We are on to book four in this NINE BOOK SERIES!
These books are formerly published and out of print, so I’m giving them a new life with the help of Wild Heart Books.
But only six covers so far. I can’t wait for the rest!!!
This month the book re-releasing is………..
Montana Rose is one of the first books I ever wrote. Not first by any means but before any of the other five books that are included in that lineup.
To make it into a series I had to rewrite it, along with The Husband Tree…which I wrote a bit later…move Montana Rose to Montana…or did I move the Husband Tree to Montana? And I know it was The Husband Tree that I had to date a lot later to match up with the time of The Husband Tree and, if you’re reading Montana Rose, you’ll see that Belle Tanner, the heroine of The Husband Tree is in the book, as is Tom Linscott…neither of these people were originally in Montana Rose. There might have been a passing mention of the name Tom Linscott as a cranky neighbor who would bid to buy the land that is being seized by the bank near the beginning of the book.
He never appears on the page. He never had a line of spoken dialogue and, in my imagination, he was an old codger. Now he’s a handsome young cranky neighbor bound of a love story of his own.
All of this changed when I threw my back (okay, my fingers!) into making these books a series. Adding in Wildflower Bride well, that was the first original book I wrote after I became published.
Montana Rose was written as my effort to re-create Love Comes Softly. If you’re familiar with it, it is the beginning of Christian Publishers buying and publishing fiction. It was all non-fiction before Love Comes Softly. It’s a beautiful story, classic and widely known. Also at this point in my writing, I’d been creating female characters that were tough, feisty lady ranchers. I wanted to try and grow as an author, test my skills. Can I create a true damsel in distress…and in the truest, old fashioned sense of the word.
Cassie is meek. She’s been mistreated by her first husband, a much older man who, after Cassie’s mother’s death, tended the vast wealth Cassie inherited. Well, he married her and took her west, spent her whole fortune, got her pregnant and died. Leaving her penniless, alone, used to taking orders and convinced she’s stupid and childish and someone needs to tell her every decision to make.
There, on the freshly turned grave of her husband….
…………..Here’s the thing. I like to think of Montana Rose as Love Comes Softly … Only with Mayhem and Gunfire.
I suggested to my publisher we call it that. Or maybe Love Comes Hardly. Or Love Comes Loudly.
I felt like that captured the spirit of the book. In their usual wisdom, they picked a title of their own.
Montana Rose, coming June 23. That’s next Tuesday. Available now for preorder, along with The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride.
Have you read Love Comes Softly? It was a movie on The Hallmark Channel…the author Janette Oke, absolutely beloved, has had many many books made into movies, six in the Love Comes Softly series alone. In some ways they really launched The Hallmark Channel and those movies run and rerun to this day.
So my humble attempt to capture that beautiful pregnant woman, grieving from her husband’s death on a wagon train, in terrible need, her forced marriage of convenience to a near stranger, and how those two learned to trust. And how Cassie learns to risk her heart again.
With me as the author, it fell into chaos of course, lots of shooting and such. But I love it just the same.
Have you read Love Comes Softly? Have you seen the movie? To get your name in the drawing for an ebook copy of Montana Rose, let me know in the comments. Then, if you dare!!! Risk the mayhem of Montana Rose.
A poignant Western romance about second chances, redemption, and the healing power of faith—a moving tale of a heartbroken young widow, a compassionate rancher, and the love that helps them both find their way home.
When Cassie Griffin’s abusive husband dies, leaving her pregnant and destitute, she’s forced to marry a stranger to survive. Red Dawson, a hardworking rancher and part-time preacher, steps forward to save her from a worse fate. Though Red fears marrying a non-believer goes against his principles, he can’t stand by and watch Cassie be claimed by the ruthless Sawyer clan.
Living in Red’s rustic cave home is a far cry from Cassie’s former life of luxury. But as she learns to work alongside him, she discovers strength she never knew she possessed. Red’s gentle patience and unwavering faith begin to crack the protective shell she’s built around her heart. When a dangerous enemy threatens their newfound happiness, Cassie and Red must trust in God’s plan—and each other—to survive.
Can a marriage of convenience bloom into true love? And can a woman who’s known only submission find the courage to stand tall? A tender story of healing, hope and the transformative power of unconditional love.
Love the premise and how it’s similar to Love Comes Softly franchise. I haven’t read the books, but I’ve seen every movie in the franchise, plus the When Calls the Heart franchise. I’m a Heartie and a Hallmarkie. I don’t think they had a nickname for the Love Comes Softly viewers since most of those movies predate much of the hashtag usage.
That is such a great batch of movies. And Love Comes Softly, to see a young Katherine Heigl. She got so famous and I love the hero, too and can’t say who he is.
Love them. I just watched the first one again. They are always on.
Me, too! I read them all back in the ’80’s but haven’t kept up with any new ones?
I read all of her books back in the ’80’s but haven’t kept up with anything more recent. Delightful reading, as are yours!
Dale Midkiff played the male lead. He’s from Maryland, originally.
Yes, Mary, I read a lot of Janet Oke back in the day. “Love Comes Softly” was a good series of books (I haven’t seen the TV series). What you described about your book catches my interest. Thanks for running the giveaway.
So, do publishers usually rename the novels you authors submit to them?
Almost always the title comes from them. To the extent that I usually don’t even try. Barbour and now Bethany House are really good at it so I let them do that work.
I never read Love Comes Softly or seen the movie.
It’s a great book. It is the FIRST in the current Christian Fiction world. There are older Christian fiction books but no major Christian publisher was doing fiction until Love Comes Softly
Hi, Mary,
I first read all of Jeanette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series as they were released back in the ’80s. I purchased them by mail from the Crossway Book Club. I still have them, but they’ve been packed away for three years since we had to downsize our lives. But we’re moving this summer, and I hope to get all my books out again. I also have all the Love Comes Softly movies on DVDs, and, as a “football widow,” I watch them every year during football season.
Hi Jeanne!!! It’s so fun to see you here! It’s a six book series right? I don’t know if I’ve read all six but that first one, wow,what a book.
I have read all the books in that series. And,I have seen the movies. Love them all.
Hi Ann. Janette Oke is the founder of it all. 🙂
I have read all the books in that series and have seen all the movies. I loved them all
Aw, yes. Such beautiful books. And Montana Rose is my attempt to do something similar…only with my usual mayhem and comedy
I have not read them as yet nor have I seen the movies. Alas what a tragedy!
It’s all out there for you, Debby.
My bad – I have not read the book Love Comes Softly. The Hallmark movies were incredible! I’m looking forward to this book Mary.
Hi Kathy! The book is available for preorder right now. coming next week!
I have not read the book but I saw one of the movies
Hi Rhonda. I loved that movie
I have read the Love Comes Softly series and seen the movies. Love Janette Oake books. Your book sounds great. Can’t wait to read it.
I’d love to hear later if my book reminds you off Love Comes Softly
I honestly, cannot recall if I have either read the book or seen the movie on Hallmark. I do watch lots of the Hallmark movies, especially love movies. But nothing comes to mind. I am always reading books or watching movies and most do not stick in my mind.
Judy if they don’t stick then you can watch them again later!!
I love that book series and the movies as well! I have all the books and tend to re-read them constantly. I love seeing the movies as well and showing them to my kids. I can’t wait to read this book!
I am almost embarrassed to even say my books in the same sentence with Janette Oke, but that was the foundation of my book so I admit it. LOL
I probably read it years ago. I’ve seen the movie at least twice. Your book sounds great.
Thanks Karijean!
I have read Love Comes Softly, and watched part of the movie, I liked the books better.
Bridgette I always try and read the book first. Once I’ve seen the movies it affects how I experience the book and I prefer the book
I have read the whole series of Love Comes Softly several times. I have also watched the movies. The books are much better.
As far as the movies, the moment when the heroine overhears the hero singing ‘Come Thou Font’ always touches me.
I have seen the movie but not sure about the book. Usually books are better then the movies.
Agree
Yes. I have read the book and seen the series. I love them both. They show resilence when life seems to come with so much hardships. Life out West is different in many ways, but many ways still the same. We all go through hardships, loss and disappointments. With God, all things are possible. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
Hi Debra! Yes, love both. books are top for me but the movies are great.
I read Love Comes Softly and saw the movie years ago. I vividly remember both and was immersed in the storyline. You took me down memory lane today and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!
haven’t seen
I’ve read them all and love them.
Yes, I have read Love Comes Softly and I have seen the movie. Loved it. I am enjoying this series.
Yes I loved the book and I have seen the movie. In fact it was the first Christian romance I read as a young teen.
No. I have not had the opportunity to read the book or watch the movie. The book sounds amazing!
I have watched Hallmark for years and never saw Love Comes Softly. I pulled it up on line and watched a bit of it. It looks good, but that version has commercials every 3 minutes. I will have to finish watching it later and hopefully find a version that is uninterrupted. Times and circumstances like they were caught in often necessitated previously unthinkable options. She certainly had few options and it looks like his daughter is going to be a challenge. I look forward to watching the rest of it.
I can see how it was a bit of a stretch for you to change the character of your heroine from your usual spunky, independent women to a dependent woman unable to operate on her own. I am sure you gave her a spine and the. ability to make her own decisions by the end of the book.
Yes I have read Love Comes Softly. And I seen all the movies on TV. Your book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it.
Yes I have read Love Comes Softly. And I seen all the movies on TV. Love to win and read your book.
Absolutely loved Love Comes Softly series, both the books and the movies. Yes they still pop up, I just finished watching the movie about a month ago. I read a few but not the whole series. I would love to win Montana Rose.