After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie
Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in
South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to
her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.
Cassie's
arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's
kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and
questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But Lucas Engstrom
decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry
her.
Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and
fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to
return to the itinerant life of her past?
Book 2 of the Wild West Wind series, Whispers in the Windis a fast paced and interesting story with themes of truth, forgiveness, acceptance, prejudice, danger and romance. This is the first of Snellings novels that I have read, and I enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories about the Old West, wild west shows, and unlikely romances.
Lauraine Snelling
has been writing since 1980, with over 65 books published, both fiction
and non-fiction, historical and contemporary, for adults and young
readers. Her books consistently appear on CBA bestseller lists, and have
been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German. A hallmark of her
style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic
violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Lauraine and her
husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains
with a watchdog Bassett named Chewy. You can connect with her on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
{ Disclosure }
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and this post is in compliance with FTC regulations. Learn more by visiting my PR and Disclosure pages.
What prompted you to begin writing? Is it something you have always wanted to do, or did the interest come later?
Like many writers, I’ve been writing since my childhood days. I always loved telling stories. When I was in junior high, I entered my first writing contest for a Biblical fiction story. And when I won, I realized God had indeed gifted me. I think that was when I became more serious about wanting to be a writer when I grew up.
However, as I began my college years, I quickly realized that creative writing wasn’t a career track that would help pay the bills. For a time, God moved me into social work. I went on to get my masters and was thankful for the experiences and opportunities I had during those years of helping underprivileged people.
Do you ever get writer's block? How do you work your way past it?
No, fortunately, I rarely get writer’s block. I give myself a daily word count of how much I need to write, and I stick to it as best as I can. Whatever amount I miss one day, I try to make up on another day of that week. Having the daily/weekly goals helps keep me going even when I’m not in the mood.
However, if I ever get into a slump, I put in my earbuds and listen to music. The steady rhythm helps me block out distractions, inspires me, and often evokes strong emotions deep inside me.
What was the very first story you ever wrote? Was it ever published?
The first story I wrote was probably in first grade in a spiral notebook. And of course, it’s long gone in the trash! But as far as my adulthood writing career, I wrote five novels that are collecting dust in a closet. They were my practice books, the books that helped me grow and become the writer I am today.
What inspired you to write The Doctor's Lady?
This book is inspired by the true life story of Narcissa Whitman, the first white woman to brave the dangers of overland trail and travel west. In 1836, she married Dr. Whitman, and then the next day left her childhood home and would never return for the purpose of starting a mission among the Nez Perce natives.
It was my hope in this story to bring Narcissa Whitman to life. This heroic woman has often been ignored and at times even disparaged. In reality, she exuded incredible courage to attempt a trip many proclaimed foolishly dangerous. It was called an “unheard-of-journey for females.” Because of her willingness to brave the unknown, she led the way for the many women who would follow in her footsteps in what would later become known as the Oregon Trail.
What is your favorite part of the writing process? Your least favorite?
As a writer, I love telling stories. I especially like the feeling that comes as I near the end of the book when everything looks hopeless, the characters are in big trouble, and somehow I’m able to wrap up the book in a satisfying way. I call it the first-draft love affair! I fall absolutely and madly in love with the story and think it’s the best thing I’ve ever written.
I struggle the most during the editing phase of each of my books. The love affair that started during the first draft comes to an end. I fall out of love with my books. By the last edit—called the Galley Review—I finally reach a point where I loathe the book, think it’s the worst thing I’ve ever written, and wish I could just throw it away.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to write an historical novel?
Write a couple of books first and unleash your creativity. Then start reading books that explain how to write. Study techniques, practice them, and keep writing.
Of course, writing historicals requires more research than novels set in contemporary times. I plan in six to eight weeks of research before I begin writing the novel. I try to get a feel for the time period and learn as much as I can about the setting, plot points, etc. Once I start writing, I try not to let research questions distract me. I may look things up occasionally, but usually I mark issues that need further research and then I go back to them later during editing.
So, what's next? Will you write another historical novel?
In 2012, Unending Devotion, my next historical romance releases. I’m really excited about this story because it’s set in my home state of Michigan. It takes place during the 1880’s at a time in history when the lumber era was at its height. Although the story isn’t inspired by a true person the way my first two books have been, I do include several real people, particularly a real villain by the name of James Carr who was notorious in central Michigan for his violence and for introducing white slavery into the state.
The heroine of the story is a young woman, Lily Young, who is looking for her sister who’s caught up into the degradation of lumber camp life. While Lily searches for her missing sister, she fights against the evil that runs rampant around her, and she fights not to lose her heart to the lumber baron who turns a blind eye to the lawlessness of the lumber business.
I love the "About" section all of your books include...
Jody Hedlund is an award-winning historical romance novelist and author of the best-selling book, The Preacher's Bride. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Michigan with her husband and five busy children. Her second book, The Doctor’s Lady released in September 2011
Thank you so much for joining us, here at Little Bit Of Wondeful, and for helping us to get to know you a little better!
Jody will be watching the comments section on this post, so if you have any questions for her, you can ask them here, or "like" her Facebook page and chat her up there. I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did! Don't forget to enter to win a copy of her brand new book, The Doctor's Wife, and read all about it here!
This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, Kimberly Ferland!
The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund Bethany House Publishers 378 pages
{ FROM THE BACK COVER }
Priscilla White KNEW God wanted her
to be a missionary. NOT A WIFE.
Then, the missionary board declares
THE ONLY WAY she can serve
is to be MARRIED.
Now, married IN NAME ONLY,
her epic journey west will test
her spirit...and the new
LONGINGS of her heart.
~ from the back cover.
{ PLOT SYNOPSIS }
The Doctor's Lady is the fictionalized story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, a young missionary couple who traveled to Oregon country in 1836 to start a mission among the native Nez Perce. The Whitmans traveled with the Spaldings - a pastor and his wife - and Narcissa and Eliza Spalding are famous for being the first two white women to cross the Continental Divide and make it all the way to the far west. Narcissa wrote a very detailed diary, and drawing on those writings as well as the various historical accounts of their life, Jody Hedlund has constructed a vivid picture of the life of this incredible woman and her companions. In order to breathe life into her characters, Hedlund fictionalized the account just enough to speculate on what is not fully known, and gave the characters new names (Marcus and Narcissa Whitman become Eli and Priscilla Earnest); even so, this book is highly accurate as verified by Narcissa's diary.
{ MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK }
From the very first chapter, to the final page, The Doctor's Lady is mesmerizing. Priscilla's faith as she marries a man she does not know so that she can serve God on the mission field is staggering, as is the faith of the man she marries, Eli Earnest. These two, so different and yet so alike, do not at first seem like they could ever have more than a superficial, even business-like relationship, but watching them grow together through the rigors and trials of the trail West makes you yearn for more for them than the distant arrangement upon which they agreed when they obeyed the American Missions Board and got married in order to serve as missionaries. Jody Hedlund proves her merits as an author in this incredible story as she masterfully depicts the harsh life on the Oregon Trail, and all of the twists and turns of two lives drawn together by the Master. I highly recommend this book!
{ BUY THIS BOOK }
You can own your own copy of The Doctor's Lady for only $10.19 at Amazon.com!
{ COMING SOON }
Want to know more about this incredible author? Check back on Wednesday (November 16, 2011) to read an exclusive interview with Jody Hedlund, here on Little Bit Of Wonderful!
{ WIN THIS BOOK }
Want to win a free copy of The Doctor's Lady, right here on Little Bit Of Wonderful? The incredible author, Jody Hedlund, is offering one of my readers their own copy of this amazing book! All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (only entries received via the widget will count - comments are for blog lovin' only), and check back here (and in your email inbox) in two weeks to see if you are the lucky winner! This giveaway is open to residents of the United States, only.
{ DISCLOSURE }
I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. All words and thoughts are my own.
{ WANT MORE? }
Don't miss my interview with this amazing author! Jody shares some thoughts with us here.
A fake. A forger. More than anything, Claire Laurent longs for the chance to live an authentic life, to become the woman she wants to be. And she'll be given that choice. But will it come at too costly a price?
Claire Laurent's greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she's forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.
The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton's home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined--as well as the woman he loves.Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is a sweeping love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves--and each other--for who they really are.
{ MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK }
When I first picked up this book, I was genuinely worried that I held in my hand a cheesy romance novel with a Christian bent. Boy, was I wrong! A Lasting Impression is the fascinating story of a young woman forced to forge art by her father, who takes the first opportunity after her mother's death to flee and begin a new life in a world where honesty is valued higher than money. But the past does not die, and Claire eventually has to face up to her roots and accept the consequences. Sutton, the young many in the story, must also learn from his past - that who you are is not tied to what you own or what others think of you, but that our identities are determined by the choices we make each day, and by who God says we are. Claire and Sutton cross paths in a comical accident, and choose to walk away more than a little pleased to see the other go, only to be thrown into each others daily lives when Claire takes a job in the home of Sutton's employer and friend. Not only do they have to learn to get along, but they must also learn to trust each other - something that does not come easy to either.
I loved reading A Lasting Impression, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction. This story has certainly left an impression on me, that will last through many, many rereads!
{ ABOUT THE AUTHOR }
Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.
You can buy your own copy of A Lasting Impression for only $9.22 by visiting this link!
{ BLOG TOUR & A CHANCE TO WIN THIS BOOK }
Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party from Tamera Alexander!
While Tamera and her book, A Lasting Impression, are traveling across the country virtually (with a few international stops as well!), she will be hosting a Kindle Fire Giveaway (11/4 - 11/15) and preparing for a lavish Southern-Style Facebook Party(11/15) (dripping with hospitality, of course). She will be giving away Southern Food Baskets, books, and an array of other fabulous freebies! Don't miss a minute of the fun. Swoon!
A Brand New Kindle Fire (shipped as soon as it releases)
A copy of A Lasting Impression and 3 other special books Tamera wants you to have (for Kindle)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 15th. Winner will be announced at A Lasting Impression Facebook Party on the 15th. Tamera will be wrapping up the A Lasting Impression celebration with an author chat and giving away Southern Food Baskets (Loveless Cafe Food Baskets, books, Amazon & Starbucks gift certificates, and copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate cookbook), six gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com, and copies of A Lasting Impression! So grab your copy of A Lasting Impression (it's okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Tamera on the evening of November 15th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How
much do you know about the 1860's?) and lots of Southern-inspired giveaways (complete listing here).
Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 15th!
{ DISCLOSURE }
I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. All opinions and words in my review are my own.
The delightful Rosslyn Elliott, author of Fairer Than Morning, generously agreed to participate in an author interview here on Little Bit Of Wonderful, and is sponsoring a giveaway of her lovely book! I enjoyed getting to know her better imensely, and I know you will too. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a chance to win your own copy of Fairer Than Morning! If you missed yesterday's post, you can find my review of her book here, as well as information about the huge book release party going on all over the web, and the amazing giveaway she's sponsoring to celebrate the release of Fairer Than Morning.
Join me after the jump for my interview with Rosslyn Elliot, and a chance to win your own copy of her lovely book, Fairer Than Morning...
If you missed Part 1 of this three part interview with Karen Witemeyer, the brilliant author of To Win Her Heart, check it out here. This second part of our interview focuses on her other books, and let me tell you, I am excited to get my hands on them as soon as possible! And don't forget to enter my giveaway! Join me after the jump...
Karen Witemeyer is the incredibly gifted author of To Win Her Heart, an historical romance set in the old west. You can read my review of this amazing book here, and don't forget to enter the giveaway to win your very own copy of To Win Her Heart while you're there! Karen has graciously agreed to do a three part interview with me for Little Bit Of Wonderful, and I know you are going to enjoy what she has to say as much as I did! Join me after the jump for Part 1 of this special three part series...
I am very excited to share with you not only my review of this exciting new book, but announce that the beautiful and talented author ~ Karen Witemeyer ~ has agreed to a series of interviews and to give away a copy of To Win Her Heart to one lucky reader of Little Bit Of Wonderful! Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for details...
{ ABOUT THE BOOK }
After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade Levi learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.
Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affection?
