Q&A with November 2013 Authors!

[Jennifer]

Thanks Karen!

[Karen]

Penny wrote: Thanks, Karen. I'm glad to be back. I think awareness/tension is perfectly fine myself. I have a bit more in the second book and it flew. As long as we don't cross a certain line, we ought to be okay.

Penny, I think I'm learning not to cross that line. I haven't had any comments on the past two manuscripts. lol

[Karen]

I didn't get this to Deborah on time, but I'm giving away one copy of The Husband Hunt today for one commenter.

[Carole]

Welcome, Karen! I live in the Atlanta area, so I've taken family trips to the Smoky Mountains for as long as I can remember. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to the Smoky Mountain/Appalachia area as a setting. Have you visited there? I'd love to know a little about how you worked that setting into your series.

[Deborah]

I got it, Karen -- thanks! I'll probably wait and do the draw for all four books tomorrow morning, in case we get some new folks joining us later today.

Mr. Knightley is my favorite of all the Austen heroes -- how interesting to see that dynamic played out in the Smoky Mountains setting! It goes to show how universal good story elements are.

[Lyn]

Deborah wrote: "Thanks for checking out the video, Carole! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I've had fun playing with Animoto.

Lyn, you couldn't give me a nicer compliment. I must admit, The Secret Garden was a maj..."

That's a wonderful memory!

[Karen]

Carole wrote: "Welcome, Karen! I live in the Atlanta area, so I've taken family trips to the Smoky Mountains for as long as I can remember. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to the Smoky Mountain/Appalachia area as a se..."

Hi Carole, I actually grew up in East TN about an hour from Gatlinburg/Cades Cove, so many wonderful childhood memories were made here. After spending 8 years away while my husband was in the military, we are finally back in TN and loving it. Because of the natural beauty and the popularity of the area, the setting was an easy choice. Plus, I live close enough that I can easily visit local museums/visitor centers if I need to.

[Wendy]

Looking forward to reading this, Karen! Have really enjoyed this series so far.

Which will be the next cousin to get hitched? (One of the girls this time I'm guessing, as so far you've alternated between the families as to who's story it is.)

[Wendy]

Deb, I enjoyed your video too!

[Karen]

Deborah wrote:
Mr. Knightley is my favorite of all the Au..."

Deborah,
Thank you for coordinating this! Did you see the version with Johnny Lee Miller? I liked that one. :)

[Karen]

Wendy wrote: "Looking forward to reading this, Karen! Have really enjoyed this series so far.

Which will be the next cousin to get hitched? (One of the girls this time I'm guessing, as so far you've alternated ..."

Hi Wendy,
You're right, I have alternated up until now. I'm actually working on Caleb's story now and Nicole's will follow after that. I'm feeling the pressure since so many readers have expressed interest in him. :) But he's a rascal so I'm having fun with him.

[Melissa]

I really am enjoying reading these questions and answers! I enjoy Love Inspired Historicals and my Daughter does also.

[Paula-O]

Hi Karen, Looks like another winner for you in this series, seeing several reviews they say book starts with Sophie in a tree and ends with both of them in a tree, what is this supposed to be about? do you have a memory in your childhood of a tree ephisode? I remember hanging by legs on a branch when I was a kid but don't think I would even be able to get into one now.LOL
seriously do think this will be a good read and cant wait to read it. thanks for sharing
Paula O

[Sarah]

I'm so excited to read "The Husband Hunt"! I've been eagerly anticipating it since I finished "His Mountain Miss." :)
I have an odd question for you: Do you base any of your characters or a specific trait of theirs on people you know? (does that make any sense?)

[Brittany]

Mr. Knightley's relationship with Emma is one of my favorites. it is great to hear that this storyline has a similar feel. It is fun to read about characters who were friends falling in love.

[Ausjenny]

is Chattanooga anywhere near the Smokey Mountains? I went up look out mountain.

When you were doing research did you find any interesting tibits?

[Karen]

Melissa wrote: "I really am enjoying reading these questions and answers! I enjoy Love Inspired Historicals and my Daughter does also."

Melissa,
So glad you could stop by!

[Dorcas]

Hi Karen! You're a new author to me. When I saw the titles of a couple of your books I thought for sure I had read one of them but no, I must have got the samples on my kindle which is why your name sounded familiar. Anyway, they all look very interesting so I need to check them out. Thanks for sharing with us today!

[Karen]

Paula-O wrote: "Hi Karen, Looks like another winner for you in this series, seeing several reviews they say book starts with Sophie in a tree and ends with both of them in a tree, what is this supposed to be about..."

Paula,
I have not climbed a tree! lol However, I love trees, love the forest and nature. Spending time in the mountains and Cades Cove as a child must have made an impression on me. As for Sophie's penchant for climbing trees...she's a tomboy. She and Nathan and his brothers spent time in trees as children. As an adult, she goes there to think and be alone. Since the book started out with her in one, I thought it'd be cute to end up there.

[Karen]

Sarah wrote: "I'm so excited to read "The Husband Hunt"! I've been eagerly anticipating it since I finished "His Mountain Miss." :)
I have an odd question for you: Do you base any of your characters or a specif..."

Sarah, that's a great question. In the book I'm working on now, I named the heroine's best friend Meredith. Then I became friends with a woman by that name and I attributed some of her traits (ie twirling her hair) to my fictional character. But I haven't actually set out to base any of them on one particular person. I do borrow names from family members or friends sometimes. In my first book, I used my brother-in-law's name for the outlaw. I'm sure he appreciated that. :)

[Dorcas]

ok the lightbulb has gone off! I DID read one of your books, I just found it on my kindle (Bridal Swap) but it must have been before I was listing and reviewing my read books on goodreads cos its not on my read list. I may have to read it again so its fresh...

[Karen]

Brittany wrote: "Mr. Knightley's relationship with Emma is one of my favorites. it is great to hear that this storyline has a similar feel. It is fun to read about characters who were friends falling in love."

Hi Brittany,
One difference is that Emma is unaware of her feelings for Knightley until the end. Sophie has had a crush on Nathan for a while but thinks he'll never see her as anything other than an impulsive tomboy.
I really enjoy reading friends-to-romance stories but I haven't come across that many. I'm curious why this theme doesn't seem as popular as others like secret baby or marriage-of-convenience. For me, it was tricky to make the transition in their relationship but fun to write about two people who already knew each other so well.

[Karen]

Ausjenny wrote: "is Chattanooga anywhere near the Smokey Mountains? I went up look out mountain.

When you were doing research did you find any interesting tibits?"

Ausjenny,
Chattanooga is about three hours from Knoxville, TN, so I'd say it's about four from Gatlinburg and the Smokies. You were close! Did you enjoy Look Out Mountain? Did you go into the caves of Ruby Falls?

[Ausjenny]

Yes Karen we went to Ruby Falls and will all the rain it was fantastic never been to a falls in a cave before. Lookout mountain was so cool. We got to see so far but I was disorientated at that stage no idea what way us up or down! My friend is in Georgia bout 2 miles from the border while we were traveling North I thought we were going east took 5 days to get it right.
I loved seeing the mountains again in Virgina on my tour we stayed in the Blue Ridge Mountains it was amazing. It actually helps with reading to picture some of the places. Like Lancaster county we travelled through it and it was so different than I pictured. there are Amish next to English where as I thought there would be Amish in an area seperated from the others.

[Brittany]

Karen wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Mr. Knightley's relationship with Emma is one of my favorites. it is great to hear that this storyline has a similar feel. It is fun to read about characters who were friends falli..."

I don't know why there are not more either. Having Sophie care for Nathan but feel that the love will never be returned adds another twist in there, because she has the heartache of that unreturned love. It sounds really good and like a book that I would really enjoy!

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Thanks for sharing with us Karen. How many more books will be in this series?

[Karen]

Dorcas wrote: "ok the lightbulb has gone off! I DID read one of your books, I just found it on my kindle (Bridal Swap) but it must have been before I was listing and reviewing my read books on goodreads cos its..."

Hi Dorcas! I hope you enjoy The Bridal Swap for the second time. :)

[Karen]

Brittany wrote: "Karen wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Mr. Knightley's relationship with Emma is one of my favorites. it is great to hear that this storyline has a similar feel. It is fun to read about characters who were..."

I hope you do enjoy it! It was fun to write. :)

[Karen]

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "Thanks for sharing with us Karen. How many more books will be in this series?"

This has been fun, Laura. As far as I know, there will be four more books in the series. Caleb, Nicole and the twins, Jane and Jessica. However, the single and handsome Sheriff Shane Timmons keeps popping up in the books, and I'm wondering if I could fit him in somehow.

[Karen]

Ausjenny wrote: "Yes Karen we went to Ruby Falls and will all the rain it was fantastic never been to a falls in a cave before. Lookout mountain was so cool. We got to see so far but I was disorientated at that sta..."

Ausjenny,
Your trip sounds amazing. I would've thought the same thing about the Amish, that they would all be grouped together. I'm glad you have a clearer image of places you read about.

[Deborah]

Barbara wrote: "Deborah, your book sounds very interesting to me since I teach and also have a family member on the autism spectrum. Was one of your characters in this book harder for you to develop and/or relate to..."

Sorry I missed your message on Wednesday, Barbara! Those are great questions.

It was a bit harder for me to relate to Leah because she's so much different than I am. I hate to rock the boat but she loves to stir things up! I could identify more with Hayden, though I had to work hard to make it clear that he was acting out of love and concern for his son -- doing the wrong things for the right reasons.

I hope your family member is getting all the support and services they need. I considered writing about a child on the autistic spectrum, since that's what I know. But I realized nobody would have a clue about it in the early 19th century. So much has changed, even since I studied special ed 30 years ago.

[Deborah]

Thanks to all the authors and readers who made this such a great Q&A Week!

Because we had more participants than usual, I'm adding an extra book to the giveaway goodie bag. The winners for November are: Dorcas, Jennifer, Wendy, Melissa and Marianne. Congratulations, ladies!

[Deborah]

I'm already thinking about the December Q&A. Ordinarily we would have it during the first week, from Dec 2-6, but I wonder if that is too soon after Thanksgiving for people? Would the following week, Dec 9-13 be better?

You're welcome to post your thoughts here or send me a message. I'll also ask the December authors to find out when more of them will be available.

[Jennifer]

I think the second week would better but whatever is easier for the authors is fine! I won a book by Deborah Hale!!!! So excited! Thank you ladies!

[Wendy]

Thank you Deb, for another great week.

Thank you Penny for offering your book - I'm looking forward to reading it!

Congratulations also to the other winners Dorcas, Jennifer, Melissa & Marianne.

[Brittany]

Either is fine by me. Congrats winners!

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

I agree which ever week works best for the authors. Congrats to the winners

[Ausjenny]

Karen my trip was amazing and I treasure it especially with all the health issues since.

congrats to the winners.

[Paula-O]

Congrats to all the winners, happy reading ladies
thanks authors for all your time and comments
enjoyed when I was able to stop by...

[Ausjenny]

I am away from the 4th back on the 10th. so the second week is better for me.

[Paula-O]

If it is later in month in December it will mess with Christmas holidays too so I say leave it as it is...

[Valri]

Congrats to the winners!

[Penny]

Wendy wrote: "Thank you Deb, for another great week.

Thank you Penny for offering your book - I'm looking forward to reading it!

Congratulations also to the other winners Dorcas, Jennifer, Melissa & Marianne."

Wendy, I'll get the book off tomorrow. Hope you enjoy!

[Jennifer]

Thank you all for the congrats!

[Melody]

I will check in whenever you do it next month! Thanks for another fun month! Congrats to the winners! :)

[Deborah]

Thanks to everyone who chimed in about which week to schedule the December Q&A. Since one of our authors will be traveling during that first week and mostly out of internet contact, it made the decision very easy. The December Q&A will take place the week of December 9th - 13th and we already have our schedule!

Monday, Dec 9: Lacy Williams, Return of the Cowboy Doctor

Tuesday Dec 10: Regina Scott, The Wife Campaign

Wednesday Dec 11: Jillian Hart and Janet Tronstad, Mail-Order Mistletoe Brides: Christmas Hearts\Mistletoe Kiss in Dry Creek

Friday Dec 13: Jo Ann Brown, A Hero for Christmas

What a great line-up! Hope to see you there!

[Jennifer]

A very good line-up indeed!

[Alayna]

Can't wait!

[Carole]

Congratulations to all of this month's winners! It's been great having everyone here and December promises to be enjoyable as well. I'll be in daily rehearsals for our Christmas program that week, but will definitely make time for our authors.

[Melody]

Ahh! What a way to kick off my birthday! Can't wait!!! :)