Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Darlene Franklin Hero Inspiration + Double Giveaway

Happy Wednesday-Before-Valentine's Day, y'all!

Today through Friday, we're counting down to Valentine's Day with three historical romance authors and their brand-spanking new books. Then on Valentine's Day, I'll be blogging about "Why Romance"--the reason I write love stories. Be sure to check it out!

Starting off our countdown, Darlene Franklin is here with TWO historical romance books and TWO giveaways!

NM: Darlene, what was your inspiration for your heroes' occupations in these books?


Darlene:
In Priceless Pearl, my story in Homestead Brides, the occupation was dictated by the setting: the 1893 Oklahoma land run. The majority of the hopefuls who took part in the land runs became farmers. My hero, Rick Eady, was an experienced but poor farmer who was able to help the heroine’s inexperienced family survive their first winter. 
 
In My Candy Valentine, I had a harder time deciding on Gilbert Williams’ occupation. He needed a reason to check out the heroine’s candy making. I considered a newspaper reporter, but settled on a recruiter seeking promising businesses to bring to his employer’s attention. 

NM: Both these stories sound like real attention-grabbers! These occupations are definitely ones I'd want to read about! Thank you for sharing with us today, Darlene!


http://www.amazon.com/Homestead-Brides-Collection-Pioneering-Couples-ebook/dp/B00RPVRWEY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
 
Homestead Brides: 9 Pioneering Couples Risk All for Love and Land: Through nine historical romance adventures, readers will journey along with individuals who are ready to stake a claim and plant their dreams on a piece of the great American plains. While fighting land disputes, helping neighbors, and tackling the challenges of nature the homesteaders are placed in the path of other dreamers with whom romance sparks. And God has His hand in orchestrating each unique meeting.




http://www.amazon.com/Candy-Valentine-Holidays-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B00SI2214K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423679865&sr=1-1&keywords=my+candy+valentine+darlene+franklin

My Candy Valentine (Book 2 of the Holidays of the Heart series): Gilbert Williams sweeps Catrina Jensen off her feet when he arrives in Loveland, Oklahoma, shortly after New Year’s Day 1916. When the reason for his interest in her delicious candies is revealed, her affection turns to fear. Is her hero a traitor in disguise?



BIO:
Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over thirty books and has written more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont. You can find Darlene online elsewhere at http://darlenehfranklinwrites.blogspot.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/Poet.Darlene.Franklin.

Darlene is giving away a copy of each of these books! A print copy of Homestead Brides and an e-book copy of My Candy Valentine! That means two winners! Comment with your email for a chance to win! Earn entries by letting us know you shared the post, liked either my and/or Darlene's Facebook page, follow Darlene and/or me on Twitter, or followed her blog and/or mine. You can also get an extra entry by signing up for my newsletter (right).

Drawing will be held at 8pm Central Time Feb. 13, so feel free to enter until then. Winner will be announced in a post on Valentine's Day! :)
 

What's the strangest hero or heroine occupation you've ever read about?

What about one of the funnest or most interesting?

Have you ever enjoyed reading about a character occupation that you'd never want to try in real life? What was it?

What are some hero occupations you'd like to see in a historical romance story?

24 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway, hoping to win!

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  2. I followed on twitter as well!

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  3. P.S. Michelle, what do you think about the hero occupations?

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  4. i can't think if any strange hero occupations off the top of my head that I have read about.
    The only thing that comes to mind is a Preacher stealing a bride from the train & I can't remember who wrote the book - maybe Karen Witimeyer?
    I am FB FRIENDS WITH BOTH OF YOU & I follow both on Twitter
    Stimmer@familylife.com

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  5. My Candy Valentine was wonderful. Would love a copy of another one of her books. Great interview. Hero occupations must be a difficult choice at times.

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  6. Michelle, best wishes in the giveaway!!!

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  7. Darlene, I'm curious about the land run farmer occupation. Did the homesteaders really race on horseback or foot to stake their claim? So exciting!

    I'm also intrigued with the idea of a recruiter for candy maker businesses. What is he recruiting for? Does he work for one of her investors? Or is he hiring candy-makers at a bigger business than hers?

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  8. Hi, Sharon! Welcome to the Sweet South Blog. A preacher kidnapping is a scene that definitely stays with you! Best wishes on the giveaway!

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  9. Welcome, Robin! Thanks for coming by! Will enter you in the giveaway with your extra entries!

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  10. Sharon, what a fun story line! I'll have to look it up.

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  11. Hi Robin, so glad you enjoyed My Candy Valentine! Thanks for coming by.

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  12. Hi Robin, so glad you enjoyed My Candy Valentine! Thanks for coming by.

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  13. Natalie, They raced in so many different ways. . . by wagon, on horseback, on foot, by bicycle, even by train. . .and other ways I've forgotten, I'm sure. There are several film versions of the land runs. . .pretty accurate. Probably ten hopefuls for every one person to succeed, and there were a total of 5 land runs.

    I won't describe Gabriel's occupation in greater detail. . .because it is part of how the story unfolds. What he does, and how/whether he decides to change. You'll have to read My Candy Valentine to find out!

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  14. Wow, Darlene. Now I REALLY want to read both these stories!

    I'm wanting to read more about the land run, and I can't wait to find out about this mysterious recruiter hero! :)

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  15. Character occupation I'd never want to try - many of them, but I guess I'll say a farmer's wife. Does that count? I also don't want to be a cook.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com
    Susan in NC

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  16. Susan, I'd have to agree. So did my heroine, at least not to start with.

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  17. I follow on Darlene's FB page
    I follow on Natalie's FB page
    a character occupation that I'd never want to try- A downstairs maid or a deckhand on a ship.
    I follow Darlene on Twitter..
    I follow Natalie on Twitter :)
    I'd love to read Homestead Brides !
    Happy Valentines Day ! !

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  18. Hi, Susan! Thanks for commenting! Best wishes in the contest!

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  19. Hi, Deanna! :) Got your entries! Best wishes on winning Homestead Brides!

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  20. I liked your facebook pages. :)

    godsgirl@wildblue.net

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  21. Hi, Marisa! I got your entries! Best wishes on winning a book!

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  22. I found both of you ladies on Twitter :) widderbugs@yahoo.com

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Let's chat!