Where Did Those Characters Come From? by Nancy Fraser

If you'd have told me two years ago ... even early last year ... that I'd be revising old books and putting them back out in the world, I'd have probably asked "What are you smoking?"

Yet, here I am, releasing the first of three books in a totally revamped series of post-Civil War romances set along the Mighty Mississippi. I've got three more all-new books planned for the series. Now I just have to write those.

So, what did I learn about "revamping" old stories into something new and exciting? First of all, I learned that my writing has improved 110% since 2008. I also realized, editors don't always know best.

I've taken three 40K word novellas and turned them into 65K novels, added, changed, subtracted the stuff that didn't work, and created an entire new world and new concept. Why keep anything at all? Because, deep down, this short series has always been one of my favorites. I just hated two of three original covers.

Part of the fun of revising is playing around with things I've learned in the interim. Not just about writing, but about history. Adding some wonderful new life into these stories has been a catalyst for new ideas to expand the series.

The first book in the series, Her Timeless Gamble, is (as the name implies) a time travel. However, I don't waste a lot of time in the twenty-first century--other than my heroine's penchant for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Which, of course, only aggravates the hero. <Insert evil giggle!>

We get our first introduction to the McAlister men ... and hunky devils they are! And, we get a bit of a cliffhanger for one of the supporting characters that won't be resolved until later in the series, but adds to the drama of each subsequent book. Yet, as with all good books, one is not dependent on the other.

Here's a peek at the first book in the series:

When Matthew McAlister pulls a nearly-drowned woman from the murky waters of the Mississippi, he has no idea what's in store for him. Or, how easily he'll willingly give up his carefree, love-em-and-leave-em lifestyle for a chance at real happiness.

Kathryn (Kate) Lowell can't believe her bad luck. Or the fact she's somehow been transported from the twenty-first century back to the post Civil War south. Worse yet, into the arms of the one man she grew up hating. The man she blames for her father's recent demise.

Can these two off-kilter and infinitely stubborn individuals fight their mutual attraction? Or, will they give in to the inevitable? And, when the time comes, will Kate choose to stay with Matt in the past, or return to her former life?

~ ~ ~

Of course, there's also a HTG Jigsaw Puzzle of the cover.

And, a trailer:

The second book in the series, His Marriage Gamble, carries on with one of the most engaging secondary characters from Book 1. I can't wait to share a peek next month!

Until next month, stay safe, stay happy, stay well read. Wear a mask and get the shot!

Nancy

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