Merrillee Whren Let’s Chat!
Welcome, Everyone!
Merrillee Whren joins us this week. I’m super excited to introduce you. Merrillee writes inspirational romances and won the 2003 RWA Golden Heart© Award and the RT Reviewers Choice Award. She wrote for several years for Love Inspired and now is an established and successful independent novelist.
Merrillee is offering an ebook of her latest, A Place to Call Home, to someone who joins our conversation here on the blog.
Now . . . Here’s Merillee . . .
P.S. The winner of Merrillee’s drawing is Trudy Cordle!
Merrillee Whren Before Authorship
I’ve been an author from the time I learned to read and write. I’ve always loved to tell stories but not necessarily for publication. I grew up in South Dakota, Montana, and Washington State. I graduated from Dakota Bible College and Milligan College.
My husband and met and married in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I was an elementary school teacher. 40 years later we enjoy two grown daughters and two granddaughters.
Merrillee Whren’s Writing Journey
When I first started to write with publication in mind, I often thought I wanted to write children’s books, but my heart was in romance. I love a good love story with a happy ending.
I wrote and submitted manuscripts for twenty years before I made my first sale to Steeple Hill Books, which is now known as Harlequin Love Inspired. The Heart’s Homecoming was released in August of 2005. I wrote 13 more books for Love Inspired before I started my indie publishing journey.
Merrillee Whren: What’s Up With You Now?
As I mentioned in the last question, I wrote 14 books for Love Inspired and have received the rights back to 10 of those books. I am republishing them with updates and new covers.
My Kellerville series, published by Love Inspired, has been reissued as the Kellersburg series. That was my original name for the fictional town, but it was changed because of an editorial snafu. The books in the series are Hometown Promise, Hometown Proposal, and Hometown Dad.
I’m in the process of reissuing the Dalton Brothers series. Wade’s story is Four Little Blessings. Matt’s story is Country Blessings. Peter’s story is Homecoming Blessings, which is now up for preorder for 99 cents. Before starting my republishing, I wrote 5 books in my Front Porch Promises series. I intend to publish one more book in that series.
How to Find Merrillee Whren
You can find my books and purchase links on my website on my books page.https://www.merrilleewhren.com/category/books/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author/
Twitter: @MerrilleeWhren
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/merrilleewhren/
A Merrillee Whren Giveaway
I will give away an ebook copy of the first book in my Front Porch Promises series, A Place to Call Home.
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Lord, Your paths for us sometimes take curves, switchbacks, and u-turns. Sometimes we reach dead-ends. How glorious to know we can trust You to get us through mazes and back on the road You’ve laid out for us. Authors often find an apparent end to be an unexpected beginning. We pray You’ll bless Merrillee in her independent publishing endeavors. Please bless each word she writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
Are all your books self published or small press published? If so, what do you feel has been your biggest challenge? I love indie authors! Some of my best friends are indies.
The book looks really good! All of them sound great! I just found another new-to-me author!
Welcome, Trudy! Thanks for joining us. You’ve encouraged Merrillee and me both 🙂
Thanks for the chat! Looks like a good book!
Thanks, Faith. You’re welcome.
Welcome, Faith! Great to see you in the circle!
Your writing touches my heart. I have been very happy with your books I have had the pleasure of reading. I already have A Place to Call Home.
Welcome, Gina. Thanks for joining the chat. I know your comments encourage Merrillee.
Thanks, Gina. I appreciate your kind words.
Great interview. Hope I get to read one of your books soon!
Hi, Rose. Welcome to this week’s circle. You encourage us!
Hi Rose,
Thanks for stopping by. You can grab HOMECOMING BLESSINGS for just 99 cents.
Loved the chat!
Welcome, Joy. It’s great to have you join us.
Joy, thanks for stopping by. I glad you enjoyed what I had to say.
Linda, thanks so much for hosting me.
It’s my pleasure! I’m glad to highlight you and your work.
Very nice interview, I enjoyed it and your books sound awesome, and the covers are super nice! Thank you for sharing this. God Bless you.
You’re welcome, Alicia.
Welcome, Alicia. Great to see you in the circle. You’re encouraged us by participating.
Of all your characters is there one that has a special place in your heart? If so, why?
Mary,
It’s hard to say because it’s like saying you like one of your children better than the others. But if I have to choose, I would say Kelsey from A Baby to Call Ours. It’s a recent book, and maybe that’s why that character is fresh on my mind. When the story opens, she is very troubled. She has to work through a lot in the story. I recently learned that this book is a finalist in the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award. I hope you’ll check it out.
Congratulations! I will check it out. Sometimes a character has a way of speaking in ways you never imagined. Best wishes on your nomination.
Thanks, Mary.
Hi, Mary. Welcome to the chat. Great question for Merrillee.
Thanks!
Thanks! I love to know tidbits.
Welcome, Mary! Love having you in our circle.
Great chat, Linda! Merrillee, it’s so nice to meet you. Your books sound amazing. 😊
Hi Gail,
I hope you’ll look for my books. My book, HOMECOMING BLESSINGS, is up for preorder at the bargain price of 99 cents.
Hi, Gail. Great to have you in our circle!