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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Debra Holland: Introducing Montana Sky Kindle World


One of the greatest satisfactions I have in life comes from helping others—whether it’s in my role as a psychotherapist, a corporate crisis and grief counselor, or as an author. I spend a lot of my time mentoring and sharing information with other authors.

I’ve also indie published a Christmas anthology of stories by myself and guest authors set in my Montana Sky Series, which I knew could help all of us cross-promote. So in 2014, when an Amazon rep first approached me about the possibility of establishing a Montana Sky Series Kindle World, I was intrigued by the concept.

Amazon Kindle Worlds are fan fiction contracted stories written by guest authors. In my case, authors write stories in the Montana Sky Series, which includes my Mail-Order Brides of the West books. The Montana Sky series books range from stirring sweeping frontier romances to small, heartfelt stories of an individual overcoming obstacles and loss.

But when I was first offered my own Kindle World, I knew I wasn’t ready at that time. I had a few books I wanted to finish first, including Mail-Order Brides of the West: Prudence, which introduced readers to the mining town of Morgan’s Crossing--a two days ride from my small town of Sweetwater Springs. Having the two towns in my KW would give authors a larger scope for their stories.

Before opening this world, I thought about whether I could let go of the characters and towns I’ve created. Once I decided I could adopt a “hands-off” approach, I felt ready to jump into this opportunity and have fun!

After I first contracted with Amazon to have a Montana Sky Kindle World, I reached out to historical or contemporary Western romance authors to see it they wanted to write stories in my “world.” Most of these authors were already friends of mine, or I knew them from the Pioneer Hearts Facebook group. In addition, I’d read and enjoyed some of their books.


I wanted my guest authors to be able to tie their own series into mine. So in these KW stories, readers will see familiar characters from my books as well as characters that may have a connection to a guest author’s series. Aside from providing some guidance about my series, I haven’t had anything to do with writing these books. They will be as new to me as they are to the readers.

The awesome fourteen launch authors have primarily set their books in the mining town of Morgan’s Crossing, although some of the characters pass through Sweetwater Springs on their way to the mining town. I’m looking forward to reading these authors’ stories! Explore the books at:

The authors are:

Kirsten Osbourne
Louella Nelson
Linda Carroll-Bradd
Caroline Clemmons
Merry Farmer
Crystal Green
Cassie Hayes
Paty Jager
Sylvia McDaniel
Patricia Thayer
Carré White
Kit Morgan
E. Ayers
Cynthia Woolf

To see their books and to learn more about writing in the Montana Sky Series Kindle World, go to: http://debraholland.com/kindle-worlds.html


Debra Holland is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the award-winning Montana Sky Series (sweet, historical Western romance) and The Gods’ Dream Trilogy (fantasy romance.) Debra is a three-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist and one-time winner. In 2013, Amazon selected Starry Montana Sky as one of the Top 50 Greatest Love Stories. When she’s not writing, Dr. Debra works as a psychotherapist and corporate crisis/grief counselor. She’s the author of The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving, a book about helping people cope with all kinds of loss, and Cultivating an Attitude about Gratitude, a Ten Minute Ebook. She’s also a contributing author to The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing.  For more information on her fiction books go to: http://debraholland.com


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