Today author Colleen Hall is here to talk about her new release, Warrior’s Heart, a historical Christian romance. Colleen, let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in New England, so I really consider myself a New Englander even though after I married my Southern husband, I’ve lived in the South. Besides my husband and family, I love writing, horseback riding and giving my horse hugs, and my three very spoiled cats. I enjoy browsing through antique stores for that special item to take home.
What is your book about?
Warrior’s Heart is Wild Wind’s story. Readers met Wild Wind, Shane Hunter’s half-Cheyenne brother, in Wounded Heart.
Warrior’s Heart takes place six years after Wounded Heart closes. Most of the Plains tribes have been subdued and are living on reservations, although there is still much lingering fear and animosity toward the Indians among the settlers.
When a coalition of tribes escapes from their reservations and clash with George Custer’s 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, fear boils over into anger toward all Indians.
So what is Wild Wind, a former Dog Soldier whose name strikes terror in the hearts of the settlers, to do when he leaves the reservation and tries to build a new life on the Slash L?
How does he cope with the distrust that he faces among the cowboys and townspeople?
And how does he navigate two different cultures when the woman he loves is a white woman?
What is the inspiration behind your story?
Even though I’ve never lived in the West, I was fascinated by the West when I was growing up, so it seemed natural to me to set my stories in the West. Western history in particular interested me. I was able to finally visit Colorado twice to do research for my Frontier Hearts Saga books, and I fell in love with the West. I hope that love comes through in my stories.
What was the catalyst for your interest in writing?
I think my love for writing grew out of a love for reading. As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved to read. My mother tells me that I wrote my first story during the third grade. And it helps that I have a very vivid imagination!
Are you a night owl or morning person?
Definitely a night owl, but with working and writing, I’ve learned to combine both.
Do you reward yourself when a book is finished?
If so, what is your favorite treat? Yes, I reward myself when I finish a book. My husband and I celebrate with a nice dinner out, then I watch one of my favorite movies. And chocolate—I definitely indulge in chocolate, and I don’t feel guilty!
Were there any surprises that came up as you wrote your story?
Wild Wind’s whole story came as a surprise. I’d originally intended for the third book in my series to feature another character, but as readers may have noticed in Wounded Heart, Wild Wind is a very strong person. I tried to lay the groundwork for my third book using my original idea, but Wild Wind wouldn’t let me alone. He was always there in my head, demanding that I write his story.
My third book just wouldn’t take off, so I abandoned my story premise and gave in to Wild Wind. Once I gave in to him, I tried to lay out a story line and a love interest for him. That’s when I got my second surprise. Wild Wind absolutely refused to love the woman I’d created for him, and she wouldn’t come to life no matter how hard I tried. Wild Wind insisted that he already loved another woman, and he refused to love anyone else.
My plot had hit a roadblock. So for the second time I scrapped my story premise and gave in to Wild Wind. I allowed him a future with the woman he already loved. This made it necessary for me to completely change the plot, but once I made the changes to accommodate him, the story took off and practically flew off the page. I guess I could say that Wild Wind wrote Warrior’s Heart, not me.
Who was your favorite character to create?
My favorite character in Warrior’s Heart is definitely Wild Wind. He’s such a complicated character, and the challenges he faces require much strength of character and flexibility to overcome. I must say that my other favorite character is his love interest, and developing the tension between the two of them was so much fun.
Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?
I have a church friend whose feedback is invaluable to me. I always shoot her my rough drafts after I finish.
What’s next for you as an author?
The fourth book in my Frontier Hearts Saga, Wild Heart, takes the next generation of the Slash L ranching family into the Colorado uranium mines during the Titanic era. I just completed the fifth and final book in the series, Valiant Heart, which is set just after World War I.
Where can readers find you online?
I can be reached on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ColleenHallRomance and at my website at https://www.colleenhallromance.com/. I also have a newsletter which readers can subscribe to if they email me at colleen.hall.romance@gmail.com to let me know they want to subscribe.
Buy Link for Kindle version. Paperback coming soon.
Inspirational Author 