Valentine reads ... and chat with Karen Witemeyer!

So first of all, if you haven't read any of Karen Witemeyer's books, pause now and go buy one or check it out of your local library. Even if you aren't a huge fan of historical romance, her stories might make you one yet. Fun, moving and faith building stories that will keep you turning the pages. 

Today, with Valentines just around the corner, I wanted to share her most recent series with you: Patchwork Family. I could just share one of the books, but that would be silly, because you know you want to read both. :) 

First book in the series is More than Meets the Eye. Now take a close look at the cover and imagine what it would be like to live in the 1800s with mismatched eyes. or you could just read the story about a poor girl who is judged her whole life because of something as simple as eye color. 

I loved this story and the characters who quickly snag a piece of your heart, (Warning: even a main character from the next book will wedge himself in your heart so that you have to read the next book just because you have to know how his life works out!)

Here is the write up:
Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes—one bright blue, the other dark brown—Evangeline has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Evangeline has two—Seth and Zach, fellow orphans she now counts as brothers.

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. And when Hamilton's unique sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time they cross paths, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

And along comes book two - aren't you glad you didn't have to wait the months between their releases like I did. ;) 

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?

A story well worth the wait and the read. 

Now, without further ado, as we are all busy (but reading a few more minutes will totally be worth it) let me introduce the author of these wonderful stories:

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted

historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home.

Winner of the National Reader's Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Do you have a favorite book you’ve written, or a character you love a little more than the others?

That's like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. LOL. If pressed, though, I would have to say that Levi from To Win Her Heart is probably my favorite hero. Adelaide Proctor from Head in the Clouds is probably my favorite heroine just because she has so much of me in her. We both lost our fathers at an early age, we both love Jane Eyre, and we both love the sound of a masculine British accent. Ha!

When you are stressed, maybe a deadline’s approaching too fast, what is your favorite snack food? Or do you have another way to cope?

My favorite fuel for long writing sessions is hot tea sweetened with honey in an insulated cop so it will stay warm for long periods of time. And if I need a little energy kick, I'll grab a square of Dove dark chocolate. Yum.

Do you have a favorite book or two you’ve read recently?

I just finished reading Kristi Ann Hunter's A Pursuit of Home. Loved it! In my opinion it was the best in the Haven Manor series, and maybe my favorite of all of her books. Wonderful, twisted plot. Excitement blended with mental puzzles to decipher, and a nerdy hero for which to cheer. I highly recommend. Even if you've not read the other books in the series, you will enjoy this one on its own.

I have read your novel’s and novellas, and they are all wonderful, but which do you find easier to write?

Novellas are definitely easier. Not only are they shorter, but because of the limited word count, the plots are straightforward, which simplifies the storyline. They do come with their own challenges, such as packing a fully formed plot and developed characters into a small space. Pacing can get a little tricky, too. But overall, they are a lot of fun to write. I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing a story, and that completion comes 4 times faster with a novella.

One final thank you to Karen for visiting us (and for writing such good books). Leave a comment with your favorite of her books, or which looks most intriguing to you.   (Here is where you can find them: Goodreads)

Author Chat with Cindy Regnier

Welcome to Stitches Thru Time, Cindy. We’re excited about your new release, Mail-Order Refuge. Mail-order bride stories are always a favorite. How did you decide on this for your debut novel?

I needed a way to get Carly to Kansas and it fit perfectly with Rand’s situation. Mail-order bride stories are still popular, probably because in today’s world it’s so hard to imagine traveling away from all you know to marry a man you’ve never met. I think Mail-Order Refuge is a fresh enough take on the mail-order bride trope to make it an exciting story.

I agree. You've tossed a couple of curves into that time-tested trope. Your hero is a rancher raising two young orphaned nieces. Tell us why readers are going to fall in love with him.

Rand is definitely book-boyfriend material. He’s a little rough around the edges, but that is easily forgiven when you see his heart. He is protective of his family, sacrifices his own hopes and dreams to achieve theirs, and, well, he’s a cowboy. Enough said.

You got me with "cowboy." Your heroine is running from something. We won’t give any spoilers here, but tell us why readers will sympathize with her.

Carly has to run away to save herself and her brother from a tough situation she found herself in because of a bad decision on her part. We’ve all made those decisions we wish we could have a do-over on, and the guilt she suffers is a familiar feeling. Beyond that, we see into her heart of gold and cheer her selfless nature as she clears a path through the unknown territory of becoming a wife and mother.

Yes, we can all understand those feelings. Your story is set in Kansas, which I understand is near and dear to your heart. What is it about that area that appeals to you, and how do you convey that to your readers?

I spent a good deal of my childhood in the Kansas Flint Hills because both sets of my grandparents lived there. They instilled in me a love for the beautiful setting as well as a rich family heritage of settling, farming, and ranching in the area from the generations of their parents and grandparents. I want to give that same heritage and love of the land to my characters in order to convey my deep feelings for it to my readers.

I love it when authors bring bits of their pasts to life in their stories. This is your debut novel, how exciting! Tell us a little bit about your journey to publication.

I have been writing ever since I wrote plays for my friends to perform in class back in 3^rd grade. Being published is a dream I’ve chased for a long time because I see it as a way to share parts of myself and my background with people I might not otherwise connect with. My love of country living, animals, and maybe even handsome cowboy sometimes feels like it will explode inside me if I don’t share it through my writing.

We're very happy that you didn't explode.  ;)  Thank you for stopping by Stitches Thru Time, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

I appreciate the invitation to visit Stitches in Time, and I love to hear from readers. Connect with me on social media and I might even ask you to help with planning my next novel. I’m thinking of writing a romance for Mary Jo, and need to know if she falls for a cowboy from her uncle’s ranch or a city boy from art school. Opinions welcome!

Where to find Cindy:

https://cindyregnier.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CindyRegnierauthor/

https://twitter.com/CindySRegnier

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19069509.Cindy_Regnier

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cindy-regnier

Cameo Courtships

Cameo Courtships: 4 Stories of Women Whose Lives Are Touched by a Legendary Gift by Susanne Dietze
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first Barbour historical romance collection I've read since they've changed the format to just four novellas per book. While the collections have always been written around a theme, "Cameo Courtships" takes that to a whole new level. All four stories are about a single family and a special cameo that gets handed down through the generations. The authors did a bang-up job of coordinating their stories and it reads almost like one long novel. It was hard to pick a favorite, but since I always do, I'll go with "Taming Petra" by Jennifer Uhlarik because I loved "Buckskin Pete."

Lord of Her Heart

Lord of Her Heart by Sherrinda Ketchersid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love a good medieval read! What's more romantic than knights, fair ladies, and castles? Sherrinda Ketchersid nails all of that, plus a bit of mystery, a dash of danger, and a hearty sprinkling of humor. This is not a dark, gothic read. It's an engaging story with characters who'll stay with you long after you've closed the book. If you're new to the medieval time period, this is a great book to start with! (Beware: this time period can be addicting.)

This book releases on May 14th. Beat the rush and preorder it on Amazon now!

Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano

FLIGHTS OF FANCY: Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she's always known and finds herself to be an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely on his own merits. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he's unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when mysterious incidents on the farm and the truth of Isadora's secret threaten those they love, they'll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.

Heidi here. Jen Turano is one of my favorite Christian historical fiction authors. She always writes with a lighthearted and comical twist. FLIGHTS OF FANCY does not disappoint.

The premise was simple, Isadora's mother will do just about anything to ensure that Isadora marries well. She goes a little too far and Isadora flees her home and assumes a new identity as a housekeeper. Except, as an heiress she has never done housework. Somehow Isadora is able to talk her way out of anything. Ian takes a liking to her and a romance ensues. As always, a very enjoyable read.

While writing this I noticed that FLIGHTS OF FANCY by Jen Turano is on deep discount for the kindle, so grad your copy today!

The Great Carrying Place

Have you ever travel to some of America’s rugged frontier locations and wondered about the stamina and hardships of the early pioneers and explorers who first managed to traverse the harsh wilderness? I’ve often wondered about the spirit and struggles they faced when I’ve visited the Appalachians, the Badlands, the Rocky Mountains, and my own beloved Great Lakes and rivers leading into the west. 

Shooting the Rapids, 1871 by Frances Anne Hopkins (1838–1919)

In my latest release, Mist O’er the Voyageur, I dug deep into my imagination for what it must have been like to be among those who first voyaged across the broadest fresh-water lake in the world, Lake Superior. I have the blessing of living near that great beauty, as powerful and raging at times as an ocean or as tranquil and refreshing as a 1300-foot-deep bathtub - but a lot colder!

Can you imagine what it took for explorers, natives, and fur-traders, to paddle those waters before tall ships were able to navigate them, due to the Sault Sainte-Marie, the “Rapids of Saint Mary,” in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula?  Many such dangerous places had to be circumvented by portage of the long voyageurs’ canoes. The larger ones called Montreal Canoes were more than thirty feet in length and had to be carried overhead, along with their thousands of pounds of cargo, for as many as twelve rocky miles in order to get around the larger falls and chutes.

Grand Portage National Monument

One such place on the voyageurs’ journey, which was used to transport the rich furs from the North American interior, was called le Grand Portage – or the Great Carrying Place. This trail covered an 8.5-mile distance along the Pigeon River near the border of Minnesota and Canada not far from the shore of Lake Superior, where the river emptied. In the interior of the continent, the men traveled by a shorter version of voyageur canoe called a North Canoe, or even smaller, traditional birch bark canoes. Imagine not only carrying those canoes over steep and rocky terrain but also having to carry two, 90-pound packs or bales of furs on one’s back. Yikes! Those men had to have been built like tree trunks to have hauled those loads.

In Mist O’er the Voyageur, my heroine, Brigitte Marchal attempts to flee a cruel suitor in Montreal by disguising herself as a young man and joining a voyageurs’ brigade to take her deep into the wilderness. There, she hopes to find her long-missing, fur-trader father. Of course, her disguise does not last long while having to face such harrowing tasks as hauling heavy packs and paddling the long canoes. As she grows accustomed to the life of a voyageur, and her faith and heart’s desires are challenged, she visits many places, le Grand Portage among them. Here, the mystery of her search deepens and brings new fears.

Nowadays, in August each year, the Great Carrying Place is celebrated with a rendezvous re-enactment at the Grand Portage National Monument, at the reconstructed fort that once was bustling with fur-trade activity. The Rendezvous replicates the annual Great Rendezvous that took place there each summer in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries. The fort was initially built for trade between the Native American tribes, the Métis people who lived in the lake region of Upper Canada, and the European traders who came from places like Montreal. When the Americans took over, the French fort was moved further north near Thunder Bay and renamed Fort William. The current fort of Grand Portage is now a National Monument worth visiting both for its gorgeous vistas and its historical significance.

I would love to share more gorgeous photos of Grand Portage and the annual Rendezvous, but I’m going to direct you to take a look at this site I’ve linked since I do not hold the copyright. Next year I hope to attend the Grand Portage Rendezvous myself – and maybe I’ll gather my courage to try a taste of the haggis cooked by the voyageur re-enactors or fulfill a bucket list dream to ride the waves in a voyageur’s Montreal canoe!

How about you? Have you visited any fur trading landmarks or sites around the Great Lakes like my heroine Brigitte in Mist O’er the Voyageur?

Naomi will be giving away 3 e-copies of Mist O’er the Voyageur during October, and a Grand Prize of a signed paperback copy, lovely art, and other swag on October 31^st. Enter the Rafflecopter drawing below win! Winners will be notified via Naomi’s blog and her newsletter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After her aunt's death, Métis woman Brigitte Marchal finds herself alone in Montreal. Uninterested in the convent and desperate to flee a loathsome suitor, she disguises herself as a young man to travel west by voyageurs' brigade in search of her long-absent, fur-trader father. But her inexperience and disguise don't hide her for long.

René Dufour yields to the unwelcome position of shielding Brigitte, but he cannot hide her identity forever. Keeping her safe while meeting his North West Company obligations and honoring his family promises may prove to be more disquieting to his heart than he imagined.

As Brigitte adjusts to the voyageur life on Lake Superior, she struggles to justify the faith she grew up in with the mysticism around her, but greater still is the conflict her heart must settle over who to trust in this rugged, unfamiliar country. 

POST RAFFLECOPTER LINK:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NDIzMGJhZDAyZDExN2NlM2UzZmZmMDgzNDFkYzcwOjI=/?

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