Love Inspired Historicals discussion

Hi, everyone. I have reached out to the authors with LIH books coming out this month and Have three coming. It will be the week of Monday May 7.
I enjoy our Q & A so thought I would try to keep it going . I will put up the information on Sunday May 6 so you all will know what books and the authors that have respond so far are Sherri Shackelford on Monday May 7, Janette Foreman on TUESDAY , MAY 8 and Rhonda Gibson will be Wednesday, MAY 9 .
Lisa Bingham is not available and has other commitments so we will talk about her book on Thursday May 10. On Friday, we will discuss what to do after the LIH line closes with the June publication.
See you on May 7.

cook thanks

Ausjenny wrote: "cook thanks"

I am glad that you are coming Jenny

Melinda wrote: "Hi, everyone. I have reached out to the authors with LIH books coming out this month and Have three coming. It will be the week of Monday May 7.
I enjoy our Q & A so thought I would try to keep it..."

THANK you!

Great, Melinda! Thanks so much for stepping in to help keep the Q&A going! I have a question. Did you send out invitations? I don't know how you do that. Or even if an undesignated person can do so.

Anyway, I'll be here--God willing.

No invitations I am thinking using the invite people to let everyone know. To get the authors I just e-mailed or private message them on Facebook.

I will figure it out .
See you later Dorothy.

Dorothy,
I figured it out. I had to create an event and that allowed invites to be sent to the group. Invite button is to get people to join but we just needed to let members know so that is what I used. thanks fo reminding me to do that. see you later.

Thanks for the information. I guess one way is as good as another for sending out invitations.

See you next week.

Hi, everyone! WELCOME to our May Q & A.!
This is the next to last month for the Love Inspired Historical line which we all will miss. We will discuss that on Friday.
Let's enjoy the authors and books for May.

This is the schedule
Monday, May 7 - Sherri Shackelford

Tuesday, May 8- Janette Foreman

Wednesday , May 9 -Rhonda Gibson

Thursday, May 10 - Lisa Bingham
Lisa is unable to be with us but we will discuss her books and if you have read her other books ,etc.


Friday, May 11- What would you like to do for the July Q & A?What authors have books coming out ,etc.

I would like to welcome , Sherri Shackelford to the May Q & A.
Sheri is a wife and mother of three, Sherri Shackelford's hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul. You can visit her website: sherrishackelford.com.

Her release this month is His Substitute Mail-Order Bride

It is available in paperback and e-book editions.


This is the blurb for the book:
Stand-In Wife

Russ Halloway’s mail-order bride never boarded the bride train! In her place is recently widowed Anna Darby Linford, sister of the last woman to jilt Russ. He’s surprised to see Anna again—and stunned when he discovers she’s pregnant. Marrying Anna seems the right thing to do...especially since love continues to evade him.

Anna hopes Russ will help her find employment—becoming a wife again never even crossed her mind. Yet as she struggles to start over in the small town, Anna forges a genuine connection with Russ. When secrets from her past threaten Russ’s future in politics, can they protect their family in the making?

Sheri,
Where did you get the idea for this book? A substitute for a mail-order bride does make sense as the man would not know the mail-order bride.

Do you like writing in the time period of the 1860's?

How did you get to write a book in The Return To Cowboy Creek series?

Hi Sheri,
Congratulations on your latest release! It sounds very intriguing!
What are you working on now?

Melinda wrote: "Sheri,
Where did you get the idea for this book? A substitute for a mail-order bride does make sense as the man would not know the mail-order bride.

Do you like writing in the time period of the..."

His Substitute Mail-Order Bride is actually a part of a continuity series - which means Harlequin gave the authors the plots and the characters. It's both challenging and fun to write continuities!

With continuities, Authors are invited to participate. An author is always welcome to refuse, but I enjoy the process. As an aside, the publisher owns the copyright to the characters, so I can't write about Cowboy Creek unless Harlequin agrees. Just a fun fact!

I don't know how the giveaways work on Goodreads now, but I'd love to giveaway a set of 'Return to Cowboy Creek'. Just in case this is a no-no these days, shhhhh! It'll be our little secret :)

Sherri wrote: "I don't know how the giveaways work on Goodreads now, but I'd love to giveaway a set of 'Return to Cowboy Creek'. Just in case this is a no-no these days, shhhhh! It'll be our little secret :)"

I do not know how but I will see if I can find away. If Dorothy drops by maybe she can help. Sherri, we can work it out. t is nice of you to have a giveaway. Sherri , it is a set of e-books?

Sherri wrote: "Melinda wrote: "Sheri,
Where did you get the idea for this book? A substitute for a mail-order bride does make sense as the man would not know the mail-order bride.

Do you like writing in the ti..."

I am sorry that Harlequin owns the characters as I have enjoyed Cowboy Creek.

Shannon wrote: "Hi Sheri,
Congratulations on your latest release! It sounds very intriguing!
What are you working on now?"

To answer both your and Melinda's questions...I enjoy writing about the old west, although I do try and avoid the Civil War when I'm writing books that aren't copyrighted by Harlequin.

While I'm fascinated by the history of the Civil War, I find it depressing to write about! Just one of those odd quirks I have, I guess.

Because Harlequin will no longer be publishing historical novels for Love Inspired, I'm currently writing suspense. My first book, No Safe Place, will release in January of 2019. It's definitely been a new and exciting adventure!

Sherri,
What is the hardest part of writing in a continuities?
What are your plans for the future with your writing?

Melinda wrote: "I would like to welcome , Sherri Shackelford to the May Q & A.
Sheri is a wife and mother of three, Sherri Shackelford's hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid c..."

Welcome, Sheri! Wow! Seeing the sister of the last woman to jilt him sounds like a shock! Does Russ have to overcome and forgive her for what her sister did to him? I'd like to read more about the "bride train". Were there actually trains that brought mostly mail-order brides?

Sherri wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Hi Sheri,
Congratulations on your latest release! It sounds very intriguing!
What are you working on now?"

To answer both your and Melinda's questions...I enjoy writing about the o..."
That's great to hear! It was tough news when they dropped the historical line. I am glad you got to stay within the company. Prayers and blessings as you begin this new segment of your career!

I’m sure giveaways are OK. I won a book from Lyn Cote and one from Dorothy. Clark.

Sherri,
What has been different for you as you write suspense compared to a historical?

Paula wrote: "I’m sure giveaways are OK. I won a book from Lyn Cote and one from Dorothy. Clark."

Paula, Giveaways are fine . Just have to figure things out as we go.

Hi Sherri!
When you write in a continuity series like this, do you and the other authors chat? Read each other's books? Or is there someone at the publisher that keeps the continuity?

Becky wrote: Were there actual bride trains"

The bride trains are purely fictional, as far as I know! Women were scarce in the old west, and men were scarce back east after the Civil War. There were lots of enticements to lure women - I'm pretty confident they offered free tickets at the very least :)

Poor Russ has had a rough couple years, but don't worry--he gets his happily ever after!

Shannon wrote: "Prayers and blessings as you start this new career..."

Thank you!

How much information do you get from Harlequin for a new book? Just characters , plot, setting?

Melinda wrote: "Sherri,
What has been different for you as you write suspense compared to a historical?"

Great question! The pacing is much different in suspense. The word count of the line is shorter too. The story has to be much more focused and tight, which means there isn't as much time for deep character development. The concentration is more on the external forces than the internal forces.

Since Historicals are going away and you are goibg to write suspense ( yay another favorite genre) can they be time slip or historical but suspenseful?

Andrea wrote: "Hi Sherri!
When you write in a continuity series like this, do you and the other authors chat? Read each other's books? Or is there someone at the publisher that keeps the continuity?"

We definitely read each other's stories and chat. Although sometimes things get crazy with everyone being on deadline! That's probably the hardest part for me - letting people read rough drafts- especially when you're writing with authors who are such amazing writers! (Like Karen Kirst and Cheryl St.John.) It's really intimidating.

The hardest part is trying not to step on each other's toes. In the first continuity series, I read a plot point wrong. I thought my hero had been engaged before - when he'd only dated the woman. The author who wrote the third book was (obviously) surprised (and probably annoyed)! Thankfully, the plot point was minor enough, she was able to easily adjust her book. But that was definitely embarrassing for me.

Paula wrote: "How much information do you get from Harlequin for a new book? Just characters , plot, setting?"


Thank you!"

These are all good questions! When I write a continuity series like this one, I get what's called a 'bible' from the editor. The 'bible' has plot and character descriptions for my book, as well as a synopsis for the other two books in the series.

When I submit a book on my own - it's *all* me! In that case, the editor input comes after I submit the proposal.

Hi Sherri! It's good to see you here! You were wondering if it was still all right to give away a set of books. The answer is absolutely! Because of the Q& A events being 'touch-and-go' for the last few months I am no longer in charge of the giveaways--there are three steps. 1.) Select your winner by whatever method you choose. 2.)Notify them of their winning your books via their Goodreads inbox and ask them to send you their full name and mailing address. 3.) Send them the book(s) they won.

Now, I have a question for you. I know that when you write a book in a continuity series there is a "link" between all of the books being written by the different authors? What is the "link" that ties the books together in this continuity. Also, which number in the continuity is your book?

Sherri wrote: "Melinda wrote: "Sherri,
What has been different for you as you write suspense compared to a historical?"

Great question! The pacing is much different in suspense. The word count of the line is sh..."

Thanks. I will pay more attention to the focus when I read the different books now.

Dorothy wrote: "Hi Sherri! It's good to see you here! You were wondering if it was still all right to give away a set of books. The answer is absolutely! Because of the Q& A events being 'touch-and-go' for the las..."

Thanks for explaining the giveaways Dorothy.

Good afternoon! Sorry I am late! It is finals season here so goodreads has been on the back burner! I love the blurb for this book! How interesting! I’ve always loved Mail Order Brides and marriages of convenience! Is this the first book in the continuity series?

Amanda,
Glad you could join us.When are you done with Finals?

Melinda, not yet. Next Tuesday is the big day but this week is when all the papers and final assignments are due. Studying now because my last test of the semester is tomorrow morning so I’m popping in when I can! Can’t wait for summer break, that’s for sure!

Dorothy wrote: "Hi Sherri! It's good to see you here! You were wondering if it was still all right to give away a set of books. The answer is absolutely! Because of the Q& A events being 'touch-and-go' for the las..."

Thank you for the help on the giveaway! To answer your question, the 'link' between continuity books is usually a plot point. In the first 'cowboy creek' series, there was a gang of bad guys that was terrorizing the town. In the new set of books, there is a similar, but slightly different, overarching chain of events that binds the books together.

Amanda wrote: "Good afternoon! Sorry I am late! It is finals season here so goodreads has been on the back burner! I love the blurb for this book! How interesting! I’ve always loved Mail Order Brides and marriage..."

Finals are tough! Hang in there :)

Sherri,
Did you decide to try suspense or was it suggested to you by someone? will you write more historicals? If you do will you self-publish?

Sherri, is it possible that the publisher might allow you to do a suspense set in modern day Cowboy Creek with the descendants of the other folks? ;)

How are you finding writing suspense after writing historical. I guess there are some elements the same as I find many LIH have an element of suspense or cosy mystery in them.

Hannah wrote: "Sherri, is it possible that the publisher might allow you to do a suspense set in modern day Cowboy Creek with the descendants of the other folks? ;)"

Hannah,
I love your question because I really like Cowboy Creek.

Hey everyone, I already have the books so don't enter me. I don't have any questions but could you guys send my family some prayers. My Dad had a heart attack on Saturday night. It was minor and should be able to come home tomorrow. But we will have some changes to make. Thank you guys!

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "Hey everyone, I already have the books so don't enter me. I don't have any questions but could you guys send my family some prayers. My Dad had a heart attack on Saturday night. It was minor and sh..."

I'm so glad your father's attack was a minor one, Laura. I'm praying for a full recovery, and that every thing goes well with the changes that will have to be made. It's not easy changing lifetime habits...

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "Hey everyone, I already have the books so don't enter me. I don't have any questions but could you guys send my family some prayers. My Dad had a heart attack on Saturday night. It was minor and sh..."

Laura,
Praying for your Dad and Your family as well as wisdom for the doctors. Let us know how it goes. Thanks for letting us know.

Hannah wrote: "Sherri, is it possible that the publisher might allow you to do a suspense set in modern day Cowboy Creek with the descendants of the other folks? ;)"

That would be awesome! I don't know if they will, but the other authors and I can always ask. Hey - all they can say is 'no', right?! :)

Melinda wrote: "Sherri,
Did you decide to try suspense or was it suggested to you by someone? will you write more historicals? If you do will you self-publish?"

I'd always wanted to try suspense, and with the historical line closing - it seemed like the right time. My schedule had opened up :) I definitely enjoyed the process of writing something different--but those westerns will always be my first love!

Ausjenny wrote: "How are you finding writing suspense after writing historical. I guess there are some elements the same as I find many LIH have an element of suspense or cosy mystery in them."

The process has been challenging - and I'm still learning! It's almost like starting from scratch. The pacing and the plotting are different. I kinda got used to the pacing of historicals. Then again - writing is never really easy. At least not for me! I always second guess myself :)