In antebellum America, life for an abandoned woman was difficult at best. But when young Grayson escapes her sadistic guardian, she finds freedom just as hostile. Grayson Ridge struggles to survive her fated trials and conceal the secrets that plague her.
And so begins a turbulent journey that spans two decades and chronicles the exploits of the lonesome, starving wanderer. Her adventures collide with the life of Drake Somerset, a sullen and uncommunicative drifter who wants nothing to do with her. While at first using him for her own safety, his dark, mysterious magnetism draws her and binds her to him -- in a clearing, in a heartbeat and in love.
A 5 Heart Sweetheart Selection!
"From its intriguing beginning to its stunning conclusion, this is sweeping epic of love, betrayal, sorrow and redemption... It has the power to move the reader; be it with laughter, anger or tears...this was everything an historical romance should be. Highly recommended." Susan P. ~ The Romance Studio
"Wow where to start, I loved The Inn at Little Bend. A story full of so many twists and turns you better pay attention, or you will miss out on something important! Excellent characters who work well together, each bringing something unique to the story. A touch of romance mixed in makes it all the better to read. This is the first book I have read by Bobbi Groover, but it will not be the last!" Matilda ~ Coffee Time Romance & More
"...this is not your average romance western. Bobbi Groover creates a wild western romance with a wild twist that you will not see coming...She has a creative and unique writing style... Bobbi keeps you captivated and describes every scene in details making sure you don't miss anything." Desere ~ Romancing The Book
Following a well-rounded education at an East coast boarding school, Ms. Groover graduated with a B.A. in psychology and English and earned her M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania, all of which help her skillfully reside in the heads of the hero and heroine. With drawers full of stories, both finished and "cooking" she has been writing as long as she can remember. She has been published in numerous papers and periodicals, grounding her in the real world, while researching and wandering through the nineteenth century to create the vivid roles and splendid, complex individuals who inhabit the worlds of her romances.
As a third generation equestrian, Ms. Groover rides, trains and hunts her three beloved horses. The personalities and antics of her equines are woven into the storylines. These querulous, four-legged rapscallions offer a unique flavor as they wring emotions from the characters and readers alike.
At home, Ms. Groover shares her life with her husband, two boys and a menagerie of animals. Dividing her time between the stable and the studio, she spends her days doing what she loves best—writing and riding.
An Interview with Bobbie Groover
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Bobbi, thank you for talking with us at TRS! Your featured book is The Inn at Little Bend. Where did the idea for this mesmerizing romance come from?
BG: To be truthful about the inspiration for the book I will have to get a bit personal. During a very painful time (within a six month period) in my life I lost my father, my horse and my best friend. Those who know me well saw the toll their deaths were taking on me. I had lost three confidants (horses are great listeners with their big, bewhiskered lips kissing your neck) and so the outlets for my grief were gone. I felt abandoned. For someone who is a bit of a control freak, life spiraling out of control without the power to control it, is a horror. I withdrew (literally) and ran away (figuratively)...back to 1850... back to a world I could control. I ran back to where I was omnipotent and could make Fate bend to my will.
I now had my plot and my characters. My abandonment was Grayson's; my grief was Drake's. When they found their way through their trials, I found my way through mine. As in all HEA romances, my characters healed and so did I. THE INN AT LITLE BEND wrote itself.
HH: What do you like best about Grayson and why will readers relate to her?
BG: Grayson is abandoned. She is bounced around and bruised by Fate and yet never gives up hope that somehow she will succeed. Gray uses her wits and her instincts to stay alive and thrive. She has a good cry but wipes her eyes and trudges onward. She is introduced as a young woman so the reader comes to admire the beauty of her charm and intellect. Only as the story progresses does her loveliness add to her allure. Readers will relate to Gray because she has spunk and the ability to give as good as she gets, yet never loses her sweetness. One line in THE INN AT LITTLE BEND says it all: Where there's a will, there's a way...and there's a woman!
HH: What do you like best about Drake and why will readers love him?
BG: Well first of all -- to me, Drake's a hottie! But more than that...for such a tough, giant of a guy, he has a tender side. Early on, the reader does not know why Drake is gruff and, sometimes, downright nasty. Oddly, he barges in and risks bodily harm to save a young wanderer in trouble. The reader is still wary of him but then Grayson hears Drake play his music and feels the horror of what he hides. At first Grayson thinks Drake is the hunter, then fears he is the hunted. No, she decides, not hunted...haunted! Every once in a while, as the story deepens, Drake allows the reader a glimpse of what lies beneath his sullen mask. When the reader spies the pain and love he has hidden under his surly exterior, they'll be hooked.
HH: What sort of research did you do for this story?
BG: The antebellum period in American history is my favorite. I've researched the pre-Civil War era and physically driven through much of it to really get the feel of the land. THE INN doesn't have as much history in it as does my other romance, SEASON OF THE SHADOW, probably due to the whole inspiration for THE INN.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers?
BG:SEASON OF THE SHADOW and THE INN AT LITTLE BEND have been leading to my next novel, INTO THE GREY (working title). The timeline of the ongoing saga moves forward and embroils both Drake and Grayson (THE INN) along with Fletcher and Kyndee (SEASON) partnered with a new hero and heroine into the battles and atrocities of the Civil War. All my research will come into play. Here's a tentative blurb of INTO THE GREY:
Brayden Wakefield is quickly losing faith that hostilities between the Northern and Southern states will end peaceably. He and his neighbors, Fletcher Stedman and Royce Carlyle, seem to be in the minority in their belief that a war would not end in a few months. They know any clash would be long and brutal. But their loyalty to one another supplants their reluctance, and they are drawn into the politics and atrocities of the Civil War to save their kidnapped comrade, Caleb Jenkins. Nothing is as it seems, however. Together with Caleb's strong-willed wife, Sage, the plantation owners turned raiders, squirrel behind enemy lines. Brayden uncovers lies and intrigue on both sides but as he and his fellow raiders execute their audacious plan, as they torch the layers of the conspiracy, Brayden finds love hidden among the ashes.
HH: What draws today's readers to the romance genre in your opinion?
BG: I'm guessing it's because today's world is so stressful and fast. Few people take the time for a smile, a wink, a flirtatious gesture. Ah, but in a romance novel, chivalry has not vanished, and love still conquers all. (Spoken like a true romantic?)
HH: What's a day in the life of Bobbi Groover like?
BG: I share a wonderful life with my husband, two sons and an assortment of large and small four-legged critters. I also have my hands full being my mother's caregiver but the rest is given to my three beautiful equines and my heroes and heroines. I run to the barn every morning and ride. It's a magnificent way to start everyday because I MUST have my fill of 'Eau d'Equine!' (That's one of the reasons my horse dying in my arms was so painful.) I shoot home and take care of my mother and when she's comfortable, I open my computer and soar back to 1861. I know it might be hard to believe but, sometimes, I am so immersed in 1861 that it's actually hard to come back to the present.
HH: What are you reading at the moment?
BG: When there is time, I'm rereading a classic series: The John Jakes trilogy.
HH: What is one of your all time favorite books?
BG: To an antebellum buff like me, there can be only one: GONE WITH THE WIND. I read it for first time while I was in high school, read it in one day. When Rhett kisses Scarlett on the old road at the turn to Tara, any reader just melts.
"He was kissing her now and his mustache tickled her mouth, kissing her with slow, hot lips that were as leisurely as though he had the whole night before him."
Remembering those words and watching Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh on screen -- now THAT'S a kiss!
HH: Any special plans for the holidays this year?
BG: I love being home for Christmas -- the lights, the tree, the smells of yummy goodies baking and simmering in the kitchen. I love a roaring fire and family all around, the dogs trying to steal a morsel of whatever goodie is on the coffee table! We giggle and retell the family legends, the stories (some humorous, others sad, others full of history) that allow those who follow to know and remember those who went before. We have lots of stories because my family put down roots here in 1640. We lay claim to the blood of Englishmen, Scotsmen, Italians and Lenape Native Americans.
Our holiday plans are the same old tattered plans but always special. They are a celebration of love and hope that, like Grayson of THE INN AT LITTLE BEND, although we are bounced around and bruised by Fate, we will succeed and thrive.
