Writing McKenna's Daughters Series by Lena Nelson Dooley

This series lived in my mind and heart for several years before my agent sold them. The books took me on an interesting, almost-three-year journey into the far northwest section of the United States. Washington Territory, Oregon, and northern California in 1885, with a side trip to Little Rock, Arkansas.

I’ve always loved history and took history courses for all my electives when in college. Over the last few years, I’ve been fascinated with 19^th century US history. 

When I started writing the first book, I couldn’t picture Seattle in 1885. I searched for books and web sites, anything that would help me get a feel for the city. I contacted the Seattle Public Library and found that the personnel had digitized both books published in the late 1800s and historical photographs of the time period. They sent me the link to the photographs, which were separated by decade.

I used many of these photographs to re-create a comprehensive picture of the city, the businesses, the churches, hospital, university, and homes. I got business names, street names, and the layout of the whole city. That’s what I used as I wrote the book.

As I moved through all three books, I found books of historical photos of each place featured in the books. So as you read them, then only things that are fictional are my characters, their stories, businesses, etc. Everything else fits the place, the society, and the historical aspects of the period.

Then with Catherine’s Pursuit, the last book in the series, we revisit the other places, as well as learn about San Francisco, California. And Catherine’s Pursuit released today. 

And there’s good news for you. Starting today, February 5, and continuing through February 12, the first book of the series, Maggie’s Journey, is free for download for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Sony ereaders. 

At Christianbooks.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/maggies-journey-ebook-lena-dooley/9781616385804/pd/21533EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=21533EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP  

On Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Maggies-Journey-McKennas-Daughters-ebook/dp/B005OBNRYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1359996766&sr=1-1&keywords=Maggie%27s+Journey 

For Nook:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maggies-journey-lena-nelson-dooley/1104804076?ean=9781616385804 

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print. 
Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with over 20 signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. 

Her 2010 release Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. Mary’s Blessing released in May 2012. It recently appeared on a review site’s Top Five Reads in 2012 list. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in February 2013.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. 

Find her online here:

Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com 

Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/ 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley  

Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley 

Shoutlife: www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley 

Blogtalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/gate-beautiful-radio-show/

Other blogs where she’s a regular contributor:

http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/ 

http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/ 

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Of Great Importance in an Author's Life. . . By Lena Nelson Dooley

One of the most important things in this author’s life is my readers. I love all of you. Hearing from you is a high point of my day. Even if you didn’t like some aspect of my book, I like to hear from you. I want to connect with you in every way I can. And you can find me on a lot of online venues—Facebook, Twitter, Shoutlife, Pinterest, Goodreads, my blog, and my web site.

I’m really interested in book clubs and reading groups. I enjoy connecting with you through the electronic technology of telephone calls or Skype video. I’m happy to answer questions about the stories, why I wrote them, and any other question you may have.

My newest series McKenna’s Daughters. The heroines were born on one of the last wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. Their mother died giving birth, and because of the circumstances, they were separated. It’s not until they are about eighteen years old that they learn they have two sisters. And the desire to find their sisters is strong in each of them. 

Books one and two are stand alone novels, which can be read in any order. But you’ll probably want to read book one and two before book three releases in January 2012.

Maggie’s Journey released in October 2011. I’ve heard from a lot of readers. Many of they have been adoptees. They were interested in that aspect of the book, which was set in1885 in Washington Territory. Maggie journey took her to Little Rock, Arkansas, by train. 

Maggie had grown up the spoiled daughter in a wealthy family. She had no idea she was adopted. Most people were intrigued by the way she found out. One Christian reviewer put Maggie’s Journey on her Top Books of 2011 list.

Mary’s Blessing is releasing May 15, 2012. Mary has always known she was adopted, but because her mother died when she was eleven years old, no one told her the circumstances. That information really affected her when she found out. Her mother had called her God’s Blessing, but she didn’t feel like anyone’s blessing. Her spiritual and romantic journey intertwine in an interesting and surprising way.

If you didn’t get a chance to read book one, we’ll give away a copy to one lucky (or I should say blessed) reader.

Have you ever let an author know when something in a book bothered you?

Have you ever contacted an author and let that person know how much their book meant to you?

In either case, what happened?

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 690,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s a member of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. 

Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com 

Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/ 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley  

Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley

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