be a third book in the Family Ties series? If so, when will book 3 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Yes!! There is a third book, and the final book in the series. It’s called Untie My Heart and will be released, hopefully, sometime later this year. That book centers around Noble Jabeaux, who played a key role in this book. Noble finally finds his perfect mate, but not before a series of seemingly unsurmountable circumstances plague him and keep him from his destiny. This last book also deals with a highly sensitive issue: military PTSD and suicide, which was very difficult to write about. The message of hope, forgiveness, and loving and accepting yourself are what I try to convey in that story. I hope it will be as well received as Broken Ties has been.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Content to be left alone after a devastating loss that irrevocably changed his life, Colton is perplexed by the explosion of attraction he experiences every time he crosses paths with the gorgeous and intriguing new girl in town. Her allure and naivete arouse his curiosity but he remains steadfast in his conviction that women are only interested in him for his money. But . . . if he could find the perfect life partner, he just might take a chance even if it means risking everything.
Can two lonely souls, betrayed by the people they loved and trusted the most, learn to love again? Find out in Broken Ties, the sequel to award-winning The Ties That Bind, the second installment of the Family Ties series heralding the power of the human spirit and love’s ability to heal all wounds.
Broken Ties
Broken Ties, the second installment in the Family Ties Series by Jansen Schmidt, presents a compelling narrative in the romance genre. The novel centers around Bailey Philipelli, a character grappling with a series of unfortunate events as she navigates through themes of love, betrayal, and healing. Bailey, the protagonist, is at a pivotal moment in her life, struggling with the echoes of past betrayals and yearning to carve out a new path for herself. Her story unfolds dramatically as she flees Twisted Fork just days before her wedding. With a purse of stolen money from her former fiancé, a police officer, Bailey’s journey of self-discovery begins. Her van becomes more than a vehicle; it’s her sanctuary on an uncertain path. Her travels unexpectedly bring her to Wyoming, where she is forced to confront the repercussions of her past decisions. In Wyoming, Bailey finds herself torn between the unwelcome advances of her boss and the genuine affection of Colton Kintala, a man of simpler means. This conflict underscores the central dilemma of the story: whether to settle amidst the chaos of Wyoming or to continue seeking a new beginning.
Jansen Schmidt excels in weaving a narrative that not only delves into the thrilling aspects of Bailey’s escape and romantic entanglements but also addresses the serious issue of domestic violence. Through Bailey’s eyes, the story reveals the psychological impacts of such trauma, including feelings of worthlessness, diminished self-esteem, and a distorted acceptance of what is abnormal. This backdrop of suspenseful romance allows the reader to engage deeply with the characters and their evolving dynamics. A poignant element of Broken Ties is its exploration of the healing process. The novel thoughtfully illustrates that recovering from emotional scars and rebuilding trust is a gradual journey. Schmidt’s portrayal of characters who are realistically flawed in their quest for love adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. Their imperfections serve to highlight the beauty and complexity of human relationships.
Broken Ties is a testament to Jansen Schmidt’s prowess in the realm of romance literature. It captivates readers with its rich imagery, nuanced character development, and a thoughtful exploration of challenging themes, wrapped in an engaging and well-crafted story.
Pages: 401 | ASIN : B0CQQ9RW1P
A Tomboy Heroine
The Ties That Bind follows a woman who is struggling with a horrifying family secret, a shocking revelation about her father, and a growing attraction to the local deputy. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I wanted to write a story incorporating therapy animals because I believe the unconditional love of an animal is very healing. The crux of the story grew around that premise alone. My heroine did not act appropriately a lot of times because of how she was raised and she never understood the inner workings of her dysfunctional family until their father died and secrets came to light. Her aunt helped her get past some of her awkwardness and rebellion by pairing her with a therapy horse. Because I write romance, I needed a love interest and, in this case, one who was willing to accept her as she is and not expecting her to change.
Shiloh Ferguson is an intriguing character with emotional depth. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
I really wanted to have a tomboy heroine who wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty in a fight. I think more women need to learn how to defend themselves and to stand up to bullies. Shiloh was always a scrappy girl who preferred the company of boys to girls and she never backed down from a challenge no matter how misguided. Her failure to connect with women is revealed in the book so I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The need for human connection was always foremost in my mind when I was writing this story. I used therapy animals as a way to demonstrate that we all need a human connection from time to time. This story developed into a “lesson” in how failure to physically connect ripped a family apart and while it is difficult to overcome, it can be done with time and patience.
Also the importance of family and accepting yourself for who you are were interlaced throughout the story.
What can readers expect in book two of your Family Ties series?
More of the same type of personal growth and healing after being in a very deep dark place. The heroine in Book 2 of this series has been a victim of neglect and abuse her entire life and the story follows her journey to happiness and love. Book 3 explores the guilt associated with losing a loved one to suicide and learning how to cope with not only the loss but the psychological entanglements of survivor’s guilt. Because I write romance, both books promise a happily-ever-after.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Luke Wainwright is doing his best as a single parent to provide a stable home for his special needs daughter. While patrolling the outskirts of town, he sees an unfamiliar car in the driveway of the recently uninhabited Ferguson Ranch. Expecting to thwart a robbery in progress, he enters the home and runs smack dab into a grown-up version of the adolescent rebel he’d unwittingly admired ten years earlier.
Before Shiloh can escape Twisted Fork, a shocking revelation about her father and a horrifying family secret come to light. An unexpected inheritance and a growing attraction to Luke, leave Shiloh emotionally conflicted about her family, her future, and whether or not to honor a dead man’s bequest.
The Ties That Bind
The Ties That Bind (Book One in the Family Ties series) by Jansen Schmidt is a thrilling romance novel that follows a woman on a journey that leads her to discover family, love, and self-acceptance. Shiloh Ferguson has a notorious reputation for getting into trouble with the law. She returns to her hometown of Twisted Fork, Arizona after leaving ten years ago. With a thief on the loose, and very few people willing to give her a chance at building a new name for herself, she finds herself having multiple encounters with a cop, Luke Wainwright, who used to bail her out of trouble a decade ago. Following the funeral of her estranged father, and the emotional tug-of-war with her sisters, Shiloh is reminded yet again why coming back home was not a good idea. After getting an inheritance she didn’t know about, Shiloh is torn between saving the livelihoods of the people of Twisted Fork whom she believed hated her, or escaping the decade-long traumatic events the town kept reminding her of. But, a love she felt inadequate to receive found her, further conflicting her.
Author Jansen Schmidt has taken the everyday lives of regular people and gave them a unique allure that is bound to keep readers glued to the pages of this exhilarating love story. She skillfully balances seductive romance with action-packed scenes. This is the main reason why I kept coming back to this book time and time again. The sweet emotionality of some scenes juxtaposed with the suspenseful action made for a unique read.
The Ties That Bind takes readers through the emotional spectrum – anger, fear, frustration, joy, understanding, and excitement. It circles around some heavy subject matter such as abandonment and loss, but it’s all handled with an authenticity that feels genuine and thoughtful. The development of well-rounded characters, beyond the hero and heroine, with their own motives jolts you back to reality and casts out the typical utopian universe that is characteristic of most romance novels. Also, the perceptive and positive manner in which Schmidt handled the subject of mental illness and tending to people with special needs is also quite insightful, even instructive.
Letting go of certain trauma is never as easy. By artfully telling the story of Luke Wainwright and Shiloh Ferguson, Schmidt entertains while offering a way to find love and acceptance of self and others, even healing from your trauma like the heroine.
Pages: 390 | ASIN: B0B761X8K7
On Common Ground Trailer
A woman destroyed his ability to trust. A man destroyed her ability to care. Can love unlock their fear and heal their wounded hearts?
His marriage over and his career in jeopardy, Trevor Donaldson seeks sanctuary at the Diamond D Ranch in Arizona. After gunning down the man who shot his partner, the accusations hanging over his head, the hounding media, and his own inner turmoil keep him awake at night.
Ketra Weston sought sanctuary at the Diamond D to escape the ugly backlash she suffered after a violent assault following a Good Samaritan act gone wrong. Time at the ranch promises to provide the peace and anonymity she needs to help her heal.
Trevor and Ketra are careful to keep their distance from one another. Trevor’s contempt for women, after his failed marriage, and Ketra’s skittishness after here brutal attack, leave them both wary of the opposite sex. But, everything changes when Trevor discovers that their lives are intertwined and he learns that her past just might hold the key to his exoneration.
LITERARY TITAN 