I’m just going to admit it: When I look at the cover of Bethany House author Karen Witemeyer’s latest book–Stealing the Preacher–I really wish I had red hair. And a pink dress. (See cover below.)
I may not get my red hair/pink dress wish BUT I do get the fun of hosting Karen on the blog today! Her latest release is a bunch of fun, and I was excited to get to help promote it. I love the humor in Karen’t books!
Plus, I am just a teensy bit partial to Bethany House authors…for no apparent reason at all, of course. (J/K…I love all the CBA publishers and have author faves from every house!) But seriously, I hope you enjoy the Q&A with Karen today and be sure to check out Stealing the Preacher!
1) The first question I have to ask is…how’d you come up with the name Crockett? It’s SO perfect. Love it!
Crockett originated in Short-Straw Bride with the four Archer brothers. Each brother was named for a different hero from the Alamo. Travis, Crockett, Bowie (who goes by Jim because no man wants to be called Boo-ie), and Neill. Crockett was named for famed frontiersman and Alamo legend, Davy Crockett.
2) I love the whole premise of this book…a preacher on his way to “audition” at a church gets kidnapped by an ex-outlaw whose daughter just wants a preacher for the church! Can you give us a glimpse at what sparked this book?
The inspiration for Stealing the Preacher actually sparked during the writing of Short-Straw Bride, the book which introduced the reclusive Archer brothers. Crockett Archer played a key role in the story, his smooth, teasing charm a balance to older brother Travis’s gruff, over-protective nature. I knew in my heart that this man deserved a story of his own.
When the Archer brothers were children, growing up alone on their ranch and defending it from those who wanted to take advantage of their youth, Crockett’s niche in the family evolved into that of spiritual mentor and healer. He was in charge of the family devotionals the Archers conducted in lieu of attending a church service, and whenever an injury occurred on the ranch, Crockett was the one to tend it. For years, the Archers never left their land, yet as he grew to manhood, Crockett felt God’s call deepen within him—a call to not only minister to his brothers, but to a congregation of his own.
So what kind of heroine could I create for this noble preacher-to-be? Well, she had to be someone who shared his values and his calling to ministry. But if I left it at that, we’d have an awfully dull story. So to liven things up, I made Joanna Robbins the daughter of a retired outlaw, one who despises “sermonizers” and their hypocritical ways.
Since Crockett is no ordinary preacher, but a gun-toting rancher with a gift for doctoring . . . well, that meant a plot full of scrapes, trouble, and shenanigans. And what could be better than a good old-fashioned train robbery? However, amid the adventure and romance lies a heartrending tale of God’s pursuit of a single lost soul.
3) One of the things I loved about your characters in Stealing the Preacher is that they both had dreams–Crockett to preach, Joanna to see the church revived and her father changed. And since I love talking about the dreams God gives us–and since a lot of the readers of this blog are writers–do you have any advice for people pursuing the writing dream?
Dig in for the long haul. Publishing is a slow moving business. Whether you are waiting for a response on a proposal or waiting for a book to finally release or even waiting for your royalty check to come in the mail, patience is definitely a virtue you’ll need.
4) We’re introduced to Crockett’s brother Neill in this story. Do we get to hear his story next? If so, can we get a sneak peek at what his story might involve?
Neill’s story is indeed coming next. And you won’t have to wait a full year for it, either. Yay! His story will be a novella arriving this January. I just couldn’t let him go without giving him his own happily ever after. Away from the Archer ranch for two years to earn the money needed to start up his own spread with his childhood friend, Josiah, Neill takes a job repairing a little old widow’s roof. Only the widow isn’t old nor is she little. She’s nine months pregnant with her deceased husband’s child, and she meets Neill with a shotgun aimed at his chest.
Neill’s story, A Cowboy Unmatched, will be part of a collection entitled A Match Made in Texas. It releases January 2014 and includes novellas by three other wonderful historical authors: Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Carol Cox. Should be a fun one!
5) Just for fun, what are your writing must-haves? (Coffee? Soda? Comfy clothes? Music?)
I work full time and have three kids at home, so all I really have to have is my computer and some quiet, not a particularly easy commodity to come by. Interruptions are a fact of my life, so I’ve learned to be fairly flexible. I don’t have to be in a certain place at a certain time with certain atmosphere or edibles around me to write – although I often indulge in a cup of hot tea sweetened with honey to stave off the afternoon sleepies.
Readers, let’s talk names. I love how Karen came up with the names for her Archer brothers series. So just for fun…what Alamo, frontiersman or western hero would you name a character (or hey, a kid!) after?
Comments 37
Okay, I get to gush. And admit something extremely idiotic.
First the gush: Karen, your debut novel was the 2nd historical romance I’d ever read in my life and it’s what hooked me on HR. I’ve read all of your books. It was you who taught me what a livery was. lol I love your writing, your characters. You make me laugh and cry. Insert more gushing.
Now, to the embarrassing part but I laughed this morning so I hope ya’ll laugh too. As I was reading this book, I noticed the Alamo part and I thought, “Hey, she wrote this same reasoning in her other book. I wonder if she realized that.” Snort! Why in the world did I NOT pick up that Crockett was from Short-Straw Bride which I promise I read and loved! Jeez! What a doofus I am! *facepalm* It’s all coming back now. Sigh.
Tagg, glad you had Karen today so I could gush and blush at the same time. 🙂
“Gush and blush.” I really like that…possibly because I am prone to both. 🙂
Melissa, I loved reading about Karen and her writing life! Cannot wait to read Stealing the Preacher (and yes, the cover is gorgeous!) Even thought I write contemporary romance, I love historicals, too, and Karen is one of my fave authors! 🙂
Oh, to answer your question: Daniel. As in “Daniel Boone.” 🙂
I write contemporary, too, Cynthia, but I’m a sucker for historical fiction as well. 🙂
Jessica – you are one of those readers that makes writing worthwhile to me. Thank you so much for all the gushing comments. 🙂
And don’t feel about about not putting 2 and 2 together right away about Crockett. I’ve had many readers say the same thing. I purposely wrote Stealing the Preacher to stand alone so people could read it without having read Short-Straw Bride, and my publisher purposely didn’t list it as “Book 2 of the Archers Series” on the cover for the same reason. Since my books come out so far apart, we wanted new readers to feel like they could jump right in without having to read last year’s book.
Oh, I just love all of Karen’s books!! I’m not sure what it is, but Karen, your characters just root themselves in my heart and make me care about them so much. And plus, I’m a Texas girl at heart (born in Tyler…but moved when I was 6), so of course Texas stories are the best! 🙂
I always forget you’re originally from Texas, Linz!
I love the name Daniel, Cynthia. Great choice.
Little known fact – My oldest son is named Wyatt, inspired by Wyatt Earp, of course. 🙂 My husband’s name is Wes and his initials are WDW. His father’s initials as also WDW, so he wanted our firstborn son to have the same initials.
After we chose Wyatt’s name and told our extended family, my grandmother calls and tells us how honored she is that we are naming our son after her. Huh? It turns out her maiden name was Wyatt, and I never knew that. So now is has double the meaning for us. So cool!
Hi, Lindsay! My Texas experience is just the opposite. I was born in California then moved to Texas to go to school. I married a Texas man, had 3 Texas kiddos, and now consider myself a full-blooded Texas gal. Texas pride is a powerful force. 🙂
Loved getting to know Karen. Stealing the Preacher sounds like a great book and will have to read it. Names from the Alamo…Jim Bowie was my hero way back when I was a kid, almost as much as David Crockett. I read once that David hated the nickname “Davy”. Great post.
I didn’t know that about Davy, excuse me David, Crockett. But now the theme song from the old Disney movie is in my head…
You know, until I had kids learning Texas history in school, I never realized that Jim Bowie’s name was pronounced Boo-ie instead of Boh-ie. Boy did my daughter give me what for the first time she heard me mispronounce it. That has stayed with me several years later and so far I’ve been able to avoid dishonoring the sacred name of Bowie. At least out loud. 🙂
I love your welcome mat 🙂 I’m newer to all this and I’m learning about these authors for the first time. Can’t wait to read Karen’s books! Quiet is all I need too, but its always so elusive…
Karen is a wonderful author, Lisa! Hope you enjoy her books. 🙂
Thanks, Lisa. “Silence is golden” – one of my favorite song phrases to sing whenever I can hear myself think. 🙂
Who doesn’t wish they had red hair!? Still trying to find my “perfect” shade of auburn. 😉
Nice to “meet” you Karen! Enjoyed the meet-cute of Joanna and Crockett, the father-daughter relationship and also that both protagonist’s were Christians from the get-go.
…and oh my! This cover is too cute. Bethany House did a nice job – but then your books always have adorable scenarios unfolding even on the cover art. 😉
Who doesn’t wish they had red hair? I can only think of one person and she’s fictional…Anne Shirley. 🙂
I agree, I love the cover!
Ha! My dad had red hair and I hoped so hard for a little red-headed girl. It was not to be. Maybe I’ll get a red-headed grandbaby someday – WAY in the future. 🙂
LOL! You are onto something there, Melissa. 🙂
Would have visited this morning, but I was busy finishing Stealing the Preacher! LOVED IT! I’m big into revisting characters and seeing their own stories, and Crockett’s was fantastic. Such a great way to spend my morning!
So glad you enjoyed it, Susan. And if I were a teacher, I’d give you an excused absence for sure. 😉
Fun, I love that you were just reading Stealing the Preacher this morning. 🙂
I love Karen’s books! After I discovered Tailor Made Bride, I immediately bought Head in the Clouds and To Win Her Heart. I read Short-Straw Bride and can’t wait to read Stealing the Preacher. 🙂 Definitely one of my new favorite authors.
I named my daughter Ellis after a western hero, but not a well-known lady. Her name was Ellis Reynolds Shipp. She was the second female physician in Utah and a wing of the Utah Historical Society, dedicated to women in medicine, is named after her. She was also connected to a family legacy of mine and, because of that, our Ellis was named. 🙂
Gabe, I totally didn’t know the story behind Ellis’s name. I love it…and I love your love for history…and I love that I get to hang out with you NEXT WEEK!
There’s even more to the story behind her name! I’ll share it with you next week. It’s very cool…maybe I’ll write a book about it… 🙂
I love names that are so rich with meaning. I think you should write a book about it, at least to share with your daughter.
So, as a mom to a red-headed girl, I think I’m contractually obligated to read this book. Except she wouldn’t be caught DEAD in pink, no matter how cute it would look on her!
I haven’t thought about baby names in a LONG while, but my cousin has a son named Wyatt. I think it’s adorable!
I love that name…I agree, so adorable!
Cool to have another Wyatt. 🙂 And to be completely honest, I never intended to have Joanna in pink, but when the cover turned out as gorgeous as it did, I went back and rewrote the narrative about her picnic dress.
I can’t wait to read this book! Before I knew it was about Crockett, while I was reading The Short-Straw Bride, I was thinking how much I wanted him to have his own story. 🙂
I was the same…partially because of how much I loved his name!
Hope you get a chance to read it soon, Stacy. 🙂
I’m not a writer, so won’t be naming any characters. However, when my family visited the Alamo, we were surprised to find a “Johnny Kellogg” listed among those who had died in the battle. We have a photo of my young son of the same name standing under the engraved name on the Alamo wall.
I love all Karen’s books. Stealing the Preacher is one of my favorites. I’m glad Neill will be getting his own story.
I agree about Neill’s story–I bet it’s going to be a fun one!
How cool to have a namesake from the Alamo. I bet your son got a kick out of that.
Great interview, I’m a huge fan of Karen’s books, too. So much fun to read. Afraid I don’t know too many Western heroes, being from Canada and all. 🙂 But I do have fond memories of watching Davey Crockett on TV as a kid…probably won’t be able to get the theme song out of my head for the rest of the night, now!
I’m singing it now, too. 🙂 Thanks, Sandra.