Getting to know you Thursdays with Jillian Hart.

Please join me in welcoming Jillian Hart to my blog today. I have enjoyed getting to know Jill on the Love Inspired Histroical group at goodreads. We have had fun on the group.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in rural Washington State in beautiful country in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. I think that’s where my imagination really developed. Our house was surrounded by forests where I played—I could be a princess in her kingdom, a scout charting new territory, a pioneer, a soldier or an outlaw, when my brother played along. I learned to do all sorts of things—riverboat, fish, swim, ride horses, herd cattle, handle a gun, hike, camp, ride dirt bikes, build a fire with a stick and how to track animals. It was the perfect background for an author, as it turns out. I grew up, went to college, moved to Seattle, worked in travel and then advertising before I sold my first book. Although I now live in a suburb, the early days of my life are the ones I draw on the most when I’m writing.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

So many books! My very favourites were the Little House series and Anne of Green Gables. I also adored the Hardy Boys.

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

Romance, hands down. I love everything about it, especially since I think there’s nothing more important than love.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

Yes—Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her books have a sense of right and wrong, of morals and the importance of being a disciplined and a good-hearted person that always impressed me, even as a child, and helped shape the person I am today.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

When I was old enough to understand that books were written by people. . I was very young. LOL.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

After I decided to try writing with the goal of publication, I did three things: I increased my daily reading time, I wrote every day and I didn’t give up. It took me six long years of submitting and being rejected. I had to figure out where my voice and stories naturally fit and once I did, I sold soon after. My first manuscript was accepted by Harlequin Historicals and published in 1998.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

A pianist.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

I love watching movies, knitting, going for walks and having good long talks with my friends.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

I would like to visit Hawaii. Every time I’ve planned a trip, something has happened to intervene. I’m determined to put my feet on a Maui beach—one day! : ) (Jenny here I would love to be with you when you get to Maui thats one of my goals too. I loved Hawaii the whole 3 days I was there and vowed to return.)

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Nora Roberts, because I would love to talk writing with her.
J.J. Abrams because I loved his Star Trek movie—and maybe he’d give me dish on the next one.
Rachael Ray, because I love her cooking shows and she looks like she would be fun to meet.

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

I have a few books coming out this summer.

In May, I have a novella in the Harlequin Historical anthology Mail-Order Brides. It’s the final Brooks brothers story—older brother Gabe is about to be conveniently married.

In June, I have a new release in my Granger Family Ranch series, The Rancher’s Promise. I love this reunion story between a rancher and his small-town girl. The ties that bind the Granger family are ones I hope readers will be touched by, too. 

In July, Klondike Hero is the first book in Love Inspired’s multi-author continuity set in Alaska. It was a wonderful place to write about, and I hope readers fall in love with the series. 






 


In August, I have a historical coming out from Love Inspired, the second in my Buttons & Bobbins series, Patchwork Bride. Meredith Worthington has her sight set on becoming a schoolteacher until true love rides into her life in the form of dashing horse trainer, Shane Connelly. I hope readers come to love this coming of age romance as much as I did writing it.

My website is www.jillianhart.net/