Looking for story ideas!
I am coming to the end of my Rescue River series for Harlequin, and getting ready to propose a new series. I need help! If you’ll comment about which of the series ideas listed below appeals to you the most—and why—I’ll put you in a drawing for my first three Rescue River stories. That’s three signed paperbacks! And it means you’ll be all caught up for The Soldier and the Single Mom, book four out of five in the series.
A little about book four of the Rescue River series, coming out March 1st but possibly available in your Wal-Mart a couple of weeks sooner. Here’s the storyline:
When Buck Armstrong rescues Gina Patterson and her baby from a dark country road outside town, he intends to keep his distance. Gina and little Bobby remind the handsome veteran too much of all he’s lost. The vulnerable single mom seems equally wary of getting involved. But things change once Gina and her son settle into his sister’s boardinghouse. Being with Gina and Bobby makes Buck question his plans to leave town for a fresh start. Suddenly he has dreams of forging a new family, even though it will mean risking his heart. But can he escape his past for a chance at a happy future?
Some of the elements I love the most are in this book: small town, wounded warrior, struggling single mom, animal rescue… and a cute baby! Now, the trick is to figure out a new series that I love just as much, and one that appeals to readers. Soooo… out of the following ideas, which would you make you (a) excited to get the books, and (b) likely to stay up late to read them? Which of the following ideas would make the best new series?
The Wedding Barn
A farm on the edge of a small Ohio town is inherited with the stipulation that it be made into a site for weddings, while continuing to be a working farm—stories involve the wedding planner, the wedding caterer, and the farm manager.
Midwest Mavericks
The Maverick brothers grew up rough and got in lots of trouble, but were saved by Preacher Jeb during their teen years. Now, coming together to save Preacher’s homestead for troubled boys in the face of his serious illness, they each find love. Set in West Virginia.
Recovery Ranch
A wealthy woman who lost her dog-loving son to PTSD complications starts an “old dogs home” where struggling veterans can stay and heal while caring for abandoned senior dogs. Set in a small mountain town outside Boulder, Colorado.
Comment on which series idea you like best and why by midnight Friday, March 10, for a chance to win signed copies of the first three Rescue River books. And if you haven’t done it already, hop over to my website to sign up for my newsletter. Perks and prizes there, too!
Thanks for a chance to win
Hmm, I like the idea of the Midwest Mavericks- lots of scope for a variety of stories and lots of characters to be explored, plus a really clear way to show the power of Christ working through His followers, how lives are changed etc.
Hope your week is going well:)
I like the story idea about Recovery Ranch. I have PTSD and three service dogs. They have been a great help to me. They can sense my moods and are able to comfort me. Sharing a story about PTSD and senior dogs would be an inspiration. Both are looking for companionship, love and acceptance. I would definitely read this story with great enthusiasm. It’s a winning combination for dog and PTSD patients to hsve sonething to look forward to each dog. The dog gets the love they need and the people get to feel needed again.
Tough choice, Lee. All of the story ideas sound good, but I think I like the Recovery Ranch idea.
Recovery Ranch sounds like a fresh idea. I feel like I have heard the others before in some form. So my vote for recovery ranch :)
As a Midwesterner, I like the Wedding Barn concept, because I like to read stories with local settings. So many farms in Michigan and Indiana are now corporate farms, since it is often difficult for small farmers to make a living. This is especially true for dairy farmers. In SW Michigan we still have family fruit producing farms: blueberries, apples, cherries and peaches. We have vineyards. My favorite wedding venue are the Lavender Hill Farms of Niles, Michigan. Have traveled many Michigan and Indiana back roads, but not so familiar with Ohio.
My second choice is Recovery Ranch, because not enough attention is given to returning veterans or their conditions regardless which war they served in. Plus senior dogs are often forgotten at shelters. With the Colorado setting, MAYBE you could combine this with your Midwest Maverick characters (the pastor and troubled teens). One of my former students, teaches high school in Colorado. This school year this school has already experienced three suicides, each for a different reason. So MAYBE the veterans can help the teens or vice versa. Romance between rich woman and pastor, etc.
Sorry about lengthy response, but I am a retired high school English and creative writing teacher. Happy Writing.
This is tough, but I’m pretty sure I’d be both excited to buy and likely to stay up to read a Midwest Mavericks series. Although the other two options are kind of interesting, they lack the emotional appeal I see in the story of men caring for their mentor and helping out troubled boys like they once were. I can see how you’d draw a parallel between the boys’ stories and the men’s rough upbringing as well as show their tender side in caring for the preacher and, of course, their love interests. So many topics and a variety of characters to be explored. (Not that the PTSD story is not emotional because of the disease itself, but limiting. Also, in my view caring for troubled boys has a greater impact than taking care of dogs–just imagining the difference the brothers will make into someone else’s lives and how their lives will affect others, kind of a snowball thing.)
I stay up late reading your books, so i think any of the ideas would work. They all have different merits. I think i like the wedding barn a little better, but it is a close call. It seems like fun light reading. I’m allergic to dogs, so that won’t keep me from reading it, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. Are there ever rescue rabbits?? I do like the reaching out to troubled youth as well as people with PTSD.
Thank you! I love to write about people growing in faith.
Oooh, Deana, if I go with that series, maybe I could ask you a few questions… sounds like you have real expertise in this area.
Thanks, Jill! I’m starting to lean in that direction myself.
Thanks for the feedback, Nina. That’s always a struggle in writing romance: keeping it fresh but still providing the kind of story and happy ending readers expect.
Renate, those are great ideas–thank you! The minute you mentioned all the family fruit-producing farms, I wanted to do that story. Then I wanted to write the other ones as you described them. Ever considered writing or editing as a retirement career????
Priscilla, I was leaning toward the Recovery Ranch idea, but you make a really good point. If I don’t do the Midwest Mavericks for Harlequin, I might have to do them as an independent series… but, they may be too much like my Sacred Boond stories. Hmmmmm….
Rescue rabbits!!!! That’s priceless! Although, actually, our local shelter occasionally advertises a rabbit or two. Plus, you should look for Mary Jane Hathaway’s novella, Spring’s Blessing, in the ROMANCE GROWS IN ARCADIA VALLEY collection. A rabbit is prominently featured! Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Romance-Grows-Arcadia-Valley-Book-ebook/dp/B01NBE4NTV/ref=pd_sim_351_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BNZ0106QNM50JAB6703B Thank you for commenting and making me smile!
I like the Wedding Barn series idea and I have a very specific reason why. The photographer for my wedding recently bought a house with a huge barn and is planning on using that as a wedding site, so it would kind of a similar idea to this series!
Katie, that’s cool! I attended a wedding at a barn last year and it was really fun… that’s what gave me the idea. Especially when I sneaked off to talk to the folks who ran the working farm and realized there was all kinds of lovely conflict. Perfect for romance! Thanks for commenting.
We had a rescue rabbit who was really affectionate and litter box trained. My husband spent a long time getting her used to us. She was really scared at first. I don’t think they have ever been used as therapy pets though. ( Smile!) I read the romance grows in ArcadiaValley when it first came out. Thanks for the link though. I may re-read it!
I would like Midwest Mavericks. Reading about then rallying to help, their hero!! Awesome idea!! I’ve already read a series about the wedding series.
I like the Recovery Ranch ideas and Colorado is a beautiful location.
They all sound good. You should write them all.
They do all sound good, but the one that intrigues me the most is Recovery Ranch. I would definitely read that! Country life, wounded warriors, and the calming work of caring for dogs–it’s a winner!
I like the Wedding Barn first, and Recovery Ranch next, but they do all sound good!
All the ideas sound good, but I have to throw in my vote for the Recovery Ranch. I’m a sucker for rescue animals. They can teach us a lot about love.
I would say to go for the Rescue Ranch idea. There are plenty of dogs that need adorable names in that!
But.. if you ever come up with a science based story I would be bonkers for it.
I love the idea for Recovery Ranch!
Wonderful ideas, all of them, Lee! I would read any of them, but have to lean to the Recovery Ranch. Wounded heroes and dogs in need to love are a perfect combination.
Love all the ideas but Recovery Ranch has so many possibilities. My heart goes out to veterans and all their struggles. And dogs are man’s best friend. What a great way to help both together!
Hmm…What a hard choice. I would excitedly read them all, though I think I would lean more towards Recovery Ranch.
I love the idea of the recovery home.
Using senior dogs paired with Veterans.is a win-win.
You could have aVeteran become lost in snow and have female handler trainer find him using a rescu dog.
She could be PTSD survivor,also.
So many possibilities in a mountain environment.
I like the Wedding Barn and Recovery Ranch. They both sound great and I couldn’t decide.
I do Advanced Reads and write reviews for several authors. To have a book published is on my bucket list. Presently running Doggie and Kiddie Day Care (grandkids ages 11, 9, 3, and 1 month old) is all I can handle. My mentor is Grandma Moses, so maybe when I am 80 I will start writing my books. Being involved in my grandkids lives is top priority. They grow up way to fast. You aren’t the first author, who has mentioned it.
I love all three ideas, but if I have to choose a favorite, I think I would choose The Wedding Barn because I think it would be a fun place to have a wedding.
Well, I do like the Sacred Bond stories.. but maybe there’s another spin you can give for those troubled boys. (I’m probably already foreseeing you writing about the boys in the next series… call it reader’s wishful thinking.)
I vote for Recovery Ranch. A Colorado setting is awesome and the mountains outside of Boulder are phenomenal. Anything with dogs catches my interest, and my poor little granddaughter has severe PTSD and we’re working on getting her a service dog. (Our own dogs are helping in the meantime.)
My top pick would be The Wedding Barn. I like the premise of the series. The location sounds warm, cozy and inviting. I am sure there will be plenty of small town stories, couples stories, and lots of character interaction with both townspeople and happy couples to be. Hopefully not too many bridezillas, maybe even a couple who want their guests to support a charity instead of asking for gifts, older couples etc. The possibilities are endless! I always love a happy ever after even if there i\s drama leading up to it.
Thanks, Carlien!
I lived in Colorado for many years and I agree: it’s gorgeous! It would be fun to “go” back there in a series.
Ha ha, Merrilee, you of all people know we have more ideas than time to write them!
Thanks, Kathleen… I do love writing about dogs and am the owner of a senior rescue dog, so that’s a strong pull.
Thanks, Margaret and Evelyn!
DIANA! Nerd romance is a thing… maybe we should discuss ideas.
Autumn and Sally… thank you… the vote is definitely leaning in that direction.
Gail and Sarah… Recovery Ranch is clinching it!
Linda, you are so right! Lots of snowbound possibilities. And having some of the dogs trained as service dogs (or former service dogs) is also a great idea. Thank you!
Beth and Susan, thanks for commenting and offering a non-majority viewpoint!
Deb, we should totally do a connected series on this! I lived in the mountains outside Boulder for awhile and love it there.
Ooh, Maryann, those are such good ideas! I love the charity gifts, and am also a fan of older couples (the last book in my Sacred Bond series will feature a hero (John Moretti) who’s significantly older than the usual romance hero.
Oh, you have some wonderful story ideas Lee!! I’d read any of them. I think the one I love the most is the Wedding barn idea because I’ve never read anything quite like it. It’s different in a good way! I like plots and storylines outside the norm & this would fit the bill for me…making me read late into the night. Plus, I like the idea of a wedding planner & wedding caterer…either of those jobs I could see myself in if I had a choice of getting any job I wanted. Making people’s special day shine would bring me such joy! Well, as long as I didn’t have to deal with a bridezilla or something…yikes!
So there you have it, my two cents worth! Thank you so much for the chance to win the first three Rescue River series books.
Thanks for commenting, Trixi! I love weddings and farms, so it’s a natural for me!
I have PTSD as well and my dogs are my lifeline. Mine have also helped me with depression due to miscarriages. It’s amazing how they always can sense my mood. I also have a condition where I faint at times, and my labrashepherd will roll me over and lick my fave until I come to. He also will try to get me to sit before it happens. They are so smart and so loving. He also is super protective when men around, which makes me feel safer with the PTSD.
Definitely understand that struggle! I am working on a book, when I’m not working…kudos to all of you who write all the time. There have been times I want to pull my hair out. Lol. Seriously though, I think this series could minister to a lot of people. There are a lot of people who suffer from PTSD and it could really give people some healing and make them feel like they aren’t alone.
Ps I love your books :)
I love the idea of The Wedding Barn. We have been to several weddings in a barn and they were very romantic and fun!
Midwest maverick…. So many ways it can go and also lead to spin off series… Did I mention I adore series!!!
Trying to figure out where I can post my own post need help.
I think that The Wedding Barn series sounds like it would be a lot of fun to read. My second choice would be Recovery Ranch. That sounds different from what I’ve read and like it could be interesting. I also like the thought of the veterans caring for the old dogs.