Stacy Henrie, Author Blog

*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book – inspirational romance – I’m doing Christian Fiction Fridays here on my blog where I share my recommendations for books in this genre.

She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

What It’s About:
For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city’s most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work–there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity’s spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.

Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries. When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it’s not just her marriage at stake–the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.

My Thoughts:
I’ve read this book like two or three times now! It’s one of my favorite inspirational historicals. I love the time period and location – 1890’s New York City – and that it’s told in first person. Clara is a strong heroine and I love the guy she eventually ends up with – but I won’t say who for those who haven’t read the book. It’s well-written and full of interesting historical details that add to, not distract from, the story.

On a personal note:
I had the opportunity to meet and have breakfast with Siri Mitchell about two years ago at a writers conference. She is as kind and gracious in real life as she is online!

Find this book here on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.

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*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book – inspirational romance – I’m doing Christian Fiction Fridays here on my blog where I share my recommendations for books in this genre.

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo

What It’s About:
Ellen and Mimi Dodge have never been close, but their mother’s dying wish sends them on a walking tour of Hampshire, England that follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen.  Their mother also left them a mysterious diary that belonged to Jane’s sister, Cassandra.  These private pages shed light on the secrets that nearly tore the Austen sisters apart and inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time.

As the Dodge sisters visit sites important to the Austen sisters, they are drawn together in unexpected ways. They also discover that Cassandra’s diary holds clues to the greatest Austen treasure of all: Jane’s diary.  But someone doesn’t want the sisters to discover Jane’s secrets and will go to great lengths to keep Ellen and Mimi from uncovering the truth. As the sisters stumble along their own paths toward love, they discover how Jane and Cassandra inspired the characters of Marianne and Elinor Dashwood.  Ellen and Mimi come to realize that despite their different sensibilities, they are a vital part of each other’s happy endings.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book – it was one of my favorites last year! And while there aren’t any faith elements in the story, the romance is clean and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a Jane Austen story with a modern twist, then this book fits the bill. There’s humor, sibling drama and a lost love that shows up at the beginning. The sisters’ relationship is authentic and the book explores deeper themes while still maintaining a light-hearted feel. It’s a fast and fun read!

Find this book here on Amazon or here at Barnes & Noble.

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*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book – inspirational romance – I’m doing Christian Fiction Fridays here on my blog where I share my recommendations for books in this genre.

What It’s About:
Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont with her sweetheart, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte’s letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. The endless prairie seems monotonous, but when her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

When circumstances–and perhaps a bit of matchmaking–put Abigail and Ethan together, there’s certainly attraction. But Abigail is planning to marry another man and return to life in Vermont as soon as she is finished attending to her sister. And Ethan loves his life in the Army and the wilds of Wyoming. When summer ends, will Abigail go back East? Or will she fall in love with this rugged land herself?

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed the western setting (Wyoming) in this book. A lot of historical romances are set in places like Texas or the Midwest, which isn’t a bad thing, but I appreciated the different location. It was also fun to learn about life at Fort Laramie in the 1880s – I had no idea it was so cultured. My favorite part of the book – hands down – was the hero, Ethan Bowles. I loved his character and how his past influenced his decisions.

My only complaint is the absence of a real kiss between Abigail and Ethan (ie. not just on the cheek)! That aside, I enjoyed the genuine friendship that developed between them, which eventually grew into love. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Find this book here on Amazon or here at Barnes & Noble.

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If a sweet tooth can be genetically passed on, then my love of chocolate is an inherited trait from my paternal grandmother. Frequently, when we’d make the trip to visit her, we’d pick up some chocolate frozen custard for her (and us) to enjoy. If we wanted a treat or dessert for grandma, we knew she’d most enjoy the chocolate ones. And I’m the same way.

In my humble opinion a dessert is not a dessert unless it is partially or wholly made up of this delectable ingredient, but it has to be the right kind. I don’t mean like European vs. American chocolate, though I do appreciate the creaminess of the chocolate from across the ocean. I’m really not a big chocolate candy or bar fan. I much prefer something with real chocolate substance like gooey brownies with ice cream, fresh-baked cookies or moist cake.

But if we’re out of the good stuff, then I may slightly lower my chocolate expectations to include hot fudge a la mode, or lower them further still to snitch a piece of candy from the kids’ stash. I will admit to even pilfering chocolate chips in times of a chocolate famine. 

Are you a chocoholic? If so, what type of chocolate do you prefer? What’s your favorite dessert? 

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I am not a hoarder – quite the opposite. I love to get rid of things I’m not using or don’t need: clothes, household items, papers, etc. There’s constantly a box in my basement for goodwill items. Once I take them to the store, it’s not long before I start another box.

For me, there’s something thrilling about organizing a drawer or closet or space and purging out what isn’t necessary or useful. My husband jokes when I get into organizing mode that the rest of the family should watch out or Mom might organize them all out of the house.

Interestingly this need to organize and purge doesn’t apply to the various manuscripts on my hard drive. And thank goodness for that! As I was going through my edits the other week, I found a spot where my editor felt one chapter ended too abruptly. She wanted me to add more to the scene. To my relief – and luck – I found a continuation of that scene, which I’d written about five years ago and kept on my computer – just in case. Having that scene already written made it easy to rework and plug it into the spot I needed it. So, as much as it pains me to say, there are times when it’s good to keep a little clutter around.

Are you a hoarder or are you all about clearing out the clutter (a get-ridder)? What things are easy to let go of? What things are harder?

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In the wake of Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d share some love – movie love that this. My husband and I love watching movies and quoting movies. We even had a tradition going to watch Out of Africa every year, though that sort of fizzled out – why that movie, I don’t really know, especially since it’s very sad and long.

But here’s Five Movies I Love to Watch Again and Again.

What movie(s) could you watch over and over? What’s your favorite type of movie?

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Because a story without conflict is boring, meaningless, with little power to draw us in.

I once attended a writers class where the instructor talked about what made successful books and movies. He believed the key was the way these books and movies upped the stress levels in readers and viewers, taking their stress above their current level, then resolving that stress at the end. Good conflict creates that vicarious stress and resolution, sucking us into the story and keeping us caring about these fictional characters.

One of my favorite tv shows that does a fantastic job with conflict (especially interpersonal/relationships) and upping those stress levels is Masterpiece Theater’s Downton Abbey. It’s about the lives of a wealthy, titled family in England during WWI and the lives of their servants. After this last episode – full of relationship strife, war, death, impediments to love and dreams – I told my husband what a big mess things had become for the characters.

And we love it. We have to keep watching until that stress is resolved. We’re drawn in. We care about these people.

Have you watched Downton Abbey? What are your favorite types of conflict in books or movies (physical, internal, familial)? What other movies/tv shows or books are examples of good conflict?

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Before my blog, before I knew how long and tough this road might be, before I began seriously writing, I dreamed of one day writing and publishing a book.

That dream will become a reality in September of this year when my book will be published by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical.

This weekend has been a whirlwind, to say the least. I received an offer from Harlequin and now have the fabulous Jessica Alvarez of BookEnds, LLC as my agent. I couldn’t be more excited for both!

I want to share my journey getting to this point because I love reading other people’s stories, but it’s hard to know where to start.

Back in 2004, after the birth of my first son, when I decided to write my first novel? Back in 2007, when I finished writing this story that will become my first published book?  Maybe back in 2010 when I went to my first national conference and an agent requested the full manuscript of this book? That was really when I realized I had a viable, fun story.

All of those would work as beginnings – certainly as stepping stones to this point – but I’ll save time and fast-forward to 2011 when I entered a pitch contest for Love Inspired Historical. (I wrote about it here.) I was one of six winners selected to do an online chat, and they requested the full manuscript. Though there were things they liked, initially they passed, mostly because my hero was too perfect.

So I took a chance and wrote them back to ask if they would read the manuscript again if I fixed my hero. To my surprise and delight, I got a “yes” response. That began a seven-week task of revising before I sent the manuscript off again.

Then I waited, hoping, wondering what they thought. Last Friday, I got my answer. Harlequin wanted to publish my book. I told my editor it was the best Friday the 13th I’d ever had!

In addition to the sort of dazed state I’m walking around in this week, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the many people who have lent support to my writing over the years – chiefly, my husband and my Father in Heaven. Thanks to all of you – including my blog friends here – for taking this journey with me!

What good things have you experienced lately? What fills you up with gratitude?

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I won’t be talking about New Year’s resolutions today – though I did actually make them this year and they’re all MEASURABLE, which I’m pretty stoked about. Instead I’m talking about animals.

By and large, I am not an animal-lover. I like cats and bunnies, and that’s about it. I believe some of this dislike stems from watching too many tear-jerker movies as a kid involving the tragedies and triumphs of every animal imaginable. (The dog ones were the worst.)

When it comes to horses, the main contributor to my disinterest is one too many bad horseback riding experiences. Nearly every family vacation growing up involved us signing up for a horseback ride. There was the time we were led to believe we’d be galloping along the beach in Hawaii, only to experience about five minutes of riding on the sand and the rest in weeds about as tall as the horses. Another time the horses brought on a bout of allergies.

Our final horseback riding adventure as a family, while in Mexico, didn’t go well either. The memory burnt into my mind from that trip is FEAR as my horse maneuvered down the mountain of at what felt like a 90 degree angle.

The irony in all of this is that the man I married trained race horses for several years. He likes horses, has worked with horses, knows how to ride horses. The other ironic thing is that I write historical romances set in the West where people rode – and often adored – horses. Thank goodness for my critique group or the horses in my last book wouldn’t even have had names!

Maybe I should enlist my husband’s help in creating a positive horseback riding experience. Or maybe I’m content to look at horses from a far and stick to writing fiction where animals and people live in harmony – or pretty close.

Are you an animal-lover or not? If not, why not? Have you ever been horseback riding? Do you like movies/books centered around animals/pets?

*Come “like” my new writer page on Facebook!

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The books on my nightstand tend to be inspirational historicals since that’s what I write. But every so often, I get in the mood for a funny, contemporary romance. I recently discovered Beth Pattillo’s Jane Austen-based novels and they totally fit the bill!

What books are on your nightstand? What genre(s) do you tend to read most? What book or author have you recently discovered that you’re excited about?

*Pictures are from here.

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