Love Inspired Historicals discussion

Here's the next discussion beginning Monday Sept 11th!

I'm very excited--a brand new LIH author will be joining us on Monday--Angie Dicken! I know you'll all give her a warm welcome!

I am so excited to be here! Yay, can't wait to hang out with everyone this next week!

Hi, Angie,
Look forward to getting to know you and reading your book.

Awesome! Welcome, Angie:)

Hi, just testing my postings.

Can't wait until tomorrow to post my giveaways and blurb!

Hi Angie! It's nice to see you here!
I see you on FB all the time ;) LOVED your book!!!

This week will be exciting .
Joining us on Monday will be brand new LIH author,Angie Dicken,
Reginia Scott on Tuesday and Barbara Phinney on Thursday and Rhonda Gibson will stop in as she can (She's care-giving for family).

I will add Rhonda Gibson's book information first so she can pop in when she can.

Rhonda Gibson is busy care giving for family so will pop in whenever she can.
Rhonda Gibson lives in New Mexico with her husband James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.


Pony Express Special Delivery

by Rhonda Gibson

This book is part of the series Saddles and Spurs

BACK OF BOOK
Pony Express manager Clayton Young arrives for his new assignment at a Wyoming ranch just in time to save Maggie Fillmore's ailing baby. The lovely young widow is struggling to care for a ranch, her sister and a newborn, and Clayton plans to pursue medicine—not marriage. Yet Maggie's dire situation spurs him to offer a match of convenience…
Maggie hoped never to rely on any man again, even one as kind as Clayton. But with her late husband's greedy cousin trying to take away her ranch, she has little choice. And though Maggie worries her union with Clayton might not be enough to save her ranch, she soon sees it could be just what her heart needs.

Welcome Rhonda!
I have enjoyed the Saddles and Spurs series!
Tell us where the idea for this book came from, please.

Ladies if you have a question for Rhonda make sure to put her name at the top so Rhonda can catch the questions and comments for her book.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, EVERYONE!

Let's welcome, Angie Dicken!
She is celebrating her debut novel!

The Outlaw's Second Chance
by Angie Dicken


Angie,
Tell us a little about yourself and your book. I know it is set during the Oklahoma Land Run.

You must be excited having a debut book.

Angie,
Why did you decide to write about the Oklahoma Land Run? I look forward to reading your book.

The outlaw's Second Chance
Renegade on the run

When Cort Stanton and Aubrey Huxley try to claim the same land in the Oklahoma Land Run, Cort offers a deal--one that could help him keep his freedom. After taking the blame for his brother's crime, Cort needs to lie low, so he gives Aubrey the land for her horse ranch...if she'll hire him. Now he just has to avoid growing too close to the gorgeous seamstress, who can never know his secret.

Aubrey refuses to depend on any man, even one as handsome and kind as Cort. Yet, as they work together to make her dream a reality, it's impossible to imagine life on the prairie without him. And though Aubrey knows Cort has secrets that stand between them, she can't help but wish she could stake a claim on his heart.

Welcome! Lovely sounding book. Congratulations!

Angie, I'm interested to know how much of the history behind your story did you know before you started to write your book.

Congratulations Angie, on your debut novel. I am sure this is a big thrill for you. Your book sounds like a fun read that I'd love to read. Please describe for us the moment you got the call saying your book had been accepted for publication.

Melinda wrote: "This week will be exciting .
Joining us on Monday will be brand new LIH author,Angie Dicken,
Karen Kirst on Tuesday and Barbara Phinney on Thursday and Rhonda Gibson will stop in as she can (She's ..."

I made a mistake. It's Regina Scott who will be coming on Tuesday! Sorry for the blip!

Good morning, ladies! I'm sure most of us have been watching the advance of Hurricane Irma. So it's nice to have something else to think and chat about. I'm excited for Angie. I will want her to tell us about her experience getting a contract from LIH.

Good morning everyone! I am so excited to be one of the newest LIH authors on the shelves this month! My book, The Outlaw's Second Chance is also my debut! I was a winner of the Manuscript Matchmakers contest last year, which showed me what AMAZING editors are part of LIH!
So, today, I'd like to share my book blurb, and also offer up an e-book of The Outlaw's Second Chance to a giveaway winner!

My book:

Renegade on the run

When Cort Stanton and Aubrey Huxley try to claim the same land in the Oklahoma Land Run, Cort offers a deal—one that could help him keep his freedom. After taking the blame for his brother's crime, Cort needs to lie low, so he gives Aubrey the land for her horse ranch…if she'll hire him. Now he just has to avoid growing too close to the gorgeous seamstress, who can never know his secret.

Aubrey refuses to depend on any man, even one as handsome and kind as Cort. Yet, as they work together to make her dream a reality, it's impossible to imagine life on the prairie without him. And though Aubrey knows Cort has secrets that stand between them, she can't help but wish she could stake a claim on his heart.

Hi, Angie!
Did you already know some about horse ranching when you started the book, or did you have to start research from scratch?

Hi Hannah. It's very close to my question and I'm quite interested in hearing the answer!

Very good question, Hannah! My husband's family had horses and a cattle ranch, so I was able to glean from him for a lot of the research. Most of my research involved the settlers after the land run, and what they had to accomplish to survive on the prairie. There are so many interesting facts and figures out there from real accounts!

Congratulations Angie, on your debut novel. I am sure this is a big thrill for you. Your book sounds like a fun read that I'd love to read. Please describe for us the moment you got the call saying your book had been accepted for publication.

It must have been fun to research! Or is that your least favourite part?

Deanne, Ah! That was a fun day! I had just started a part-time position at my church, and my supervisor was sitting there when my phone rang. I was surprised that it was my agent and answered it. I tried to keep my voice calm and somewhat enthusiastic but I was at a new job. Of course, my wonderful supervisor gave me a big hug and I was kind of on cloud 9 the rest of the day! LIH was amazing at announcing it right away on social media, so I felt like those next hours were party time! SOOOO fun!

Barb, I LOVE research!! I am so inspired by what I read that it just helps me dive into my story more. I usually research as I go because I am often itching to capture what I learn and can't help but start writing after I find something intriguing. Great question!

Thank you, Melinda! I am sorry I didn't respond to this, didn't see it! I am really excited to be here too!

Hi Barb, Sorry I didn't answer this question!

I fell in love with the history of the land run after I watched Far and Away and the making of the land run scene by Ron Howard. It was super intriguing to me. I didn't start truly researching until I decided to write a story about that bit of history.

Hi Melinda! Sorry I haven't answered your question. New to this type of Q&A! :)

I have always been fascinated with the huge expanses of land since I was young and my family would take road trips across Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. Since I was a little girl, I'd dream up stories about Native Americans and settlers in those settings. The idea of starting a homestead on open prairie is foreign but enticing to me--a city girl. So, when I learned about the Oklahoma Land Run, I was super excited to dream up a story about it!

Angie wrote: "Hi Melinda! Sorry I haven't answered your question. New to this type of Q&A! :)

I have always been fascinated with the huge expanses of land since I was young and my family would take road trips a..."

Congrats on being a winner of the Manuscript Matchmakers contest last year!! I am fascinated with writers dreaming up their stories. I love to read them, but when we are on a road trip, I never dream about a story I could write. I just enjoy the beautiful scenery. However, I do enjoy reading historical stories about the land run and about America's early history. I am fascinated with the settlers' courage and tenacity! I'm looking forward to reading your books.

Melinda wrote: "Rhonda Gibson is busy care giving for family so will pop in whenever she can.
Rhonda Gibson lives in New Mexico with her husband James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Readi..."
The pony express stories are always fun to read! I enjoyed going to Amazon and looking through your books.

Hey, Angie, I missed hearing about the Matchmaker contest. I take it that it's put up by Harlequin?

That was my question too Lynn.

Lyn wrote: "Melinda wrote: "This week will be exciting .
Joining us on Monday will be brand new LIH author,Angie Dicken,
Karen Kirst on Tuesday and Barbara Phinney on Thursday and Rhonda Gibson will stop in as..."

That is ok. I just edited the post so it is updated.

Lyn wrote: "Hey, Angie, I missed hearing about the Matchmaker contest. I take it that it's put up by Harlequin?"

Hi Lyn! It was a contest that started in the spring where we would send in a pitch. Then, they chose certain ones and had us write a synopsis and chapters, and then after that, had us write a manuscript. The editors were in a group chat and helped us with questions about story and LIH guidelines. It was a wonderful experience! The winners won a contract. :)

Ladies just a heads up my internet is going on and off so if you are the author of the day and I have not posted when it is your day please go ahead.Just technology. I will catch up when I get to the college.

I also have a book coming out with Barbour this November. I think that working with LIH really helped me fine-tune my writing and story process. :)

Angie wrote: "I also have a book coming out with Barbour this November. I think that working with LIH really helped me fine-tune my writing and story process. :)"

I know that all of the LIH books that I have read, I have really enjoyed that they are so well written! Is there an actual date when LIH will stop their line of books?

Angie wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Hey, Angie, I missed hearing about the Matchmaker contest. I take it that it's put up by Harlequin?"

Hi Lyn! It was a contest that started in the spring where we would send in a pitch...."
Wow-they had nothing like that when I started writing for Love Inspired back in 1997! Lucky and talented you!

Becky wrote: "Angie wrote: "I also have a book coming out with Barbour this November. I think that working with LIH really helped me fine-tune my writing and story process. :)"

I know that all of the LIH books ..."

Next June will be the final month of LIH books. But remember we're going to keep this group going and will probably feature LIH authors and their new books, like Angie's future releases. The line will change but the authors and books and you all won't !

Hi, all! A big thank you to Lyn for getting this organized and to Melinda for being such a gracious hostess. My day is Tuesday, but I just wanted you to know that I'm on the West Coast, so if you don't see me up bright and early your time, it's probably because it's even earlier my time. :-)

Regina wrote: "Hi, all! A big thank you to Lyn for getting this organized and to Melinda for being such a gracious hostess. My day is Tuesday, but I just wanted you to know that I'm on the West Coast, so if you d..."

Hi Regina! Glad to see you here! Fun to be on the shelves together. :)

Welcome Angie! I know I'm late getting here. We're back in the school swing of things on my end so it's busy! The Land Run is a new topic for me so I'm excited to read this one! Do you write as you go or outline beforehand?

Hi, all! (Waving to Angie!) I'm Regina Scott, author of Mail-Order Marriage Promise, the sixth book in my Frontier Bachelors series set in pioneer Seattle.

Mail-Order Marriage Promise
Stunned that his sister ordered him a mail-order bride, John Wallin insists he’s not the husband Dottie Tyrrell needs. The scholarly logger knows Dottie will make the perfect wife—for some other man. Yet he’s compelled to invite the lovely widow and her infant son to stay with his family…but only until she can find her own way.

Dreams of true love are for other women. Betrayed by her baby’s father, Dottie just wants a safe home for her precious child. But who could resist a man with John’s quiet strength? When her secret past brings danger to their door, they may yet find this mail-order mix-up to be the perfect mistake…

I'm the mother of two adult sons, and I live south of Seattle on the way to Mount Rainier with my beloved husband and an overactive Irish terrier who doesn't like to admit he is approaching 98 in dog years.

Looking forward to your questions and comments.

Hi, Regina! I don't see a lot of loggers in modern fiction, though it was a huge industry. What nudged you to make your hero a logger?

Hi, Hannah! John Wallin, my hero, is one of five brothers. When I first introduced the family in Would-Be Wilderness Wife, I wanted them to live out of the town proper, somewhat isolated. Five strapping lads seemed like good candidates to be loggers. They've carved farms from the wilderness, and now besides managing his farm he helps his older brother continuing with the logging business when needed. His rivals for Dottie's affections are the current logging crew, Tom, Dickie, and Harry. :-)

Love those names as rivals, so it sounds like you've put in some humor. :)

I don't think I could write a book without humor if I tried. :-)

A bit of humor is quite a nice thing in stories. ;)