Love Inspired Historicals discussion

We'll be starting the April Q&A tomorrow (March 9th) as one of our authors can't be with us this week.

For now we have three LIH favorite authors dropping by to chat and answer questions. Tomorrow Karen Kirst will be here to tell us about His Mountain Miss. On Wednesday, Janet Dean might explain why The Bride Wore Spurs in her book. Then on Thursday, Allie Pleiter will chat about Family Lessons and her Orphan Train series.

So get your questions ready and we'll see you tomorrow!

Oh I cant wait sound exciting.

I am so excited!!

Great titles!

I have all four of these but have only managed to read Janet Dean's. My to-read list is ever growing.

Starting off our April Q&A is Karen Kirst, to tell us about His Mountain Miss, which is part of her Smokey Mountain Matches series.

I love the premise of the hero and heroine who come from different worlds. Lucian is a New Orleans aristocrat and Megan is a girl from the Smoky Mountains. Karen, can you tell us a bit about your Smoky Mountain Matches series and how this book fits in with the others?

Deborah wrote: "

Starting off our April Q&A is Karen Kirst, to tell us about His Mountain Miss, which is part of her Smokey Mountain Matches series..."

Good morning Deborah and everyone,
Smoky Mountain Matches is set in 1880s Tennessee and follows the O'Malley family. His Mountain Miss is the third in the series and is Megan's story. She's the romantic dreamer and our hero is a jaded aristocrat. Because of their different upbringings, they have widely different views on family and marriage. I enjoyed writing about a tortured hero who's strong and stoic yet vulnerable.
I set the series in the Smokies, specifically Gatlinburg and Cades Cove because I'm from here and am awed by the beauty of this place.

Karen, the town of Gatlinburg sounds familiar to me. Is it a real place?

I really like the sound of this book but I don't think I have the other books in the series. What are the other books and what are you currently working on?

Valri wrote: "Karen, the town of Gatlinburg sounds familiar to me. Is it a real place?"

Yes it is! Gatlinburg is a popular vacation place since it borders the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are lots of wedding chapels, too, so many get married there. Pigeon Forge is five miles away and is home of DollyWood, the theme park named after Dolly Parton.

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "I really like the sound of this book but I don't think I have the other books in the series. What are the other books and what are you currently working on?"

Hey Laura! The other books are The Reluctant Outlaw and The Bridal Swap. My Christmas novella Smoky Mountain Christmas in The Gift of Family with Linda Ford is not officially part of the series but has many of the characters in it. You don't have to read them in order. My website, www.karenkirst.com, has more info on the series.
Right now I'm taking a break from the series to take part in a 2014 Love Inspired Historical continuity called Bridegroom Brothers. Laurie Kingery and Allie Pleiter are also involved.

Thanks, Karen! I think I have some ancestors from there! I will have to check. I am thinking that that's why that name sounds familiar to me.

Valri wrote: "Thanks, Karen! I think I have some ancestors from there! I will have to check. I am thinking that that's why that name sounds familiar to me."

Oh neat! This area is rich in history, especially Cades Cove, a community that was forced out when the government created the national park.

Karen, I looked it up and the city some of my ancestors lived in was Gallatin! Close to Gatlinburg in sound, that's why it sounded familiar! they also came from Shelbyville and Bedford. I haven't looked at a map so I don't know where all these cities are but those are the 3 cities! Most of my ancestors come from Scandinavia & England & Mass. but this one family came from Tenn.!

She's the romantic dreamer and our hero is a jaded aristocrat. Because of their different upbringings, they have widely different views on family and marriage. I enjoyed writing about a tortured hero who's strong and stoic yet vulnerable.

He sounds dreamy, Karen! I love stories where opposites attract. It really makes the romantic sparks fly and the hero and heroine usually have something valuable to teach each other.

this sounds like a good book, I like the idea of the different classes and will be interested to see what happens. Not only the class issue, i think country v city would be interesting. Did you learn any interesting tibits when researching the book?

This area is rich in history, especially Cades Cove, a community that was forced out when the government created the national park.

The same thing happened to my grandparents. They didn't mind too much because they got pretty good compensation for their land and just moved a couple of miles up the road. We had a big family picnic their last summer at the old place. It was harder for some of the Acadian families who lived in a nearby settlement - they were displaced to a much greater degree.

I also meant to say I think it makes for a very special book when it's set in an area with which the author has a very deep connection, the way you have with the Smoky Mountains. I know the two books I set in the Maritimes have added significance for me.

I love your book idea, Karen, and I've been to Gatlinburg a couple of times. It's beautiful there. I didn't know the history of Cades Cove, which sounds fascinating. The idea of people meeting from such different backgrounds is wonderful.

Valri wrote: "Karen, I looked it up and the city some of my ancestors lived in was Gallatin! Close to Gatlinburg in sound, that's why it sounded familiar! they also came from Shelbyville and Bedford. I haven'..."

Gallatin is close to Nashville. I'm not sure about the others.

Deborah wrote: "She's the romantic dreamer and our hero is a jaded aristocrat. Because of their different upbringings, they have widely different views on family and marriage. I enjoyed writing about a tortured he..."

Deborah,
I was really pleased with the cover art! They got his hair just right!

Ausjenny wrote: "this sounds like a good book, I like the idea of the different classes and will be interested to see what happens. Not only the class issue, i think country v city would be interesting. Did you lea..."

Jenny,
Lucian speaks French so I learned a few interesting French words to put in the book. He's also from New Orleans. I learned a bit about the city so he could describe it to Megan. He prefers chicory added to his coffee or even as a substitute. :)

Deborah wrote: "I also meant to say I think it makes for a very special book when it's set in an area with which the author has a very deep connection, the way you have with the Smoky Mountains. I know the two bo..."

You're right! I grew up here, so I have many fond memories of days touring Cades Cove, having picnics, etc. And I worked in Gatlinburg for a time. I love this place!

Barbara wrote: "I love your book idea, Karen, and I've been to Gatlinburg a couple of times. It's beautiful there. I didn't know the history of Cades Cove, which sounds fascinating. The idea of people meeting from..."

Hey Barbara,
Isn't Gatlinburg beautiful? Have you been only in summer or different seasons?

I've only been there in the summertime. I would love to see it in the fall!!

Barbara wrote: "I've only been there in the summertime. I would love to see it in the fall!!"

It's amazing in the fall. :) If you go again and like breakfast,
try the Pancake Pantry. We go as often as we can. Many times there's a line out the door.

Our featured author today is Janet Dean! Though Janet has written seven books for LIH, this is her first time doing the Q&A, so everybody show her how much fun it is. :) I love the title of Janet's April book The Bride Wore Spurs and the first sentence on the back cover copy really grabbed me: "To keep the Texas ranch she loves, Hannah Parrish will wed a man she doesn't."

Marriage of convenience stories are some of my favorites! Janet can you tell us why Hannah and Matt need to wed? Also, I know it's sometimes easy to find a title for a book, while other times it's quite a process between the author and the editorial staff. How did you come up with such a good one?

Welcome Janet great to see you here again and looking forward to your new book. I love the title. This is your first book in Texas right? Was it different writing a book set there also did you find any interesting tibbits in your research.
(One way or the other I will get this book if I dont win it I will get my friend to pick it up for me so I can bring it home with me from America. I still remember buying your first release on my trip to Canada.)

When are the April books on the shelves at wallmart.

Deborah wrote: "

Our featured author today is Janet Dean! Though Janet has written seven books for LIH, this is her first time doing the Q&A, so..."

Good morning! Thanks for your lovely welcome, Deb! I love marriage of convenience stories, too. Hannah is young, only nineteen and a woman. The Parrish ranch hands refuse to take orders from a young girl. The foreman quits, taking the top hands with him. Everyone pushes her to sell the ranch she loves and move to Charleston with family. The last thing this tomboy wants to do. With roundup just weeks away, Hannah is in a tough spot and sees marriage as the only solution.

I love the title of The Bride Wore Spurs! I wish I could say I came up with it. But I didn't. I brainstormed titles with the Seekers, those 12 savvy pals in Seekerville. This was one of titles that came from that session. My editor, Tina James, selected it. I think the title makes readers want to know more. At least I hope so!

Hello Jenny! Wonderful to see your smiling face! This is my first Texas set book. I've always loved Westerns and cowboys so researching cattle and cowpokes was fun for me. This is the time of barbed wire fences and windmills and the railroad so the long cattle drives are over. I learned that ranchers bred longhorns and Herefords. Dug earthen tanks to contain water. I watched the birth of calves on You Tube. LOL Lots of things I needed to know to get the story on the page.

The April Love Inspired Historicals are on the Walmart shelves here.

You are a wonderful fan of romance, Jenny! We writers really appreciate the enthusiasm and loyalty of our readers! I'm posting in Seekerville today too. More chances to win a copy of The Bride Wore Spurs.

Janet Dean wrote: "I love the title of The Bride Wore Spurs! I wish I could say I came up with it. But I didn't. I brainstormed titles with the Seekers, those 12 savvy pals in Seekerville. This was one of titles that..."

Yes, that's a great title. Catchy and gives some indication of not only place but the temper of the heroine. I'm thinking a woman with a mind of her own! Right?

Hi Lyn! You nailed my heroine! Hannah has a mind of her own. She wants to run her ranch herself, prove that she's not that helpless debutante as Matt claims. But circumstances force her to rely on others for help. She learns that doesn't make her weak.

Ahh, sorry I missed yesterday with Karen, test at hosp for hubby, I grew up in Ky not that far from smokey mtns but never visited them.
Hi Janet good to see you today, your book sounds great, I am a fan over at seekerville so maybe I will see you there later.
I too like the books that are marriage of convenience and then find they were meant for one another, will be looking for your new book. thanks for sharing today

Janet, I lvoed the Bride Wore Spurs. I loved Matt. Now, Matt's father on other hand, I didn't really care for. :)

Will we see another book regarding Matt's brother?

Hi Paula-O! Fun to chat with you twice today!! Thanks for your interest in The Bride Wore Spurs! Hope your hubby is doing okay!

Dawn wrote: "Janet, I lvoed the Bride Wore Spurs. I loved Matt. Now, Matt's father on other hand, I didn't really care for. :)

Will we see another book regarding Matt's brother?"

Hi Dawn, I'm delighted you loved The Bride Wore Spurs! Thank you!! Matt is a sweetheart. More like his mom than his dad. :-) I might give Zack and Leah their own story one day.

Janet

I grew up down the road from Gallatin. It is a nice little quiet Southern town. That area has grown so much since I moved in 1974 from the Nashville area. Now Gatlinburg is very pretty, but has been commercialized more than I like. (Dollywood, etc) My sister and I drove up about 5 years ago and stayed in a home decorated with quilts, etc. in the woods. Now that was nice. Have some good BBQ if you go there and there is a nice clock shop there...TN is beautiful overall, best in spring or Fall is my favorite!

My oldest daughter recently moved to TX for ministry so I hope to go back soon and discover more about that state!

Hi Mary! we've spent a lot of time in the Smoky Mountains and stayed in Gatlinburg most of those times. A delightful little creek runs through the town when you get off the beaten path and look for it.

You should have fun exploring Texas! Last fall I visited Fort Worth's museum. Watched cowpokes drive longhorns down the street. Even sat on a tethered longhorn. That's a far piece off the ground.

Janet I too enjoy marriage of convenience stories. So the question I always ask at the Q&As are what are you currently working on? Also what part of Texas is the book set in?

Hi Laura! I'm delighted you enjoy marriage of convenience stories. The Bride Wore Spurs is set north of Fort Worth in 1888.

Currently I'm working on the story I'm calling The Bounty Hunter's Bride. The book is set in Gnaw Bone, Indiana. Bounty hunter Nate Sergeant shot and killed Carly Richards's no-good husband in self-defense. To make matters worse, Nate possesses the deed to the widow's seamstress shop, the livelihood and home for her and her two sons. Nate hates to uproot the widow, but he must see that his widowed, maimed sister gets this answer for her future.

Janet, first glance I thought Bounty Hunter now how can you make him romantic, smart girl.. I like the idea of the widow needing help then you throw in an ailing widowed sister wow this story will be good to know how he handles the dilemma.

Janet your WIP sound really good too. Will be interested to see what happens there.

(Been to Seekerville)

Thanks, Jenny! The WIP idea came from one sentence that popped into my mind. I'm sure a gift from God. So I wrote that sentence down and built a story from there.

Janet

Paula-O, my heart aches for Nate. He has a lot to deal with. But, I'm sure he'll work it out. He's a hero after all. :-)

Mary - There's all sorts of things to discover about Texas! As a native Texan, I can tell you TONS!

Janet - your WIP sounds pretty good too. When will that one be out?

I really like the sound of your WIP Janet. Thanks for sharing.

Also I have a few prayer requests that I would like to post. I didn't see a separate discussion for prayer request so I just put it in here:

First off the grandson of my music minister. The little boy's name is Xander and he has had multiple health issues all his life. He is once again in the hospital and needs a miracle. Tonight our music minister said that the doctors basically have said that Xander's systems are shutting down. Please pray for Xander, his mom Marsha, Dad Ryan, Sister Eilana and the rest of this family. I have put the link to the blog Marsha has which explains all the problems in more detail. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/xan...

The Second request is for another family in my church. The Herringtons were blessed nine months ago with a second daughter Parsons. This precious baby has issues with her lungs and needs a lung transplant. Please pray for a match but also for the family that will be losing a baby in order to provide a match. I have put the link to the blog Jennifer posts updates as well: http://blueclark756.blogspot.com/?m=1

Thank you all so much for your prayers!

Laura, I'm praying for God's healing of Xander and Parsons. It's heartbreaking that these little ones are so very sick. Hugs to you.

Oh Laura - that's just heartbreaking. I will definitely be praying for these little ones and their families. If it's okay with you, I'll start a prayer request thread for this.