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Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
48 Comments:
I hate historicals. I know they're the hot thing right now (along with the Amish stuff) but UGH! Give me present day. Or at least the second half of the 20th century.
I actually read historicals and contemporary suspense. I also love when a historical is about characters I know from a contemporary series I've read.
Like if it was set in Rock Harbor and we got to meet some of the ancestors of our beloved RH characters. That would be an added treat. :)
Ooooo, that's a great idea, Sabrina! How fun that would be!
Colleen, I love this cover, too!!! And I know whatever historical you come up with, it will be awesome!
What was Bree's mother in law's name? Ana? It would be interesting to see her as a young girl. :)
No matter what you decide, "If you write it, they will read it." LOL.
Bree's mother's name was Anu. Interesting idea, Sabrina!
I knew some people hated historicals, Suzanne. I've got some readers I know who wouldn't follow me to them. I just consider them an element of the setting. My story wouldn't be the normal historical. LOL
I love a good story so if you wrote a historical, I'd read it. I'm not a genre snob. ;)
I loved your prairie stories. :)
Love the new cover, too!
Also... while some readers don't like historical, I bet they'd give yours a try. However, you might pick up new readers, too.
WWII!! That's my vote! although.... with the animal element you could always go with the Vietnam war and have a war dog.... always thought that would make a good story!
I'm not a fan of historicals for my personal reading, although with the work I do for Heartsong, I read a LOT of them these days. I no longer say I hate them, but they are not generally what I pick up for myself.
All I can say is research is ESSENTIAL! And making sure vocabulary and world views are appropriate. And research. Oh, and don't forget research!
I do detest a story that is smashed into a historical setting just so it can be called a historical, though. It has to be authentic. (Not that I see those at Heartsong--the ones I'm thinking of are probably the ones that made me dislike historicals to begin with. Way back when!)
But I'm sure you would be meticulous in all those details. :)
If I had to choose a period, I would also go with WWII. I would probably buy that one. I do enjoy your writing, so you could convince me.
Research is my favorite part, Rachel! I learned to write by writing historicals. I think that's why readers say my setting is like a character in the novel. I learned that by having to do the research.
I'm surprised that World War II is the only suggestion so far. I hadn't realized it was popular.
That era fascinates me. Don't know why. Maybe because my parents lived it. And because my daughter immerses herself in 40s and 50s musicals and movies and wishes she lived back then. Me, I'm happy where I am. I like my conveniences!
I haven't seen a great many books set in the era, at least not CBA, so maybe you should tap into it!
Your settings are always detailed and convincing (so, obviously well researched!). My comments were about pet peeves, not your writing. Just so we understand each other. :-)
Oh I knew what you meant, Rachel! :)
Tracie Peterson had some WWII novels. Cara Putman has done some for Heartsong and Tricia Goyer has done quite a few, I think. But still, not a lot of them out there!
My daughter has just begun her 8th grade career project (an Ohio requirement). Would you believe her career of choice (and where the aptitude tests placed her) is a historian?!
I think she's nuts!
And do you know how hard it is to find information on beginning that career? Yikes!
Okay, I'm procrasting again. Back to work!
I prefer historical, actually. Combine that with a pirate theme and you've got a winner! :)
I love historicals. My favorite time period is Regency England. I'm sad that there are no more "clean" ones out there. I have to haunt the used bookstores for them now!
I'm with Rachel, I loved your praire stories. If you write it, I will buy it and read it.
Or I'll take Sabrina's idea and twist it to Aloha Reef. What about a female ali'i set in the court of Queen Liliuokalani or Kamehameha V? She could be second in line to the throne after Princess Kaiulani or the character could be one who has to contemplate taking the throne after Kamehameha dies and Princess Pauahi refuses. I'll stop speculating now, but I like the idea of historical characters based on existing ones. :)
I like historicals. I like the WW2 idea...and WW1 is an interesting time as well.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oh what fun that would be, Malia!
I like WWI time period. Love turn of the century.
Sorry about the deleted post. It posted the same thing twice!
I figured that's what happened, Pam!
I definitely LOVE historical settings. SO yes, yes yes, do it! :) The best historical suspense ever written was House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne (of course, it probably was "present day" when he wrote it! LOL).
But something in New England, with a creepy village, a wolfish dog, and a ghost. We need a good ghost story. I can't find any in the Christian genre ... it doesn't have to be a REAL ghost but if we at least THINK it's real that's the important thing. :) Maybe this isn't such an original idea - maybe I should just re-read Seven Gables; but then it didn't have a wolfish dog.
OR!!!!!!!
Take a CURRENT day character who is a RESEARCHING why an old western town defunked into a ghost town ... becuase no one ever knew why the people either died or left suddenly. She could get wrapped into the historical suspense of it - so you could have a present day POV and then chapter switch to a character from the ghost town's POV.
Ok. Must. Get. Back. To. My. Job.
I think a historical suspense would be a great genre twist. I've read so many historical novels where the story came off as an opportunity to describe life in that period. But a murder mystery -- that would add some great action! Of course, I agree with Diann, anything you wrote would be awesome, and I'd read it. For setting, I suggest the Revolutionary War era (maybe with an English lead character?).
P.S. I love the Cry in the Night cover. Can't wait for it to release -- it's on my must reads list!
When IS the official release date? Amazon doesn't list it at all .... :)
I always loved your historicals. If no one loses their feet, I'm there.
personally if it has your name on it, i'm picking it up no matter what the genre is! but i do love historicals, my personal preference is the early 1900s US but that's b/c that's my area of study :)
Oh, I love sharing my opinion. And I love historicals. There aren't very many mysteries in historical settings. Stephanie Barron has a great series where Jane Austen continually ends up caught up in some sort murder mystery as an amateur sleuth. I think it's a great idea.
As far as a specific time period, I like things that haven't been covered much before. My personal favorite time period is anything from 1901 (the end of the Victorian age) through the early years of the Great Depression. I always refer to that as "my time-period," but I'll share it with you if you want. :) The Roaring Twenties during Prohibition was an interesting time. I haven't read much set during that time.
If you put in my name on Amazon, it pops up as the second book, Jaime. So weird. But here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Cry-Night-Rock-Harbor-4/dp/1595542485/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231884660&sr=8-2
It should release from Amazon early next month.
I have so many friends that read historicals, and as a general rule I don't like them. I did enjoy some one time that led into a contemporary series I liked. Like Sabrina's idea, where they were ancestors of the Rock Harbor characters or something. I would probably give it a try if you write it, Colleen. :) But, normally not into historical.
Blessings
Michelle
Aw, it's sweet of you to be willing to give it a shot, Michelle!
I adore historical romance, historicals, and tons of other genres. I would love a good western historical suspense. I'm thinking of Centennial by James Michenor when there was that acting couple and the little boy...it's been a long time since I read it. LOL.
Kristin cracked me up with "as long as they don't lose their feet." ROTFL!
You know, I like some WWII novels (Cara, Tricia) but for the most part that's my least favorite time period (Gasp) Revolutionary War is more my speed and I love some states' history--lots of interesting stuff out there--but Sabrina's setting in Rock Harbor in history--that intrigues me.
Love the new cover, too. A winner!
I love Historical!
I don't always care for historical books. BUT if it had your name on it, I would pick it up and read. I put a lot of books back when the cover catches my attention but turn it over and see it is historical.
You friends have been a great encouragement. thanks!
I like the ideas we talked about this morning. If you decided on WWII, let me know. I've got lots of research materials LOL. But the turn of the century could be a lot of fun -- and hasn't been done -- that I can think of. Just make sure the suspense is still strong and I'm there!
I know I'm waaay late on this, Colleen, but wanted to chime in, anyway.
I love historicals as well as contemporary. I'd read it. But . . . and dont' take this wrong . . . no prairies! My least favorite historical setting. Oh, who am I kidding. If it was written by Colleen Coble, I'd read it.
But I do like Sabrina's suggestion of historical Rock Harbor.
PS: I intended to mention that I've nominated Girls Write Out on my brand new blog: Writer to Reader at http://www.writer-to-reader.com.
I've invited other nominations and after a certain length of time (a week?) I'll have a poll and will do a feature on the winning blog. I'm also having a little graphic designed to be awarded to the winner.
Just thought I'd take advantage of the comment section to let you four gals know, since I don't know your email addresses.
If I"m out of line, forgive me.
Peg
I never leave comments (but I always read this blog!), but I thought I'd chime in on this one because I LOVE Colleen's books and I LOVE historicals. Historicals and Romantic Suspense are my two favorite genre's. So I'd be ALL for that! I'm actually NOT a fan of WW2 era though, although I do love Tricia Goyer's books.
I'm with you, Peg! I'm tired of prairie. LOL What I have in mind isn't that. :) I'm glad most of you are in favor! Very cool! And very cool about the nomination thing, Peg!
Colleen
I like some historicals. One of my favorite periods is Regency England. It would be interesting to go back to Anu's earlier years too.
Malia
Linore Rose Burkard writes Clean fun Christin Regency books. Her first one is out now and is called Before the Season Ends. I loved it.
Hello Colleen,
I've never left a comment here and I hope it isn't too late to comment on this blog, but I LOVE anything historical. I guess that is why I write them. My suggestion for historical suspense would have to be Victorian England. Nothing like the foggy nights of this setting for a great mystery. I guess my love of Sherlock Holmes is surfacing. Anyway, I think these types are becoming very popular again. Can't wait to read a historical suspense from you!
Colleen, first beautiful cover. Second I'd read anything you wrote. I have alot of your older titles,LOL. So if you wrote it, yes I'd read. But I love historicals myself.
Now to make sure I get a copy of this new book.............
hugs,
WendyK
I hate historicals...used to call them hystericals because the females drove me UP A WALL.
But I'll read it if you write it. I'm thinking Dr. Quinn-ish, please:-)
Aw, thanks Brenda! And thanks to all of you for your encouragement!
I read more historical fiction than contemoporary, so if you write it I'll read it. There aren't that many suspense historicals out there, so that would combine two great genres.
As for a time period, I would say before 1900.
I love historical romance. I enjoy reading any period but especially the 1800 & early 1900s. Reading them gives you little details about a period of time and helps one better understand days gone by. Please write it!
Pick a time in history that seems defining somehow, but a location that hasn't been abused by far less talented writers, please. Don't do "Jack the Ripper" London.
I get irritated with historicals that are not well-researched. (I know you won't fall into this category!) If I can find a hole in the actual history, the significance of the created story is lost. The movie "Titanic" comes to mind. :-)
I just want you to do at least one more Rock Harbor novel. The story seems unfinished. I think your an excellant writer so whatever era you do will be great. I have read about all of your stuff and the way you write makes me feel as I am there in the middle of the story. God bless Christian writers.
But please let Bree,Kade and Davy oh and Samson add to their family.
You are insatiable, Anonymous! But I'm glad you enjoy those books.
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