Last Chance Wife excerpt with Janette Foreman q&a

Hello, reader friends! We have the pleasure of visiting with debut author friend Janette Foreman today! She is taking her first step with Last Chance Wife published by Love Inspired Historical and she is providing a giveaway for y’all!

about the author

A former high school English teacher turned stay-at-home mom, Janette Foreman is passionate about inspirational, God-centered romances and teaching people to see themselves as having worth in God’s eyes. She is a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), secretary of the ACFW Dakotas chapter, and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray at the Steve Laube Agency.

When Janette sneaks in time for her extra hobbies, she loves to read, quilt, make cloth dolls, and draw. A graduate of York College and Black Hills State University, Janette makes her home in the northern Midwest with her amazing husband, polydactyl cat, bird-hunting dog, and the most adorable baby twin boys on the planet.

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five favorites

Favorite books

Janette: Since my debut release, Last Chance Wife, is historical romance, I’ll list my top 10 favorite historical romance books of all time.

Some introduced me to Christian fiction, especially historical romance, others spurred on my love for emotional storylines, strong redemptive themes, and dynamic couples.

Beth: With the exception of two stories which are on my want to read list, these lovelies are among my favorites as well!

Favorite book cover

Janette: I couldn’t choose between two covers, so I’ll mention both since they’re similar. My favorite covers are Rekindled by Tamera Alexander (above) and A River to Cross by Yvonne Harris.

I love the romance and wild adventure they suggest. The colors are warm and the fonts are pretty! Both hero and heroine are on each cover, which is my favorite way to go, and my historical romance heart resides in the West.

My husband is a cowboy, and I grew up in ranch country, so I suppose it’s in my blood.

Beth: It’s certainly not in my blood but I vividly remember my first lungful of fresh air in South Dakota and it’s certainly addictive!

Favorite words

Janette: I have what’s called synesthesia, so when I think of a word, I also see a splash of color, feel certain textures, and feel certain emotions. The following words create warm, beautiful, inspirational colors/textures/feelings for me.

studio, create, worthy, & artistry

Beth: That is fascinating, Janette! I’d love to hear more about your experience sometime!

Favorite fictional couple

Janette: If we’re talking books, I’d say Anne and Gilbert. *Swoon!* There’s no one like these two. If we’re talking movies, then I’d have to go with either Lucy and Jack from While You Were Sleeping or Prince Henry and Danielle from Ever After.

Love these couples’ back-and-forth, chemistry, and their ability to connect on a deeper level.

Beth: Janette, we are always talking about books here 😉 and you have excellent taste, friend! 

Favorite bookish memory

Janette: When I was about four, we lived a couple of blocks from the library. Fairly often, at least weekly, my mom would push me in the stroller down to the library where we’d have story time and a craft with the head librarian. Her name was Elaine.

Then Mom would let me pick out a stack of books (I could get ten each time, library rules), and we’d walk home. We read those books at nap time throughout the week—until it was time to go to the library again! It really developed my love for books.

Although our library has since moved, I still get that warm feeling when I drive by the old building. It was like I was stepping into an adventure each time I walked through those doors. Every child should get to experience that wonder.

Beth: Libraries are the best! What sweet memories!

 

books

Tell us about your latest release

Janette: Last Chance Wife is my debut historical romance from Love Inspired Historical. It’s a mail-order bride story, though not your typical plotline, so that was fun! I tell people it’s like You’ve Got Mail in the Wild West. The hero and heroine don’t get along in person—are complete opposites—but anonymously fall in love through letters.

Ewan Burke is by-the-book and serious, while Winifred is bubbly and thinks outside the box. Her unconventional ways of trying to save Ewan’s fledgling business have probably given him a few gray hairs but eventually win him over!

Here’s an excerpt from the middle, where Winifred, who works in the store attached to Ewan’s gold mine, is giving Ewan an update on the day’s sales. Things aren’t going well for Ewan’s business, and so he’s starting to feel the pressure.

Last Chance Wife excerpt

“You’re certain these are all the sales you’ve made?”

“Yes.”

She pointed to each name, but Ewan averted his gaze. Three sales. The store used to make so much more money than that. What had happened? He carried quality merchandise and had competitive prices. Nothing more could be done.

“This man, Thomas Thornton, came in looking for a new gold pan because he’d lost his when it fell from his pack,” she said. “I helped him find the right size for the spot in Whitewood Creek where he headed next. And this man, Arnold Pickling, needed a screw to hold the chain on his arrastra. I wasn’t sure we’d find one, but we did, with a little digging! Do you know what an arrastra is, Mr. Burke? Mr. Pickling told me all about them. They’re contraptions used to crush ore if you don’t have a stamp mill. It’s a ring in the ground made of stone—”

Irritation built in his gut. “I know what an arrastra is, Miss Sattler.” Sighing, he rubbed his hand down his face. “I used one before I built up the mine.”

The mine. The years of defending his claim, of mining gold along the creek in the beginning, battling the rain and the snow. Of driving drifts into the mountainside and finding veins of ore running deep, like lifeblood. Of building the store, the kitchen and his office. The cash he’d sunk into this place to get gold dust in return. The fight to make an honest living in an occupation many looked down upon. The desire to be more than a failure to his father.

What if he lost it all?

Miss Sattler reached across the counter and placed her hand on his forearm, jarring him out of his thoughts. “Everything will work out, Mr. Burke.”

Slowly he met her gaze, but otherwise he didn’t move. Had her gesture offended him or scared him frozen, he had no idea. But flecks of softness hovered around his hardened heart, coaxing him not to worry so much.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

She smiled. A nice smile, if he were honest. Genuine. Warm. For all her faults, Miss Sattler wasn’t malicious. He’d do well to respect her, even if he didn’t agree with her methods, even if her personality grated on his patience.

Beth: I really want to read this story!

Last Chance Wife by Janette Foreman

When six-time mail-order bride Winifred Sattler is stranded in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, she’s grateful to find a temporary position at Mr. Ewan Burke’s business until she can return home. Ewan is handsome, but stuffy and serious–her complete opposite. Unlike her new anonymous correspondent, Mr. Businessman, who appreciates her bubbly optimism.

To keep his mining company afloat, Ewan can’t be distracted by Winifred’s vivacious beauty. He needs a no-nonsense wife. Someone like Miss Thoroughly Disgruntled, the only respondent to his recent ad with whom he truly connected. In person, Winifred and Ewan don’t get along, but in their letters they’re falling in love.Will they discover a perfect match in each other?

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Beth: Oh, I really, really want to read your story!

 

What are you working on now?

Janette: I have some new projects up my sleeves. Since Love Inspired’s historical line is closing in June, I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to try writing a romance for their contemporary line. I’m in the process of it right now, and really enjoying it!

Historical romance is always near and dear to my heart, so I also have a trade-length series I’m working on, which deals with romantic suspense/mystery set in the West (1890s). It’ll be exciting to see what becomes of these projects!

Beth: So sad to see the Love Inspired Historical line close but how exciting to hear you are moving forward with a contemporary story and more historical possibilities in the future! 

 

q&a

Describe your story in five words. 

Janette: Romance, Adventure, Humor, Christian, Heartfelt

Beth: I’m really, really, really going to need to work your book into my stack!

What do you want readers to gain from your story?

Janette: You have worth. You are not the sum of your mistakes, your successes, or your past. You hold worth because you were created by a loving God. Period.

Beth: Amen! Excellent reminder!

What book are you reading right now? 

Janette: A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander (Loooooove it!!!)

Beth: Oh yes! I adore that story!!! I need a copy for my favorites shelf!

 

giveaway

Janette Foreman has generously provided an ebook (.mobi Kindle) copy of Last Chance Wife for one Faithfully Bookish reader friend!

complete giveaway rules

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Do you and Janette have any of the same favorites?
Share your thoughts on the Last Chance Wife excerpt.