I’m so happy to have Amanda Cabot with us on The Story behind the Story this week. I’ve worked with Amanda on some novella collections. This week, we’re featuring her book, A Tender Hope. Here’s a little bit about the story.
As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it’s time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek’s midwife, she has no intention of remarrying. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn’t sure her heart can take it.
Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn’t concerned only with the baby’s welfare. He’s been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated—and he’ll need Thea’s help if he’s ever to find the justice he seeks.
We always love a good Texas Ranger story, Amanda. What inspired you to write it?
When I started plotting this story, I knew that the heroine would be Thea Dobbs, the heroine of Paper Roses’ little sister who intrigued readers enough that they kept asking me what happened to her when she grew up. Though it’s been ten years since Paper Roses was published, readers’ interest hasn’t diminished, nor have the requests for her story. Who am I to argue with readers? Thea would have her own book.
Once I knew my heroine’s identity, the next challenge became deciding what was going to happen to her. That’s where Hawaii comes into play.
Hawaii? If you’ve read my books, you’re probably a bit puzzled and justifiably so. After all, the majority of my stories – including the Cimarron Creek trilogy, of which A Tender Hope is the final book – take place in the Texas Hill Country in the mid- to late-nineteenth century. What role could the fiftieth state possibly play?
It was early evening when the plane landed in Honolulu and, to say the least, I was exhausted. My husband and I had had a long flight from Newark to San Francisco and an equally long one from there to Honolulu. Even when we disembarked, there was still another leg, this one to the Big Island. All I wanted was to get to our plane, so I paid very little attention to the ticket agent as we got our boarding passes for the last flight until he said, “Has anyone told you you look just like …” When he named a famous TV comedienne, I blinked in surprise. No one had ever said that, and as far as I could tell, there was absolutely no resemblance. Still, the memory of that conversation lingered in my mind.
As I began to play “what if” with Thea, I asked myself, “What if she had a double?” The more I thought about it, the more I realized that was the plot point I needed, and so A Tender Hope took shape. But I still don’t think I look like Carol Burnett. Do you?
Amanda Cabot’s dream of selling a book before her thirtieth birthday came true, and she’s now the author of more than thirty-five novels as well as eight novellas, four non-fiction books, and what she describes as enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city. Her inspirational romances have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and have been nominated for the ACFW Carol, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers Best awards. A popular workshop presenter, Amanda takes pleasure in helping other writers achieve their dreams of publication.
Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot
https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/
http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/
Buying Links
Amanda is giving away a print copy of the book to US addresses only. Follow the directions below to enter.
Thanks for joining us, Amanda! It sounds like a great sweet read.
I have not been told I look like anyone.
I think you’re fortunate. After all, don’t we want to think we’re unique?
When I was MUCH younger I was told I looked like Marlo Thomas! You do resemble Carol Burnett sort of! Funny how people see us and we see ourselves. Sounds like a good book, I love Texas Ranger stories! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
One of my sisters, who definitely resembles me, said she’d also been told she looked like Carol Burnett. My other sister doesn’t see the resemblance at all. As for Rangers, they’re so heroic that they make ideal heroes for books, at least in my opinion.
When I was a child, people often said I looked like Laura Ingalls. As a young adult, I was told I looked like Carly Simon.
Two very intriguing women!
I don’t have a famous double, but my daughter is pretty much my double. Paper Roses was such a sweet book. No wonder the appeal has lasted.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Paper Roses. I’m still amazed that it’s been ten years since it was published and that readers still remember Sarah, Clay, and — of course — Thea.
I haven’t been told that I resemble anyone famous.
As I told MJSH, I think you’re fortunate.
I haven’t been told I look like anyone famous, but years ago some people thought our one son looked like the little boy in the Stuart Little movie.
Oh, what a fun story!
No one famous. My aunts (dad’s sisters) when I was young and my mom now.
Isn’t it interesting how some family traits are so strong that you see them passed from one generation to the next?
People told me I looked like Tricia Nixon…ha
I’d consider that a compliment, wouldn’t you?
Some people say I look like Barbara Stanwyck when she was young.
Now, that’s a definite compliment.
Actually, as soon as you said that someone said that you resembled a TV comedienne, I looked at your picture and vaguely saw Carol Burnett. I’m glad that I guessed correctly! Haha
I’ve been told that I look like Stockard Channing. I don’t see it, but who knows?
My sister who said there was absolutely, positively no resemblance between me and Carol Burnett has now admitted that there is one.
I wish your picture was posted here so I could see the resemblance to Stockard Channing.
I haven’t been mistaken for a famous person, I just get “you look so familiar”!
I suspect that’s because you look friendly and approachable.