The Courageous Brides Collection signed by Jennifer Uhlarik ends July 11th

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.

Book Blurb:

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.

More about Jennifer.
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:

www.facebook.com/JenniferUhlarikAuthor/

www.twitter.com/JenniferUhlarik

www.pinterest.com/jenuhlarik/

www.jenniferuhlarik.com

https://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Brides-Collection-Compassionate-Attracts/dp/1634097777/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VG7DE293K7S9G4FR13DX

https://www.amazon.com/Convenient-Bride-Collection-Partnerships-Necessity/dp/1634090977/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Q3204W1298KFDZSWS2MD

https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Trail-Romance-Collection-Frontier/dp/1630588539/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51fm8EZNh2L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR107%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=EWHV8SYCZPFH0Y4GX0TG