THE COWBOY'S BRIDE - Darlene Franklin, and others - One Free Book

Bio: Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over fifty books and more than 250 devotionals.

Welcome back, Darlene. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I grew up in New England—a Yankee and proud of it—but moved west and fell in love with it. At the moment, I live in Oklahoma, near my son and his family. My first book, Romanian Rhapsody, was published in 2005. And after twenty years in Denver, I am mighty happy that the Broncos won the last Super Bowl!

I came to know the Lord during Vacation Bible School when I was a child, and more than fifty decades later, I feel like I’m just beginning.                                                                                                                                                            

That was a well-deserved win at the Super Bowl, a wonderful game to watch. I absolutely loved Romanian Rhapsody when I read it back in 2005. It made me want to connect with the author. I’m so glad I did. I treasure our friendship. How did you become interested in writing?                                                                                            

I wrote stories based on my favorite TV series as a child, and even wrote for a newspaper for a couple of years. But I began writing seriously in the wake of my divorce. I felt compelled to share the lessons God was teaching me. Next I turned to fiction, and I was hooked.                      

                                                                                               

What compelled you to write a book on the subject, The Cowboy’s Bride?

That’s easy. My publisher (Barbour) asked for novella proposals about cowboy brides. Since I’m not an expert on the cowboy life, I made up a heroine a bit like me, an easterner uncomfortable with cowboy ways. She sets out to reform them by holding a class “Learn How to Become a Gentleman.”

                                                                                                                                                           

Love that. What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book?

The theme verse for the book encapsulates the theme: “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.” (2 Corinthians 1:12) God has to open Millie’s eyes to what true godliness is—and how to look past the outside.

Of course, there’s the issue of Wes’s skirting with a lie—he hasn’t told Millie he’s a cowboy. He signs up for the class on becoming a gentleman—under a different version of his name.                   

                                                                       

Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?

Make integrity, sincerity, and God’s grace the foundation of your relationships. Easier said than done.

                                                                                   

What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?

Oh, that’s a tough one for me. People tell me my books are sweet, that I create strong characters, that I incorporate scriptural truth naturally into the story. I’ve also been told I make my characters suffer. That’s not so true of Millie and Wes in The Reformed Cowboy.              

                                                                                                          How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?

I often start out to do one thing and find God leading me in another. I have to make an effort to look past the uncomfortable parts of person’s character to the person God loves. One aide in the nursing home where I live drives me crazy with his sense of humor. He thinks it’s funny to make fun of me, which draws up a lot of hurt for me. Then this morning, he poured out his heart for ten minutes, honoring me with his pain. Now, that’s what an example of God helping me to look beyond worldly wisdom.

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?

I usually quote Romans 8:38-39. But recently this verse has caught my heart: “I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.” Isaiah 58:11-12 I can’t think of a place much emptier than a nursing home, and here God promises to use all the ruins of my past to build my future.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

That’s awesome, Darlene. I have watched you as you grow and thrive there. You’re an inspiration to me. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?        

Now that I have a Kindle—I am reading voraciously. I do a lot of word searches and keep up with the outside world on Facebook. I also play piano at church services here, which brings me a lot of joy.

Do grandchildren count as hobbies?                                                                                                                                                                       

When we are with our grandchildren or great grandchildren, they hold all our attention, so I guess that could be a hobby. As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?

March is the birthday month for both my children and my oldest granddaughter. A happy shout out to all three!

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

Website and blog

Facebook

Amazon author page       

Thank you, Darlene, for sharing this new novella collection with us. I love reading historical cowboy stories, and so do my blog readers.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

The Cowboy's Bride - Christianbook.com
The Cowboy's Bride Collection: 9 Historical Romances Form on Old West Ranches - Amazon
The Cowboy's Bride Collection: 9 Historical Romances Form on Old West Ranches - Kindle

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