Love Inspired Books discussion

After my first book came out, I got a lot of requests for Pastor Jake’s story. I could understand why. He was a Big Brother, he wears ratty jeans and plays a beat-up guitar. Not to mention he has these really beautiful see-into-your-soul blue eyes.

The problem: I didn’t want to write a pastor hero. I’m married to one, and while he’s definitely my hero, I can tell you for a fact that my life is no romance novel. Heh. There was also the fact that over the years there have been a lot of pastor heroes in Love Inspired. I was determined that Jake would remain forever a secondary character. But then he popped up in my second book, Moving Target. And this time he was wearing turnout gear. What?

So I started researching fire department chaplains--and Jake’s story exploded in my head. He went from being a cool pastor who I’d love to know to being a former firefighter, injured on the job, dealing with an arsonist targeting those closest to him.

They say write what you know. I’ve written about cops, murder, stalking, drug running, surfing and a bunch of other things I didn’t know anything about until I researched it. And I’ve come to one conclusion about that subject--it’s not my life I’m writing, it’s the character’s life. It doesn’t matter what I know. It’s what he or she knows. It’s a lot more fun that way.

Stephanie Newton
SMOKE SCREEN, LIS, January 2010
FLASHPOINT, LIS, July 2010
http://www.stephanienewtonbooks.com

Since I'm a volunteer firefighter, I can't wait to read this one!

This sounds like a fantastic book! I'm the aunt of a firefighter and a nurse myself. This sounds like a book I'd really enjoy! Looking forward to it!

Patsy, that's so cool!! How did you get into volunteer firefighting?

Julie, my BIL is a firefighter.

I have to admit, firefighters have a special place in my heart.

Love Inspired wrote: "Patsy, that's so cool!! How did you get into volunteer firefighting?

Julie, my BIL is a firefighter.

I have to admit, firefighters have a special place in my heart."

Actually, my husband has been a volunteer firefighter for about 12 years. So after the kids were grown I decided to join him. I had to take a class and pass a written test and also go to our state fire academy and pass skills test. I will have to say it is a lot of work, being at a fire for hours sometimes and wearing the turnouts for that long makes you tired.Honstly, I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do!

That is so cool Patsy! What a neat thing for you to do together!