The Very Thought of You

     A perfectionist equine vet. A gorgeous fireman. An unrequited high school crush blazes hot twelve years later.
Reliable Amanda McNeill’s world toppled last summer when Hollywood invaded her family’s horse breeding ranch.    
     Everyone’s moving onward and upward, but she’s in a massive rut. Weary of her label as the dependable older sister, she yearns to throw predictability to the wind and embrace spontaneity. She can be impulsive, even wild, and a hot fling with Jake Cruz might be the sizzle she needs to jump start her life.
     When firefighter Jake Cruz rescues a dog from a hit-and-run, the nearest vet is none other than his high school tutor, Amanda McNeill. Face to face with his former crush, he finds her to be even more beautiful than he remembers, and her charming blushes and heated glances tell him she notices him this time around. While Jake longs to discover if this Amanda matches the girl who starred in his adolescent fantasies, his desire to become fire captain, and earn his family's pride, requires he focus on work, not passion.
     Could his dream woman become his real love or will his professional ambitions extinguish their chances? Once the smoke clears, will Amanda realize Jake isn’t a fling but her hero after all?


Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back author Claire Marti as she celebrates the release of Book 2 in her Pacific Vista Ranch series, The Very Thought of You. With Claire today is equine vet Amanda McNeill.
Where are you from? Los Angeles, California
Tell us a bit about The Very Thought of You: The author, Claire Marti, shares the story of how Jake Cruz and I fell in love.
What did you think the first time you saw Jake Cruz? Back when I was a senior in high school, I tutored Jake in math. He was a skinny, shy little freshman. I thought he was sweet, like a little brother. What was your second thought, as in when you saw him several years later? Wow. When I saw him again this year, he’d changed considerably. Now he’s 6’5 and looks like that actor from [the movie] Magic Mike. You know, the firefighter?
Did you feel it was love at first sight? I’m not sure I believe in love at first sight. But it was definitely attraction at first sight. Butterflies in the belly, tingles up the spine type of attraction.
What do you like most about Jake? He is a sweetie beneath his big strong stoic firefighter exterior. His kindness makes me melt.
How would you describe Jake? Resilient, honorable, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous.
How would he describe you? He tells everyone I’m his first and only love.
What made you choose veterinary medicine for a career? I’ve always loved animals and I knew when I was ten years old that I wanted to be a vet. When we moved to Pacific Vista Ranch, I fell more in love with horses and here I am.
What is your biggest fear? I’d love to say I’m fearless, but I’d be lying. Jake’s a firefighter and every time he goes on a call, I’m afraid he won’t return. But I can’t control that so, don’t tell him I told you, okay?
Our lips are sealed. So with all this stress, how do you relax? Read a good book, ride my horse Bianca, and snuggle with Jake.
Who is your favorite fictional character? Anne Elliot from Persuasion by Jane Austen
What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My sister Dylan told me to ask Jake out.
Thank you for taking tie out of your busy schedule, Amanda. Now it's time to chat with Claire.
What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? So many! I’m a huge Hemingway fan. A Moveable Feast and The Sun Also Rises are two of my favorites. Nora Roberts helped me fall in love with romance––I love her witty dialogue and characters.
Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I decided to publish this series myself, so I’m the publisher.
What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? Liana de la Rosa’s To Tame a Scandalous Lady, Michele Arris’ See Me, and Sonali Dev’s Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors.
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? The third book in my Pacific Vista Ranch series, For The Love of You, is Dylan McNeill and Gabriel DuVernay’s story. Look for it in January 2020.


To purchase The Very Thought of You, to to: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YNY6JHS/