I’m so sorry about the lack of intro video again this week. Like a couple weeks ago, I’m having webcam issues. I am determined to resolve the camera issue…eventually. Like, after ACFW. 🙂
But today we’ve got such a treat that will totally make up for the lack of video! We’ve got special guest Stacy Henrie and a giveaway of her debut novel, Lady Outlaw.
I’m honestly not sure when I cam across Stacy’s blog. Maybe she came across mine first…?? My memory fails me (like my webcam!). But I do know I’ve so enjoyed reading her blog and I raced through her book! I love her characters and the whole premise of the story, and I’m so grateful she agreed to stop by today.
Be sure to leave a comment to enter the drawing! You’ve got until next Tuesday at 5 p.m. to enter. I’ll use a random number generator at that time to determine the winner. Enjoy!
1) One of my favorite things about Lady Outlaw is your heroine’s spunk! How did you get the idea for Jennie’s character…and especially her, ahem, slightly criminal pursuits? Hehe!
From the beginning of this story, I thought it would be fun to have a female outlaw as my heroine. I find Old West outlaws fascinating, and there are a number of women from that time period who either ran around with outlaws or were outlaws themselves. Some of these outlaws were even raised in God-fearing homes, so I had to think what would drive a person from that sort of background to illegal gain. In Jennie’s case, it’s her desperate need to keep her land, provide for her family and not quit like her mother.
My dad actually made the suggestion to have Jennie rob stage bandits of their stolen loot. I liked that idea because I felt it garnered more sympathy for Jennie and made her decision a little easier for her to justify—she’s using the money for something worthwhile.
With Jennie being an outlaw, I knew Caleb would need to be the strong, believing Christian character in this story. This is sort of a departure from a lot of Christian fiction—to have the hero be the faith-filled one and the heroine be the one struggling. But I love Jennie’s journey from dishonesty and distrust of God to faithful and courageous and willing to sacrifice the very thing she thought she couldn’t live without.
2) Yes, I loved watching Jennie grow in her understanding of God. And I also love that Caleb is a former bounty hunter in search of a clean start. Did you have to do quite a bit of research for his career or for this story in general?
I did quite a bit of research on the different locations in the story and what was authentic to the time period. It was a very happy day when I discovered my library had books on every county in Utah, including the county where most of the story takes place—only a writer would be giddy over something like that. 🙂
In May of this year, my husband and I took a trip down to Beaver, Fillmore and Cove Fort—the primary locations in the story—and we took a bunch of pictures so readers could get an idea of what the settings look like. If you go to my website, www.stacyhenrie.com, and click LADY OUTLAW Bonus Features, you can view those.
3) Oh yeah, I think I remember reading about your research trip on your blog! This is your debut novel…such a dream come true! What’s it like hearing readers’ reaction to the story?
It’s fun to hear people say they were hooked from the beginning, or they couldn’t put it down or they had to stay up and finish the book! It feels exciting and vulnerable at the same time.
4) You’re a writer, but also a wife and mom. How do you juggle, well, life? 🙂 Do you have advice for others who are trying to balance everyday life with pursuing their dream?
Ah, balance—wherefore art thou? 🙂
What works best for me is having a set writing time and that’s either before my kids are up in the morning or during naptime. Now days, I try to work on my current book during one hour and then do the social media, email stuff the other hour.
The biggest help in trying to find balance, for me, is turning things over to the Lord. My family is most important, but I also know He wants me to pursue this dream. Because of that I believe He’ll help me figure out how to do both.
5) I also remember reading that you’ve got more fun news about a new WWI series, right? What sparked this series and when do we get to read it? 🙂
I had an idea a couple of years ago for a WWI romance about a nurse and a soldier in France. I thought it would be a standalone, but I came up with an idea for a story that followed the soldier’s younger sister. That will be the first book in the series published by Grand Central Publishing. It’s slated for release in March 2014 with the other two books coming out later that same year.
Each book will deal with a different aspect of the war and be set in a different location. The first book is about a young woman who falls in love with a young German-American farmer during the anti-German hysteria that occurred in America during the war. The story takes place in Iowa. So I might have to pick your brain about your state, Melissa! 🙂
The second book takes place in war-torn France, primarily at a hospital for wounded soldiers, and the third book takes place after the war in England. I’m super excited about the series because I find this time period very fascinating and each book is centered on a lesser-known piece of history.
Yay, I love WWI stories. And I will happily tell you all you need to know about Iowa. 🙂
Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. While she had a goal to write and publish a book one day, she turned her attentions first to graduating with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. Not long after, she switched from writing press releases and newsletters to writing inspirational historical fiction as a stay-at-home mom. She loves reading, interior decorating, romantic movies, and most of all, laughing with her husband and three kids. LADY OUTLAW is her first novel.
All right, readers, let’s hear from you. Do you have a favorite time in history to read about? Leave a comment to enter the drawing for Lady Outlaw!
And be sure to check out Lady Outlaw! Here’s a blurb:
No one would ever imagine a fresh-faced young woman could be robbing stage bandits of their ill-gotten fortunes. But Jennie Jones is desperate to save her family’s ranch from foreclosure. And the risks seem worth it, until her upright new ranch hand offers a glimpse of how much is really at stake.
Former bounty hunter Caleb Johnson is ready for a new, clean start. With a woman like Jennie, he could build a future there in Utah territory. But only if his gentle faith can guide her in a choice between the land she’s fought so hard to save and a future by his side.
And be sure to check out Lady Outlaw! Here’s a blurb:
Comments 31
I love reading about the Victorian era. I don’t know what it is about that time period that intrigues me. Maybe it’s the corsets!
Great interview, and it sounds like a great book!
I love the Victorian era too – maybe it is the fashion. But thank goodness we don’t have to wear corsets today. 🙂
Congrats on your debut! God’s great at providing a dream, the talent, and balance for it all, isn’t He? I’m completely intrigued by your book–I love strong female leads. And it sounds like a trip to France is in store for you, I mean, you’ll need to do research for your next series, right? 🙂
Have a blessed day, ladies!
I so want to do a research trip in France, Susan! And England. Someone needs to put together a Writers’ Travel Agency – discounted group trips specifically for writers wanting to do research! Wouldn’t that be fun to run around France with a bunch of other writers? 🙂
This was a great interview. Loved having the chance to get to know Stacy. I’m mostly a contemporary reader, but this time setting sounds intriguing. If I don’t win the book, I’ll have to get it!
Pat – I’m mostly a historical fiction junkie when it comes to reading 🙂 but occasionally I get the need to get out of the past and read something contemporary, especially if it’s funny and romantic.
Congratulations on your debut novel — lovely cover! And I love the idea of your WWII novels too!
Thanks, Beth! I love the cover too. The art department really captured the feel of the book and the way I picture Jennie.
Hello, Ladies! Always fun to learn more about an author. 🙂 WWI is a great time period – I worked at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site for ten years and we depicted that time period (1918) during our living history days. After the war broke out there was an assembly at the high school where Charles was a student (he HATED school), and the principal told the students that anyone who chose to work on the family farm for the war effort could graduate early, without attending the remaining year of school. Charles left that day and didn’t return until he picked up his diploma. During that winter on the farm he devoured stories and newspaper articles about the relatively new field of aviation war craft and began to dream about flying – and the rest is history! 🙂 Stacy, I can’t wait to read your WWI stories!
I love reading stories set in any time period previous to 1945 – but my favorite would probably be the 1850’s, which is why my first novel is set in that era. 😉
I love the 1850s too! And what a cool place to work. I’m planning on the hero of my third book being a pilot for England during the Great War because I want to get the aviation aspect in there.
I enjoy 15th Dynasty Egypt! Man, I’d love to go back there!
Congrats again, Stacy, on your debut! Woohoo!
Now that would be a super cool time period/setting! You ought to a write a historical suspense set back then, Jess! 🙂
Congrats on your debut, Stacy! I look forward to reading it.
Hmmm, you know, I don’t necessarily have a favorite time period to read about. I really love all historical fiction, although I think I prefer 1800s and on because the speech in the 1600s was so formal and difficult to understand. 😛
I would agree, Lindsay – anything during the 1800s is probably my favorite too. Though the more I write and research the early 20th century, it’s starting to become another favorite. 🙂
Congratulations, Stacy! Hmm… my favorite time in history to read about…probably the civil war.
Sorry for the deletion below – I thought I replied just to you, Michelle, but I goofed it. 🙂 I think the Civil War is an intense and interesting time period to read about too. So many different perspectives depending on where the story takes place.
Congratulations on your release and your new contract, Stacy!
I’m smitten with the Victorian Era. =)
Thanks, Keli! I think the Victorian Era will always be my first love. 🙂
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So fun to read everybody’s favorite time periods!
Thanks for the interview, Melissa! It was lots of fun. I’d sure love to take a research trip out to Iowa one of these days and meet in person. 🙂
Of course, I love the Civil War era. WWII is right up there for me.
Congrats on your series and your release, Stacy! Awesome! So happy for you.
I could have guessed you’d say Civil War. 🙂 There are some great books set in that time period!
I had a feeling Civil War era would be your answer, Loree. 🙂
Melissa – miss your face today!
Stacy – Congratulations! And your cover is awesome!
I’d LOVE a copy of your book – your heroine sounds like my kinda girl!
beckydwriter(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m a late 1200’s – early 1300’s girl (pre-plague!) – it’s my favorite time to read about. But I write contemporary stuff. Lazy? Or just “writing what I know?” Hm…
Blessings to you both!
LOL, Becky! I love the distinction of pre-plague 1300’s. 🙂
Becky, I’m in somewhat of the same boat. I loooove to read historical, but I totally write contemporary. Partially that’s because I think my voice fits contemporary better. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit a huge piece of that is me not knowing if I want to go to the work of historical research. Hahaha!
Congratulations on the release. Woot!
I like historical wild west stories and war-time stories.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like your picks! I need to find some more wild west stories to read because I think they’re fun too. Any suggestions?
Thanks, everybody, for stopping by!
Stacy, it was so fun to have you here yesterday. I love your book!!
Melissa- It’s really fun having you as a friend b/c I am learning about all these new authors and new books that look like they would be so good to read. (I mean, just one of the many, many reasons I love having you as a friend) One of these days I’m going to make a massive book purchase. I think probably my favorite historical time period would be the 1800’s- pioneers-settling-out-west kind of time- maybe from playing “olden days” so much as kids???
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