Writers are often asked where they get their ideas for their
stories. That’s a hard question for me to answer because it’s usually difficult
to pinpoint when the first seed of an idea for a particular story took root in
my mind. Not so with my latest series.
My husband and I visited the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop in Olathe,
Kansas, several years ago when I was searching an idea for a series set in
Kansas. Mahaffie’s is much the same today as it was back in the 1860’s, and it
is the only stage stop on the Santa Fe Trail that people can still visit. As we
toured the Mahaffie’s home, which is 150 years old, and heard stories of the
family, it sparked the idea for a series based on a family running a stage
stop, and the Pioneer Promises series was born.
The first book in the series is Whispers on the Prairie, which
released July 1st. It’s set mostly at a remote, fictional stage stop in eastern
Kansas. The Harper family—Ma, Pa, and their three grown sons: Aaron, Josh, and
Ethan, as well as Aaron’s two young children—run the stage stop. Life is busy,
but the Harpers find contentment in their family, faith, and work. When Sarah,
a pretty, young woman from Chicago, gets stranded at the stage stop, turmoil
invades the Harpers’ peaceful existence, and men flock to Sarah faster than
spinning dust devils.
Though his sister-in-law died several years ago, Ethan still feels responsible. He thinks if he can find a new wife for his oldest brother, Aaron, the guilt will go away—and he believes Sarah is that woman. But the more interest his brother shows Sarah, the more anxious Ethan becomes. A marriage between Aaron and Sarah is what he wants—isn’t it?
Though his sister-in-law died several years ago, Ethan still feels responsible. He thinks if he can find a new wife for his oldest brother, Aaron, the guilt will go away—and he believes Sarah is that woman. But the more interest his brother shows Sarah, the more anxious Ethan becomes. A marriage between Aaron and Sarah is what he wants—isn’t it?
Thanks, Cher, for inviting me to be a guest on your blog and for
giving me the chance to tell your readers about my latest book.
Vickie McDonough grew up reading horse stories and dreaming of marrying a
rancher, instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. But
those old dreams have found new life as she pens stories of ranchers, lawmen,
and others living in the Old West. Vickie is the award-winning author of 27
books and novellas. Her novel, End
of the Trail recently won Best
Fiction Novel in the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Inc’s 2013 contest, and
Long Trail Home won the 2012 Booksellers’ Best Award for Inspirational
Fiction. Her books have also won the Inspirational Reader's Choice
Contest, Texas Gold, the ACFW Noble Theme contest, and she has been a
multi-year finalist in ACFW’s BOTY/Carol Awards.
To learn more about Vickie’s books or to sign up to receive her book news,
visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickieMcDonough
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickiemcdonough
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Vickie!
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, I've never really been able to pinpoint where an idea came from exactly.
And I've actually been to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop on field trips because I live in the area. Very neat! Your book looks great.
Heather
http://heathermauthor.blogspot.com/
Heather,
DeleteThat's cool that you've been to Mahaffie's. It's a neat historical site.
It is hard most times to explain where book ideas come from. They can be so random.
The book sounds terrific. I see yet another addition to my TBR pile...
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Liz, and for adding Whispers to your TBR stack!
DeleteEnjoyed your post Vickie! I love your books and Cheryl's.
ReplyDeleteHi Avery,
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a fan! You need to come back to the WIN meeting sometime.