Ski resorts pair well with romance  and Twain Harte offers just the access that  inspirational romance writer Maria Michaels feels is perfect for her debut novel Harte’s Peak.  Michaels fell in love with Twain Harte, a little jewel of a town in the heart of the Sierras, on her first visit 1999.

“I took some creative liberties and because of that I renamed the town Harte’s Peak,” Michaels said. “You can do almost any story in a California setting!”

We’ve got it all, baby – beach, mountains, snow, history.

“Personally I love a good beach story, and we have plenty to pick from. I’m a Barbara Freethy fan. When she wrote All She Ever Wanted set entirely in the Bay Area (from San Francisco to Santa Cruz) I thought: I know that place! I’ve been there!”

About Harte’s Peak

Vera Carrington loves her newly renovated home and her cafe, The Bean, but with a balloon mortgage looming over head and a man from her past ready to bounce on her misfortune, she may have to face the agonizing decision of keeping one and selling the other.

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Colton is a new man in Christ. His days as a flamboyant pro-circuit skier are behind him, but to help Vera keep her home and her business, he agrees to coach her for an upcoming open ski tournament. He even agrees to hand over the purse if he should win.

Can Vera beat the odds and win the tournament? Will Ryan save the day, or will they both learn to trust God, no matter the outcome?

Maria’s debut novel Harte’s Peak will be released on June 20 by White Rose/Pelican Book Group.

Excerpt

This scene is from Dodge Ridge Ski Resort in Pinecrest, a short 15 miles from Twain Harte:

Only expert skiers were aware that one of the top rated resorts in the country stood outside Harte’s Peak.  Dodge Ridge Ski Lodge was one of the best kept secret of the Sierras, with its expert trails and a fully implemented ski school. A little something for everyone.

And one of the reasons Ryan had landed here several years ago. When he’d abandoned the competitive ski tour, the desire to be in the mountains had never quite left. Of course, flying down them at high rates of speed was another story. But these hills—the trails—represented a past from which he couldn’t hide.

Ryan scoped out the skiers dotting the hills wearing black, white, and the range of rainbow colored parkas. Clearly, Kyle was not the only one who had arrived early. By the looks of the money spent on equipment alone, Vera should be worried. And now he was apprehensive, too.

And not only about Vera. Uncomfortable memories of the last time he’d skied pricked his mind, but after all this time there should be no reason he couldn’t get back up on a pair. At one time, the sport had been second only to breathing. He shook off the worry that anyone could take away the peace he’d found. Not Kyle, and certainly not sliding down these mountains.

Vera waited for him outside the check-in, all suited up with her competitor lift ticket displayed on her pink and black jacket. “You showed up.”

“What did you expect?” The thought that she’d entertained the notion that he might not even show up for their first training lesson stung.

“I don’t know. I thought maybe it was a line.” She bit her lip.

“That’s not me.” He stared at her. “Not anymore.”

“All right, I apologize.” She shrugged.

Sure, there was a time when he would have done or said anything to spend time with a pretty woman. Those days were gone. Sooner or later, everyone would get the message, even Vera. He reminded himself to be patient.