by Crystal Caudill | Aug 31, 2024 | Reading Challenge
It’s another month our challenge: Unlocking Ecclesiastes 3. I’m so excited to join you again this year with guest reviews from our reading challenge participants. If you want to submit a review for upcoming months, feel free to email me using my contact form. If you are looking for reading suggestions, I’ve cultivated a page just for that. (Note that it is still being updated throughout the year, so feel free to message me with suggestions.) I recommend you also checking Inspirational Historical Fiction Index or the Facebook Group Avid Readers of Christian Fiction or my Facebook group Crystal Caudill’s Reading Friends. I’ll also include a short list at the bottom of this post.
Don’t forget to comment at the bottom of the post for your chance to win a book off my prize shelf. *The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
Unlocking the Past: Ecclesiastes 3
Just as Ecclesiastes has two opposites in each verse, most months will leave you with two options to choose from.
“For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.”
August Verse: A time to search and a time to quit searching.
Challenge Theme: A mystery or a theme of someone searching for family
September Verse: A time to tear and a time to mend.
Challenge Theme: A Tailor/Seamstress character
The Lost Melody
by Joanna Davidson Politano
Review by: Crystal Caudill
Joanna Davidson Politano has long been a blow-my-mind-away, favorite author. Her gothic-feeling novels are always so steeped in God that I cannot help but sit in awe and wonder for long moments after. This book was no different, and yet so different. With a plot that takes place mostly in an insane asylum, the setting was unique. While heavy, it also had a beauty to it that I would never have expected. The characters were heart-rending, memorable, and cherished. Every person seemed so real, and each character gave a wholeness of understanding that I’d previously lacked. I’ve grown up surrounded by mental illness, treated and untreated. I know that people are so much more than the labels and struggles they face, but this also brought a new understanding and almost healing to some areas where I still struggle. I had to take the book slowly, but I cannot say enough about just how absolutely beautiful and human each character is–no matter their struggle. This is definitely a book that will stick with me for a long time. No wonder it won a Carol Award. I highly recommend this book to anyone I meet.
Genre: Historical, England 1885
Plot Overview:
When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant’s father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman’s portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.
The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Baker Bookhouse | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook.com
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month. Use the Rafflecopter below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each month at midnight EST, and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget.
*Open to all residents of the contiguous USA, legally able to enter, and an e-book format or Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to those outside that range who are legally able to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Recommendations for September:
- The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz
- The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron
- Love from Afar by Penny Zeller
- After a Fashion by Jen Turano
- A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
- A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
by Crystal Caudill | Aug 24, 2024 | Author Interviews
It has been a blessing to get to know T. Elizabeth Renich over the years, both as fellow historical authors and as avid readers. I’m even more excited that we both Kregel authors now. While her Kregel series won’t begin releasing until 2025, I can tell you that the series goes from after the French & Indian War (1763) through the American Revolution. So if you are a fan of Laura Frantz, you are not going to want to miss T. Elizabeth’s books. I HIGHLY recommend you sign up for her newsletter so you can stay in the know. She is releasing her Shadow Creek Chronicles series (Civil War) one book at a time, and so that is what we’re going to focus on today. Before we do that, let me officially introduce you!
T. Elizabeth Renich has written four Civil War novels, worked for two NFL teams, and visited all fifty United States of America. International travels has taken her to Germany, Japan, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, and England. She hunts historical markers and shares hope as an ovarian cancer survivor. Her love of photography is evident as she documents research trips and life, giving glory to God for the great things He has done.
You can connect with her through: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit T. Elizabeth with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
TER: Pineapple pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
TER: Test the waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
TER: Guacamole
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
TER: Silly socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
TER: passwords
I’m such a silly socks person too. In fact, many of our answers would match!
What fiction book has most impacted you?
TER: The one on my mind is my most recent read which was Jamie Ogle’s “Of Love and Treason.” Her story takes place in a time period I have not dabbled in. The way she illustrated the danger and trials of the Christians in Rome was moving. I’m not sure exactly how to describe it, but I felt different after reading it. The emotions caused deeper reflection on the power of God’s amazing love for us and how He is faithful when we cling to Him.
CC: Oh, that one is on my TBR pile. I just might have to move it up.
When did you first realize you want to be a writer?
TER: In twelfth grade, my Senior Composition teacher insisted that I should write stories, she believed in me long before I did. She attended my first book signing saying, “I told you so.”
CC: I love how the encouragement of a teacher can really change the course of someone’s life.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
TER: I go down way too many rabbit holes while researching. When I have 20+ browser tabs open, I know I’m too far from where I started. Reel it back in, and write!
CC: Oh the research. It’s so fun to get lost in, and sometimes it’s a wonderful procrastination tool. LOL
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
TER: Oh, yes! Without Him I would have no words or stories to share. I stand back and watch in awe to see Him open doors, lead me to contacts I didn’t know I needed, find research tidbits at just the moment they are needed, as if He’s giving me a clue that I’m on the right/write path. He is faithful. I thought I was done writing the Shadowcreek Chronicles. I was wrong, and He’s guiding me through a new plan I didn’t see coming. Stay tuned…
CC: Isn’t it amazing when He takes the plans we thought we knew and turns them on their heads? I definitely encourage my readers to join your newsletter and stay tuned for all the upcoming fun.
Before we dive into learning about book one of the Shadowcreek Chronicles, can you tell us a little bit about this series that you are rereleasing?
TER: This is the series blurb: With distinctive historical accuracy, skilled storyteller T. Elizabeth Renich brings the Civil War to life by blending documented facts and memorable characters in a moving account detailing a Confederate family and their determined struggle for survival amid crucial battles and daring cavalry raids…
CC: It’s not often you get a look at the Confederate side of things. I always like to tell people that war is complicated and it is so much more than the all-too-succinct explanations taught to us in history classes. Fiction is a great way to see the all-too-real side of the War and the cost both sides paid.
Now I’m excited to talk about Word of Honor.
Purchase your copy at Amazon
CC: Where did you get the idea for the series?
TER: I found Civil War history in California, my native state, and wanted to share what I learned.
CC: Oh, now I’m interested to know how this connects to California history. I mean I know technically, California would probably have been part of the Civil War loosely, but I never thought about it actually having ties TO the War.
How is the Civil War connected to California?
TER: My characters are involved with a Western Campaign with plans for a Confederate takeover of California because the gold and silver financing the Union war effort was coming from Western territories. People were held at the fort on Alcatraz Island until after the war was over.
CC: Wow. I had no idea. How cool is that? Now I want to go digging into that bit of previously-unknown-to-me history.
What was some of your favorite research while preparing for the Shadow Creek Chronicles?
TER: Going to the places where my stories are set helps me visualize better what I’m trying to write. Battlefields, historic sites, museums… and so many of the rangers and docents are great about sharing information and finding the little-known details.
CC: I love how their knowledge can really add to a series with their unique detailed knowledge.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
TER: History is not dull and boring. I find it amazing what those who came before us accomplished and endured. Progress brings change, but people’s attributes don’t differ much through the years.
CC: I agree. History is so much more than the sentences that are put in history books. There is so much depth and richness there, and sometimes the only way to really experience it is through a well-researched book.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
If you were a pirate, what would be your nickname? Why?
TER: Gunpowder Stubbs — because it was on one of those funny quizzes with the pertinent letters and months as the clues. It made me laugh — ha!
CC: That is fantastic and sooo much fun!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Word of Honor and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, what is your favorite historical period to read?
by Crystal Caudill | Aug 13, 2024 | Author Interviews
Rachel Fordham is a woman with a big heart and love for her foster kids. I love reading her stories, both her fictional ones and the real ones about her life and family. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to her this week, just in time for her newest release, Beyond Ivy Walls. She is graciously providing a giveaway for this interview, so check out the details at the end of the post. But first, let me introduce you to her properly.
Rachel Fordham is the author of The Letter Tree, Where the Road Bends, A Lady in Attendance, A Life Once Dreamed, The Hope of Azure Springs, and Yours Truly, Thomas. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Rachel with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
RF: That’s a tough one….Pineapple pizza (but neither is very appealing)
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
RF: Usually test the waters but with writing I jumped in the deep end!
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
RF: Salsa (the fresher the better)
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
RF: Socks! No need to be the center of attention if I don’t have to be.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
RF: Hmmmm….I have no idea…. my daughters made up a pretty cute handshake the other day.
I love how adorable your girls (and all your kids) are. Let’s dive into the meat of this interview.
What book has most impacted you?
RF: This is impossible to answer! But I think being read to as a child changed everything. I remember begging for one more chapter. I remember my mom crying while reading the end of Where the Red Fern Grows. Those early memories led to a love of reading and that led to a love of writing. Thanks Mom!
CC: That is so true, and God bless your Momma for instilling such a love of reading in you.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
RF: I think I was always a writer…but didn’t know it. I loved reading and picking apart storylines from a very young age. I loved rewriting endings to movies after watching them. And I loved writing assignments when I was in school. But I always thought I was too ordinary to write a novel. I didn’t give it a try until after having my fifth baby. I needed a creative outlet. One day my husband said, “you read so much, why don’t you write a book.” And so, I did! And haven’t stopped since.
CC: I love your husband’s support and launching you into this madness called writing.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
RF: Absolutely! Often as I get to know my characters and put myself in their heads, I gain empathy I didn’t have before. Or a theme in a book ends up being for me. Or a reader will message and what they say will touch my life. The little mercies all along the way have been so beautiful. I feel super blessed for the light I’ve found while writing!
CC: God is truly wonderful in His mercies and working in us and through us in our writing journeys.
Now I’m excited to talk about Beyond Ivy Walls.
Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.
Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis’s appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family’s affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only abandoned Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing toddler niece.
At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn’t a romantic job, but she’s hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building–and is thrown in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.
Otis’s wounds are deep, but as Sadie’s friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. Locating his long-lost niece, however, is more difficult than either could have imagined, and Sadie West may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble
CC: Where did you get the idea for Beyond Ivy Walls?
RF: The ideas for this story came from every direction. I read the Monticello, Iowa newspaper from the early 1900’s and discovered miracle cures, the Hoag feather duster factory and the town’s obsession with roller skating. But those things alone were not enough to build a story around. And so, I added a little Beauty and the Beast, a dose of Jane Eyre and some Light Between Oceans. I’m incredibly proud of the way the ingredients came together.
CC: Oh that is a lot of fun! I love finding historical tidbits to build a story around!
Who was the most challenging character to create?
RF: Sadie was a lot harder to write than Otis. She comes from a healthy, functioning family. She doesn’t have as much baggage as Otis. It made showing character growth harder. But hard isn’t bad. I love that Sadie has sisters she loves and parents she is proud of. We need more examples of functioning families in literature.
CC: That is a true statement. It is really hard to write functioning families in fiction, but we do so need them.
Which character was the most fun to create?
RF: I love, love, love writing secondary characters who are more than just accessories. I adored the older couple in this book!
CC: Secondary characters can be so much fun, and they can completely change a story too!
What was some of your favorite research you discovered?
RF: I reached out to the library in Monticello, Iowa and asked some questions about the Hoag Duster factory. They wrote back that they could do better than old articles, they connected me with a descendent of the original owners. Having a personal contact made researching this book extra fun.
CC: There is nothing like trying to contact some historians only to find a more personal connection that you can really work into a story.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
RF: I hope they close the book with a happy sigh!! It’s always my hope that readers will feel like the time they spent in one of my books was time well spent. I hope they are entertained, uplifted and that they will think twice before judging others. I hope they leave the book a little better than they went into it.
CC: What a beautiful hope to hold on to. I am sure readers will walk away with just that. Speaking of readers . . .
Which readers will most like your book?
RF: Readers of historical romance who love happy endings, butterflies in their stomachs, and enough depth that it isn’t just fluff.
And one last question before we end our time:
What animal is most like you?
RF: A night owl…or maybe an early bird. I am guilty of staying up way too late and then having to get up early. Someday…I’ll sleep.
CC: Oh do I feel this one. Left to my own devices, I am definitely a night owl! Too bad life demands use to be morning birds.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Beyond Ivy Walls and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Rachel is graciously providing one U.S. resident, 18 years and older, with a signed copy of Yours Truly, Thomas–an earlier book of hers that I really enjoyed. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on August 20.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Reader, what do you know of the Asian front during WWII? What things interest you about this story?
by Crystal Caudill | Aug 6, 2024 | Character Interview
It’s always a pleasure to meet new characters, especially when they come from new-to-me authors. After having conducted this interview and reading the story blurb, I’m definitely interested in picking up this story that is sure to have my heart entangled. And guess what! You can have a chance to win an e-copy of Texas Forsaken by answering the question at the bottom of this blog post. One lucky commenter will be chosen next week. First, let me introduce you to Texas Forsaken by Sherry Shindelar.
Texas Forsaken by Sherry Shindelar
The man who destroyed her life may be the only one who can save it.
Seven years ago, Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) lost everything she knew when a raid on a wagon train tore her from her family. As the memories of her past faded to nothing more than vague shadows, Maggie adapted—marrying a Comanche warrior, having a baby, and rebuilding her life. But in one terrible battle, the U.S. Cavalry destroys that life, and she is taken captive again, this time by those who call themselves her people. Forced into a world she wants nothing to do with, Eyes-Like-Sky’s only hope of protecting her child may be an engagement to the man who killed her husband.
Enrolled in West Point to escape his overbearing father, Captain Garret Ramsey has graduated and finds himself assigned to the Texas frontier, witnessing the brutal Indian War in which both sides commit atrocities. Plagued by guilt for his own role, Garret seeks redemption by taking responsibility for the woman he widowed and her baby. Though he is determined to do whatever it takes to protect them, is he willing to risk everything for a woman whose heart is buried in a grave? Or is there hope she might heal to love once more?
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Now for our interview with Eyes-Like-Sky.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Eyes-Like-Sky. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
ELS: I’m the heroine and a woman caught between cultures. I became Comanche when a raid on my family’s wagon train seven years ago tore me from my family. I adapted. I fell in love with a warrior and married. We had a child. Then, the Texas Rangers and U.S. Cavalry attacked our village and stole me away from my new life. They killed my husband. I’m heartbroken, but I still have my precious baby daughter. I’m a fighter, and I’m willing to sacrifice whatever I have to in order to protect her and get back to my people, the Comanche. I’m stubborn and a force to be reckoned with. (By the way, I like my picture on the cover, but my hair’s really a little bit darker. The artist did a great job of showing my favorite place, Palo Duro Canyon, and in case you’re wondering, I’m every bit as stubborn and determined as my expression on the cover.)
CC: It sounds like you’re a Momma Bear, a much-needed characteristic in the hard world you live in. Your daughter is very luck to have you.
Since you now consider yourself Comanche, how would you describe your relationship with God?
ELS: I used to pray. When I was a little girl, I gave my heart to Jesus. But now I don’t know. The God of my childhood is as distant as the stars. Does He hear me? Does He even care? After me and my baby girl are captured by the cavalry, and I’m trying to escape, I pray. I cry out to the Lord.
CC: I imagine you have a lot to wrestle with, considering all that has happened to you over the last seven years. It can’t be easy to figure out how you feel about God.
How do you think others view you?
ELS: The Texas Rangers and U.S. Cavalry think they rescued me. They didn’t. They kidnapped me and took me from the only home I remember and from my beloved husband. And now I’m here in the miserable, scrapping camp that doesn’t even deserve to be called a fort. The people here see me as some savage. They’re trying to force me to be like them. They even burned my Comanche clothes. Well, they can take their grubby hands off my life.
CC: Ouch. I wonder how often we are guilty of thinking we’re rescuing someone when in fact they don’t want to be “rescued.” I imagine it must be very difficult for you–and maybe even a bit for them. The unusual and those who don’t fit inside our boxes tend to make us uncomfortable. I pray someone in the book shows you the love and kindness of Christ, accepting you for who you are and not what they think you should be.
What are you most afraid of?
ELS: Three things: 1) That they’ll succeed in taking Little Star from me. But I’m reassured by the fact that I know I’ll do everything in my power to stop them. I’d give my life before I’d let this happen. 2) What if I find my way back to the Comanche, and I no longer belong there? If I can find my own tribe, they’d take me back, but that might come at the cost of marrying one of my husband’s brothers. If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it. But what if I don’t find my village? My tribe moves around a lot over hundreds of miles, and after the cavalry raid, they’ve probably moved further than ever. 3) What if I develop feelings for Captain Garrett Ramsey? He’s the only one who has shown me any kindness since I came to the fort. He’s like an anchor in a storm. But my heart is buried in a grave, and it’s going to stay there. There is no room for warmth or affection. I’ll do what I have to in order to keep Little Star, but my heart is my own, and Garret Ramsey and any other man still breathing air had better leave it alone.
CC: That is a lot of things to fear–but I’d say they are all valid. Very few mothers wants to give up their children. To be forced into your position is definitely not one to be envied.
You say that your heart is your own and men better leave it alone, but what is your heart’s true desire? What do you really want?
ELS: One of my heart’s deepest desires has been ripped from me. But I still have one left: my baby daughter, Little Star. She is the light of my life. Her bright eyes and bubbly chatter are my joy. I will do anything and sacrifice everything to protect her and keep her with me. My uncle is plotting to take her away from me. He can’t stand the thought that her father was Comanche. I will fight, run away, and do whatever I have to in order to protect her. But when Captain Garret Ramsey offers me another option, I’m stunned. Can I trust the man? After all, he’s the one who destroyed my life. But when I look into his eyes, and see the determination on his face, and recall his kindnesses, I realize he might be my only hope.
CC: I can see why you are so determined to protect and keep her, but what a terrifying prospect–to trust the man who ruined your life or give up the daughter you love.
If there is one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?
ELS: That God isn’t as distant as the stars. He is as near as our hearts. Another message would be: Don’t give up. There is hope, and there is healing even when one has endured the worst of circumstances. We don’t have to be lost in our grief, guilt, and/or failures. God is the God of second chances. It took me way too long to learn this. But I thank God that He didn’t give up on me.
CC: Amen. I look forward to walking through this journey with you in Texas Forsaken.
Readers, I hope you will join Eyes-Like-Sky in her journey to keep her daughter and find her place in a world where she doesn’t fit into their perfect little box.
GIVEAWAY
For your chance to win an e-copy of Texas Forsaken, answer the following question in the comments: What intrigues you about this story?
One person who comments on or before 8/13 will be randomly selected and emailed–so when filling out the commenter section, be sure to include your email. I can see it without anyone else being able to see it. 😉 I will update the top of the post with the first name of the winner once they have been chosen.
About Sherry Shindelar:
Originally from Tennessee, Sherry loves to take her readers into the past. A romantic at heart, she is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she isn’t busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2023 Genesis finalist, 2021 & 2023 Maggie finalist, and 2022 Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of thirty-nine years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. Her novel Texas Forsaken was published in May 2024.
Connect with Sherry: Website | Newsletter | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 31, 2024 | Reading Challenge
It’s another month our challenge: Unlocking Ecclesiastes 3. I’m so excited to join you again this year with guest reviews from our reading challenge participants. If you want to submit a review for upcoming months, feel free to email me using my contact form. If you are looking for reading suggestions, I’ve cultivated a page just for that. (Note that it is still being updated throughout the year, so feel free to message me with suggestions.) I recommend you also checking Inspirational Historical Fiction Index or the Facebook Group Avid Readers of Christian Fiction or my Facebook group Crystal Caudill’s Reading Friends. I’ll also include a short list at the bottom of this post.
Don’t forget to comment at the bottom of the post for your chance to win a book off my prize shelf. *The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
Unlocking the Past: Ecclesiastes 3
Just as Ecclesiastes has two opposites in each verse, most months will leave you with two options to choose from.
“For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.”
July Verse: A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
Challenge Theme: Second Chance Romance or Family/Friend Reconciliation
August Verse: A time to search and a time to quit searching.
Challenge Theme: A mystery or a theme of someone searching for family
A Gilded Age Getaway
by Stephenia H. McGee
Review by: Crystal Caudill
I’ve been enjoying Stephenia’s Back Inn Time series in between longer books. I especially adored this one because it wasn’t just a romance. It was a second-chance romance between a married couple who didn’t quite realize how much their marriage needed saving. Fiona is a mom of young ones who often feels like she’s going it alone. Tyler is a loving husband and dad who struggles to be present for his family has he manages his family’s company and tries to support his wife and kids in the way they deserve. I think every family probably walks through this season of marriage, and it was such a breath of fresh air to not only enjoy and benefit from Stephenia’s wise growth of the characters but get to do it set against the backdrop of the most extravagant ball ever thrown. Equal parts exciting and impactful, this is a story I recommend for those unmarried as well as those married. It’s a realistic look at the hardships of marriage with children and the necessary fight for each other. It’s so easy for the exhaustion of parenting and providing to chip away at our relationships, and this just brought an often quiet topic to the forefront. I adore Stephenia for doing this on a regular basis.
Genre: Time Travel – Gilded Age
Plot Overview:
Can one magical night of glamour in the past save their future?
When Fiona Robinson imagined her life with Tyler, she dreamed of a grand adventure. Together. But after a decade of marriage, suburban seclusion, and stress from his job, she’s let the strain of being a stay-at-home mom of two toddlers squeeze all the fun out of their relationship.
With pressure mounting at work and his homelife growing stale, Tyler’s fighting to recapture the joy in his marriage. But he can’t seem to do anything right, his job’s drained his energy, and his wife no longer resembles the fun-loving girl he married.
Then Fiona’s mother presents them with an anniversary weekend getaway at a seaside B&B, and they hope it can rekindle their romance. But they never could have imagined their room would transport them to the Gilded Age in New York! Now, can one night at the famed Vanderbilt ball reignite their spark, or will they be stuck in a future neither of them expected?
Purchase Links:
Stephenia’s Store | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month. Use the Rafflecopter below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each month at midnight EST, and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget.
*Open to all residents of the contiguous USA, legally able to enter, and an e-book format or Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to those outside that range who are legally able to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Recommendations for August:
- The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar
- The Lady & the Highwayman by Sarah M Eden
- Rock Harbor series by Colleen Coble
- Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
- Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
- Trapped by Irene Hannon
- The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin
- Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble
- A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
