Thursday, April 6, 2017

Takeover Thursday with Darlene Franklin ... and a GIVEAWAY!




I want to extend a warm welcome to Darlene Franklin. Darlene is giving away a hard copy (US ONLY) of  The Pony Express Romance Collection. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends April 13, 2017. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information.) Now, here's Darlene...

One of the challenges of writing about the Pony Express, as romantic as it sounds, was how to get and keep the hero and heroine in the same place for very long! So I decided to make my heroine a woman searching  for the father who had abandoned her, whom she believes is the stationmaster at the Chelan Swing Station. I also made her from the South, shortly before the War Between the States. I'm a New Englander by birth and wanted to explore the other side of the war for a few pages.

I was invited to join the Pony Express collection, as I was invited to participate in my first novella collection, Snowbound Colorado Christmas. That novella, Dressed in Scarlet, finaled in ACFW's "Book of the Year" contest (now the Carol Awards). If not for that experience, I might never have turned to writing historical romance. Thank you, Lena Nelson Dooley and Tamela Hancock Murray! That was back at the beginning. This year I'm closing in on fifty unique published titles. That sounds impressive — but it took me fourteen years before had a single book published. That's one of the reasons I tell writers that perseverance is more important than raw talent.



Story blurb...

The Gambler's Daughter is one of nine novellas that happen along the Pony Express route in 1860-1861. 

Gambling debts drive Caroline Adams’s estranged father away from the Chelan Swing Station before her arrival. Can his replacement conquer the temptations goading them both to prove himself worthy of Caroline’s love?

Amazon link for purchase...

Darlene's bio...

Best-selling hybrid author Darlene Franklin's greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. This year she expects to reach fifty unique titles in print, and she's also contributed to more than twenty nonfiction titles. Her column, "The View Through My Door," appears monthly in Bookfun Magazine. Her most recent titles are The Pony Express Romance Collection, Love's Compass, and To Riches Again.

Where to find Darlene online...

Twitter:   @darlenefranklin



a Rafflecopter giveaway

23 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun collection Darlene. I'll have to pick up a copy tomorrow at B&N. And the cover is great!

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    1. Barbour does a great job with their covers! This was a fun collection.

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    2. Christina,

      Thanks for stopping by! Did you enter to win a copy?

      I agree with Darlene. Barbour has wonderful covers!

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  2. Sounds like a great read and a fascinating setting. Can't wait to read this!

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    1. It was great to have a reason to study it a little more.

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    2. Thanks for stopping by. The setting certainly does make it unique. Good luck!

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  3. I've never read a book about the Pony Express, but believe there may have been a mention in one or two other types of books I've read. This one sounds great. Good luck everyone and thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. I don't think it's something commonly written about, Debbie. Thanks for visiting my blog,and good luck!

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  4. Debbie, It was a lot of fun to write and to read. Good luck,

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  5. Love Barbour Collection Books. They are so pretty. I have read some about the pony express. It is very interesting. Thank you for the chance.
    Blessings!

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    1. Lucy,

      Thanks for stopping by. You're right. Their collections are truly beautiful. Good luck!

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    2. Hi, Lucy! It's a fun part of the American West. Good luck with the drawing.

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  6. I don't think I have ever read any books about the pony express. I do remember watching the TV show The Young Riders about the pony express when I was much younger.

    Thanks for sharing and thanks for the giveaway ladies!

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    1. Patty,

      I remember that show! Thanks for mentioning it.

      You're very welcome. Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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    2. Hi Patty, I think that was on in my TV-less years. It sounded like such a great show.

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  7. Yes, but I can't remember the name of it.

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    1. I know that feeling! That absolutely great story that I don't remember the title or the author.

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    2. I agree with you, Jan. I have read so many great stories. I remember the plot but not always the title.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

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  8. I have read many books about the Pony Express, I love historical fiction.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Wendy. This would be a perfect addition to your collection, then :)

      Good luck!

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    2. I agree with Leslie! Good luck, Wendy.

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  9. I love historical fiction and am eager to read The Pony Express Romance Collection!

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    1. Then this book would be right up your alley, Britney.

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

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