Is it cold where you are today? It is here in Iowa, so I've whipped up some Ghiradelli hot chocolate and some Mexican Wedding Cakes. (I'm known as The Cookie Lady in my other life.) Will you join me for a cup and a cookie? I'll share the Mexican Wedding Cake recipe tomorrow during my post about the Caro Cardova, the heroine of "The Heart of Texas."
And make sure you sign up for a chance to win the loaded Kindle Fire on the Rafflecopter below. Look at all the books you'll receive if you're the lucky winner!
I'd like to add that I'm giving away a "surprise" book. Yep, you read that right. I'll draw one lucky winner from those who comment today, and that person will receive a book in the mail from one of my favorite authors. I love surprises, and I love it when God surprises me.
Which brings me to my topic today -- the story behind the story. It's a story of God working in a way that only He can.
I hadn't chosen an exact town for the "The Heart of Texas" story to be set in, and I'd written over half of it. Unlike most of the stories in the book, mine wouldn't be set in Hartsville since Chisholm was away from home on Texas Ranger duties.
I knew my the location of the story had to meet certain criteria to fit what I'd written. It needed to be a town that was around in 1874. It had to be a town large enough to have things like stores and a saloon. The area needed to hilly and be a place where bluebonnets would grow. It needed to have a river or large spring of some kind. I needed it to be hub for area ranches, and it had to be within a week's riding distance of the Hart ranch.
Remember, I had already named my story "The Heart of Texas." As I'm looking through towns that were around in mid to late 1800s, I happened upon Brady City. Something about it stood out to me. I did some additional investigation and found out it fit all of my criteria from rolling vistas of bluebonnets to the wide Brady Creek.
Then, God made me smile. I looked up the town's history and discovered Brady City is called "the heart of Texas" because it is the geographical center of the state of Texas.
What a sweet surprise!
Let's chat now. When was the last time you received a surprise or when you surprised someone? Do you like surprises? If so, what kinds are your favorites?
Remember, when you leave a comment, you'll be entered in today's "surprise" book giveaway.
Wow, Lorna! What fun to learn that Brady is smack dab in the center of Texas and bears the nickname "the Heart of Texas." I love when things like that happen when I'm working on a story. What's exciting is that I usually have at least one experience like that per book, if not more, which I take as confirmation that the Lord wanted me to tell the story.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I feel, Keli. It always reminds me that God is the real story teller.
DeleteThat is cool that Brady is the heart of Texas! I haven't surprised anyone in a long time, and I'm not sure if I like surprises. I'm a planner and need to know what's happening. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteI'm a planner, too, but I do like surprises--the good ones at least.
DeleteI love the fields of Texas bluebonnets. So lovely. Thx for sharing
ReplyDeleteThose blue ones are certainly breathtaking, aren't they?
DeleteOH what a fun surprise for the town! I do have many times that God has surprised me and I have been humbled. I actually don't like big surprises - I am an introvert, so they make me nervous. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan, since I'm an extrovert (for the most part) maybe that's why I like a good surprise.
DeleteI love surprises. When I was 8 my grandparents and parents took me to a cousin's house who owned horses. I love horses and when we arrived at the house my family told me that I would get to ride horses all day. Another surprised I received was during my freshman when my parents came to see me. I haven't surprised anyone yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surprise, Kirsten. I can imagine what a great day you had riding horses. And there's nothing like a surprise visit from your parents when you're a freshman.
DeleteMy family and I once surprised my parents by traveling to Florida to visit them. Everyone around them knew we were coming, but they were totally surprised. :)
ReplyDeleteErica, how fun! My family once did a makeover on my house while I was on vacation. I'd picked colors for the rooms before we left, but hadn't been able to get the work done. I came home to a whole new house, complete with a stainless steel island for my kitchen.
DeleteI like fun surprises like when I found a little bottle of lotion at work from a co-worker just when I was wishing for some lotion to put on my dry hands. Winning books is always a very nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteThose little surprises certainly brighten ones day, and book surprises--well, they're the best.
DeleteThank you! Reading and enjoying now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Lucy.
DeleteA couple of years ago, we surprised my sister by driving across the country to visit her. It was the first time we were able to go out there and she had no idea. Biggest surprise ever.
ReplyDeleteOh my, Beth, I would have loved to see your sister's face when you showed up at her door. Priceless.
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