I’m so thrilled to be joined today by my awesome crit partner, Jennifer Crosswhite. She has a new historical romance coming out that you’re going to want to be sure to read. Let’s find out a little bit about this book.
The son of a wealthy banker, Hank Paulson poses as a lumberjack to carve out his own identity. But in a stagecoach robbery gone wrong, he meets Amelia Martin, a soon-to-be schoolteacher with a vivid imagination, a gift for making things grow, and an obsession with dime novels. As the town is threatened by a past enemy, Hank might just be the hero they all need. Can he help without revealing who he is? And will Amelia love him when she learns the truth?
This soon-to-be-released book is the final one in The Route Home series, all of which take place in the fictional end-of-the Oregon Trail town of Reedsville.
What inspired you to write this book?
The 1880s was a fascinating time in American history. The country was recovering from its greatest wounding, the Civil War. People were moving West to make new lives for themselves. Progress, in the form of trains, telegraphs, gas, and electricity were making life easier, and new inventions were just around the corner. Out West in particular, women were becoming more independent and taking charge of their own lives, including careers and schooling.
I chose to set this story in Oregon, because I visited there on a trip in high school and fell in love with its beauty. The very kernel of this story started as an AP English project that year. The characters never left me alone, and over the years the story grew, morphed, and changed as my writing skills developed. Reedsville is inspired by the real town of Molalla, Oregon, which was the end of the trail and the beginning of a new life for many pioneers of the time.
I enjoyed watching as my characters adapted to the changes of their time, drawing on their strength, love, and community to continue to thrive and make a life for themselves.
Because I was a history major in college, I can’t seem to stay away from historicals. I love to read and write them. But I must have a split personality, because I also like to read and write romantic suspense (sounds like my writing friend, Liz Tolsma!). So I alternate between a historical series and a contemporary romantic suspense series. But even my historicals have some sort of mystery or a touch of suspense to them.
One of the things I love about writing is that it allows me to have my characters work out issues that I’ve struggled with in my own life. In Finally Home, both Hank and Amelia struggle with identity and other people’s expectations for them. I’ve also covered trusting God, fear, knowing God’s will, and other subjects that seem to go along with being human. I think my readers can relate to many of these challenges.
My favorite thing is discovering how much there is to love about America the Beautiful and the great outdoors. I’m an Amazon bestselling author, a mom to two navigating the young adult years while battling my daughter’s juvenile arthritis, exploring the delights of my son’s autism, and keeping gluten free.
A California native who’s spent significant time in the Midwest, I’m thrilled to be back in the Golden State. Follow me on social media to see all my adventures and how I get inspired for my books!
Social media
Website www.JenniferCrosswhite.com
facebook.com/authorjennifercrosswhite
instagram.com/jencrosswhite
Buy link (pre-order): https://amzn.to/2XJENj9
Thanks so much for joining us, Jennifer!
What makes a house a home, comfortable chair and books.
Yes! I whole-heartedly agree!
This sounds good!! To me, it’s the people that makes the house a home. And, a “lived in” look. It doesn’t have to be messy, but it doesn’t need to look like it’s being photographed for a magazine, either.
So true! It’s all about the people!
This sounds just wonderful i would love to read a print as when i was growing up in a foster home i had no idea what family was or home was nothing of that. The closest i had was my grandma who would pick me up every other weekend and take me and buy me clothes so i would relate to what she did for me as home. I feel home is a lived in not a spotless like one from a magazine those to me aren;t home . I lived in San Mateo 20 min south of SF for 49 years and had a home and family. Then my husband passed and I many years later met and Iowan who I heard what a horrible dad etc well I got to meet in person and found him to be wonderful. My kids were adults and had not been living at home so I asked if they wanted to move with me and they said no so now I have been in Dubuque Iowa where we have a home on a hill that we put together and it is so relaxing for us no neighbors and so much wildlife . At times i wish i lived in town then as it would take so little time to get to places like the dr as i am battling RSD etc but i think the pups and no stress is why i have lived longer than they expected. Midwest is so diff so when we visit the bay area and all my kids and grandkids my husband go nuts driving there he shakes his head and drives like the californians is what he says.
To me it may sound sappy but the people inside the house make it a home with love, respect, and similar goals for the future. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
to me a house is a home if you get that warm cozy feeling and long to be there when you are away. it is a place of refuge and anyone who comes there feels at home.
I’m a California native and the older I get the more I appreciate our mild winters. But the truth is, home is what you carry in your heart. You can make home anywhere if you want to. That said, I can’t wait to read Jennifer’s new historical fiction book.
Love, compassion, kindness and God’s presence make a home.
The people in the home or the energy in the home.
My family. It wouldn’t be home without them.
The people in it make a house a home=)
A house built upon Jesus will have a firm foundation. What makes a house a home is the people IN the house having love and respect, kindness and caring for each other.
Also, some comfortable furnishings, and enough to eat.
Being surrounded by loved one and an atmosphere I enjoy.
To me a home is not a home if there is no love. This book sounds like a very good book.
Home to me is connecting with siblings by phone or Skye, hearing their voices. We are spread all across the US, so real-time conversations are wonderful.
Home is where you are accepted as you are and encouraged to be your best. Loved.