Happy Tuesday, Shelfies! Today, I’ve invited contemporary inspirational romance author Jill Lynn to By Her Shelf to talk about her upcoming release, The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby. Grab your coffee (or tea, or beverage of choice) and get to know Jill By Her Shelf!
What’s the elevator pitch (short summary) of The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby?
From the back cover:
After his marriage ended, Gage Frasier vowed he’d never remarry or have children—but now he’s guardian of an orphaned baby boy. Thankfully, his friend’s sweet sister, Emma Wilder, offers to nanny while Gage seeks a more suitable family for the child. But soon Gage finds himself bonding with his new son…and with Emma. Parenthood surprised Gage, but will love sneak up on him, too?
The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby is book two in the Colorado Grooms series. How did you come up with the concept for this series, and how many more books can readers expect as of now?
Goodness, I wish I knew better where my ideas come from. 😊 I’m a day dreamer, and I pretty much constantly have book ideas floating through my head. I loved the idea of a guest ranch setting, so the series idea came from that. Each of the Wilder siblings needed their own story, and Emma Wilder and Gage Frasier were the perfect opposites. He’s wounded and she’s giving. He’s lost his faith and she has enough for the both of them. Between the two of them, I hoped for healing and growth and a new future that surpassed what either of them had expected.
Currently there’s three books in the series for the three Wilders. We’ll see if anything else comes of the town of Westbend in the future…
Where did you get the inspiration for your hero and heroine, Gage Frasier and Emma Wilder?
Emma is so sacrificial, and I am not. So definitely not from me. 😉 I wanted to represent a woman who’s always done everything for others…and eventually has to take care of herself and stand up for herself.
Gage was inspired by the idea of a man who’d been through a disastrous marriage. Someone who no longer had faith in relationships. Can God show up even in the roughest of ruins?
What interesting fact(s) did you learn while researching The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby?
After drafting book one, I visited Lost Valley Guest Ranch. Gorgeous place and wonderful people. I learned that they constantly have guests in the summer. Guests leave on Saturday, the staff does the turnover, and the new guests also arrive on Saturday. I’d already written my series as guests leaving Saturday with new guests arriving Sunday (and it fit my storylines) so I left it. But man, do they work hard!
What can you share about upcoming releases?
The third book in the Colorado Grooms series will release in September 2019. It’s currently being titled, and I’m excited to share that news with my readers soon.
Reading Questions
Lightning round
-print, eBook, or audiobook?
Print is my first choice. I like to read in the bath, so if it’s a library book, I’ll choose an ebook so that I’m not ruining it with any water. And I prefer audiobook for non-fiction. 😊
-Buy or borrow from library?
Both! If it’s an author I know I’ll read again, then I’ll purchase the book. But I read so much that I definitely take advantage of the library. We’re huge library fans at our house—and we go often. Especially in the summer.
-bookmark, dog ear, random paper or other to hold your place?
I would never dog ear, but I rarely have a bookmark nearby, so I’ll use whatever I can get my hands on for a bookmark.
-write/highlight in a book, or leave it pristine?
For non-fiction, I definitely underline or highlight. I don’t think I’ve ever done that with fiction!
-worst reading habit?
Not hearing anyone around me when I’m reading. It drives my husband crazy! I tune the world out.
What book made you fall in love with or reignited your love of reading?
I can’t remember a specific book as a child, but I do remember books in general. I read the Babysitter’s club series, the Nancy Drew Series. I even dipped into the Hardy Boys once Nancy ran out. I read the Little Women series numerous times. I would come home from the library with so many books. I just loved to read.
What book might people be surprised to find on your shelf?
I struggled with flying for a while, so I have a non-fiction book called Soar that was written by a pilot. An interesting and knowledgeable book.
What are you currently reading?
Cold Case Christmas by my dear friend Jessica Patch.
What book is currently on top of your TBR pile?
Didn’t See it Coming (non-fiction).
Upcoming releases you can’t wait to read.
Becky Wade’s Sweet on You.
Denise Hunter’s Summer by the Tides.
Lee Tobin McClain’s Low Country Hero.
Jill Lynn is an author of small-town romances filled with faith, humor and happily ever after. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University and lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children. Jill loves to connect with readers on social media or at Jill-Lynn.com. Follow Jill on Facebook or Instagram.
Current Giveaway & Newsletter: http://jill-lynn.com/news/
By Her Shelf 