Author BIO
BethAnn Buehler's world revolves around her family, her friends, her faith and her love of writing. When she's not writing, in her studio creating the latest craft project sensation, driving carpool or checking email, she can most often be found having breakfast at a local restaurant with her parents, enjoying a caramel latte with her girlfriends or neglecting her responsibilities as a wife and mother because she's thinking about her next story.
BethAnn switched to the inspirational side of the romance pond after taking serious stock of her writing career and rebalancing her personal priorities. She gets most of her ideas from talking with her friends about what everyone really wants for Christmas---a little bit of hope for a brighter tomorrow and someone to hold hands with on the journey.
BethAnn accepted her first publishing contract in March of 2010. BethAnn is a member of the Indianapolis Writer's Group as well as Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her awesome husband, handsome teenage son and four rotten Silky Terriers.
To find out more about BethAnn and her current works, please visit her at her blog: bethannbuehler.blogspot.com, on Facebook: Author Bethann Buehler, or contact her via Email at babwrites@gmail.com or blogging about a myriad of topics with her writing sisters at scriptchics.blogspot.com
You can find BethAnn’s work at the following:
Amazon.com AllRomanceebooks.com BarnesandNoble.com
Well overdue for rest and relaxation, Gunnery Sergeant Brogan Baker’s four man MARSOC team sets out on a command ordered vacation in hopes of escaping the string of bad luck that’s been plaguing them over the course of the past few months. Bad intel, faulty reports, and missing operatives have followed them through three missions and quite honestly, Brogan’s not sure if he’s coming or going. Add in the one phone call he’s been dreading for years and he’s beginning to fully understand why some guys choose the easy road out of the Corps: UA. He’d like nothing more than to fade to gray and blend in somewhere far away. Fat chance. As it turns out, the teams’ vacationing skills aren’t currently much better than their operational skills and before they’ve even had time to think bikinis and beers, they have a sick woman on their hands, the two youngest members of the team are knee deep in trouble with the oldest, and a report and muster message flashes across Brogan’s beeper.
Being a female marine isn’t easy for Staff Sergeant Allison Blaise. Choosing a life all about proving herself worthy of the title one of the few and the proud alongside her male counterparts, Alli volunteers for every special assignment that comes down the pipeline. Quite frankly, she’s in the top three in her field and that has someone scared and on the defensive. Alli reads intelligence like no-one’s business, speaks several languages, and is certified to take out the enemy utilizing no less than a dozen methods if necessary. But none of that is of much help when her insertion team deserts her and her extraction team is a no show. Pinned down in enemy territory and enslaved to a band of Somali pirates, her go-to attitude has landed her a stay as a prisoner, and her captors have her on the brink of cracking. Then along comes Brogan Baker, her superior, her savior, and a man who could destroy so much more of her than a few terrorists managed.
Courage, honor, and commitment are the rules Alli and Brogan have lived by since signing on the dotted line, but as evidence surrounding the botched missions they’ve had to clean up continues to build around them, they learn not all their fellow marines follow the same code. While they’d like to hate each other to preserve their hearts, avoiding each other is impossible as it will take all their skills combined to isolate the enemy and contain a nation gone rogue.
The Men of Faith Series
After years of playing gatekeeper for the people he cares for most and watching several of his best friends marry and start their families, Burke Miller suddenly feels like the old man at the party. While he doesn’t have trouble getting a date, Burke’s never met anyone that’s caused him to consider risking it all.
Abigail Foster didn’t mean to ruin her life. She didn’t mean to watch her home burn to the ground as she faded into the blackness of that night, never to be heard from again, as the result of her addiction. And she certainly didn’t expect to see steel blue eyes staring back at her through the darkened windows of a limousine as she scrounged for food on the side of the road.
When a successful attorney meets a homeless woman on the cold streets of Indianapolis, all becomes fair in games of chance and it’s anybody’s guess as to who’ll be left holding the winning hand.
In the aftermath of losing his wife and unborn son, professional quarterback Brody Jackson turns to his faith, making a vow to live a life that will honor those he’s lost. Yet on a field of endeavor where outrageous antics get a player noticed and if it feels good, do it often seems to be the maxim, walking the straight and narrow path can be a hard thing for a guy to do.
Whitney Ryan is in the mother of all slumps, struggling to watch as her player ranking dips into double digits. With three weeks to go until she’s slated for her next tournament, Whitney would rather be anywhere than on the tennis court and under her mother’s constant glare. When Whitney decides to run away from her responsibilities, her resolve is firm—she doesn’t need anyone getting in her way, especially a know-it-all with problems of his own.
When two household names holding widely varying views on how to live life in the spotlight and measure success are thrown together, is there any hope they can call a time out and find middle ground?
Cooper Hensen is back in the Midwest, a place that holds haunting memories for him. Worse, he’s been labeled the newcomer, the guy now responsible for replacing a pro bowl, quarterback superstar destined for the hall of fame. And while the other guy’s name graces everything around the city from a children’s hospital to a golf course and philanthropic foundation, people keep misspelling Cooper’s, driving him crazy. Twice in as many weeks he’s heard his neighbor, a die-hard other guy fan, refer to him as Copper. Seriously?
Cali Carter is a hard charging, no non-sense district attorney determined to clean up the city of Indianapolis. But lately things have shifted and she’s felt torn between her work and the position she fought so hard to achieve, and helping her sister, who’s struggling to manage her own young family and run the small café where she’s invested all of her heart, not to mention her life savings.
When a bossy, quick thinker who likes to fix things meets a man with incredible potential clouded by a haunted past, can two household names find a balance of power within their relationship and share the spotlight?
Short stories now available…
Jake & Haley, Chicago Couples, Part 1…
If you survive...
When Haley Ellis is left for dead, she knows her life will never be the same. The public face of the largest fashion house in North America, Haley has fallen out of favor with the powers that be, the advertising execs seeking a much younger woman to take her place in the spotlight. Haley never dreamed she’d be washed up at the tender age of twenty-six.
Can you rebuild?
Jake Austin has given up trying to force relationships. While he longs for someone to share his life with, Jake’s content growing his private therapy practice and helping his dad keep the family recycling business in the black.
Or is it worth the risk?
When a chance trip to the wrong side of town on a frigid Chicago morning brings Jake and Haley together, there’s a moment when Jake believes fate might just be on his side. But two white lies, one favor, and an empty hospital bed later, Jake realizes he’s the one that’s been left this time. And that really stinks because Jake knows first hand no one deserves to be thrown away.
No Ordinary Witch…
Abigail Bartlett hates being a witch. While she loves her grandmother, Margaret Bristol Bartlett, Abigail is frustrated that the older woman would bestow her with powers that Abigail has no plans of using. But Margaret knows the family secret. No Bartlett witch who has passed away can rest in peace until a centuries long feud between the Bartlett women and the Griggs men can be resolved, a feud that started in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.
Grier Griggs is trying to get to New York for Christmas but he's in no big hurry. Although he promised his mother, the last thing he wants to do is go hang out with the Griggs clan. Grier happens to play professional football but outside of him, his entire family makes their living studying, teaching or talking about various aspects of the Salem Witch Trials. Grier doesn't even believe in the Easter bunny, let alone witches.
When Grier stumbles into the small town of Lost Falls and into Abigail's office to ask for directions, Margaret senses his presence and sets a plan in action that puts her granddaughter on a collision course with love. The only problem is, one touch of Grier's hand on Abigail's skin sends the young woman writhing in pain.
Armed with gloves, antibiotic cream, bandages and love in his heart, Grier sets out to win over Abigail. He just hopes love will be enough to save them.
15 Questions with BethAnn
Tell us about your current title...
Charity 12 is the third in a five part series of novels set in various cities throughout the Midwest featuring five friends and the women they fall for. When Abigail Foster’s otherwise orderly life falls apart, she gets unwelcome help from an old acquaintance, Burke Miller. Abigail knows better to believe in the fairytale but she finds herself falling anyway…
Where is your novel set and why did you make this specific choice?
The Men of Faith series was born on a mountain in Utah. I was hanging out and reading in the lodge at Deer Valley (Utah) while my husband and son were out skiing. I took several books to read for the week since I don't ski and honestly, each one I finished left me flat. By the end of the third day (and the fourth dissatisfying book), I ran to the gift shop, bought a notebook, refilled my hot chocolate for the hundredth time and Brody started talking.
How did you come to write this particular book?
I'm a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom to a kiddo with Asperger's Syndrome, which is a very mild form of Autism. It's the hardest job I've ever had but it's my favorite. I started writing to carve out personal time for myself as a way to escape some of the stress in my daily life. I know it sounds corny but I love "love." I love the underdog, the person who deals with their own brokenness and finds the courage to make their life happen against the odds. That's why I write romance. I really want the happily-ever-after.
What are your writing habits?
I love to research the finer details of my books. That's to say if I state the name of a gun, let's say, I know enough about that weapon to know how far it shoots, the noise or lack thereof it makes when fired, its cost... For the Men of Faith series, I've consulted various doctors for the medically technical parts, an attorney for all of the legal parts and I have a military consultant for the weapons and communications aspect. My brother-in-law is a former NFL player so I have a football specialist on my team as well. I'm my own car buff so the wonderful cars my characters drive are all me. I'm not so big on outlining although as the series grows, I've needed an outline just to make sure I give proper closure to the various storylines I've introduced. I try to write everyday and usually set a goal of about 3,000 words. My muse and I are both Type A personalities so we're very goal oriented. However, given I’m raising a human, I don't always make it.
Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)...
I've been married almost 22 years and our son heads off to high school this fall. Honestly, with all of the craziness in this world today, I consider my family to be my greatest accomplishment. We're still making it work every day. I'm an avid tennis player, reader, movie buff and music lover. I drive too fast. I love my iced tea. And, I have four Silky Terriers that are spoiled rotten.
Do you have support, either from family and friends or a writing group?
My husband is very supportive but he doesn’t read my work. Because he flinched first, I don't share it with him. In fact, other than reading these interviews and visiting my author website, he's never read my stuff. We talk about my characters and stories quite often. I'm also blessed to have several critique partners, women whom I respect and trust that give me honest feedback. And I have to say my oldest and dearest girlfriend has been there every step of the way offering opinions and questioning my story line and ideas. I always tease that without her my novels would have been little more than a few paragraphs. She's the best line editor in the business.
What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write? When I wrote more contemporary, erotic romance, I felt research was key and I found I had to be in a certain frame of mind to write heavier sex scenes. The same goes for a fight scene. If someone makes me mad, I guarantee my characters are going to fight when I write that day. Now that I write inspirational romance, I work hard to make the story emotional and the relationships intimate without graphic sex.
Who are some of your other favorite authors and genres to read?
I just finished a great read by Denisea Kampe (contemporary romance) and I’m honored to announce we have a story coming out soon (see above). I enjoy Robyn Carr's books as well (Contemporary Romance). I also read quite a bit of autobiography. On my nightstand right now is Open by Andre Agassi (we both love to hit that fluorescent yellow felt ball). Elin Hildebrand is my favorite women's fiction author.
Among your own books, have you a favorite? A favorite hero or heroine?
Cooper Hensen is my favorite hero (Faith 15) and I have to admit I fell in love with him the more I wrote about him. I will say the 5th book in the Men of Faith series features a married couple and Eric, my hero in that story, is really starting to get under my skin. The million-dollar question everyone wants to know is if any of my books are about me. I have Whitney’s standoffish quality and share her love of tennis (Hope 22). I have Cali’s loyalty to the people I love (Faith 15). I have Abigail’s longing to be accepted and her heart for wanting the fairy tale (Charity 12). An old character I wrote in my first novel series, The Rebel Canyon Series, which is currently being reworked to fit a more inspirational standard, Rachel, is the one woman that's always spoke to me the most. When I first created her, she was someone all together different and to say she's changed as her story has unfolded would be a huge understatement. Wait until you meet her when that series is re-released. We'll have to talk.
Which of your books has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?
I find writing in the middle of series the hardest so I’m there right now, wrapping Charity 12 and heading into books four and five. In my mind, I see the end so taking the time to get it on paper is just brutal. My first novel, Broken Destiny (currently unpublished) was the easiest to write but as I’ve gone back to rework it, I know why. I thought I knew exactly what I was doing with that one and let me just say, nope. Not even close. What I didn’t know about the writing craft nearly six years ago amazes me.
Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
With the Men of Faith series the characters walked through the door and started talking. Brody, Cooper, Burke, Gage and Eric brought me their stories.
Are you in control of your characters or do they control you? Oh man, they own me! Just the other day I finished a scene and walked downstairs to announce that so-and-so and so-and-so (sorry--don't want to spoil anything!) were getting married. I think my exact quote was "well, I didn't know we were having a wedding but clearly we are." My husband fell out laughing.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
If you survive...
When Haley Ellis is left for dead, she knows her life will never be the same. The public face of the largest fashion house in North America, Haley has fallen out of favor with the powers that be, the advertising execs seeking a much younger woman to take her place in the spotlight. Haley never dreamed she’d be washed up at the tender age of twenty-six.
Can you rebuild?
Jake Austin has given up trying to force relationships. While he longs for someone to share his life with, Jake’s content growing his private therapy practice and helping his dad keep the family recycling business in the black.
Or is it worth the risk?
When a chance trip to the wrong side of town on a frigid Chicago morning brings Jake and Haley together, there’s a moment when Jake believes fate might just be on his side. But two white lies, one favor, and an empty hospital bed later, Jake realizes he’s the one that’s been left this time. And that really stinks because Jake knows first hand no one deserves to be thrown away.
Abigail Bartlett hates being a witch. While she loves her grandmother, Margaret Bristol Bartlett, Abigail is frustrated that the older woman would bestow her with powers that Abigail has no plans of using. But Margaret knows the family secret. No Bartlett witch who has passed away can rest in peace until a centuries long feud between the Bartlett women and the Griggs men can be resolved, a feud that started in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.
Grier Griggs is trying to get to New York for Christmas but he's in no big hurry. Although he promised his mother, the last thing he wants to do is go hang out with the Griggs clan. Grier happens to play professional football but outside of him, his entire family makes their living studying, teaching or talking about various aspects of the Salem Witch Trials. Grier doesn't even believe in the Easter bunny, let alone witches.
When Grier stumbles into the small town of Lost Falls and into Abigail's office to ask for directions, Margaret senses his presence and sets a plan in action that puts her granddaughter on a collision course with love. The only problem is, one touch of Grier's hand on Abigail's skin sends the young woman writhing in pain.
Armed with gloves, antibiotic cream, bandages and love in his heart, Grier sets out to win over Abigail. He just hopes love will be enough to save them.
15 Questions with BethAnn
Tell us about your current title...
Charity 12 is the third in a five part series of novels set in various cities throughout the Midwest featuring five friends and the women they fall for. When Abigail Foster’s otherwise orderly life falls apart, she gets unwelcome help from an old acquaintance, Burke Miller. Abigail knows better to believe in the fairytale but she finds herself falling anyway…
Where is your novel set and why did you make this specific choice?
The Men of Faith series was born on a mountain in Utah. I was hanging out and reading in the lodge at Deer Valley (Utah) while my husband and son were out skiing. I took several books to read for the week since I don't ski and honestly, each one I finished left me flat. By the end of the third day (and the fourth dissatisfying book), I ran to the gift shop, bought a notebook, refilled my hot chocolate for the hundredth time and Brody started talking.
How did you come to write this particular book?
I'm a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom to a kiddo with Asperger's Syndrome, which is a very mild form of Autism. It's the hardest job I've ever had but it's my favorite. I started writing to carve out personal time for myself as a way to escape some of the stress in my daily life. I know it sounds corny but I love "love." I love the underdog, the person who deals with their own brokenness and finds the courage to make their life happen against the odds. That's why I write romance. I really want the happily-ever-after.
What are your writing habits?
I love to research the finer details of my books. That's to say if I state the name of a gun, let's say, I know enough about that weapon to know how far it shoots, the noise or lack thereof it makes when fired, its cost... For the Men of Faith series, I've consulted various doctors for the medically technical parts, an attorney for all of the legal parts and I have a military consultant for the weapons and communications aspect. My brother-in-law is a former NFL player so I have a football specialist on my team as well. I'm my own car buff so the wonderful cars my characters drive are all me. I'm not so big on outlining although as the series grows, I've needed an outline just to make sure I give proper closure to the various storylines I've introduced. I try to write everyday and usually set a goal of about 3,000 words. My muse and I are both Type A personalities so we're very goal oriented. However, given I’m raising a human, I don't always make it.
Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)...
I've been married almost 22 years and our son heads off to high school this fall. Honestly, with all of the craziness in this world today, I consider my family to be my greatest accomplishment. We're still making it work every day. I'm an avid tennis player, reader, movie buff and music lover. I drive too fast. I love my iced tea. And, I have four Silky Terriers that are spoiled rotten.
Do you have support, either from family and friends or a writing group?
My husband is very supportive but he doesn’t read my work. Because he flinched first, I don't share it with him. In fact, other than reading these interviews and visiting my author website, he's never read my stuff. We talk about my characters and stories quite often. I'm also blessed to have several critique partners, women whom I respect and trust that give me honest feedback. And I have to say my oldest and dearest girlfriend has been there every step of the way offering opinions and questioning my story line and ideas. I always tease that without her my novels would have been little more than a few paragraphs. She's the best line editor in the business.
What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write? When I wrote more contemporary, erotic romance, I felt research was key and I found I had to be in a certain frame of mind to write heavier sex scenes. The same goes for a fight scene. If someone makes me mad, I guarantee my characters are going to fight when I write that day. Now that I write inspirational romance, I work hard to make the story emotional and the relationships intimate without graphic sex.
Who are some of your other favorite authors and genres to read?
I just finished a great read by Denisea Kampe (contemporary romance) and I’m honored to announce we have a story coming out soon (see above). I enjoy Robyn Carr's books as well (Contemporary Romance). I also read quite a bit of autobiography. On my nightstand right now is Open by Andre Agassi (we both love to hit that fluorescent yellow felt ball). Elin Hildebrand is my favorite women's fiction author.
Among your own books, have you a favorite? A favorite hero or heroine?
Cooper Hensen is my favorite hero (Faith 15) and I have to admit I fell in love with him the more I wrote about him. I will say the 5th book in the Men of Faith series features a married couple and Eric, my hero in that story, is really starting to get under my skin. The million-dollar question everyone wants to know is if any of my books are about me. I have Whitney’s standoffish quality and share her love of tennis (Hope 22). I have Cali’s loyalty to the people I love (Faith 15). I have Abigail’s longing to be accepted and her heart for wanting the fairy tale (Charity 12). An old character I wrote in my first novel series, The Rebel Canyon Series, which is currently being reworked to fit a more inspirational standard, Rachel, is the one woman that's always spoke to me the most. When I first created her, she was someone all together different and to say she's changed as her story has unfolded would be a huge understatement. Wait until you meet her when that series is re-released. We'll have to talk.
Which of your books has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?
I find writing in the middle of series the hardest so I’m there right now, wrapping Charity 12 and heading into books four and five. In my mind, I see the end so taking the time to get it on paper is just brutal. My first novel, Broken Destiny (currently unpublished) was the easiest to write but as I’ve gone back to rework it, I know why. I thought I knew exactly what I was doing with that one and let me just say, nope. Not even close. What I didn’t know about the writing craft nearly six years ago amazes me.
Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
With the Men of Faith series the characters walked through the door and started talking. Brody, Cooper, Burke, Gage and Eric brought me their stories.
Are you in control of your characters or do they control you? Oh man, they own me! Just the other day I finished a scene and walked downstairs to announce that so-and-so and so-and-so (sorry--don't want to spoil anything!) were getting married. I think my exact quote was "well, I didn't know we were having a wedding but clearly we are." My husband fell out laughing.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Holding my novel in my hands, knowing that I'm fulfilling one of my dreams.
