CALICO BRIDES - Darlene Franklin - One Free Book (Plus More Surprise Book Giveaways, a minimum of 6 winners)

Readers, sorry to be late with this post. James and I had to take our grandson to physical therapy this morning.

Welcome back, Darlene. How did you come up with the idea for this story?           

When Barbour decided decided to publish novella anthologies monthly, I decided to try writing a straight “prairie romance.” When I needed four young women (or men) tied together by some common interest, my mind wandered to missions. A local women’s group who takes on mission projects—only local projects, where they could meet the heroes as they go about doing their good deeds. From there, I went with fixtures of the genre: a school teacher, a soldier, a reformed prostitute—and a girl who sets out to bring the wealthiest man out of his self-imposed solitude.

That sounds like a fun book. If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Oh, you’re asking tough questions!  I might ask my fellow Oklahoma authors – Linda Goodnight, Julie Jarnigan, Robin Patchen, Margaret Daley, as well as Brandilyn Collins and wonderful Spyglass mystery writers Mary Conneally and Nancy Mehl. I’ve worked with all of them, except Brandilyn, and I admire their work. I don’t read a lot of contemporary Christian fiction, so I’m not as well acquainted with the authors.

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

This is tough. I have enjoyed anything I’ve read by Liz Curtis Higgs, Laurie Kingery, and Amanda Cabot. I’d love to party with my critique partners: Susan Page Davis, Carla Olson Gade, Cindy Hickey, and Lynette Sowell. Fellow Okies Janet Barton, Lacy Williams, Kathleen Turner, Vickie McDonough, and Regina Jennings would be fun to party with. I’m sure I’m missing some authors whom I truly enjoy and I apologize in advice for the oversight!

I didn’t know that Regina Jennings is an Oklahoma author. Of course, I know the rest of them. Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?

My health! I have had unexpected problems arise in the course of each contract for at least the last year. Most recently, I was put on bed rest while finishing Homefront Dreams (turned in June 1).  I have made the difficult decision to dial back my writing goals and to allow myself longer in writing each book. I want to speed up and hate to slow down.

Also, I struggle with trusting God to open the right doors. I would love to write (more) trade books but so far God has closed that door for the time being.

Trade books are getting harder for all of us. Tell us about the featured book.

While sowing good deeds, four Kansas women reap romance. Gladys Polson helps a crotchety widower. Annie Bliss knits for soldiers. Birdie Landry sews dresses for saloon girls looking for a career change. Schoolteacher Ruth Fairfield takes on three orphan children and their new guardian. How will God stitch love into their lives?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Gladys checked the baskets on the kitchen table. Red calico bows she’d festooned with small white flowers peeked out between juniper branches. Such cheerful decorations should improve even crochety widower Norman Keller’s spirits in the middle of the miserable Kansas winter.

            Ma carried a couple of baskets to the family wagon, together with garlands of fragrant juniper branches. “Maybe it would be good if I came with you.”

            Gladys came close to agreeing when she remembered the last time she had knocked on Mr. Keller’s door. The growl with which he greeted carolers could have passed for Ebenezer Scrooge’s. “I’ll see how it goes today. I’d like to do this on my own, if I can. I’ll be back in time to help with supper.”

            Grateful for the January thaw that made an outdoor project possible, Gladys buttoned up her winter coat and drew on her mittens before heading out to the wagon. When she’d decided to reach out to Norman Keller, she hadn’t considered how to keep her activities a secret. To avoid attention, she would keep her wagon off Main Street.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/,

http://mydailynibble.blogspot.com/

http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darlene.franklin.3

Twitter: @darlenefranklin

Thank you, Darlene, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
CALICO BRIDES (Romancing America) - paperback
Calico Brides (Romancing America) - Kindle
Christianbook.com
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