Author Lenora Worth - LONE STAR SECRET - Free Book

Today, we're featuring abook in a Love Inspired series--Homecoming Heros. This book releases in August.

Welcome, Lenora. I just love reading these series by Love Inspired. What is the name of the series this book is in, and where in the series does it occur?

This is the Homecoming Heroes series set in Texas (near Austin) in a fictional town and army post (Fort Bonnell) The town is Prairie Springs.

Who came up with the idea for the series?

Our editors came up with the idea and created an overall with all the characters, plot threads and setting.

I know that working on a series that weaves together takes a lot of work. How did your team schedule the work?

I've been blessed with each continuity to have great writers to work with! We start by setting up an e-mail loop and we immediately begin brainstorming and working out the questions/concerns/kinks in that way. We hash things out (somtimes argue things out (grin) then once we feel like we've got a handle on the continuity plot threads we usually retreat and write our stories. We keep the communication lines open with e-mails and discussions, sometime phone calls. So it's a daily procedure of checkin on the loop, answering questions, asking questions, sending important scenes to critique and compare and we try to make sure we're all on the same page (pun intended!)

Did you find it hard or easy to work within the series framework?

A little of both. Continuities are a challenge but you learn so much about teamwork, compromise and working with other writers. It's amazing that six different writers can all have such diverse writing styles yet work together to make a continuity story flow. It's exciting when the books come out to read the others and compare. It's fun--like opening a present! But it is hard in that you have to be able to give and take with the other writers and the editors to make things work. Sometimes, an idea you feel strongly about gets cut and sometimes it gets very confusing (especially in a suspense continuity.) Homecoming Heroes was such a blessing, however, because it has such a heartwarming, patriotic plot thread and it's about our military heroes. We all agreed that we wanted that aspect of this series to be as true to life as possible and we worked together to make that happen. As for me, sometimes I'd rant to the other writers or get a bit defensive but overall, we each did a pretty good job of working peacefully together to make this series shine. I'm thrilled to be a part of it. And who doesn't love a series set in Texas!!!!

What other books have you had published?

I've written over thirty books, most of those for Steeple Hill. I love writing Love Inspired romance and Love Inspiried Suspense. It's so much fun and such a challenge. And I love to tell people that I have over a million books in print. Who would have ever dreamed I'd be able to say that--a little country girl from Georgia!

When you aren't writing or spending time with your family, what is your favorite activity?

Well, I love to read. I like to shop. And I love to take trips to the beach with my friends. I even like to cook when I have the time. I enjoy sitting in my garden with a good cup of coffee and a good book! And I enjoy getting together with my writer friends at conferences. That is always fun!

Where do you do most of your writing?

I have an upstairs office and that is where I write. We remodeled a bedroom when we moved into this house and we did it in a beach theme with soft blue walls and sand colored accessories. I have beach pictures and a mural on the wall so I can stare off into the distance when I'm plotting. I have a sand colored chaise lounge near my desk. I often sit there to proof or read or just daydream and plot. I rarely write anywhere else in the house because I like to keep that separate from daily life, as much as possible. My office has everything I need to get the job done, including research books and floor space!

Wow, I'd love to come write with you. What part of the country do you live it? And why do you like that part of the country?

I am a southern girl. I live in Louisiana. I love the south because of the beauty of nature we have in the four seasons and I guess because it's where I was born. While I enjoy traveling, I'm always very glad to be home, too. I could do without the humidity and mosquitoes, however.

Tell us about the featured book.

Mine is the second in the series--Lone Star Secret. It's about a returning helicopter pilot named David Ryland who is helping to bring a Middle eastern little boy to America to be with his paternal grandfather (his father was American and killed in the war) and to have needed heart surgery in Texas. My hero is a wonderful man, but he is tormented by his past and he longs to find out who his father was. He meets Anna Terenkov, a Russian born humanitarian who now lives in Texas. The conflict comes when Anna's best friend reveals a secret and asks Anna to keep the secret, especially from David. David, who hates secrets and lies, is devastated when he finds out the truth.

Sounds intriguing. I can hardly wait to read it. How can my readers find you on the Internet?

www.lenoraworth.com or www.loveinspiredauthors.com

Thank you, Lenora, for spending this time with us.

Readers, check out her web sites after you leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.