Wednesday Writers–A New Inspy Historical Romance from Sandra Merville Hart

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A Rebel in My House, Book excerpt from A Rebel in My House, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Christian romance, civil war romance, Gettysburg Museum, Inspirational historical romance, Pickett's Charge, Sandra Merville Hart

Today Sandra Merville Hart is guest posting on Wednesday Writers talking about her newest Inspirational Historical Romance, A Rebel in My House. I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Civil War history. Sandra put me in the middle of the battle, made me feel the anguish of the soldiers and the civilians, and even caused me to weep at one point. It’s a novel of love and sacrifice during one of our country’s most famous Civil War battles. So, without any further delay, I’ll let her tell you the story behind A Rebel in My House. Welcome, Sandra!

 

Thanks, Catherine.

Something drew me yet again to Gettysburg. I knew there was a story waiting for me. My husband and I walked the battlefields. Ideas stirred when I found Tennessee troops with the brigade who began the fighting on the first day. Nothing solidified so I kept digging. I visited the museums. I discovered fascinating history at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at the Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum. Surely my story touched this place. After spending several hours exploring the museum and surroundings, no ideas came. I trudged on.

I explored Gettysburg museums, spending hours at the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, Gettysburg Museum of History, Gettysburg Railroad Station, General Lee’s Headquarters Museum, and The David Wills House where President Lincoln stayed. I learned captivating facts at the Jennie Wade House, Shriver House Museum, and “The Women of Gettysburg Tour,” an evening walking tour.

Ideas strengthened. My husband and I walked the town’s streets around the “Diamond” or the town square where the women and children suffered through a nightmare from which they didn’t awaken for many months. Then we spent another afternoon and evening at the battlefield.

Three Tennessee regiments fought the beginning battle on July 1^st. They didn’t fight again until they joined in Pickett’s Charge.

The sun sank low on the horizon as I stood alone on Cemetery Ridge. The expansive field crossed by Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863, captured my imagination. Though the land is peaceful once more, it still tells a story. My imagination soared while the sun disappeared.

I had to tell what the townspeople endured. What if a Gettysburg woman fell in love with a Confederate soldier? What if they both made promises to loved ones? Some promises are impossible to keep …

I reluctantly left the ridge because I had a story to write.

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

A Rebel in My House

By Sandra Merville Hart

When the cannons roar beside Sarah Hubbard’s home outside of Gettysburg, she despairs of escaping the war that’s come to Pennsylvania. A wounded Confederate soldier on her doorstep leaves her with a heart-wrenching decision.

Separated from his unit and with a bullet in his back, Jesse Mitchell needs help. He seeks refuge at a house beside Willoughby Run. His future lies in the hands of a woman whose sympathies lay with the North.

Jesse has promised his sister-in-law he’d bring his brother home from the war. Sarah has promised her sister that she’d stay clear of the enemy. Can the two keep their promises amid a war bent on tearing their country apart?

Excerpt:

Friday, June 26, 1863

Two miles outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Running feet on the dirt road outside quickened Sarah Hubbard’s heartbeat. Her fingers stiffened on her sewing machine and her back straightened.

Were they coming? Every conversation these days centered on the Confederate soldiers crossing into southern Pennsylvania.

“Miz Hubbard. Miz Hubbard, please let us in!”

Not soldiers but friends. Sarah’s body sagged at Elsie Craig’s voice, but why did she yell? Sarah dropped the gingham dress she’d been sewing and ran to throw open the front door. Alarmed at the fear lining Elsie’s dark face and eyes as she clutched the hand of her four-year-old daughter, Mae, Sarah scanned the horizon for Confederate soldiers. “Hurry inside.”

Elsie needed no second bidding. She guided Mae over the threshold and closed the door. “Miz Hubbard, you gotta hide us.” Her tall, thin body leaned against the door. “The Rebs are in town gathering up all the colored folks they can find. Someone said they’ll be taking them south as slaves and that they’re warning folks not to hide us.”

Sarah gasped. “Why do such a terrible thing?”

“Don’t make sense, does it? Some of us have lived in Gettysburg for years. Others like me have always been free, but it don’t seem to matter to the Southern army.” A long loaf of bread peeked out among jars and clothing in a well-laden basket Elsie set on the rug. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around her trembling child. “I had to leave my house and most of my possessions, but I’ve got the most important thing right here.” She looked up at Sarah as she patted Mae’s shoulder. “Last week my Sam left for Pine Hill, the settlement up near Biglerville. With it being two miles off the main road to Carlisle, the Rebs won’t find him there. Sam never expected the army to come after women and children or he’d never have left us. I miss him something fierce. We’ll go to him when the soldiers get out of town.”

Tears etched tracks in a smudge on Mae’s cheek, tugging at Sarah’s heart as much as Elsie’s wide eyes and trembling hands. Sarah rushed to an open window and pushed aside the curtain a few inches. The Pennsylvania governor, Andrew Curtin, had declared a state of emergency two weeks earlier and called for local militia. Where was their help?

Want to read more? You can get Sandra’s book at Amazon

 

About the Author:

Sandra Merville Hart, Assistant Editor for DevoKids.com, loves to find unusual or little-known facts in her historical research to use in her stories. Her debut Civil War romance, A Stranger On My Land, was an IRCA Finalist 2015. Her second Civil War romance novel, A Rebel in My House, is set during the Battle of Gettysburg. It released on July 15, 2017. Visit Sandra on her blog at https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

 

Sandra’s Blog, Historical Nibbles: https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sandra_M_Hart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7/

Sandra’s Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100329215443000389705/posts

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers–Darlene Franklin and A Taste for Honey

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A Taste for Honey, Beekeeping, best-selling author Darlene Franklin, Blue Ribbon Brides, book excerpt from A Taste for Honey, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Christian romance, novella

 

Today Wednesday Writers is welcoming back best-selling author Darlene Franklin who will be talking about her book A Taste for Honey. A Taste for Honey is one of nine novellas in Blue Ribbon Brides Anthology. With summer’s state and county fairs in full swing this time of year, why not settle down with a fair-themed book as a summer read? After all, who doesn’t love homemade pies, preserves, and all those handmade goodies? With a title like A Taste for Honey, can you guess what Darlene will be talking about? Welcome, Darlene!

 

 

Old-Fashioned Beekeeping

By

Darlene Franklin

Thanks, Catherine.

Since the title of my book is A Taste for Honey¸ you might guess that my heroine harvests honey. But I wasn’t sure how beekeeping in 1896 differed from 2016. In fact, my heroine’s grandfather originally erected the equipment to catch the honey. So, I had to push back the style of beekeeping to the mid-nineteenth century.

I discovered several methods were used, but I chose the one that was easiest for me to understand, picture, and hopefully communicate in the story. I’m not as sure about the bee bonnet and heavy gloves I gave my heroine—but they moved the story forward. You see, my hero caused an accident and my heroine was stung. . .but that’s telling the story.

All the early equipment was designed as an artificial setting for bees to create their hives. I decided on the “log gum.” As the name suggests, it was made from a hollowed-out log. Bees preferred black gum wood when available, thus—a log gum.

Covers sealed the hollow log. Some used a “super” instead, which would collect the honey. That’s the kind my heroine’s family used, which allowed her easy access to the honey. The process disturbed the bees, so it could be an uncomfortable process.

 A Taste of Honey begins with Edith’s trip to the meadow:

Edith Grace checked her outfit, making sure she was prepared to garner as much honey as possible in one trip. Harvesting honey for free from her neighbor was a deal made in heaven, as far as she was concerned. At the fiftieth annual Rutland State Fair, she intended to make her mark as the best baker in all of Vermont, thanks to Mr. Oscar’s honey.

Edith had watched Mr. Oscar harvest honey a few times from the supers over the hollow logs, called log gums for some reason, before she tried it by herself. Today was the third time she had donned her veil and thick gloves to gather the liquid gold. She approached the log gums with caution. Experience had taught her that bees didn’t want to sting her. It cost them their lives, after all. But experience had also taught her some stings were inevitable. Although she wasn’t allergic, but they still hurt and itched. Another reason she harvested as much as possible at one time—so she could wait before returning.

About the Author:

Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over forty books and more than 250 devotionals.

A Taste for Honey is one of nine novellas in Blue Ribbon Brides:  Meet nine men and women whose competitive goals take them to state and county fairs between 1889 and 1930. From baking pie to polishing pigs, from sculpting butter to stitching quilts, everyone has something to prove to themselves and their communities. But in going for the blue ribbon, will nine women miss the greatest prize of all—the devoted heart of a godly man?

Blue Ribbons Purchase Link

Website and blog  Facebook  Amazon author page  Twitter: @darlenefranklin

 

A Writer’s Garden–Visiting Bellingraph Gardens with June Foster

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A Writer's Garden, Alabama Public gardens, Bellingraph Mansion and Garden, Catherine Castle’s garden blog series, Christian romance, Garden blog, June Foster, Restoration of the Heart

Today’s guest writer/gardener on A Writer’s Garden is June Foster. Since her last visit to the blog, she’s been on the road. So, she’s taking us on a road trip today to see an Alabama garden. I love visiting mansions and their gardens, and I can’t wait to show you where she’s been tiptoeing through the tulips. Take it away, June!

 

Bellingraph Gardens

My husband and I live full time in our RV, so needless to say, we don’t have a garden in which to grow the colorful blooms I love. But that’s okay. We’re blessed to have opportunity to visit many breathtaking gardens while we travel.

While in Mobile, Alabama for a family reunion, we enjoyed a visit to the Bellingraph mansion and Gardens, now a museum owned by the state of Alabama.

The gardens were once part of the estate of Walter and Bessie Bellingraph. The sixty-five acres of floral pageantry flank the Bellingraph’s 10,500 square foot mansion built in 1935. Today the site is open year round for visitors to enjoy.

The most exciting feature is the monthly display of a variety of flowers depending on the season. Since we visited toward the end of February, we relished an explosion of vibrant colors as we wandered through the azaleas newly in bloom.

Azaleas are described as the flaming drama of the south, and I can certainly understand why. When the azalea bush is in full bloom, every trace of growth is enveloped in crimson, coral, purple, or white.

Come back the next month and you might see verbenas, daisies, roses, or begonias. And if you visit in the fall, you’ll bask in the beauty of chrysanthemums, honeysuckle, or poinsettias.

Mobile, Alabama is blessed with a moderate climate that allows gardens to look lovely year round. If you travel south, you won’t regret visiting Bellingraph.

 

About the Author:

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June’s books have finaled in the EPIC’s eBook contest, National Readers Choice Awards, the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest and Awards and COTT’s Laurel Awards. June has also written several series, The Bellewood Series, The Almond Tree series, June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. One of her most recent releases is Restoration of the Heart available at Amazon

Restoration of the Heart

Though a Christian, Luke Chamberlain ignored his values and indulged in his beautiful fiancé’s world of alcohol, parties, and nights at her apartment. After rededicating his life to the Lord, he vows never to fall into the lifestyle again. When the state of Idaho’s Tourism Department offers his construction company the contract to renovate Silver Cliff, an 1890’s silver mining ghost town, he accepts.

Janie Littleton studied history in college because life in the past is simpler than the uncomfortable reality of the present. With her extra pounds, eye glasses, and mousy brown hair, no man would find her attractive. When she’s offered the job of project historian at the restoration of Silver Cliff, she accepts. But as Luke Chamberlain shows an interest in her, she doubts his sincerity. To make matters worse, someone claiming to be the miner who founded Silver Cliff in 1890 intimidates her with frightening midnight visits.

Can Luke convince Janie he’s in love with the godly woman she is? Can Janie hold onto her faith as she’s harassed by frightening appearances of old Ezra Barclay who died a hundred years ago?

You can visit June at junefoster.com.

 

 

Wednesday Writers: Behind the Scenes with June Foster and Lavender Fields Inn

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award-winning author June Foster, behind the scenes on Lavendar Fields Inn romance, book excerpt from Lavender Fields Inn, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Christian romance, June Foster, Lavender Fields Inn, twins

Today I’m welcoming award-winning author June Foster to the Wednesday Writers blog. June has an excerpt and a behind-the-scenes post about her book Lavender Fields Inn. Welcome, June. How did you come up with the story idea for this book?

 Thanks for having me, Catherine.

Writing’s never work when the story’s fun to create. Lavender Fields Inn—is one of those novels. I hope readers will agree.

Wren Tabor is taking a well-earned vacation at an inn and spa nestled high in the Rocky mountains. Perhaps her broken heart will heal after her so called boy friend betrayed her.

The hero, Graham Maier, wants to prove to his father that he’s as capable as his brother Greg. So Graham enters a local fishing tournament. Surrounded by lavender fields and stately mountain peaks, Graham and Wren find an attraction to each other, but when Wren sees Graham kissing another woman, she figures all men are alike.

Like many of my stories, this one was inspired by a real-life happening. About twelve years ago before I retired from my teaching profession—and before God called me to write stories, I taught seventh and eighth grade at a Christian school in Olympia, Washington. One of the teachers was a pretty young lady, young enough to be my daughter, and we enjoyed chatting in the teachers’ lounge.

My friend told me a funny story that I never forgot. She dated and married an identical twin. Even her husband’s mother had to look twice to tell these two brothers apart. Once, she went to a family dinner. She and her husband planned to drive separately as they both came from work. When she walked into her mother-in-law’s living room, she saw her husband sitting on the couch watching a football game on TV.

She leaned over the couch from behind him and kissed his prickly cheek then gave him a hug. Only thing, he wore a new aftershave. He turned around and stared at her with wide eyes. She still didn’t get it until he told her she’d kissed the wrong guy. The man was her husband’s brother.

My friend enjoyed laughing about the incident at the time she told me, but the night of the family gathering, she felt like crawling under the table.

Don’t want to give too much away, but this true-to-life event sparked the story idea. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Lavender Fields Inn

By June Foster

 

Love grows amid the flowers in the magnificent Rockies,

but sometimes romance can be deceptive.

 

Wren Tabor hopes the cool Colorado air at Lavender Fields Inn will heal her aching heart after her former boyfriend betrays her. When she literally bumps into handsome accountant Graham Maier, the painful memories from the past begin to fade. But after she sees Graham kissing another woman, she figures no man can be trusted.

Graham Maier needs to prove to his father he’s as capable as his brother Greg. The Rocky Mountain Anglers’ Tournament at Gold Pan Lake will give him the chance. But he must win first place. After he meets Wren, a woman like the unnamed girl who’s occupied his dreams, he can’t understand why she suddenly won’t speak to him.

Can Wren learn to trust men again? Can Graham understand how valuable he is in God’s sight?

 

Excerpt:

Graham Maier peered into his car’s trunk and unloaded the duffle bag, fishing pole case, and tackle box. Lavender Fields Inn dominated the landscape on the other side of the parking lot, with the magnificent Rockies in the background, a reminder of his purpose here. The Rocky Mountain Anglers Tournament. He slammed the trunk closed. Most guys saw the event as a relaxing fishing retreat, but not him. Even the mountain breeze with aromatic pine conifers and evergreens didn’t sooth his stomach’s churning. The tournament wasn’t merely a spare time, fun event but another opportunity to prove to Dad he could do something better than Greg, especially since his brother hated fishing.

Graham firmed his lips, grabbed his luggage, and trudged into the lodge. Straight ahead, an attendant escorted two women up a curved stairway. His mouth went slack. It couldn’t be. The one with shiny dark hair―so like the nameless girl who’d occupied his dreams more than once in the last five years.

Setting his luggage down, he stepped toward the staff member at the counter.

“Yes, sir. Welcome to Lavender Fields Inn.” The receptionist smiled. Her nametag introduced her as Tessie.

“Thanks. I need to register and sign up for the fishing tournament.”

Tessie passed him some papers. “Sure. Fill these out. Then go down the hall in that direction.” She pointed to the right. “The registration table’s in the conference room. If you want to leave your gear here, Zach can take it to your room in a few moments.” She handed Graham a key.

“Sure.” Graham signed the few papers and ambled down the hall to the tournament desk. A brightly colored poster with Rocky Mountain Angler’s Association on the front was taped on the wall above a long table manned by two men in shirts with RMAA and a rainbow trout embroidered over the pocket.

Graham stood behind three other guys already in line. He tapped his toe in time with his pounding heart. Spinner fishing had always intrigued him. If he could come in first place, Dad might be proud of him for once since his father loved the sport.

When the line moved up a step, Graham planted his feet on the tiled floor and allowed another thought—the persistent image in his dreams. Light brown eyes with flecks of gold twinkled above a petite nose and luscious full lips. Raven, shoulder length hair graced creamy, smooth shoulders. With a start, he drew his attention back to the tournament registration desk. He had to shake the image of a woman he’d never met and concentrate on winning the fishing tournament.

Want to read more? You can find June’s book at http://tinyurl.com/j36sqds

About the Author:

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day, As We Forgive, and Deliver Us, and Hometown Fourth of July. Since then she’s also written Ryan’s Father, Red and the Wolf, a modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, The Almond Tree Series: For All Eternity, Echoes From the Past, What God Knew and Almond Street Mission. Also available is Lavender Fields Inn and Christmas at Raccoon Creek. Find all June’s books at Amazon.com. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. Find June online at junefoster.com.

 

June’s links: junefoster.com     https://www.amazon.com/author/junefoster

https://twitter.com/vjifoster        https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster

 

 

 

Amanda Cabot talks about A Stolen Heart on Wednesday Writers

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A Stolen Heart, Amanda Cabot, BEst selling Author Amanda Cabot, book excerpt of A Stolen Heart, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Christian romance, historical romance, Secrets, TExas Hill Country book settings, The Cimarron Creek trilogy

 

Today on Wednesday Writers I have best-selling author Amanda Cabot who will be sharing an excerpt from her Historical romance A Stolen Heart where a young woman’s plans for the future are shattered by the revelation that her fiancé has married another. Sounds like there’s some conflict there, Amanda, and maybe a secret or two. What other secrets and questions do the characters in A Stolen Heart face?

Secrets. We all have them. Some are small; others are big. What they have in common is that we don’t want anyone – and I mean anyone – to know them. When I started plotting the Cimarron Creek trilogy, I knew there would be one large secret that spans the three books, but I also knew there would be a number of smaller ones, because we all have secrets, and when they’re revealed, there are often unexpected consequences. Since this is a new series set in a new town in the Texas Hill Country, my first challenge was to develop that town. Once I understood its history and saw the dynamics between its founding families, I started asking myself what would bring outsiders to Cimarron Creek and why they might stay, even when they weren’t offered a normal Texas welcome. The answers surprised me. They also resulted in a new set of questions.

• What would you do if you traveled more than a thousand miles only to learn that the man you loved married someone else?
• How would you make a living in a town that has no need for your training?
• What would you do if you found yourself in a town where you were distrusted, simply because of where you were born?
• Who would you trust? The sheriff whose father is sure you’re an enemy? The other men who are eager to court you? The town’s schoolteacher who has good reasons to dislike you? The older woman who seems to have a dark secret in her life?

Those are some of the questions Lydia, the heroine of A Stolen Heart, has to answer. Some answers come easily, others don’t, but they all lead Lydia into the greatest adventure of her life, an adventure that just might end with love.

 

 

A Stolen Heart

By Amanda Cabot

From afar, Cimarron Creek seems like an idyllic town tucked in the Texas Hill Country. But when former schoolteacher Lydia Crawford steps onto its dusty streets in 1880, she finds a town with a deep-seated resentment of Northerners—like her. Lydia won’t let that get her down, though. All will be well when she’s reunited with her fiancé.

But when she discovers he has disappeared—and that he left behind a pregnant wife—Lydia is at a loss about what to do next. The handsome sheriff urges her to trust him, but can she trust anyone in this town where secrets are as prevalent as bluebonnets in spring?

 

Excerpt

Lydia took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, all in a desperate attempt not to faint. She had never fainted, not even when Hortense, her closest friend at the academy, had laced her corset too tightly. Unfortunately, tight corsets were nothing compared to this.

Edgar was married!

She’d survived the long journey; she’d endured the many snubs; she’d even managed to keep her composure when she learned Edgar was gone; but she’d come unraveled when the sheriff had mentioned Edgar’s wife.

Lydia felt the blood drain from her face, and black spots danced in front of her eyes. It couldn’t be true. The sheriff must be mistaken. But if he wasn’t . . . Lydia’s legs grew weak and her spine threatened to crumble. Stop it! she told herself. You’re not going to faint. But her body refused to obey, and before she knew what was happening, the sheriff had put his arm around her.

She should object. After all, it wasn’t proper for a strange man to be touching her. Even though she and Edgar had been betrothed, he had never been so bold in public. Lydia opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. She couldn’t object when the sheer strength of the sheriff’s arm was doing more to calm her nerves than her careful breathing.

Edgar was married!

She took another breath, exhaling slowly as she tried to make sense of a world that had suddenly gone topsy-turvy. Though the sheriff’s words had lodged inside her, Lydia refused to believe them. Edgar couldn’t be married. He simply could not. She hadn’t given up her comfortable life and traveled all this way to meet a man who’d found himself another wife.

 

Want to read more? You can find Amanda’s book A Stolen Heart at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book Distributors

 

 

About the Author:

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, the Texas Crossroad trilogy, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. Amanda is delighted to now be a fulltime writer of Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming.

Social Media Links:

www.amandacabot.com

https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot

https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/

http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/

 

 

Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads–Christmas Love and Mercy by Saundra Staats McLemore

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Catherine Castle's Christmas Reads, Christian romance, Christmas fiction, Christmas Hotel series, Christmas Love and Mercy, Saundra Staats McLemmore

 

Christmas Love and Mercy

 

Today Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads is featuring an excerpt from Saundra Staats McLemore’s Christmas book Christmas Love and Mercy, book number 5 in the Christmas Hotel series. Saundra has been a frequent visitor on the blog and she tackles some hard subjects in her books, but with a gentle hand, as she leads her cast of characters through the years of their lives. I’ve read the first four books in this series and have fallen in love with the fictional hotel Saundra created and the charming town.

In Christmas Love and Mercy Chris Wright, the youngest child of Christopher and Jerilyn, is now thirty-two years old. He’s prayed many years for a Godly woman to marry and join him in carrying on the mission of Christmas Hotel. All his siblings are married with children and one with a grandchild. He wonders what’s wrong with him. Although his life is full with the management of Christmas Hotel; he’s lonely. His only constant companion is his dog Fritz. He reacquaints with lovely Lori Anna Stanley; someone he has known all her nineteen years. She sweeps into his life like a breath of fresh air. Is it possible Chris will have the wife and family of his dreams? An idyllic union exists until Chris has reason to question God and his faith. Unforeseen difficulties spiral out of control. Only a miracle can save them. Others have found their miracle at Christmas Hotel, but can they?

Excerpt from Christmas Love and Mercy

By Saundra Staats McLemore

 

“Hey, Uncle Chris. Did you just snap our picture?” Brian had been snuggling on a bench in Franklin’s town square with his wife Christine.

Chris laughed, throwing back his head for a good guffaw. “I’m just photographing my annual Christmas pictures of the square. My, my, a picture of you snuggling with Christine will make a great picture for your little one someday. And quit calling me uncle. I’m only six years older than you.”

“I know, but I just want to remind you now and then that you’re getting old.”

“Thanks a lot.”

Christine smiled and rubbed her rotund belly. Her coat no longer completely closed; she appeared to be wearing a couple of bulky sweaters underneath.

Brian jumped up. “Give me the camera, Chris. Let me take your picture for a change.”

“I don’t think so, buddy boy. This is the latest Canon model. It’s the RC-760 released this year. My parents gave it to me for my birthday in September. I know how camera-challenged you are. Why you couldn’t even use my Polaroid from the sixties. You cut off everyone’s heads.”

“Ha, ha. I was a kid. By the way, why aren’t you at your desk at Christmas Hotel? Since when does the senior manager have time off?”

“I do schedule a day off now and then. What about you? Shouldn’t you be doing your detective stuff? Aren’t you working on a big case?”

“It’s all under control,” Brian said with a smug grin and returned to his seat, hugging his wife closer.

They all turned when they saw a camera flash nearby. A young woman snapped pictures about twenty feet away, and a well-trained Golden Retriever sat at her feet. When the girl walked a few paces, the dog obediently followed and then again sat at her feet. Despite the chill of the December morning, she wore no coat; just a bright green sweatshirt over black sweatpants tucked into her tall, furry boots. A multi-colored knit hat covered her head, but her straight black hair hung to her waistline. Every time she spun around for another picture, her long hair followed in a swinging motion around her lithe, petite figure.

Chris watched her, mesmerized. She gave extra special meaning to the phrase poetry in motion. She appeared to be around twenty, so he knew she was too young for him. It didn’t seem right; a thirty-two-year-old man ogling such a young woman. However, he couldn’t stop watching her and the dog. The dog anticipated her every move.

Brian jumped up and ran his hand in front of Chris’s eyes. “Earth to Chris. Don’t you know who she is?”

Finally, and reluctantly, Chris turned back to Brian. “I guess not. I thought I knew everyone in Franklin.” He cocked his head. “Yet, there is a familiarity about her.”

“You dunce,” Brian said, landing a friendly smack to the side of Chris’s head. “That’s Lori Anna Stanley; James and Carol Ann’s daughter. She’s been away at the University of Louisville for the past two years, but she recently transferred to Western Kentucky University. I hear she’s working part-time at the Franklin Favorite. Maybe that’s why she’s taking all the pictures. I think you’ve been cooped up at Christmas Hotel too much. You need to get out more often, so you can know what’s happening.”

Lori Anna, thought Chris. It’s even worse than I thought. I’m gawking at a nineteen-year-old.

 

Want to read more? You can find Christmas Love and Mercy at Amazon

About the Author

When her hands are not busy at the keyboard creating a new novel, Saundra Staats McLemore is managing the performing arts’ marketing and sales business she built in 1984. Saundra is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Ohio chapter of the ACFW. In her spare time, she loves to garden, and she can be seen throughout the summer working in her flower beds. Saundra has written two novels so far in the Staats Family Chronicles Series: Abraham and Anna and its sequel: Joy out of Ashes. To date, there are five novels in the Christmas Hotel Series: Christmas Hotel, Christmas for Lucy, Christmas Redemption, Christmas Pact, and Christmas Love and Mercy.

Born and raised in the state of Ohio, Saundra is married to Robert, and Anthony is their only child. The other two members of the family are the cat Charley, and the Cocker Spaniel Daisy.

 

 

Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads: To Gain a Mommy by Tanya Eavenson

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Catherine Castle's Christmas Reads, Christian romance, Holiday Stories, Kids and Bundles of Joy, Kisses, Tanya Eavenson, To Gain a Mommy, Winter romances

 

Hi, and welcome to Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads! Today’s Christmas read is by Tanya Eavenson, from her winter romance book To Gain a Mommy. To Gain a Mommy is part of the collection Kisses, Kids and Bundles of Joy, seven winter romances by Christian authors. Let’s just dive right into the story excerpt!

 

 

To Gain a Mommy

By Tanya Eavenson

 

When Hope Michaels decides to face her past, she unknowingly purchases the house across the street from her former fiancé—the man her twin sister married, then widowed. Fire Captain Carl McGuire can put out any flame, except for the one Hope sparks within him—some things never change.

Chapter One

Carl McGuire smiled and shook his head as his eight-year-old son, Brody, held the sheer curtain and stared out the window at some poor, unsuspecting woman across the street.

Brody pointed, excitement dancing in his wide eyes. “Did you see the dog? He was standing by the palm tree a minute ago.”

“No,” Mary huffed, moving her younger brother to the side, swiping the tan fabric from him. “What does she look like?” She followed his stare out the window.

“She’s golden brown. And how do you know the dog is a girl? You can’t tell from here.”

“I’m not talking about the dog. The lady. What does she look like?”

“Who cares about her? Look at the dog.”

Carl leaned back in his desk chair, setting his phone down. The woman had no idea what she was about to encounter being their neighbor, but if she did indeed own a dog, she’d find out soon enough. Perhaps he could go over and warn her before it was too late. “Why don’t you give our new neighbor some privacy?”

Mary perked up and turned from the window. “I have a better idea. Why don’t we go over and say hi? It’s the neighborly thing to do. Love your neighbor as yourself, you always say.”

How conveniently she recalled scripture when it suited. Only last week she totally ignored his comment to ‘obey your parents.’ Even if there was only one parent, it still applied.

“Yeah, dad!” Brody pushed past his sister to stand near the door, so if Carl agreed, he’d be the first out. “I’m sure she’ll let us play with her dog while she moves her stuff from the truck.”

Carl had actually thought about going over to introduce himself and his children when the moving truck had first pulled into the driveway earlier that day, but several phone calls later, the fire department’s fundraiser was finally underway. As captain, he had an obligation not only to the townspeople and their safety but also to raise money for needed improvements to the fire fighters’ “home away from home.”

He glanced at the list of numbers he still needed to call. “Maybe tomorrow. We can take some cookies or something.”

“But Dad, it’s a golden retriever.”

As if the breed of the dog would change his mind. “Sorry, buddy. I still have too much to do.”

Mary released the curtain. “She has blond hair, but that’s all I could tell.” She rounded the couch and plopped down in the recliner. “You know, if you’d just get him a dog, it might cure his dog fascination.”

“Thank you, Mary. I’ll keep that in mind.” Even though his daughter stayed silent, he sensed she wanted to say more but held her tongue, something she’d been doing more often lately.

Being a single parent wasn’t easy, but he’d always known where he stood with Mary and what was on her mind. Now he wasn’t so sure and it bothered him. She’d be a teenager in less than six weeks and was growing up much too fast. Every day he’d been noticing little things that reminded him of Faith, memories of what he used to have before she was taken in a hit-and-run. Some days like today were painfully real.

“…are you listening? We’re hungry.”

Carl blinked twice, pushing his thoughts away as he glanced at the time on his phone. “What do you want to eat?” He stood and slid his cell into his pocket.

Mary linked her arm through his. “Can I go to Tiffany’s house Tuesday for a sleepover?”

Brody ran past them into the kitchen and opened the freezer. “I thought we’re going to Grandma’s?”

“You are. I’m on shift.” He patted his daughter’s hand as it slid from his arm. “Maybe next week.”

“Why I can’t go? I’m a teenager now. I can take care of myself. Besides, it would be easier for Grandma if I wasn’t there. One less mouth to feed.”

“You know how I feel about staying together while I’m on shift. I don’t have to worry about your safety. And besides, Grandma fixes us food regardless or sends it home with us. Speaking of”—he opened the refrigerator—“are you in the mood for leftovers?”

Brody yanked out a pizza. “How about pizza?”

“Not pizza again.” Mary sank to a barstool. Her lips protruded slightly into a pout.

“Okay.” Brody stuffed the pizza back in the freezer and held out two more options. “We have pizza rolls or pizza pockets. I like either one.”

Carl chuckled, swiping his wallet and keys from the counter. “Grab your shoes. We’ll get something to eat.” He went into his room and put on his running shoes, but as he was walking out, the picture of Faith on his dresser caught his eye. The ache in his chest dimmed over the years, but never quite vanished. She gazed back at him, her smile brilliant. Breathtaking. And a mirror image of—

He shook his head to focus on the present and his two hungry children. Walking back into the living room, he yelled, “We ready?” The front door was open. They must be waiting for him by the truck.

In an instant, an ear piercing scream cut through the air, straight down the center of his heart.

Mary.

Want to read more? You can get To Gain a Mommy at: Amazon: Kobo: iTunes

 

About the Author:

 

Tanya Eavenson is a bestselling author who enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and writes for Christ to the World Ministries. You can find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/ on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google, or on Amazon.

 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Patty Smith-Hall

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author Catherine Castle, author interview with Patty Smith-Hall, Christian romance, contemporary romance, New Hope Sweethearts, Patty Smith-Hall, Wednesday Writers

Do Today Wednesday Writers welcomes author Patty Smith-Hall. Patty, tell us about your newest release New Hope Sweethearts.

New Hope Sweethearts is the first in my new contemporary series based in the fictional town of New Hope, Georgia. It’s the story of two people who have faced personal tragedy in their lives yet have come out on the other side stronger, wiser and possibly ready for love.

How did you come up with the concept for this book?

When I started this book almost fifteen years ago, I had just lost my beloved grandfather to Alzheimer’s. I was just one of several family members caring for both him and my grandmother but the situation made me wonder what it would be like to manage such a heartbreaking task alone. This story was my response to that question.

What are you working on now? Do you have a release date on it?

At the moment, I’m in the mist of edits for my January Love Inspired Historical release, The Baby Barter. Then I’m back to a new historical series called Rushed to The Altar which is based in the Georgia goldrush of 1830. A Christmas novella and the first draft of the next New Hope book round out the rest of my year.

Tell us about the genres you write and a bit about your process.

I write both historical and contemporary romantic fiction with a Christian worldview as well as devotionals. I think what makes me different than most is I find the most unusual pieces of history that most folks have never heard of and build a story around it. Like my last book, Hearts Rekindled revolted around a heroine who was a homeland spy in WWII Georgia—that

was based on a lady I met at a booksigning. She had been recruited as an informant to watch people at a bomber plant close to her home during the war. For me, that was a perfect heroine!

As far as my writing process, I do a lot of research so I can get a timeline of events in my head; do character charts and dig into the ‘why’ behind their external goals to get to what’s really motivating them in the story. I’m a ‘plotser’ so I write scene cards, usually about 25 to 50 5×7 cards. Then I write my rough draft. Probably the most unique part of my process is I write my first draft longhand, mainly because this tones down that infernal internal editor, and lets me get the story down. Then I dictate my work into text and edit that copy.

Tell us a bit about your reading Habits?

Goodness, am I a reader! Every morning, I go through FIVE newspapers including one from overseas. Magazines, not so much because I just don’t have time and most articles about writing are like eating paste—really bland and not very helpful. I do love craft books, particularly by James Scott Bell—the man has a way of keeping you engaged while teaching!

And of course, I read tons of books, anywhere from 1 to 3 a week depending on how busy I am. I just finished Karen Witemeyer’s A Worthy Pursuit(a great read!) and can’t wait to read my friend, Kristi Ann Hunter’s debut release, A Noble Masquerade.

Do you have any favorite Movies?

I like the classics—An American President, While You Were Sleeping, Shop Around The Corner, The King’s Speech, Victoria. And my favorite TV shows are Castle and When Calls the Heart—I’m actually an original Heartie!

What’s the most historical city you’ve visited?

Probably London— a couple of years ago, my husband took me there for our 30th anniversary, and we visited Buckingham Palace. All the paintings were amazing!

Thanks for visiting Wednesday Writers, Patty. As you say goodbye today can you tell us what precept has influenced your life?

Something my dad told me as I was growing up—if you’re going to talk the talk, be prepared to walk the walk. I’ve been trying to live up to that ever since.

 

Excerpt from

New Hope Sweethearts

 

Community Hospital

New Hope, Georgia

 

Chapter 1

 

Kallie Huffman gaped at the crowd of people in the laboratory waiting room. If she had any sense at all, she’d backtrack down the hall and out the front door. But she couldn’t, not when she needed this job to survive until her nursing license was reinstated.

With a deep breath, she walked across the room to the admissions window where a young woman dressed in pale blue scrubs sat staring at a computer monitor. The girl glanced up briefly, then went back to work. “Sign in on the clipboard, and I’ll need to make a copy of your driver’s license and insurance card.”

Kallie shook her head. “I have an appointment with Dr. Muster. About a job.”

The girl pressed her lips together as if that information annoyed her in some way. “Do you have a resume?”

“Yes.” Kallie opened her tote, pulled out a manilla folder and held it out to the woman.

She took it and tossed it in the outbox along with a stack of patient charts. “If you’ll have a seat, Dr. Muster will be with you shortly.”

“Thank you,” Kallie answered, but the girl had already gone to her computer. She turned, glancing over the crowed room before finally settling on a seat in the far corner. As she sunk down in the chair, the nerves she had held at bay all morning took hold. “Lord, help me.”      “Did you say something?”

Kallie turned toward the crackled voice. Two seats down sat an old man, his thick-barreled chest heaving with each labored breath he took, his face a map of lines and wrinkles that reflected the march of time. Untamed eyebrows topped a pair of impish green eyes that reminded Kallie of an leprechaun ready to make mischief. Granddaddy’s eyes sparkled just like that before. . .

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturbed you.” Kallie forced the words around the tight knot in her throat.

“Just worried me a bit.” One snowy eyebrow arched in feigned suspicion, his eyes shining with a playfulness that made Kallie’s lips twitch into a smile. “You know, crazy people have a habit of talking to themselves.”

Why, the old gentleman was teasing her! Leaning across the deserted chair between them, Kallie had to work to keep a straight face. “I’ve read some studies that say geniuses hold discussions with themselves all the time.”

“Is that so?” The raspy sound of the man stroking his wiry whiskers whispered between. “I’ve been know to be guilty of that myself. I guess that would make us both either highly intelligent or two nuts right off the tree, Girlie.” He winked. “Personally, I think I’d rather be a nut.”

“Me, too.” She laughed, extending her hand. “I’m Kallie Huffman.”

His weak grasp troubled her. “Steven Anderson.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” He studied her with the intensity of her old microbiology professor peering into his microscope. “You look pretty healthy to me.”

Kallie blinked in surprise. “Excuse me?”

“Are you expecting?” He moved closer, his eyebrows knitted together in concern as he focused on her bare left hand.

“No!” Heat singed her cheeks. “Why would you think that?”

Mr. Anderson’s thin lips turned slightly upward. “We don’t get many young ladies in the lab unless they’re sick or. . . .” Kallie followed the line of his crooked finger pointing to a young couple, their entwined hands joined over the obvious bump at her waist. The man lifted the woman’s hand to his lips, his eyes never straying from her face.

To be young and in love. Kallie’s smile faltered. She’d dreamt of a home, a family to call her own once, had thought it was another milestone like graduating from high school or getting kissed for the first time. If she’d learned anything in the last decade, it was that nothing was for certain. No, whatever dreams she’d had regarding a husband and children had died with Granddaddy’s diagnosis.

But she had her work, or would have once she finished the refresher course. Until then, this job would pay the bills and help her get started on the house repairs she’d neglected.

She took a deep breath. “I’m here for an interview.”

The skin around the old man’s eyes crinkled into thoughtful ruts. “You look more like a nurse than a lab tech.”

“I am.” Kallie shook her head. “I mean I was. I’m going back to school in a few weeks, and one of my professors recommended me for this position. I guess she though it might help refresh my memory.

“But if you’re a nurse already, why are you going back to school?”

Kallie brushed a speck of lint from her skirts. An explanation would take too long. Besides, she couldn’t get through it without tearing up. “I haven’t practiced nursing in a long time.”

He didn’t ask her why but simply nodded his head. “Never went to college myself. Too busy working and raising two sons.” The old man’s eyes glazed over as if he had been carried back to a happier time. “Not that I minded, of course. My wife went back to school once our boys were out on their own.”

“What did she study?”

“Ruby was a teacher. But she passed away a couple of years back.” Mr. Anderson turned and coughed into a handkerchief bunched up in his hand.

A pang of empathy lanced through her. “I’m so sorry.”

“It was for the best, though I didn’t think so at the time.” His white hair glimmered in the fluorescent light as his body shook from the force of his cough. “She’d been sick for a while.”

Kallie started to answer but before she could, the old man slumped into the chair between them. She reached for his arm and gave it a gentle shake. “Mr. Anderson?”

It was in those quiet seconds she waited for a response that she realized what was missing. The raspy sound of his breathing. Kallie jumped up and vaulted over to the old man’s chair, pulling his slack body upright. “Mr. Anderson!”

No response.

“Is something wrong with him?”

Kallie ignored the question from the man nearby and turned her attention toward the admissions window where the young woman stood studying the scene. “He’s not breathing!”

“You don’t know that,” the girl started to argue.

But there was no time to waste. “Call a code!”

“Is there anything I can do?”

The burly man she noticed in the corner now stood beside her. Where had he come from? What did it matter? “We need to get him to the floor.”

Long frantic seconds passed as the man shifted Mr. Anderson’s limp body to the floor. Kallie knelt beside the old man, her fingers moving instinctively to the soft tissue of his neck. No pulse! Tilting his head back, she plugged his nose between two fingers and blew two quick breaths into his open mouth. As she traced the bony outline of his ribcage to the slight indention of his sternum, she voiced a silent prayer.

Lord, please, don’t do this to me! Not again!

 

 

 

About the Author:

Patty Smith-Hall is a multi-published, award-winning author with Love Inspired Historical and Heartsong.  She currently serves as president of the ACFW-Atlanta chapter. She currently lives in North Georgia with her husband of 30+ years, Danny; two gorgeous daughters and a future son-in-love. Her next release, New Hope Sweethearts will be available in July on Amazon.

 

Catherine’s Comments–When Dawn Breaks Book Review

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Author Catherine Castle's blog, Author Jennifer Slattery, Catherine's Comments Book Reviews, Christian romance, missional romance, New Hope Publishing, When Dawn Breaks

 

When Dawn Breaks by Jennifer Slattery

A Book About Love—Romantic Love, Parental Love, and God’s Love

Missional Romance is a term I’d never heard until Jennifer Slattery used in her bio on her first Wednesday Writers’ post, and I wondered what it was. After reading When Dawn Breaks I know just what this term means, at least to me. This book embodies a story that shows characters with a heart for others who have allowed themselves to be prompted by God to become servants to those less fortunate than they are. They are fulfilling God’s mission for Christians.

Lest you think this sounds preachy, let me assure you that, even though there was a lot of scripture in this book and quite a few prayers thrown up to heaven, I never felt like I was being preached at. Instead, it felt more like I was seeing into the angst of the flawed hero and heroine as they picked their way through broken lives to listen to the Holy Spirit’s urging. The many Christian elements in this story felt organic and right for the tale the author was spinning.

The book starts slow as the author spends a lot of time setting up the ordinary worlds of the three main characters, but hang in there. When things started to gel I wanted to know more about how the lives of the three flawed, desperately in need of love, characters would intersect.

The ending of this book made me cry, which is something many Christian fiction books don’t do for me.

Four Stars for When Dawn Breaks.

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Want to learn more about Jennifer? Check out her  interview, June  2014, and Feb 2015  posts on Wednesday Writers

 

 

Catherine’s Comments–The Lady and the Mountain Man Book Review

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book review, Catherine's Comments, Christian romance, Five star book review, Misty Beller, The Lady and the Mountain Man, western romance

 

Five Stars for Misty Beller’s The Lady and the Mountain Man.

My apologies to Misty for not posting this sooner. Somehow this book review dropped off my reviewing radar, but as I was getting ready to update my Goodreads listings I noticed I’d missed this one.

One look at this gorgeous cover and the story came flooding back to me. I absolutely loved this book, from the cover to the last word on the pages.

The heroine was strong. The hero tortured and their love story sweet and believable. The romance grew organically, was not forced, and I was rooting for them, especially the hero, to express his feelings long before he was ready.

The friendship between the heroine and the hero’s sister was so sweet and added a wonderful dimension to the story.

The author created a book that I could not put down, and I’m so glad to see that there are more books to come in the Mountain Dreams series.

 

I was given this book for an honest review.