Miss Green Eyes by Kara O'Neal

 A salute to those who are good at small talk. . . and those who are masters at avoiding it.  

About Miss Green Eyes: Annalee Gillespie finds her world shaken when her father dies and leaves her sole owner of the Circle G ranch. But when the will is read, she’s shaken again because she must make the trek up the Chisolm Trail with her foreman, the most irritating man in creation, and complete the tasks given to her—or control of the Circle G will fall into the hands of another.

          Capable, smart and frustratingly handsome Ewan Judge has needled and teased Annalee through the years. Now she must learn to get along with him, the best cowboy in Texas. She accepts the challenge and finds herself in the midst of more than one enemy.

Today Wild Women Authors celebrates our Books In A Series feature with Kara O’Neal’s Miss Green Eyes, a Wildflower of Texas story and “the most irritating man in creation” Ewan Judge—who will go first.

Good morning, Mr. Judge. Let’s begin with you telling us where you are from. Burnett, Texas.

Tell us a bit about Miss Green Eyes. This story’s about making things right. Fixing things. Or, rather, fixing my relationship with Annalee, the woman I’ve loved since I was 16. She made me nervous, and she was also the boss’s daughter. So, instead of going after her, I set myself apart and teased her to keep distance between us. Her father figured all that out and sends me and Annalee on a trip up the Chisolm by ourselves so that I can win her heart.

What did you think the first time you saw Annalee? She was sitting beneath a windmill out on the range. She was reading. I thought she was the prettiest thing I’d ever set eyes on. Literally, took my breath from my chest and my heart jumped into her hands.

Was it love at first sight? For me? Yes. But I did everything I could not to let it show.

What do you like most about Annalee? She’s kind and generous, and family means a lot to her. Her father passed away and left her in charge of the Circle G, and instead of selling, which would force people to find another home, she is doing everything she can to keep it together.

How would you describe her? Her father did it best. He called her ‘Miss Green Eyes’ after the flower. Has a bright green center with yellow petals. Annalee’s eyes are the most brilliant green I’ve ever seen. The flower is also delicate, but hardy. Also just like my Annalee.

How would she describe you? Even when she didn’t like me too much, she called me the best cowboy in Texas. After we spent time alone, and I was brave enough to let her near, she learned more about me. Now she knows I’m quiet and reserved. I hate small talk, so she runs interference for me when I need her to.

What made you choose to become a cowboy? It chose me. Or Annalee’s father chose it for me. I was sixteen with no idea of what I ought to do. I applied for a job on the Circle G, and for some reason, Jack Gillespie took a liking to me. He discovered I had good instincts, so he took me under his wing. Treated me like a son. Turned out I loved the work.

What is your biggest fear? Losing Annalee.

How do you relax? I saddle up and ride the range with my wife. Our ranch has the best sunrises in the world.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Don’t do too much reading. Don’t have time for it. But, if I did read, I think I’d like that Sherlock Holmes fellow. Annalee has read those books.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Jack Gillespie, Annalee’s father, told me before he died, that the only thing worth living for, is love. He was right.

Thanks for this, Ewan. Now we’d like to chat with Kara O’Neal.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Probably the most influential is Anne of Green Gables. So many characters to love in those books. And I enjoyed discovering how they changed over time.

Is there an event in your private life that you were able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Not an event, a person. My husband hates small talk. Can’t do it. So, I thought about a character who could be misunderstood because he’s more reserved, and Ewan Judge was born.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I am self-published now. I’d been with three other publishing companies, and I prefer self-publishing because I have so much freedom to do what I wish with my characters and my books.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile?

All God’s Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw; Freely Given by Jan Scarbrough and

Happy Nerd Year by Nancy Fraser

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves?

Book 4 in my Wildflower series is next. At the moment, it’s called SUNFLOWERS FOR JOHN. We’ll see if it lasts. It’s about a man with a very broken heart who carries a secret torch for Millie, a kind-hearted, redhead who’s a little wary of his handsomeness and quiet reserve.

 

To purchase Miss Green Eyes, go to: https://books2read.com/u/3yMelv

 

To learn more about Kara O’Neal and the stories she creates, go to:

Website –  www.karaoneal.com

Bookbub –  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kara-o-neal

Amazon –  http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1465007993&sr=8-1

Facebook –  https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/

X –  https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor

Pinterest –  https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/

Goodreads –  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/loveandletters7/