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."

Welcome Kathleen Y'Barbo! #Giveaway

Howdy y'all! It's me again--Crystal Barnes, and I'm super excited to have fellow Texan and superb author Kathleen Y'Barbo here with us today. I love hearing Kathleen's stories whether in person or in print, and I'm sure you'll enjoy this interview and giveaway today.

Welcome to Stitches Thru Time, Kathleen. Thanks so much for being here. For those of us who don't have the privilege of knowing you, tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a 10th generation Texas and the author of more than 80 books with over two million copies of my books in print.

I've enjoyed so many of your inspirational historical romances. Speaking of the past, where did you get your love of history?

My earliest reading materials were historical novels. From the Pollyanna books that were handed down to my mom to the Little House novels I checked out from the library, I have always loved reading about times past.

You and me both, although I cut my teeth on Janette Oke books. 

Can you tell us about your newest release? What is your story about?

My newest release is a novella included in the Of Rags and Riches collection (Barbour Publishing, June 2017):

A Gift in Secret by Kathleen Y’Barbo - New Orleans, Louisiana, 1871

May Bolen offers Sam Austin a marriage of convenience. He will get to run the company that drove him into bankruptcy, and she will be free from her father’s rule to travel the world. But when Sam meets May, he knows the offer is too good to be true—or convenient—when hearts become tangled.

That sounds like a great read! Where did you get the inspiration for your story?

I knew who May was well before I knew what story I would give her. There’s something about a woman who will sacrifice everything for her family that appeals to me. As I sat down to plot the novella, I decided the best man for the job of falling in love with May was a man whose love for his family was just as strong. Then, of course, I had to add a conflict where if one of them got what they wanted, the other would lose out. Voila! A story began to take shape.

Sounds like the makings of a great tale, but on top of a great plot, I enjoy a good spiritual thread too. What do you hope folks will take away from your story?

I hope that readers will see that sometimes the Lord gives you what you need instead of what you thought you wanted. And, when He does, that thing you need may come in a way that you never expected. We serve a creative God, and once we figure out we cannot figure Him out, life generally goes a whole lot better.

Amen, Sister!

Do you have a favorite scene in the book? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?

I love the scene where upper crust May marches herself down to the grungy New Orleans docks —a place unlike anywhere she’s ever been--to confront ship’s captain Sam Austin and tell him just exactly how things are going to happen. She’s just so darn cute as she’s trying to maintain her dignity while she’s dodging one obstacle after the other. And Sam is such a man’s man and hero…although he thinks she’s cute too. He just doesn’t plan to tell her so.

LOL! I can just picture the hilarity of that scene. I love it!

What do you plan to work on next?

I am writing an 18th century pirate story, also set in New Orleans, that pits a Spanish nobleman’s daughter and the man who’s secret past is no secret to her.

Oooo. Sounds interesting. :) I can't wait to hear more. I'm sure our readers will want to keep in touch. Where can they connect with you?

Readers can email me through my website at www.kathleenybarbo.com or find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Last but not least, apart from writing, what is your favorite creative outlet?

I love to read! I used to sew, smock, and knit, but now that my kids are grown, I just don’t do those things anymore.

Well, now that's cool. I don't know much about smocking, but I do know something about reading. That's one of my favorite pastimes too. :) And speaking of reading, y'all, Kathleen has most graciously offered to give away a digital copy of Of Rags and Riches to one of this posts commenters. 

So let's chat! In the comments below, tell us... 

What do you think (as a reader) is essential to a great story? A great plot? Great characters? Interesting setting? Spiritual thread? 

The winner of Kathleen's Of Rags and Riches will be announced in the Weekly Wind-up post on Monday, August 21st, so be sure to check back and see if you've won.

Also, Don't forget every comment this month gets your name in the drawing for our Grand Birthday Prize and our Runner-Up Prizes giveaways as well!

Shh...Mum's the Word til Monday

Howdy y'all! Crystal Barnes here and have I got a scoop for you. A brand new collection of stories by some wonderful, best-selling authors is coming your way. Lone Star Love officially releases on Monday. Five stories for only $0.99! To celebrate, Janice Thompson, Kathleen Y'Barbo, Vickie McDonough, Marcia Gruver, and myself will be kicking off the release with a week-long party on Facebook. We'd love to have you join us. It's a come-n-go party with great giveaways each day.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1611589815825326/

So what's to be quiet about?
Well, we're having a soft launch of the 5-book set this weekend! :) You can snag a copy before anyone else. :) Did I mention it was only $0.99?

  Want a sneak peek at the first story? I thought you might. :) Here goes...

Lone Star Love

Signed, Sealed, & Delighted

by Crystal L Barnes

“Young man, this is normally when you say ‘I do.’” Joseph Matthews shifted his focus from Sarah Asher to the silver-haired preacher who stood grinning at him. Swallowing, Joe resisted the urge to tug at his collar. He’d sealed his fate with those two words weeks ago just before digging her father’s grave, but today they threatened to crawl back down his throat and strangle him.
    Allen Asher’s bloody but relieved face flashed through Joe’s mind. Shaking away the searing image, he wiped sweat from his forehead. That stampede had changed everything. That, and Allen’s dying wish. His mentor knew Joe had no luck with women. Why had he made such an outlandish request? Why did marrying Allen’s daughter have to be the only way to get the ranch he’d promised Joe, the ranch he’d put years of blood and sweat into?
     “Son?” The old preacher shifted and placed a weathered hand on his Bible.
     Twin lines formed between Sarah’s dark brows.
     “Uh, sorry.” Joe rubbed at the tension building in his neck. “I do.”
     With a tilt of her head, Sarah eyed him, then turned her attention to the preacher, who was posing the same question to her.
     Joe let his gaze slide the length of his soon-to-be wife. Maybe marrying Sarah might not be so bad. After all, she was a mighty handsome woman. Even bathed in trail dust. And wearing a Stetson. A smile tugged at his lips. Did she realize she still wore her hat? Doubtful. What female in her right mind got married in a cowboy hat? Then again, who would confuse Sarah for most women? If her raven locks didn’t set her apart, her mouth would the minute she opened it.
     “I…” Deep green eyes wide with uncertainty sought his, then shifted back toward the preacher. “Excuse us a moment, Reverend?”
     “Uh, of course.”
     Joe looked at the minister in stunned astonishment a split second before Sarah grabbed his arm and tugged him down the aisle of the small, stuffy church to within a foot of the exit.
     “What’s the matter?” The words hissed through his lips. “I thought this is what we’d agreed upon?”
     Sarah peeked at the preacher, then answered in the same hushed volume. “There are a few things I need to make sure of first.”
     “You couldn’t have mentioned that a day ago? Or maybe even an hour? The preacher’s waiting.”

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