About the Book

Book: Lone Star Sweetheart

Author: Shannon Sue Dunlap

Genre: Inspirational Rom-com

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Katherine Bruno is the shrew of Sweetheart, Texas. Her passionate, unfiltered temper clashes with the gentle pace of her tiny hometown. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife who wants to run in the local election against her own husband, she meets big city political consultant Ryan Park, and cue the fireworks! The handsome campaign manager gets under her skin in a big way, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Shannon Sue Dunlap lives in the lone star state of Texas. She’s a die-hard fan of happy endings and believe there’s a Heavenly Father who’s designed one for each of us. Inspiration comes from everywhere—including worldwide travels, her adorable music students, and the fun and flirty Korean dramas she enjoys watching.

Even in the hard times, there’s humor to be found, and Shannon tries to infuse every story with moments that bring a good chuckle or an all-out belly laugh. One of her greatest hopes is that readers recognize themselves in her books. We’re all such a fabulous mix of flaws and greatness, and everyone is the hero or heroine in their own life story.

She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Regent University and has published three romances under the pen name Shannon Kent. You can connect with her at www.shannonsuedunlap.com, and if you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll receive a free copy of her romcom novella Flower Boy Tour Guide.

More from Shannon

“How could she survive the night without a cookie?”

This line introduces my feisty sugar-loving heroine Katherine in Lone Star Sweetheart. She and I have a lot in common when it comes to enjoying our sweets. One hidden gem I discovered has won me more than one holiday baking competition in my church’s ladies group, and I’d like to share the recipe for Lace Cookies.

Warning: These are very fragile and may look like a healthy snack because of the oatmeal. But when you bite into them, the taste is unexpected and addictive.

I hope they bring you the same joy they’ve brought me. I know Katherine would have loved them.

(If you would like to see the original recipe, you can find it and other sweet sensations at jensfavoritecookies.com.)

Ingredients

10 tablespoons of butter (Yes, 10!)

1 cup of brown sugar

3 tablespoons of flour

½ teaspoon of salt

1 ½ cups of rolled oats

(I also include a dollop of vanilla. Just tilt the bottle over the bowl and give it a quick few drops. It adds to the rich taste.)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies won’t stick.

Heat the butter at a medium temperature in a saucepan. Mix in the brown sugar. Stir it well and remove it from the heat.

Mix in the flour and salt first. Then add the oats until the ingredients are evenly combined.

Drop small balls of the mix (about ½ tsp. in size). In the oven, these cookies spread quite a bit, so space them out accordingly. Bake for 6-9 minutes and remember to keep an eye on them. The edges should turn brown when they are done. (If you’re like me, it may take burning a trial batch, to get the right feel.)

Allow the cookies to cool on the tray for 3-4 minutes before removing them. They will be almost see-through like candy and very fragile. Handle with care and try not to eat too many. You can also crumble any broken ones and use them as a delicious ice cream topping.

Interview with Shannon

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Honest

Old-fashioned (If it has a hyphen, it still counts as one. Right?)

Romantic

Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

Lone Star Sweetheart started with a side character. Before I knew anything about the hero or heroine, I knew Lanette Johnson. She was a pushy, small-town mayor’s wife from a previous story I’d written. The thought popped into my head one day. What would happen if Lanette got mad at her husband and decided to run against him for mayor? My whole novel is thanks to her. She may be a bit opinionated and dictatorial, but her heart is for her town and the people in it. And she’s a lot of fun to write about.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

Life doesn’t go the way we want. A lot. It’s a hard truth to accept. My main characters have both experienced pain and disappointment, but they dealt with it in opposite ways. The message my book tries to emphasize is that we should run toward God in the dark times not away from Him.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Readers can go to my website www.shannonsuedunlap.com to find more about me, my books, and my traveling blog (www.travelhacksandsnacks.com). It also offers a free sweet and clean novella for anyone who signs up for my email list.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’m blessed to have recently signed a contract for a romcom that’s close to my heart. It features four golden girls who skip the senior living community and retire on a cruise ship. They dub themselves the Shippers because they’re all about relationships and spend their days matchmaking the young people around them. These ladies are a hoot, and I’m excited for y’all to meet them.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 19

Texas Book-aholic, July 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 22

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, July 23 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, July 23

A Reader’s Brain, July 24 (Author Interview)

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, July 24

The Book Club Network, July 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 26

Bliss, Books & Jewels, July 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 28

Holly’s Book Corner, July 29

Artistic Nobody, July 30 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, July 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Shannon is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/26b9e/lone-star-sweetheart-celebration-tour