Ever since I read her first Love Inspired Historical novel, I've been waiting for the next one. Welcome, Janet. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
Inspirational historical romances are a perfect fit for me. I dislike movies and books that end badly or give the impression that life is meaningless. So naturally I’m drawn to romance novels and their happy endings. I’m fascinated with history and love to set my stories around a nugget from the past, while giving characters’ struggles that are relevant to today’s readers. But most importantly, I write inspirational historical romance because I love God and want my books to honor Him.
I agree with you there. I want every book to bring glory to Him. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The happiest day in my life occurred twice—the days I gave birth to our baby girls. Our daughters have blessed and enriched our lives in countless ways, given my husband and me our “sons” and grandchildren, increasing not only the size of our family, but multiplying our joy six fold.
I only had daughters, too. It's wonderful to get your sons as grandsons. How has being published changed your life?
Publication hasn’t changed my life all that much. I’m not suddenly rich or famous. LOL But after years of rejection that made me question my talent, I saw my first sale as validation that I had been called to write. It didn’t take long to learn that selling doesn’t preclude criticism, rejection and the inevitable ups and downs of this business. If anything, the stakes are higher. Publication adds time pressure and more items on my To Do list. But having my words in print has also given me the opportunity to impact readers, to entertain and to glorify God. What a blessing! Another blessing publication has given me—receiving lovely encouraging e-mails from readers.
What are you reading right now?
I’m reading a non-fiction book entitled Hearts West, True Stories of Mail-order Brides on the Frontier, by Chris Enss. I always have a novel going. Right now I’m reading Lyn Cote’s Her Captain’s Heart, Love Inspired Historical.
I recently bought Hearts West. It's a gold mine of information for a writer of historicals. What is your current work in progress?
I’m working on my third Love Inspired Historical to release in early 2010. It’s a mail-order bride story set in Iowa with the working title One Wife: Sealed and Delivered. I’m having a lot of fun writing this story.
I'm also writing a mail-order bride novel that releases in 2010. I really want to feature yours on my blog. What would be your dream vacation?
A couple years ago, we took a two-week trip to Italy, truly a dream vacation. My husband and I love to travel and we’ve been blessed to see much of this great country, but there are still many places we want to visit. But I also enjoy staying put somewhere, kicking back and catching up on my reading. For me, every vacation is a dream vacation. :-)
How do you choose your settings for each book?
I feel a pull to small town and rural America. The Midwest is what I know. I chose the charming town of Noblesville, IN, as the setting for Courting Miss Adelaide and Courting the Doctor’s Daughter. I admire Noblesville’s magnificent courthouse and the stores on the square built during my story’s timeframe. The third book is set in the fictitious town of New Harmony, Iowa. Creating towns and the people who populate them—it doesn’t get much better than that. :-)
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
What a fascinating question. I thought of spiritual and political leaders, entrepreneurs, but in the end, I chose Dolly Parton. Not that she’s someone I idolize—far from it—but she’s a survivor, a strong woman I’ve always found interesting. I enjoy her music, her zest for life, her candor. An evening with Dolly would be delightful!
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I stamp greeting cards and attempt to golf once a week in a nine-hole league. Upon occasion I’ll knit a scarf. Before publication, I drew with colored pencils and painted gourds, but I no longer have the time. My art teacher father painted. My mother made beautiful quilts. I suspect my urge to create is genetic.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Having strong book-length conflict is a struggle for me. I find it easy to write internal conflict based on my characters’ back story, but having something tangible that puts a wedge between the hero and heroine is harder for me. I overcome it by being aware that this is a weak spot, reminding myself to search for concrete ways to put the hero and heroine in conflict, and sighing with relief when I please my editor.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Be teachable. Enter contests. Get a critique partner. Read How To books. Take online classes. Then practice what you learn. Only when we writers are open to criticism can we grow our talent. Being teachable is great preparation for being published since editors ask for revisions and reject proposals from their published authors.
Very valid points. Now, Janet, tell us about the featured book.
Like my debut novel, Courting Miss Adelaide, my May release Courting the Doctor’s Daughter centers around a child from the orphan train. To briefly explain the orphan train phenomena—approximately 250,000 children, mostly immigrants, were sent by train during a 70 year period to new homes in the Midwest and beyond. Some lived good lives, others weren’t so fortunate.
Courting the Doctor’s Daughter
A widow with three boys to rear, Mary Graves has no time for peddlers of phony medicine. She’s a dedicated healer working alongside her doctor father. When a handsome stranger blows into town with his “elixir of health” and asks questions about her newly adopted son, Mary’s determined to uncover the truth behind all his claims.
Once the reckless heir to a Boston fortune, Dr. Luke Jacobs travels the country with his herbal medicine while searching for his long-lost son. After meeting the feisty doctor’s daughter and her youngest boy, Luke has found what he’s been looking for at last. But can he convince her to let him into her home, her family—and her heart?
I can hardly wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Web site: http://www.janetdean.net/
Blog: http://www.janetdean.blogspot.com/
Group Blog: http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/
Thanks for having me on your blog, Lena. I had a great time!
Janet
And thank you for being here. You must come again with your mail order bride story. As you can see from Hearts West, there were numerous reasons for a mail order bride.
Readers, if you can't wait to get your hands on Courting the Doctor's Daughter, here's a link where you can order it:
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. The only notification will be the winners announcement post on this blog. Be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. Or you could sign up for Feedblitz and not miss a single post.
If you're reading this on Facebook or Amazon, come to this blog to leave a comment:
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63 comments:
Sounds Amazing!! Please sign me up!!!!
Rae Byuel
Wonderful interview. Please include me in the drawing for Courting the Doctor's Daughter. I'll be watching for the books about mail order brides from both of you!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
Janet, I am chomping at the bit to dive into Courting the Doctor's Daughter!! Great interview!
Hugs,
Julie
Hi Rae, Thanks so much for your interest in my book! Glad you're in the drawing.
Janet
Thanks for stopping, Mez. It's nice to hear you're interested in mail order bride stories. And thanks for including your e-mail address.
Janet
Hi Julie! Good to see you here! I just got your book. I'm starting it tonight. Can't wait!!!!
Janet
Janet, I have Courting the Doctor's Daughter already so don't put me in the drawing. I've got to get it read, then I've got Julie's next.
It's a great season for great books.
congrats on another book, Janet, One of my favorite fellow Indiana authors! I love the cover!
Hi Janet! I'm reading Courting the Doctor's Daughter right now and I'm really enjoying it. Your humor shines!
Hi Mary! I hope you like Courting the Doctor's Daughter half as much as I enjoyed Gingham Mountain! Thanks for stopping in.
Janet
Hi Cara, Good to see one of my favorite Indiana authors--you!
I love the cover too. I met the artist and bought a poster-size copy for my office. Now that I've turned in my third book, now titled The Substitute Bride, I can get it framed.
Janet
Hi Cara. Thanks! I love humor in books. It helps to off set the troubles these people are going through.
Janet
What a great interview. Please include me in your drawing for Courting The Doctors Daughter.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net
Jan e toe!
Be teachable. Good advice.
I am reading CDD right now and enjoying it as much as that sweet Miss Adelaide.
What a wonderful interview. I loved the advice for new writers. I think sometimes we forget we need to be teachable. ;) I'd love a chance to get my hands on this book!
Great interview! I already have the book, so don't enter me. And I'm really looking forward to reading it!! I just loved the first one. :)
I love the LS historical Romance book line. I'd love to win this book. Thanks.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Great interview. I love getting to know new authors and I'm quite impressed. Courting Miss Adelaide was awesome and I'm looking forward to reading this next one!!
I so enjoyed Janet's last book, "Courting Miss Adelaide"! I would love the opportunity to win this book. Blessings to you both.
I enjoy reading historical romance very much! Please include me in this book drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Hi Debbie, What a sweet little pooch. :-) Thanks for entering.
Janet
I'm happy to hear you're enjoying Courting the Doctor's Daughter, Tina. Thanks!
Janet
Thanks for stopping, Sherrinda. Writers can never stop being teachable. The more we know the more we know we need to know. If that even makes sense. LOL
Janet
Thanks much for the interview! I can't wait to read the book. Please sign me up.
Missy, I miss your picture. Are you undercover? :-) I hope you like Mary's story as much as Adelaide's.
Janet
Abi, I'm with you. I read all the LIH books and I'm never disappointed. Thanks for entering.
Janet
Good to see you, Carla. As my debut, I'm very partial to Miss Adelaide. Thanks for your interest in my second book. You'll get to see Addie, Charles and the quilters. And of course, Mary, the doctor's daughter and that new man in town, Luke. Trouble's brewing in Noblesville. :-)
Janet
Thanks, HollyMag! God bless.
Janet
You're in the drawing, Cindy. Thanks for coming by. Btw. I love WindyCindy. Cute!!!!
Janet
Thanks for your interest in my book, Debcleve1971.
Janet
Sounds as good at the first! Please sign me up!!
Tonya
victorian-nurse(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Great interview!!! Thanks for highlighting this novel. It sounds wonderful :) Sign me up! :)
The book sounds intreguing. Please enter me in the contest for the free book. Thanks.
Hi Tonya. Thanks for your interest in my books!
Janet
Hi Jaime and Rachel. Thanks for entering! Please leave your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win.
Janet
What a great interview that was. I loved Janet's first book and would love to get entered in the drawing for "Courting the Doctor's Daughter".
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds a fascinating book. I hadn't heard of the orphan train.
Thanks for the chance.
Really sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thanks!
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
Great interview. I loved Courting Miss Adelaide! Can't wait to read this one too. Thanks for the contest.
I always love it when I hear an author claim that she wishes to glorify God through her writing. All things should be done to glorify God.
sounds like a great book. please enter my name in the draw. thanks,
sarahwoll at hotmail dot com
Would love to win COURTING THE DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER. It sounds like
a great read.
A J
ajhwake.blogspot.com
I love this inspirational historicals. Next to a mystery, they are the best, as you get a great story AND learn history. Please enter me. Thanks.
Jo, your kind words about my debut novel are very encouraging. Thanks!
Janet
Sheila, it amazes me how little was known about the orphan train riders until they started having reunions. I'm fascinated by their stories.
Janet
Stacie, remember to leave your e-mail address so we can reach you.
Janet
Thanks for your interest in Courting the Doctor's Daughter, Marla!
Janet
Hi Ley, So glad you enjoyed the first book. Hope you like Mary's story and revisiting Adelaide, Charles and all the folks in Noblesville.
Janet
Hi David, When I remember how much God loves me and the sacrifice Jesus made for me, I'm less apt to forget that everything I do should glorify Him.
Thanks for coming by!
Janet
Sarahw, you're in the drawing. Thanks for your interest in Courting the Doctor's Daughter.
Janet
Hi AJHawke. Thanks for your interest in my book.
Janet
Hi Linda, don't forget to leave your e-mail addy. I love historicals best. If they have a little mystery, that's even better.
Janet
Wow with all these comments I don't have a chance, but throw my name in there I might get lucky..lol
Thanks,
Stormi
ladystorm282001[at]yahoo[dot]com
i would love to win! martha(at)lclink(dot)com
Hi Stormi, half of those comments are mine so you've got a very good chance. Thanks for entering.
Janet
Thanks for your interest in my Courting the Doctor's Daughter, Martha!
Janet
WOW!! Another great interview. It sounds like a great book and I would love to read it.
sharon54220@gmail.com
Sounds very good. Also a great interview. Thank you for the entry.
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
Thanks for your interest in Courting Miss Adelaide, Sharon. If you win, I hope you'll enjoy this dose of love.
Janet
Thanks for entering, Marla!
Janet
Oh please enter me I loved Courting miss Adelaide and was able to buy the copy when i was in Canada last year it wont arrive in Australia for about 4 more months and I just cant wait to read it.
Enjoyed interview. Always enjoy good books. thanks for the drawing.
Sylvia Gould
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