Protecting Jennie   Ann's Bio   Book Signings   New Projects   Photography   Contact

Protecting Jennie

Copyright ©2000 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited ® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Ride the rails to adventure as East meets West in Ann Collins' debut novel, Protecting Jennie. Working as a Harvey Girl waitress in the Arizona Territory was a far cry from Jennie Andrews's high society background, but it couldn't be far enough from the future her father had planned for her--even if it meant wasting her doctoring skills slicing bacon. As determined as she was beautiful, Jennie would let no one stop her from living her own life. Not even the handsome stranger who kept turning up whenever she seemed to need him. Detective-turned-rancher Cole Bryant couldn't deny his attraction to the woman he'd first spotted at the depot--or his curiosity about her. But these days Cole was steering clear of danger. And the more he saw of Jennie Andrews, the more the pretty Eastern miss looked like trouble! Harlequin Historicals Release date: December 2000 ISBN 0-373-29142-6 Read an excerpt! Order Protecting Jennie today at Barnes & Noble.com! ($4.49 + shipping)

Four Star Review from Romantic Times Magazine!

"Protecting Jennie...is about the courage it takes to step beyond what's comfortable and known, about the very real courage it takes to live as a loving human being." --Romantic Times

Foreign Sales

Protecting Jennie has been published in Brazil (Portuguese) and in Italy (Italian).

Ann Collins' Bio

Ann Collins grew up watching TV Westerns in La Jolla, California. When she began writing fiction, it was no surprise that the Old West called out to her. The 1946 Judy Garland musical, The Harvey Girls, began Ann's fascination with women of the West. Protecting Jennie, her debut historical romance novel, brings to life the history of Fred Harvey, his restaurant chain along the Santa Fe Railway, and his waitresses--the Harvey Girls. Ann loves adventure, be it in a book or real life. She taught English in Japan; sailing in Martinique and Mexico; and skiing in Italy, Switzerland, and Colorado. She has studied French in France and Spanish in Spain. Ann once spent nine months traveling around the world by herself. She began her writing career while in Japan, where she wrote a cultural manual to help Japanese people moving to the United States. HOW TO LIVE IN AMERICA: A Guide for the Japanese was published in 1991 by Yohan Publications, Inc., in Tokyo. The adventures continue in and around San Diego, where Ann enjoys being a doting aunt to her little nieces. Ann in 2006

Book Signings and Awards

December 9, 2000--Ann Collins sold all 85 in-store copies of her debut novel, Protecting Jennie (Harlequin Historicals), at her first book signing at Romance World in El Cajon, California. Romance World owner Mary Roscom said they sold out in the first hour, adding that Romantic Times Magazine gave Ann four stars in their review - what a great debut! February 13, 2001, 7:30 PM--Ann spoke and signed books with two other San Diego romance authors at Bookstar Costa Verde the night before Valentine's Day. Despite the rainy weather, there was a good turnout and almost everyone asked questions. May 10, 2001--Ann and Protecting Jennie won first place in the romance division of the San Diego Book Awards. August 8-9, 2004--Ann attended the first ever National Harvey Girl Symposium, held at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. She was privileged to meet some real Harvey Girls (now in their 70s and 80s) and hear their stories. A feature story about the event ran in the San Diego Union-Tribune and Ann was quoted regarding her Harvey Girl research. She was also interviewed at the event itself by a video production company who will be releasing a video of the Santa Fe Railway's history.

New Projects

Ann is currently trying her hand at writing historical fiction for young readers.

Links of Interest

Harlequin Historical Books Order Protecting Jennie today at Barnes & Noble.com! Contact Ann Read Ann's web-published article about romance writing

Copyright ©2001 by Ann Collins. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied or reused without express written permission of the owner. Web design and graphics by Roxyanne Young.