Love Inspired Historicals discussion
Monthly Author Q&A
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Q&A with May 2012 Authors!
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Deborah, are you asking me what needs to be sent in to get a book contract from LIH?
Rhonda, I'd like to know, what is it about historical romances that draws you to write them instead of cotemporary romances?
Lynsay wrote: "Rhonda, I'd like to know, what is it about historical romances that draws you to write them instead of cotemporary romances?"Hi Lynsay, I grew up in Oklahoma and lived in the "Tater Hills" until I was a teenager. We lived in a log cabin that at that time was over 100 years old. My dad found a civil war bayonet buried beside it. When we moved in there was an old shed full of "goodies" from days gone by. So I think my love for history and historical things grew from my early years. My imagination takes me to those days long gone. By the way, the cabin had no electricity or running water... for a kid, FUN TIMES!
Rhonda, you know I loved the book. I can't wait to read your next one.
Deborah, you definitely need to watch Hawaii Five-O! I love Alex and the other cast members! Since Castle is on at the same time and I watch both shows, I just DVR one show and that way I can see both of them!I love this series, ladies! I won Rene's book so I am waiting for it to come in the mail so I can continue it! I enjoyed Cheryl's book so much. The covers of all the books are amazing! The art dept. outdid themselves! One reason I love reading LIH books is because I'm a total history buff (have been all my life) so I enjoy these books so much. Keep it up ladies!
Thanks Dawn! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! Your review made my day :)
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Deborah wrote: "Rhonda, that was exactly what I wanted to know!"Opps! I didn't understand, I'm sorry.
You need to send in a proposal of a synopsis and three chapters. While you are waiting for a response, write that book! If the editor is interested in the story, she will ask for the complete. Send her the best work you can do and pray!! That's how I did it :)
Yes Wyndy we have a group called Legacy they help the families of war veterans that die. And we also have the RSL Return Service League for the returned diggers. They sell the poppies normally the friday before rememberance day. Legacy supported us when dad died. they paid for my school uniforms, dentist and they have children camps each year which is really good. They look after the children til they finish school, and look after the widows till they die. We use to get a couple of loads of wood each year for free plus the legatee (they appoint person who is the person to contact) will visit to check up on the widow etc and see if they need help. they also have holidays for the widows at a cheap price.
Deborah wrote: "http://www.beauty4ashes.org/ausjenny/... Beautiful! I knew the poem was a big deal in this country because the author was a Canadian, but I wasn't sure if it was the same elsewhere."
Thanks Deborah, I think because so many Aussies died other in France, Turkey, Belguim etc it is important here too. Also the thought of those poppies where all the men died is actually a lovely thought that where the all that devestation produces a beautiful sight.
Rhonda, how did you come up with the story for this book and did you learn anything interesting in your research?
Hi Jenny,My husband actually came up with the idea for this story. He wanted to know what happened if a man died and his mail-order bride showed up. I took it a step further and asked myself what if said man was the cause of the groom's death. That's how the story was born.
As for research, I discovered that here in this area, that every 10 miles a small town was in exsistance. But, that most of them were rivals. So if people couldn't get goods in their own town, they were willing to travel at least fifty miles, they either went all the way to Farmington, NM or all the way to Durango, Colorado to stock up... even the general store owners did this. I found that fascinating!
Now I need this book too! I just got some in the post today but will have to wait awhile before I can order more. Where is this book set? Is NM New Mexico (Im an aussie not up on all the names)
Thanks Jenny! Yes, this book is set in 1885 New Mexico before New Mexio became a state :) New Mexico is rich in history... I've only just scratched the surface.
Ok now I need it!!!!!!! I haven't read a book in New Mexico this year yet.
I used to live in New Mexico and it certainly does have a lot of history! We lived in Albuquerque and enjoyed learning about it when we lived there. We also enjoyed trips to Santa Fe and Taos while living there.
Ausjenny wrote: "Ok now I need it!!!!!!! I haven't read a book in New Mexico this year yet."Jenny it's good. :D
Hi Valri!I was in Albuquerque a couple of weekends ago and picked up another history book. I love their bookstore, Barnes and Nobles. And don't even get me started on down town Santa Fe. My favorite place to eat is in an old Spanish mission with a tree growing in the middle. It used to be the court yard. They also have the oldest church in New Mexico there. Love it!
Rhonda, actually they have the oldest church in the USA there, not just New Mexico! Of course it wasn't "the USA" since it was before statehood or something like that but whatever! I think we're talking about the same church at least! Did you get to see that famous church with the spiral staircase that has no supports? So awesome!
I did Valri! It is so wonderful to see and so pretty. It has been a few years since I've been there. I'm about 4 hours from Santa Fe... maybe I should plan another trip soon :)
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Lacy, I love the idea of a Philadelphia socialite and homesteader hero! And Jonas is raising EIGHT children on his own! Was it hard to keep them all straight? Did you draw on your own experiences as a parent to write about the children?
I have read this book and its really really good. I love the story and the idea. Did you learn anything unexpected in your research?
I didn't get a chance to comment on yesterday but I have always loved mail-order bride stories. I like the sound of Lacy's book too. No questions just thought I would stop by and say hi and Thanks to all the authors for taking the time for our questions this week!
Hi, everyone. I'll try to stop by as often as I can today.I started out with a sheet of paper to keep the children straight, but then quickly graduated to an excel file. Glad I did because my editor wanted to see the next book idea about one of the boys so turns out I'm using that info. :)
Since my kids are still small, I mostly used my younger brother and memories of our childhood to write the kids.
Jenny, the surprising thing in my research was the side effects of the only medication they had for epilepsy back then. It was pretty bad, so as a parent, I could definitely relate to Jonas who wanted something better for his daughter.
I just looked and The Homesteader's Sweetheart is still only $2.99 at Amazon (for ebook). I have no idea when it will revert back to "regular price". And anyone who buys during May is eligible for goodies at www.megamaybirthdaybash.com . Including a free ebook from me, plus a couple of bonus scenes from Camy Tang, Regina Jennings and more!
Had to put in a plug.
Can't wait to hear more questions.
I've got a question for all of you. What's your favorite romance with kids in it?
Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "I didn't get a chance to comment on yesterday but I have always loved mail-order bride stories. I like the sound of Lacy's book too. No questions just thought I would stop by and say hi and Thanks ..."Hi Laura and thanks for coming by. For me, this has been really fun! I love meeting new people here on goodreads :)
Hi Lacy!! I haven't had a chance to read this book yet but it's in my TBR pile. I'm thrilled to hear there will be more stories with the kids in them. My favorite book with kids in it one by Margaret Daley titled, A DAUGHTER FOR CHRISTMAS. But, there are some wonderful books out there with children in them. I know Janet Lee Barton has several that I enjoyed and many others do too.
I'm looking forward to hearing the answer to your question too.
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Do I sense a series in the making? :)
Hello Lacy so good to see you here, I have read books before with kids but not quite so many, it is commendable too that he has adopted them. It takes a special heart for adoption. I am ready to read this one. I am not good with remembering names of books that I have read but the characters seem to stay with me for awhile and kids in stories is usually pretty good -now reading an amish story and they really dote on kids.
I've read too many books with kids in them to count! I couldn't possibly pick my favorite either! I was able to read Sherri Shackleford's debut novel, Winning the Widow's Heart (which comes out next month) and it has a baby in it. It's fantastic! I hope you can all read it! The lawman delivers the baby....too cute! I enjoy novels where a "tough man" meets a woman with kids and the kids change said "tough man"!!!
Deborah-- I'm hoping it will turn into a series. This would be my first as an official series so cross your fingers for me. :)Paula-- At first when the story came to me, I thought it was too many kids--but then each boy really crept into my heart. Plus, with the hero coming from a background where he'd been abandoned, I knew he wouldn't let even one kid be "left behind".
Hey, Valri! Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I love those kind of books too. There's something about a big, tough man holding a baby (especially a little baby) that makes you melt.
Lacy wrote: "I've got a question for all of you. What's your favorite romance with kids in it?"thats a hard question I have read a few like Missy tippens latest where children steal scenes, Actually a couple of hers have been good as in one the child was praying for a wife for her dad.
I think the ultimate (in movie) was The sound of music.
Lacy wrote: "I've got a question for all of you. What's your favorite romance with kids in it?"Oh, now there's a tough one. I love most of them with children involved - & I loved your book Lacy. It was finding out about the children in the description that made me pre-order it - have left reviews for you here & on Amazon.com, uk & ca. I'm so glad you're working on a story with one of the children, & would love to see a series set around this family!
Cathy Marie Hake's "Mixed Blessings" "One Chance in a Million" & "Forevermore" are top favourites, along with Kelly Eileen Hake's "Through His Grace" Catherine Marshall's "Christy" Janette Oke's "Love Comes Softly Series" "A Woman Named Damaris" & "Roses for Mama" Lawana Blackwell's "Gresham Chronicles" Noelle Marchand's "Unlawfully Wedded Bride" & Karen Kingsbury's "Baxter Family Series".
Ausjenny wrote: "Lacy wrote: "I've got a question for all of you. What's your favorite romance with kids in it?"thats a hard question I have read a few like Missy tippens latest where children steal scenes, Actua..."
I agree - I loved the Sound of Music!
I just bought the 3 books I haven't read along with the first Irish Bride book and pre ordered the third one
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Can you cancel your order, Jenny? Because you are the winner of one of the sets of Irish Brides from Renee Ryan!! Drop me a post with your mailing address to hrwdebhale@aol.com and I will send it on to Renee.
Dawn you are the other winner! If you could send me your mailing address (see my email addy above) I will send it along to Renee.
Thanks to everyone who dropped by to talk to the authors about their May books and for the authors for coming to answer questions! Watch for next month's Q&A which will run from June 4th to the 8th!
Deborah wrote: "I just bought the 3 books I haven't read along with the first Irish Bride book and pre ordered the third oneCan you cancel your order, Jenny? Because you are the winner of one of the sets of Iri..."
Deborah I just emailed you my mailing address. I had no idea that prizes were going to be given away! Awesome!
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Paula won a copy of The Marshal's Promise by Rhonda Gibson and Laura won a copy of The Homesteader's Sweetheart by Lacy Williams!
We hope you'll come back the week of June 4-8 for our Q&A with the June authors!
Congrats to all the winners! Who do we need to send our mail address to? Thanks so much Deborah & all the other authors who worked together to get this started!
Ok I saw the e-mail you sent me Deborah and have replied thanks again for hosting!
thank you to Deborah and Rhonda looking forward to reading this new book "The Marhsal's Promise"..
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Deborah wrote: "I passed your info along to Lacy, Laura. Thanks for taking part in the Q&A!"Ok great! Thank you and I'll let you know once the book arrives
Congratulations to the winners - see you in June for another fun week!
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Love Inspired Historicals
Books mentioned in this topic
The Marshal's Promise (other topics)The Homesteader's Sweetheart (other topics)
The Homesteader's Sweetheart (other topics)
The Marshal's Promise (other topics)
Homefront Hero (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Rhonda Gibson (other topics)Lacy Williams (other topics)
Lacy Williams (other topics)
Rhonda Gibson (other topics)
Allie Pleiter (other topics)
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Yes, this is my first LIH. I have always wanted to write for Harlequin. So I started submitting early on when they opened the LI line. Then I sold to Barbour and got a little sidetracked with other contracts. My agent asked me one day where I wanted to see my writing career go, my immediate answer was I want to write LI books. She and I began to target LI. Since I write both contemporary and historical, I tried both lines. But, my all time love has been historical romance. Thankfully, Tina James, my editor, saw that and asked to see another historical. We submitted The Marshal's Promise and Tina offered us a contract. I'm so very happy she did!