There is something so satisfying and invigorating about finishing a long-term project. After investing countless hours of hard work, creativity, and great deal of hair-pulling, seeing a whisper of a dream become reality is a joy like no other.
Maybe you’ve restored a battered antique to its former glory, or endured a kitchen remodel. Maybe you’ve quilted a family heirloom or prayed a child through college. The more time, effort, and love invested, the sweeter the moment of completion feels.
Yesterday, I experienced that sweetness when I turned in Book 2 in my Texas Ever After Series. This will be a Cinder-fella story set in Palo Pinto, TX in 1889. There’s a cattle king trying to marry off his daughter, a cowboy trying to protect his stepmother from being evicted, a secret villain willing to take deadly action to ensure his own happy ending, and a boot that goes missing at the cattleman’s ball.
I had so much fun playing with the classic Cinderella story. First with the names. Since this is a role reversal, I played with Cinderella options for our hero and decided on Asher Ellis. Asher plays on the Cinder metaphor as well as being a strong, biblical name, and Ellis is reminiscent of Ella. For our heroine, I wanted something to play on the “charming” motif without being too on-the-nose. I ended up selecting Samantha Dearing – Dearing like endearing or charming. Samantha is the feminine version of Samuel which comes into play in the story since her father’s name is Eli.
The other thing I really wanted to do in this retelling was to redeem the stepmother character. Fairy tales have painted stepmothers with a terribly dark brush, and I thought it only right to give loving and kind stepparents their moment to shine. So Mama Bess, as Asher calls his stepmother, is a loving, supportive, generous soul who adores her stepson as much as her own two boys. This brought an added benefit of leaving the villain in the shadows and readers guessing.
Recently, my publisher informed me that they’ve agreed to let me keep my working title for this book, which makes me super happy. I just couldn’t think of anything more perfect for a western Cinderfella story than a line Woody from Toy Story made famous.
If the Boot Fits won’t be out until March 2024, but Book 1 in the Texas Ever After series is coming in June. Preorder from Baker Book House for a 40% discount!
Baker Book House | Amazon | Christianbook.com
What large projects have you been working on
or recently completed?
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Love the title and the set up for the new book. Congrats on reaching The End!! I’m slogging toward my next deadline and feeling a little envious of you.
Thanks, Robin. The only problem with finishing a book is the panic that comes when I realize I now have to figure out the details of what I’m writing next. Ha! Praying the slogging turns into jogging for you. 🙂
I love this Karen!Everything seems to work together perfectly, and I love the portrayal of Mama Bess. A positive twist on the stepmother will be an uplifting change.
I hesitate to mention this, but since this is a Christian reader’s group, I decided I would. I lost my husband of 57 years January 18th after a 20 day stay in the hospital, fighting pneumonia. My big project has been completing all of the paperwork and notifications associated with his death, many of them government related since he was a retired Marine. I think I am just now beginning to see the end. I praise God for his strength during this time.
I am thankful for this group for the many wonderful authors and books that are being released because reading has been my comfort during this time. I am preordering Fairest of Heart today!
Bless your heart, Betty. Such a hard, long project for you to endure in the midst of grief. What a testimony to true love that you and your sweetheart had 57 years together. That’s amazing! May memories of good times shared together be a blessing to you and may the Spirit’s comfort continue to surround and uplift you. We love you!
I LOVE what you’re doing with this series, Karen, and your Cinderella retelling sounds especially fabulous. Congrats on meeting your deadline! That’s the best feeling. 🙂
Thanks, Becky. I’ve had a lot of fun with this series so far. On to Book 3!
I’m so looking forward to this series! Love the titles.
Thanks, D’Ann. My childhood filled with an abundance of Disney is being put to good use. 🙂
Congratulations! 🥳 I can’t wait to read it, Karen! I am always working on something, but the biggest thing going on in my life is that I have 3 Graduates this spring. One from college, one from high school, and one from middle school. Its a time of growth, change, and celebration. And I am going to do my best to keep that in mind as I go. 🤪
Wow! Big milestone year for you. In 2020, we had 2 graduates (1 college, 1 high school), so I know a little bit of what that feels like. Enjoy it!