We ask Jessica Nelson five questions about
Love on the Range (Love Inspired Historical): Nosy, city girl Gracelyn Riley is making the most of her social exile in the Oregon countryside by hunting down the secret local hero known as Striker… who may be much closer to her than she thinks.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WRITING LOVE ON THE RANGE?
My goal was to get published. I’d been writing my whole life but when my newspaper editor said I should write a book because I’d get paid more for it, a light bulb went on. An avaricious reader, I realized that maybe nothing could be better than being paid to do what you love. In my case, reading, writing and daydreaming.
HOW MUCH DO YOU DRAW ON YOUR OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES AND PEOPLE YOU KNOW, VERSUS DRAWING ON RESEARCH ABOUT COMPLETE STRANGERS?
I don’t research characters so much as I feel them. And in feeling them, I think I probably draw a lot from life, myself and from people I know. But I always hope that a character is her or his very own, unique self with a very special story that belongs only to them.
IN LOVE ON THE RANGE, WHICH CHARACTER SURPRISED YOU MOST?
I really loved writing James. Gruff, a bit of a loner, he surprised me when I found out he’d been a doctor before succumbing to alcoholism. He made it out of that situation though and was a hoot to include in the book.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE READERS GET OUT OF YOUR WORK?
I hope they get entertainment and blessing. A break from the stress of life. Maybe a laugh. And beyond that, I hope they get that warm, satisfied feeling when they close my story, that their hearts are touched by truth, and they go to sleep with a smile on their face.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
I am working on a really fun regency romance which involves a plucky heroine with a distaste for marriage and a former rake who must marry before three months are up. I’m loving this story!