Behind the Book ~ The Oak Grove Series

by

With the release of Christmas with the Outlaw over the holidays, the Oak Grove Series 
that I wrote with Lauri Robinson came to its conclusion. I loved writing this sweet series set in Kansas,
diving into the history of the land and  the people there so that the stories would come alive with authenticity.
I thought I’d share some of the behind the scenes facts that helped drive and layer the plots of each book.

For example ~

 

BOOK #1

FACT:  

A year after the 1878 setting of the first book in the series, I learned that a prominent issue in the state legislature was prohibition. Carrie A. Nation, was living at Medicine Lodge, KS at this time before she began her famous crusade against alcohol. By 1880, an amendment to the state constitution was in place that prohibited the manufacture, sale, or gift of liquor. And by 1881, Kansas had become the first state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages.

FICTION:

So, in Mail-Order Brides of Oak Grove (set in 1878) when twin sisters, Mary and Maggie, were “railroaded” into the fledgling town as obstinate mail-order brides-to-be, it was only natural for them to try to escape their predicament. As daughters of a snake-oil salesman, and in the midst of the brewing controversy (pun intended,) they resurrected their past livelihoods and began making their meade-based family health elixir.

 

BOOK #2

FACT:  

Flooding of the Smoky Hill River often occurred in the spring and eventually dams were built along the river to try to control the worst of it. While bridges were slowly being built along the more populated areas of the river (Salina), Oak Grove still had a ferry crossing. In the spring of 1879, the heavy rains brought intense flooding that destroyed the crops and land to the south of the river. In soddies, it wasn’t unusual for the roof to cave in. (For more on this, see Homesteading on the Prairie, a previous post of mine.)

FICTION:

In The Prairie Doctor’s Bride, it was this torrential rain and flooding that necessitated that independent, isolationist Sylvia Marks leave her soggy soddie and brave the river so that she and her son could survive. It also forced her to leave her comfort zone and look to others for help. Eastern-educated Doctor Nelson had a lot to learn about women and life on the prairie, and Sylvia was just the one to teach him, if he’d only put aside his prejudices.

 

BOOK #3

FACT: 

In 1873, George Grant transported four Angus bulls from Scotland to Kansas and showed them at the Kansas City Livestock Exposition. Breeding these bulls with Texas longhorns produced a much heartier breed. (For more see my post From Longhorns to No-Horns.)  In 1874 four Kansas Railroads shipped 122,914 head of Texas cattle to the east. Mennonites from Russia introduced Turkey Red wheat to the state. And the Native Americans were forced to move to the reservation in Oklahoma Territory. In 1878, the last Native American uprising in Kansas occurred in Decatur County.

FICTION:

In Wedding at Rocking S Ranch, Raymond Wolf is looking out for the ranch of his best friend. The ranch had once been an encampment of his mother’s people – the Wichita. He is studying the breeding of the Texas longhorns with Angus cattle. When his best friend’s widow arrives in the autumn with news that she intends to sell the ranch, Wolf’s life is suddenly upended. Amid the arduous work of branding and driving the cattle to market, they discover that the truths they have believed were an illusion, and that what matters most is far more important.

 

BOOK #4

FACT:

Newspaper work is dangerous! Missing fingers and long hours. (See The 19th Century Newspaper Office)  It was fun gathering facts about small-town newspaper offices and touring Midway Village ~ a nearby living history museum. I was able to speak with the docent there who just happened to be a small-town newspaper man!

FICTION:  

In Christmas With the Outlaw, my novella in A Western Christmas Homecoming, Abigail White is a straight-laced, just-the-facts, unemotional journalist. It’s safer for her heart that way. When a man from her past stumbles into her newspaper office to hide from the law, suddenly she is confronted with an emotional crisis. Should she be true to her journalistic sensibilities and report him to the sheriff? Or will her heart win out? She must learn that not all is what it appears on the surface of a person’s life.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Researching my stories always gives my plots more layers ~ even though often I disappear for hours down the “research rabbit hole” chasing trails that are down right fun, but don’t lead anywhere productive. But then…sometimes they do!

 

 

I have been a filly in P&P’s corral for the past four years and the time has come to say an affectionate goodbye. It has been a delight to get to know each of the “fillies” and also the many women who have commented frequently on my posts. Thank you for joining in the fun here! Thank you for the camaraderie and the friendship. Saying goodbye is bittersweet and I will miss being a part of this group.

I wish you all the best!

                                                                                                                                        

HAPPY 2019!

 

Please visit me!

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And find my books at

AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE 

 

Website |  + posts

Kathryn Albright started writing the day she realized she married into a clan where Sundays in Autumn meant football – LOTS of football. She writes sweet historical romance and is both traditionally and self-published. Her stories have won several industry awards which you can learn more about on her website. When not caught up in a fascinating story, she enjoys road trips with her husband. She lives with her family in the rural Midwest. Visit her at http://www.kathrynalbright.com.

37 thoughts on “Behind the Book ~ The Oak Grove Series”

  2. I loved the facts you wrote. I really enjoy reading some facts after I read a Christian historical fiction book. Your books sound wonderful!! I’m going to follow you on Goodreads so I can keep up with you and your books since you are leaving here. I’ll go to your website too.
    Thank you.

      • Hi Pam,

        No — these aren’t Christian Historical Fiction, my stories here are “sweet” romances – in other words, more like a Hallmark Movie with a kiss at the end. (No heavy sex or sensuality on the page and no premarital sex.) Or they could be compared to Little House on the Prairie or Bonanza. If you go to my website, I have a post about why I moved away from traditional romance to sweet.:-)

  8. I live in Kansas and I really appreciate you sharing some great history facts about this wonderful state. I’m from Texas but I have lived here going on 25 years and there are so many great wonderful historical places to see and visit here!

  10. Best of luck in all your endeavours! Great history in the post! Happy New Year! This sounds like a fun MOB series!

    • Thanks Stephanie,

      It really was fun to collaborate with Lauri and to write it. My previous stories had been rather emotional and serious, so this was a very welcome move away from that.

  11. Katheryn you will be missed. But at the same time, it is good to follow where God leads. Blessings.
    I love how authors do research and come up with stories. Thanks for sharing these tid bits.

  13. I love the alternating fact with fiction. This is why I love historical fiction, so many interesting facts sneak in. Good luck to you, you will be missed here, I have loved your posts, but will continue to follow you on other social media and keep up with your books.

  17. I can’t believe the day is here already. As always, you presented a excellent blog today, and we will miss seeing more of them. But all the fillies wish you the best as you take this new turn in your life, Kathryn. Please come visit us anytime!! Hugs, my friend.

  18. Kathryn, I am sorry to see you go. I have enjoyed your posts and thoroughly enjoyed your books. I enjoy reading the research authors have done and have also gone down that “rabbit hole” of research when I follow the links given by many authors. I appreciate the effort you put into the research to give your books the ring of authenticity. It is always interesting to learn more about a different time and what it was like for the people.
    Best wishes for your continuing endeavors. I hope your come back occasionally as a visiting author. I look forward to reading more of your books.

  19. I’m going to miss you so much, Kathryn. Two thanks you: First for more than kind letter, second for your wonderful books, especially the Oak Grove series that I thoroughly enjoyed. (I confess I have the last one to read—I think I don’t want it to be over!!) Take good care of yourself and if you can please drop in to give us a treat, okay? God Bless you, Kathryn.

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