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.
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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.
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. ☺
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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.
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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:
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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.
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