When History Inspires…

Karen Witemeyer, author

by Karen Witemeyer
Copyright © 2011 Karen Witemeyer

As a writer, nothing excites me more during the research phase of plotting a book than discovering actual history that allows my entire plot to fit together in a way more perfect than anything my imagination could have conjured. This is exactly what happened during the writing of my latest novel, To Win Her Heart.

My hero, Levi Grant, enters the story after spending two years in Huntsville State Prison for an unintentional crime. Being a large, muscled man, he was put to work in the labor camps during his incarceration, breaking rock at a granite quarry. The abusive camp sergeants he faced there left him with scars inside and out, but the compassion of a prison chaplain helped him rebuild his faith and rededicate his life to serving the Lord. Upon his release, he takes up his father's blacksmithing trade and tries to create a fresh start by keeping his past a secret. Now, as the author, I couldn't allow this secret to stay hidden forever. So I began looking for ways to expose my hero's past. And I stumbled upon the perfect solution in my time period research.



Convict labor at Granite Mountain



In 1881, the Texas Capitol building was destroyed by fire. The Texas Legislature decided that when they rebuilt, they would use only materials native to the state. They initially chose limestone, as there was a quarry near Austin, but when iron particles in the rock led to discoloration, they elected red granite instead. This granite was obtained from Granite Mountain near Marble Falls, Texas in 1885. To cut costs, the state contracted convict labor for breaking the stone. The use of free—or almost free—convict labor in the quarries, however, was seen as an attempt by the state to undermine unionized labor and was opposed by virtually every organized labor group in Austin. Hence, word spread throughout the region about the controversial labor force.

This historical event allowed me to supply Levi with quarry experience during his incarceration (breaking rock at Granite Mountain), but with a project that was so well known for using convict labor, it could easily expose his past should anyone learn of his involvement. And, of course, someone does. History provided the perfect scenario.

Not only did this fabulous research gem supply the plot point I needed, but it also helped determine my setting. The story opens in 1887, in keeping with the time frame of Levi working at the labor camp in 1885 at the beginning of his incarceration, leaving time on the back end of his two-year sentence for his spiritual rehabilitation with the prison chaplain. It also played a role in the location of Spencer, Texas. Knowing how pivotal a role having a quarry nearby would be to my story, I chose to set my fictional town near Limestone County where the natural resource from which the county derived its name was abundant enough to allow me to install a quarry a few miles from town.

Fun how things work out, isn't it?

To Win Her Heart

A blacksmith with a criminal past. A librarian with pacifist ideals. Do they have a fighting chance at finding love?

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets. . . .

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi’s renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?

Amazon buy links: Kindle, Paperback, Large-Print, Audio

What is it about Western romances that keeps you coming back for more?

The rugged cowboy heroes? The feisty heroines? The frontier setting?

Share your thoughts with me, and remember that everyone who leaves a comment here or on my Monday interview/excerpt will be entered in the drawing for a free copy of To Win Her Heart. (US residents only, please.)

I can't wait to hear your responses!

Karen Witemeyer: CBA Bestselling Author

To Win Her Heart
by Karen Witemeyer

Romancing The West welcomes CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer! She writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. In 2011, her debut novel, A Tailor-Made Bride, was a finalist in the Best First Book categories for both the prestigious RITA® award and the National Reader's Choice Award.

Karen holds a master's degree in Psychology from Abilene Christian University and is a member of ACFW, RWA, and her local writers' guild. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.

RTW: Karen, tell us about your book, please.

KW: Levi Grant is looking for a clean start in Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets. . . .

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing to devote her time to the lending library. When the new blacksmith asks to borrow a book, his halting speech leaves her doubting his intelligence. Yet as his true nature is revealed, Eden discovers hidden depths that tempt her heart.

♥ Contest ♥

Karen is giving away a copy of

To Win Her Heart (US residents only)

so be sure to leave a comment at the end of the post.

RTW: What aspect of life in the Old West intrigues you the most? Did you work that into To Win Her Heart?

KW: I love the pioneering spirit that was so prevalent in the Old West. People were willing to work hard to achieve their goals, yet at the same time, they would go out of their way to offer hospitality to a stranger or lend assistance to a neighbor.

I did work some of this into my story. Levi has much at stake as he tries to get a new business off the ground, yet he risks it all to help a friend. And Eden opens her home to a stranger and in the process opens up herself to a slew of criticism

RTW: If you lived in 1887 what modern convenience would you miss the most?



Karen Witemeyer, author



KW: Definitely the washing machine. Can you imagine bending over a boiling cauldron all day, washing and rinsing clothes only to put them through a wringer that puts as many wrinkles in as it takes water out? I think that's where the term "backbreaking work" originated. I already complain about laundry and all I do is toss some clothes around and hit a few buttons. I think I might have to go home tonight and kiss my lovely GE washer and dryer just to let them know how much I truly appreciate them.

RTW: Are there any common errors in western historical romances that bug you?

KW: I believe most historical writers do their best to research their story elements. I am by no means a historian, and I tend to get caught up in the plots of the books I read, so it's very probable that any mistakes would pass me by without my even knowing they existed. However, if I ran across an error that pertained to something I'd personally researched, that would catch my notice.

RTW: Why is Levi perfect for Eden?

KW: I believe that in the ideal relationship, not only will there be physical attraction, but there will also be compatibility in spiritual, emotional, and intellectual matters. Levi and Eden share this special bond, although it takes a while for them to uncover and develop each layer. They share a passion for literature; their struggles form an emotional bond between them; and they both strive to be people of God. Best of all, Levi challenges Eden to become a bigger person. He forces her to look outside her safe, restrictive world to a place where she can truly make a difference and finally find the love she's always craved.

RTW: Great characters!  And now it's time for your excerpt.  Would you set it up for us, please?

KW: In this scene, Eden has met Levi for the first time and is mentally summing him up.

Eden fiddled with the bonnet strings that draped over the arm of her chair and into her lap. Even though she and Mr. Grant were not alone in the room, it suddenly felt as though they were. She glanced in his direction, and her gaze collided with his. They both smiled then quickly looked elsewhere. Well, Mr. Grant looked elsewhere. Eden couldn't seem to find another object in the room on which to rest her gaze. But it wasn't as if she wanted to look at him. The man was as big as a mountain. Where else was she supposed to look?

He certainly possessed an abundance of brawn. Eden's attention flittered over his arms as he leaned forward and balanced his forearms on his knees. The fabric of his sleeves seemed too meager to contain the muscles within as it stretched thin over his biceps. The heavy aspects of ironwork would be no hardship for this man. It was unfortunate that his intellect hadn't developed to the same extent as his physique. Then again, he wasn't interviewing for a position as schoolmaster, so what did it matter? Except that it did matter—to her—a bit more than it should.

A vague feeling of disappointment had circulated through her when she first heard him speak. Why his halting verbiage should bother her, she had no idea. It wasn't as if she had any personal attachment to the man.

Eden sat up straighter in her chair, uncrossing her ankles then crossing them again in the opposite direction. She forced her eyes away from the blacksmith, glancing behind him to where Mr. Draper stood hunched over the desk, penning an addendum into the lease contract. Unfortunately, Mr. Grant chose that moment to straighten his own posture, the top of his head moving to block a good portion of the banker's back and half of the preacher's arm from her view. Eden bit the inside of her lip.

For heaven's sake. She was tempted to think he had somehow discerned her intention to ignore him and taken action to prevent it. But, no. The man was just restless. He lifted a hand and scratched a spot behind his ear as he turned his face toward the window. When he finished, a small tuft of hair stuck out, somehow making the gargantuan man seem almost boyish. Eden's lips curved slightly before she pressed them back down into an indifferent line. His thick, dark brown hair was cropped into short waves. She wouldn't call them curls; that descriptor sounded much too feminine for a man as rugged as Mr. Grant. However, the strands looked as though they would easily wind around a person's finger … should a … uh … person's finger have cause to be in his hair.

The smith glanced back at that moment, and Eden dropped her gaze to her lap. Where her right index finger had apparently wound itself up in her bonnet ribbon while she'd been contemplating the man's hair. She immediately extricated the iniquitous digit and gave it a firm glare.

Amazon buy links: Kindle, Paperback, Large-Print, Audio

RTW: Ha!  I love the "iniquitous digit"!  What are you cooking up for us next?

KW: My next release, Short-Straw Bride, is coming in June 2012, and I can't wait to introduce everyone to the Archer brothers.

All Travis Archer cares about is his brothers and his land, but when a good deed goes awry, he's stuck with a bride who endangers both.

One fun tidbit about the brothers in this story – they are all named for heroes from the Alamo. Travis is the main character, the next oldest is Crockett, the kid brother is Neill (for the Alamo's commander who missed being at the fight because of a family illness that called him away), and the third brother's given name is Bowie, but he refuses to answer to anything except Jim. I don't blame him. Poor guy. What we authors do to torture our characters.

RTW: Your new series sounds like a must-read! Anything else you’d like to add?

KW: Thanks so much for having me here today. It's been such a pleasure.

So a question for you: What is it about Western romances that keeps you coming back for more? The rugged cowboy heroes? The feisty heroines? The frontier setting?

Share your thoughts with me, and remember that everyone who leaves a comment will be entered in the drawing for a free copy of To Win Her Heart. (US residents only, please.) Be sure to leave your email address with your comment or another name will be drawn!

I can't wait to hear your responses!

Karen will be back this week, talking about how real history inspired her story.  

You won't wanna miss it! :) 

Comments on either of her articles will enter you in her contest, so don't be shy!