Sit back, relax, and enjoy some lighthearted tales on the beautiful western frontier with Marcia Gruver. Don’t get too relaxed, though. With Marcia’s books you never know what twists and turns her characters will have to maze through to get to the end.

 Marcia’s books provide an excellent mix of giggles, grit, and sweet romance, all sprinkled with spiritual struggles and triumphs from one generation to the next. I’m so pleased to introduce her books to you, published through Barbour.

 Who is your favorite hero &/or heroine from any book you’ve written (They don’t have to be from the same novel) and why are they your favorites?

No contest on my hero. Dark and dangerous Hooper McRae, the hero in book one of my upcoming Backwoods Buccaneers series. For my heroine, I have to stick with Emily Dane of Emmy’s Equal.

 To read a review of Emmy’s Equal read here: http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com/2009/10/emmys-equal-by-marcia-gruver.html

What is the behind-the-scenes story behind these two characters? Where did you get your ideas for them?

I started Hooper’s book with his elder brother, Duncan McRae, as the male love interest. It soon became apparent that I was more drawn to Hooper. Actually, so was Dawsey Wilkes, my female lead. Who could blame us? Hooper’s a bad boy with a good heart. Feared by those who misunderstand him, Hooper’s passionate reaction to post Civil War injustice cuts a dark and brooding figure. A cross between Robin Hood and Edward Cullen (without the fangs) Hooper McRae is emerging as the most exciting and complex character I’ve ever conceived.

Although I’m having so much fun getting to know the female characters of my next series, there will always be a special place in my heart for Emily Dane. She turned up as a secondary character in Chasing Charity, book two of Texas Treasures, and nearly stole the show. She made such a ruckus, I had to agree to feature her in book three, Emmy’s Equal–despite my plans to skip a generation. Emmy got under my skin. At the risk of using labels, I believe there’s a bit of a good girl/bad girl combination in most women, and I loved watching Emmy learn to balance the mix. She’s far from perfect, but you can’t help admiring her spunk.

 (To read a review of Chasing Charity see http://greatchristianfiction.blogspot.com/2009/04/chasing-charity.html )

 Oh dear, Marcia. I can’t wait to read about Hooper. Woohoo, he sounds fabulous. Robin Hood and Edward Cullen, be still my heart. J

Thanks for visiting today.

 Character Creation Tip for the Day

Those daggone secondary characters again. What is it that takes a costar and brings them into the spotlight? Personality.

There is something about an intense personality that brings them to the forefront of a story and they won’t allow you to shake them. They’re intense, passionate, unpredictable,  and persistent.

 Tomorrow?

Rachel Hauck shares the behind-the-scenes stories behind her favorite hero and heroine. Stop by to find out more.