Shannon here: Donna Schlachter shares the inspiration for her latest Historical Romance novella. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a chance to win a print (US Only) copy of The Mail-Order Brides Collection. Deadline: April 28th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Donna:
The Story Behind the Story . . . A Train Ride to Heartbreak by Donna Schlachter
The idea for this story came from a love of a movie and a friend with a great story to share.
The movie was “The Fugitive”, both the original series pilot and the more recent remake. I loved the idea of a train ride leading to a second chance.
My friend had recently taken a train ride from Denver to San Francisco, and she shared several delightful stories. I wondered if a train ride might be like a cruise in that it would provide an insulated environment where the travelers might do something they’d never done before. If so, this was perfect fodder for a romance, much like the old TV show, “The Love Boat”.
And then I saw “Murder on the Orient Express”, and as a lover of anything Agatha Christie, decided to incorporate a few of the details in my story.
The result? A chance meeting, two characters with integrity, and a way for God to reach both of them.
About Donna: Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid author who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own name. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters In Crime; facilitates a local critique group, and teaches writing classes and courses. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction, and judges in a number of writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management. Learn more and connect:
Donna’s Blog Donna’s Website Receive a free ebook simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
Donna’s Facebook Donna’s Twitter Donna’s Books – Amazon
About the novella – Train Ride to Heartbreak: 
1895, Train to California
John Stewart needs a wife. Mary Johannson needs a home. On her way west, Mary falls in love with another. Now both must choose between commitment and true love.
October 1895
Mary Johannson has scars on her body that can’t compare with the scars on her heart. She is alone in the world, with no family, no prospects, and no home.
John Stewart is at his wit’s end. His wife of three years died in childbirth, leaving him with a toddler and an infant, both girls. Theirs was the love of fairy tales, and while he has no illusions about finding another like her, his children need a mother.
Though separated by thousands of miles, they commit to a mail-order marriage. But on their journey to Heartbreak, they meet another and realize the life they’d planned would be a lie. Can they find their way back from the precipice and into the love of God and each other, or are they destined to keep their word and deny their heart?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now! Mail-Order Brides: Amazon
Question for readers: Using the titles of two movies, books, or songs, what would be your real-life story turned into a movie? For example, mine would be Sleepless in Seattle meets “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” since my husband and I met online, and I moved to Denver to marry him.
Shannon, thanks so much for hosting me again, and for giving me the chance to gift a faithful follower with a copy of this book!
Love the blog! Song – Mothers Prayer by Chonda Pierce and the Waltons! 😂😂
song Mother’s prayer and Forrest Gump
Glad to have you, Donna. Fun question. I grew up in the city, then moved to the country and my husband came from a blended family with five kids. So I’m going to say, I’m a Midnight Girl in a Sunset Town (song) meets The Brady Bunch (TV show).
Titanic meets I’ll Always Love You! Haha
I can’t come up with anything else.
Thanks for the opportunity to win! Good luck to everyone!
My story would be Mamma’s Family meets My Little Runaway (though I never did run away, but boy did I dream of it!)!!
Leaving on a Jet Plane to Around the World in 49 years.
I flew by myself to Guam as a newlywed to meet my hubby who was in the Navy back in 1972. We have lived all over the U.S. in the Navy, going to school and for the pastorate.
Thanks for a chance to win
I have no idea what would be your real-life story turned into a movie, my life is pretty boring. I’m a real homebody and do a lot of reading, no tv now a days. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I have a winner! Robbie Pink won the drawing. I appreciate Donna for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Oh, WOW!!
Thank you so very much, Shannon and Donna!
I can’t wait to read The Mail-Order-Brides Collection! I love books like this!
Blessings~
Robbie