Comments on: Western Inspiration

By: Romancing Trashy Novels #5

Romancing Trashy Novels #5 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:17:37 +0000

[...] Learn about the Western romance shift occurring right now inWestern Inspiration. [...]

By: Sybil

Sybil — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:35:30 +0000

Hey Kelly C,
I think we are in the same spot although I go back and forth between which I say I am, depends on the day I am having *g*.

But I am wickedly open minded and have a very live and let live view. I refused to read the inspy westerns at first more because I was so annoyed they were TAKING our authors but wouldn’t give ‘us’ western romances.

Every time a fave author announces she has signed I think I email for a promise in blood she isn’t leaving ‘romance’. I am nothing if not stubborn. I have read about 3 now and will be reading Lyn Cote’s newest (as well as doing a give away tomorrow – yes we give a lil of everything @ TGTBTU *g*). I am interested to see if Avon is the same as the Steeple Hill line I have read. And really want to read Jill’s new one.

I have LOVED some of the HH that walk the line where there is strong faith (I think the theme works well in the west… how can it not) Cheryl is wonderful with it, Jillian Hart, Victoria Bylin and oddly enough I read a HSR recently that had a strong ‘faith’ element to it. That doesn’t bother me at all.

It is god in every paragraph, beating me for no reason that annoys. But I am trying. Barbour books is a publisher I have never heard of but I would warn I don’t do ‘funny’ books all that well and am REALLY hard to hit there.

Awesome post Cheryl thanks!

By: cheryl c.

cheryl c. — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:45:44 +0000

If you haven’t read any of these authors’ books, I enthusiastically recommend reading books by Cheryl St. John, Mary Connealy, Jillian Hart, and Victoria Bylin.

By: Mary Connealy

Mary Connealy — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:22:34 +0000

Kelly C I think more and more what Christian fiction means is what we call a Christian world view. That means Christianity is treated with respect. The serial killer isn’t going to be a crucifix weilding, white supremicist who is a minister in his day job.
My books aren’t Love Inspired, just putting in a good word for my publisher, Barbour Publishing.
My book Petticoat Ranch is a he said/she said about a mountain man who’s never been around women who finds himself married to a widow with four daughters. The faith of it simply IS. They are Christian people.
We don’t avoid the issue of faith, neither do we necessarily pound on people with it, it’s just respected.
Honestly, these days so much fiction has gone so far the other way away from faith that I doubt Gone with the Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird with their steady references to God could be published by a secular publisher.

By: Kathryn Albright

Kathryn Albright — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:26:45 +0000

Too funny Mary! What a twist…

By: Kelly C. (in Hockeytown)

Kelly C. (in Hockeytown) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:36:11 +0000

I have been reading the Love Inspired Historicals quite often the past few months. Especially the westerns. To me they evoke a LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE vibe. (I SO wanted to be Laura Ingalls 30+ years ago) I find the religious element to be a non-issue. I have never felt like I was “being beat over the head with religion.” And I can only assure you, I am NOT the target audience for this line of books. I am by no means an Atheist, I consider myself to be more of an Agnostic. Although I do believe there is a GOD, it’s organized religion I am not a believer in.

By: Mary Connealy

Mary Connealy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:05:05 +0000

Kathryn said: I’ve enjoyed reading inspirationals ever since the “prairie romances” of Janette Oke and “Love Comes Softy” when I was younger.

I noticed this comment because my July western, Montana Rose, was inspired by Janette Oke’s beautiful, classic love story, “Love Comes Softly.” A pregnant woman, left penniless and alone in the hard western land. She must marry to survived.

Only, unlike Oke, my book took an immediate turn to mayhem, comedy and gunfire. I think of it as Love Comes…Hardly.

By: KristieJ

KristieJ — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:41:59 +0000

Rats!! I just noticed my comment got lost somewhere!! So here I go again What a wonderful interview. And when you think about it, it’s a natural connection. The church in the early days played such a vital role in the lives of those living in the west. I’ve never tried a Western Inspirational, but I just challenged myself to read one.

By: Janet Dean

Janet Dean — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:54:52 +0000

Great post, Cheryl! Excellent points all. I love westerns, as well as stories set in small-town America, which is what I write for Love Inspired Historical. My characters may possess a strong faith or they may deny or struggle with it. But in the end, they find a relationship with God and their happy ending.

By: Kathryn Albright

Kathryn Albright — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:45:43 +0000

Enjoyed your post Cheryl! I liked what Victoria Bylin said about ” Westerns are about adventure, new beginnings, courage and risk. So is Christianity.” And I have heard for the longest time that westerns are actually morality plays–which of course fits right into inspirationals. I’ve enjoyed reading inspirationals ever since the “prairie romances” of Janette Okley and “Love Comes Softy” when I was younger. Thanks for sharing your journey to Love Inspired!

By: Quilt Lady

Quilt Lady — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:46:43 +0000

I have read some of the Love Inspired line and I really enjoy them. Looking forward to reading more of them.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:17:29 +0000

What a great post. I haven’t read any of the Love Inspired line, but when you think about it, it is such a natural fit. The church WAS the focal point for so many families it only makes sense that it would play a huge role in books. You have convinced me!! I will give some of them a try for sure!!!

By: Carla Capshaw

Carla Capshaw — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:05:51 +0000

Hi Cher,

Great post!!

By: Charlene

Charlene — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:03:04 +0000

HI Cheryl,
So glad people are loving the Love Inspired Line! If it’s western and it’s about love with inspiration, what could be better? Besides, they have awesome covers!!

By: Mary Connealy

Mary Connealy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:44:20 +0000

Hi Cheryl and everyone. I write historical inspirational westerns. I can them Romantic Comedy with Cowboys.

I think a lot of the old west is just a great proving ground for good and evil. These days our heroes come as sort of anti-heroes, like Bruce Willis and Die Hard. Smoking, cussing, fighting with his woman, –hard cases. And that’s a movie I love, but still, he’s no saint. The old time cowboys like Gary Cooper and John Wayne and Roy Rogers stood for good without a lot of gray areas. (Rooster Cogburn may prove an exception to that )
I think these days you often have to go to an inspirational to find those well defined lines. And if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Books like my September Releases, Cowboy Christmas.

By: Tanya Hanson

Tanya Hanson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:01:57 +0000

What an awesome post. Thanks for the insight on both recular and inspirational Westerns. I do see how the inspirational genre fits with Western themes, and I admit, I”m trying to write one LOL. But I do like sensuality so am happy to have just another Western historical at The Wild Rose Press. As does CHeryl, perhaps I can do both.

Thanks for the great blog,
~Tanya
http://www.tanyahanson.com

By: Cheryl St.John

Cheryl St.John — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:33:50 +0000

Hi Wendy! You are right, it is a fine line. Demographics show us that inspirational fiction is not an outreach. Rather it’s geared toward the already faith-filled reader who wants to see faith succeeding. The most sucessful inspirational authors are those who have the faith element come across as an intregal part their characters.

Glad to share about Laurie KIngery!

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:23:29 +0000

Had no clue that Laurie Kingery was also Laurie Grant. See, you do learn something every day!

Inspirationals are tough for me. Some of my favorite secular westerns do have strong faith themes (Cheryl: Your HH title, The Preacher’s Daughter I think is an excellent example of this!), but I also don’t want to be beat over the head with the “religion stuff” in the story. It’s a fine line, I think, the author walks when writing an inspirational romance. You want to appeal to the core Christian reading market, but who doesn’t want to branch out and reach the heathens as well? LOL

I’m happy westerns are doing well….somewhere. As much as I want secular westerns to make a huge comeback, it is comforting to know that the setting hasn’t been totally abandoned by the publishing industry.