Love Inspired Historicals discussion
Monthly Author Q&A
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November Q&A with LIH Authors
Congratulations on your debut, Danica! (And I too love to follow people on their journey to happily ever after!)What was the idea that sparked this story?
Congrats on your first LIH novel Danica!! I am so excited to read your book. So what are you currently working on? What was it like to get "the call?"
Today is Danica turn so wanted to give a vote of support on this new author that I have not read yet, going to get to it Danica. You sure gave Joseph a lot of heartache to overcome in this book. Was there a reason behind your madness on this one? I do enjoy reading stories that are emotional and looks like this will be that. thanks for sharing today.I am off to vote in our little corner of the world now.
Hi Danica. Your debut book sounds fabulous - can't wait to read it! I love to hear about the research other authors do. Was there some unexpected or fun little tidbit, either related to your book or not, that you discovered as you were researching this one?
Danica, you know how excited I am for your book! I was with you when you found out about it! So thrilled it is finally time!
Hi ladies, just stepping in to let you know that Danica is, I believe, in the Mountain time zone, so she'll be stopping in a little later than those of us who live in the Eastern U.S.
Hey everyone!! Thanks for stopping by!Let's answer some questions!
1. Yes, Leadville is a real place. It got its name because of the rich mineral deposits in the area. My husband's family came to Leadville around the turn of the century, and while they've all moved away, we still have a lot of ties to the area. His cousins own a house there that we can use whenever we want, so we go up at least twice a year. All that to say, I've spent all of my married life immersed in the history of Leadville and I've come to love it like a second home.
2. Wendy, the idea that sparked my story actually came from a history book I was reading. It featured an ad from the 1880s describing an upcoming debate between two pastors about whether or not miners were beyond salvation. I thought it was really interesting that back then, certain classes of people and occupations were often thought of as completely beyond God's love. So I started there, and Pastor Lassiter's ministry was born. I knew my hero would be a miner, and as I thought about the perfect heroine, I kept coming back to the idea of the preacher's daughter who'd lost her faith. And Annabelle was born. :)
3. Laura, I'm working on book 3 right now. I can't say too much about it because that will give away book 2, which is out in July. What I will say is that I fell in love with two characters in book 2, and am now writing their story.
What was it like getting the call? It was actually a little surreal. I got the call from my agent, and since his last call was to let me know gently of another rejection, I assumed that's why he was calling. It took me a while to actually understand that it was "the call." Then, after he called me, I couldn't reach any of the promised first people, so then it became a funny situation of lots of missed calls. Then I had to go get my kids from their riding lesson, and my daughter wanted me to video her doing something, which is when my editor called. So I have a video of my daughter riding with me talking to my editor in the background. Crazy. So it was a wild ride, and I don't think I caught my breath for a while. Fortunately, I went on vacation with my family a couple days later.
4. Paula- a reason behind my madness... hahahaha I'm just crazy. :) I think for Joseph, he needed to go through a lot. On the surface, he was pretty perfect- a noble, heroic brother who'd do anything to keep his family together. So what deep wounds did he have hiding? What did he need to overcome to get his happily ever after? Well, those had to be pretty big for him to grow. And I'm all about watching my characters grow.
5. Winnie, I learned so much researching this book- it's hard to pick out something. I think it's interesting to note that in the 1880s, Leadville was one of the most technologically advanced cities in America, despite its isolation. That's because they have over 5 billion dollars (in today's money) in silver coming through their town. It was a very rich little city, and they were among the first in the country to have telephone service, for example. They boasted an Opera House, Tabor Opera House, that was visited by many notable people, including Oscar Wilde. Doc Holliday also spent time in Leadville. Additionally, many of the famous fortunes we hear about in America began in Leadville.
Your book sounds really good and very unique! Congratulations on its release. A question I had was whether it was part of a series, but that has been answered.It is so amazing to hear about how certain classes of people were believed to be beyond the realm of God caring for them/salvation, etc. Reminds me of the way shepherds were treated in Biblical times.
I will ask you the same question that I asked Winnie yesterday: How long from start to finish was the writing of this book?
I remember you telling us about the research and the ties to Leadville! I have been close the that area but have not actually visited the town. I look forward to "seeing it" through your eyes! I know the characters will be interesting too!
Congratulations on being published, Danica! I discovered your extensive interview that Winnie posted on her website and loved it. I'd love to hear more about why you didn't want to write historicals at first.Rocky Mountain Dreams immediately caught my eye when I saw the setting of Leadville, Danica. Leadville was the home of Johnny Brown in one of my all-time favorite movies, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and I've never forgotten it.
Thanks for taking the time to share with us today. I'm very eager to read your book!
I'm looking forward to reading your book, Danica. Always love finding new authors and so glad you are sharing your talent with us. Just wanted to say welcome to the LIH family of authors. And I look forward to enjoying many more books from you!
Brittany, that's a hard question, believe it or not! I wrote most of it during NaNoWriMo, so a month for most of it, and then I fiddled with it for a while after that, but I'm not sure how long it was or how much longer I needed to write the rest, but I know I sent it to my agent in March. I usually let things sit for a while before sending to my agent, so I'm guessing it took 2 months, but I could be wrong.Carole, I didn't want to write historicals at first because I love reading them so much. I didn't want my pleasure to turn into work. I was afraid I'd be like the person in the ice cream store who gets tired of ice cream!
Congrats on the book finally being out. Do we see much of the little sister and was she fun to write. One way or the other I will be getting your book
Hi, Danica! Congratulations on the release of your debut! Rocky Mountain Dreams sounds fantastic! Can you share something that surprised you during your journey to publication?
sorry I am late chiming in Winnie! I loved reading all the questions and answers yesterday though. :)
Congrats on the release Danica! I am hoping to get to your book soon! :)
Melody wrote: "sorry I am late chiming in Winnie! I loved reading all the questions and answers yesterday though. :)"Hi Melody - thanks for stopping by!
Winnie, I am so sorry I missed you yesterday! I had a lot going on. I can't wait to read your new book! Danica, congrats on your debut book! It sounds sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read it as well! How hard was it for you to write this book? It being your first book.
Katie wrote: "Winnie, I am so sorry I missed you yesterday! I had a lot going on. I can't wait to read your new book! ..."Thanks Katie! And I hope whatever it was that claimed your attention yesterday was fun :)
Keli, you must not see Danika's Facebook page! She always has her chickens on there! She loves her chickens :)
Even though Danica will probably still pop in to answer more questions tonight, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank her for chatting with us today. It's been such fun welcoming her as an author!
Danica is one awesome person! She's a busy gal!
I missed out with Winnie yesterday too and no, mine wasn't good :( Will you still answer a question for me? Pretty please? :) I'm wondering if there is any kind of theme connecting the next six books or if they are just random characters you found along your journey with the four grooms and their brides on your travels through Texas. :)
Today we welcome Regina Scott. She started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first novel until she had learned a bit more about writing such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and plot. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing. The Unflappable Miss Fairchild was her first novel to be published (March 1998).Regina and her husband are the parents of two sons. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and comes by her writing talent naturally--both her parents are excellent writers. She is a devout Christian and a decent fencer. She owns a historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection that currently takes up over a third of her large closet.
THE BRIDE SHIP is the first book in her Frontier Bachelors series.
SWEETHEART REUNION
What was his brother's widow–his first love–doing on a ship full of prospective brides headed out West? Clay Howard had been tasked with escorting the Boston belle home, but he didn't anticipate Allegra being so strong-willed–or that he'd wind up traveling with her just to keep her from leaving without him!
Allegra Banks Howard isn't going to let Clay interfere with her plans for a new life with her daughter on the frontier. True, Allegra needs his wilderness savvy, but if Clay thinks he can rekindle what they once shared, he had better think again. Because risking her heart for a second chance at being his bride isn't something she'll undertake lightly...
**Regina will be giving away a copy of this book to one commenter. The winner will be announced on Friday.
Welcome Regina! I love the title of this book and the courage it must have taken to journey west in the hope of finding a new life amongst strangers. Please tell us a little about the inspiration for this story.
Oh, I love rekindled romances. What were the ideas that sparked this new series, and also this particular story?
Hi Regina,I absolutely LOVE your books! This one looks different than your others, being a frontier story. Was it challenging to change eras? Your Regency stories are amazing!
Good morning, ladies! I'm on the West Coast, so it's about 6:45am as I type this. Sorry I couldn't join you sooner!Wendy, this particular story has been on my heart since I was a girl and first learned about the Mercer Belles. After the Civil War, the East Coast had a tragic number of widows and orphans, and the West Coast had a lonely number of bachelors. A young man named Asa Mercer had the idea of getting the two together. He made two expeditions, bringing about a dozen women the first time to Seattle and around 60 the second time. My characters are joining his second expedition, aboard the Steamship Continental.
Thank you for your kind words, June! This is definitely a departure for me, my first published novel outside the Regency era. I changed continents, time periods, fashion styles, strata of society--everything! It was fun and it was challenging. I'd been researching the Regency for more than 15 years! However, I've been researching the Mercer Belles since I was 12. I even did a thesis on them to finish Honors English my senior year of high school. And the story is set in my own backyard. So, you might say, I felt right at home. :-)
Yeah, I was curious about the costume collection too. Sounds like a fun thing to collect.
Hi, Regina! I love your stories and look forward to the Frontier Bachelors series! I would enjoy hearing more about how you came to be a "decent fencer".
Keli and June, I have a variety of costumes I've collected over the years. Some are authentic, like the 1920s flappers gown from my grandmother and a silk Chinese robe with silver and gold embroidery I happened upon in a second-hand shop. Others are definitely "faux"--designed to look like the real thing but with handy things like zippers. :-)I have one I would consider Victorian-ish. It is a Gunne Sax wedding gown--sweetheart neckline, lace-up bodice, and white lace overskirt with a deep flounce at the hem. I often wear it at Halloween to give out treats to the little ones.
Thank you, Britney! I wanted to learn to fence since I watched my first pirate movie. I went to a college that still required physical education classes to graduate, and there was a class on beginning fencing. Of course, I took it! Our instructor was a former silver medalist from a middle Eastern country. At one point, I fought him to a draw. :-)Later, I joined a local club, but I couldn't seem to find the joy I expected in the sport. There are a lot of rules, and while I realize they protect participants from the very real threat of injury, pirates don't play by the rules! I found I had a lot more fun when my sons and I built our own boffer swords (PVC pipe covered in padding and duct tape). We used to chase each other all over the backyard and fine campgrounds everywhere. :-)
June wrote: "I missed out with Winnie yesterday too and no, mine wasn't good :( Will you still answer a question for me? Pretty please? :) I'm wondering if there is any kind of theme connecting the next six boo..."Hi June. Of course I'll answer your question and that's a good one! The theme I have for these books is a bit more nebulous than the connecting thread of the first four - but come to think of it, the first four had this underlying theme as well. It's all about giving second chances to people who believe they've blown their opportunity for happiness and have all but given up on trying to find it. (That's where I got the name of the town from)
Hi Regina. I love mail order bride stories and it sounds like you've taken that to a whole new level by bringing in a ship full of them. What did you find the most challenging about writing this story?
Hey Regina sounds like a great new series. How many books do you have planned? What are you currently working on?
Hi Regina. I love the background/research/setting for your story. The Mercer Belles have always fascinated me. I'm curious about who set Clay after Allegra to bring her home? Can you share a bit about that, or would that be a spoiler?
Hi, Winnie! The most challenging thing about writing this story was focusing on the romance. I had studied the history for so long, and had so many anecdotes from journals and newspapers that I kept thinking, "Oh, I have to put this in," and "Oh, I can't leave that out!" But in the end, the history is the backdrop--the story is how two people fall in love and reach their happily-ever-after. That's why I read romance, and why I write it!
Hi, Laura! Right now, there are two books in the series completed (The Bride Ship out this month and Would-Be Wilderness Wife in March). I have three more under contract and several beyond that in the back of my mind. I'm currently working on the third book, tentatively titled Stranded with the Schoolmarm. So, how long this series goes will probably depend on how well you all like it!
Hi, Dorothy! Glad to know there's another Mercer Belles fan out there! Allegra's mother-in-law, Clay's mother, wants Allegra back where she belongs and coerces Clay to go after her, "for her own good." Turns out it isn't just Allegra's well-being that concerns the dowager Mrs. Howard. (Zips lips shut so as to not spoil endings.)
Hi Regina, I have really enjoyed The Bride Ship so much. I enjoyed learning about the Mercer Belles.
Thanks, Rebecca! That's one of the things I love about history--so many interesting stories! One of the original Mercer Belles even became one of the first women light-house keepers.
Regina wrote: "Thanks, Rebecca! That's one of the things I love about history--so many interesting stories! One of the original Mercer Belles even became one of the first women light-house keepers."Ohhh, there's a story there! Usually women became light keepers after their husbands died.
Hi Regina, love these kind of stories and your background of how the two groups were put together, so many years ago is great history. Now I will have to check on this history with the Mercer Belles. I like hearing there will be more to come too. I love when folks have second chances at Love. thanks for sharing today.
*I have already read The Bride Ship, so don't need to be entered for this drawing*But I wanted to drop in and say "Hi" to Regina and tell everyone that this book was so very good!
My son took a fencing class about a year and a half ago and really liked it. When we went back to sign up for a third course, they'd cancelled the class, which he was sad about.
Like Brittany, I've also read Regina's book, so please don't enter me.I just wanted to welcome Regina here and recommend The Bride Ship to all of you. I have enjoyed Regina's Regencies so much that I wasn't sure what to expect with this new direction, but I needn't have worried! Same quality writing, appealing characters, and a very interesting historical backdrop.
Regina, when it comes to Asa Mercer, where did fiction begin, if this isn't a spoiler? For instance, was deceitfulness involved? And I would ask about what the ladies found Seattle to be like, but that will probably be in the next story.
Thanks for taking the time to share with us, Regina!
Regina wrote: "Good morning, ladies! I'm on the West Coast, so it's about 6:45am as I type this. Sorry I couldn't join you sooner!Wendy, this particular story has been on my heart since I was a girl and first..."
I remember reading about this man and have read a couple other books on this subject and really enjoyed them. It would be a big thing to take the trip and sounds like a good read.
Regina wrote: "Thank you, Britney! I wanted to learn to fence since I watched my first pirate movie. I went to a college that still required physical education classes to graduate, and there was a class on begi..."How interesting!! Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Regina. I can't wait to read THE BRIDE SHIP!
Hello Regina! Your new book looks wonderful and I can't wait to read it. It looks like the theme of this book is second chances, am I correct? :)
Love Inspired Historicals
Books mentioned in this topic
A Pony Express Christmas (other topics)The Bride Ship (other topics)
Rocky Mountain Dreams (other topics)
Her Holiday Family (other topics)
Her Holiday Family (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rhonda Gibson (other topics)Winnie Griggs (other topics)
Danica Favorite (other topics)
Regina Scott (other topics)
Rocky Mountain Dreams is Danica's Love Inspired Historical debut!
HIS SURPRISE SISTER
The last thing Joseph Stone expects to discover upon arriving in Leadville, Colorado, is a newfound little sister. Hoping to find his late father's silver mine and hopefully keep his siblings back home out of an orphanage, Joseph needs an ally. The preacher's lovely daughter agrees to care for the little girl. She's just not as willing to trust the prospector....
Annabelle Lassiter has seen what men do in pursuit of riches. Yet for all the hardship he's known, Joseph still shows tenderness and warmth. Annabelle's plan has long been to leave Leadville far behind. But Joseph's quest for silver could cost them a more precious dream--one of family, love and new beginnings....
**Danica will be giving away a copy of her new book to one lucky commenter. The winner will be announced at the end of the week.
Welcome, Danica, and congratulations on your debut! This Eastern girl is curious if Leadville is a real place. If so, how did it get its name? What about its history inspired you to set a book there?