Novelists get asked all the time where their stories come from. My answer, as I’ve probably shared in this blog before, is that story ideas are a dime a dozen. They are everywhere, like wildflowers growing on a hillside in the spring, just waiting to be picked.
Do you want proof? Yesterday, my 71st book—The Heart’s Pursuit—was released. Trust me. When I put pen to paper on what would become my first published novel, I never dreamed I would one day have seen so many of my stories in print. I am very grateful to God for the dream He put in my heart and that He has allowed me to keep telling stories for so long. I am thankful for all of the wonderful friends He has brought into my life because of my books, both other writers and my readers. As Tammy said last week, they (all of you) are an unexpected blessing that I couldn’t imagine when this journey began.
I’ve had the privilege of writing many different kinds of fiction through the years. Some with contemporary settings. More of them with historical settings. A few that fall under the women’s fiction category. Many more of them are romances. I began with romantic historical sagas, transitioned to romantic adventure novels, and I found my sweet spot with Americana romances which is where I have stayed for many, many years (both historical and contemporary).
But The Heart’s Pursuit harkens back to my adventure novel period. It is a chase story, set against the backdrop of the Old West, and it follows my hero and heroine—a bounty hunter and a jilted bride—on a wild ride across the mountains and deserts of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. Different enough from my more recent fiction that I was holding my breath as the release date approached. Had I pulled it off? Would reviewers and readers like the story?
Thankfully, reviews like those below have allowed me to breathe again:
“The clear, crisp prose shines through with the author’s beautiful description and poignant narrative. Silver and Jared are complex, well-rounded characters who resonated with readers.” — RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars
“Themes of forgiveness, justice and mercy dominate the story and add to the characters’ depth. Hatcher treats readers to a rich sensory experience—you can taste the desert dust and smell the smoke and stench of a crowded gambling hall. The setting is as much a character as the people…” — Publishers Weekly
“Hatcher delivers another thought-provoking historical novel, sending her hero and heroine on a life-changing trek. The characters remind readers that finding forgiveness and healing are often a journey – literally and spiritually.” — CBA book reviews
A blog tour for The Heart’s Pursuit begins next Monday, May 20th, and will go through to June 8th. At the end of the tour, I’ll be giving away a $200 Romantic Weekend Getaway Visa Cash Card to one lucky winner. To stay up to date on this giveaway and more, sign up to receive my blog posts via email.
Here’s a brief video to help introduce the story:
I hope you’ll join Jared and Silver on their wild ride across the West, and I hope you’ll enjoy the adventure. Just looking at the cover makes me want to saddle up and follow the path that’s etched in the mountain grasses. Hmm. That may just have sparked a new story idea…
What’s your favorite kind of adventure?
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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That is so true about what you said about ideas being like wildflowers! I often have story ideas pop into my head for whatever reason be it something I read about or saw. 🙂
I would have to say that my favorite kind of adventure is something new that I have to spend time researching about and that I can enjoy with my family!
Researching with the family along is a great adventure! Thanks for sharing.
Robin, I just finished “The Heart’s Pursuit” last week. Loved it!
Thanks, Lynn. That means a lot!
Robin,
71st book?!?! WOW!!!! I’m in awe! 🙂 And you’re still going strong! You’re such an inspiration on what it means to work hard!
I started your new book a couple nights ago. Since I’ve always loved your stories, I’m sure this one will be no different!
Thanks, Jody.
Love the cover, Robin. Silver looks like she’s inviting the reader to run with her. Perfect! I love a good western romance, so I’m sure this one will be wonderful!
Thanks, Karen. This is definitely one of my favorite covers.
The book sounds like just my cup of reading tea. We both have books releasing this spring with Pursuit in the title and lots of pursuit in the pages, so there you have it. I know I’ll love this new story of yours. Thanks for sharing more about it.
Story ideas… they are everywhere, it’s true. I see no end in sight to them. I’ve barely begun this publishing journey, but I have enough story ideas already to last the rest of my days even should they be unusually many.
Congrats on your release, Lori. Here’s hoping that both Pursuits satisfy readers!
Congratulations on the release of The Heart’s Pursuit, Robin! I have it sitting on my nightstand and I’m really looking forward to joining Jared and Silver on their ride. A bounty hunter and a jilted bride? Yes, please!
Hope you enjoy!! Thanks, Becky.
I will try again! Typed a comment earlier, filled in my info. and clicked “Post comment” – – then got a box saying “website is offline” LOL.
Anyway, Congratulations on your newest book, Robin – – 71 books?! Wow, you are AMAZING! 🙂
And I love your “wildflowers” quote above.
Thanks for sharing this post today.
Hugs, Patti Jo 🙂
Hate it went the web site goes off line. Ack! Thanks for returning for a second try. Glad you like the wildflowers quote, and thanks for the congrats.
Fabulous going Robin! You NEVER cease to amaze me with your hard work, to produce something that I’m sure ALL Readers will love.
I don’t think, your book will arrive in Aus before we leave in a couple of weeks.. but hopefully it will release in the UK being Northern Hemisphere. Does that make a difference?
You must be so proud of your achievement and rightly so. Bouquets to you from Down Under dear lady!:)
Rosie, I suppose where the book arrives depends more on the buyers than hemisphere. But hopefully you’ll be able to find it in the UK. Have fun!