Love Inspired Historicals discussion
First Ever Reverse Q&A
Andrea wrote: "Limited internet access is NOT fun! I hope to catch up later."
Andrea,
I understand. We have had issues and now my Uncle is staying with us . He is always on the internet so it is slower.
hope your internet gets fix quickly.
Just got back from the vet. The puppy is fine but I still have to keep her from running and jumping. Talk about hard things to do!I've read through from when I left. So happy to see more of our members joining in!
I have another question: Do you like the story to stop as soon as the hero and heroine express their love for one another, or do you want a wedding as the final moments.
Dorothy wrote: "Just got back from the vet. The puppy is fine but I still have to keep her from running and jumping. Talk about hard things to do!I've read through from when I left. So happy to see more of our m..."
I like to have a wedding.
Dorothy wrote: "Just got back from the vet. The puppy is fine but I still have to keep her from running and jumping. Talk about hard things to do!I've read through from when I left. So happy to see more of our m..."
Dorothy,
I like seeing a little more down the line. I like hints to see a year later even. Glad the puppy is ok but getting a puppy not to run and jump is almost impossible.
Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "Morning Everyone! Wow we are up early this morning and ready to go! Ok my answers to the questions: What is your favorite place and era to read about?
I love Regency England, American History, I..."
For LIS, I'd love to see New Testament biblical times... like Early Church, I also love WW1-WW2 books.
My favorite characters are ministers, missionaries, etc.
Louise wrote: "LOL! Me, too.My next question is:
Do you like animals in our stories? Everything from cat and dogs, horses and cows, exotic ones like llamas and geckos. What do you think?"
I love books about vets, animal rescue, search and rescue, and will read almost any book that has animals that have a significant role in the book.
I'm so glad to hear that many of you like animals in the stories. I think they add everything from humor to solving mysteries.What unusual animals have you seen in stories? I mean beyond horses, cats, and dogs.
Louise wrote: "I'm so glad to hear that many of you like animals in the stories. I think they add everything from humor to solving mysteries.What unusual animals have you seen in stories? I mean beyond horses, cats, and dogs. "
Tiger!
~ He was a great inclusion to this story. I loved him!
Danica wrote: "My question is whether or not you follow your favorite authors across genres? If a historical author writes contemporary, would you read the contemporary or just the historical? "I follow across the genres. Most make the switch with no trouble and I can enjoy the past or the present with them.
Wendy wrote: "Louise wrote: "I'm so glad to hear that many of you like animals in the stories. I think they add everything from humor to solving mysteries.What unusual animals have you seen in stories? I mean ..."
Oh, yes, I loved Tiger! I wish we could have more biblical fiction with those brave gladiators.
Danica wrote: "Good morning everyone! Sorry to be late to the party! I was cracking up at the historical facts people think are wrong tidbits, because I have that happen from time to time as well. And I do a lo..."
I love when authors write in different genres and time periods. As long as the writing is good, I'll read it.
I have answered most of the questions but I am at work so I will have to catch up again soon! As a writer, I think books and movies may have glamorized the Civil War, a terrible time in our country's history. But then, I'm not sure if readers want all the realities of any historical era. My question to readers: What draws you to stories, the truth of the time period or a more idealized version of the nitty-gritty realities?
~What draws me to the story is the story itself. It has to interest me. I don’t mind too much nitty-gritty but I don’t want to get completely grossed out. It really depends on what I am reading.
Do you enjoy strong accuracy of historical settings? I love to research, and in my two LIH books (second one to release in February), I spent about a week living in my characters' homes, in antebellum mansions that are now historical inns in Natchez, Mississippi. My characters interacted with the actual rooms, furniture, grounds, etc. of the homes. (I wrote part of one book in the actual house the story took place in.) I also used historical and current details of the town, so the reader could walk through Natchez and see where my characters were.
So ... does this kind of story world detail add to your enjoyment of the book?
~ Definitely! The more detail helps me visualize the setting.
My next question is: What is your favorite type of heroine? Do you like them strong? sweet but feisty? wounded and defensive? pampered, spoiled and forced to grow? One I haven't thought of... : )
~Like my heroes I enjoy my heroines all different types too! When it comes to a “spoiled or pampered” it depends on the attitude. I don’t mind if the heroine has never washed dishes because she grew up with servants but I have a problem if the heroine isn’t willing to try or help with the dishes. Make sense?
How do you feel about secret babies and ready-made families?
~I don’t mind either. When it comes to secret babies it depends on the reason for the secret. That said I think I prefer ready-made families over secret babies but I will read pretty much anything.
I am curious...what makes the 1880's westerns so appealing? ~ I have wondered that myself. It was my least favorite historical but since there are so many I have found myself falling in love with those too!
Here is another question. What names are you tired of for a cowboy hero? Or for a heroine?
~I can’t think of any off the top of my head. I get more annoyed with myself if I read a book and then pick up another book and the names are too similar or the same. I blame it on my poor planning. I think this starts to be more of a problem in the Amish books. They really seem to repeat names.
My question is about point of view. Do you like a fairly even telling of the story through the heroine's and hero's eyes, or do you prefer more of the heroine's thoughts? ~ I don’t mind if it’s mainly the heroine but I don’t mind if the POV switches to the hero once in a while so you get his thoughts too. Just make it a clean switch like the start of a new chapter. I think that’s why the Hunger Games movies did so well. The books are written strictly from Katniss’ POV but in the movie they expand to see what else is going on behind the scenes. In the Harry Potter books the POV a good 90% is Harry’s but you do get chapters in a different character’s POV like the start of the fourth or sixth book which help expand the world.
So, my question...do you check an historical fact if you think it's wrong? ~I probably would, can’t think of any that I have done.
Do you like animals in our stories? Everything from cat and dogs, horses and cows, exotic ones like llamas and geckos. What do you think?~I love animals in books but it helps if they have a personality. Right now I am about to finish Seek & Find by Danna Mentink and I am loving Hawk!
Do you have a preference for stand alone books or do you like books to be in a series? ~ Doesn’t matter I go back and forth. I just like to know if my book is part of a series so I can keep a look out for the next one or go back and find the earlier stories.
Do you want the hero and heroine together immediately? Or do you like a bit of lead-in that gives you a hint of why the hero and heroine are in this particular place/situation? ~ I like a little bit of a lead in so we know what has caused the situation or why they are in that place.
Quirky cats...? I'll think about that. I had a cat when I was young that thought he was a dog. But if I wrote him into a book would you believe it? Or would you think, cats don't act like that? ~There are some cats who act like dogs! I would totally believe it!
That leads me to wonder what you think of the current trend toward men with a couple day's growth of beard (whiskers) on the covers. Not that long ago, I couldn't get a model with that look on the cover. I was sure surprised to see the man sported a light growth of whiskers on the cover of my current release. Realistically, men who worked outdoors (cowboys, farmers, lumberjacks, etc.) back in the 1800s didn't get a shave every day. Do you prefer gritty reality on the cover or a more stylized/romantic image? ~ A little bit of whiskers doesn’t bother me. As for the cover of the book I like all kinds of covers as long as they fit the story. Sometimes the hair or eye color is wrong. But I know now that the authors have typically no control over the cover.
Do you feel there is any time period or type of story that is currently under-represented? ~ I can’t really think of any.
My question is whether or not you follow your favorite authors across genres? If a historical author writes contemporary, would you read the contemporary or just the historical? ~ I read all three lines, LI, LIS, & LIH. As long as the story interests me I’ll read across the lines.
Very good! Nice to see folks who cross genres!And... tiny plug... I have a rooster who is prominent in book coming out in February 2018.
"Do you feel there is any time period or type of story that is currently under-represented?"I can never find anything in late 1940s/early 1950s,
Korean War era.
Not much in Vietnam era (1960s/1970s) either.
Most of the historical fiction books I find
are Civil War, late 1800s-early 1900s, and WWII.
What is your favorite place and era to read about?American Civil War and WWII.
Paratroopers and pilots/plane crews seem to be at the top of my list.
Although late 1800s (era of Little House) would come in 3rd place!
Do you like animals in our stories? Everything from cat and dogs, horses and cows, exotic ones like llamas and geckos. What do you think?Cats (uhhh.. probably 'cause I have a cat who stuck her paw in my heart!) and pooches - especially working pooches - are my favorites.
"My question is whether or not you follow your favorite authors across genres? If a historical author writes contemporary, would you read the contemporary or just the historical? "If the author is good, it won't matter what genre they write in.
I know that she doesn't write Love-Inspired, but one example I can think of is Tricia Goyer. She's known for her WWII books, Amish books, and even has non-fiction books.
Do you enjoy strong accuracy of historical settings?Yep. if I can do an internet search and find out "who was really there and what really happened", I'm a happy reader.
I know that the author really did his or her research!
Talking about animals that help to make a story... Are any of you familiar with Samatha the pet goose in the movie Friendly Persuasion? That opening scene is wonderful! I'm going to give animals in stories a stronger look. Thanks for bringing this subject up, Louise.
Do you have a preference for stand alone books or do you like books to be in a series?I'm a series gal. I jump all over the place.
So I'll read a book in one series, go to another in another genre, then retreat to the first series ... I always feel like I'm visiting old friends!
Dorothy wrote: "Quirky cats...? I'll think about that. I had a cat when I was young that thought he was a dog. But if I wrote him into a book would you believe it? Or would you think, cats don't act like that?"I would believe it as cats do strange things. friends had a cat that was always with there dog did every thing together, ate, slept etc. When the dog died she was sad but when they got new dogs she let them know she was boss and they were not wanted. Cats have personalities and choose there owners.
Karen wrote: "Ausjenny wrote: "Karen wrote: "I'm enjoying reading everyone's answers! Is there one story aspect that always hooks your interest? For me, I'm a sucker for stranded stories. If you have a hero and ..."I think at present there are lots of western books at present just after the Civil War.
I think the era Dorothy wants to write is under represented. Also WW1 era, The other era is the Gold rush era.
Dorothy wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "Good morning all! Thanks to the late-comers who read through and answered all of the questions! Believe me, I'm taking notes. : )One thing I want to clear up... I was ..."
It depends on the book. With the shorter books its expected to meet them sooner. I recently read a Wanda Brunstetter book and the hero isn't in the book for many chapters and even then it wasn't til later in the book you worked out who the heroine would end up marrying. I actually liked the change from the normal because it mixes it up.
Ausjenny wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "Quirky cats...? I'll think about that. I had a cat when I was young that thought he was a dog. But if I wrote him into a book would you believe it? Or would you think, cats don't ac..."They sure do have diverse personalities! My sister had two cats; one thought he was a dog and would play fetch. The other thought he was a raccoon and dunked all his food in his water bowl before eating it; also preferred to drink water out of the faucet and would get a bath or shower whenever he could sneak into one with someone getting into a tub!!
"Dorothy wrote: "So, my question...do you check an historical fact if you think it's wrong?"yes I have been known to When I think it was Eva Maria wrote her book in France she mentioned the metric system. I checked and yes it was invented back then. I didn't know that but knew we had had it here since the 70's. I have checked other facts too but that one stands out in my memory.
Danica wrote: "Good morning everyone! Sorry to be late to the party! I was cracking up at the historical facts people think are wrong tidbits, because I have that happen from time to time as well. And I do a lo..."
Danica, I did a tour of my home capital once and the guide got so much wrong like how to pronounce names and some very simple facts. It made me mad. It was more annoying because there were two of us who were younger and he basically dismissed us all tour.
Yes there are authors I follow over genres, Susan Page Davis is one, Darlene Franklin is another. An aussie I have done this with is Meredith Reese there are others also.
Sam wrote: "Christine wrote: "Do you feel there is any time period or type of story that is currently under-represented?"I think there is a whole lot of historical books set in the US and in Western Europe (..."
You are right about medieval times. Also the early explorer times.
Dorothy wrote: "I have another question: Do you like the story to stop as soon as the hero and heroine express their love for one another, or do you want a wedding as the final moments.
.."
It can depend on a book I like to know they have a future at least engaged. I don't like the ones where they finally decide they like each other but then it ends. I do enjoy epilogues even if its a year or two down the track. The exception is if its a part of a series and the next book will continue the story.
Louise wrote: "I'm so glad to hear that many of you like animals in the stories. I think they add everything from humor to solving mysteries.What unusual animals have you seen in stories? I mean beyond horses, ..."
Carla Capshaw had a book with Cat who was a Tiger in it as a pet. "Gladiator" I think it was called or something like that. I loved Cat as I would love a pet Tiger.
Dorothy wrote: "Do you like the story to stop as soon as the hero and heroine express their love for one another, or do you want a wedding as the final moments."I like to get at least a glimpse of the wedding :)
Wendy wrote: "Tiger! ~ He was a great inclusion to this story. I loved him!"I have been thinking about getting this book :)
Louise wrote: "Oh, yes, I loved Tiger! I wish we could have more biblical fiction with those brave gladiators."
Me too!
Thanks, June!Your preference is one to ponder... siblings, instead of random people in a town.
Does anyone else have a preference for siblings in series, instead of random people who happen to live in the same location?
June wrote: "Eva wrote: "Hi all!!!
Great questions and answers!!!
Here's another one:
Do you have a preference for stand alone books or do you like books to be in a series?"
Eva, I like books that can be stand..."
Thanks, Becky!It's always interesting which characters readers wish had spin off books of their own. They might differ from the writers :)
Becky wrote: "June wrote: "Eva wrote: "Hi all!!!
Great questions and answers!!!
Here's another one:
Do you have a preference for stand alone books or do you like books to be in a series?"
Eva, I like books that..."
Thanks, Laura!Yes, definitely a must to know if a book is part of a series so you don't miss any :)
Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "I have answered most of the questions but I am at work so I will have to catch up again soon!
As a writer, I think books and movies may have glamorized the Civil War, a terrible time in our count..."
You're all fabulous at answering!!! This is fun :)New Questions:
How involved do you like to be with an author?
Do you like to help choose character names?
Be an author's first reader/reviewer?
Or are there any other things that you love or hate?
I'd really love to know :)
Eva wrote: "Thanks, June!Your preference is one to ponder... siblings, instead of random people in a town.
Does anyone else have a preference for siblings in series, instead of random people who happen to li..."
Hi Eva, I agree its nice to see siblings in a series it can be really cool to see what happens to them especially if there are younger ones. Also it could be cousins. I don't mind people connected in a town like say they are all brought together for a reason maybe all brought up in an orphanage or school friends. Jillian Hart had a series where there were about 6 school friends from varying circumstances like rich, poor, immigrant etc who formed a friendship. Also read a series many years ago where a few met on an orphan train and also some mail order brides arrived in a town and each book dealt with a different bride but they were still connected. I like them to be connected not just by the same town I want to see previous people even if they are only mentioned occasionally in the book.
Eva I think some characters in books demand their own story even if it takes place several years down the track like the young child the hero and heroine were protecting I sometimes want to know what happens to them. Oh and the previous comment about connecting in a series. I also like where we see different generations. I have seen this done well in novellas where the first book sets the story and then we see the generations and there story and often have something that ties them together like a quilt that's handed down or a journal or something that's handed down and added too. Or maybe even a piece of jewellery.
Eva wrote: "You're all fabulous at answering!!! This is fun :)New Questions:
How involved do you like to be with an author?
Do you like to help choose character names?
Be an author's first reader/reviewer?
O..."
I love being part of review teams and have that opportunity to help an author launch her/his book. I also appreciate when authors ask reader's help with anything from story to title to names. Anything that gets the reader involved :D
Awesome answer, Jenny! Thanks for the detail! I think I know which series you're referring to.And it's so good to know that even a mention of a character is appreciated by readers :)
Ausjenny wrote: "Eva wrote: "Thanks, June!
Your preference is one to ponder... siblings, instead of random people in a town.
Does anyone else have a preference for siblings in series, instead of random people who ..."
Thanks, Jenny!Sigh of relief here about generations, considering I'm going to indie publish three books on the grandchildren from Highland Hearts :)
Ausjenny wrote: "Eva I think some characters in books demand their own story even if it takes place several years down the track like the young child the hero and heroine were protecting I sometimes want to know wh..."
New Questions:How involved do you like to be with an author?
It depends like Same I have been part of a review team which is great but I choose how much I can read etc. I do like to be able to help promote books for authors.
Do you like to help choose character names?
Its fun to suggest names.
Be an author's first reader/reviewer?
I have done this its cool but because of health issues I know don't like to over commit so knowing I have to review by a certain time can sometimes be to much for me.
Or are there any other things that you love or hate?
I'd really love to know :)
I love when authors interact like in this forum. I also love if they are on a blog they reply to people and don't skip people just cos the person writes something that may not be something easy to reply to. I have commented on blogs and almost every other post has a comment from the author but mine and it does make you fell like you are not appreciated. Even just a thanks for dropping by at least acknowledges the poster for taking the time to comment. I know on thing like fb when there is a party its easy to miss people so that isn't a big issue for me. I hate when an author has a give away but then doesn't follow through (and yes there are many who do this) I have been on both sides. One as a blogger and its embarrassing when the winner asks when the book may arrive and then trying to reach the author who ignores you I have actually sent the book myself to a couple of people. Also I have had a few I won that I never received a couple said they resent but I don't think so cos to lose one is reasonable but two isn't not when you hear others also never received the book. I have also had the experience of winning a group blog prize where several authors sent a prize but I only received about 2 of the 6. I didn't pursue it but it does make you weary of those authors. I always ask where they will send so we know before hand if its only USA or worldwide.
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About series books. I wanted to do a Down the years series that followed certain residents in a small town. The series (Pinewood Weddings) started with the town's beginning and then followed four childhood friends. What I wanted to do, was follow the descendants of those four friends and the Pinewood town through the important eras of American history, the wars etc. to see how they effected the families. The editors nixed the idea. So my question is: Would you like to read a series like that?
Eva wrote: "Thanks, Jenny!Sigh of relief here about generations, considering I'm going to indie publish three books on the grandchildren from Highland Hearts :)
Ausjenny wrote: "Eva I think some characters i..."
Oh how exciting, It wasn't you that did the French book. I can't remember who that was now but She used metric. I remember the story well but Can't remember her name right now.
Dorothy wrote: "About series books. I wanted to do a Down the years series that followed certain residents in a small town. The series (Pinewood Weddings) started with the town's beginning and then followed four c..."Gilbert Morris did it and if he can do it then why can't you. I loved his House of Winslow series. I love the idea you have its cool to read down the generations.
Thanks for the encouragement, Jenny! I'll keep this in mind. I don't know what the future holds for my writing, but the Lord does. I'm trusting Him to lead me.I've read a few Gilbert Morris books, but not the one you mentioned. I'll have to find it. I'll actually have time to read for pleasure if I'm not continually under a deadline. : )
I'm off to bed now. I'll be back tomorrow! I so appreciate all of you for coming and answering our questions. Thank you!
Dorothy wrote: "About series books. I wanted to do a Down the years series that followed certain residents in a small town. The series (Pinewood Weddings) started with the town's beginning and then followed four c..."This sounds like a very interesting idea for a book series :D
Dorothy wrote: "About series books. I wanted to do a Down the years series that followed certain residents in a small town. The series (Pinewood Weddings) started with the town's beginning and then followed four c..."Dorothy,
I enjoy series where you get to see the kids grown up and starting out and how things went with the original residents in a small town are doing.
I too love generational series! I'm reading through Elswyth Thane's now, though it does have some profanity issues that I'm struggling with. It follows a family from the 1700s to the 1900s in historic Williamsburg.
For author involvement...I love things like this, getting to know authors, chatting about likes and dislikes in books. I also like it when authors share snippets of works-in-progress on their blogs (I really like Elisabeth Grace Foley's style of doing this, though I think a lot of times contracted authors can't have that freedom.) I don't participate in Facebook groups because I don't like FB and don't want the security issues it brings to mobile devices. Naming characters is fun. A couple of author friends also had several ideas of things to work on and allowed blog readers to vote on what project for them to work on that month.I have two favorite authors I influence for and I am also an early reviewer for NetGalley. I have done some "beta-reading" (like first reader with comment/feedback privileges) for a couple of friends who are self-publishing and really enjoyed that, though it's a large time-commitment.
Love Inspired Historicals
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I guess I prefer gritty reality on the cover, because it IS more realistic. Sorry I had to play "catch-up" today.