Love Inspired Historicals discussion

I finally figured out how to post this notice. Please come and join me and discuss my new and (sadly last) LIH Historical. Lyn Cote will drop in and discuss her new book one day this week also. Come join the discussion!

Good morning! I hope you are all rested from our Easter parade event and ready to have a lively discussion about my new book Mail-Order Bride Switch.

Here is the blurb:

Garret Stevenson must find a bride or forfeit his newly built hotel. With his deadline approaching, he plans an in-name-only marriage with a maid who’ll cook and clean for his guests. When a pampered, pretty heiress arrives instead, the deception confirms Garret’s distrust of women. But Virginia Winterman has more substance than her elegant clothes suggest.

Fleeing West to escape a cruel suitor, Virginia finds a business arrangement with Whisper Creek’s brusque hotel owner is mutually beneficial, and she relishes being useful. Yet what was once a practical solution soon blossoms into a deeper union. Can Garret get past old betrayals before his future with Virginia slips away?

All right, ladies, I'm ready to answer your questions!

I am adding the cover for you. Sounds intriguing I like books that have a bit of mystery also. I bet the cruel suitor comes looking. Did you have to do a lot of research for the book

Ausjenny wrote: "

I am adding the cover for you. Sounds intriguing I like books that have a bit of mystery also. I bet the cruel suitor comes looking. Did you have to do..."

Hi Jenny! I can always count on you to be here during the night hours here in WNY. Thank you for adding the cover! That's very thoughtful of you.

I didn't have to do as much research for this book as it's the third book in the Stand-In Brides series and I had already done a lot of the research as to the setting and the Indians and the train track construction, etc.. But, even so, it's amazing how many things bring my writing to a dead stop while I look up a word or a phrase, or some simple everyday thing like toothpaste, to make sure it was being used at the time.

How's the shoulder?

The shoulder isn't as bad today. its doing better than it was so hopefully it will get better each day.

I'm sure it will. My husband just had a shot in his shoulder to relieve the constant ache. He's talking possible surgery later on.

Dorothy,
What is the one word or phrase that took you the longest to do the research on?
I have enjoyed the first two books so I am looking forward to this book.
Where did the idea for Virginia Winterman and her background come from?

Jenny,
I am glad that your should is doing better.

Hi Melinda!
Good question! I can't pinpoint one word or phrase because of the process and the book I use--English Through the Ages. If I'm simply looking to see if a word was in use at a particular time it's (usually) quick and easy. But if I want an appropriate phrase for a situation, and can't think of one, I have to read through the phrases, slang, expressions, etc. for the different time periods until the date of my story. Hopefully, I can find one. : )

I've always liked the name Virginia. It was my oldest sister's name. And, as I wrote the story, a lot of my sister's character and mannerisms became a part of Virginia Winterman. I didn't plan it that way, it just happened.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the first two books of the series. I hope you like this one as much or more. My husband, who reads all of my books, liked this one the best of the series, but he can't pinpoint why. Frustrating man! LOL

I have a question. If I were to write a series of books about cowboys in the hey day of the cattle industry, do you like Wyoming territory for the setting? Somewhere close to the area in this Stand-In Brides series? The era would be the late 1860s-1870s.

I don't want the setting to be Texas. The cowboys might be FROM Texas, but I don't want them to live there. Texans are too strong a people--Texas is in their DNA. : ) Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Texas cowboys--I am critique partners with a real live Texas rancher/cowboy and he's become one of my best friends since the Lord joined us together as crit partners. I just don't think I could adequately capture that Texas warmth and humor.

Wyoming Territory sounds fine as a setting. You have already done research on area so it would be useful. Wyoming as always interested me. A lady that my Mom worked with in the 1990's had two nieces move there. The loved the open spaces and the people. The hey day of the cattle industry has a lot for you to work with . It sounds interesting for a few books at least, Dorothy. I am always ready to read a book about cowboys.

Dorothy wrote: "Hi Melinda!
Good question! I can't pinpoint one word or phrase because of the process and the book I use--English Through the Ages. If I'm simply looking to see if a word was in use at a particular..."
I always find the behind the idea issues interesting. At least your husband likes the story even if he does not know why.

I have just completed a book I started years ago. It's not strictly romance, though romance runs through its pages. It is set here in America in Colonial times--1763. I mentioned it when we held our reverse Q&A and received a favorable response. But I wanted to ask again, before I start on the sequel...would you be interested in reading a book set in that era?

And now, back to my new book. Mail-order bride stories are very popular so I added a couple of twists to the stories in this series. I didn't want my heroes or heroines to have any "wiggle" room. I hope they gave the readers a surprise or two and made the books entertaining.

Here is my question...If you have read any of the books, did you find the brides unusual?

Dorothy wrote: "I have just completed a book I started years ago. It's not strictly romance, though romance runs through its pages. It is set here in America in Colonial times--1763. I mentioned it when we held ou..."

I love history Dorothy. I would read something set during the 1760's as it had a lot going on and yet people lived normal everyday lives.

Dorothy wrote: "And now, back to my new book. Mail-order bride stories are very popular so I added a couple of twists to the stories in this series. I didn't want my heroes or heroines to have any "wiggle" room. I..."

The brides were not what I would have thought but that made the stories more interesting to me.

first your first question, Wyoming sounds good to me

and I do actually like history and reading about colonial times having done a tour of historical sites and seeing Yorketown, Jamestown, Willamsburg it helps give some information about the time.

Dorothy wrote: "I have just completed a book I started years ago. It's not strictly romance, though romance runs through its pages. It is set here in America in Colonial times--1763. I mentioned it when we held ou..."

I would definitely be interested in a book set in that era (1763).

You're right, Melinda. And when I think about it, I find it amazing that in the the turmoil of historic times the people do go on living their normal lives. They have to.

Melinda wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "And now, back to my new book. Mail-order bride stories are very popular so I added a couple of twists to the stories in this series. I didn't want my heroes or heroines to have any ..."

Oh, good. I'm glad I surprised you. And that the twist made the brides more interesting. That was my goal...

Ausjenny wrote: "first your first question, Wyoming sounds good to me

and I do actually like history and reading about colonial times having done a tour of historical sites and seeing Yorketown, Jamestown, Willams..."

I remember when you took that tour, Jenny. I love visiting a place that you read about, It makes the stories more "real."

Hi Becky! Thank you for the positive vote on the book I'm writing at the moment.

Dorothy wrote: "I have a question. If I were to write a series of books about cowboys in the hey day of the cattle industry, do you like Wyoming territory for the setting? Somewhere close to the area in this Stand..."

I also love the Wyoming territory for your setting! 1860's-1870's is a fun era for your series. I love variety, so I probably would have loved anything you said!

Dorothy wrote: "And now, back to my new book. Mail-order bride stories are very popular so I added a couple of twists to the stories in this series. I didn't want my heroes or heroines to have any "wiggle" room. I..."

I love that there are twists in these stories. I have not read any of your mail-order bride stories, but I have read many by other authors.

Dorothy wrote: "Good morning! I hope you are all rested from our Easter parade event and ready to have a lively discussion about my new book Mail-Order Bride Switch.

Here is the blurb:

Garret Stevenson must fin..."
Does the fact that Virginia had a cruel suitor, make her also shy of Garrett? You talked about Garrett having issues, but it sounds like Virginia has them also.

These are the first mail-order bride stories I've written, Becky. But I know there are many, many of them written. If you read any of these three books of the series, I hope you will enjoy them!

Thank you all so much for voting yes on a Wyoming location and a1868-1869 era for the Cowboy stories that are simmering in my head.

Now I need names for four or five cowboys. I'm sure there are names you are sick of seeing for cowboys. Any no-no names, ladies? Any names you'd really like to see used for a cowboy?

Dorothy wrote: "Thank you all so much for voting yes on a Wyoming location and a1868-1869 era for the Cowboy stories that are simmering in my head.

Now I need names for four or five cowboys. I'm sure there are n..."
I'd love to see a cowboy named Cheslor. It just seems like a cowboy name.

Murphy, Chaz, Ben, Daniel, Chuck, Brad.

Becky wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "Good morning! I hope you are all rested from our Easter parade event and ready to have a lively discussion about my new book Mail-Order Bride Switch.

Here is the blurb:

Garret St..."
You're right, Becky. Virginia has her issues, too. It makes for some tense moments...

Becky wrote: "Dorothy wrote: "Thank you all so much for voting yes on a Wyoming location and a1868-1869 era for the Cowboy stories that are simmering in my head.

Now I need names for four or five cowboys. I'm ..."

Cheslor, that's unusual. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to file the names, see which ones "fit" the cowboys when I start writing. It's odd, but you can't make a character do what they don't want to do!

Paula wrote: "Murphy, Chaz, Ben, Daniel, Chuck, Brad."

Murphy! I love that. When our oldest son was in high school, he said if he ever married and had a son he was going to name him Murphy! : ) Yes, he married and has a son, and no, his name is not Murphy. : )

Your name suggestions are going on my list, Paula. Thanks.

Does it bother you if you don't like a character's name in a book? What do you do? Do you like my character's names? Garret Stevenson, Virginia Winterman...

It only bothers me if it is difficult to pronounce. It takes too much time away from reading and it isn’t smooth. It doesn’t flow.

Yes, I like those names!

I like your character's names.
I would not mind having a cowboy called Dillon.
I usually grow to accept if not like names of character's . I do not like names that the character does not fit.
Murphy sounds good. Cheslor is unique.

Wyatt, Gilbert sound good to me

Ausjenny wrote: "Wyatt, Gilbert sound good to me"

I agree Jenny.

Paula wrote: "It only bothers me if it is difficult to pronounce. It takes too much time away from reading and it isn’t smooth. It doesn’t flow."

My husband agrees with you. He hates it when there are names he can't pronounce and has to think about every time he sees them. I told him to give the character a nickname. That's what I do. : )

Paula wrote: "Yes, I like those names!"

: )

Melinda wrote: "I like your character's names.
I would not mind having a cowboy called Dillon.
I usually grow to accept if not like names of character's . I do not like names that the character does not fit.
Murph..."

Hmm, I like Dillon. But I might run into trouble with the author who created Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke fame. Sometimes famous characters are copyrighted. Perhaps Dillard? No. It doesn't have the same "ring" to it.
I do think calling the cowboys by their last names or their particular area of expertise works well. That's what real men do isn't it? We live in a small town and my husband is "Clarkie" to everyone.

Ausjenny wrote: "Wyatt, Gilbert sound good to me"

I like these names, too. But I did immediately think of Wyatt Earp. Gilbert is good. It goes on the list.

Good morning, all. I forgot to mention yesterday, that I will be giving away three copies of my book.

I'm having a good time asking questions that I wonder about when I'm writing. The names are a big one. I was going to name a character Jake--(my husband's father's name was Jacob) but a reader mentioned that she was sick to death of character's named Jake. I changed the name. Here is a name I really like--Micah. Yes, or no? Be honest! LOL Is that overused?

I'm also thinking about giving one of cowboys a name that would cause him discomfort or anger (teased as a boy because of it, etc. ) if it was found out, hence his pals call him "Bull" or something equally rugged. I've thought of names like Shirley...or Lynford,..Audley... Any suggestions for an embarrassing name for the poor cowboy?

Micah is good . I have not read about any Micah that I can remember. You are taking off on Johnny Cash's song A boy Named SUE. I will have to think about names . I always thought about calling a son Bartholomew but my Mom and Dad always said the boy would hate me for his name. No kids so never came up.

Dorothy,
Do we get some of Garret Stevenson's back story in the book?

I like Micah. How about Aloysius. Call him Al and somebody discovers what it’s short for.

My husband’s middle name is Lynn.

My father’s middle name was Leslie.

Paula wrote: "My husband’s middle name is Lynn."

Paula,
I can see where Lynn could be a problem as well as Leslie. I know one man names Lynn,

Melinda wrote: "Micah is good . I have not read about any Micah that I can remember. You are taking off on Johnny Cash's song A boy Named SUE. I will have to think about names . I always thought about calling a so..."

Okay, so Micah goes on the list. : )

You're right about the Johnny Cash song. LOL I always liked it. I love that line when he meets his father for the first time...My name is Sue! How do you do!" LOL

Let me know if you come up with a name. Bartholomew is the name of a minor, off scene character in the book I've just finished. But, that name could be shortened to Bart by a cowboy's friends so it doesn't qualify as embarrassing. : ) Keep thinking!

Melinda wrote: "Dorothy,
Do we get some of Garret Stevenson's back story in the book?"

Yes, indeed. I like my readers to understand what drives my character's motivations. It's fun discovering a character's backstory. They can surprise you--which is odd considering your the one doing the writing...

Paula, I went to school with two guys named Lynn, so I would have a hard time thinking of a character as embarrassed by that name. Now Leslie...that goes on the embarrassed cowboy list. : )

Keep bringing those names!