MEET MY CHARACTER BLOG TOUR

Welcome to the Meet My Character Blog Tour! My friend Jacquie Rogers is the one who roped me in, er, I mean, graciously invited me to participate. So before we get to my character, Ellie Dickerson, I’d like give you the rundown on Jacquie.

Jacquie Rogers, Author

Jacquie Rogers is a former software designer, campaign manager, deli clerk, and cow milker. Her 2007 release, FAERY SPECIAL ROMANCES, won the Fall NOR Award for Best Print Sci-fi/Fantasy Romance and finaled in several other contests. She also has stories in other print anthologies as well. Her short contemporary novel, DOWN HOME EVER LOVIN’ MULE BLUES, has received several top picks and 5-star reviews. Her SLEIGHT OF HEART and the Hearts of Owyhee series have gained Jacquie a large western historical romance fan base. Her short stories for Western Fictioneers and Prairie Rose Publishing add to her ever-increasing popularity.

Jacquie teaches several workshops both online and in person, and is co-creator of 1st Turning Point, a website where authors come to teach, learn, and share—all about promotion and marketing. You can also find her at her Facebook group, Pickle Barrel Bar and Books, website, Romancing the West blog, Twitter, and Goodreads. Her Amazon Author Page lists all her books.

Whether you prefer reading paranormal or western historical romance or traditional westerns, her stories capture a rich array of emotions accompanied by a touch of her wry humor.  

MEET MY CHARACTER

Now I’ll introduce you to the heroine of MAIL ORDER PROMISE, a short western historical romance that will be included in a duet with Jacquie Rogers, MAIL ORDER TANGLE, to be released in September. (Wow, that's not far away!)

1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

Ellie Dickerson is fictional—except in my head. My characters are always real people to me, friends who talk to me and reveal their deepest secrets. Then I disclose those details all through the book. ☺

Ellie and Laura might have worn
dresses similar to these

2) When and where is the story set?

My story, MAIL ORDER PROMISE, opens in May 1880 near the fictional Central Texas town of Valdesta. Jacquie’s takes place a year and a half later in Owyhee County, Idaho Territory, and is titled MAIL ORDER RUCKUS.

3) What should we know about him/her?

Twenty-year-old Ellie is a redheaded, green-eyed beauty who grew up pampered near Richmond, Virginia. Her mother died when Ellie was ten, and her sister Laura cared for her. Their father’s suicide and the scandal his death unleashed left them nearly destitute and shunned by their society friends. Laura considers marrying a much older man to give them security, but Ellie won't let her beloved sister sacrifice her happiness. At the same time, she doesn't want to risk being separated from Laura, who is three years older than Ellie. On the condition that her sister can travel with her, Ellie contracts with a marriage broker as a mail order bride.

Imagine washing clothes in a pot over an
open fire wearing one of these dresses

4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

When they arrive in Valdesta, Texas, they learn the man Ellie contracted to marry was buried only two days earlier. His handsome brother and cousin meet the girls and take them to the Rocking J ranch. Ellie has no idea whether the brother (Kage Johannsen) plans to step in and wed her. When she asks, she learns he has no intention of marrying her because he considers her spoiled and helpless with none of the grit needed to last on a ranch. She and Laura are at a loss as to what to do. Where could they go and how would they get there? Kage’s worthless cousin Olaf adds danger.

5) What is the personal goal of the character?

She needs security for her and her sister. She desires a loving husband, nice home, and the respect of those around her. Of course, as she learns more about living on a ranch, her idea of a perfect home changes from a plantation-style mansion filled with servants to a rambling Texas ranch house with Kage. But can she change his opinion of her?

6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

The title of the duet is MAIL ORDER TANGLE. You can read more about both books in the duet at http://mailordertangle.blogspot.com  We don’t have much on the site yet, but the cover’s posted and there’s a blurb for each book. I love the cover, don’t you? We’ll be adding more to the website in the coming days.

7) When can we expect the book to be published?

We’re aiming for the first or second week in September. It’s an ambitious schedule, but both Jacquie and I are extremely excited for this release. It’s our first time working together, although we’ve been online friends for quite a while, and I’ve been Jacquie's fan for years. (Her SLEIGHT OF HEART and Hearts of Owyhee series are favorite books of mine). I’m honored to be included in this duet with her!

Next week (August 18), please check out these awesome writers’ characters!

Here are the authors I'm Tagging:

Carra Copelin, Author

Carra was born in Dallas, Texas and raised a few miles to the west just a stone's throw from where the Dallas Cowboys now call home. Unlike other authors, she didn't write from childhood or read long into the nights beneath the covers, but discovered romance novels as an adult. Little by little, as she read her way through hundreds of books, she discovered there were many people residing in her head. With all of them demanding their stories be told, she decided to give writing a try. From that day she was hooked and, even though life took over for a while, she's busy bringing her characters to life.

Carra is a member of Romance Writers of America and President of the Yellow Rose Romance Writers. When she’s not writing she loves creating and plotting with her fabulous critique partners, watching NCIS and NASCAR, and visiting with her three beautiful grandchildren. She and her husband reside in Arlington, Texas. You’ll find her blog on her website.

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JACQUIE ROGERS

Yes, the same lovely woman who tagged me for this blog tour. I’m tagging her back because I want to learn more about her characters. Maybe she’ll share the scoop on Matt Johannsen, the hunky hero of her book. 

Pretty please?

Thanks for stopping by!

clothing photos from Pinterest