Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Historical Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years Continuity Series

July is fast approaching, and that means the new Love Inspired Historical three-book continuity series, Lone Star League: The Founding Years, will be making its debut.

Stand-In Rancher Daddy

Book 1 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
July 2016 release

by Renee Ryan

Suddenly a Father

Rancher CJ Thorn isn't ready to graduate from uncle to brand-new daddy—but he has no choice. After his widowed brother runs off, a pair of adorable twins have no one but CJ…and lovely neighbor Molly Langley. She's helped with the girls for so long that she's almost part of the family. Almost. CJ knows his family isn't good enough for her. Not when his brother's actions have disgraced the Thorn name yet again.

Watching CJ become a devoted father would soften any woman's heart. Yet Molly must remain immune. CJ deserves more than a woman who can't have children. Held back by fear, it'll take a disaster forcing the community together before they're ready to risk a chance on happiness.

* * *

A Family for the Rancher

Book 2 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
August 2016 release

by Craftie Lady Louise M. Gouge

From Neighbor to Daddy

Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he's duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he'd ever feel at home…

After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn't need Edmund's help—but she's starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that's at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.

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A Rancher of Convenience

Book 3 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
September 2016 release

by Regina Scott

Fill-In Father…and Husband

Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can't believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch's mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage…

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett's death, Hank resolves to do right by the man's wife and child. So it's natural for him to step in as Nancy's newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation…if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

Spring 2015 Love Inspired Historical Continuity

Hello, Winnie Griggs here.  Today we're featuring the books that are part of the great new Love Inspired Historical Continuity - Journey West.  

The tagline for this 3 book series is Journey West: Romance and adventure await three siblings on the Oregon Trail.   Oh, my, but doesn't that sound like something you want to dive right into??

I've asked each of the authors involved to give us a blurb about their particular book in the series and then let us know what they hope readers will take away from the story.

Let's see what they had to say:

BOOK 1 (April)

Wagon Train Reunion by Linda Ford

Second-Chance Courtship

Abigail Black had no choice but to break Ben Hewitt’s heart years ago. Her parents had picked another, wealthier groom. Now widowed and destitute, she’s desperate to leave her old life behind. The wagon-train journey to Oregon is full of dangers, but she’ll face anything—even Ben—for a fresh start.

Ben knows better than to trust Abby again. Between her family’s snobbery and his family’s protectiveness, avoiding her should be easy. Yet he’s still moved by Abby’s sweetness and beauty…along with a sadness and strength he never noticed in her before. Forgiving past wrongs would be a struggle—but the hardest struggle would be letting Abby go once more. 

What Linda hopes readers will take away from this story: "That it’s possible to overcome challenges and forgive past hurts."

BOOK 2 (May)

Wagon Train Proposal by Lacy Williams

A Promised Bride

Emma Hewitt never thought she’d travel thousands of miles to wed. Yet Oregon is where she’ll meet the groom her brothers have chosen. After years of nursing her ailing father, Emma’s social skills are lacking. An arranged marriage is only sensible. And her growing feelings for Nathan Reed, a worker on her wagon train, are surely better forgotten.

Nathan knows he’s wrong for Emma. He’s too rough, too burdened with guilt over his past. But when Emma nurses him through a fever, she sees something in him no one ever has. Now he wants to be a man worthy of her love. Emma’s loyalty to family has always come first. Will she find the courage now to follow her heart? 

What Lacy hopes readers will take away from this story: "I want readers to know that sometimes the bravest choice isn’t necessarily a big journey or a life-altering decision. Sometimes the bravest choice is standing up for someone else or getting outside of your comfort zone to make a new friend. Be brave!"

BOOK 3 (June)

Wagon Train Sweetheart by Renee Ryan

For the Sake of His Children

A marriage of convenience? Rachel Hewitt couldn't possibly accept. Not even for the sake of three adorable little girls who desperately want a new mother. Sheriff Tristan McCullough offers Rachel a home and family, but not the one thing she truly seeks—someone to love her for herself.

Tristan McCullough hoped to find a wife on the wagon train, not a nanny. The hardworking widower wants a marriage without emotional risks. But independent Rachel intrigues him. One minute she’s winning over his shy little girls, and the next she’s tackling danger head-on. She might just be Tristan’s unexpected second chance at happiness…if he’ll risk his wary heart again. 

What Renee hopes readers will take away from this story: "I hope readers will share my renewed desire to take more risks in their life, as I am determined to do in mine."

So there you have it - a quick peak into this great new mini-series.  So what intrigued you most as you read about it?  Do you have any questions or comments for the authors?

Claiming the Doctor's Heart Interview

How exciting to have Connor Mitchell. the hero from CLAIMING THE DOCTOR’S HEART by Renee Ryan an April 2014 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I’m a single father of twin girls. Molly and Megan are about to turn nine years old. I’ve raised them on my own (okay, with the help of family, friends and an indispensable housekeeper) since they were four years old. My wife died of cancer just when our marriage was getting back on the right track after a rocky patch. I’m partners with a childhood friend of a local Family Medical Practice here in our small town Village Green.

2.     What do you do for fun?

Any activity that involves time with my daughters. They recently talked me into getting a puppy, which has proven to be more work than fun. The little guy recently got out of his crate and tripped the above mentioned indispensable housekeeper. Summer break just started and I’m in desperate need of childcare for my girls. I think I have a solution. My partners little sister Olivia Scott just came back to town and is in need of a temporary position. Here’s hoping it works out for all of us. 

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

I hate updating patient charts, so I usually make initial notes that then need expanding at a later date. Since I’d rather spend time with my family, I end up working on the charts Sunday morning when the girls are attending Sunday school.

4.     What are you afraid of most in life?

Failing my daughters or not giving them enough of my time.

5.     What is the most important thing to you?

Family first, family always! That’s my motto. This wasn’t always the case. But I promised my wife on her deathbed to put the girls first. It isn’t always easy, but always worth the effort. I have no regrets. My life is richer and fuller for keeping my priorities straight.

6.     Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I read parenting books, when there’s time, but I mostly read out loud to my daughters at bedtime. We’re currently wading our way through the American Girl books. As of today, Samantha is their favorite.

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

I’m not sure I’d change anything about myself, but I would change how many hours there are in a day.  I could use an extra two or three.

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

Samson is the newest member of our family. The girls picked him out. He’s a puggle (a cross between a beagle and a pug) and incredibly disobedient. Olivia seems to have a way with him. If she can tame that beast who knows what other wonders she’ll accomplish in my home. Samson adores her. My daughters adore her. I’m growing fond of her, too.

9.     If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I’d return to those early years right after the birth of the twins. I would make sure I gave more of myself and my time to my family. I’ll never get those lost days back. I won’t make that same mistake twice.

FEATURED BOOK:Claiming The Doctor's Heart by Renee Ryan

Unexpected Love

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. 

A New Direction!

I'm excited to announce that I'm starting a brand new contemporary series set in a fictional town in Colorado just north of Denver.  All the books will be set in this new town, Village Green: Offering love, faith and a place to call home in Colorado. What's so fun about this new series is that it's loosely connected with my Charity House historical series.  In fact, the hero and heroine in CLAIMING THE DOCTOR'S HEART are descendants of characters in the historical books.  Charity House plays a role as well.

 

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.  

Finally A Bride Interview

How exciting to have Molly Taylor Scott, the heroine from FINALLY A BRIDE written by Renee Ryan, a November 2013 release from Love Inspired Historical.

1.  Molly, tell me the most interesting thing about you. I’m a runaway bride, or so everyone in town thinks.  I’ve been engaged two times, married none.  The whole town believes I was the one to beg off, but my deepest secret is that both of my fiancés ended out engagements.  They claimed I wasn’t in love with them.  They were right.  I’ve always been in love with Garrett Mitchell.  But still.  It’s humiliating to know I can’t keep a man.

2.  What do you do for fun? I love to make bonnets and hats and all sorts of accessories.  I especially enjoy taking someone else’s creation and making it better.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it? Telling Garrett the truth about my broken engagements. 

4.  What are you afraid of most in life? That Garrett really doesn’t love me.  That he doesn’t believe in me enough to trust that my feelings for him are the real thing.

5.  What do you want out of life? A family of my own.  I was born to a prostitute and spent the early part of my childhood at Charity House, an orphanage (of sorts) for prostitutes’ by-blows.  My sister and her husband eventually adopted me and became my parents.  But they aren’t really my parents.  It’s hard not knowing where I belong.

6.  What is the most important thing to you? Family.  As much as I love my parents, I so want my own family, but only with Garrett. 

7.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would have the courage to leave Denver and make a life with Garrett wherever he wants to go.

8.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I’m a personal companion to a wealthy, prominent widow in town.  She has a large tabby cat named Lady Macbeth.  We get on very well together.  Does that count?

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in? 1890s Denver isn’t a cow town anymore, but a very modern, metropolitan city, one that rivals many larger cities out East.  We get some of the best traveling opera troops, as well as acting troops.  I adore any stage production.  Garrett hates them all.  I find it rather charming that he sits through them for me.      

FEATURED BOOK:Finally A Bride by Renee Ryan

Reclaiming the Runaway Bride 

Seven years and two broken engagements haven't erased Garrett Mitchell from Molly Scott's mind. Her employer insists Molly and Garrett belong together. To appease the well-meaning matchmaker, the pair agrees to a pretend courtship. But too late, Molly finds herself falling for a man who might never trust her. 

Garrett is a prominent Denver attorney now, not the naive seventeen-year-old who always felt second-best. Surely the string of suitors Molly's left behind only proves her fickleness. Does Garrett dare believe that she has only ever been waiting for him? The third engagement could be the charm, for his first—and only—love. 

Charity House: Offering an oasis of hope, faith and love on the rugged Colorado frontier

This Months LIH's

Rhonda Gibson here...

I love this blog and I love the Love Inspired Historicals that come out each month. This month my first Love Inspired Historical, The Marshal's Promise came out.

Isn't Seth Handsome? Sigh....

I was thinking about what great company I am in.

Renee Ryan's Mistaken Bride is the second in the Irish Brides series, I can't wait to read this series.

Also this month we have Allie Pleiter's book, Homefront Hero. I've been a fan of Allie's for a long time. Her books never disappoint me, so if you haven't read her before. Read this one! I'm sure it will be a winner, too.

Lacy Williams is an Oklahoma girl like me, I grew up in Oklahoma but have been transplanted to New Mexico. The Homesteader's Sweetheart, sounds like my kind of story and I plan on reading it next.

As you can see, I am blessed to be a Love Inspired Historial author. All the Love Inspired authors are great! And I have lots of favorites. I just finished reading Brides Of The West by Janet Dean, Victoria Bylin, and Pamela Nissen.

I'm curious, which Love Inspired book/author did you read last?

FEATURED BOOK: HOMECOMING HERO BY RENEE RYAN

Army captain Ty Wolfson assured a dying soldier that he'd stop the man's sister from going to the Middle East as a missionary. But when Wolf knocks on Hailey O'Brien's door, he finds a beautiful woman determined to fulfill her mission—for her brother. No matter what Wolf says about the dangers, Hailey believes it's her duty to bring hope overseas. Wolf can't seem to change her mind. Until he realizes it's a certain homecoming hero who needs to change first. By opening his heart to the Lord—and to Hailey.