Meet author Leeann Betts

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense from Denver, Colorado and wherever her characters drag her. She is the alter-ego of Donna Schlachter, who describes Leeann as cute and perky and everything she’s not.

Tell us about your newest book.

Discover how keeping secrets from each other threatens four women’s friendships, wedding business, and own ability to find love in Loveland, Colorado.

Business partners Felicity Anderson, the cake baker; Kiki Bell, the seamstress; Cassie Blackthorn, the coordinator; and Chef Saffron Fare are best of friends in a town that is a romantic wedding destination for many couples—who work together at Weddings by Design to make every bride’s special day perfect. Could each falling into their own romance be the key to working out their differences and learning to trust each other—and God—with their futures?

What inspired you to write “Always a Wedding Planner”?

A friend and I were brainstorming, and I came up with this idea, a play on “always a bridesmaid, never a bride”. At first, four stories told by four different authors seemed a leap, but as we pulled the team together, we really felt we could do it. And Barbour Publishing thought so, too.

How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?

Four delicious stories about secrets, weddings, and romance. What could be better?

What genre do you focus on and why?

I usually write cozy mysteries, because that’s what I love to read. However, even when I’m not writing a mystery, my stories tend to have a touch of romance. In my contribution to this collection, “The Worst-Kept Secret”, both my hero and heroine have separate secrets. And the harder they try to overcome them, the more things go wrong.

Why do you write?

I say I write because the stories are in my head, the characters live there, and if I don’t get them on paper, I’ll bust. But really, I write to show others the same second—and third, and fourth-chance God I’ve come to know. Because, really, we all need at least one more chance.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

My heroine is Cassie Blackthorn. She is not your normal svelte bikini-model type. Instead, she’s taller, a little on the chunky yet fit side, determined yet insecure, because she’s an introvert in an extrovert’s business. Her name is a play off my stepmother’s, who I dearly loved. My hero is Brady Millman, the extreme extrovert whose secret revolves around drug addiction. I chose that name because of a recent guest who stayed with us from Australia.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?

I write every weekday when I’m writing, because that keeps me in the story. Any research or storyline questions that pop up are dealt with on Saturdays. Sundays are the Lord’s Day, and I don’t write or research then unless for some reason I’ve fallen behind. I find that one day of complete rest from the story makes me excited to start again on Mondays.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

I do have other books. Thanks for asking. You can find them at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=leeann+betts&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

What are you working on now?

I’m letting Book 3 of the Mysterious Ink Mystery Bookstore series percolate a little in my noggin. No pressure—it releases in June.

Website: www.LeeannBetts.com

Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Always-Wedding-Planner-4-Collection/dp/1643529196/ref=sr_1_35?dchild=1&keywords=leeann+betts&qid=1618265460&sr=8-35

Social media links: www.allbettsareoff.wordpress.com