Love Inspired Historicals discussion

June seems to be the Month of Multiples here in the LIH Group! My book The Earl's Honorable Intentions has fraternal infant twins and Debra Ullrick's The Unintended Groom has identical twin boys. Besides that Winnie Griggs and I both have twin children in real life - hers are identical twin daughters and mine are identical twin sons.

So I thought it would be fun to talk about twins and other multiples in books and in real life. Do you enjoy reading stories with twins, triplets or more? What is it that appeals to you about them? Any particular books you've read with multiples that you enjoyed?

What about real life? Do you know any twins or other multiples? Do you have any good stories about them? Did they ever fool people or get mixed up? How did people tell them apart? Did they have any kind of special connection -- their own language or seeming to know what the other was thinking or doing?

I loved The Bobsey Twins books when I was a kid as well as the twins in LM Montgomery's "Anne" books -- Davy and Dora that Marilla adopts and Anne's twin daughters Nan and Di.

The first book that came to mind was Jingle Bell Babies by Kathryn Springer.
It was the final book in the After the Storm continuity that came out for LI back in 2009. The book features a hero that has triplet baby girls

I believe the only book I've read with twins is False Colours by Heyer. My cousin just had twin girls and her husband is a twin as well.

I think having twins in a book can be entertaining, and can produce some great scenes.

Maybe someone should write book about twins growing up and marrying twins, I knew sisters that married brothers but not twins....

What a cute cover, Laura! I checked out the Goodreads page and see that our Melody reviewed that book.

Twins do seem to run in families, Jane. My mother-in-law is an identical twin so she thought it was neat that we had twins too.

That does sound like it would be a good book, Paula. I think I read an article in a magazine about that happening, but I've never read a fictional story about it.

Deborah wrote: "I loved The Bobsey Twins books when I was a kid as well as the twins in LM Montgomery's "Anne" books -- Davy and Dora that Marilla adopts and Anne's twin daughters Nan and Di."

I loved the Bobbsey Twins too. And the twins in the Anne books "Twins seem to be my lot in life!" Davy was such a lovable character! I also loved the twins in Malcolm Saville's Lone Pine Series . Dickie & Mary were hilarious, & added a fun element to the stories. I always loved it when they went into their "twin routine" on unsuspecting strangers - the best ones were when they did it on the bad guys.

My mum's cousin had identical twin boys - she dressed 1 in red & the other in blue. However, as they grew older they enjoyed swapping clothes throughout the day and thoroughly confusing people!

I was at primary school with identical girls. They looked the same but their voices were very different - 1 was high, & the other low, so I was ok if they spoke to me 1st, or I heard them talking to anyone else. However, if I had to guess, more often than not I would choose the wrong one.

Working with children, I have had several sets of twins, both identical & non throughout the years. Not had any triplets though.

last year the LI continually was about 3 sets of twins. or was it 2 sets of twins.

there was A LIH book last year with twins too I think it had an english connection.

Ausjenny wrote: "last year the LI continually was about 3 sets of twins. or was it 2 sets of twins.

there was A LIH book last year with twins too I think it had an english connection."

I can't believe I totally forgot that last year's continuity featured two sets of twins.

The first books I "remember" reading were the Bobbsey Twins. So I guess I could attribute my love of reading to twins. In 7th grade my best friend was a twin, boy/girl though. My mom always wanted twins but since she never had any we "un-officially" adopted them. 35 years later they are still great friends.

Last years continuity was awesome!!! It was two sets of twins, the half brother and ended with the parents stories!

My mom has two sets of twins, all girls. The second set are identical, but the first set aren't. I have a younger sister close in age, and people are always assuming we are twins, too. :)

wow your mom has lot of girls Christal, what ages are you? we had 6 girls and 3 boys in our family but most folks today don't have large families.

Deborah wrote: "I loved The Bobsey Twins books when I was a kid as well as the twins in LM Montgomery's "Anne" books -- Davy and Dora that Marilla adopts and Anne's twin daughters Nan and Di."
I was a big Bobsey twins fan too!

My mom always prayed that I would have twins. God knew I could not DO twins. :-)

Lyn wrote: "My mom always prayed that I would have twins. God knew I could not DO twins. :-)"

Was your mom praying nice, or was it the " I hope you have a child just like you" curse X2?

Lyn wrote: "My mom always prayed that I would have twins. God knew I could not DO twins. :-)"

:) A big smile at your comment, Lyn!


Here are some other twin books I've thought of:


The 1st 2 the heroines are an identical twin, the last one the children in it are twins - 1 boy & 1 girl. In Misplaced Angel there are several children including a set of boy twins.

- in these 2 the heroines are an identical twin, but both stories start with them having lost their twin.

There's also - I liked this series, but I preferred her Mallory Towers series which was also set at a girls boarding school.

Thanks for finding those books with twins, Wendy!

Lyn, I had to laugh about your Mom praying you'd have twins. I was glad I had mine after my two older children because I sort of knew the ropes -- as much as you ever do! ;)

Yes I surely did! That was a sweet story! Not any other twin books come to mind right now...

I have some guy friends who are twins. Growing up I could never tell them a part! I always would ask my younger brother (because they are his age and had been in his church classes since he was little) who was who. He would get so mad at me and say, "Can't you just tell? It's easy!"
I didn't become friends with them til they were about 16, and once we were friends, it was beyond easy to tell them a part! I don't know how I didn't see just how different they were before! My friend loves to tease them by calling them the wrong names on purpose. :)

My sis-in-law has siblings that are twins, boy and a girl. I always wanted a twin, but I wanted a twin brother because I just adore my brothers, and thought a bro my same age would be fabulous! :)

Paula-O wrote: "wow your mom has lot of girls Christal, what ages are you? we had 6 girls and 3 boys in our family but most folks today don't have large families."

There are 10 girls and 2 boys, so the boys are really outnumbered. :) Our ages range from 19 to 9 months.

Wow, Christal, that's great! Ten girls! I can only imagine! I have five brothers and three sisters, big families are a blast! :) My oldest sis is 42, my youngest bro is 23. :)

I really liked growing up with lot of kids in the family but the older ones were gone before I was old enough to enjoy them, brothers off to service and two older sisters married at 15&16...
great to see some larger families here.

Coming in late to this discussion, but I cut my teeth on the Bobsey Twins as well - loved those books!

I also raised a set of identical girl twins - they are my two youngest. Both ended up going into the nursing profession though they have different specialties. I always tell my friends that I wanted three children (always thought that was the ideal number) but the good Lord wanted to give me four so He made that last time a 'double blessing' - and I'm so glad He did!