Love Inspired Historicals discussion

Hi everyone, Karen Kirst here. I hope you all had a restful Easter. Our April Q&A will begin on Monday, April 4th with Christine Johnson. On Tuesday, we'll welcome Cheryl St. John. And rounding out the discussions on Wednesday will be Danica Favorite. We look forward to chatting with you next week!

Yay!!

I will be in Bologna, Italy for this month's discussion, but I will try to come around as often as I can:) I really love these Q&As!

April soon here,been looking to see when our chat was,I am ready.
WOW Janis Kay you are one lucky woman to be in Italy, have a great time while there.

I'm looking forward to a great Q&A!

Looks like a great week ahead! I'll be joining you all!

Looking forward to this. Janis Kay enjoy your time in Italy.

Thank you, ladies:)

sounds fun

Janis Kay wrote: "I will be in Bologna, Italy for this month's discussion, but I will try to come around as often as I can:) I really love these Q&As!"

Oh Janis, you know how to make a girl sigh. Wish I was there!

See everyone on Monday! Have a great weekend.

Sounds like another great month!

Good morning, everyone! Today we welcome author Christine Johnson. . A small-town Michigan girl, Christine has lived in every corner of the state's Lower Peninsula. After trying her hand at music and art, she returned to her first love--story. She holds degrees in English and library studies and works part-time as a librarian. She feels blessed to write for Love Inspired and Revell.

When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to hike, kayak, and explore God's majestic creation. She and her husband split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys. Christine enjoys hearing from readers through her web site at http://christineelizabethjohnson.com.

Mail Order Mix-Up



Groom Not Wanted

When Pearl Lawson sees an ad for a mail-order bride, she leaps at the opportunity to find a husband for her best friend. But the town's most dashing bachelor has caught the eye of several aspiring brides-to-be…and even Pearl is drawn to him. Though the schoolteacher has no intentions of marrying, her instant connection with Roland Decker cannot be denied.

Roland doesn't know how an ad seeking a wife for his brother found its way into print. But now he has to handle the hopeful applicants—women who think he's the future groom. Not to mention the feisty, matchmaking schoolteacher who is just as determined not to marry as he is. Will this mix-up push Roland and Pearl to forget their plans of staying single and allow love into their lives?

Boom Town Brides: Taking a leap of faith for love

I adore this cover, Christine! Congratulations. Where do you draw your story inspirations from?

Hi Christine! The story sounds fun and adventurous. I'm wondering what causes the women to think the ad is for Roland instead of his brother?

Christine, It sounds interesting. I like the cover it draws you in. It sounds like a mess with the misunderstanding. How did you come up with the idea for this story? Do you write everyday?

I missed the q and a last month due to busy schedules. Glad to be here for this one. Congratulations on this new release, Christine! I know you write historical fiction. Is that your favorite genre to read?

Hi everyone! I'm excited to be here with you today.

Karen and Melinda, I often draw inspiration for stories from history. In this case, the town of Singapore, Michigan has always fascinated me. It's one of the state's most famous "ghost towns" and is sometimes called Michigan's Pompeii. That should pique most anyone's interest! No, there are no volcanoes in Michigan, but Singapore's location on the sand dunes led to its demise, with the buildings buried in the sand. When I was first married, I lived near the site, but by then no part of the buildings were visible. Setting a series there is something I've had in the back on my mind. Since it was a lumber town, bringing women there as mail order brides seemed the perfect fit.

Hi June! The ladies know the prospective groom's name and meet Roland on board the ship heading to Singapore. His brother is not with him, and Roland is introduced by only his last name. Naturally they leap to the conclusion that he is the groom to be.

Thank you, Brittany! I have always gravitated to historical romance and historical fiction. If a contemporary and a historical were placed in front of me, I'd pick up the historical every time. I love being transported to a different time and place. Often when I walk through a historic site (yes, I'm a museum and historic site lover), I imagine the people who walked on that very ground over the years. The brush of long skirts over cobblestone, the clatter of horse's hooves, the cries of sailors climbing the rigging to let loose the sails and the snap of the canvas as it catches the wind. I'm right there with them.

That is wonderful, Christine! I have felt the same way when visiting historic sites. We used to live in Tucson, AZ and would take visiting family down to Tombstone, AZ and I could imagine what it used to be like. I remember feeling the same way on old ships we have toured, visiting Mt. Vernon in VA, and some of the mansions (cottages) of Newport, RI. I get that same feeling with readinh historical fiction, so I know what you mean!

Good morning Ladies, I am happy to see a mail order type book to read this time, having a mix-up in the works is eye catching at first and know this will take some time to work it out...Christine I see this is a series will there be others in the boom-town within same family to read about or just others living in the same area? what brings more to same area to wed? will there be others mixed up or just this one?

Good morning, Christine! Sounds like a fun book! I love stories where the characters say they are "never marrying"!!

Brittany, we used to live in Tucson too! One of our daughters still lives there!

Brittany wrote: "That is wonderful, Christine! I have felt the same way when visiting historic sites. We used to live in Tucson, AZ and would take visiting family down to Tombstone, AZ and I could imagine what it u..."

I would love to visit those places!

How neat, Valri! We lived there for 6 years and loved it.

Good morning, Paula! This is a series of four books and follows all the ladies who responded to the mail order advertisement plus the heroine of this book, who did not!

Good morning, Christine!!!
Love the sound of this book! Characters who determine not to fall in love or marry are my favorite! I love to see what happens when love softens their viewpoint on life. :)

Hi Christine. I love the cover. I'm wondering if the entire story takes place aboard ship?

How much research did you need to do for the ship scenes?

Keli wrote: "Christine, I see we were posting at the same time. Since I presume Pearl's friend didn't respond to the ad, I'm guessing she isn't one of the heroines who will be featured in the series after all. ..."

Actually, Pearl's friend will be featured. Pearl convinced her friend to respond and go to Singapore with her. Thanks for the question, Keli!

Hi Melody and Anon 1001!

Melody, I happen to agree, since that's a real-life situation for me. I met my husband when I'd decided not to date anyone because I was moving away. Marriage was totally out of the question since I wanted a career. Naturally he showed up in my life soon afterward. We had a month together before I left. That was tough! But almost 35 years later, we're still together.

Dorothy wrote: "Hi Christine. I love the cover. I'm wondering if the entire story takes place aboard ship?

How much research did you need to do for the ship scenes?"

Hi Dorothy,
Just the opening chapters take place aboard ship. I've been immersed in ships and maritime research for decades. Some years ago I was a docent on a museum ship, a passenger liner for Canadian Pacific Railway that operated from 1908 to 1965. I was even married on that ship! It no longer sailed (actually had steam engines), but it was still a fascinating ship. My husband pilots ships in the Great Lakes, and I soak up nearly everything nautical. We have a whole section of bookshelves dedicated to maritime literature.

Thanks for sharing that, Christine! And happy 35 years together. :)

Christine wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "Hi Christine. I love the cover. I'm wondering if the entire story takes place aboard ship?

How much research did you need to do for the ship scenes?"

Hi Dorothy,
Just the opening..."
I have watched the ships on the Great Lakes come into the locks at Buffalo. There was about two inches clearance on each side of that ship! I held my breath the entire time.

I'll look forward to reading your ship scenes.

Christine wrote: "Brittany wrote: "That is wonderful, Christine! I have felt the same way when visiting historic sites. We used to live in Tucson, AZ and would take visiting family down to Tombstone, AZ and I could ..."

Christine wrote: "Brittany wrote: "That is wonderful, Christine! I have felt the same way when visiting historic sites. We used to live in Tucson, AZ and would take visiting family down to Tombstone, AZ and I could ..."

We lived there for 6 years also, Brittany! From 2004-2010!

Hi Christine! This sounds like a fun book:) I adore mail order bride stories. One day, I will embark on a nautical journey that doesn't include a ferry across the Hudson lol. I love being on the water (not in it!) because it's so relaxing. Which character did you enjoy writing the most?

Christine, congratulations on your newest book! Sounds like an interesting mail order bride situation. Thanks for sharing your real life nautical experiences. How fun to be married on a ship!

Sounds like the beginning of another great series Christine! What are you currently working on?

Christine wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "Hi Christine. I love the cover. I'm wondering if the entire story takes place aboard ship?

How much research did you need to do for the ship scenes?"

Hi Dorothy,
Just the opening..."

That is cool that your husband pilots ships and that you got married on one.

Hi, Christine. I love historical fiction too, and mail order bride stories are always fun. Do you happen to know anyone who met their husband in an unusual way? May the Lord bless your new book; I look forward to reading it.

sounds interesting, sorry so late, typing one handed as typing with my left wrist hurts to much. is this a stand alone or part of a series. sorry if its already been asked

Christine,
It is nice that you and your husband like nautical because you get to use the theme for your stories. Piloting ships is interesting. thanks for chatting.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today we welcome veteran author Cheryl St John. Cheryl is the award-winning author of more than fifty Harlequin and Silhouette books, as well as several independently published books. Her book Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict by Writer's Digest is a popular seller. Cheryl has always loved the exciting and diverse worlds available between the covers of books.

Cheryl's April book kicks off a continuity series called Cowboy Creek.

Want Ad Wedding



Second Chance Bride

When Daniel Gardner convinced the residents of his Kansas boomtown to advertise for mail-order brides, he never expected the woman he once loved to respond. But Leah Swann steps off the bride train…pregnant and widowed and in need of a husband. Drawn to protect his fragile childhood friend, Daniel proposes a marriage of convenience.

Seeing her onetime best friend waiting to meet the bride train is a wonderful shock for Leah. After her first rocky marriage, a practical partnership with Daniel sounds perfect—as long as her heart doesn't get involved. But when she starts to fall for her husband, will her plans of a fresh start be ruined…or is a real marriage to Daniel exactly what she needs?

Cowboy Creek: Bringing mail-order brides, and new beginnings, to a Kansas boomtown.

I had the pleasure of working with Cheryl and Sherri Shackelford on this series. You won't want to miss her story!

Welcome, Cheryl! What's your favorite thing about writing romance?

Janis Kay wrote: "Hi Christine! This sounds like a fun book:) I adore mail order bride stories. One day, I will embark on a nautical journey that doesn't include a ferry across the Hudson lol. I love being on the wa..."

Hi Janis Kay! I adored Pearl. She's a fun character with some spunk.

Hi Sherida and Laura! Thanks for stopping by.

I'm currently working through the final edits for Book 2 in this series, Mail Order Mommy, which is slated for publication this November. I'm also working on a 2017 release for another publisher in the Keys of Promise series.

Barbara wrote: "Hi, Christine. I love historical fiction too, and mail order bride stories are always fun. Do you happen to know anyone who met their husband in an unusual way? May the Lord bless your new book; I ..."

You've stumped me, Barbara! Maybe it's the early hour, but nothing is coming to mind, LOL.

Ausjenny wrote: "sounds interesting, sorry so late, typing one handed as typing with my left wrist hurts to much. is this a stand alone or part of a series. sorry if its already been asked"

Hi Jenny, it's the first book in a new series of four books.

Sorry about your wrist. Hope the recovery goes quickly.

Thank you for stopping in, Melinda.

Cheryl,
DId you base the founding of Cowboy Creek on a real town's founding that you found in your researcher or was the idea floated by one of the other authors in the continuity series? When you write in a continuity series, how much information to you get to work from? Do you like to write continuity series?

interesting a second book this month this month with a mail order bride theme. Sounds really cool. I love mail order bride books and what happens.

did you have to do much research for the book?

Karen wrote: "Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today we welcome veteran author Cheryl St John. Cheryl is the award-winning author of more than fifty Harlequin and Silhouette books, as well as several i..."

As long as veteran doesn't mean OLD. lol I do have a few books under my belt. Thanks for the welcome, and I'm so excited about this new series!! xoxo

Melinda wrote: "Cheryl,
DId you base the founding of Cowboy Creek on a real town's founding that you found in your researcher or was the idea floated by one of the other authors in the continuity series? When you..."

Melinda, I love writing continuities! They push me to stretch outside my normal thought processes and challenge me to make ideas work.

A continuity series is developed by a group of editors, who come up with the concept and the main character for each book, The books are then assigned to authors, and each author has the task of developing those characters, giving them motivation for their actions, often fleshing out their backstories and families, and also working together to make sure the entire series flows together.

It's a big task, but it's one I particularly enjoy. The best scenario is to get a great concept as well as a flexible and hardworking group of writers. Cowboy Creek fit the bill. Working with Sherri Shackelford and Karen Kirst was a good experience.