Q&A with December 2012 Authors!

[Ausjenny]

Hi Jillian and Janet.
I love these books. love the Christmas aspect too. Janet the self published one sounds interesting.

I look forward to this new book (which I know is on the way). What is the hardest part about writing and a collaboration?

[Jillian]

Hi Ausjenny ::Waving:: It's so good to see you!!!!

The hardest part about this is worrying that my writing will be, uh, shall I say, a disappointment, because I'm not in this anthology alone. I don't want to let down Janet, whose writing is so amazing. : )

Let me say, too, that working with Janet is the easiest thing in the world. You know she's marvelous, and she's exactly the same in real life. : ) Plus, she has the most brilliant ideas!!

[Jillian]

Laura--LOL. It's hard waiting on the mail! Hugs (and thanks). : )

[Ausjenny]

Cool Jillian, you dont really need to worry we all love your books.

[Paula-O]

Hello Jillian & Janet, hectic day today into dr office with my husband and then onto get breakfast at Cracker Barrels and of course then little shopping at mall. sorry here so late as love both of these authors and read many of your books.
I will soon start this mail order holiday bride one and so ready for it. That is great news Janet about your new endeavor on your own, you will do great.
when you two get together and collaborate on the story ,whom has the most imput? does one pick a character and go with that one and etc.

[Carole]

This new series sounds like it is going to be some fun reading. Am going to be looking gorward to this new series.

[Barbara]

Jillian and Janet, I'm so excited to hear that you are doing a third book next year. The two of you compliment each other so well as far as writing style, etc. I just started reading this year's book, and I absolutely love it! I would not be surprised if it's a bestseller also. I am excited to hear that both of you have new projects in the works. May God continue to bless all you do.

[JanetTronstad]

Hi, Laura -- Yes, the self-published will be wholesome instead of inspirational. A little more sensual as well.

[JanetTronstad]

Thanks Paula-o, Carole, and Barbara -- I am watching the book's ranking on Barnes and Noble, hoping it will rise, rise, rise. It's fun to watch.

[Jillian]

Ausjenny--you're so great, but honestly, I worry. I can't stop myself! I see doom . LOL.

Paula--hugs on your hectic day. Said a prayer for your husband. So glad to see you here. Hope you enjoy our anthology. : )

Carole--thanks! I hope you enjoy it.

Barb-- ::vigorously waving:: Hi, my good friend. So glad to see you. It is exciting to be able to do a third book with Janet. Hugs and thanks for your kind words. : )

[Jillian]

Janet--it is fun to watch it rise!! I've banned looking to see how the book's doing, or I'll never finish this book I'm writing! LOL

[Ausjenny]

I can understand that Jillian, its cos we are human. we tend to think we are not good enough etc.

is next years also a christmas story.

[Deborah]

Rounding out our December Q&A is Lacy Williams. I love the sound of her December 2012 book Counterfeit Cowboy - even the title alone is intriguing. Lacy did you find it difficult writing a hero who isn't what he claims to be?
How were you able to present Jesse Baker as an admirable, sympathetic hero in spite of that?

[Ausjenny]

Hey Lacy good to see you here, I have this book to read.

I know we meet Jesse in your first book can you refresh our memories about him?

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Hey Lacy I like the sound of Counterfeit Cowboy and will have to get my hands on it. What are you currently working on?

[Paula-O]

Lacy, congrats on your Genesis award and even before the debut book got published that has to be some kind of record in itself...
this guy Jesse, I think is going to steal my heart, so tall and good looking and wanting to be honest from the get-go with Erin. I know this will on my TBR stack and soon. Hey Santa is coming guys and gals we can wish huh? thanks for sharing with us today
I just love your name Lacy-not pertaining to the book but can you tell us how that came about if you know...

[Lacy]

Hi, everyone! I will be popping in and out today. I've got little kids at home so computer time is sporadic during the day. :)

Thanks to Deborah for hosting me and asking some questions to start us off!
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I think this was one of the hardest things when writing this book--my editor didn't want to show the hero as a "bad guy" and didn't want him to directly lie to the heroine. I went, "huh? but he's a con man!" So there was some definite work I had to do to fit in with what she wanted and still have a guy who starts out the story not being completely honest.

<>

I love redemption stories and so I knew I wanted him
to have the bigger journey to take throughout the book. The main way that I worked to make him honorable was that he didn't *want* to be what he had been in his past. He blames himself for a tragic event of the past and really wants to find freedom--but doesn't know how.

Jenny asked:
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It is actually the heroine Erin O'Grady who is mentioned in MARRYING MISS MARSHAL. She is Chas O'Grady's younger sister from Boston and described as a socialite with overprotective parents. Chas worries about her finding herself while under their father's protection--because their father is overbearing.


Laura wrote:
<< Hey Lacy I like the sound of Counterfeit Cowboy and will have to get my hands on it. What are you currently working on? >>

I am contracted for two books plus a novella (will be ebook only) to come out next year. These follow THE HOMESTEADER'S SWEETHEART (my second book) and are the stories of Jonas White's adoptive sons. I am really enjoying writing these books because the boys are so clueless about women, but are goodhearted cowboy-type heroes. I've turned in one book and have two Dec 15 deadlines on the novella and the next book, so I haven't done much Christmas shopping yet!!!

Paula wrote:
<< I just love your name Lacy-not pertaining to the book but can you tell us how that came about if you know... >>

From what my mom says, it was a toss-up between Emma and Lacy. I have no idea how it got picked. I've always liked my name as well, though, and people tell me it fits my personality (?? not sure how). My husband is an L-name as well, Luke, and now we've named two kids with L's... so we are the family of L's.

Here's a question for you all:

COUNTERFEIT COWBOY focuses a lot on train travel, particularly during the Christmas season where it is very busy. What's your favorite travel memory, or what is the worst thing that has ever happened to you on a trip?

[Paula-O]

I was young when I traveled on a train and so scared that I did not eat the whole trip because I was afraid to move from my seat, never rode a train again. I do like flying though-get there faster and dont have to worry about eating.

[Lacy]

I traveled on a train once on a vacation trip with my grandparents, through the mountains of Colorado. I remember it being really fun and at the time I hadn't done all the research I've done now about how often those old-timey trains used to derail!!!

[Ausjenny]

I use to go by train to the city quite a bit didn't really like it cos it was always late but did do a few other trips including an over night trip in a sleeping berth and NO didn't sleep. It can be interesting but would hate to be on it for days. I have done Adelaide to Perth by bus and thats 36 hours and not fun at all.

[Lacy]

36 hours of sitting does not sound fun to me either, no matter how many good books you've got along. :)

[Ausjenny]

Oh we stopped every 4 - 6 hours for a food break. and got to see some videos. but its not fun. I dont sleep on buses either

[Deborah]

We have one last thing to wrap up for the December Q&A and that is to announce our giveaway winners!

Our winners this month are:

Barbara - a book from Rachelle McCalla
Caroline - a book from Louise Gouge
Wendy - a $25 Amazon gift card from Jillian Hart and Janet Tronstad
Carole - a book from Lacy Williams

Congratulations to all and thanks to everyone who took part! Don't forget, we'll be back the first full week of January to toast the New Year and hear all about the new books. Then, later in the month when things are quieter, I'm hoping to organize a special event for our Group. Stay tuned for details!

Merry Christmas to all our wonderful members and many blessings in the New Year!

Deb

[Paula-O]

Congrats to all the winners-fun time with the authors so thanks to them for their time with us....
Merry Christmas all

[JanetTronstad]

Paula-O -- speaking for myself and the other authors, it's always a pleasure to spend time with our friends on Goodreads.

[Ausjenny]

Congrats to all winners and I hope you all have a blessed Christmas.

[Melissa]

JanetTronstad wrote: "I have a secret (a secret that some of you may know here). I am so enthralled with the mail-orrder bride idea that I am doing some more Mail-Order Bride books (self-published). I need to squeeze ..."

Janet, this sounds like a great book! =)

[Wendy]

Thank you Jillian & Janet for the gift card.

Happy Christmas to you all!

[Lyn]

JanetTronstad wrote: "I have a secret (a secret that some of you may know here). I am so enthralled with the mail-orrder bride idea that I am doing some more Mail-Order Bride books (self-published). I need to squeeze ..."

I love the Hard to Place Brides! Too funny.

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Congrats to all the winners!!

[Melissa]

Congratulations to all of the winners!

Happy Holidays to everyone!