Getting TANGLED UP with Heidi Betts!

February 2, 2009 by Mad

hb_tangledupinlove1

ARE THEY FIT TO BE TIED?

Ever since Dylan Stone beat Veronica Chasen out of a prime position at the Cleveland Herald, they’ve been bitter rivals, engaging in a very public war of words in their competing newspaper columns. They routinely challenge each other to go bungee jumping, white water rafting, or into tattoo parlors to see who will wimp out first. But Veronica’s latest taunt may be Dylan’s toughest assignment yet: She dares him to learn to knit.

OR WILL DESIRE UNRAVEL THEM BOTH?

Dylan is not going to let something his grandmother can do scare him off. He’s man enough to make a scarf—and attend Veronica’s weekly knitting circle. But when the infuriatingly handsome Dylan shows up at the craft shop and charms all the ladies, Veronica begins to get all knotted up in something that feels a lot like love… But will the two ever stop needling each other?

Hello, everyone! And thank you so much, Fatin, for inviting me to Novel Thoughts to chat about TANGLED UP IN LOVE. This is the first book in my “Chicks with Sticks” knitting trilogy, it’s being released tomorrow!!!!!, & I’m so excited, I’m practically vibrating right out of my chair!

I have so much I want to share about Dylan & Ronnie’s story that I’m not sure where to begin, but let me start by saying that this story is super-sexy, super-funny, & definitely like nothing you’ve ever read before where knitting is concerned. As my editor & I are fond of saying, “This is not your grandmother’s knitting romance”—although I would certainly love to hear that grandmothers are, indeed, reading & loving TANGLED UP IN LOVE. 🙂

What else? Well, you can read an excerpt at my website …and today at my WIPs and Chains blog I actually have a super-duper exclusive second excerpt posted, if you’d like to check it out. 😉

You can also visit Must Love Yarn, the very special blog I’ve set up to both chat about the “Chicks with Sticks” books & discuss the exceptional art of knitting.

Now to get down to business. I recently had the…um, okay, let’s say pleasure…of interviewing the hero and heroine of TANGLED UP IN LOVE, Dylan Stone and Ronnie Chasen. It was…interesting, to say the least.

For those of you who may be on the “Blog Tour 2009” bus with me *g*, you may have already seen Part 1 of this interview over at Jennifer’s Random Musings last Wednesday. There was so much good stuff

So consider this “Interview with Dylan and Ronnie—Part 2”:

Heidi Betts: So, Dylan, I hear Ronnie is giving you knitting lessons. I find that rather peculiar, considering she’s the one who challenged you to learn in the first place and is probably hoping you fail miserable. But, anyway, how’s it going?

Dylan Stone: Great. I think I’m really getting the hang of this yarn and needles thing.

Veronica Chasen: [snort] Yeah, right.

Dylan: What, you don’t think I’m catching on?

Veronica: Oh, no, you’re doing great. [eyes rolling] Nothing an untrained monkey couldn’t figure out, but, hey.

Dylan: If I’m doing so badly, maybe the fault lies with the teacher and not the student. Ever think of that?

Veronica: [crossing arms over chest] Hey, don’t blame me. No matter how hard you try, you can’t fix stupid.

Heidi: [wincing] Ouch. That seems rather harsh.

Dylan: [grinning] Don’t mind her. She’s just feeling pissy because she knows I’m going to beat the pants off her…and she’s afraid she’ll like it.

Veronica: Oh, get over yourself, Stone!

Dylan: Come on, Ronnie, admit it–you want me.

Veronica: [batting lashes & leaning toward him] Oh, I do, I really do. [straightening away] About as much as I want a flesh-eating bacteria on my…bikini area.

Dylan: [eyes darting down to Veronica’s…bikini area] Speaking of which, how’d that visit to the waxer turn out.

Veronica: [flinching slightly, but quickly recovering] Wouldn’t you like to know?

Dylan: [grinning widely] Why, yes, I would. Care to show me?

Veronica: Not in this lifetime. And stop staring, Stone, or I’ll castrate you with one of your own knitting needles.

Heidi: [clearing throat] All righty, then. How about moving on to a new topic before someone gets hurt.

[Dylan grunts. Veronica shrugs.]

Heidi: So this whole back-and-forth challenge thing you’ve got going… You’ve made each other go bungee jumping, sky diving, get a tattoo, get your legs waxed… I have to ask—who’s winning?

Dylan and Veronica [at the same time]: I am.

Veronica: [glowering at Dylan] Just because you haven’t wimped out yet, Stone, doesn’t mean you won’t. If you lose this knitting challenge, you’re toast. I’ll win, which means I get to keep your beloved Harrison Award.

Dylan: [scowling right back] Then I guess I better not lose.

Heidi: [shifting uncomfortably in her seat at awkward silence and a noise that sounds suspiciously like molars being ground to dust] Gosh, it has been just great chatting with you today.

Hmm, I don’t know. Do you think these two will ever be able to put their differences behind them? Do you think they’ll even be able to get through the entire book without killing each other? (I hope so, otherwise we’re in for a rather odd Happily Ever After.) I have it on pretty good authority, though, that when these two get together, it’s not only verbal volleys that fly through the air, but some rather hot sparks, as well. 😉

As I said earlier, tomorrow is the day! TANGLED UP IN LOVE will very soon be hitting the shelves, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of the first book in my sexy, funny knitting romance trilogy.

I don’t have copies of TANGLED UP IN LOVE yet, but three is one of my favorite numbers, there are three books in the “Chicks with Sticks” trilogy, and tomorrow—release day! in case I haven’t mentioned it a time or twelve before *vbg*—so I would love to draw three winners from today’s comments and let them each pick an autographed title from my backlist. This includes the HOTTER THAN HELL anthology, by the way, even though it’s a bit higher on the page.)

Thank you again for having me as your guest today, and for giving Dylan and Ronnie a chance to…say hello? Chat? Vent? Ah, well, I’m sure they’ll work out their differences eventually. Maybe. 😉

Love and stitches!

Heidi Betts

www.HeidiBetts.com

www.HeidiBetts.com/WIPsandChains

www.HeidiBetts.com/MustLoveYarn

Posted in A - B Authors, Books, Contemporary, Guest Blogger | 41 Comments

41 Responses

on February 2, 2009 at 8:29 am | Reply Jolene

hi heidi,
thanks for coming and sharing..what a fun read..I so cant wait for this book to come out..its on my must have list..
on February 2, 2009 at 9:38 am | Reply Stefanie D.

Hi Heidi!

Your book sounds like a fun read and I’m already looking forward to reading it!
on February 2, 2009 at 9:41 am | Reply Laura J.

I’m soooooo glad that tomorrow is the day! I have been anticipating this book for months!!!!!!!! Heidi just keeps teasing and teasing with tidbits here and there. It’s been pure torture!!!! *g*
on February 2, 2009 at 9:43 am | Reply Penney

Hi Heidi
Your book TANGLED UP IN LOVE sounds great I’ve already ordered it and am waiting for it to come in. I love your Desire books. Thanks for being here today.
Penney
on February 2, 2009 at 10:01 am | Reply Mel K.

Very clever interview, Heidi. Your sense of humor came through in this post and I’ll bet it shows up in TANGLED as well. If that’s any indication, I’ll definitely read the book. I know I would enjoy it!
on February 2, 2009 at 10:45 am | Reply sara hurt

Great interview Heidi. The book looks fabulous and is definetly going on my TBR. Thanks for sharing everything and hope you have a great day.
on February 2, 2009 at 10:56 am | Reply Margay

Heidi, I love the concept of your book because books and knitting are two of my favorite things. I love your Must Love Yarn blog!
Margay
on February 2, 2009 at 11:17 am | Reply Crystal B.

Hi Heidi. Great interview. Tangled Up With Love sounds great. I love your books. 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 11:23 am | Reply Colleen

I loved the interview Heidi! Thanks for sharing… your book sounds great! 😀
on February 2, 2009 at 12:16 pm | Reply Pam

Over on Heidi’s WIPs and Chains blog, I heard Ronnie told Dylan that “size doesn’t matter.” Somehow I think Ronnie is going to have to eat her words. Me-ow!

Can’t wait for tomorrow!!!
on February 2, 2009 at 12:20 pm | Reply Ellen Dye

Less than 24 hours now, Heidi! I’m thrilled for you and can’t wait to get my copy 🙂 Ellen
on February 2, 2009 at 12:30 pm | Reply Quilt Lady

Congrats on your new release Heidi! Thanks for sharing the interview with us! Tangled Up With Love sounds like a fantastic read.
on February 2, 2009 at 12:43 pm | Reply Fedora

LOL! Thanks for the Monday morning giggles, Heidi! I do love Ronnie and Dylan’s sparring–nothing like a good verbal match to heat things up a little 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 1:21 pm | Reply Lori Ann

Ooh, I loved that interview with Ronnie and Dylan. I am so happy that Tangled Up In Love comes out tomorrow, so that I can finally get my hands on a copy. Congrats on the release!
on February 2, 2009 at 2:00 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Good afternoon, everyone! Thank you, thank you for having me, & apologies for being a little late to check in. Had a couple of appointments this morning that couldn’t be rescheduled–one for my little doodlebug to get the niblets snip-snipped & a check-up for myself. 🙂 So now that I’m finally here, let me catch up!

Jolene~ Thanks for the warm welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. And your Must Have list…squeee! Thank you so much! You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear that sort of thing. 😀

Hi, Stefanie! Thanks so much! We chatted at one of my guest blog spots last week, too, right? (Fingers crossed, hoping I’m remembering correctly. *g*)

Laura~ He he. Mistress Heidi would be so proud, wouldn’t she?

Hi, Penney! Thank you so much! I’ll bet you get your copy of TANGLED before any of the rest of us do, too. LOL I’m also thrilled to hear you enjoyed my Desires. I really loved writing those & have been having pangs for them lately, so don’t be surprised if I do a few more one of these days. 🙂

Hi, Mel! Thank you! Dylan & Ronnie were so much fun to write about, & I just let the humor go wild. (For better or worse, I guess. LOL) Tell you what–after you read TANGLED, let me know if it struck your funny bone & if the promise of the interview paid off. 😉

Hi, Sara! Thank you so much. Love your name, btw. That’s the name of the little girl in my novella for the REAL MEN LAST ALL NIGHT anthology coming out in July. 🙂

Hi, Margay! We chatted last week, too, right? (Look at me, remembering things. 😉 ) I’m so glad you knit & are looking forward to this story. I can’t wait to hear what other crafters think of Dylan & Ronnie & the gang. I’m *hoping* they think the trilogy is cool & look at yarn in a whole different way afterwards. *vbg*

Hi, Crystal! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! Glad you liked the interview, too!

Thank you, Colleen! Glad you enjoyed the interview. It’s a little scary to be in a room with those two sometimes. *g*

Ha ha ha, Pam! You may be right; I’m thinking size matters a lot…you know, when it comes to *knitting.* Guess we’ll all just have to read the book & find out. 😉

Hi, Ellen! Yesssss! You’re right, we’re getting close. According to half-naked countdown man on the WIPs blog, only 18hrs to go. Provided, of course, the stores get the books on the shelves when they’re supposed to. Fingers crossed!

Hi again, Quilt Lady! (See, my brain, it is a’functioning. *vbg*) Thank you for popping in to spend the day with me. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview & can only hope you feel TANGLED is “fantastic” after you’ve had a chance to read it! 😀

Hi, Fedora! You’re very welcome for the giggles…& thank you for hanging out on the Blog Tour bus. 😉 I love characters who start out bickering, too. I think because you just know that when they jump over that line from hate to love, things are going to get HOT! 😀
on February 2, 2009 at 2:20 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Hi, Lori Ann! Thank you so much. If you liked the interview, I definitely think you’ll enjoy Ronnie & Dylan in all their glory. They get even more passionate…in both their verbal sparring &… Well, you know. LOL
on February 2, 2009 at 3:23 pm | Reply cyclops8

Hi Heidi,
Can’t believe “Tangled Up In Love” is coming out in less than a day. Really enjoyed Dylan and Ronnie’s interview.
on February 2, 2009 at 3:54 pm | Reply Marie

Hi Heidi

Great interview.
I can’t belive it’s February already! And tomorrow your book is coming out! I can’t wait 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 4:22 pm | Reply Estella

Great interview! Tangled Up In Love is on my Wish List.
on February 2, 2009 at 4:34 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Hey, Cyclops! Glad you enjoyed the interview. I know, only, like, 15 more hours…till bookstores open at 8am, at any rate, & TANGLED *should* start showing up. How hard can you cross your fingers before bone damage develops? *g*
on February 2, 2009 at 4:35 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Hi, Estella! Great to chat with you again. And thanks for putting TANGLED on your Wish List. Here’s hoping the Book Fairy slips a copy under your pillow during the night. 😀
on February 2, 2009 at 4:40 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Oh, & Margay…see what happens when you try to do too much too fast :-P…I’m so glad you like Must Love Yarn. It’s been fun so far, even if the past month has been a little TANGLED-heavy. 😉 I promise more fun & knitting-related stuff coming up in the future, tho, so I hope you’ll keep visiting!
on February 2, 2009 at 4:49 pm | Reply Susan

Hi Heidi,
I am thrilled “Tangled Up In Love” is finally about to be released! Congratulations!! Ronnie and Dylan’s part of the interview is my favorite, no offense meant. 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 5:19 pm | Reply Margay

Yes, we did! See? That’s how intrigued I am by this premise! I hope it encourages others to try knitting. It truly is a wonderful pastime – next to reading and writing, of course!

And I will keep up with Must Love Yarn because I do – love yarn, that is!

Margay
on February 2, 2009 at 5:30 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Hi, Susan! I’m thrilled, too! It feels like forever that I’ve been waiting for this book to come out. 😀

And no offense taken! Why would I? I *want* you to love Dylan & Ronnie…whether or not you like me is completely irrelevant. *vbg*
on February 2, 2009 at 5:32 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

I hope so, too, Margay. I’d just love to get e-mails or posts to Must Love Yarn saying folks learned to knit or tried knitting for the first time after reading TANGLED.

There’s a pattern in the back of TANGLED, too, so I’m hoping people will try it out & let me know how it turned out for them. 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 5:43 pm | Reply Karin

lol

I love that interview. Both characters sound exceedingly stubborn in their drive to one-up each other. I can’t wait to read the book to see just how they overcome that, or if they find other ways to one-up each other. 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 5:47 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

ROTF, Karin. Glad you enjoyed Dylan & Ronnie’s little sparring match. And let’s just say I think you’ve got their number. 😉
on February 2, 2009 at 6:14 pm | Reply Lily

Hi Heidi,

Loved that conversation… Your book looks great! It will be nice to see a guy knitting!

Good Luck for the big day 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 6:35 pm | Reply highlandlove

Cute conversation. Sounds like a great book. I like the cover as well.

I have a question, what’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to happen while writing a book, that took you completely by surprise?

hugs,
WendyK
on February 2, 2009 at 7:46 pm | Reply Stacy S

This sounds like a great read. Hope to get it soon.
on February 2, 2009 at 8:04 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Thank you, Lily! I loved being able to get guys knitting thru this series. It started out with them being uncomfortable about having to do something so “girly,” but definitely morphed. I was able to work each hero knitting into all three books in different ways…not always easy, but then, I love a fun challenge. And the best part was that I also got to make the men knitting *sexy.* Ooh-la-la. 😀
on February 2, 2009 at 8:51 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Thanks, Wendy! I was very pleased with the cover, too. The one for the next book (LOVES ME, LOVES ME KNOT) is even better…well, you know, imho. 😉 If you’d like a sneak peek, you can see it here: http://www.heidibetts.com/wipsandchains/?p=2424 And a slightly updated version here: http://www.heidibetts.com/wipsandchains/?p=2497

Tough question, tho. I honestly can’t think of anything “weird” that’s happened during the writing of a book. (Tho if you give me a few days, I’d be willing to bet something will come to mind. :-P)

But one thing that I do often find a little bit…strange is that I’m kind of a pantser when it comes to the initial plotting of some books. I’ll pitch a story idea to my editor as it comes to me, with no real background to rely on. If they like it, I’ll go ahead & plot the thing out, figuring I can research the stuff I don’t know about later…but somehow instead of being a trial, the research sort of comes to me. Like with the second “Chicks with Sticks” book, there’s an alpaca farm, & I knew I was going to need to know a lot about alpacas. Figured I had my work cut out for me, but next thing you know, I start running into people everywhere who have alpacas or have friends who do. It was like, Whoa!

So that’s something a little weird that seems to happen to me on a regular basis.
on February 2, 2009 at 9:01 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Hi, Marie! Sorry for the late reply; Fatin just informed me that your comment got stuck in moderation, so I didn’t see it before now!

I can’t believe it’s February already, either. Where the heck does the time go?!? And yes—TOMORROW!!! Yippee! (I guess that’s one reason I’m happy February is here already. *g*)

Glad you liked the interview! 🙂
on February 2, 2009 at 9:03 pm | Reply Heidi Betts

Hi, Stacy! Thank you! I hope you’re able to get TANGLED soon, too. And feel free to let me know when you start spotting it…I like to get a feel for where it’s showing up when, if I can. 🙂 Happy reading!
on February 2, 2009 at 10:58 pm | Reply Greta

Tangled looks good – I have it on my wishlist to purchase as soon as the refund comes in.

Great interview!
on February 2, 2009 at 11:58 pm | Reply kh

hi heidi
congrats on the boo.kk, love your blogs
on February 3, 2009 at 12:11 am | Reply limecello

Hi Heidi – thanks for visiting with us today! Looks like I’m late to the party as usual. (And honest to God I’m not stalking you – you just chose wonderful places to visit on your blog tour – all my usual haunts.)
Loved the conversation between Dylan and Veronica. I only know one guy who knits… but a lot of guys in high school learned how to crochet because making blankets fulfilled service learning/volunteering hours. Haha, it was great seeing these jocks crocheting in study halls, etc.
Congratulations on the new release- it’s officially Tuesday for me, so happy release day as well!
on February 3, 2009 at 10:30 am | Reply Heidi Betts

Good morning! The kitty is home…if someone worse for wear…so I thought I’d check in to see if any new comments popped up overnight. And I’m happy to see they did! 🙂

Hi, Greta! So glad you enjoyed the interview & are looking forward to TANGLED UP IN LOVE. So am I, but then, I may be a tad biased. *vbg*

Blech on the refund thing, tho. Okay, no–refund, good. Taxes bad. I haven’t even started mine yet. 😦
on February 3, 2009 at 10:32 am | Reply Heidi Betts

Hi, Kim! So great to “see” you again. You’re following me, I think, but that’s okay. 😀 Thanks for the congrats. Yes, TANGLED is out today. I hope. Fingers crossed all the stores put it out on time & everyone can find it. Let me know if you start to see it in your area.

And I’m so glad you enjoy the blogs. They’re so much fun, & I love chatting with readers like you. 🙂
on February 3, 2009 at 10:34 am | Reply Heidi Betts

Hi again, Limecello! Hey, didn’t we already establish that in this case, stalking it a good thing? *g*

And I think getting guys to knit for service learning & volunteer is a great idea! They could do it while watching sports on TV, right? 😛 I used to take crochet to study halls, too! I don’t think I knew how to knit then, & having sharp needles in my backpack would have been just too much temptation, if you know what I mean. 😉

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