Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

Out of the Embers: Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

Heidi here. Isn't that a great cover? It was a treat to read Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot! I love that Evelyn Radcliffe is such a strong woman, she can take care of herself and doesn't need a man to care for her. I adore the amount of "show" in this book. The author did a great job showing Evelyn's tenaciousness and independence and how much Wyatt, based on his mother and father's relationship, believes women need to be cared for. He has a gradual shift in his beliefs as the book progresses ~ based on observations he draws and statements people make. Evelyn slowly learns to trust. 

I admit I haven't read a historical in awhile, so this was a nice change of pace. And I adore Amanda's writing anyway. Pick u your copy of Out of the Embers today :-)

Author Chat with Denise Weimer

Welcome to Stitches Thru Time, Denise.

Thank you for the invitation to join you today, Pegg! 

We’re excited about your new release, The Witness Tree. It’s set in the early 1800s in the southeastern states. What intrigues you about that time and place? 

Well, my past published novels have all been set in Georgia. I love to use my stories to highlight little-known lore about my home state. While I was poking about the Internet for inspiration for a new historical, I came across mention of the Moravian mission at Springplace, the school for children of Cherokee chiefs on the property of Chief James Vann. I had visited the Vann plantation as a child and even blogged about Moravian Christmas traditions, but I’d never realized the connection between the Moravians from Salem, North Carolina—a favorite weekend vacay spot of my parents, like a mini-Williamsburg—and the Vann house in Northwest Georgia.

Writing something set in the Federalist period was also new to me. My previous historicals have focused on either the Revolutionary War or Civil War/Reconstruction periods. Yet the fact that Northwest Georgia was Cherokee Territory in 1805 gives The Witness Tree more of an earlier frontier feel.

Not surprisingly for that setting, you have many Native American characters. That must have taken a lot of research to be both historically and culturally accurate. What resources did you use?

I used journal articles online and a stack of books, including some I picked up on my research trips to Olde Salem, the Vann House, and the Cherokee capital of New Echota. One was even a reprint of a late-1700s moral instruction manual for leaders in the Moravian church. But my main sources were History of the Moravian Missions Among Southern Indian Tribes of the United States (Rev. Edmund Schwarze, Ph.D., UNC) and the actual diaries written by the missionaries at Springplace, The Moravian Springplace Mission to the Cherokees: Volume 1, 1805-1813.

Many of the things that happen in The WitnessTree, such as the unusual earthquakes and the miraculous recovery of one of the Cherokee girls, were actual historical events. But it’s important to note that I consolidated these from about a ten-year timeframe into a single year. I did have to keep it under 90,000 words, after all. :)

What was the most surprising historical tidbit you found and incorporated into your book?

The progressive Cherokee chiefs sought education and advancement, but others feared that the ways of the white settlers would bring destruction. I think the thing that might surprise most people was how violently many Cherokees opposed the work of Sequoyah (or George Guess/Gist) on the first Cherokee alphabet. A troop of Georgia Cherokee Lighthorse had to rush to North Carolina to rescue him from a slow death by torture for witchcraft … for writing down the language. An 1811 Cherokee law mandated a civil trial before execution, allowing Sequoyah to prove the legitimacy of the syllabary.

The Moravians struggled to master the Cherokee language and expressed the desire to see it written down. This gave me the story idea: “What if one of the Moravians tried to do that? What would the backlash have been?”

Your hero and heroine are both Moravian. In a nutshell, tell our readers who the Moravians were.

I will try, although they were a complex group! We might burst out of the nutshell. :) 

The Moravians were a lesser-known sect of “plain people.” Originally known as Unity of the Brethren, the church had been in existence since a Bohemian priest, John Huss, was burned at stake in 1415 for challenging the authority and ethics of the Catholic Church. The Hussite churches were scattered, persecuted, and influenced by Pietism. Eventually, these people found refuge on the Saxon estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, where they practiced communal living. In 1727, revival broke out and led to the biggest thrust to date in Protestant missions.

The Moravians established trade and farming settlements in America intended to support mission work around the world and to the American Indians. At first, the men and women lived separately in “choirs,” but by the late 1700s, married people raised their families in individual households. However, they still brought major church and life decisions before the elders and “the lot.” After prayer, they would draw a slip of paper out a bowl or tube that read yes, no, or wait. They based this practice on biblical references in Numbers 33:54 and Acts 1:26. The outcome indicated the will of the God and was not to be challenged.

Rumor has it that you’ve also released a contemporary book recently. Tell us a little bit about that one.

Yes, Fall Flip released with Candlelight Romance earlier this month. It’s a great contemporary read with historical undertones for anyone who is a fan of Hallmark, HGTV, and second chance romances.

The tragic death of Shelby Dodson’s husband—her partner in a successful Home Network house flipping business—stole love, status, and career. Now a bungalow redesign thrusts Shelby into the company of a new contractor. Scott Matthews remembers high-and-mighty Shelby from high school, and her prissy, contemporary style goes against his down-to-earth grain. When the house reveals a mystery, will its dark secrets—and their own mistakes—cost a second chance at love?

How on earth are you juggling TWO releases this close together? Are you Superwoman? Do you have a matching cape and tights?

LOL. I agree, it’s kinda crazy! But when we found out both books would be releasing within a few months of each other, anyway, we (my managing editors at LPC and I) decided to tag team the releases. This way, readers have a choice—historical or contemporary. Or both!

Thank you for stopping by Stitches Thru Time, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Only that I’m doing the crazy again in March. I have a heart-warming athletic romance, Spring Splash, and a nail-nibbling romantic suspense novel, Traces, releasing together. Check out my web site for more info.

Thank you, readers, for stopping by today. I’d love to answer your questions below and connect with you on social media. There’s also one more day to hop over to Singing Librarian Books for a chance to win a massive Fall Flip or Witness Tree gift basket! (link)

Connect with Denise here:

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More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

More Than Words Can Say ~ After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he's always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the baker of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can't turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery's deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn't the stoic lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can't even control her pulse when she's around him.
When vows are spoken, Abigail's troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence?

Heidi here. Another winner by Karen Witemeyer in More Than Words Can Say! The premise is simple, Abigail is forced to marry someone to keep her bakery. I adored the twist where Abigail and Zach don't have "relations" until she is ready. So they basically marry and then he courts her. I loved, loved, loved how the reader had a backstage pass to the journey of them falling in love with each other. The love grew in such a tender and organic way.

This book held great tension and very nice plot twists to keep me interested until the very end. Grab your copy of More Than Words Can Say today!

Author Chat with Jennifer Uhlarik about Sand Creek Serenade

Jennifer Uhlarik, welcome to Stitches Thru Time! Jennifer is a multi-published author who has just released her first full-length novel, Sand Creek Serenade, with Smitten Historical Romance.

What inspired you to write a historical romance with the backdrop of the Sand Creek Massacre, an admittedly dark blot in U.S. history?

I’d like to joke here and say it was my own stupidity, but the truth is I stumbled into this story without knowing fully what I was getting into at first. I’d been asked to put together a novella idea for a collection themed with “women working in men’s jobs.” So I immediately came up with the idea for a female doctor in the 1800s. Then, I started looking for a circumstance that would allow her to really dive into her medical practice—something big. Late one night, I read a very cursory paragraph or so about the Sand Creek Massacre and jotted it down into my brainstorming notes. Immediately, I found my hero—a Cheyenne brave—and went to bed. Overnight, my mind was alive with ideas. But later, as I dug further into the research on the massacre, I began to realize just how horrific it was—and how wrong my initial perceptions were about the events. No story about a massacre is “light” reading—but the circumstances of this event are so very tragic and unbelievable. The more I read, the more my heart broke. I debated scrapping the project because—how on earth could I convey the gravity of this tragedy in a 20,000-word novella?—but instead, I opted to expand this from novella to full-length novel. That would allow me the opportunity to write a more thorough depiction of the historical events and the characters’ feelings about them. And I hope that, in that process, I not only shed some light on the history of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people but maybe inject a touch of hope into that piece of American history as well as whatever tragic circumstances readers of this story may be facing in their own lives. There is hope, no matter what we’re facing, and that’s what I wanted to convey.

Hope is eternal, is it not? Tell us why readers will love your hero.

Oh, goodness. Five Kills is…where to start? He’s charmed me, and I’m the author! LOL Five Kills is a half-Cheyenne/half-white man who stands caught with one foot in each world. He was raised for his first 10 years with his parents in a white settlement, then left there and lived with the Cheyenne for the next 15 years. He has fond memories of his life with his white father, but he’s also embraced his life among the Cheyenne. From each culture, he’s learned honesty, morals, strength of will. He’s kind, caring, and protective, with a gentlemanly streak that I hope is going to set readers’ hearts a-flutter. Not to mention he’s tall, lean, and handsome—with a quick wit and a charming smile.

What's not to like there? Now tell us why readers will sympathize with your heroine.

Sadie is an interesting young woman. Raised by her widower father, who was a doctor, she latched onto the stories of how the medical practice brought he and Sadie’s mother (a nurse—and the daughter of the doctor under which Sadie’s father apprenticed) together. Since she’d lost her mother before she ever had a chance to know her, medicine is a way to be close to both her parents. And her father was forward-thinking enough to allow her to pursue her passion, in spite of the culture telling them such things were wrong for a young lady. Sadie has enough strength of character to buck the tides and follow her heart, no matter what anyone might say. Sometimes that trait gets her into trouble, but it’s also what helped her become a woman doctor and embrace the life she must pursue.

That sounds like a pair anyone would enjoy reading about. The U.S. and Native American conflicts—past and present—are a very touchy subject for many. How difficult was it to balance the true history with today’s views of our history?
I know there’s a big push by some in our country today to rewrite or whitewash the history books and try to make the historical record exonerate some groups of all guilt while heaping all the blame on others. The truth is—history lies between these two poles. No one is all good. No one is all bad. Maybe I should have been more concerned about this delicate balance while I wrote the story, but I didn’t really worry about it. My plan all along was to stick to the facts—the historical record of what transpired—and not to fudge those lines any more than I had to in order to make the story work. To my great surprise, I was able to craft a fictional story around the history without really changing anything major. In any of the minor spots where I did have to adjust the timeline or historical facts to fit, I made sure to mention those adjustments in my author’s note with my reasons for the change. I’m sure there are going to be those who read Sand Creek Serenade and think I’ve committed an unspeakable act because I didn’t depict one group as wholly evil and the other wholly good. That was never my intention because it is not the truth. There’s only ever been one Man to walk the earth who was wholly good with no spot or blemish—Jesus Christ. The rest of us fall far short of that mark, and so I did my utmost to convey the facts of this history while telling a compelling fictional story with a happily-ever-after romance. I can only ask—and hope—that readers will set aside their preconceived notions, read the story without any bias one way or the other, and let the story and research speak for itself.

Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has finaled and won in numerous writing competitions, and been on the ECPA best-seller list numerous times. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, college-aged son, and four fur children.

  

Social Media Links:

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A Tender Hope by Amanda Cabot

A TENDER HOPE: As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it's time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek's midwife, she has no intention of remarrying and trying for another child. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn't sure her heart can take it.

Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn't concerned only with the baby's welfare. He's been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated--and he'll need Thea's help if he's ever to find the justice he seeks.

Amanda Cabot invites readers back to Cimarron Creek for a tender story of loss, betrayal, and love in the majestic Texas Hill Country.

Heidi here. A TENDER HOPE is another enjoyable historical by Amanda Cabot. It has a believable and poignant premise with a strong character in Thea Michener. There is a twist on her backstory that was very believable and moved Thea to not want to fall in love again. Ranger Jackson Guthrie also has an issue in his past that leaves him unable to trust. 

A TENDER HOPE has twists and turns that make you care for the characters even more around every corner. A witty and expertly written love story.

Amanda Cabot did a character interview with Warner Gray on Saturday and there is still an active giveaway (I'll draw a random name on Sunday). US addresses only. Just leave a note with your email address in the comments section of the character interview post.

Book Review of "The Blessed" by Ann Gabhart

The Blessed by Ann H. Gabhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've enjoyed all of Ann Gabhart's shaker books and couldn't believe I'd missed one ... but I had! So I grabbed a copy and read it in a couple of days. As usual, it was full of the characters who had not always experienced the best things in life, had not always made the right choices, and these characters were living through the consequences of their actions. In short, Ann Gabhart writes real-people-type characters the reader can relate to.

What I love about these Shaker books is that while they deal with a group of people we'd label as a cult today, the author treats them with the dignity and respect they deserve as people trying to do their best with what they know and believe. She never demeans them or makes them into caricatures. They are fully-rounded characters with strengths and weaknesses, beauty and warts. And into the lives of these people, the author weaves a tale of hardship and hope. Well worth reading. 

If you've never read one of Ann's Shaker books, you can start with any of them. They all read as stand-alone novels. Watch for the next one releasing in April of 2019, The Refuge.

Weekly Windup: Still Time to Enter for Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel

  Welcome to the Weekly Windup! There's still time to get your name in the drawing for Solve by Christmas, a fun and inspirational mystery set in Denver during the great blizzard of 1913.

If you are a winner, please Contact Us with your email address to claim your prize.

This Week's Giveaway: 

Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel (ebook)

 Winner of the 2018 Christian Indie Award for Historical Fiction.

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?

Be sure to leave comments throughout the week to get your name in the drawing. Giveaway ends November 18th. Winner will be announced in the November 19th edition of the Weekly Windup.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 11/12: A Devotion by Catherine Castle
Tuesday, 11/13: Hollywood Gold by Linda Shenton Matchett
Wednesday, 11/14: Pickle Day by Shirley Raye Redmond
Thursday, 11/15: A book review by Jenn Fromke
Friday, 11/16: TBA
Saturday, 11/17: TBA

The Tory's Daughter - Release Day! #giveaway

Hi Everyone!!! So excited to celebrate the release of The Tory's Daughter with you! It's been a pretty busy fall here with a sweet little fellow joining out family in August. Meet Gabriel Isaiah:

 He's been a little miracle, but made preparing for The Tory's Daughter's release a bit of a challenge. So bear with me. :)

Burying his wife is the hardest thing Joseph Garnet has ever done—until he's called to leave his young son and baby daughter to fight Iroquois raiders. When one of the marauders tries to steal his horse, the last thing he expects is to end up tussling with a female. The girl is wounded, leaving Joseph little choice but to haul her home to heal—an act that seems all too familiar.

Though Joseph doesn’t appear to remember her, Hannah Cunningham could never forget him. He rode with the mob that forced her two brothers into the Continental Army and drove her family from their home—all because of her father’s loyalties to The Crown. After five years with her mother’s tribe, the rebels and starvation have left her nothing but the driving need to find her brothers.

Compelled by a secret he’s held for far too long, Joseph agrees to help Hannah find what remains of her family. Though she begins to steal into his aching heart, he knows the truth will forever stand between them. Some things cannot be forgiven.

Leave a comment to be entered to win a digital copy of The Tory's Daughter! 

To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after three munchkins.



Website: www.angelakcouch.com 
Buy at:   Amazon    or     Barnes & Noble

I'd also be SO grateful for any reviews left on Amazon or Goodreads...or any where else! Thanks!

Meet Mrs. Gruener from "The Cumberland Bride"

Welcome to Stitches Thru Time, Mrs. Gruener.  We’re happy you could join us today and answer a few questions.

Thank you so much for having me! I will do my best, and pray that your readers find my words worthwhile.

  

The Cumberland Bride is mostly about your eldest daughter, Kate, and the scout your husband hired to take your family into the Kentucky wilderness, but share with us some of the behind-the-scenes things that took place leading up to your move. What made your family pack up and leave the relative safety of Virginia?

‘Twas not an easy decision, but it seemed the best for our family, all things considered. My husband Karl, as you may know, was a Hessian in the employ of the British Army at the time we met, and even after the end of the war he has been careful about not noising that about. Our first move occurred because of my family’s displeasure in our marriage, but it was good for Karl and me to depend upon each other in those early years—and upon the Lord. We learned that He is indeed faithful to care for us, that if we commit any such decision to Him in prayer, He will provide all we need. Over the years, as our family grew, we never felt that any place we lived was truly ours, however, and Karl, in particular, felt the tug to continue on and find that.

  

Kate was hurt almost before you got started on your journey. Did that give you pause? Did you and your husband reevaluate your whole decision at that point? What tipped the scales and kept you going forward?

Oh, that was a small enough injury, an inconvenience to be sure, but it couldn’t be helped, and I was thankful we had the wherewithal to accommodate Kate’s recovery while continuing our journey.     

  

The journal Kate keeps is something you don’t approve of. Can you share with us why?

Gracious, that girl—always has her head in the clouds with some story or another, or asking me dozens of questions on “why” this or that. She should learn to better apply herself to hard work. A woman’s life is difficult enough without her distracting herself with the affairs of others, or thinking fanciful thoughts. Scripture tells us to be sober and vigilant. How can she do that if her mind is always flittering off elsewhere?

I suppose, however, that keeping a written record of notable happenings is not such an ill-spent occupation. I simply am concerned whether she can keep her journal to that and not waste time with fanciful things.

A second accident on the trail involved not only Kate but your toddler son as well. As a mother, I can’t imagine what that put you through. But then … something even worse happens. We won’t tell our readers this because we try not to include spoilers, but tell us what held you and your husband together during this time.

Oh my. Gracious, yes. I suppose what held us together was the only thing that can in such a situation … our trust in God Himself. And we have already endured so much together (two of our children going on to heaven before us), why would we allow this to separate us?

I have a huge respect for the women of your time who did extraordinary things. What piece of wisdom would you like to share with our modern readers before you take your leave?

Do not shrink from difficulty or hard work, because those are the things the Lord uses to shape us and refine us.

Thank you for your visit, Mrs. Gruener!

For those who want to know more about The Cumberland Bride, you can find author Shannon McNear at the following links:

shannonmcnear.com

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Ordinaries in Colonial America

Ordinaries were important businesses in Colonial America. At times, they were also referred to as taverns, public houses, or inns, but they were not all alike. A tavern may only be a social meeting house that served drinks and provided a place for people to gather to discuss the issues of the day, or it might also serve food and provide rooms to rent. Most taverns that served food at a fixed price were referred to as an ordinary. Ordinaries or inns provided lodging and food for the public, particularly travelers. They were often found in towns, or along thoroughfares, or near river crossings. Inns or ordinaries that catered primarily to travelers also often had the means of caring for horses and carriages.

It was not unusual for widows or single women to run ordinaries or taverns in the eighteenth century. Some ordinaries were independent structures, or they might be incorporated or attached to residential homes. Most would have a large room that served as a common area for guests to gather for refreshment, meals, exchange news, talk politics, and even transact business. Common rooms were furnished with chairs, tables, and a fireplace. Bedrooms provided a place for people to rest.

This sequel to A Heart Set Free picks up five years later. By this time Matthew and Heather Stewart had built and were running an ordinary, Stewarts’ Green, on their farm in the Virginia countryside. They had a tenant family to aid with the running of the ordinary and the farm.

Many years ago, when I began writing A Heart For Freedom, I was introduced to and visited a couple only a few miles away from my home who lived in what had once been an eighteenth-century ordinary.

A Heart for Freedom is primarily set at an ordinary located not far from the main route leading west from Alexandria, Virginia and near a ferry that transported travelers across the Potomack (Colonial spelling) to Maryland.

Here is the back cover blurb for A Heart for Freedom:

He longs for freedom, but he won’t risk those he loves.

Matthew Stewart wants only to farm, manage his inn, and protect his family. But tension between the Loyalists and Patriots is mounting. When he’s asked to help the Patriots and assured his family will be safe, he agrees.

She’s seen the cost of fighting England, and she wants no part of it.

In Scotland, Heather Stewart witnessed the devastation and political consequences of opposing England. She wants only to avoid war and protect the family and peace she finally found in Virginia. But the war drums can be heard even from home in the countryside, and she has no power to stop the approaching danger.

The consequences are deadly.

When Matthew leaves for a short journey and doesn’t return, Heather faces the biggest trial of her life. Will she give up hope of seeing him again? Will he survive the trials and make his way home? What will be the consequences of his heart for freedom?

Janet Grunst

Is a wife, mother of two sons, and grandmother of eight who lives in the historic triangle of Virginia (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown) with her husband. Her debut novel, A Heart Set Free was the 2016 Selah Award winner for Historical Romance. A lifelong student of history, her love of writing fiction grew out of a desire to share stories that communicate the truths of the Christian faith, as well as entertain, bring inspiration, healing, and hope to the reader. 

https://JanetGrunst.com
https://colonialquills.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Janet-Grunst-Author-385405948228216/    

Represented By Linda S. Glaz
Hartline Literary Agency

Why I Write Historical Fiction

I just finished writing my first contemporary book. It’s a Christmas novella and women’s fiction instead of my typical romance. But even in this contemporary setting, touches of the historical sneak in. One of the main characters is a minimalist who rejects many modern conveniences by choice. So she lives in two worlds—that of today and that of a hundred years ago.

In writing this book, I realized why I like to both read and write historical fiction. It’s not for the famous people or events that define a particular era—the kind of stuff you get out of history books. No, historical fiction is valuable for giving us an understanding of the culture of the time. The people’s livelihoods, their religion, their dreams, their relationships. How they were different from people of today. How we of the twenty-first century are still like people of the past. Because there is a common denominator that transcends time.

The churches of history can define the strength of the people’s faith. The church buildings of the past were either humble or magnificent, but they were much more crowded than today. Church played a bigger part of people’s lives in the Victorian era, for example. It was more than a place to feed the spirit. It was a gathering place for people with moral standing (whether genuine or not). The local saloon served as the social center for those without morals, but everyone knew the difference. They had a clearer view of right and wrong. I'm not sure they do anymore.

Every generation seems to want to slant history to fit its particular politics, which is to be expected. However, some take this to extremes and try to erase history, or those parts of it they deem bad. Confederate leaders’ statues are being taken down, never mind that these men played an enormous part in history. Books are being banned, like Huckleberry Finn, much like Catcher in the Rye was years ago. I suppose it’s only a matter of time until the Bible is banned here, as it is in many countries now.

Removing any part of history is hiding the truth, and a way to deceive people.

So I thank the Lord for those who write historical fiction. Lest we forget.

Why, or why not, do you like historical fiction? Comment to win this week's Giveaway: BEFORE I KNEW YOU BY BETH STEURY

Here is my working cover of the Christmas novella to be released next month.

With her husband away on a job until Christmas, newly-wed Amanda moves to the house they’ve inherited from his grandmother in order to prepare it for sale. In the isolated woods of western South Carolina, her nearest neighbor is an elderly woman who holds onto a past way of life, even taking in wash to earn money for Christmas. As the two women work together to renovate the house, Amanda comes to realize the washwoman isn’t the eccentric kook she first thought, but a woman of wisdom and grace who helps Amanda face the demons of her  past and find release from her present insecurities.  

Interview and Giveaway with Kathleen L. Maher

 Happy Saturday everyone! I'm excited to introduce you to an author I have known 'virtually' for most of my writing career, Kathleen Maher. I was first introduced to her writing through her novella Bachelor Buttons, which was a really great story and hooked me on her writing. She now has released not just one but TWO books this month and is here to share the joy with us at Stitches Thru Time. 

Welcome Kathleen! We're so glad you could visit us today. Tell us about your book.

Thank you Amber!  It’s such a thrill to be here and share about my new arrivals. I have twin book babies, actually. One is a Civil War romance The Abolitionist’s Daughter, and the other is a novella in Barbour’s beautiful new Victorian Christmas Brides collection.

 

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?

 Both stories center on history from my hometown Elmira, NY.  Elmira is little known, but played key parts in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and in women’s rights. I felt this history was in danger of obscurity, and wanted to capture it in story.

That sounds fascinating. What was the funnest thing about writing this story?

I love research and visiting sites and talking with people who have kept history alive. But hands down, the biggest thrill for me was learning of a group of people dedicated to creating a museum to preserving and promoting local history. Kindred spirits! I just recorded a brief video on site of the Elmira Civil War Prison Camp Museum. It can be found on my facebook author page FB.com/KLMaherAuthor

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing? 

History really is the story of God’s courtship with the human race, and to tell stories without that heavenly hand of influence would be revisionist or lacking, in my opinion. I see even in academic texts and first-person narratives the work of Divine Providence. It is my delight to show the ways I have seen the Lord work, even in the stories of fictional people. God is always righting wrongs, and lending aid and guidance when we get tangled in our human folly! It can be tragic or funny, or just plain inspiring. I love it when God hits a home run!

Why did you choose this genre?

Romance appeals to every part of my heart. I believe God’s relationship with us is a divine romance, and the love of a woman and a man symbolizes the ways He attempts to woo us and capture our hearts.

And for me, there is a nostalgic thrill in exploring times past, where people were more connected to animals and nature and simplicity. I love a hero who works hard with his hands, loves animals, and proves himself to his woman!

What are you working on next? 

I have already written the sequel to my Civil War romance and will be editing it for Indie publication. I also have a few novella proposals out that I hope to hear back on. But I’m really excited about an idea I’ve been working on—it’s a departure for me. It’s a comedic romance, something on the order of Shrek meets the Princess Bride, with a Medieval setting. I hope to write it as a playfully satirical look at how people with disabilities have been viewed in times past and even today, exposing superstitions, ignorance and misunderstanding. I guess all of my works have a social awareness message.

 

Oh wow. That's very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us! 

Thanks Amber! It’s been a pleasure being your guest.

I’m offering a giveaway of winner’s choice of one of my books, plus a rafflecopter during my blog tour now through November. http://gvwy.io/48sxkxc

Would love to chat with your readers a bit. QUESTION: What story or movie tugged on your heartstrings about a social justice issue? Did it change your perspective?

Good luck to everyone! 

About Kathleen:

Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. She has a novella releasing with BARBOUR in the 2018 Victorian Christmas Brides collection, featuring her hometown of Elmira, New York. Her debut historical, Bachelor Buttons, blends her Irish heritage and love of the American Civil War. She won the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest for her Civil War story, releasing this summer under a new title The Abolitionist’s Daughter. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.

Follow Kathleen

on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KLMaherAuthor/

on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mahereenie

and on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kathleenlmaher