Writing this book wasn't easy, primarily because I had to
create this fictional town. I first had to figure out the connection between the
historical books and the contemporary books. I originally thought I would
focus on Charity House, maybe turn the Old West orphanage for prostitutes'
mistakes into a new kind of ministry. I came up with several ideas but
none of them seemed to fit. So...Charity House became this rambling old
structure the hero buys with the idea of raising his family there. As the
series continues, this will become the official gathering spot for holidays and
special occasions.
Once I had the connection figured out (loose as it is) I
need to populate the town. In this book, the hero is a direct descendent
of the hero in THE LAWMAN CLAIMS HIS BRIDE and the heroine is a direct
descendent of the hero from THE MARSHAL TAKES HIS BRIDE. I gave them each
several siblings and poof...I now had lots of future heroes
and heroines.
Next, I had to figure out more specifics about Village
Green, itself. Here's what I decided. Village Green,
Colorado. Founded 1899 by Jonathon Hawkins. Population:
15,902. Elevation: 4,984.
I still had to create businesses and places for my characters
to frequent for fun. Enter Hawkins Park, where the hero and heroine first
meet. I also gave the town a minor league baseball team, the Village
Green Bobcats. Since most of my characters are in the medical profession
I had to give the town the Village Green Hospital. The hero and the
heroine's brother own a Family Medical practice.
Now came the really fun part. Local businesses.
My heroine's best friend owns Senor O'Toole's, a cross between an Irish
Pub and a Mexican Cantina. The specialty of the house is Shepherd's Pie
with a Mexican flare. Since this is a small town, I added the Wash and
Spins, a hybrid business that's a laundromat and a dance studio. There's
also Pizza Italiano and a ski shop still to be named. Fun, fun, fun...
So, any thoughts as the name of the ski shop? Leave a
comment and you'll be entered into a drawing for a copy of CLAIMING THE
DOCTOR'S HEART, an April 2014 release!
Here's the official blub: After losing her
high-powered job, Olivia Scott finds herself back home in Colorado. She never
imagined she'd be taking care of kids, let alone being the nanny to longtime
crush Dr. Connor Mitchell's adorable twin girls. But what began as a favor to
the handsome widower is growing into something more. Connor's confused by his
growing feelings for his best friend's little sister. She's become a beautiful
woman with a caring soul, but he can't risk his—or his girls'—heart. Olivia's
planning to head back to her city life. Unless this small-town doctor can
convince her to stay…forever. 
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