Love Inspired Historicals discussion

Hello everyone, we have a fresh batch of awesome reads coming in November! Here's the 5 day line-up:

Monday, October 31 Christina Rich will be here with her latest release The Negotiated Marriage .

Tuesday, November 1 Regina Scott will chat about A Convenient Christmas Wedding .

Wednesday, November 2 Christine Johnson discusses her new book Mail Order Mommy .

The next two days will be devoted to Cowboy Creek Christmas . Thursday, November 3 Cheryl St.John will chat about her novella Mistletoe Reunion. And on Friday, November 4, Sherri Shackelford will talk about her novella Mistletoe Bride.

Looks like a fun week of romance and giveaways! Hope to see you then!

Lot of good books in this line-up,thanks to the authors for their time and to you Karen for hosting...see ya soon.

It sounds good. Looks to be a fun filled and busy week. Thanks Karen and all of the authors for doing this.

Sounds great, ladies!

Wonderful line-up! I'm looking forward to chatting!!

Good morning, everyone! Today we kick off our November Q&A with author .
When she was younger, Christina tried to dig herself to China, loved Three Billy Goats Gruff, and had an obsession with maps. She gave up her dig to China but still jumps at the chance to travel even if it’s just down the road. She loves watching modern takes of fairytales and mythologies on the big screen and still has a huge obsession with maps. The older the better.
Born and raised in Kansas, Christina loves to read stories with happily ever afters, research, take photos, knit scarves, dig into her ancestry, fish, visit the ocean, write stories with happily ever afters and talk about her family and Jesus.



The Negotiated Marriage

A Business Arrangement 
When the railroad pushes to buy her land, orphaned Cameron Sims will do anything to keep the only home she and her sisters have ever known. Even if she must marry a stranger. But she's determined her agreement with the mysterious, dashing man—who's unlike anything the Kansas railroad town has ever seen—will remain simply business. 
Duncan Murray doesn't want a wife. He wants Sims Creek, a sanctuary that can help him forget a troubled childhood. But his reluctant, and captivating, bride-to-be is key to making his dreams a reality. And despite their business arrangement, Camy and Duncan might be signing on the dotted line for true love…

Welcome Christina! Congratulations on your new release. This is your first Western-set story for LIH, right? What inspired your story?

*Christina's new book will be given to a lucky commenter.

Goodreads doesn't yet have the cover image for The Negotiated Marriage. Here's the link to the cover. It's gorgeous!

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.c...

Karen wrote: "Good morning, everyone! Today we kick off our November Q&A with author .
When she was younger, Christina tried to dig herself to China, loved Three Billy Goats G..."

Good morning from Kansas!!! How is everyone doing this beautiful fall day?

Yes, this is my first published Western. Funny, about the inspiration. I'm a Kansas girl. born and bred. When I first started writing I absolutely refused to write anything set in Kansas, but over time I began to fall in love, not only with my surroundings, but with the rich history. The setting for The Negotiated Marriage is located a few miles from my home. My husband and I spent time there. We often took our children fishing at the river. It's a place so unlike the typical 'flat' Kansas. There is also a quaint town with a picturesque landscape set in the middle of a valley and a river needing a small raft to cross the banks. It's a perfect set up for a Three Billy Goats Gruff inspired story.

Hello Christina, I don't think I have read any of your stories and I love the title of this one, Negotiated Marriage...wow negotiations in a proposal this has to be some couple. What made you choose something like this instead of the old tried and true mail-order ones?
When I read about you digging to china and then that you were from Kansas...It made me think of the red shoes and "Guess we are not in kansas any longer" what a laugh to start the day...this is meant in a good way..welcome to our chats.

Good morning, Christina! Good to have you with us, my friend!

Love that your story features my home state of Kansas. I too lived in the rolling hills area (Lawrence) and as a child wondered why people referred to flat Kansas....then I drove west and understood. Your new story sounds intriguing....the setting and railroads are an extra plus!

Your Warrior's Vow was the first Biblical LIH I'd read. Now it will be great to read your western! Will this new one be a series? Do you have anymore Biblical fiction planned?

Blessings and thanks for chatting with us today!

Good morning, Christina!
I really loved your Biblical tales. Can't wait to read this one. I am a sucker for Westerns! What was your favorite part of writing this book? :)

Paula-O wrote: "Hello Christina, I don't think I have read any of your stories and I love the title of this one, Negotiated Marriage...wow negotiations in a proposal this has to be some couple. What made you choos..."

Hi, Paula,

Since before I can remember I've been fascinated with travel (places and time). I wish it was as easy as clicking my heels together to find new places.

I love mail-order bride stories, but I did want to do something different and I thought what better way than to have a grumpy old hermit trying to rid himself of his nieces so he can live in peace. Of course, he has lines he won't cross and he actually ends up playing the matchmaker in The Negotiated Marriage.

Sherida wrote: "Good morning, Christina! Good to have you with us, my friend!

Love that your story features my home state of Kansas. I too lived in the rolling hills area (Lawrence) and as a child wondered why pe..."

I love Lawrence! I plan to go explore the area soon.

I am currently working on the proposal for one of Camy's sisters. It's a little tough going because it's a tad darker, but I do hope to create an entire series in Rusa Valley.

I do hope to write more biblicals soon, but they probably won't be LI since they didn't sell as well as we'd like.

Melody wrote: "Good morning, Christina!
I really loved your Biblical tales. Can't wait to read this one. I am a sucker for Westerns! What was your favorite part of writing this book? :)"

Oh my, these two were so much fun to write. I love the wedding scene. I also love a scene in there where Duncan is playing the violin. And of course the beginning was great too. It's kind of hard to choose a favorite. There is so much I love about this story.

Christina, glad to know you have a series planned. Readers get so involved with characters...at least I do!

Sorry to hear you won't be writing LIH biblical in the near future. I found your stories to be a fascinating way to get a glimpse into everyday life back then. Maybe in the future that type will return to popularity.

Looking forward to your new book....with the interesting premise! Thanks for answering my questions.

Hi, Christina! Congrats on the upcoming release of The Negotiated Marriage! Did Cameron and/or Duncan surprise you in any way as you were writing their story?

Christina wrote: "Karen wrote: "Good morning, everyone! Today we kick off our November Q&A with author .
When she was younger, Christina tried to dig herself to China, loved Three..."

That sounds lovely, Christina!

The Negotiated Marriage sounds like a book that will really be interesting to me.

Hello, Christina! You are a new author to me. I just checked you out on Amazon and I will have to read one of your books.

Shalom Christina! :) I love happily ever afters! :) Your book description sounds cool. Your bio notes that you like to dig into your ancestry - could you tell us more about that? :)

Karen wrote: "Goodreads doesn't yet have the cover image for The Negotiated Marriage. Here's the link to the cover. It's gorgeous!

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.c..."

I agree, Karen, it is a beautiful cover! :) Thanks for the link - I added the covers for the paperback, ebook, and Kindle editions to the Goodreads database. :)

Chaya

Oh this sounds like a really cool book. with there be more in the series or is a one off?

Also how are you doing?

Britney wrote: "Hi, Christina! Congrats on the upcoming release of The Negotiated Marriage! Did Cameron and/or Duncan surprise you in any way as you were writing their story?"

Yes! Several times. The wedding scene, which I won't spoil came as a complete surprise. They both surprised me there. His action, her reaction, and then his reaction to her reaction. It was fun. I love how they take off on their own.

Keli wrote: "Congratulations on your new release, Christina! It sounds like a fun story.

You mentioned loving to travel. What have been some of your favorite destinations? What places would you like to visit?"

I haven't traveled far, but I love seeing things. I find a lot of peace in Biloxi, and just as much peace in the backwoods of Mississippi. I would like to revisit the Grand Canyon and South Dakota. One day, Maine and Michigan. My dream world travel would be Israel, Greece, Scotland, and Ireland.

Chaya & Cinnamon wrote: "Shalom Christina! :) I love happily ever afters! :) Your book description sounds cool. Your bio notes that you like to dig into your ancestry - could you tell us more about that? :)

Karen wrote: ..."

Shalom!!!!

I hope you're not sorry you asked. I've always been fascinated with history and heirlooms. It wasn't until after my grandfather passed away that we found some postcards that left me intrigued about where my bloodline rooted from. I'd heard all sort of tales growing up, very few of which I've discovered had truth to them, but the truth, although sometimes sad, are rich.

My great, great, great grandmother was the first female sheriff in Benzie County, Michigan as well as a place in Oklahoma and Texas. I had a great, great, great, grandfather who was a light house keeper on Beaver Island, Michigan. He also created a lifesaving station there. I believe it was one of the first, if not the first. I have deep roots in Mississippi, some Choctaw. French Canadian roots. I have ancestors that were Huguenots and fled persecution. Then there is my dad's side, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Bohemian (which I find absolutely fascinating).

Last year, I acquired pictures from the 1800s of some of my ancestors. It's amazing how much my children look like them.

Ausjenny wrote: "Oh this sounds like a really cool book. with there be more in the series or is a one off?

Also how are you doing?"

Hi, Jenny. I am working on a second, and hopefully third book. And there are many possibilities for other stories.

I am doing well. Learning to adjust to this new season, but God is so very gracious. Thank you for asking.

Sherida wrote: "Christina, glad to know you have a series planned. Readers get so involved with characters...at least I do!

Sorry to hear you won't be writing LIH biblical in the near future. I found your storie..."

I think my heart will always long to write Biblicals. They are so special. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

Hi Christina! Have to say I LOVE ❤️ the cover! I read The Warrior's Vow with me 3 younger sons (15, 12 and 11) and we all loved it! It's definitely a different experience reading different time frames. Hoping you will write more biblical books in the future because you are quite good at it!!!

I also love that you are a big fan of Three Billy Goats Gruff! I've always loved that story because it was one we could get our Dad to tell us when growing up! Favorite memories!!!

Thanks for stopping by today. Looking forward to reading this story!

Today we welcome author Regina Scott . Regina has published more than two dozen clean historical romances for adults and young adults. Her traditional romances have earned praised from reviewers and readers alike. Booklist calls her work "quietly compelling" and "impeccably written." Huntress Reviews says, "Regina Scott delivers," and "I will always buy a book with Regina Scott's name on it." She makes her home in the Puget Sound area of Washington State with her beloved husband and a hyperactive Irish terrier named Fergus.



A Convenient Christmas Wedding

The Marriage Agreement 
Proposing a marriage of convenience to a rugged logger is the boldest move of Nora Underhill's sheltered life. In return for Simon Wallin's protection from her overbearing family, the unassuming seamstress offers prime frontier farmland. But their paper marriage changes when Nora's greedy brother tries to draw her back into a life of drudgery. Her only option: move to Simon's farm, and into the center of his loving, unruly family. 
Years of shouldering responsibility have left Simon cynical and reserved. But little by little, Nora's warmth opens his shuttered heart to joy. With their marriage claim under threat, can this practical arrangement blossom over the holidays…and become a love for all seasons?

Your cover is beautiful, Regina! Congrats! This book is part of your
Frontier Bachelors series. Can you tell us where it falls in the series and how many books you plan to include?

Thanks for hosting us, Karen! I agree on the cover--we are so fortunate to have such a talented group of artists at Love Inspired Historical. This is the fifth book in my Frontier Bachelor series, but I try to make each book stand alone, so you don't have to have read the others to enjoy it. But if you have, you'll recognize some familiar faces. :-) Love Inspired has bought three more books in the series, which will probably wind it up. Those books will feature the last three members of the Wallin family (siblings of Simon, who's the hero of this book). I'm working on John Wallin's story now.

Welcome, Regina! I haven't read your series, and I'm wondering about the setting....Washington state?

And how fun to write a Christmas wedding book! What is your favorite part of this book....without giving too much information? I enjoy the series books, so it's good to know three more are planned. I have some catching up to do, so wish I'd thought of the Frontier Bachelor books while Harlequin was having the e-book sale.

Congratulations on the release of A Convenient Christmas Wedding...and the lovely cover. Thank you for chatting with us today!

Hi, Sherida! Yes, the Frontier Bachelors series is set in and around pioneer Seattle, Washington Territory. One of my favorite parts of the book was Fleet, the native dog my heroine Nora adopts. I have a friend who has a husky, so I picked her brain to describe Fleet's reaction to various scenes. I love the fact that huskies and Malamutes actually "talk." Of course, when Nora claims she's purchased a talking dog, you can imagine what the ever-logical Simon thinks!

Hello, Regina! I can't say that you are new to me any more because I got to read your book A Rancher of Convenience and really enjoyed it. This sounds like another good read. Congratulations on the release today.

Thanks, Becky! I love Christmas books, so it's especially fun to have one of mine to share this year.

Hi, Keli! No spoiler. In pioneer Seattle, men and women could file a claim for land, 160 acres for each person. There was a small fee ($10) to register the claim, and then you had five years to prove it up. That included erecting some kind of building (house, barn) and clearing the timber. If you did that, the land was yours, free and clear. In exchange for marrying her, Nora offers to file a claim for acreage adjoining Simon's claim, which he's already proved up, as Simon's wife. Of course, if something should go wrong with the marriage, and she isn't his wife--bye-bye claim!

Christina Rich , I am sorry that I missed you yesterday. I love the cover and look forward to reading it.

Regina,
I did not realize that women could file for a claim of land. I enjoy these Q & A sessions as I always learn something new. I love history but Western history is not my area that I spent time in . I am learning more about.

Did you have to do much research for this book?it is part of a series? How long does it take for you to write a book ? Where do you get your ideas?


Thanks for answering


It seems marriage for anything but love at the beginning is the theme lately in the books that I have been reading.

Hi, Melinda! Yes, ladies could file for a claim in Washington Territory, either in their own right or as the wife of a man with a claim. The lady just had to be 21 years of age.

This book is part of my Frontier Bachelors series set around pioneer Seattle after the Civil War. You might say I've been researching the stories since I was a girl, because that's when I first learned about the Mercer Belles. These were widows and orphans from back East who traveled west with an enterprising young man named Asa Mercer to help civilize the frontier in Washington. They ended up marrying and became the founding mothers of our state. I first learned about them in grade school, did a major research paper in high school on them, and have been researching them on and off ever since. I was so pleased when my editor agreed to let me write about them. Nora, my heroine, is a Mercer Belle, as were the heroines of the first four books in the series.

As for how long it takes me to write a book, it depends on the book. Generally, though, for a Love Inspired, it takes me three to four months. I have to give the Lord credit for the ideas. He's very good about pointing me in a certain direction or putting me in a place where I see or hear something and think, "Oh, my, I HAVE to write about that." :-)

Christina ~ that grumpy old hermit sounds like a great character!

Regina ~ Love Christmas. Which season were you actually writing this story in?
(That tidbit about women being able to claim in Washington Territory as long as they were 21 was interesting! Keli, I thought of Laura's books too with her Pa's & Almanzo's claims.)

Regina, I have read at least 4 of the Frontier Bachelors series and really enjoyed them. I love historical fiction and there's not very many written about the Pacific NW.
I know I will enjoy this new book--revisiting the Wallin family again. I'm glad you are writing more books in this series.

Hello Regina, today was a busy day and gone half of it, wanted to stop by and check out your book, I like the title and this woman sounds like a good story coming. Was Simon someone she knew and might have had some thoughts of wanting to know him better or purely just someone to help her out? I know Christmas activities will be good to make the couple know one another better. I look forward to reading this one.

Christina wrote: "Shalom!!!!

I hope you're not sorry you asked. I've always been fascinated with history and heirlooms..."

Haha, no, I'm not sorry I asked at all - I'm genuinely interested and loved reading what you said! :) That's very cool! And seeing the pictures had to be awesome. I hope you get to visit the places you want to and have fun! :) Thank you so much for answering my question, Christina, I wouldn't have minded hearing more! You're in my prayers for much blessings. :)

Chaya

Shalom Regina! :) Your book sounds good! :) I really like that you have the fact represented that females owned land. Christina Rich was saying about one of her female ancestors being a sheriff. These are facts that are too often unknown or ignored, but thankfully not by authors like you both. :) Further proof a person should find out a thing for themselves rather than just what school or media tries to tell us. Thank you both, Regina and Christina, for cool facts like that. :)

Two questions I wanted to ask you, Regina - first, I really like stories about close families, could you tell us a little about the brothers? I haven't read any in the series yet, but would like to. Second question - would you tell me what young adult historical romances you've written - I'd love to check them out as well as this one. :) Thank you! :)

Chaya

Hi, Wendy! It was funny-I was writing this story this time last year. It was due in the middle of December, so I actually finished it in the Christmas mood. :-)

Hi, B! Thank you for your kind words. I hope other readers will enjoy learning more about the Wallin family too.

Hi, Paula-O! Thanks for dropping by! Nora knew the other Mercer Belles who had married Simon's brother, so she had met him, but she didn't know a lot about him. She wanted someone strong, a bit stern, to fend off her encroaching family. She's amazed to find the warm heart hiding under the gruff exterior.

Hi, Chaya! I originally set out to write about the Mercer Belles-brides come from the East Coast to marry bachelors in pioneer Seattle. But the second book in the series saw a Mercer Belle marrying into a family of loggers. I call it my Seven Brides for Seven Brothers book, because it kind of has that feel. :-)

The Wallin family has five brothers and a sister (the youngest). Their father died in a logging accident when the oldest brother was 18, so he became the surrogate father to the others. His story is told in Would-Be Wilderness Wife. Simon is the second oldest--analytical, methodical. Then there's James, the joker of the family--always charming and fun. He found his love in Frontier Engagement. The next two brothers are younger--John and Levi. I will need to go forward a bit in time when I come to their stories. I'm actually writing John's story right now.

You asked about my young adult historicals. I have a series called the Lady Emily capers. Secrets and Sensibilities introduces four young ladies about to make their debut in Regency England and their young art teacher. Each book in the series has one of the five falling in love amidst a mystery that Lady Emily, the leader of the four girls, solves. So, they're young adult historical romantic mysteries. Now, that's a mouthful!

Regina wrote: "Hi, Chaya! I originally set out to write about the Mercer Belles-brides come from the East Coast to marry bachelors in pioneer Seattle. But the second book in the series saw a Mercer Belle marrying..."

Thank you so much for answering my questions! :) I didn't know there was a sister - didn't mean to leave her out! Thanks for telling me about them, I enjoyed meeting them just now and definitely would like to read about them. :) I love series so that's great there are more books because when I like the characters I enjoy getting to read more stories of them. :)

That your young adult historicals are also romantic mysteries is perfect because I really love for stories to have mystery or adventure in them. :)

Thanks again. :) You're in my prayers for many blessings. :)

Chaya

Thank you, Chaya! Blessings to you too!

Hi Regina,

I always love seeing that you have another book coming out. I've loved your books set in Washington. It's amazing the stuff I've learned from LIH authors!!! Looking forward to reading this one when I get to it. Thanks for the little family background you gave. I also love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, so it's fun to have that sort of feel to the stories too. Thanks for stopping in and updating us on what's going on in your writings and what we have to look forward to!!!

Stopping in to say hello! Love the Wallin family and this series! Thanks Regina for writing them!