two more questions from Karen
Will the fifth book mention a little of what happens to Hawkeye out west? I know that in THE LEATHERSTOCKING TALES, Hawkeye did go west but I missed him greatly in FIRE ALONG THE SKY, just like I am going to miss Curiosity when her time comes. She is a great character and you have used her to great advantage in the telling of this saga.
I like Curiosity a lot, too, and it's a matter of great satisifaction to me that my readers are so devoted to her.
As far as Hawkeye in the west, I can't give you any promises. In fact, it's unlikely. He doesn't want to communicate with me, and unless that changes, we'll have to all imagine him hunting in the Great Tetons. And even if he did ... see the answer to the next question.
Have you ever thought of writing a prequel with the story of Hawkeye and Cora? Since you gave some of the movie's dialogue between them to Nathaniel and Elizabeth you may not wish to do that.
I get asked about a prequel quite a lot. The short answer: probably not, given the current state of the business.
At this point in time, historical fiction is considered out of vogue. The publishers are convinced that readers don't want historicals, they want contemporaries. Which is a good part of the reason that the Wilderness series is up in the air after Queen of Swords.
Sorry that I don't have more upbeat news for you, but that's the nature of the business.