Today, we’re happy to chat with Janis Jakes. Her latest Western Historical inspirational romance is The Outcast’s Bride. This exciting tale of rejection, bitterness and love is the latest in the Lancaster Legacy series. If you’ve enjoyed any of Janis’s previous books — and even if you haven’t yet read Janis previously — this one will pull you in from the very first paragraph.
| How did you come up with your title? In The Outcast’s Bride, both the hero and heroine have suffered the pain of being an outcast. The heroine was cast out from the only home she ever knew and the hero cast out from his tribe. The title is a reminder that only God can take what others have cast aside and create beauty from the ashes of pain and regret. |
| What your hero and heroine likeable? The heroine is likable because she genuinely cares about others. Although naive about life, she is a quick learner who regrets her mistakes and yet still refuses to hold bitterness in her heart. The hero is likable because he accepts full responsibility for his part in his own difficulties and seeks restoration from a brother he wounded, even knowing it could cost his life. |
| What book are you reading now? At the present time, I’m reading The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers. I’ve loved her writing ever since reading Redeeming Love. The characters in this book are so true to life, you feel like you know them already and could even invite them into your home. That is a gift Francine Rivers gives her readers. |
| What do you do when you’re not writing? When I’m not writing, I’m writing. At the present time, I work part-time for a resume company and write career documents about 30 hours every week. To me, it’s a ministry and an opportunity to change someone’s life for the better. |
| What is your next project? I want to write the final book in the Lancaster Series. So far, I’ve written about the two Lancaster brothers, Luke and Kwi. The last book will be about their sister, Abigail. The plan is to start when she laid down her bounty-hunter guns and became a wife, but then fast forward to the ranch where her brothers live and work. |
| What is the spiritual takeaway for your reader? Though others may forsake us, our Lord does not and is ever ready to welcome a repentant heart. |
| What is your hero’s main character flaw? Kwi carries guilt and shame over how he treated his brother and that guilt consumes him to the point he shuns the welcoming arms of other family members. |
| What is your heroine’s main character flaw? Susannah’s response to fear is to run away, until there finally comes a time when she can no longer do so and must face her adversary. |
| What can readers learn from your villain? The realization that pacifying darkness does not bring victory. |
| What makes your hero heroic? He refuses to let the villain run away with Susannah but sacrifices his own plans and desires to save her. |
| What makes your heroine heroic? She refuses to run anymore and decides to stay put and enjoy her life with loved ones. |
| You can pick any author. Fill in the blank: My book will appeal to readers who like_____________ because______________
Tracie Peterson because they [Tracie’s books] have overcoming character’s, specifically those in western settings. |
| If your story had a musical theme song, what would it be? Way Maker by Leeland |
