Love Inspired Historicals discussion

Hey Everyone!
We'll begin our Q & A for April tomorrow afternoon instead of our usual morning start as our first author for the month, Kerri Mountain will be at her job as a teacher! But that gives you all day to be thinking up the questions you'd love to ask Kerri about her new release, Wyoming Promises. Here's a blurb about her book:

Traveling through the Wyoming wilderness, all Bridger Jamison wants is a job and a safe haven for his brother. Finding work with the lovely Lola Martin solves at least one of his problems. And the charming town of Quiver Creek seems like the perfect place to start a new life.

A string of mysterious deaths has the town—and Lola—on edge. She isn't sure what to make of the new man in town. But she can't help trusting the handsome carpenter who shows such tenderness toward his brother. When secrets come to light, Lola must put her faith in the man who's stolen her heart, or risk letting a perfect love pass her by….

Sounds wonderful to take along on spring break, doesn't it? Or maybe a great lunch time read! So come by tomorrow afternoon to meet Kerri and enter to win the drawing for her new book. Remember, only US and Canadian addresses are eligible.

I'll also be announcing the schedule for the rest of the week. Get those questions ready!

Blessings,
Patty

Good Afternoon!

Thank you for your patience as I'm new at this hostessing thing! Let me just fill you in on what's going to be happening this week:

Today, we'll be visiting with Kerri Mountain, author of Wyoming Promises. I can tell just from looking at the cover this is one I can't wait to read(as are all the other books featured this month.)

Tomorrow, April 1st, Laurie Kingery will be joining us to talk about her new release, The Preacher's Bride Claim, the first in a new series called the Bridegroom Brothers!

April 2nd, Naomi Rawlings will be here to take questions on about her book, The Soldier's Secrets.

And rounding out our week will be Regina Scott answering your questions on the third book in The Master Matchmakers, The Husband Campaign.

All four of our authors have graciously offered a book for a giveaway but please remember--only those in the US or Canada are eligible.

So Kerri is ready and waiting to answer your questions!

Blessings,
Patty

Kerri, your Wyoming Promises sounds like a great read! What made you focus in on Wyoming? Do you plan a series there?

That's a beautiful cover, Kerri! Is this your first Love Inspired Historical?

was looking for you on the other thread Patty, couldn't believe no-one was there so glad to find you here...
I like the looks of the book Kerri, Have you been writing long? Do you like the research necessary to do the historicals? I love reading LIH books so glad to see ya here.

Lola shares my last name! I am interested already! ;)

I have loved Wyoming from the first time I saw the state line. There are so many beautiful parts. I have friends who live there, and I've had the opportunity to visit many times. I haven't really considered a series there, but I do tend to focus on the West.

Thanks, Karen! This is my second Love Inspired Historical, but the first came out in December 2008. So it has been a long while!

Kerri wrote: "Thanks, Karen! This is my second Love Inspired Historical, but the first came out in December 2008. So it has been a long while!"

Well congrats on this newest release! :) Are you working on another project now?

Quiver Creek is a fictional town, Keli. But I did try to relate it to real views in Wyoming.

Hi, Paula. I've been writing novel-length stories for about ten years. The research is really interesting, and sometimes it's easy to get caught up in it. I like to study history for myself, though, so I write with some background knowledge, and then go back and fact-check the specifics as I need them.

Hi Kerri, Love your last name and what an interesting name for the town as well. How long have you been a writer?

Karen wrote: Well congrats on this newest release! :) Are you w..."

Thanks! I'm excited for this second book. And I am working on another. Writing is a slow process for me, but I always have another one brewing.

Jennifer wrote: "Hi Kerri, Love your last name and what an interesting name for the town as well. How long have you been a writer?"

Thanks, Jennifer. It is a name that captures the attention of folks. I've been writing seriously for about ten years, but I've been writing stories for fun ever since I was about 8 years old.

Hey Kerri! Your book looks wonderful!!
I want to ask, what was your reaction when you found out your first book was being published? Were you as excited about this one?

Katie wrote: "Hey Kerri! Your book looks wonderful!!
I want to ask, what was your reaction when you found out your first book was being published? Were you as excited about this one?"

It's hard to describe that feeling. Even now, it's very difficult to wrap my mind around. In some ways, I'm even more excited with this one than my first. My first book was written as my thesis in a masters degree program. There were a lot of people helping to make it the story it was. This one, it was me and a dedicated critique partner. It's amazing on so many levels. It's one of the clearest ways I see the Lord at work in my life, because it's not something I ever imagined for myself. God does astounding things with our little offerings.

This sounds like an interesting story. In our research did you find any interesting tibits that surprised you?

I did learn that Wyoming earned its nickname of The Equality State with their voting rights for women even before statehood. But more than that, they had the first female judge and sheriff. I also found some great story ideas that I hope to use in other books down the road.

Wow that is so cool. I know my state South Australia was the first in Australia to give women the vote.

Wyoming sounds like the place to be as far as a woman is concerned!

Kerri, Do you have any habits or certain ways things have to be for you to write or are you a write anywhere author?

I keep trying different places and times of day, hoping I'll get better at it. But I've found I am most productive at my little desk in my room by the window. I write mostly in the mornings through the summer. Revising is easier to do in short sections of time, almost anywhere.

I think Wyoming, as well as most of the West, was so rugged that anyone who could make their way and build a life was given a certain measure of respect. Not that women were disrespected elsewhere, necessarily, but perhaps not presented with as many opportunities where they had to prove themselves in a man's world.

I'm glad you have place you like to write Kerri and women had chance to spread their wings.

Kerri do you have any furry writing companions?

Jennifer wrote: "Kerri do you have any furry writing companions?"

Well...not exactly. But I do get to watch our small herd of cattle wander by my window and watch the bluebirds on the fence post.

I have to agree with you Kerri that women in the west are distinct. All of my grandparents (on both sides) were Montana farmers or ranchers. My maternal grandmother (who lived until she was 91) ranched alone for many years after my grandfather died. She was finally inducted (I think that's the right word) into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame for her independent cattle work. Like other Montana women of her era, she was very opinionated and strong. She had to be.

Wow Janet thats an honor for your Grandmother.

Wow what an awesome story about your grandma Janet!

It was an honor. Thank you, Ausjenny and Jennifer.

;)

That's a wonderful testament to your grandmother. Those are the things that spur good stories. Thank you all for your questions. This was a fun way to kick off my second book release!

The research is really interesting, and sometimes it's easy to get caught up in it.

Isn't that the truth!! A friend of mine used to call it "going down the rabbit hole." One piece of research can lead to another and by the time I come up for air, a big chunk of writing time has been lost. But I've learned so many interesting things I might not have otherwise. Congratulations on your latest book, Kerri! Glad to have join us!

Good morning everyone! And Happy April's Fools Day!

No joking about our very talented guest today! Laurie Kingery is with us today, sharing her new book, The Preacher's Bride Claim. This novel is the first in a new series about the Oklahoma Land Rush. Here's a little blurb:

For the Thornton brothers, the Oklahoma Land Rush is the perfect opportunity to finally put down some roots. A new start, a new community—what more could preacher Elijah Thornton need? Not a wife—not after the pain of losing his fiancée. But something draws him to the pretty nurse whose eyes are clouded by trouble.

Only by claiming her own homestead can Alice Hawthorne avoid an unwanted marriage. Even Oklahoma may not be far enough away from New York to escape her past. Yet with courage—and the handsome reverend's support—can she forge a loving future?

So let's send in those questions!

Yay, Laurie, can't wait to see this one on the shelves!

Laurie --- I love land rush stories! Great setting.
Will your nurse be doing any nursing? I also find medical treatment interesting in bygone days.

I love anything to do with history, Laurie! I am not as familiar with the Oklahoma Land Rush as other historical happenings in our country so this book will be very interesting!

Good morning Laurie, I have not read any on land rush or Oklahoma territory so this will be a treat. Isn't it unusual for a woman to be wanting the land-how does this help her get away from an unwanted marriage? or must I read the story to find this answer,don't want to give anything away. welcome to the group today...

Congrats on the new releases, Kerri and Laurie! They both sound great.

I have never read any land rush stories so I am looking forward to reading this one as well as the others! Laurie, I have read most of your books and I really enjoy every story. Does it ever start getting harder to write after the first few books?

Katie wrote: "I have never read any land rush stories so I am looking forward to reading this one as well as the others! Laurie, I have read most of your books and I really enjoy every story. Does it ever start ..."

Katie wrote: "I have never read any land rush stories so I am looking forward to reading this one as well as the others! Laurie, I have read most of your books and I really enjoy every story. Does it ever start ..."
Thanks, Karen. It was really interesting to work with two other authors in stories that had to mesh together into one smooth series of 3 books. Great experience!
Karen wrote: "Yay, Laurie, can't wait to see this one on the shelves!

"

Patty wrote: "Good morning everyone! And Happy April's Fools Day!

No joking about our very talented guest today! Laurie Kingery is with us today, sharing her new book, The Preacher's Bride Claim. This novel is ..."

Patty, thanks for having me here! I just want to say what a wonderful experience it was to work with Karen Kirst and Allie Pleiter on this "Bridegroom Brothers" series about the Oklahoma Land Rush.

Keli wrote: "What an interesting historical event to use in your story. What's one unusual fact about the Oklahoma Land Rush that you discovered while doing your research but were unable to work into the story?"

There were many things, Keli--good question. The thing that surprised me first was that there were several Land Rushes opening up different sections of Oklahoma--ours was just the first one, and opened up mid-Oklahoma.

JanetTronstad wrote: "Laurie --- I love land rush stories! Great setting.
Will your nurse be doing any nursing? I also find medical treatment interesting in bygone days."

Janet, great question also! Yes, Alice finds her way back into nursing, although she thought she had left it behind in New York. But there will always be medical needs wherever a large group of folks are clustered together--illness and accidents just seem to happen inevitably. Like you I find old-time medical treatment interesting. As you know, I'm an ER nurse in "real life" so I finally got to put my nursing history class--and a dandy antique medical book I found--to good use. :)

Valri wrote: "I love anything to do with history, Laurie! I am not as familiar with the Oklahoma Land Rush as other historical happenings in our country so this book will be very interesting!"

Valri, I wasn't familiar with the Land Rush, either, when I was one of 3 LIH writers picked to do this continuity series, so I had to leave my 1870's post-Civil War Texas series and bone up on the Land Rush FAST. But I love research and learning about new time periods, so it was a pleasure. Thanks for commenting.

Paula-O wrote: "Good morning Laurie, I have not read any on land rush or Oklahoma territory so this will be a treat. Isn't it unusual for a woman to be wanting the land-how does this help her get away from an un..."

Hi, Paula-O, Of course I hope you'll read and enjoy the story,:) but I can tell you that my heroine was just trying to get away from the unwanted husband by disappearing from his part of the country and hoping he never found her.

Cheryl St.John wrote: "Congrats on the new releases, Kerri and Laurie! They both sound great."
Cheryl, thanks! I agree that Kerri's book sounds great--must order this!

Cheryl St.John wrote: "Congrats on the new releases, Kerri and Laurie! They both sound great."

Paula-O wrote: "Good morning Laurie, I have not read any on land rush or Oklahoma territory so this will be a treat. Isn't it unusual for a woman to be wanting the land-how does this help her get away from an un..."

Katie wrote: "I have never read any land rush stories so I am looking forward to reading this one as well as the others! Laurie, I have read most of your books and I really enjoy every story. Does it ever start ..."

Katie wrote: "I have never read any land rush stories so I am looking forward to reading this one as well as the others! Laurie, I have read most of your books and I really enjoy every story. Does it ever start ..."

Katie, what a timely question for me. Yes, it does start getting harder after I've done several books in the same setting (the west). You always have to be writing something new, and after one has covered several characteristic elements of a time period such as this western one--Indian attacks, epidemics,outlaws, etc.--it's hard to keep finding original elements. Plus I'm still sort of recovering from major surgery that I had in January, so I'm progressing very slowly on the next book I've been writing (which is back to my "Brides of Simpson Creek" series.)

Katie, meant to add, thanks for reading my books!

Karen wrote: "Kerri wrote: "Thanks, Karen! This is my second Love Inspired Historical, but the first came out in December 2008. So it has been a long while!"

Well congrats on this newest release! :) Are you w..."

Glad to finally meet you, Kerrie. My HER CAPTAIN'S HEART was released with your first in Dec 2008.
What do you teach?

Sounds interesting. One of my favorite things about LIH is learning about places and events that I never even knew about. :)