Welcome to the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch

Inspiration for continuity miniseries ideas can come from anywhere, and as the editor who creates the Love Inspired continuities, I’m always searching for unique concepts that will appeal to our readers. For this particular series, I chose to spin off from last year’s Lone Star Cowboy League. This one stands alone (though there is one Easter egg reference that fans of the previous continuity will hopefully find and love), but is still set in Texas and revolves around a fictional service organization of and for area ranchers. But the main project of this branch of the Lone Star Cowboy League (in the Waco area) is a boys ranch.

I came across an article about a ranch for troubled adopted children, and the idea for the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch was born. Our readers love stories set on ranches, and children are a core element in Love Inspired books. A working residential ranch for troubled boys run by the Lone Star Cowboy League was the perfect setting for these six stories that each involve children. I even used a real ranch—the West Texas Boys Ranch —as the basis for certain aspects of our fictional boys ranch. But I was most fortunate to be blessed with authors who—unbeknownst to me when we started—have personal experience with fostering, adoption, troubled kids, animal therapy and more. I couldn’t have found more perfect authors to bring these stories and characters to life if I’d tried. Five of them share their personal stories and connections here. I hope you pick up all six books in the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch series (books 1 and 2 are available now!) and fall in love with the children, ranchers and other residents of McLennan County, Texas. 

—Shana Asaro, Love Inspired Associate Editor

From Brenda Minton, author of THE RANCHER’S TEXAS MATCH (October 2016):

I was thrilled to be asked to work on the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch continuity for Love Inspired. Not only is this a great series, but a subject close to my heart. In the first years of our marriage, my husband and I worked as foster parents to troubled teens. Twenty-five years later, we are currently fostering five children. We’re also in ministry, and our church focuses on reaching the children who live in the community.

Children are important. I’ve heard they are the future, but the truth is they’re the present. By reaching out, we can make a difference not only in their lives but also in the lives they themselves touch every day, right now.

It’s very easy to make excuses for why we don’t help. What my family has learned is that if we shed the excuses and make room in our hearts and homes, the blessings far outweigh the obstacles.
I hope that readers will be touched by this series, by the reality that across the country there are children needing love and needing homes. Even if we can’t always provide those homes, if we can open our hearts and touch lives, we can make a difference.

From Jessica Keller, author of THE RANGER’S TEXAS PROPOSAL (November 2016):

I’ll admit it. When my editor called me with the opportunity to write The Ranger’s Texas Proposal, I was intimidated. It was a good fit for me because I have the combined experience of eleven years working in the field of municipal law enforcement and having directed the summer camp program for the largest residential child-care facility in the United States—so large it’s known as the Child City. But I was terrified—because I’m so passionate about both law enforcement and childhood residential care facilities, I wanted to get them right. I wanted my love for both things to transfer onto the page and didn’t want to let either cause down.

However, Ranger Heath Grayson won my heart the instant I began writing The Ranger’s Texas Proposal, and the boys at the boys ranch felt so real to me. My fear melted away, and I suddenly felt an urgency to tell their stories and make sure everyone loved them and valued them, too. With my dual backgrounds, these characters were very real to me, and I had a responsibility to tell their stories with the authenticity my experiences have afforded me. I hope you love Heath and Josie and the boys at the ranch as much as I do!

From Lee Tobin McClain, author of THE NANNY’S TEXAS CHRISTMAS (December 2016):

Writing about a ranch for troubled kids came naturally to me due to a couple of life experiences. Years ago I worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for kids in foster care, and one boy in particular stayed in my memory because he so loved the parents who’d neglected him and who ultimately couldn’t provide him with a safe home or the care he needed. He had such trouble in his life, but he was still just a kid—cute and mischievous and lovable. His resilient, fun-loving spirit helped me develop several of the boys ranch characters.

The other influence came through my daughter, who joined our family through adoption. When she was ten, I was able to take her back to China to visit the orphanage where she spent her first year. We brought candy and gifts and spoke with many of the children who didn’t get adopted, learning about their lives, hopes and dreams. My heart broke for these kids, many with special needs, who were spending their childhood without families through no fault of their own. Some of my ideas for the boys ranch came from reflecting on those energetic, optimistic children and the caregivers who tried so hard to give them a home and a sense of belonging.

From Margaret Daley, author of THE COWBOY’S TEXAS FAMILY (January 2017):

As a middle grade and high school teacher for twenty-seven years, I’ve dealt with students who have struggled and had trouble. Some lived in foster homes or had little support from their parents. Others had emotional and learning issues. I’ve used my experiences with students to write about some tough issues facing children and teens, from drug abuse, gangs, peer pressure and bullying to human trafficking that targets teens. My writing, especially for the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch series, reflects my love of working with children and teens, especially ones who have problems and need an ally in dealing with them.






From Deb Kastner, author of THE DOCTOR’S TEXAS BABY (February 2017):

I was thrilled to be selected to be a part of the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch continuity, and especially to write the veterinarian hero, because I’ve seen firsthand how children bonding with animals works therapeutically. My sister owns an animal sanctuary called Happy Haven Farm and Sanctuary. One of her programs is helping children who may have trouble socializing or with trust issues to come out of their shells.

The Liberty Horse program provides the opportunity for children to spend time one-on-one with their Equine Ambassadors, taking part in a variety of activities, from grooming and socializing to an activity course and even riding. The goal, however, is not to “learn to ride” but to experience a giving and trusting relationship built on mutual respect and communication. By using the Equine Ambassadors as a sort of mirror of the soul, growth and healing is able to flourish without the restraint of feeling judged or looked down upon. A horse has no preconceived notion of who you should be; they only seek to find comfort, safety and trust in their human partner.

Animals really can make a difference in the lives of troubled children, and it was my very great honor and pleasure to participate in this wonderful miniseries.

Do you have any personal experiences like the ones our authors have discussed above? Is there a boys ranch in your area or some similar organization doing great things for kids in need? Feel free to share your stories in the comments!

 Shana has generously brought books with her today! Leave a comment for your chance to win 1 of 3 giveaways of a bundle of the first three titles in the series——(The Rancher’s Texas Match by Brenda Minton, The Ranger’s Texas Proposal by Jessica Keller and The Nanny’s Texas Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain). Winners announced in the Weekend Edition.

Why the Word "SERIES" Should Be on Every Writer's Tongue... And How to Get There With Minimal Blood Loss!

GOOOOOD MORNING, SEEKERVILLE! And a huge shout out to all the moms out there, Happy Mother's Day! If (like me) your mother's day was too congested to be the day of your dreams, you have Ruthy-permission to "Pick-a-day" just like at the department stores, and make your own writer-friendly mother's day which would include (in my house) lots of coffee, jammy-pants, no company, somebody bringing me food on occasion while NOT talking and letting me catch up on all the things I'm behind on.

I did mention food, right? Food is essential.


Series: I've loved series from my first Bobbsey Twins book. From my first Janet Lambert book. Cherry Ames. Nancy Drew. Trixie Belden. (Wasn't Honey adorable????) Connected stories work for me and since that's HOT, HOT, HOT right now, let's jump on the Series Bandwagon today!


I LOVED Stephanie Bond's visit with us on Monday, oh my gosh, she's cute, smart, adorable, writes like a dream-come-true AND... a perfect segue into my short post today about writing 'series' whether you're a plotter, pantser or "plantser".


1. Find a series-oriented author you love: Community series authors might be Deb Macomber, Jan Karon, Sherryl Woods, Linda Goodnight, Janet Tronstad, Cheryl Wyatt, Missy Tippens or yours truly.


I LOVE using setting as another character, that just makes me want to jump up and down, do a little jig, eat jelly beans and drink more coffee. That is how stinkin' happy community romance series make me, because the setting is a tangible entity to the story. LOVE IT!


BUT.... Not all series are community based, and I love series both ways, so if you're looking for the typical three sisters, three friends, three cousins, three business associates, three... Okay, you get the drift: I would go to Nora Roberts, Linda Howard or Julie Lessman first.


For historicals: I would read Sara Donati, Madelyn Hunter. Not that there aren't more, but these are the authors I bonded with, therefore:


2. I copy them.
Not blatantly. Mostly. Well. Maybe. Kind of. I mean, not verbatim. But, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?


And even if your head (Myra mentioned this on Tuesday) doesn't automatically jump from Stand-Alone Book Mama to Series Originator Mama, here's the deal:
Plant yourself a bus-load of characters and have fun with them. You might just surprise yourself when pesky little sister doesn't become BOOK TWO because the unexpected return of the neighbor's war-hero, totally smokin' hot son BUDGED THE BORING SISTER ASIDE.


And that's what I'm talkin' about! Sure you can do it the staid and solid way and PLAN your work, in which case:


WHY ARE YOU READING THIS, YOU'RE ALREADY WAY SMARTER THAN ME, GO INSIDE AND PUT OUT THE COOKIES, DARN IT!


But if your plan is for ONE book and you need THREE to compete with people like me who live for multiples, then consider your book the salad base and your characters are the seasoning. PEPPER them lavishly throughout! First, the more the merrier, and you can always cut someone who is totally extraneous, right? But those random characters may take on a life of their own, from something as simple as a shout out in book one.


Now that I'm published, I MUST go into a series with a plan. Love Inspired likes it better that way. Go figure! So, when I'm playing with my idea for the first book, I examine the characters that jump out at me, like Meg Russo from Small-Town Hearts, a self-made businesswoman who showed up in Reunited Hearts OUT OF THE BLUE....


(Reunited Hearts was contracted alone and then books 2-4 kind of wandered their way into Melissa's heart).


So here's this cool gal with a penchant for nineteenth century dressing, and she needs a book... And she runs a candy store... And Warren Buffet had just been on CNBC talking about something and mentioned See's Candies and I thought: WHAT IF THE HERO IS WARREN BUFFET? Only cuter. And about fifty years younger.


And there was story number two.... Story number three came from an innocent line uttered by my son-in-law when he was explaining how he went to Columbine High School while doing mission work and someone said to him: "Most of the teachers have gone now."


And being a HUGE "Good Morning Miss Dove" lover, I knew I had to tell the story of one of those teachers, and that planted the seed for "Mended Hearts".


And how can you fill a year with books and skip the holidays? I submit that you cannot! So when I found out that Jeff Brennan's bad boy half-brother was coming back to town, I needed the kind of woman who could win this tough construction guy's heart... And Callie Burdick just happened to need help in Mended Hearts because the rough housing economy toppled her father's business... Who better to match Matt Cavanaugh up with?



This adorable shot is my buddy Nolan with Golden Doodles... We have 8 brand new babies. Yes, this is a shameless plug, LOL!


3. Now there's a trick with successful series work: Don't box yourself in. By this I mean, if you limit yourself initially with three sisters, you're locked into THREE SISTERS.

Duh.

And that can work as evidenced by the myriad of successful 'three' series in print.

But for Allegany County, I went geographic, hence "community romance series". I used Jamison, NY (based on the lovely and very real town of Angelica, NY) as my base, but then I wagon wheel locations out from that, spokes sprouting in multiple directions, using the whole county. When you envision a COUNTY, you could come up with just about anything from first responders, to town officials, to hot cops, to small business owners, to hospitals, doctors' offices, veterinarians.... think multiple Main Streets branching out into rural farmland, agri-business.


That allows greater latitude for future books (a point that Stephanie made on Monday, that leaving a few 'feelers' out there allows for great expansion in community-based series)...

But the downside of that is that you can become kind of STUCK in Mitford, like Jan Karon. Now I was fine having Jan stuck there, I loved that little town, but the author wanted out in a big way and after seven books, I get it...

Here's my Ruthy-take on that: If your series grabs hearts and souls, ride the wagon train all the way to the bank. This is not a bad thing. Really. Artistic license is over-rated. Paychecks aren't.

James Herriott's books about being a veterinary surgeon in WWII UK countryside were community-based. Beloved the world over. That's not a bad thing. People loved having that glimpse into the life and love's of a country vet.

When I was a new writer, some people scolded me, telling me not to work in series. Madeline Hunter (yes, Madeline Hunter who is slated to be the keynote at RWA/NYC and the NYT bestseller... Same gal... Nominated for 6 Ritas and has won two....) came to our local RWA (she has family in upstate) and after she told her story about being published wham, bang, boom, books 1, 2 and 3 out the door within months of each other, someone pointed me out to her. She came over and talked to me and said point blank: "Keep doing what you're doing. Don't let anyone get in your way. When that phone rings, you want to be ready to jump on whatever train happens by."

Like Mary, I had a lot of completed books when that call finally came, and that allowed me to come out of the gate with three books the first year and four the second.

And who knows what's next?

Be prepared. Be ready. And never be afraid to put your best foot forward and work hard. And no whining. None. If you feel down about ANYTHING, come here and hold a puppy. Or a baby. It puts everything in perspective. ;) Promise!

And today we're giving away two copies (when they arrive, don't hate me, guys, I haven't received my cases yet!!!) of Small-Town Hearts, which (according to my friend Andrea's phone call last night) is: "Adorable! So fun! I love her old-fashioned ways and she's funny..."



Yes, Megan Russo of Small-Town Hearts is funny, adorable, hard-working, ambitious and savvy to the ways of business, but not men. And she's a smart aleck... I wonder where she gets THAT from???? And she's very STUBBORN, hence the Russo last name. (Ask Teeeeena what her maiden name is, 'kay?)

If you guessed AUTHOR INTRUSION or REFLECTION, you might be right! Come on in for coffee, tea, sweet cream, and a table full of chocolate and cookies, courtesy of the Colonial Candy Kitchen, Purveyors of Fine Chocolates and Delicacies. Before that rich candy maker puts our little Megan Russo out of business....

Unless we can promote the possibility of a merger? ;)

THE CONTINUITY CHALLENGE

By Debby Giusti

Shortly after my first book was published, I banded together with a number of Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense authors to discuss brainstorming our own continuity series. The challenge, we soon learned, was to create an overall story told in a six-book format. While each book contains its own suspense, a larger problem weaves through the entire series, which negatively impacts the characters and must be satisfactorily resolved at the conclusion of the sixth book.

Those of us who were new to the line didn’t realize the complexities unique to this type of long-term project and were hard pressed to imagine the twists and turns necessary to create a suspense that could sustain itself through six books, each written by a different author. Before long, we decided creating a continuity storyline was harder than we had first imagined and should be left to someone else.

With that background, last year when I was asked to take part in Steeple Hill’s 2010 continuity, PROTECTING THE WITNESSES, I knew I had a lot to learn. Luckily, a number of the other authors selected for the project had worked on continuities before and helped me through the process. I thought you might be interested in a behind-the-scenes peek at how our series developed.

PROTECTING THE WITNESSES, as the back-of-the-book blurb states, revolves around "new identities, looming danger and forever love in the Witness Protection Program." Chicago Mafia don Salvatore Martino is dying and his son Vincent takes over the family operation. Years earlier, the testimony of a green-eyed woman named Eloise Hill sent Salvatore to jail for murder. For her own safety, she was placed in witness protection in Montana, but the mob’s after her now, and in their attempt to find Eloise, innocent women end up dead.

Steeple Hill Assistant Editor Emily Rodmell was in charge of the project, and I applaud her patience in keeping us on track and ensuring each book fit into the overall vision for the series. Shortly after she invited us to take part in the continuity, Emily sent out the “bible,” a 31-page, single-spaced outline for the series. Packed with information, it included an overview of the stories as well as the major threads, settings and brief character descriptions. The continuity elements and teasers needed in each book were part of the bible, as well.

In an attempt to keep everything straight, I read and reread those pages, underlined important information, made notes in the margins and highlighted the traits of specific characters with colored markers. Incorporating the needed information and making all the pieces fit in a way that flows naturally from the story proved to be the most challenging part, in my opinion.

Luckily, my story was the second in line so I had fewer threads to pull together, in comparison to books at the end of the series. The final author has the most challenging task of wrapping everything up in a satisfying conclusion.

We set up a yahoo loop to ease communication and, after weeks of brainstorming, submitted our synopses and first three chapters to Emily. Once the proposals were accepted, we started writing, yet continued to keep in touch, often asking advice, clarifying information or specific details as well as determining when clues would be revealed and by whom.

The deadline for each book depended on its placement in the series, with book 1 being the first in line. Changes or rewrites affected the other stories so everyone needed to be kept up to date on revisions.

Looking back, I learned a lot about the continuity process and how to take an established story and make it my own. Working with the great lineup of authors was an honor and the highlight of the entire process.

I hope you'll enjoy reading the series as much as we enjoyed writing the stories.

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

http://www.debbygiusti.com/

http://www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/

Got an idea that might make a great continuity series? Leave a comment and your email address to be entered into a drawing for an advance copy of KILLER HEADLINE.

Look for the following PROTECTING THE WITNESSES stories wherever you buy Steeple Hill books:
TWIN TARGETS, by Martha Perry, Jan 2010
KILLER HEADLINE, By Debby Giusti, Feb 2010
COWBOY PROTECTOR, By Margaret Daley, Mar 2010
DEADLY VOWS, By Shirlee McCoy, Apr 2010
FATAL SECRETS, By Barbara Phinney, May 2010
RISKY REUNION, By Lenora Worth, June 2010

KILLER HEADLINE
By Debby Giusti

WHO WILL BE NEXT?

Two women in the witness protection program have been murdered in Montana. The connection? The mob…and the victims' green eyes. Coincidence? Not according to journalist Violet Kramer, who's counting on her exposé to reveal the truth, protect women in danger—and establish herself as an ace reporter. Undercover cop Clay West thinks she's making a deadly mistake that could bring the mob to her door. And when the lawman with the piercing black eyes insists on protecting her himself, Violet knows she's already in danger.