Love Inspired Historicals discussion

Hello everyone! Karen Kirst here. Please join us for our upcoming Q&A. Here's the line up:

Monday, October 6 Linda Ford

Tuesday, October 7 Christine Johnson

Wednesday, October 8 Lily George

Thursday, October 9 Karen Kirst

All of us are giving away books that week. We look forward to chatting with you!

Thanks Ladies look forward to the chats...

The line-up looks great!

Yay! Can't wait!

Amazing line up!

Thanks, ladies! Be sure to spread the word to your friends. :)

Hi ladies! I'm looking forward to this. BTW, the link above to my author page goes to another Christine Johnson. There are several by that name, so this happens a lot. Try Christine Johnson instead. See you next week!

Looking forward to next week!!

Me too! Love that cowboy on Linda Ford's cover. What is it about cowboys that's so appealing?

Christine wrote: "Me too! Love that cowboy on Linda Ford's cover. What is it about cowboys that's so appealing?"

I so agree, Christine. The written words behind the cover are really good too! :)

A dressmakers daughter sounds like a great story too Christine,she must always have just the right thing to wear...

I think I have a serious addiction when it comes to historical romances, and these look so good! Next week promises to be fun.

Christine wrote: "Hi ladies! I'm looking forward to this. BTW, the link above to my author page goes to another Christine Johnson. There are several by that name, so this happens a lot. Try [author:Christine Johnso..."

Sorry about the mix up, Christine! For some reason, your link didn't come up as an option. I'll see if I can fix it. :)

Karen wrote: "Christine wrote: "Hi ladies! I'm looking forward to this. BTW, the link above to my author page goes to another Christine Johnson. There are several by that name, so this happens a lot. Try [author..."

Karen, try typing two spaces between my first and last name. That's what the Goodreads folks had me do to differentiate me from the other author by the same name.

Looking forward to a great Q&A next week!

Hi Karen! Did I miss yours? Is today Thursday? I've been working all week and I'm so confused!

Oh, wait! Sorry! It's next week! Whew! *mimes swiping forehead* I didn't miss it! Hopefully I'll remember by the time next Thursday rolls around! :)

Carole wrote: "I think I have a serious addiction when it comes to historical romances, and these look so good! Next week promises to be fun."

What a fun addiction to have! According to my bookshelves, I'm in the same boat.

Christine wrote: "Karen wrote: "Christine wrote: "Hi ladies! I'm looking forward to this. BTW, the link above to my author page goes to another Christine Johnson. There are several by that name, so this happens a lo..."

Thanks! I'll try that!

Sarah wrote: "Oh, wait! Sorry! It's next week! Whew! *mimes swiping forehead* I didn't miss it! Hopefully I'll remember by the time next Thursday rolls around! :)"

Hey Sarah! Hope to see you next week. :)

It worked, Christine! Now we have your picture up and the right link. :)

Looking forward to chatting!

Karen wrote: "It worked, Christine! Now we have your picture up and the right link. :)"

Thanks, Karen! Sometimes there's a hazard to having a common name, but at least it's not as unpronouncible as my maiden name. I learned at an early age that when the restaurant hostess called out Van... and then stopped, it was us.

Christine wrote: "Karen wrote: "It worked, Christine! Now we have your picture up and the right link. :)"

Thanks, Karen! Sometimes there's a hazard to having a common name, but at least it's not as unpronouncible a..."

LOL I totally understand. My husband is Czech and so I chose not to use my married name. It's impossible since the English language doesn't have some of their alphabet letters. Of course, my maiden name Kirst is sometimes mispronounced too. :)

Good morning, everyone! Linda Ford is joining us today to talk about her October release, Big Sky Cowboy.

Linda is the author of 40 books with more scheduled for release. She writes for Love Inspired Historicals.
Her writing has been described as deeply emotional with a touch of humor.




JUST THE COWBOY SHE NEEDED?

The last thing Cora Bell wants is a distracting cowboy showing up on her family's farm seeking temporary shelter. Especially one she is sure has something to hide. But she'll accept Wyatt Williams's help rebuilding her family's barn—and try not to fall once again for a man whose plans don't include staying around.

Since leaving his troubled past behind, Wyatt avoids personal entanglements. He just wants to make a new start with his younger brother. But there's something about Cora that he's instinctively drawn to. Dare this solitary cowboy risk revealing his secrets for a chance at redemption and a bright new future with Cora by his side?

MONTANA MARRIAGES: Three sisters discover a legacy of love beneath the Western sky

Welcome Linda! First of all, I love the name Cora. Do you choose your character names randomly or do you use names of people in your life? Also, is this a new series?

*Linda is giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter.

Hi Linda,

I've been reading your books since way back in the Heartsong Presents days when they were published by Barbour. I have to say I always loved when a shipment included one of your books! Congratulations on having 40 books published. I think I've read them all and I know I've loved them all! I loved Big Sky Cowboy and am looking forward to the next two books. This series takes place in Montana and I know a lot of the others take place in Canada. Have you written about other places? Is the Eden Valley series over? They were some of my favorites!!!

Good morning,
Goodreads wasn't going to let me in but I managed to persuade them I was an okay person. lol

Karen, you asked about names. I had a little chuckle because a lot of my names get nixed. For instance the three gals in this story started out to be called Sage, Crocus and Rose. I got to keep Rose but not the other two. Because I've written so many books and there are lots of secondary characters, I find coming up with names my editor and I agree on a real challenge.

Linda wrote: "Good morning,
Goodreads wasn't going to let me in but I managed to persuade them I was an okay person. lol

Karen, you asked about names. I had a little chuckle because a lot of my names get nixed...."

Oh I can see where that would be challenging! I try to name my secondary characters names I wouldn't want to use for a hero or heroine. But sometimes that backfires when one pops up as a main character later! I like the name Sage. Not sure why they nixed that.

June wrote: "Hi Linda,

I've been reading your books since way back in the Heartsong Presents days when they were published by Barbour. I have to say I always loved when a shipment included one of your books! ..."

Thank you, June. What lovely encouragement.

You ask about setting. I have written a series of books set in Idaho--I called it the Buffalo Gals of Bonners Ferry. That series was coming out just as Heartsong was being sold to Harlequin and kind of got lost in the shuffle. I had hoped for them to be reissued as a 3-book collection. It might have happened under Barbour but not likely under HQ.

I've written a couple of continuities--actually 3--set in different places--The Klondike, Nebraska and one coming up--the Oregon Trail. All of them took considerable research.

I have 3 more books coming in the Eden Valley series. They are supposed to be out late in 2015. I'm hoping all three will be Christmas stories.

I'm so happy you enjoyed this series. I actually planned a few more in the series but the editor wanted me to move on.

Linda, I have been waiting for this book to come out! I couldn't remember the actual date so every time I go to the store, I look and look at the books, hoping that your book will be there! You know I LOVE your books and read every one! I am sorry that you are taking a break from the Eden Valley stories at the moment but glad that they will be back - YAY!!!!

How fun that you will be doing an Oregon Trail book! I live in Oregon and find that history fascinating! I have always been a history buff and love the western US area & its history. I look forward to that book coming out in the future.

Do you enjoy the research you do for your books? That would be my favorite part! Do you like it or is it just a "necessary part" of writing????

Keli wrote: "Congratulations on your latest release, Linda! You mentioned that coming up with names can be a challenge after writing so many stories. What other aspects can be tough due to your many successful ..."
It's getting harder and harder to come up with fresh plot ideas. I know there is nothing new under the sun but I don't want to write the same story over and over.

And honestly, the more I learn about story structure, the more I realize I don't know.

Easier? Well for sure I understand story a little better than I did when I first started writing which wouldn't be hard because I knew NOTHING!!! I know a little about how to take a person's wounds and attack them throughout the story until that person finds a bit of healing. I find edits easier to deal with. But mostly it's hard work but I still enjoy living in my fictional world.

Can't get enough of these LIH books, must have well over a thousand of them! So enjoy Linda Ford's books, only have positive feelings for them, they are that good. Look forward to reading the new ones coming out!

Linda, good morning, we have cool crisp fall air in Ga this morning and felt so good walking to the mailbox.
Have you ever written a story in Ky? I grew up in this state and they have beautiful racehorses that would make a great story on a horse farm. bluegrass-cowboys and all.
I thank God for all you authors that love to write and research making the stories so great for us that love reading so much...Thank You.

I agree with Karen. Love the name Cora. I know you mentioned that finding names that the publisher likes for the main heroine can be challenging. Is the same true for the hero names? Your story sounds wonderful and I look forward to reading it.

Annette wrote: "Can't get enough of these LIH books, must have well over a thousand of them! So enjoy Linda Ford's books, only have positive feelings for them, they are that good. Look forward to reading the new..."

Annette, I so appreciate your encouragement.

Paula-O wrote: "Linda, good morning, we have cool crisp fall air in Ga this morning and felt so good walking to the mailbox.
Have you ever written a story in Ky? I grew up in this state and they have beautiful r..."

Paula,
I've never written in a KY setting. Maybe I'll come and visit you and we can do research!! :-)

Linda would like the visit but I live in Ga , we would need to be in Ky right....I would enjoy a visit there....

Brittany wrote: "I agree with Karen. Love the name Cora. I know you mentioned that finding names that the publisher likes for the main heroine can be challenging. Is the same true for the hero names? Your story sou..."

Thanks Karen.
Yup, it's the same for heroes names. I had Reuben in one story. Had to change it. I expect she has her reasons, likely knows what names have been overused or which ones had a negative association for some reason. It's not a big deal.

It's like titles. I don't even choose one any more. Just call the book by the hero and heroine's name until it comes time to choose titles. I give suggestions and together with the editor, we come up with something suitable. I try to keep in mind that she knows all the titles being released that month and doesn't want to repeat any.

Wow, Linda, what a great number of releases! Congratulations!

I love the name Sage ~ don't know why they didn't like that. I'm reading a book at the moment where the heroine is Sage, and her name is in the title of the book.

What was the idea that started this new series?

By the way, love the Cowboy on the cover! :)

Sounds like a great story and start for a new series.

You mentioned you like to "take a person's wounds and attack them throughout the story until that person finds a bit of healing." So which is more enjoyable for you, attacking or coming up with the healing? Which is usually harder to come up with, the problems or the solution? If I were an author I'd probably have too much fun finding ways to torture the characters and would need help finding the solution. :)

You always have great covers, Linda!

Hi Linda! Big Sky Cowboy sounds great; I love a book series!! What is your favorite part of the writing process?

sounds good! I have enjoyed reading this discussion. I feel some names are way overused, and I just thought authors didn't pay attention to other books. I mean how can you keep up? there are so many out there. haha but if you don't always have control, that is interesting to me...

I know what you mean, Melody! I get tired of Jake, Luke, Kate and Jessica!!!!

Kate! Seriously sick of that name! we discussed that before! ;) I am also so done with Mary! That is an interesting topic, does anyone else get tired of certain names?

Mel, I was going to put Mary but decided to put "Jessica" instead! I think if I were a writer, I would have to resort to looking through the phone book for new ideas!

Linda wrote: "Paula-O wrote: "Linda, good morning, we have cool crisp fall air in Ga this morning and felt so good walking to the mailbox.
Have you ever written a story in Ky? I grew up in this state and they ..."

Paula-O wrote: "Linda would like the visit but I live in Ga , we would need to be in Ky right....I would enjoy a visit there...."

Whoops. lol

Melody wrote: "sounds good! I have enjoyed reading this discussion. I feel some names are way overused, and I just thought authors didn't pay attention to other books. I mean how can you keep up? there are so ma..."

I try and keep a chart of the names I've used but it 'might' be a little neglected at the moment.

Wendy wrote: "Wow, Linda, what a great number of releases! Congratulations!

I love the name Sage ~ don't know why they didn't like that. I'm reading a book at the moment where the heroine is Sage, and her name..."

This story started with the names oddly enough. I thought of Sage and Crocus and what prairie sounding names they were. Then I pictured 3 little girls standing alone on the prairie watching a wagon disappear in the distance. The rest is in the books.