Red Gate Farm by D.V. Stone

               Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature author DV Stone and Red Gate Farm, a sweet contemporary romance set in a rural lake community in New Jersey. Up first is rancher Addie Martin.

Good morning, Addie. Let’s start with where you are from. I’ve lived in a few places, but for the past 10 years, I’ve called Northern NJ home. Little Flower Ranch is on the outskirts of Lake Unami, a small rural lake community. I know what you’re thinking, rural New Jersey? Yes, about sixty miles from NYC, you can find farms, forests, mountains, and lakes.

Tell us a bit about Red Gate Farm. Just when you think you have your life together, things don’t just fall apart; sometimes they explode. Have you ever heard of eminent domain? Well, [that’s when] the government decides they want your land, and they take it. So here I am with horses, goats, dogs, and cats without a place. I don’t want to move out of New Jersey, but the land here is crazy expensive if you can even find a piece for sale.

There is a long shot, though. One of my boarders has a cousin, Henry, with a piece of property, but it could be a sticky situation.

What did you think the first time you saw him? You mean Clark Kent? You laugh? Yes, the mild-mannered alter ego of Superman. Henry Price is a former journalist who fits the mold down to the black frame glasses. I’m trying not to get attached. Business is business after all. But he is tall, dark, and handsome, which ticks all my physical boxes.

What was your second thought? That he is one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I’ve ever met. He’s not a pushover. If our plan does move ahead, there will be expectations and contracts.  

Was it love at first sight? Hmm, maybe not love, but certainly a spark of attraction.

What do you like most about Henry? He loves animals, and they take to him immediately. My dog, BoBali, is probably the one who knew love at first sight.

How would you describe him? He has dark brown, slightly curly hair with a lock in the front that has its own way most of the time. His eyes caught me right away. It may sound weird, but have you ever looked into a horse’s big, old brown eyes? They are soft, yet intelligent. Sweet but have a sparkle in them. Henry is tall and lean with a farmer's tan and hands that are calloused but gentle.

How would he describe you? He likes my freckles, but let me tell you. The first day we met, my windblown hair was out of control. Only a bandana and a braid kept it out of my face. Honestly, though, he grew up on a farm, so he’s used to farm women.

What made you choose ranching for a career? Animals have always been my life. When I was a teen, I had a friend. She was older and taught me everything about horses. I scrimped and saved, then bought Little Flower and started taking in boarders. Then I added a few rescues to the place, and bam, a working ranch.

What is your biggest fear? Not being able to continue to care for my animals is what wakes me up at night. Losing everything I’ve worked for. Recently, I wonder about getting old alone.

How do you relax? Relax on a working ranch? When that occasionally happens, or I need to think, I’ll plop down in the field with my animals. Goats will climb into my lap or onto my back. Watching the horses graze is better than a spa session.

Who is your favorite fictional character? James Herriot. Well, he’s not really fictional, maybe fictionalized. He was a veterinarian from Yorkshire, England, and wrote about life on the farm in the early 1900s. All his books were funny, poignant, sad, and joyful.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “Stop staring at the problem and look past it, around it. And toughest of all, through it. See what’s on the other side.”

To purchase Red Gate Farm, go to: https://amzn.to/43kdGws

Thanks for taking time to speak with us, Addie. Now we’d like to chat with DV. What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Jan Karon. They are writers who take you to other worlds and show whether fantasy or contemporary (I write both), as Sam Gamgee said, “That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.” 

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? There’s a part of the story where Addie needs to tell Henry about something in her past—a time when she was young and naïve. Much of that story is a true event in my life. Its impact on my writing is what happened, happened. You can’t change it but you live with it and hope others don’t judge you.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I’m both traditionally and independently published. Red Gate Farm is independent.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I’m reading Ether Witch, and next up is Black Autumn.

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I have several series that need to be finished. I think the next to finish is Honky~Tonk House, part of my Impact series of first responders. I hope to have it done and submitted to the editor this summer.

If folks are interested in following my happenings, which range from writing to camping and cooking, they can check out my website https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/