Regina Jennings is homeschooling mother of four from Oklahoma. She enjoys watching musicals with her kids, traveling with her husband and reading by herself. When not plotting historical fiction she plots how she could move Highclere Castle, stone by stone, into her pasture and how she could afford the staff to manage it.
Regina is the author of Caught in the Middle, Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance. Her novella An Unforeseen Match is also included in the collection A Match Made in Texas. She loves to hear from readers at her website – www.reginajennings.com and on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
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Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Regina! It’s wonderful to have you here!
Savanna: Can you name a historical figure you would have enjoyed getting to meet in person and have lunch with?
Regina: I’ve always admired George Washington and would love to share a meal with him and Martha at Mount Vernon. Wouldn’t it be grand to get a personal tour of his beloved farm? And wouldn’t it be interesting to hear him express his hopes for the country? Plus I hear he was a superb dancer.
Savanna: That does sound like fun! 😉 Congratulations, by the way, on your latest release, Caught in the Middle. I’ve been hearing LOTS of good things about it. 😉 Can you tell us what first sparked the idea for the novel?
Regina: Nick and Anne both appear in my earlier books Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance and as they had nothing in common, I really looked forward to sticking them together and making them fall in love. Sharpshooting Anne was inspired by Annie Oakley, although our Anne has a much rougher past. Clearly Anne was going to need someone very patient and gentle to see her through her transformation.
As for Nick, I’ve always enjoyed Regency and Georgian romances and the tough dandy is a well-established character in those genres. The lords knew how to cut a figure—or at least their valets knew how to dress them—but they also were fearless soldiers and managed large estates. Inspired by those men, I decided to have a Western hero who appreciates the finer things in life and save the dusty cowboy for the next book. Nick’s railroad ambitions were inspired by Stephen Ambrose’s Nothing Like it in the World, a book about the men who built the Transcontinental Railroad.
Savanna: It’s always so neat to hear how characters are developed. I can’t wait to read this one! What is one of your favorite things about writing stories set in the 19h century?
Regina: As anyone who follows me on Pinterest can attest, I love the dresses of the era. I really do mean to pin practical things like recipes and kids’ projects, but then I see more hoops and bustles and I can’t help myself. Pin! Pin! Pin!
As far as the times in general, the 19th century was the century of opportunity. Advances in communication, transportation and science (along with Western expansion) made everything seem possible. At the same time, the quaint charms of days gone by had not yet been replaced by our relentless modern efficiency.
Savanna: I’m definitely with you there on the fun distractions on Pinterest! 😉 On your website, you mentioned traveling a lot for your husband’s job and for your church’s Missions Team. Has there been a particular place you visited that really inspired your writing?
Regina: My husband is an insurance adjuster, so naturally we’ve spent a lot of time in Texas with their hurricanes, softball-sized hail and wind storms. No surprise that’s where this first series takes place. Someday, though, I’d like to write about Louisiana. While working Hurricane Katrina, our family got some time off to visit the “Laura Plantation” – a beautifully restored Creole plantation. Forget what you learned about the South from Gone with the Wind, the aristocratic Creoles belonged to another culture altogether. Just fascinating!
Savanna: That sounds very intriguing. 😉 I love hearing where writers find new inspiration. Since I was homeschooled and I know you homeschool your children, do you have a particular favorite subject you enjoy teaching them?
Regina: History and Literature! Is that a surprise? We’ve used Sonlight Curriculum for 14 years now and cherish all the read-alouds we’ve done as a family. Having a codex of stories that the kids have shared together is a wonderful family treasure.
Savanna: I loved reading your Publication Story online and how you shared your journey so honestly and humorously. Do you have a word of advice for aspiring writers still on the edge of jumping in to publication?
Regina: It’s tough to give advice because God has different plans for everyone. The mistakes I made might actually work for someone else. Still, I think joining writers’ groups and finding critique partners will contribute no matter where you are on your journey. Through writer’s groups you’ll find accountability and support, while a good critique partner will help you hone your skills and spot the trouble areas that you miss.
Savanna: Can you tell us a little bit about what project you’re working on right now?
Regina: Well, this next series takes place in a little known area called the Missouri Ozarks. Have you heard of it? 😉 The first book stars a Civil War nurse named Abigail Stuart who feels like her only friend in the world is the sweet but gravely wounded patient Jeremiah Calhoun. Fearing he won’t survive, the Confederate soldier’s last wish is that Abigail look after his sickly sister at home. Marry him, return to his horse farm, and it’ll be hers.
Abigail takes him up on his offer and moves to Missouri after his death, but just as the family learns to accept her, the real Jeremiah Calhoun appears—puzzled to find a confounding woman posing as his wife. Jeremiah is determined to have his life back to how it was before the war, but his own wounds limit what he can do on his own. Still not fully convinced Abigail isn’t duping him, he’s left with no choice but to let the woman stay and help—providing that she give up her claim that she’s his wife and doesn’t ruin his chances with his childhood sweetheart.
“Inconvenient” barely scratches the surface of what the two of them feel about each other, but maybe they’ll find some common ground.
Savanna: Ah, I can tell I’m gonna love this one!! 🙂 A Civil War story like that set in the beautiful region I call home… I can’t wait to read it! Thank you so much for being with us today, Regina! Anything else you’d like to add? How can readers connect with you?
Regina: Thanks for having me on your blog, Savanna! And thanks for giving me a chance to let readers know how much I appreciate them. Their support of Christian literature and God-honoring fiction allows us to afford fast food for the kids so we can keep on writing.
Y’all can find me at these places. Don’t be shy, please. I love hearing from you.
website: www.reginajennings.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReginaLJennings
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/ReginaJennings
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/reginaljennings/
GIVEAWAY!!
Regina has graciously offered one copy of CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE to one lucky winner!
HOW TO ENTER:
-Leave your name and email in the comments below. (You MUST include your email to be qualified)
GET EXTRA ENTRIES:
(Be sure to tell me in the comments below)
-Subscribe to The Engrafted Word
-Like The Engrafted Word on Facebook
-Share this Giveaway on Social Media
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends April 29, 2014.
Winner will be notified by email.
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I enjoyed the interview and learning more about the characters in the book. I have read both books in the series and can’t wait to see how she puts these two together! And the new book sounds so good! What an idea and I can’t wait to see how it goes!
I like the Engrafted Word on Facebook and subscribe to get email updates. I will share it also so others can learn more about Regina and her books. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Nancy. I’m so glad you enjoyed the other books!
Thanks for joining us, Nancy! You’ll receive 4 entries in the giveaway. Good luck! 😉
I very much enjoyed the interview! Thank you! Regina’s next book sounds wonderful – I love “inconvenient” love stories. 🙂
I would love to win Caught in the Middle! Thank you for the chance.
Liked, subscribed, and shared on Facebook.
Blessings,
~Sarah
bookluver1492[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks, Sarah!
Always fun to see you here, Sarah. Don’t her stories sound intriguing? 😉 Hope you get a chance to read them all. You’ll receive 4 entries in the giveaway.
Great interview! Can’t wait to read this book!
candicervaldez at gmail dot com
Hey, Candice. Good to hear from you. Good luck on the drawing!
Welcome, Candice! Thanks for commenting. I’ll notify you by email if I draw your name. Good luck!
This story really intrigues me. I was drawn to it at first because of the cover, then my friend Liz Dent has been posting on Facebook about it so I knew I wanted to read it. It’s on my must read list.
mommyauthor at gmail dot com
Me too, Amalie! It sounds like such a great story, doesn’t it? Hope you get a chance to read it soon. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Amalie, isn’t Miss Liz such a blessing? Thanks for commenting.
Enjoyed the interview. Will be reading your book whether I win or not. Thanks for the good reading!!
Carol Smith
penelope223(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by, Carol. I’m sure you will enjoy Regina’s book. 😉 She’s such a sweet person and a gifted writer!
Thank you, Carol! I hope you enjoy it!
Great interview. I love Regina’s books. Looking forward to her new one.
Blessings
Diana
joeym11@frontier.com
So glad to hear you enjoyed our interview, Diana. I was so excited to have Regina as our guest this week. Good luck in the giveaway.
Hey, Diana. Imagine meeting you here. 😉 Good luck!
I really enjoyed Sixty Acres and a Bride and I think I have Love in the Balance on My Kindle.
You know you have to many books in your TBR stack when the next book in a series comes out and you have the previous one but haven’t read it!
I am a subscriber
I liked The Engrafted Word in FB
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I know the feeling, Patty! I’d say that’s a good problem to have. At least we can rest in the fact that we’ll never run out of good books to read, right? 😉 Thanks for following my blog. You’ll receive 3 entries in the giveaway.
I’m glad you liked Sixty Acres, Patty. Thanks for entering.
Hello Ladies, nice interview and love getting the facts from the author about her characters and books. I have been wanting to read this one. Love the cover and that pretty Red Dress.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
I had so much fun chatting with Regina and hearing some “behind-the-scenes” of her books. I know, isn’t the cover beautiful? 🙂 You’ll have to check out Regina’s Facebook page if you haven’t already. She wore that very dress to a book signing! Have a great day, Paula! Thanks for sharing.
Paula, I hope you get a chance to read it. And Savannah is right, I managed to get that dress for myself. Wearing it was hands-on research, let me tell you. I don’t know what they did if their back started itching.
Great interview! Love historical fiction. Thanks for the opportunity to own a copy of “Caught in the Middle”, sounds like my kind of book!
Trixi
teamob4@gmail.com
I am also a subscriber to the Engrafted Word, “Like” and have shared this on Facebook
I agree, Trixi! Can’t help but love historical fiction. 😉 It’s always fun to have you join us. Hope you get to read Regina’s story. Thanks for supporting my blog too. You’ll receive 4 entries in the giveaway. I’ll email you if I draw your name. Good luck!
Thanks for commenting and sharing, Trixi. God bless!
Hi, Savannah
I love reading about the authors that you choose! Their books are so intriguing to me and I look forward to acquiring some of them for my personal library:-)
Liked, subscribed and shared!
Thank you for this opportunity!
sessasavvy2000@yahoo.com
Thanks so much for following along, Carisa. I’m thrilled to introduce these great authors! Hope you get a chance to add to your bookshelves soon. 😉 You’ll receive 4 entries as well.
Carisa, thanks for commenting and sharing. Good luck in the drawing! I wish I had more to give away. 🙂
Stimmer@familylife.com
Thanks for sharing about Regina’s books!
I subscribe to The Engrafted Word & I liked it on Facebook 🙂
It’s great to have you join us, Sharon! Thanks for following my blog as well. You’ll receive 3 entries in the giveaway. Good luck!
Sharon,
Good luck in the drawing! I appreciate you stopping by.
Savanna, What an interesting interview with Regina.
I love the cover of Caught In The Middle !
I have read A Match Made In Texas and loved the characters and story line ! Also really enjoyed Sixty Acres and A Bride.
Regina has such a gift of writing inspiration into her story lines and as a reader I appreciate it.
I can’t wait to read this book and already look forward to her new series
I follow this blog and subscribe
I liked The engrafted Word F B page
thank you
mcnuttj(at)rocketmail(dot)com
Hi there, Jackie! I know, don’t you just love Regina? 😉 So happy to meet another fan. I have no doubt you’ll love this story too. Thanks for all your support. It’s always fun for me to see “familiar faces” on my blog. 😉 I’ll add your extra entries to the giveaway. Good luck, my friend!
Jackie, thanks for the kind words! I appreciate your encouragement here and everywhere else our paths cross.
God bless you!
These books look very interesting. And since I just wrote my first historical fiction novel, I need to start reading this genre!
Congratulations, Jennifer, on writing your own historical fiction novel! It’s great to have you here. Good luck in the giveaway!
Loved the post – thanks, Regina and Savanna!! What a delight Regina is!! I just finished commenting on her post on another blog re: her favorite second job as a scale master weighing pigs – another interesting post everyone will love!!
I enjoyed learning of the background and inspiration for your books and characters and would love to read “Caught in the Middle”!! And you’ve already sold me on the first book in your next series – what an interesting story line!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a subscriber and Facebook follower, and have shared the giveaway on my Facebook page!!
Hi Bonnie! Wasn’t that a great article Regina just posted? I loved that! 😉 Thanks for joining us for this great giveaway. You’ll receive your extra 4 entries.