I’m beyond thrilled to welcome one of my favorite authors, Vickie McDonough, to the blog this week. What a privilege it is for us to have her joining us. Before we dive into what inspired her to write Gabriel’s Atonement, let’s find out a little more about the book.
All Gabriel Coulter ever wanted was to live a comfortable life as a successful gambler, but a confrontation with a disgruntled cowboy who’d just lost his monthly pay to Gabe leads to a family man dying in his arms. Even though it was self-defense, the only way Gabe knows to get rid of his guilt is to return the money he won to the man’s wife.
Lara Talbot sees Gabe as a derelict like her husband and wants nothing to do with him–not even the much-needed money he’s offered her. But as she struggles to provide for her family and makes plans to claim property in the upcoming Oklahoma land rush in hopes of finally having a permanent home, she wonders if God might have sent the meddling man to help.
Vickie, what was your inspiration behind the story?
Growing up in Oklahoma, I often heard about the land runs. In case you haven’t, let me tell you about them. In the 1880s, Oklahoma was a divided land. The western half was Oklahoma Territory, while the eastern part was Indian Territory. Over forty Indian tribes had been forcibly moved to this area from many states who no longer wanted them. In the Oklahoma Territory, there was land that no Indians had settled on, and after a storm of complaints, President Benjamin Harrison passed a proclamation that opened nearly two million acres to white settlement.
Harrison’s Hoss Race, aka the land rush of 1889 was the first of seven. Tens of thousands of people lined up on the borders of the land, waiting for the signal for one of the world’s most exciting races to begin. By the end of the day, thousands of happy settlers had claimed 160 acre plots of land. Many more people left disappointed. After the run, there were thousands of lawsuits over land disputes where more than one person claimed the same plot. Over a hundred years later, there are still ancestors living on the land their grandparents claimed.
When I started writing, one of my first books was a land run story. I felt there was much more to tell, so once I started writing trade fiction, I dedicated two books, Gabriel’s Atonement and Joline’s Redemption, to the 1889 and 1893 land rushes. The third book in the Land Rush Dreams series, Sarah’s Surrender, is about the 1906 land lottery and a woman who has never had a home of her own who is seeking one. The books are laced with plenty of drama and excitement, and of course, happily-ever-afters.
Vickie McDonough is the best-selling author of 50 Christian fiction books and novellas. She writes inspirational romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards, including the Book Sellers Best and the Inspirational Reader’s Award. Visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Gabriels-Atonement-Land-Rush-Dreams-ebook/dp/B07YL8PS4Y
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Vickie is giving away an ebook copy of Gabriel’s Atonement. To enter to win, just follow the directions below.
Thanks so much for joining us, Vickie. It was great to have you and to learn more about the Oklahoma land rush.
Jan Hall says
I would stand in line for a big sale on Apple computers. Mine died and can’t be fixed.
Jennifer Hibdon says
I’m not sure. God has blessed me so much. Maybe a line to visit our son in heaven. I would do that.