A Home for Her Heart Interview

How exciting to have Elizabeth Anderson, the heroine from A Home for Her Heart, written by Janet Lee Barton, a September, 2014 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1.  Elizabeth, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Well, a lot of people think it’s interesting that I writer for the Delineator, a lady’s magazine. In it we cover fashion and all kinds of things that pertain to our daily lives.

2.  What do you do for fun?

Oh, living at Heaton House, there is alway something to do for fun. Of an evening, after dinner, we usually gather in the parlor to chat, or play games—we all love charades—or we love singing around the piano. Then on weekends, we sometimes do things as a group like picnicking Central Park. The women boarders love to go window shopping at the Ladies’ Mile, and in the summer the men are usually taking in a baseball game.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Oh . . . I’ve put off telling the other boarders—my best friends—that I’m not as much like them as they might think.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

Right now, I’m afraid if I tell them, I might lose their friendship—and that they’ll feel I’ve deceived them—especially John. That would break my heart. I know that John and I spar a lot of the time, but in spite of it all, working together, we seem to be building a fragile friendship of some sort and I’d hate to lose it.

5.  What do you want out of life?

I want to help those less fortunate than me—and oh, how I’d love to have a loving husband and family of my own one day. But I don’t see that happening. After my broken engagement, I didn’t know how I’d ever be able to trust another man with my heart.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

My faith, that the Lord will guide me in all ways.

7.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

That I would trust people more—that I could trust that a man could love me for myself.

8.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

I don’t have a pet—living in a boardinghouse that’s not something I can have, but I did have a dog when I was young and if I ever do have that family, I might want one for any children I might have. But I’m not sure that will ever happen.

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in?

I think everything is interesting about the time period I live in! We’re getting close to moving into a new century and opportunities for women, in this city especially, are growing each day. Of course much of that is of necessity. Many women have to make a living for themselves, or help their families out.  A fun thing—the baseball team in New York City is called the New York Giants—the one in Brooklyn is called the Brooklyn Bridegrooms! I just think that is so cute! We tease Kathleen and Luke about it because they’ll soon be getting married. I’m so happy for them . . . but I must admit to being a little envious, too. I don’t know if I’ll ever have that kind of relationship .  . .

FEATURED BOOK: A HOME FOR HER HEART BY JANET LEE BARTON

Love on Assignment 

Magazine writer Elizabeth Anderson has sparred with newspaper reporter John Talbot for years. Though they cover similar stories, John thinks Elizabeth's writing is trivial, and she finds him too boastful. So when they must work together to investigate New York City's worst tenement houses, they're surprised by the great team they make. 

Despite their professional rivalry, John and Elizabeth begin to trust each other as they grow from competitors, to friends, to something more. But then John makes a startling discovery that would break the story—and Elizabeth's heart—wide-open. John's always been driven by his career—can he give up one dream for another? 

Boardinghouse Betrothals: Hearts taking shelter—and forging new beginnings

It Started With Family

Hi everyone, Janet Lee Barton here.
Over the years I've found all my stories are about families or groups of friends who become family to each other. It's the same with my Boardinghouse Betrothal series for LIH. With Mrs. Heaton's guidance, her boarders become friends and family to each other.

My mother came from a large family. She was the oldest of seven children and the youngest of her siblings is only seven and a half years older than I am, born a year and a half before my older sister. The women in my family can all talk at once and keep track of all the conversations going on around us. I'm sure many of you can relate to that. It's something most women are good at.

So what a joy it was when my ninety-two year old aunt, her two daughters and their husbands, and one of their son's and his wife, came through on their way to a wedding to visit with us going and coming this past month. It reminded me once again why I love writing about families and friends. The closeness that is always there no matter how long we go between visits and the fun of it all. Sweet memories to share are such a blessing.

This is my sweet aunt on her great nephew's lap with five great nieces surrounding them--so  precious.

And we found that downsizing doesn't mean you can't have company. We had 24 over for supper on their last night, back through. All you have to do is let them help themselves, have an expanding dining table, a patio for the men to get away from all the noise of those conversations, and a living room to take the overflow!

What a blessing this family is to me! I love being able to  draw the closeness into my writing!

Look for the 3rd book in the Boardinghouse Betrothal series coming in September.

Elizabeth's story in: A Home for Her Heart

Real Strength Comes Through Enduring Hardships

Janet Lee Barton here--Can you believe the winter we've all had? From coast to coast, border to border, I think this is one of the worst winters I've seen in a while. Between freezing temps, snow and ice, horrible traffic jams and electrical outages, one can begin to wonder if Spring will ever get here.

I planted pansies in the fall, but before they had a chance to really get going, in blew the winds of winter! Then it warmed up and they perked up. Then it got really cold again...blanketing them with snow or ice or both, over and over again. I watched as they peaked out from it all and then hid again--numerous times. But with the above normal temperatures we've had in the last few days, they have begun to perk up,  even opening a few new blossoms.

These delicate flowers are so much stronger than they appear. Kind of like some of our heroines from our hero's point of view.  But give them some hardships and watch them blossom! 

That's what I try to show in the stories in my LIH Boardinghouse Betrothal series. Women who've become stronger for what they've gone through in their pasts. Look for Elizabeth's story, A Home For Her Heart, in September and Rebecca's story, no title yet, next spring.  I'm working on it now and loving every minute of it.

I hope wherever you are, Spring comes quickly!