Shannon McNear, Author

Welcome to our "Meet the Bachelor" blog tour! We have some fabulous prizes, a gift basket with contributions from all the authors, and free books! Please check back for details on how to enter, and where you can read more about the various stories in this very fun romance novella collection. And without further ado, may I introduce you to ... The Highwayman. Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee Bachelor's Name, Age, Occupation – Samuel Wheeler, early 20’s, apprentice wagonmaster (and handler of oxen --hence the adorable plush calf in the gift basket, from Colonial Williamsburg!) Visual inspiration: if you can imagine a young, blond Sean Astin, reminiscent of his role of Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings, only decked out in colonial working-man's wear, with long hair pulled back in a queue, you'd have a good approximation of Sam Wheeler. A Smith Shoeing an Ox (Dujardin: Wiki) Story Setting/Era – the Shenandoah Valley, along the Great Wagon Road that

How does one promote a book, in good conscience, while the world is burning at the edges? For that matter, how does one write , to start with, under those circumstances?                 Not an easy question to answer.                 The Highwayman was, as I told many people, my silliest story idea ever. Of course, that almost guaranteed that it would be the one my editor liked and bought. Though I was thrilled at receiving another contract, the first shattering news reports of ISIS attacks in Iraq were breaking as I wrote the first draft. More than once I questioned the MORALITY? of spending time on what felt so frivolous compared to world events.                 But when I’d take it to the Lord in prayer, the answer I received was ... keep writing. Just trust Me in this.                 Heaven knows I didn’t understand it. I wrote the first draft in a fever over just 18 days, not including a short break for a family visit. Writing was fun in ways other stories hadn’t be