Each
author has a favorite setting for his/her books. Mine is Texas. Why? I live
here and have traveled across most of the state. I enjoy writing about places I’ve
been so I’m confident the descriptions I write will ring true with readers.
With
all the resources available today, writing about a place one has seen is not
necessary. Nevertheless, my books are set primarily in Texas. Which leads me
into today’s post. My upcoming release is set in Central Texas near the town of
Bastrop. I think that’s a lovely town, but I prefer writing fictional towns so
I can incorporate exactly what I need and no one can say, “There’s no place
like that in such and such town.”
Writing
is such a nice profession. We can make up whatever we wish. For my upcoming
release, MAIL-ORDER PROMISE in the duet MAIL-ORDER TANGLE, I needed ranching
country that was exporting beef to other ranches in 1880.
Jacquie
Rogers’ half of this duet, MAIL-ORDER RUCKUS, had a stricter time frame due to
the development of Idaho Territory. So, we pooled our knowledge plus what we
obtained from the internet. We came up with a lovely setting for both
books. At least, we think they’re great
settings.
 |
| Setting for MAIL-ORDER PROMISE |
We
needed a place in Texas near the Colorado River where cattle were raised and
sold or driven to be sold in Idaho Territory, Montana, and Wyoming. We needed a
group who emigrated to Texas and founded ranches in that setting—people who
also might have moved to Idaho Territory.
 |
| Ranchland in Idaho Territory |
If
you live in Central Texas, you know there were many German settlers in Central
Texas. Many still speak an antiquated form of German at home. But these
settlers welcomed Scandinavians as well as other Europeans and Mexicans.
Jacquie
lives near Seattle, I live near Fort Worth so we couldn’t meet in person. Conspiring
by phone, we came up with the Johanssen family from Sweden and a Swedish town
named after one in Sweden, Valdesta. Jacquie and I plopped our Johanssen family
there.
We
are excited about MAIL ORDER TANGLE, which goes on sale September 12th. You can
preorder now on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Tangle-Caroline-Clemmons-ebook/dp/B00MZ6ZRXC/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408824167&sr=1-11&keywords=caroline+clemmons
Here’re
the synopses:
Mail-Order Promise
by Caroline Clemmons
Ellie Dickerson and her sister are
in desperate straits when she contracts to become a mail-order bride to a Texas
rancher on the condition she can bring her sister. After her arduous trip from
Virginia, she learns her fiancé has died. His brother is handsome. And
single. And he doesn’t want her. But he has sworn to take care of her and see
she has a home. Somewhere, but where? What will happen to her and her sister?
Kage Johanssen, co-owner of a ranch
in Idaho with his cousin Matt, is forced to take over his family’s Central
Texas ranch on the death of his older brother. Kage is in no hurry to get
married, and when his brother’s bride shows up, she’s everything he doesn’t
want in a wife—except she’s stunningly beautiful. Despite his deathbed
promise to his brother and his attraction to Ellie, he’s convinced she doesn’t
have the grit to be a rancher’s wife.
When a greedy, sadistic villain
attempts to take over the ranch and kill Kage, can Ellie save her true
love? What will it take to prove that she’s the only woman for Kage?
Mail-Order Ruckus
by Jacquie Rogers
Matt Johanssen returned to the ranch
he and his cousin Kage started in Owyhee County, Idaho Territory, not knowing
he took Laura Dickerson's heart with him. Now that her sister no longer
needs her, Laura wants a home of her own and a family to put in it. No
other man would fill the bill as well as Matt, but he’s not interested.
Not wanting to live as a spinster aunt the rest of her life, Laura signs a
contract with a marriage broker, choosing to go to Silver City, near Matt’s
ranch, in hopes that he might come around. But he’s not on the roster of
eligible grooms!
When Matt sees Laura among the
brides on display on the balcony of the Idaho Hotel, he feels gutshot. He’s in
no position to take a wife, not with a ranch eating up every spare moment and
dollar. But if he doesn't step forward, the one woman he wants will be wed at
the end of the week—and not to him.
Will Matt walk away from the woman
who stole his heart or let go of everything he's worked so hard to build in
exchange for love?
Jacquie
and I hope you are enchanted with the synopses and will preorder MAIL-ORDER
TANGLE.
Perfect settings for well written stories! Will keep you riveted to your seats as you read of the adventures of both sisters! Kudos to both authors!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Karren. Best wishes to you.
DeleteSettings are just perfect for these two stories. Done betaing the first part and if I could have, I'd have read it in one sitting but, you know how RL sometimes comes in-between what we like and what needs to be done. :) About a little over half-way through Jacquie's part and again, would have read it one sitting but... Well you know the story. So far, I love what I've read and I've enjoyed the adventures of Ellie and Kage and Laura and Matt. Well done, ladies. Truly well done.
ReplyDeleteI agree that writing in settings that you know, even if you do alter some of the pieces. I think you made a great choice. Looking forward to this book. Yipee Doris
ReplyDeleteI love knowing the reasons for settings. It adds a layer of richness to the story. Creating the fictional world is one of my favorite things about writing, I've named towns, counties, restaurants, hotels, etc. after family and friends. Why settle for dedicating a book to someone when you can name an entire town after your brother? Or a fabulous department store after one of your best friends? Or a jailed felon after the bully in 3rd grade who made your life miserable? *LOL* It's just one of the perks of writing.
ReplyDelete