By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

Deborah Vogts' new series of Christian romance books hits close to home.

The books are set in the Kansas Flint Hills, and Vogts, a resident of Erie, draws on personal experience and regional research to craft her tales. The first book in the series, "Snow Melts in Spring," made its debut in July.

Vogts, on her way to Denver, paused in Hays on Wednesday morning for a book signing at The Rock Good Book Store, 1012 Main. Hays was her latest stop after months of traveling to promote the book.

"This summer's been very busy," Vogts said with a laugh. "It's been hard to find time to fit writing in."

This book is Vogts' first published work and is the beginning of her "Seasons of the Tallgrass" series, which will culminate in three or four books.

Vogts said she fell in love with the Flint Hills during her time at Emporia State University and has contracted with Zondervan, a Christian publishing house, for the series.

Each book will feature a different season and focus on different characters, who all were introduced in the series' premiere work. The books are romantic in nature, but also provide a strong family focus, Vogts said.

The second book, "Seeds of Summer," is expected to hit shelves in April. The book tells the story of a fictional rodeo queen and was inspired by Amy Wilson, a Colby resident and Miss Rodeo America 2008, Vogts said. The events are not based on Wilson's life, but she was instrumental in helping with background research, she said.

The stories take place in a fictional place called Charris County, a combination of Chase and Morris counties.

"Readers will see bits and pieces of both of those real counties," Vogts said. "They'll say, 'That sounds really familiar.' "

Vogts began writing as a high school student, and love of the hobby stayed with her. The process of becoming a published author, however, wasn't always easy, she said.

During her first attempt at publication, she wasn't offered a contract, and her first agent stopped providing services. Vogts said she believed God was leading her to write, but began to struggle with doubt.

Eventually, she tucked the series away and began work on a fresh project, writing "for the love of it," she said. Less than a year later, a new agent began marketing the series, and she contracted with Zondervan.

"I felt like he was calling me to write and to write the book, and he would take care of the rest," she said. "That was kind of the message I was getting."

Vogts already has begun work on her third book and plans to keep writing after the series is concluded. In fact, she plans to resume work on the project she began all those months ago.

And she already has loyal fans anxious to get their hands on book No. 2. Hays resident Carol Wilson already had read "Snow Melts in Spring" and came by Wednesday to meet the author in person.

"I have read it, and I did like it," Wilson said. "I think everybody loves a good story."