Most people are aware of the need to protect themselves from identity theft, but there are some who remain vulnerable despite precautions—fictional characters. Statistics show identity theft against fictional characters has doubled since 2018. Criminals are filling out credit card applications and loan paperwork in the names of well-known characters and ruining their credit in the process.

“These victims are extremely vulnerable,” says Al Ias of the Federal Trade Commission. “We tell people to guard their privacy, but their lives are an open book. It makes them easy prey.”

Easy prey is not how Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy likes to be described. In 2019, fraudsters purchased three tons of pineapples on credit using his name. According to local townspeople, Mr. Darcy’s mother-in-law had bragged far and wide about his £10,000 a year income, making him an alluring target for thieves who used his information on a Bank of Derbyshire Credit Card Application.

This happened one year after Mr. Jay Gatsby was targeted. Relying on his stellar financial reputation, crooks were able to open a medical account in his name and purchase thousands of pairs of eyeglasses from Dr. T. J. Eckleburg. In both cases, thieves made off with millions in fraudulent, fictional dollars and pounds.

Does it really matter to these fictional characters that others are getting rich on their good names? Yes, it does.

“We can’t have our heroes hampered by bad credit,” says Regina Jennings, author of Courting Misfortune. “Identity theft devastates a person’s financial reputation and hurts their romantic prospects. Their property might be fictional, but it’s the only property they have.”

So what can be done to protect fictional characters? Mainly, guard their private information. Authors should carefully consider before sharing too much of their background. The public doesn’t need to know their mother’s maiden name or their birthplace. Also, specifics on birth dates should be avoided. An innocent party scene can be used by fraudsters to determine their birth date and give criminals another tool with which to defraud them. Even pets’ names should be used sparingly. Consider giving fictional characters a fictional, fictional dog instead of sharing their real fictional dog’s name.

While it might take some time and forethought to safeguard our fictional friends, we owe it to them. There can be serious consequences for victims of identity theft, from being included in a criminal investigation, to losing a tax rebate, to finding one’s credit ruined. They, like everyone else, deserve justice and protection. They trust us with their stories. Let’s not leave them defenseless.

The post Identity Theft Finds New Victims appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

On December 8th, I’ll be at Fort Reno signing copies of The Major’s Daughter, plus Serving Up Love and other titles. The Fort Reno grounds will be open and ready for visitors, including the house that Major Adams, Louisa and Caroline would’ve lived in. This home isn’t usually open to the public, but on that Sunday from 2:15 to 4:00, it will be decorated with scenes from the Fort Reno books. You might just get a glimpse of one of the characters while you are enjoying refreshments.

But that’s not all that’s going on at the fort. You can watch reenactors participate in the fort’s Christmas Firing of the Guns at 2:00 and visit with Santa in the chapel. There’ll be a flyer for a self-guided tour of the rest of the grounds, highlighting locations mentioned in my books. On top of that, the Historic Fort Reno Visitor Center and the U. S. Cavalry Association Museum will be open from noon until 4:00. As a special treat, admission to the fort and the museums is free.

Please come out and see this site that has grown to mean so much to me, and has always meant much to Oklahoma’s history.

The post Let’s Welcome The Major’s Daughter to the Fort appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

This week the Little Free Library movement is celebrating 10 years. To join in the fun, I visited our Little Free Library and talked to Susie about what led her (and Tim) to build this beauty.

How did you come across the idea of building a little library for your neighborhood?

Our daughter Shera in Naperville, Illinois, called and asked her dad to build her one. When I checked into the idea, I decided I wanted one for our neighborhood, too. Tim found the plans online and made two, so this one in Oklahoma has a twin in my daughter’s neighborhood in Illinois.

Has reading always been important to you?

Definitely. My mother was a school librarian, and I was an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. We raised our kids in Central Illinois, and three of four of them presented book reports on the show Reading Rainbow. Reading together as a family has meant a lot to me.

What has been the benefit of the Little Free Library?

I get such joy from watching the kids with a sack on their bicycle handles come up and switch out books. It’s also fun to see the books that appear in there and think about which neighbor shared them. It’s very community building.

Is there any special customization on this Little Free Library?

Yes! Tim put a hook on the post so browsers have a place to hook their dog leashes while they make their choice.

Favorite book?

Love Does by Bob Goff.

Best piece of reading advice?

Read to your kids, even when they get older. We have wonderful family memories of all four kids getting into bed for story time.

Thank you, Susie and Tim! I know your neighborhood is blessed by the work you did to make this available to them.

How about y’all? Do you have anything similar near your house?

The post Celebrating the Little Free Libraries appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

Here’s the skinny – Follow 5 authors as we collaborate on a painting (from LetsMakeArt) and talk about what courage means in our lives. Visit all 5 blogs and find the answers to the questions on the entry form. From the completed forms, one winner will be chosen to win 5 books (one from each author), as well as the painting that they collaborated on.

How fun is that? So, let’s get started.

Read this courageous portion of The Lieutenant’s Bargain, then watch the video for clues:

Hattie was just about to return to the coach when she heard a loud cracking noise. What were they doing now? Trying to rush her? She arranged the hood of her coat down snuggly over her chestnut hair and planted her foot on a high shelf of red clay. Another loud pop—a couple, in fact. The top of the stagecoach came into view as she climbed up. The driver crouched in his seat.

“Stay down,” he yelled, waving her away.

“What?” She caught the edge of her hood to keep the wind from snatching it.

The leather window covering flapped open, and a pistol emerged. Smoke puffed out of it, then a second later, a sharp crack split the air. Agent Gibson was shooting at someone, and Mr. Sloane was right behind him. The door opened, and the agent used it to shield himself as he continued to return fire.

Hattie felt the blood drain from her face. It couldn’t be. The hard dirt scraped her cheek as she hugged the ledge. The driver had turned and taken up the reins. With his arms flapping, he egged the horses forward.

“Wait…” All her paints and canvases were on that stage. They couldn’t leave her behind.

But then she saw the horseman racing toward them. The driver of the coach was hunched over the reins, urging the team forward, when he stiffened, then slumped to the side. The stage’s horses jerked into motion even as he fell out of his seat.  

Hattie ducked out of sight. No. Why? Suddenly the boorish men she’d been traveling with didn’t seem so bad, and they needed help. But what could she do?

Another shot made her rise up just in time to see Agent Gibson topple out of the door as the stage careened away. She could only see the back of the outlaw, but she could feel his deadly intent as he walked his horse slowly toward the crumpled figure.

If Agent Gibson wasn’t dead already, he would be in the time it took to twitch a trigger finger. She rested her chin against the ledge. Why was she considering such a reckless act? She didn’t owe the agent anything.

Before she could think better of it, Hattie stood to her full height and waved her mittened hand over her head.

“Over here!” How small her voice sounded on the prairie. How frail. But it was enough. The killer led with his pistol as he turned his horse toward her. His nose twitched like a dog on the scent, and his mouth hung open like he was tasting the air. 

Of all the dumb decisions Hattie had made in her life, this was the worst. She might have bought Agent Gibson a few minutes to make his peace, but at what price?

With a quick prayer for the men scattered above her on the plain, Hattie dropped to the dry creek bed and ran down the narrow corridor of the gully, following its twists and curves, looking for a way to save her life.

Now the Video:

And finally, the contest entry: The Courage Chronicles Entry Form

The event is open from 5/6 to 5/10, with the final giveaway closing 5/17. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. The posts are located at:

Regina’s Post – You’re here!

Sarah’s Post – Available Tuesday

Amanda’s Post – Available Wednesday

Karen’s Post – Available Thursday

Joanne’s Post – Available Friday

Thank you for participating, and God bless!

Love,

Regina

The post The Courage Chronicles appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

• Christmas Story set in 19th Century Indian Territory (Oklahoma)
• Lieutenant Jack’s life is upended when his childhood crush appears in danger on the reservation.
• Hattie Walker finds herself in debt to the awkward boy she’d ignored in school. When his critical mistake is uncovered, she learns that she’s bound by more than gratitude.
• Also available in Audiobook

Hattie Walker dreams of painting the Rocky Mountains, but her parents want her to settle down and marry. They make an offer—she has two months in Denver to place her works in an exhibition. If she fails, she comes back home and gets married. But her journey is derailed when a gunman attacks her stagecoach and leaves her to be rescued by a group of Arapaho. Unfortunately, she’s too terrified to realize they’re friendly.

Cavalry Officer Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has two passions—the girl back home who never gave him a chance and helping Arapaho children prepare for their changing world. When a message arrives about a recovered survivor, Jack heads out to collect the victim and is stunned by who he finds.
Hattie Walker, the girl who shattered his heart, needs his help. This is his chance to impress her. When his plan gets tangled through translation, Jack and Hattie end up in a mess that puts her dreams in peril— and sets Jack’s two passions at odds.

Get your copy now!

The post Christmas Romance on the Prairie – Now Available appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

Holding the Fort is just around the corner. It comes out DEC. 6th!!

And because anticipation is half of the fun, here’s a review from Publisher’s Weekly that I got just today!

Jennings introduces readers to an abundant cast in this first installment of The Fort Reno Series set in 1880s Oklahoma. Louisa “Lovely Lola” Bell is the featured singer at the Cat Eye Saloon until the owner replaces her with another performer. Out of a job and with no prospects in sight, Lola heads towards Fort Reno, an outpost in Indian territory where her brother is stationed. On the way there, Lola meets Mrs. Townsend, a Mennonite governess dispatched to the fort to educate Major Daniel Adams’s daughters. When Mrs. Townsend falls ill and can’t continue the trip, Louisa offers to deliver the girls’ textbooks. Arriving at the fort, Louisa is mistaken for the governess and falls into playing the part. Daniel and Louisa’s relationship deepens despite secrets, deceptions, and an Indian uprising. In this character-driven series launch, Jennings offers a powerful lesson on the freedom of truth and forgiveness wrapped in a delightful story of love against the odds.

Wasn’t that nice of them?

So, you know you want the book, but you’re afraid you might forget when the time comes? Well, here are some options to help you remember:

1. Write a reminder on your arm in Sharpie. Trace it once a week when it starts to fade.
2. Tell your child that you’ll take them to McDonald’s the day after Holding the Fort arrives (Dec. 6th). Then they will constantly ask you if you’ve got it yet.
3. Visit your local Christian Book Store and pre-order Holding the Fort. Tell them that you are a personal friend of the author. (Because, we probably are great friends, and if we haven’t met yet, we probably would be great friends!)
4. Go online and pre-order Holding the Fort at Amazon, B&N, iBooks, ChristianBook, or another trustworthy business. Post on Facebook telling everyone what you just did.
   

   Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

5. Tell your local library that you MUST READ THIS BOOK and have them order a copy for you!
6. Join my newsletter list. Then you’ll get reminders when the time comes! (December 6th)
7. Make a vow that you won’t wash your hair until you’ve read Holding the Fort. Your co-workers will all celebrate the release date (Dec. 6th) with you.

I know, I know. I go above and beyond trying to be helpful, but that’s just my heart for you, dear friends.

If you can’t tell, I’m a little excited about getting to write a series set in my home state. If you share my excitement, leave a comment letting me know what you’re doing to help you remember Dec. 6th, the day we can all be Holding the Fort together!! And as an added bonus, at least one commenter will get to be a part of my influencer team, which means a free copy of the book!   (Must comment before Oct. 20th.)

Counting the days!!

Love,

Regina

The post Let the Countdown Begin… appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

Give it a try!

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THE BOOKED SOLID CONTEST

to celebrate the release of At Love’s Bidding and

Benefitting HOPEGIVERS INTERNATIONAL

What am I bidding for? One Year’s Worth of Fantastic Inspirational Books delivered to your mailbox.

Where does my bid go? All money raised by this promotion goes to Hopegivers International and their Christmas Hope Chest program to provide every child in their ministry with a new set of clothes, school supplies, toiletries and a Christmas toy. While only the highest bidder is required to donate, you may turn your bid into a donation if you wish.

Why Hopegivers? Hopegivers is a ministry that is near and dear to my heart. Through sponsors like you, Hopegivers rescues orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children and raises them to be doctors, nurses and ministers of the Gospel. They take these precious lives that others have discarded and train them to be “arrows for God”.

Sounds like fun! How do I place my bid? Go to http://hopegivers.org/booked-solid/ to place your bid. Remember, you can’t see what others have bid, and the highest bid wins. While you’re there, spend some time reading about this great ministry and see if God is calling you to get involved.

Just imagine! The latest Bethany House release arriving in your mailbox every month for a year! How fun!

The winner will be announced here on December 18th, 2015. Good luck!

Love,

Regina

The post Booked Solid Contest appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

Anyway, this has been an exciting spring, that’s for sure! I’m so pleased to get to share that both my novella An Unforeseen Match and my full-length historical romance A Most Inconvenient Marriage have made finalist. In fact they both double finaled in two contests and An Unforeseen Match finaled in a third.

The nice people holding these contests sent me logos to share, so just pretend like I’m a grandma showing you pictures of my kids. 🙂

An Unforeseen Match in the novella category:

A Most Inconvenient Marriage in the Inspiration Category:

Isn’t that cool?!  I’m still amazed that writing is what I get to spend my time doing. Thank you for reading my books, telling your friends, posting reviews and all those other things that keep me going!

And if you haven’t read one of these stories, what are you waiting for? Jump on board!

God Bless!

-Regina

The post Finalist…. but It’s Not Final. appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.