A HOME FOR HIS FAMILY - Jan Drexler - One Free Book

Dear Readers, Jan is new to our blog. Let’s give her a warm welcome.

Welcome, Jan. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I know quite a bit of myself bleeds into my characters, but a huge part of my characters comes from observing people and listening to their stories. I hear a story about someone’s experience, and I start thinking – what will happen next?

A true author for sure. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Probably when I traveled in Europe by myself for two months – back when it was only slightly dangerous for a woman to travel alone. Yes, I’m that old. ;)

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Probably when I was ten or twelve – but then I thought everyone was a writer. All of my favorite people were: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beverly Cleary, Marguerite Henry. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized that not everyone has a double life – their story lives and their real life. After my children graduated from our homeschool, I was able to take the time to put my stories on paper, and that’s when I realized I didn’t just want to be a writer, I really was one.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I read everything from history to classical literature, to popular fiction (most genres), non-fiction, and my favorite – children’s literature. I try to read widely as well as deeply, and often have at least five books going at the same time.

I keep two going, one on my Kindle that I carry in my purse and one print book at home. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

By abiding in Christ. My day starts with a time of devotions and Bible reading, and that helps keep me centered and my perspective in the right place.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I write historical novels, so I look to literature or biographies of the time I’m writing. For my Amish stories, I go to my genealogy. Many of my characters are named after my ancestors. In A Mother for His Children, my August 2014 release from Love Inspired Historical, I stayed closer to home. The girls in the family (except Nellie) are named after my aunts.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Making – and sticking to – the decision to homeschool our children. That one thing has affected our family for the good more than anything else we could have done.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’m not sure. But my dogs seem to have a pretty easy life!

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate. I don’t even have to think about that one!

A girl after my own heart. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Getting the first draft of a book on the computer is always the hardest part for me. Some days I think I’d rather clean the toilet than face that first draft! But I know that I can’t fix anything that isn’t written, so I set a minimum daily word count for myself and stick to the plan.

Tell us about the featured book.

A Home for His Family is my first western. It takes place in Deadwood, which is only about an hour’s drive from where I live. Deadwood has a fascinating history and I loved researching the story. Here’s the information from the back cover:

Nate Colby came to the Dakota Territory to start over, not to look for a wife. He'll raise his orphaned nieces and nephew on his own, even if pretty schoolteacher Sarah MacFarland's help is a blessing. But Nate resists getting too close—Sarah deserves better than a man who only brings trouble to those around him.

Sarah can't deny she cares for the children, but she can't let herself fall for Nate. Her childhood as an orphan taught her that opening her heart to love only ends in hurt. Yet helping this ready-made family set up their ranch only makes her long to be a part of it—whatever the risk.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Deadwood, Dakota Territory
May 1877

“Sorry for the delay, folks. There’s a bull train on the trail ahead of us, and they’re hogging the road. It won’t be long until we’re moving again.” The stagecoach guard acknowledged Sarah MacFarland and Aunt Margaret, the only ladies in the cramped stage, with a tip of his hat. Water sluiced off the brim onto the feet of the male passengers. “The good news is that we’re only a few miles from Deadwood, and the rain is easing up a bit.”

“Thank you.” Sarah answered him with a nod, but kept her face classroom-firm. She had already learned women were few in this western country, and men were eager to take even a polite smile as permission to overstep the boundaries of propriety. Aunt Margaret had the notion Sarah might find a husband out here in the west, but Sarah had no such dreams. Twenty-eight years old put her firmly in the spinster category and she was more than happy to remain there.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is: www.JanDrexler.com

I’m also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanDrexlerAuthor

And I have fun on Pinterest, too: www.pinterest.com/jandrexler/

Thank you for sharing this new book with us. I love reading westerns romances, and so do most of my blog readers.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Home for His Family - Christianbook.com
A Home for His Family (Love Inspired Historical) - Amazon
A Home for His Family (Love Inspired Historical) - Kindle

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