My small town is hosting a big book festival in January 2024! We have 35+ authors participating in panel discussions and author presentations. I am so excited about Turning A New Page! If you live anywhere near middle Georgia, make plans to attend.
Georgia author Brandy Heinemanis joining the suspense panel. She writes dual timeline stories inspired by her family history. Her newest book, Honey for The Bones, looks sensational (it’s waiting for me in my TBR). But you will want to check out her other works as well. Mystery, suspense, history, and romance! Don’t they look great?! I am going to queue up Last to Know for my yearly Christmas reading binge. 🙂
TWO HEARTS BROKEN ALONG THE SAME JAGGED EDGE MAKE A GRISLY DISCOVERY DEEP IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Present Day. Solveig Borja fled Virginia to escape the guilt of one reckless night, and once she settles the family estate, she’s Norway-bound and never looking back. Meanwhile, Kyle Benton has come seeking asylum from past sins—which Solveig shatters even as their hopeless romance blooms. But when they discover a skeleton at Rice Caverns, its century-old mystery holds startling links to the here-and-now.
1919. The Great War is won. Gussie Rice longs for her beau’s return from France, until she learns he’s confined at a stateside hospital and her closest confidant is part of the secret. Her bid for love sparks a confrontation that ricochets through time…
Bad blood and escalating threats swirl around Solveig, and Kyle’s new life proves no haven from the old with his brother’s killer trolling the shadows. As the past rears up, the cavern’s hidden places beckon with power to light their hope or to swallow them in utter darkness.
There’s more than one way to be haunted . . .
After a series of agonizing losses, Abby Wells seeks solace with distant relatives in faraway Georgia. Maybe her great-aunt Ruby can answer the questions Abby’s mother never would. But what begins as a search for connection quickly turns with Aunt Ruby’s claims that the old family home is haunted. Desperate to believe in something, Abby throws herself into the ghost hunt—unaware of Aunt Ruby’s schemes, or that the grudges in her bloodlines run generations deep. Her heart wrestles with the land of the living, caught between her ex’s bid for reconciliation and a growing fascination with the house’s handsome caretaker. Yet it’s the burden of mystery that woos her as she calls into the stillness—Are you real?
All she wants for Christmas . . . is an end to this terrible year.
Silver bells are ringing, but family drama and flaky finances have Nadine Notaro wrung out. The only bright spots this holiday season are her job at the Blissford Historical Society and her cheery, dependable co-worker, Chase Garren—until the City Council cuts their funding. The lost income will be bad enough, but what about Chase? Though quick to remind everyone they’re just friends, she can’t stomach losing him, too.
While packing up the Society’s record collections, Chase and Nadine discover a journalist’s cache of negatives pointing to a decades-old scandal and cover-up. Entanglements with the City’s biggest power players pull their strings, but every clue brings them closer to the truth—and each other—until Nadine finds evidence of a betrayal she never thought possible.
Casting light on the lies may ruin Christmas and their friendship, but it stands to cost them much more.
Dogs, cats, and mystery, oh my! I love a cozy mystery. There is just something about quaint locales, quirky characters, and a smart whodunit that keeps me turning the pages. Kathy Manos Penn is the author of the multi-volume Dickens & Christie Mystery series set in England. Penn has written 10 books featuring widowed Leta Parker who leaves her corporate life in Atlanta to live out her dream of living in a small village in the Cotswolds.
My small town book festival, Turning A New Page, is delighted to welcome Penn in January 2024 as a panelist on our Coffee, Tea, And Mystery panel discussion. Find out all about her and the first installment of the series — Bells, Tails & Murder — below.
She crossed an ocean to start her life over. Can she nab a killer before her quaint village becomes a graveyard?
Recently widowed Leta Parker desperately needs a change of scenery. Pursuing her lifelong dream of retiring to the Cotswolds, she leaves her soulless corporate hustle in Atlanta and moves to England with her talking dog and cat companions—Dickens and Christie. But she’s barely begun making new friends when she stumbles across her housekeeper’s body …
With several villagers pegged for the crime, Leta teams up with a retired English teacher and her sharp-as-a-tack octogenarian mother to track the killer before the trail goes cold. As the not-so-friendly local policewoman elbows them out and scandalous rumors plague the tight-knit community, it’s left to the ladies and their pets to sleuth for the truth.
Can Leta, Dickens, and Christie sniff out the culprit before the cute little town loses more than its charm?
Bells, Tails & Murder is the delightful first book in the Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series. If you like spunky literary women, amusing animal sidekicks, and inviting cultural backdrops, then you’ll love Kathy Manos Penn’s engaging page-turner.
Other Books In The Series
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Kathy Manos Penn lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia with her husband and her four-legged office assistants. When she dreamed of retiring from corporate America, she envisioned indulging in her favorite pastimes—reading, traveling, and writing columns for her local paper. Taking her bucket list trip to England was a top priority.
A second career as an author was never part of the plan—until someone uttered the fateful words, “You should write a cozy mystery.”
Nine books later, readers can’t get enough of the Dickens & Christie mystery series. Kathy adheres to the adage to write what you know and populates her mysteries with well-read, witty senior women, a loyal dog, and a sassy cat.
Her two four-legged office assistants inspire the personalities of Dickens & Christie. Why is Dickens a fiend for belly rubs? Because Kathy’s real-life dog is. The same goes for Christie’s finicky eating habits and penchant for lolling on top of the desk or in the file drawer. She gets it from the calico cat who rules the roost.
How does Kathy describe her life? “I’m living a dream I never knew I had.”
Book I in the series, Bells, Tails & Murder, won a 2020 Readers’ Favorite Gold Award, and Pets, Pens & Murder, Book VII, garnered a 2023 Georgia Author of the Year nomination.
Amy Bowdoin, known to her many followers as Honeysuckle Drive, is a dynamic inspirational speaker, and she will bring the morning keynote address at the book festival that will be in my hometown in January 2024. (For more info on that check outPerryPageTurners.com or Perry Page Turners on FB.) I cannot wait to meet Amy! I have loved following her on FB — she is so funny and insightful.
Amy also has a devotional book — Honeysuckle Drive. You really need to check this one out!
Honeysuckle Drive is a place where stories aren’t just told, they’re lived…by a small town girl who doubts, who gets discouraged, who makes mistakes, but who also desires a growing relationship with Jesus. I’m no saint, not even close. Just ask my momma. I’m also no religious scholar. I don’t even know all the books of the Bible. What I do have is a heart for Jesus, and I’m a big believer that’s all you need to change the world.
Amy Bowdoin was born and raised in Carrollton, Georgia. She lived a very normal life – until she didn’t. Good intentions and bad decisions escorted her down a different path. It required a leave from teaching middle school and an extended stay in a mental hospital battling depression. But, she’s living proof God uses all things for good. She exited that facility with a renewed purpose.
She created a popular Facebook page titled Honeysuckle Drive in 2015. It’s a place where stories aren’t just told – THEY’RE LIVED – by a small town girl who doubts, who gets discouraged, who makes mistakes, but who also desires a growing relationship with Jesus. Her followers started pecking her to death like chickens to compile her true stories into a book. She procrastinated until God placed it on her heart. Her first published book, Honeysuckle Drive, hit the shelves on November 15, 2022. It’s a 12 week devotional for any season. Amy shares the real, and the messy, and all that’s in between in hopes of helping her readers cultivate an authentic relationship with Jesus. Her book is filled with stories, scripture, prayer journals, and challenging questions that require true soul searching along the 12 week journey.
Amy even has a podcast that compliments each week in her book. The response has been overwhelming, resulting in the creation of a group leader’s guidebook. This guidebook is now being used in the women’s ministry at several churches throughout the southeast. Amy’s unwavering obedience has also led to multiple speaking engagements and will bring her to Perry, Georgia, on January 27th.
Amy had this to say about herself: “I love Jesus, country music, and old-school rap. I’ve gotta thing for genuine people, Fireball Whisky, and infectious laughter. I’m careful with my words, but I do cuss a little. I’m no religious scholar. I don’t even know all the books of the Bible. I don’t have multiple degrees or a fancy title, and I’ve never earned a distinguished award. But, what I do have is a heart for Jesus, and I’m a big believer that’s all you need to change the world.”
It is 1881. Anne is 19, a widow travelling on the Oregon Trail. She has no option, but to travel with her husband’s murderer. As she struggles to survive on the unforgiving trail, Anne must confront her own doubts and fears. Will she succumb to the darkness in her heart and seek vengeance at any cost? Or will she find the strength to forgive, and discover a path to redemption and healing? With each step she takes, Anne must face the harsh realities of life on the frontier and the deep mysteries of faith, trust, and grace. She dreams of revenge…but God has other plans.
About The Author
I am an artist, writer, online course creator (Broken to Beautiful…rena-groot.mykajabi.com), B & B host, have a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Religious Education, have been a teacher in Canada and China, a tour manager from the Rockies to the Pacific, and God has given me the honor of being an ambassador with “The Department of Eternal Affairs” to so many cool places—He must have laughed knowing His plans for me…that one day I would be praying with a voodoo queen in Haiti, another day leading a dying woman to Jesus in a hut in Belize, another day sharing the love of Jesus as an earthquake shook the Earth under my feet. God is beyond amazing. I started a blog to bless, encourage, and sometimes challenge people. Here’s the link. renagroot.com.
More from Rena
Q & A With Rena Groot
Many authors say that they have always been a writer — making up stories as a child. When did you first become a writer?
There is much more to the story…but my addiction to writing was born while sitting under a mosquito net in China. I wrote from morning until night until A Life Set Free was finished.
Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?
Two high school teachers and a seminary professor gave me the impression they thought I was a gifted writer. There are so many amazing authors, I am not sure why God chose me to write. I am sure God must have smiled when I discovered this gift from Him. I hope I get to write in eternity.
Why did you choose to write historical, romantic, Christian genre?
My friend Caryl McAdoo seemed confident I could write a Prairie Rose Collection book…so upon her invitation I wrote Rose. I loved reading settler’s accounts of their travels. Here I am writing another Prairie Rose book.
What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?
I am very scattered and informal. A friend is sure I have ADD. One night I had such a flow of ideas I wrote all night. Basically, I write when I can’t not write.
How long does it usually take to craft your books? (from outlines/first drafts to final edits)
That has varied from twenty-five years (Bubs Bunny Goes to Camp), to three years (A Life Set Free was started in China and finished in Israel), to a few months (Rose).
Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?
I wanted women to have a beautiful, wholesome, God-honoring, historical fiction, love story.
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?
A greater faith, hope, and trust in God. I would also like them to have hope that they can have a beautiful love story as they trust God.
Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?
Abi. It is 1863. The civil war has brought chaos to Abigail’s family. She is haunted by a letter she is carrying from her father that could ruin her reputation. She is tempted to burn it, but her dream of a home in Oregon would also be ruined. Her fiancé is waiting for her in Oregon City…but there’s a problem. William. Abi must keep so many secrets or her future hopes could be destroyed.
Book: The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal
Author: Laine Lawson Craft
Genre: Non-fiction
Release date: March 14, 2023
You are not alone–there is hope and healing for every hurting heart.
Today’s technology has made sinful experiences and deadly choices accessible to our teenagers and young adults with just a click. And parents are left with the disappointments–and devastating fallout–of their children’s choices.
Through sharing her own story of praying three very wayward prodigals home, Laine Lawson Craft offers not only hope and insight, but also a practical, tried-and-true battle plan for parents walking this heartbreaking season of life. You’ll discover how to
handle the emotional roller coaster of trust
deal with your children’s self-destructive choices
pray emboldened by God’s promises
fight for your child’s destiny
and more
You can win the war of darkness over your children–even when you don’t get the miracle you asked for.
Laine Lawson Craft (www.lainelawsoncraft.com) is a best-selling and award-winning author, popular media host, and in-demand speaker. The founder and publisher of WHOAwomen magazine (2010-2018), she regularly hosts online challenges and masterclasses as well as Facebook and Instagram Live events that reach thousands. Her Warfare Parenting podcast encourages parents of adult children. Laine and her husband, Steve, have three children and live in Florida.
More from Laine
I would love to introduce my friend, best-selling and award-winning author, whom you may not know yet with a little of the behind the scenes insight. She’s a mom, wife, and partners with God making impossible things become possible not only in her life but for thousands of others. She has a unique perspective because she had a seventeen-year-old marriage resurrect, a financial breakthrough after almost filing bankruptcy, a daughter healed from life-threatening illnesses, and three prodigal children delivered that are now free, whole, and healed. In 2006, she realized that what she was doing as a parent was not working. It seemed that her emotional pleas, rules, and religion weren’t helping her bring her prodigal back home. So she decided and made it my mission to partner with God at a whole new level and created a new way of parenting – one that would bring peace to her life, help millions of other parents, and bring their prodigals back home too. Her newest book, The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal is a must-read book to help parent’s with wayward teens and young adults.
Q & A with Laine Lawson Craft
Many authors say that they have always been a writer. When did you come to realize this?
I wrote early on in my early 20s laid it down for over twenty years and picked it back up in my early 50s.
Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?
My husband read some of my first words and fell in love with them and actually had no idea they were my words! So he has been my number one cheerleader and fan.
Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?
I had a major advantage because I had published a national magazine circulated to every bookstore in America and Canada named WHOAwomen Magazine. Therefore, I had a lot of experience, and then God connected me to the right people.
What types of research did you pursue?
Not too much, but mainly on families’ health and children in distress and hurting.
What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?
I am very structured. I work best with a plan and a schedule of goals to reach in my writing,
How long does is it take for you to write a book?
Less than a year.
Can you tell us what inspired your book?
Desiring to help other parents who were struggling with wayward children no matter how old they were, to find hope and ways to win their prodigals back home and heal their families
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing reading your book?
After reading the book, The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal will help parents who are struggling with wayward children, no matter how old they are, find the hope that with one touch from God, their prodigal can be delivered and everything can change instantly and that these tried-and-true tools and applications found in this book can initiate the shift in their family win their prodigals home and give the victory!
Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?
Yes, I would love to publish a daily 365 Day devotional book I have been working on with daily scripture, devotional, and prayer for every day in the battle to keep parents strengthened and encouraged.
Please include any personal information you would like to share (family, hobbies, etc.)
Yes, I love walking, praising and worshiping, cooking, and being with my family! The beach is my favorite place to be!
Tegan Llewellyn has always been different than her adopted family, except Grandmother Hannah, a prospector during the 1829 Georgia gold rush. Now, seventy years later there are reports of gold in Nome, and the opportunity is too good to pass up. But Tegan doesn’t count on the dangers that strike from the moment she steps off the steamer, including the threat of losing her heart.
Elijah Hunter has prospected for gold all over the US and Canada and likes being on the move. The last thing he expects to find on his latest search is a lady miner who proves to be nothing but trouble. Can he convince her that leaving is for her own good before it’s too late…for both of them?
Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historic places all her life. Linda is a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of World War II and a former trustee for her local public library. She now resides in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities are exploring the state’s historical sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.
More from Linda
Dear Reader,
I am constantly amazed at the extraordinary things women did over the course of history (mostly done in dresses and skirts until about eighty years ago!). When I stumbled on the fact that women were involved during the gold and silver rushes that occurred in the US and its territories, I knew I had to tell their story.
A significant number of women followed husbands, brothers, or fathers, but an intrepid few set out on their own to find their fortune for as many reasons as there were women. Some went to escape difficult (or abusive) situations at home and others because they felt they had no choice. But there was a small percentage who made their way across thousands of miles for the sheer adventure.
The Nome Gold Rush started 175 years ago in 1898, and was different than previous rushes in that much of the gold was on the beach and could be plucked from the sand without any need for a claim. Later, claims were required to mine gold from the Snake River, and this is when things got dirty.
Initially, the courts upheld original claims, but after some of the “claim jumpers” offered to share proceeds from their invalid claims, a few crooked judges and politicians decided this was a great opportunity to line their pockets. Already guilty of stealing votes and voter intimidation, Alexander McKenzie, National Committeeman for North Dakota headed the pack and created an elaborate scheme with the help of Judge Arthur Noyes. It would take nearly two years for the men to be arrested and brought to trial. I included a fictionalized version of this situation in Gold Rush Bride Tegan.
I visited Alaska before writing Tegan and was overwhelmed by its majestic beauty. The photos I’d seen before the trip didn’t do justice to the reality of the state’s glaciers, mountains, rivers, and forests. Wildlife is so abundant that it literally walked or flew through town giving us “up close and personal” experiences with moose, wild sheep, eagles, and more.
Because of the inaccessibility of much of the state, one in fifty Alaskans hold a pilot’s license as compared to the national average which is one in seven hundred. However, in 1898, prospectors didn’t have that luxury, instead making their way to San Francisco by rail and then either going overland with wagons and mules or up the coast on schooners, either choice a difficult and arduous journey.
It is my hope that Gold Rush Bride Tegan honors the stalwart women who left all they knew for the chance of a lifetime.
Blessings,
Linda Shenton Matchett
Q & A with Linda Shenton Matchett
Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?
My parents are voracious readers, and I don’t know if they intentionally pushed me into writing, but when I was about seven or eight, they gave me a package of pens and a 100-page notepad (complete with bouquet of pencils illustrated on the cover) and told me to fill it. They might have just been trying to keep me out of trouble, but the result was that I fell in love with crafting stories. Whenever I filled a notebook, I could count on my folks to give me another one. After my first book was published in 2016, they were huge cheerleaders and told everyone they knew. As each subsequent book came out, they were just as excited as if it was my first. When my mom passed away last year, I found multiple copies of all of my books on her shelves.
What types of research do you pursue?
Books, on-site visits, etc. Research is my favorite part of the writing process. I try to use primary sources as much as possible. I outline all my books which means I know what topics need to be researched, and I do that before starting the manuscript. I happily chase rabbit trails which are sometimes useless, but many time give me ideas for other stories. I am blessed to have a WWII museum in my town and am able to access their archives for my WWII stories. I also watch oral history interviews of people who lived during that time. For books set earlier, I try to find journals, diaries, or autobiographies, and for my books in the Gold Rush series, I unearthed two fabulous books that included diary excerpts from women who were prospectors. I also found several articles and pamphlets written by gold rushers. I try to visit the places I write about, but that’s not always possible. Fortunately, for Tegan I had already been to Alaska. My husband and I had visited there about five years prior to writing the story. I didn’t know I’d write a book set there, but I always troll for history and information of anyplace I visit, so I had plenty of notes!
What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?
I have a full-time job and by nature am an organized person, so I create a schedule for all of my author activities to ensure everything gets done. I’m an “early-bird” and typically am at my desk ready to write by about 5:30 AM on weekdays. I use weekends to create blog posts, write my YouTube scripts, and plan social media engagement.
Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?
The Gold Rush Brides series is a multi-author series that I started after stumbling on two little known facts: there was a major gold rush in northern Georgia almost twenty years before the California rush and there were female prospectors. Some women followed husbands or fathers to the gold fields, but others went to escape a bad situation at home, to make a fresh start, or for the sheer adventure of trying it. I knew I had to tell their story. Book 1 (Hannah)is set during the Georgia gold rush in 1829, and Book 2 is about Hannah’s daughter (set in 1859) at the Pike’s Peak gold rush. To write Tegan (Hannah’s granddaughter), I needed to find a gold rush that occurred at least fifty years later. The Nome gold rush began in 1898. Perfect!
Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?
I always have a book in process, whether I’m outlining, writing, or editing. I just started Beryl’s Bounty Hunter, a mail-order bride story set in Wyoming during 1875. Beryl comes to America in response to an ad, but soon discovers that the agency is fraudulent and a front for kidnapping women. The book will release in August of this year. Then I have a WWII Thanksgiving story on the docket called Francine’s Foibles.
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
An exposed family secret changed her life forever and blindsided his Marine heart.
From the day Hannah was abandoned as a newborn, her adoptive parents have kept the truth of her origin from her and her siblings. But when that secret is exposed, a threat arises which forces her to leave the only family she’s ever known and the adoptive brother she adores. She must start her life anew in Charleston.
U.S. Marine Lieutenant Adam White, harbors a secret—more confidential than patrolling the Caribbean for French corsairs, more threatening than the fight against Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean. Adam carries a personal, burning secret in his heart. He’s fallen in love with Hannah since discovering she is not his blood sister. And the thought that she might only ever see him as her loving big brother may be the greatest threat to him yet.
As the Charleston men seek to win Hannah’s heart, she never loses touch with the man who had been her older brother. The man her heart can’t help seeing him in a whole new light. But when Adam’s squadron sets out for the Mediterranean on the most dangerous mission of his life, only God can keep him—and their love—alive.
Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. Connect with her on her web site at http://www.elvamartin.com.
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More from Elva
Researching our true American history for this novel inspired me so much in a day when many are trying to ignore or wipe out our Christian foundations and heroic acts. I want to share two particular true stories which I use in my novel that should bless and inspire you, too.
First, I set my story the year after President George Washington died. He died December 14, 1799, after a bout of laryngitis following a horseback ride in the snow to check his plantation. But truly, his death was brought on by the horrid bleeding (phlebotomy) common in that day that three prominent physicians put him through. History records they bled eight quarts from his body in about thirteen hours. The physicians soon observed… “that he expired without a struggle.” –Of course he couldn’t struggle, with all that blood loss. I’ve told you this to tell you Washington’s last words.
Washington, at about eleven o’clock in the evening, uttered his last words: “Father of mercies, take me unto thyself,” and “tis well.”
On Washington’s tomb at Mount Vernon is engraved: “I am the Resurrection and the Life; saith the Lord. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., which is 555 feet tall, has engraved on its metal cap the Latin phrase “Laus Deo,” which means “Praise be to God.”
The other true story of our history that inspired me proves the bravery and derring-do of the fledging Navy and Marines during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. Many don’t know that Washington actually disbanded the original Navy right after the Revolution as he had no intention of putting this almost penniless new nation into any more wars or try to find the money to support a Navy.
But Barbary Muslim pirates in the Mediterranean started plundering our merchant ships no longer under British protection and taking entire crews into slavery. We ended up paying huge sums of tribute for questionable protection and hefty ransoms to redeem any of our crews taken into slavery. President Thomas Jefferson saw the great need for a strong Navy and went about securing it during his two terms (1801-.1809). A famous byword of those days became: “Millions for defense, not a cent for tribute.”
Naval heroes like William Eaton, Edward Preble, Stephen Decatur, and Marine lieutenant Presley O’Bannon blazoned across our history during the turbulent wars against the Muslim Barbary pirates and sultans. One incident stands out that I decided to include in my novel with my fictional hero, Marine Lieutenant Adam White, added to the story and my heroine Hannah, awaiting letters from him.
Jefferson and Congress commissioned the building of a Navy frigate, the USS Philadelphia, the largest, most modern for the period, to do battle in this Barbary war. America was proud of this ship and it’s potential. But to everyone’s dismay, the Philadelphia got stuck on a sand bar near Tripoli’s harbor, and soon ended up captured by the Tripoli pirates, and its crew taken into slavery. Even though the American captain damaged the ship as best he could before being forced to surrender it, the horror was compounded when the Muslims bragged they would soon repair the ship and use it against us. President Jefferson, Congress, the Navy, and all America suffered some dark days indeed.
But naval hero Stephen Decatur came up with a daring, dangerous plan to slip into the well-guarded Tripoli Harbor where the ship was anchored while being repaired. He chose a few handpicked Marines (my novel hero included!) who would attempt to burn the Philadelphia and keep it from ever being used against us. They would have no Navy backup and would all end up in slavery if the Muslims discovered them.
You’ll have to read my novel (or do research) to find out how this ended!
Q & A with Elva Cobb Martin
Many authors say that they have always been a writer — making up stories as a child. When did you first become a writer?
I wrote my first original story in seventh grade.
Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?
Dr. Bill West, Anderson University professor.
Why did you choose the historical romance genre?
Because of my love of history and God’s often intervention in our American continuing story.
Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?
Yes. Life being too busy to study and pursue novel-writing. Although I did have a number of articles published in magazines, this is the basic excuse I give for my first novel being published at age 75. God has been so good to keep giving me stories! I’m now working on novel eight.
What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc.
I do read lots of books; usually have several going at one time. I also watch and save movies that depict a particular historical period. And I love visiting historical sites and taking photos for my file.
What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?
Surprisingly, I do not write on novels every day. I have certain days I take care of other family business, write bills, or wash clothes, etc. But on the days I designate for writing, I write from early morning to about 6 pm, with two hours off to prepare and eat lunch with my husband.
How long does it usually take to craft your books? (from outlines/first drafts to final edits)
It usually takes about eight months, then two or three more for the book tobe released by my publisher, Wild Heart Books.
Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?
Interesting research I ran across about our early American Navy and Marines helped inspire my latest novel, The Lieutenant’s Secret Love, which will be released April 5, 2023. I love honoring our military which I do in this story. They deserve it!
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?
I hope readers find my novels, exciting, inspiring, and depicting romance between a man and woman as I believe God meant it to be.
Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?
I am in the Plotstorming stage for Book 6, The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, in our Charleston Brides series, hopefully to be released in 2024.
Happy release day to Carla Laureano. The first novel in her new Haven Ridge series, The Broken Hearts Bakery is now available. This series promises all things you love about a Carla Laureano book. Find all about it below.
Fifteen years ago, the town of Haven Ridge failed its most important mandate—to be a sanctuary for heartbroken citizens in need. Now it’s getting a second chance to set things right …
When Gemma left her hometown of Haven Ridge, Colorado, years ago in a cloud of controversy, she swore she would never return. And she’s kept that promise, instead building her reputation as one of LA’s preeminent family law attorneys. But when her lifelong best friend begs her to come stay with her teen stepdaughter, Taylor, while she’s on a business trip, Gemma doesn’t have the heart to refuse. She’ll simply keep a low profile, do her honorary aunt duties, and be gone before anyone knows the difference.
But Haven Ridge seems to have a mind of its own, dragging Gemma unwillingly back into the community she’s tried so hard to leave behind, and she soon finds herself caught up with new friends and old rivalries. When Taylor is the object of an ugly bit of teen bullying that brings back far too many unwelcome memories, Gemma does the only thing she knows how to do: ply her honorary niece with baked goods and words of affirmation. Soon, her temporary digs are ground zero for teenage girls seeking sugar and consolation for shockingly adult problems—which the girls soon dub The Broken Hearts Bakery.
Complicating matters is an unexpected reunion with Gemma’s high school sweetheart, Stephen, who is determined to change her mind about him, the town, and the nature of love itself. Because as it turns out, her niece isn’t the only one nursing a broken heart…
Carla Laureano could never decide what she wanted to be when she grew up, so she decided to become a novelist–and she must be kinda okay at it because she’s won two RWA RITA® Awards. When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking and trying to read through her TBR shelf, which she estimates will be finished in 2054. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two teen sons, and an opinionated cat named Willow.
Connect with Carla online at her website (http://www.carlalaureano.com) or on any of these social media platforms:
Facebook.com/CarlaLaureanoAuthor
Instagram.com/carlalaureanoauthor
Pinterest.com/laureano_carla
Bookbub.com/authors/carla-laureano
Goodreads.com/author/show/7075143.Carla_Laureano
Q&A with Carla Laureano
What is the Haven Ridge series about?
The Haven Ridge series is a small-town romance series with a magical realism twist: the town has gotten away from its founding mission to provide a haven for people who needed a fresh start and a community, and as such, it’s slowly dwindling away. The prequel novella, The Brick House Cafe, goes into the history of the town and its goal to rebuild itself by drawing back the people it needs and who in turn need it. Each full length shows how the town draws people together and how the people in it contribute to the new life of the town!
What is The Broken Hearts Bakery about?
When Gemma left her hometown of Haven Ridge, Colorado, years ago in a cloud of controversy, she swore she would never return. And she’s kept that promise, instead building her reputation as one of LA’s preeminent family law attorneys. But when her lifelong best friend begs her to come stay with her teen stepdaughter, Taylor, while she’s on a business trip, Gemma doesn’t have the heart to refuse. She’ll simply keep a low profile, do her honorary aunt duties, and be gone before anyone knows the difference.
But Haven Ridge seems to have a mind of its own, dragging Gemma unwillingly back into the community she’s tried so hard to leave behind, and she soon finds herself caught up with new friends and old rivalries. When Taylor is the object of an ugly bit of teen bullying that brings back far too many unwelcome memories, Gemma does the only thing she knows how to do: ply her honorary niece with baked goods and words of affirmation. Soon, her temporary digs are ground zero for teenage girls seeking sugar and consolation for shockingly adult problems—which the girls soon dub The Broken Hearts Bakery.
Complicating matters is an unexpected reunion with Gemma’s high school sweetheart, Stephen, who is determined to change her mind about him, the town, and the nature of love itself. Because as it turns out, her niece isn’t the only one nursing a broken heart…
The Broken Hearts Bakery deals some heavy subjects. Why did you choose those to write about?
I’ve witnessed several friends extricate themselves from abusive marriages over the last couple of years and I’ve seen how difficult it was for them to find attorneys who believed them and would take their cases—which is in part how the character of Gemma came about. Likewise, I’m the moms to two teens and hearing the kinds of issues they and their friends are dealing with can be heartbreaking. Over the course of writing, those two things wove together into one of the central messages: that everyone has the right to feel safe and to make their own choices without threat or coercion.
Did anything surprise you as you were writing the book?
I started out with a couple of different subplots for different side characters, and I wasn’t really sure how I was going to make them all work together, so I was surprised that they actually did dovetail together under a single message/theme by the time I was done.
Where did you get the idea for this book?
The title came first, and I thought it up several years ago. I had absolutely no intention to write any more food-related books, but the phrase just kind of popped into my head and wouldn’t let me go. There have actually been a couple of different iterations of this book with different plots and Gemma and Stephen underwent a major transformation over time—it took me a while to find the right story to tell.
What kind of research did you do to write this series?
The majority of my research involved the setting: Haven Ridge is set rather vaguely in a real area of southern Colorado, between Salida and Buena Vista. It has a colorful and interesting history, so coming up with a founding story that was plausible (as detailed in the prequel novella, The Brick House Café) and fit with the actual history of the area was my first priority. From there, it was getting the architectural and topographical details right. And then there’s the usual character-based stuff, like the handful of legal details that came into play in Gemma’s point-of-view! (By total coincidence, one of my beta readers is a law professor, which was super helpful.)
Most of your books are set in Colorado. Is Haven Ridge based on a real place, or is it made up?
Haven Ridge is completely made up, but it’s heavily based on Salida, Colorado, which is in the same area. Given the fact that they were founded about the same time and sit in the same general area, it made sense to model the architecture and hot springs on the real place.
What can we expect next from you?
I’m planning for the Haven Ridge series to run for at least four books, not including the prequel, so you can expect three more after this one! I’m hoping to finish up the series with a Christmas novel, which will be the first one I’ve ever written.
What can you tell us about the next book in the Haven Ridge series?
The next book in the series is The Beacon Street Bookshop, and it will be the story of Gemma’s best friend, Liv, who has been widowed young and is not in any way looking for love again. I’ve been wanting to write a second-chance-after-tragedy story and a bookshop story for ages, so I’m very excited to get to write this one!
Strong, determined Rose finds more than she bargained for on a wagon train headed out West on the Oregon Trail. Will she be able to leave the comforts of high society behind to survive the rigors of the trail? Will she humbly admit her need for strength, hope and courage from God? What is God saying to her about Lachlan, her surprise chaperone? Why did God bring Lachlan into her life if their dreams collide? Rose has dreams of being a teacher in town. Lachlan’s dream is to be a rancher, far from any town. Must Rose abandon her dreams to embrace his…or will she let this gentle giant of a man leave to pursue his own dreams?
Hi. My name is Rena Groot. I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Religious Education from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta. I have been a teacher in Canada and China, have published eight books, I have designed a digital course called Broken to Beautiful-Transformed By God’s Power, I have been a tour manager from the Rockies to the Pacific, have been a missionary to the ends of the Earth, a mom of four—and the most important part—I am a child of God.
Author Q & A
Many authors say that they have always been a writer — making up stories as a child. When did you first become a writer?
There is much more to the story…but my addiction to writing was born while sitting under a mosquito net in China. I didn’t stop writing until A Life Set Free was finished.
Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?
Two high school teachers and a seminary professor gave me the impression they thought I was a gifted writer. There are so many amazing authors, I am not sure why God chose me to write. I am sure God must have smiled when I discovered this gift from Him. I hope I get to write in eternity.
Why did you choose to writein the historical, romantic, Christian genre?
My friend Caryl McAdoo seemed confident I could write a Prairie Rose Collection book…so upon her invitation I wrote Rose. I loved reading settler’s accounts of their travels.
What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?
I am very scattered and informal. One night I had such a flow of ideas I wrote all night. Basically, I write when I can’t not write.
How long does it usually take to craft your books? (from outlines/first drafts to final edits)
That has varied from twenty-five years, to three years, to a few months.
Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel.
I wanted women to have a beautiful, wholesome, God-honoring, historical fiction, love story.
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?
A greater faith, hope, and trust in God.
Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?
Abi. It is 1863. The civil war has brought chaos to Abigail’s family. She is haunted by a letter she is carrying from her father that could ruin her reputation. She is tempted to burn it, but her dream of a home in Oregon would also be ruined. Her fiancé is waiting for her in Oregon City…but there’s aproblem. William. Abi must keep so many secrets or her future hopes could be destroyed.
More from Rena
My middle name is Rose. I was named after my grandmother, Rose. As far as I know, I never met my father’s mother, Rose. Her life, and my dad’s, were an enigma to me. While writing this book I found out Rose had two other grandchildren I knew nothing about—my brother and sister I didn’t know existed. God is so amazing! (This is attached to the email)
One of my favorite recipes is fry bread. On days we stay in camp, I make enough for the week. It gets a bit hard towards the end of the week, but softens when it’s dipped in stew. Here’s the recipe: Four cups flour, one quarter cup shortening—I use bacon fat—four teaspoons baking powder, three-quarters cup of milk, one teaspoon salt, and oil or fat for frying. If the dough is too thick or thin, Willow said to play with it until it feels just right. It can also be made into a dessert if you put milk, cinnamon, and berries on top.
Johnnycake’s delicious with beans. It’s so easy to make. You need two eggs, two cups of sour milk, one half cup flour, two tablespoons molasses, one teaspoon salt, two cups cornmeal, one teaspoon baking powder, and two tablespoons butter. You mix all the ingredients then bake it in a Dutch oven over the fire until it’s cooked.
Cheese is easy to make. It’s a good way to use the two gallons of milk we get from our cow and the goat each day. We are getting so much we have been sharing. Willow showed me how to gently heat the milk in a pail on the fire until it’s blood warm. Rennet is needed to make cheese, so I use a flask made from a cow’s stomach because it has rennet in it. I had no idea. I pour the hot milk into the stomach flask and wait. After it’s been left a few hours, I pour it out, break up the curds, and mix them with salt. I wrap the curds in a cloth and put them in a round wooden frame called “the follower.” (Thankfully, Lachlan had the good sense to buy one of those also). The curds are pressed in the follower. The cheese is usually aged for at least two months before it can be eaten.
…He’s a former protector who can’t give up the role.
But who will guard their hearts from scheming high school matchmakers?
Eileen Avery is determined her daughter Sylvia won’t experience the heartaches she did. Even if it means taking parenting lessons from her mother, the dragon lady. But she is not like her mother. Not even remotely.
If only Sylvia could see that.
But she wants independence. How much is a good thing? And how much is too risky?
Besides, Sylvia is in love and needing a little freedom. It’s not like she’s about to run away to a commune and become a hippy. However, she is willing to try about anything to get her mom to loosen up, even play matchmaker. Maybe if her mother had her own love life, she’d quite trying to put Sylvia’s under a microscope.
But will it all blow up in her face?
Seth Matthews thought he’d said goodbye to Kokomo until an on-the-job injury with the FBI changed his plans. This town holds more than his family, and those memories had better stay buried for all concerned. But how was he to put his honed instincts on the back burner and stop safeguarding the ones closest to him?
He was willing to help his family with almost anything. But pretending interest in some woman to help with his nephew’s romantic endeavors? That was one thing he couldn’t see himself doing.
Until he realizes there was more than coincidence at play.
Forget about Women’s Lib. Return to 1972 Kokomo, Indiana for the second installment of The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series—Sylvia’s Mother—and the fight for personal independence. Join Sylvia, her mother, Eileen, and the kooky mix ups that all point to romance in this small town romp. If you enjoyed the Weather Girls and Judy in Disguise, then this book is a must read.
You will love Sylvia’s Mother, inspired by the pop 1960s song by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, because everyone dreams of a second chance with a first love.
Historical Christian Romance author, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chroniclesseries, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Sylvia’s Mother is the second book of her spin-off series The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.
More from Jennifer
Do you remember your high school prom? The one in Sylvia’s Mother is based on an actual prom—the Stardust Ball at Kokomo High School. I didn’t attend it—I’d gone to the Autumn Prom, but not the Stardust Ball in 1972, so I had to contact fellow classmates to get the scoop.
The date in the book is actually when it really occurred. And there are a couple other real events and personalities added to this otherwise fictional dance. It was fun to have friends tell me of their memories and to find out what some of the nominees were doing now.
Something else I learned that made me want to write this story. I had been researching and found an old interview by Chuck Buell who used to be a disc jockey for WLS in Chicago. I’d always liked him so when I ran across the interview, I wasn’t too worried about getting anything specific—it was pretty much a stroll down memory lane.
And then he told a story about meeting up with Dr. Hook. They were hanging out in Monterey, California on the good doctor’s houseboat when he offered to introduce Chuck to the guy who wrote the lyrics for “Cover of the Rolling Stone.” Turns out the guy lived a couple boats down the marina, so they walked over and Chuck Buell met Shel Silverstein for the first time.
Yep, the man who wrote The Giving Tree and those childhood collections of poetry—Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and Runny Babbit—got his start writing rock and roll lyrics. Among them are “Cover of the Rolling Stone,” “A Boy Named Sue,” and “Sylvia’s Mother.” And once I learned that, I couldn’t help hearing his style (“voice”) in the songs since I had taught from his books in my elementary classrooms for many years. The thought made me smile and I had to write a story from one of those. “Sylvia’s Mother” fit the plan for my new series, so I borrowed the title.
I hope you will enjoy the story, even if you’ve never heard the song. But if you do know that old pop hit, I think you will enjoy a couple Easter egg surprises I hid along the way.
Q&A with Jennifer Lynn Cary
Many authors say that they have always been a writer — making up stories as a child. When did you first become a writer?
I wrote my first story when I was in third grade. My mom had just bought a new typewriter and let me try it out. After that I wrote my own version of Cinderella as a play and cast my friends in the roles so I could direct. In high school my sister got me to write a short story for her class—she said she couldn’t come up with anything and knew I could do it over lunch. Well, it took a bit longer. I had my friends in class help me and then I delivered it to her room saying I’d found her homework. Okay, I didn’t always make the best choices back then, but I did get practice with writing.
Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?
My mother. When I was in elementary school, she started a correspondence course in writing. I don’t know why she didn’t stick with it—probably a combination of life and another baby—but I think she had talent. And she encouraged me to write along with her. She died when I was in 8th grade so doing what she used to do has brought me some closeness with her.
Why did you choose Christian historical romance genre?
Oh, that’s a roundabout story. I’d retired from teaching and wanted to start writing again. I’d written two books before but hadn’t published them. I had no ideas and that was bugging me the most. So I prayed about it. For six months. January of 2018 my hubs and I were watching the Ken Burns documentary about Viet Nam. Then in the morning I did my quiet time before going to our daughter’s to babysit. I started praying on the way, like I did every day, only this time I felt like God was saying I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. I thought about the documentary and about what I’d read that morning in Ruth and suddenly I had an idea. What if I retold the story of Ruth but set in in 1968 Viet Nam and Indiana (substitute cornfields for wheatfields). I was so excited, and the result was Relentless Heart. I thought that was it, but I ended up adding two novellas and one more novel to complete that series. And it brought back a lot of memories of growing up in Kokomo, Indiana. So, after writing Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café about my parents’ restaurant, I wanted to stay in that time period for writing. Then while listening to the oldies station, the songs “Sunny” and “Stormy” were played back to back. I started thinking about them, remembered the song “Windy” and came up with the idea for The Weather Girls. But I didn’t want these books to be too serious. They needed a lighter touch, a nod to romcom. Only in 1970. It has snowballed from there. Technically they are historical romances, but the whole point is for them to be fun and quirky. It’s like I’m carving out a new niche in my genre and I’m calling it Retro.
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?
I want them to sigh and feel like they’ve enjoyed a fun romp down memory lane—or their grandmother’s memory lane. Ha! But what I really hope for is the lingering feeling that God loves them, He is for them, and no matter what, He is faithful.
Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for asking that. Sylvia’s Mother is book two in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. My plans are that this will be a long series of standalones. As long as I can write and can come up with 60s music that contains girls’ names in the titles, I’m in business. But for now, I’m in the middle of book three, Runaround Sue, and hope to start book four very soon—Cracklin’ Rosie. Sue is a church secretary with a secret and Mac is a Viet Nam vet with one of his own. I’m really liking the two of them together and can’t wait for you to meet them, hopefully in July/August. Then, with Cracklin’ Rosie, she’s a chiropractor. She’s starting to want her story told but Sue was here first so Rose must wait her turn. The plan, that might need to be changed, is for a fall release for Cracklin’ Rosie. But I’m thinking there should be some real excitement with that book.
You can stay up to date with what I’m doing either on my website https://www.jenniferlynncary.com or better yet, go to my website and join my newsletter family. They are the first to learn of things and I like to give out goodies every once in a while. Hope to see you there. Thanks so much, Beckie.
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