Q&A with April 2013 Authors!

[Deborah]

Finishing up our April Q&A is Allie Pleiter, who has written many books for LIH, Love Inspired and Steeple Hill Cafe. This month, she's teaching Holly Sanders and Mason Wright some Family Lessons after an orphan train is stranded in Evan's Grove, Nebraska.

Allie, I see that Christine Johnson and Linda Ford also have Orphan Train books coming out in the next couple of months. What can you tell us about this new series and how closely did the three of you work together to create it?

[Ausjenny]

Welcome Allie, I read a bit about your book at Craftie ladies of romance (albeit late).
I love the premise of this book and series. Can you tell us a little about Holly and Mason.
Also did you learn any interesting tibbits in your research.

(off to bed had a cortisone in my wrist today and its hurting really really bad.)

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Deborah wrote: "Oh Laura - that's just heartbreaking. I will definitely be praying for these little ones and their families. If it's okay with you, I'll start a prayer request thread for this."

Thank you for starting a thread for these requests.

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Janet Dean wrote: "Laura, I'm praying for God's healing of Xander and Parsons. It's heartbreaking that these little ones are so very sick. Hugs to you."

Thank you Janet

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

I am really looking forward to this series! In fact Family Lessons was in my last book order. What interesting facts did you come across while researching this topic Allie? Also what are you currently working on?

[Allie]

Ausjenny wrote: "Welcome Allie, I read a bit about your book at Craftie ladies of romance (albeit late).
I love the premise of this book and series. Can you tell us a little about Holly and Mason.
Also did you lear..."
The whole concept of the Orphan Train movement is such a compelling story. While I've not really done prairie romances, I became fascinated with the lives of these children and the families that took them in. Holly is a strong woman who hasn't yet realized her strength--the trauma that launches the book brings out qualities in her that she doesn't know are there, and I loved exploring how that changed her life. As for Mason, I always find damaged heroes interesting because they have so many layers to peel back.

[Allie]

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "I am really looking forward to this series! In fact Family Lessons was in my last book order. What interesting facts did you come across while researching this topic Allie? Also what are you curren..."

I'm currently working on another continuity series, this one set in the Oklahoma Land rush that will come out next June. I don't often get chances to collaborate, so series like this give me a chance to flex that creative muscle. FAMILY LESSONS required mostly research on the Orphan Trains, which I find to be a truly unique time in American history. I became so intrigued with orphans and how they grow up that my next historical (the sequel to Homefront Hero) will be set in a Charleston orphanage just after WWI. But I still love contemporaries as well as my historicals, so the next thing you'll see from me will be the continuation of my Gordon Falls contemporary series with THE FIREMAN'S HOMECOMING which will be out this June.

[Paula-O]

Hi Allie, I like reading the stories about the children on the ophan trains..knowing this really happened and some got good homes from it is amazing story. It would be interesting now to interview someone who has been through this or had a relative that had, have you ran accross anyone like this in your research?
Looking forward to this book read.

[Allie]

Paula-O wrote: "Hi Allie, I like reading the stories about the children on the ophan trains..knowing this really happened and some got good homes from it is amazing story. It would be interesting now to interview..."

I read some first person accounts in both children and adult books, but of course everyone involved with this particular era is long gone. Still, diaries and other primary research sources--along with some really compelling photos--can give a vivid picture of what the experience was like.

[Deborah]

Thanks to our April authors and to our members for taking part in this month's Q&A!

Our giveaway winner for this month are...Barbara, Valri and Mary!! I'll be in touch with you ladies to get your mailing details if I don't already have them.

And everyone mark your calendars for next month (May 6-10) when our guest authors will include Jan Drexler who will be making her debut with LIH!

[Janet]

Dawn wrote: "Mary - There's all sorts of things to discover about Texas! As a native Texan, I can tell you TONS!

Janet - your WIP sounds pretty good too. When will that one be out?"

No release date as of yet, Dawn. Nice to see a Texan among us!

[Janet]

Allie wrote: "Ausjenny wrote: "Welcome Allie, I read a bit about your book at Craftie ladies of romance (albeit late).
I love the premise of this book and series. Can you tell us a little about Holly and Mason.
..."

Your story sounds wonderful, Allie! My first two LIH romances centered around young children from the orphan train. Isn't the research fascinating? Strange how nothing about the orphan movement made our history books!

[Allie]

I think these Q&A sessions are loads of fun--thanks everyone for visiting. I look forward to another found in June when the FIREMAN'S HOMECOMING releases. Oh wait, that's a contemporary...oh we'll, maybe I'll work something out :)

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

I want to say thank you to all the authors who answered all our questions and to Deborah who always puts these Q&As together!

Congrats to all the winners!!

[Valri]

I missed yesterday as I was flying home from Philadelphia but have enjoyed catching up by reading what went on while I was flying across the country! I enjoy Janet's books and will forward to this one! I also look forward to getting into the "Orphan Train" series. I heard about it a long time ago and did read a story about it awhile ago but I know a series about it will give me more facts and depth. As usual, the writers will be fantastic! Thanks, ladies!

[Paula-O]

Congrats to our winners Barbara, Valri and Mary, always enjoy seeing all the comments and meeting the authors, thanks Deb

[Janet]

Thanks for your interest in my stories, Valri! Hope you enjoyed Philadelphia.

[Janet]

Thanks, Deb, for hosting me!

[Valri]

I'm excited about winning! Thanks so much! Congrats to Barbara and Mary also!

[Mary]

Thanks! I am not much of a winner! Ha Ha