Please welcome Jennifer to my blog this week. I'm excited to have her here. Be sure to read on down to find out how to enter to win The Courageous Brides Collection by Jennifer.
Where are you right
now (LVR, DR, Bathroom) and what are you wearing? You have to tell the truth.
I am in my greatroom, sitting on my
couch, morning news on the TV. I’m wearing a sports bra, capri-length workout
pants, and a sweatshirt. My feet are bare, and I’ve got bed-head. (As soon as
I’m done here, I’ll be popping in a workout video and sweating, thus the
clothes).
What is the funniest,
strangest, or most interesting thing you have learned when doing research?
I can’t really say that this answer relates
to one fact, but rather, to one research experience. I just completed my first
Civil War era novella, and while I love that period in history, there were so
many details that I didn’t know. Little things like whether a soldier would
salute a superior officer EVERY TIME they crossed paths while in the field. Or
whether a sergeant and a private could share a tent if they were siblings. So I
found a Civil War historian, asked if he’d be willing to answer some questions
for me, and sent a long list of things I needed to know. It was a fascinating
experience to learn the little details that wouldn’t come up in a documentary
or would be the proverbial needle in the haystack if reading a history book.
And it showed me that people often are more than willing to help authors get
the facts straight. It’ll be far easier to ask for help in subsequent projects!
What is something that
very few people know about you?
Goodness, I don’t know. Nothing very
interesting, I can assure you. Let’s see…I’m in my mid-40’s and still have my
wisdom teeth. Or…I learned to write in calligraphy when I was in elementary
school, and can still do so today. (No, I do not hire my calligraphy services
out. People have asked, and the answer is no. LOL)
What is your favorite
material item that you own (examples: ipod, Gone with the Wind book,
grandmother’s rocking chair)
To hear my husband speak, it is my laptop
computer, and admittedly, I’m on the thing at least 75% of my day. It would
probably be one of the main things I’d rush into a burning building to save
(after my family and my pets), so it certainly ranks up there pretty high.
If you could live in
any time period other than the one we live in, past or future, when and where would that be and why?
I have a deep love of the Old West, but
the only way I would want to live in that time is if I had no concept of modern
day and the conveniences we have now. I would choose that time period because
of the great opportunities to be had back then. The country was expanding in
great strides, with new states and territories opening up. There were
fascinating advancements with steam power, leading to new forms of travel.
There were exciting discoveries of gold and silver. Yes, there were plenty of
dangers and hardships in that era, but it seemed like the country was on the
upswing after the dark days of the Civil War, and a person could make a life
for himself (or herself) with hard work and ingenuity.
If you were writing a
book about your life what would the title be?
Hmmm. Considering my life is pretty
boring, I would title the story of my life, “Nothing Interesting Happens Here.”
That’s why I write historical fiction—I can find the interesting historical
facts and embellish them into a great tale.
What one novel did you
read that made you want to be a part of the story?
Just one? Oh, goodness. There have been
many, but the first one to come to mind is Louis L’Amour’s novel, Reilly’s
Luck. I first read that story in high school and it has lived on in my mind all
these years.
What is the biggest
secret you ever kept (of course it can’t be a secret anymore)?
The biggest—and hardest—secret I ever
kept was that my father was planning a surprise party to celebrate my mother’s
accomplishment of earning her doctorate degree in theology at the age of 70. My
mom and I are best friends, and my dad actually asked me to plan the party. I
knew I couldn’t plan the party AND keep it a surprise for six months. I share
almost everything with her.
What is the craziest
thing you’ve ever done?
Hmm. This one is difficult to answer,
because I tend to play things fairly safe. Absolutely nothing is coming to mind
to fit the term “crazy.”
What do you do for
fun?
Lately, I play games on my computer or
tablet. I like puzzle games, word games, and bingo. (I told you my life is
boring!) I also enjoy crafts, reading, and retail therapy.
GIVEAWAY: To enter to win a signed copy of The Courageous Brides Collection Answer one of these questions. What draws you to this book and makes you want to read it? Answer one of the questions yourself from the above questions I gave Jennifer. Or Why do you like westerns? And don't forget to leave your email addy so we can contact you if you win! If your a feedburner follower let me know for an extra entry.
The Courageous Brides
Collection: Compassionate Heroism Attracts Male Suitors to Nine Spirited Women
Ride into adventures alongside
nine determined women of yesteryear whose acts of compassion and bravery
attract male attention. Marcy helps displaced Indians. Emmy tends wounds at
Fort Snelling. Ronnie stows away on a cattle drive. Daisy disguises herself as
a Pony Express rider. Elinor becomes an abolitionist. Mae tames wild horses.
Hannah gets help for accident victims. Lucy’s curiosity unnerves criminals.
Kate nurses soldiers on the battlefield. Will real dangers douse the sparks of
love?
The Oregon Trail
Romance Collection: Nine Stories of Life on the Trail Into the Western Frontier
Nine romantic adventures take
readers along for a ride on the Oregon Trail where daily challenges force
travelers to evaluate the things that are most precious to them—including love.
Enjoy the trip through a fascinating part of history through the eyes of
remarkably strong characters who stop at famous landmarks along the way. Watch
as their faith is strengthened and as love is born despite unique
circumstances. Discover where the journey ends for each of nine couples.
The Convenient Bride Collection: Nine Romances Grow from Marriage Partnerships
Formed
Out Of Necessity
Join nine brides of convenience
on their adventures in a variety of times and settings gone by—from a ranch in
California…to the rugged mountains of Colorado…to a steamship on the
Mississippi…to the dangerous excitement of the Oregon Trail…into high society
of New York City. No matter the time or place, the convenient brides proceed
with what must be done, taking nuptials out of necessity. . .and never dreaming
that God might take their feeble attempts to secure their futures and turn them
into true love stories for His glory.
Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen, when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has won five writing competitions and finaled in two other competitions. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenaged son, and four fur children.
Links:
I am drawn to the book because I love to read and new to me authors are appealing. I have discovered some amazing authors by reading someone new.
ReplyDeleteHi Aimee. This is a great reason to try Barbour's 9-in-1 collections. They give you a chance to try several new authors with one purchase. Hope you'll enjoy my writing. ;)
DeleteI love historical fiction and the plus is that I love the collections books because you get so many stories by great authors and sometimes you even find new authors to follow.
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Wendy. This is why I love the Barbour Collections. You get a taste of so many authors in one purchase, and it's a safe way to try new authors.
DeleteI enjoy Westerns because the expansion of our country and the settling of this unknown area was so important to our history. I love Westerns because they remind me of the many, many hours that my Daddy and I spent watching them on TV. Precious, precious memories!!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Connie, what a great way to keep those memories alive--reading in the same genre you and your Daddy shared. I love it.
DeleteI Follow your blog . I am looking forward to reading The Courageous Brides Collection. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeleteHi Emma. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you'll enjoy The Courageous Brides Collection. So many great stories in that volume.
DeleteDebbie, I also follow your blog.
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Scotland 1750's because it was a tough time to live but the country was more beautiful then, then it is now. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom.
ReplyDeleteI also follow the blog.
DeleteHi Kim. What a fun time period to live in! I am sure Scotland in that era was very beautiful and rugged.
DeleteI'm a feedburner follower. I really, REALLY enjoyed this interview! Although I've heard of the author, I have not read any of her books. I love historical fiction. I also prefer a "boring life"!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky, so glad to know you enjoyed the interview. It's nice to "meet" you, from one "boring life" person to another! ;)
DeleteHi Debbie Lynne, I follow your blog too.
ReplyDeleteThese Collections are great, bringing back the author's favorite story before a new audience. I think of the pioneers who moved West to explore the unknown lands of promise of black earth and treasures beneath it. Especially think of the women who left things at the side of the road and those coming behind ~ by the time they got to the end of the trail, they are new treasures lightening more than the wagon hearts core. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
I follow by Feedburner receiving e-mails, Google Friend Connect, and Bloglovin' ~ thank you for your posts. Kathleen
DeleteHi Kathleen. I have often thought how strange it would've been to see those abandoned treasures along the trail, like you mentioned. I am sure it had to be a haunting sight for those who came after, wondering why those treasures were abandoned. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts.
DeleteI am drawn to the horses and mountains on the cover! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Joan, I love the covers of all the Barbour collections. They do a great job.
DeleteI like to read westerns because the wild wild west era just appeals to me. Larger than life heroes, hardy heroines, and HORSES!! rebunting(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, as you may have noticed in my bio above, I fell in love with Westerns because I was looking for a new "horse" book to read, and swiped my brother's Louis L'Amour western from his shelf. It was the first time I'd read a western, and I discovered that not only was the horse great, but the guy ON the horse was fabulous too! ;) LOL
DeleteI love the novella collections, especially the ones set in the west. I guess I love westerns because it is such an interesting time in history.
ReplyDeleteI am a feedburner follower.
susanmsj at msn dot com
Hi Susan, thank you for stopping by. I have heard for years that "the western genre is dying," but it is a much-loved genre. So many still want to read about the people who settled our nation during that time period, I don't think the genre will ever really die.
DeleteI am so into the history of this era I can hardly put a book down to do housework. LOL I like to imagine myself in this time period and how I would have handled their situations. I have a great imagination. I receive your newsletter via email. princessdebbie1_2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, thanks for commenting! So great to know I'm not the only one who can disappear into a story and forget all about housework! A well-written tale, especially about the Old West, will derail my best intentions every time.
DeleteI am so into the history of this era I can hardly put a book down to do housework. LOL I like to imagine myself in this time period and how I would have handled their situations. I have a great imagination. I receive your newsletter via email. princessdebbie1_2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read it because I love reading stories about that time period. I would have loved to live back then when it was a much simpler life. As far as a question from above, What do you do for fun? I love to go camping with my family.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the big draws for me, too--the simpler ways of life in the Old West.
DeleteJust the title of it makes me want to read it. I am a feedburner follower.
ReplyDeletebcrug(at)myfairpoint(dot)net
Thank you for stopping by, Connie. Glad the title caught your attention!
DeleteI like westerns and am interested in this book because I love reading about small towns and western ones are at the top of my list because of the camaraderie you find in smaller towns compared to large cities My email is iamabho(at)gmail . com and I AM A Feedburner Follower :) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, there does seem to be a lot more support in small towns. I've always lived in fairly large suburbs of big cities, so that's always intrigued me.
DeleteI've always enjoyed small town books
DeleteI just read a book that I would love to be a part of the story, The Reason by William Sirls. I subscribe to your blog.
ReplyDeleteleliamae54(at) aol(dot)com
Hi Lucy. I'm intrigued. What is Mr. Sirls' book about?
DeleteLOL about the Retail therapy, Jennifer! Looking forward to reading this collection! I didn't read any Louis L'Amour books until this past decade. I really loved the first book, with Barnabas and enjoyed the others I've read, too.
ReplyDeleteRetail therapy is one of my favorite things, Carrie--though my husband has been working hard to rehabilitate me. LOL I hope you'll enjoy the collection!
DeleteI just love learning more about the old west, so I am drawn to books from that time period. I also prefer historical fiction, so this covers both of those likes..lol.
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
There is so much history to learn about, Betti, and the West was full of colorful characters and interesting events. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI LOVE both cowboys and horses! I grew up reading my Daddy's Louis L'Amour books. I enjoy reading these wonderful, historical collections.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com I'm a feedburner follower
Hi Caryl, I don't know what it is about cowboys, but they are just plain fun! Glad I'm not the only one who loves them and the horses they ride.
DeleteI would have the same title for my life "nothing interesting happens". LOL. I adore westerns, can't wait to read this!
ReplyDeletelattebooksAThotmailDOTcom
Hi Susan, thanks so much for stopping by. I have recently had a few longtime friends go a bit "fangirl" on me in the last week, all because they think my life is somehow more glamorous because I'm an author. If they only knew how truly uneventful my life tends to be! That title, "Nothing Interesting Happens Here" is a perfect title for my life. ;) Hope you'll enjoy the story/collection!
DeleteI love Barbour's novella collections! What not to love? Great authors, new ones to you and old favorites! Thanks! justcommonlyATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteI have discovered a few great new-to-me authors through Barbour's collections, so I'm with you! Love them.
DeleteThanks for this post Debbie Lynne and Jennifer,I enjoyed it! What draws me to this book is the sense of adventure and the different way people lived during the Old West period. Thanks for the giveaway! lynnefeuerstein(at) aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne, I love the sense of adventure of the Old West time period also. It was a very different way of life back then. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to have actually lived then, given what I know now, but it sure is fun writing stories about it and living vicariously through the characters. Thank you for stopping by! Hope you'll enjoy the story and collection.
DeleteWell, first of all it's Westerns :-) Second of all it's Historical :-) Third of all it's about courageous women braving life :-) What more could I say to explain what draws me to this book :-)
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question about what I do for fun: I read....like a LOT! I love getting lost in a book story and I love authors who completely draw me into their stories. I also like to travel with my hubby doing day-trips or the occasional 2-3 day long ones. And I love doing things with my family, there's nothing more precious than that in the world :-)
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this novella collection! Sounds like a wonderful bunch of authors collaborated to bring us great stories set in the West :-)
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
I'm also a feed-burner follower!
Hi Trixi, I love traveling with my husband as well. We just returned from a two-week road trip from Central Florida to the Grand Canyon and back, with lots of great stops to see the sights in between. It was the most fun I've had in a good long while. I'm sure you'll enjoy the collection. The authors are all fantastic and their stories are sure to please.
DeleteI love Barbour's novella collections and can't wait to read this one! I really enjoy westerns because of the time period and the cowboys!
ReplyDeleteI am a blog follower.
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Ah, a woman after my own heart, Britney. I love those cowboys! ;) Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI love westerns for their rough tough meaner and they preserver. But the cowboy can be a gentle man as well.
ReplyDeleteHi apple blossom! Thank you for stopping by! Yes, I think that's one thing that appeals to me about the cowboy heroes. In fiction, they know when to be tough and when to be gentle.
Delete