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Author Interview and Giveaway – The Lawyer and the Laundress – Christine Hill Suntz

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Ready for a new Marriage of Convenience? We have debut author Christine Hill Suntz delivering us one of the newest. Welcome, Christine!

The Lawyer and the Laundress

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The Lawyer and the Laundress

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.

 Christine’s Website

Christine Suntz

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Questions about Christine’s Story

 

Did any of the characters in this book “surprise” you?

Granny definitely surprised me. She was meant to be an unimportant side character, almost a plot device. But every time I wrote her into a scene, she took over! I know it sounds unbelievable that a character could control a scene (isn’t the writer supposed to be in charge?), but that’s Granny! When I finished the story, I realized why Granny had emerged as such an important character. Our society favors youth, and it’s easy for us to ignore the wisdom of the older generation. I hope Granny can remind us to listen to the elders God has placed in our lives to teach, guide, and encourage.

 

Why did you choose the geographical location and year in which your book is set?

The Lawyer and the Laundress is set in 1837 Toronto, the site of the short-lived Upper Canada Rebellion. Every Canadian child learns about this rebellion in school, and it has lived in my imagination for years alongside its leader, William Lyon Mackenzie, a fiery Scot who was an orator and politician…not a military leader. Although the rebellion failed to achieve its goals, we look back on this event as the beginning of responsible government in Canada. I am so excited to bring this time period to life for my readers.

 

What research did you have to look up to make your character’s professional decisions authentic?

As part of my research for The Lawyer and the Laundress, I bought a washboard, made soap, and washed the old-fashioned way. I made lye from hardwood ashes and tallow from beef fat to make my own soap (FYI, this is way hard). I boiled, soaked, scrubbed and rinsed my clothes. My arms got a workout and my clothes were clean! And suddenly all those scenes in old books when kids get in trouble for getting their clothes dirty made a lot more sense. Laundry was hard work.

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Questions about Christine’s Reading

What Christian Historical Novel taught you something about the craft of writing because it was so well done? Tell us a bit about what it taught you.

I keep raving about Laura Frantz’s The Indigo Heiress. She creates nuanced characters whose thoughts and actions never stopped surprising me. This book is also a masterclass in how to do marriage of convenience well. So much goes into the setup to make character motivations and decisions believable. Laura Frantz does it perfectly.

The Indigo Heiress

What Christian Historical Novel are you most excited to read that hasn’t yet come out?

I`m so excited to read Jenelle Hovde`s No Stone Unturned which releases July 15th. Regency Romance is one of my favorite genres and this one has enemies-to-lovers, ruins, and mystery, too. It`s going to be a perfect, sparkling summer read.

No Stone Unturned

Christine is giving away either a (signed paperback) (USA Only) (or an ebook)(Internationals Entry welcome). Enter the Rafflecopter below!

**If you don’t want to enter the Rafflecopter, tell me in a comment below: “I’m not entering the Rafflecopter, but please throw me in the hat” so I can manually put you in there for a chance.**

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Madison’s Mission by Susan Mathis

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1903 – New York

Step into the captivating world of Boldt Castle in 1903, where dreams are forged in the fires of adversity and love.

Madison Murray, the devoted maid to the legendary Louise Boldt, harbors a singular mission—to care for her ailing mistress while hiding her own painful past. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Emmett O’Connor, the distinguished foreman overseeing Boldt Castle’s extravagant construction. Their connection sparks with promise, yet the chasm of class difference and hidden secrets loom large.

Just as their budding romance begins to flourish, tragedy strikes, shattering their world. A deadly accident leaves Emmett wrestling with guilt and at the center of an investigation that could unravel everything he holds dear. Then Madison finds herself ensnared in a dangerous coverup that threatens her very life.

When Mrs. Boldt passes away, Madison is left reeling—jobless and burdened by the weight of her perceived failures. In a world filled with uncertainty, can she summon the strength to move forward and confront her past? Will Emmett rise above his challenges to forge a future alongside the woman who has captured his heart?

Secrets of the Revolution by Megan Soja

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1774 – Massachusetts

The cause of liberty brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?

Hannah Pierce is determined to keep her father‘s apothecary shop running, despite his failing health, the heavy burden of her mother’s recent death, and the mysterious disappearance of her brother. She’ll do whatever it takes to preserve her family’s legacy, including joining a dangerous ring of patriot spies…and falling for a revolutionary printer with a brave heart.

William Abbott always keeps his promises. He vowed long ago to never abandon those in need like his father did. So when new British acts of Parliament threaten Boston and endanger his family, he throws himself into serving the Patriot cause, using his position at the printing office to gather and spread intelligence. But when his clandestine role in the newly formed spy ring causes him to cross paths with the apothecary’s beautiful daughter, he may find himself fighting for more than the cause.

As tensions in Boston reach a breaking point, Will and Hannah find their bond deepening even as the noose tightens around the spy ring. When promises and determination are not enough to protect the ones they love, they’ll need to trust God if they are to survive what is to come.

To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer

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1891  -Texas

Beauty & the Beast in 1800’s Texas.

Once known among New York’s elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.

When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family’s book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin’s staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor’s remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.

The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

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The Lawyer and the Laundress

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1837 – Canada

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.

The Blacksmith’s Bride by Janis Jakes

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Mid 1800s – Arkansas

A Fresh Life Upended…

Abigail left her bounty-hunting days behind when she married Henry Boudreaux, a local blacksmith. Now, she’s a woman with three children and another on the way. While Henry is away selling his wares, a mudslide destroys their home and community.

She escapes with her children to another town, where she waits anxiously for her husband to join them.

As the Past Pursues…

An angry young man from her past sees her vulnerability as an opportunity to exact vengeance. Determined to protect her children, Abigail heads to Arkansas and the safety of her brother’ s ranch.

Henry tracks Abigail, even as the villain is hot on her trail. Will Henry get there first? Will Abigail be forced to return to a gunslinger’s life? Or, will forgiveness and faith pierce the heart of hatred and turn vengeance into virtue?

Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly

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1875 – California

The bandits who murdered her father are back, but can she trust the sheriff to protect her home and her heart?

Sheriff Heath Monroe believed the wrong man, and although California’s most notorious gang leader was eventually brought to justice, Heath’s error shattered the confidence of the people he serves. With reelection looming, Heath is desperate to prove his worth. So when he learns of a new threat to the citizens of California, he doesn’t hesitate to take action, even though he knows the job will endanger the lives of those he cares about—something he swore he’d never do again. Haunted by the ghosts of past mistakes and second-guessing every decision, Heath sets out to put an end to California’s most dangerous bandit gang, once and for all.

Virginia Baker works hard to keep her desert cattle ranch going, and even harder to keep all men off her land. When the bandits who murdered her father return to her valley, memories of a friendship cut tragically short drive her to work with the all-male posse pursuing the gang in search of justice. Despite her determination to remain guarded, Heath Monroe’s steadfast integrity and unexpected humility begin to crack her defenses. But can she rely on the widower leading them, or will his secrets confirm her belief that no man is to be trusted?

A Steadfast Heart by Lacy Williams and Martha Hutchens

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1893 – Wyoming

When his family legacy is on the line, rancher Drew McGraw becomes desperate for someone to tame and tutor his three children. Desperate enough to seek a mail-order bride. But when the wrong woman arrives on his doorstep, Drew balks.

Heiress Kaitlyn Montgomery runs straight from the scandal chasing her toward a fresh start on a secluded ranch. She strikes a bargain with Drew—a marriage convenient for both of them.

But the more Kaitlyn adapts to ranch life and forms a bond with Drew’s children and their enigmatic father, she realizes that this ranch is where she is meant to be. And then her past catches up with her…

These Lying Dreams by Emma Donovan

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1922 – England

A mysterious letter brought David Peregrine to the home of a reclusive client, former concert pianist Evelina Fairchild. But once he arrives, Evelina has only lies to tell, and her home seems less a refuge than a prison.

The more he investigates, the deeper he’s drawn into a web of illusions, secrets, and madness. If he can’t sort the truth from the lies soon, more than one life might be lost.

From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

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1944 – France

Loyalty during Peril
In the heart of war-torn France, Isabelle Seauve’s resolve is tested after her father sacrifices his life to protect her involvement in the French Resistance. Heartbroken, Isabelle becomes more dedicated to hiding Jewish children in and near the village of Sisteron despite the growing danger when she discovers a traitor within the Resistance ranks.

Truth amid Deception
As the shadow of betrayal looms, Isabelle’s world collides with that of US Army Chaplain Peter Christensen, who carries emotional scars from his first position in Kentucky and his service in North Africa. Together, they face the brutal reality of war as the second D-Day–the Allied invasion of Provence–unfolds.

Bravery through Trial
Fifteen-year-old René Amblard narrowly escapes a devastating German attack that claims the lives of his mother and their fellow Maquis fighters. With a Jewish orphan girl at his side, René seeks out his cousin, Isabelle, for refuge while he contemplates revenge.

When the bombs of Operation Dragoon begin to fall, this unlikely group of heroes must find freedom in their souls before they can rebuild what has been destroyed.

Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep

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1889 – England

Buried underneath are truths bent on keeping them apart. . . .

Eva Inman is haunted by guilt over her parents’ deaths while struggling to care for her blind sister and manage her family’s crumbling estate. With the tax deadline looming, Eva’s situation looks dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on the property. Despite superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva’s need for funds ignites her curiosity about the potential of finding more buried relics.

Cambridge professor Bram Webb must prove a legendary Christian Roman settlement exists, or he’ll risk exposing his uncle’s deteriorating memory and they’ll both lose their positions. Then Eva steps into his office with the prospect of an archaeological dig that might lead to the very evidence Bram requires–provided he and Eva can set aside painful memories of a time they would rather forget. As the dig forces the two to confront their pasts, the work becomes fraught with challenges that threaten Eva’s and Bram’s hopes, as well as the growing attraction between them.

A Faith Untamed by April Gardner

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587 BC – Israel

He breached her city, chained her king. Neither her faith nor her heart is as easily conquered.

Liora, once a noblewoman of Jerusalem, is now bound to General Nebuzaradan, the Butcher of Babylon, who captured her city and now strips the Temple bare of wealth and dignity. Though her future seems sealed, a rash vow he made to Yahweh keeps him at a distance.

Just when she believes the worst is past, a rebel from the hills seeks her out and an ambitious Babylonian prince arrives with designs for the Ark. While the rebel wants her aid and the prince wants her knowledge, Nebuzaradan simply wants her. As Jerusalem burns, Liora is thrust into the dangerous political games between prince and general, rebel and the people of her heart.

In a world of destruction and intrigue, Liora is once again a tool in the hands of power-hungry men—only her untamable faith in Yahweh will guide her through.

Sporting For Love by Candice Sue Patterson

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1898 – Maine

Juniper Blume has lost her father, her fortune, and her home. When a loan shark promises a solution for her to keep her lavish lifestyle, she accepts. When one of his men dupes them both, Juniper’s life becomes payment. To save herself, she flees Boston and travels as far as the meager coins in her purse will take her—Freeport, Maine.

Ford Connelly has made a name for himself, making the first waterproof hunting boot. His store, Connelly’s Hunting and Apparel, is booming and his catalog orders are growing monthly. On the cusp of a new century, more women are taking part in outdoor recreation than ever before, and he wants to lead the market by creating functional outdoor wear for women, too. When a beautiful woman stumbles into his store, claiming she’s an outdoor enthusiast and the perfect designer to create his vision, he hires her.

Though her talent for design exceeds his expectations, the more time Ford spends with Juniper, the more he suspects she knows nothing of the outdoors. She’s clearly running from trouble, and her vulnerability and captivating personality make him want to protect her. When their weekend outing in the woods with the Appalachian Mountain Club goes terribly wrong, Ford and Juniper must decide if the lives they’ve been seeking are what they truly want or if they’re willing to risk a little adventure.

A Flame of Hope by Beth Adams

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9th Century BC – Israel

Abital spends her days preparing rich fabrics and making fine gowns for Jezebel, the queen of Israel. However, she cannot ignore how the king and queen have broken Israel’s covenant with Yahweh and introduced the worship of Baal, Asherah, and other false idols. Even when a prophet named Elijah confronts the king and tells him Israel will be punished by a devastating drought for his wickedness, Ahab refuses to change his ways.

As the weeks go by and no rain falls, Abital watches as Queen Jezebel’s offerings to Baal become more and more desperate. When the queen issues a horrific decree, Abital can no longer stand by. She teams up with Obadiah, a palace official who is loyal to Yahweh, to save as many lives as possible from the queen’s rage.

Can Abital and Obadiah continue their good work for the One True God? Or will they be next to face the queen’s wrath?

A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby

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A Slight Change of Plans

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1870 – California

She believes she doesn’t matter

Jenny Millard’s hopes for security and stability as a schoolmarm out west are dashed when her schoolhouse closes, and no positions are available nearby. With only enough money for a one-way train fare, Jenny heads to her friend’s home, uncertain of her next step.

His scars have made him an unlovable outcast

Newcomer Ren Lyman prefers to keep to himself, hiding in the back of the blacksmith shop to avoid the stares at the scars left by a childhood accident. When he comes across a lost stranger, he’s surprised when she doesn’t recoil at his appearance and even more so at his eagerness to assist her.

As Jenny settles into the welcoming but small town of Washton, she can’t help but come across Ren, especially since his daily constitutional takes him along the same path. It doesn’t take long for them to form a connection that breaks down the walls erected by years of hurt. But when strange occurrences unsettle the townspeople, it seems their chance at happiness might be at risk.

Will Jenny and Ren discover that they’re enough—for God … and each other?

Shattered Peace by Julie McDonald Zander

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1918/Present – Washington

A forgotten diary. A century-old secret. A town still haunted by its past.

When former Navy Seabee Colleen Holmes inherits an old house in Centralia, Washington, she sees it as a chance to escape her own ghosts and start anew. But as she peels back layers of history within the home’s walls, she unearths long-buried secrets tied to a dark chapter in the town’s history.

Hidden behind crumbling plaster, a faded diary and a bundle of love letters unveil the struggles of a soldier trapped in the trenches of France and the heartbreak of those left waiting at home. Yet the diary’s brittle pages hold more than just longing—they bear witness to the explosive events of November 11, 1919, when a parade meant to celebrate peace erupted into violence and bloodshed.

As Colleen pieces together the tragic choices that shattered lives and fractured a town, she realizes history is never truly buried. The wounds of yesterday still shape today, and the past is not done with her yet.

Sarah by Shanna Hatfield

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1918 – Oregon

She desires his heart. He longs for her love. Can they find common ground when he returns forever altered by the war.

In a world turned upside down by World War I, all Sarah Richards desires is to love Brett Rawlings and build a future together. After graduating high school a year early, she’s ready to dive into her dreams of college and a home filled with laughter and love. But one impulsive decision threatens all her aspirations—as well as her relationship with Brett.

As the war rages on and men head off to fight, sixteen-year-old Brett reluctantly follows his twin brother, Ben, sneaking off to France to join the American Expeditionary Forces. As the months pass, Ben thrives amidst the chaos of battle, while Brett finds himself haunted by the girl he left behind and the uncertainty of his own heart. When Ben reveals a life-altering secret, the bond between the brothers is shattered, forcing Brett to grapple with betrayal as he faces the brutal realities of war.

Brett returns home a changed man, burdened with memories too heavy to bear, yet yearning to mend the fractures of the past. Will Sarah still be waiting for him, or have time and truth forged an unbridgeable chasm between them?

Find out in this heartfelt historical romance that weaves a tale of hope, grace, forgiveness, and sweet, enduring love.

Every Hour until Then by Gabrielle Meyer

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1888/1938 – England/DC

Gifted with the ability to time-cross between Victorian-era London and World War II Washington, DC, Kathryn faces two lives fraught with danger.

In 1938 amid the looming shadow of war, Kathryn is invited to the London Museum as a guest curator to create a groundbreaking exhibit on Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror. As she delves into her grim research, she uncovers a chilling truth: Her own sister is destined to become the Ripper’s final victim decades earlier.

In 1888, in a race against fate, Kathryn is assisted by her handsome childhood friend in hunting down history’s most elusive killer. As they unravel the threads of mystery woven through time, Kathryn must decide if she’ll unmask the murderer history has chosen to hide, forfeiting a life with the man she loves to save her sister.

To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock

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1813 – England

When everything is going right, something must go wrong.

Vivienne Poppy’s plans are working out quite well. She’s run away from her family and the prospect of a horrid marriage of convenience and plans to spend her time writing under her pseudonym, Lady Larkby. Until she discovers the old Larkby title is not as dead as she thought.

Yeoman of the Guard and recently knighted Sir Sebastian Larkby is stunned to discover a Lady Larkby that he does not remember marrying. Suddenly Vivienne is left with a choice: relinquish her pen name, expose her true identity, and break Sebastian’s dying grandmother’s heart—or feign marriage to Sebastian to keep the title and fulfill the old woman’s wishes.

A Troubling Suggestion by Betty Woods

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1833 – Tennessee

Clarisse Matthews still grieves the tragic loss of her fiancé and doubts she’ll ever love anyone again. Particularly if she has to divulge the secret abolitionist ideas she keeps hidden deep inside that only her beloved knew.

After the lady Luke Williams loved spurned him and married another man, he will never risk giving his heart to another woman. Especially not to Clarisse who had to have known about her best friend’s ruse and helped the woman to conceal it from Luke. He doesn’t need a lady by his side to manage his family’s plantation or forge a path to become an attorney.

But when Luke’s cousin is deceived by a rogue, who only Luke and Clarisse know the whole truth about, they form a reluctant alliance to protect his cousin. Their feigned attraction grows into genuine love. But will the differences between them become a wall too tall to climb or can they find a way to go around?

Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick

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1888 – Oregon

Mary Edwards Gerritse is a witty and confident young woman who spends as much time as possible outdoors on the rugged Oregon coast where she and her husband, John, have settled. The two are a formidable pair who are working hard to prove their homesteading claim and build a family. But as Mary faces struggles of young motherhood and questions about her family of origin, she realizes that life is far from the adventure she imagined it would be.

After losing the baby she’s carrying, grief threatens Mary, but she finds an unconventional way to bring joy back into her life–by taking over a treacherous postal route. As Mary becomes the first female mail carrier to traverse the cliff-hugging mountain trails and remote Crying Sands Beach, with its changing tides and sudden squalls, she recaptures the spark she lost and discovers that a life without risk is no life at all.

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano

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1885 – Illinois

LESSON ONE: Stand in the way of the Windy City’s criminal world and expect a most improper proposal from an eligible gentleman in return.

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather’s privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she’s inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences–walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors–arise within the castle’s grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family’s safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

An Unexpected Grace by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

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1905 – Montana

Can unexpected grace lay the foundation for a second chance at love?

After a decade away, Parker Bennett returns home with a traveling troupe to perform a play based on Uncle Tom’s Cabin at the Kalispell Opera House. Parker has relished his life on the road, but being home awakens long-buried emotions when he encounters his first love, Johanna St. John. He can’t help but wonder if there might still be a place for him in her heart.

Widowed for three years, Johanna devotes all her time to a demanding toddler, an injured father, and a successful millinery business. After the loss of her husband, she desires to move on, but reconnecting with her past love leaves her unsure of what lies ahead. Both committed to God’s distinct calling on their lives, Johanna and Parker struggle to see how their futures can unite, and when strange things start happening around town, their second chance at a life together seems more unlikely than ever.

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by Kylee Woodley

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1875 – California

An expecting widow, a rugged bounty hunter, and a set of secrets that might shatter her fragile heart.

The death of Aubrey Willot’s wealthy but abusive husband left her with an unborn child, an empty chateau, and the last name of a criminal. When she learns he double-crossed a ruthless business associate, she’s forced to accept the protection of the handsome and daring bounty hunter tasked with finding her late husband’s fortune. Though Aubrey swore never to trust another man, she can’t help but be drawn to the bounty hunter’s rugged charm.

After a tragic mistake cost him everything, Nathan Reed spent years running from his past. Now, he needs funds to care for his orphaned niece, and quickly. The chance to retrieve a set of stolen documents offers an opportunity he can’t resist. He’ll find those papers and claim the reward, even if it means deceiving the alluring young widow.

As danger rises, Aubrey’s strength, honesty, and compassion break down Nathan’s defenses, daring him to embrace a future he never imagined—a loving wife and a family of his own. But when his secrets are exposed, will his chance at redemption and Aubrey’s heart slip through his fingers?

Echoes of Twilight by Naomi Rawlings

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1888 – Alaska

In Alaska’s unforgiving wild, secrets are buried deep, but survival isn’t the only thing at stake…

Alaskan Explorer Mikhail Amos can count the number of bad decisions he’s made in his life on one hand. But when he’s called out on the cusp of winter to track down and rescue a team of lost botanists in the wilds of Alaska, he can’t say no. It doesn’t matter that every last instinct tells him he won’t get the team out before winter. The scientists on the expedition are someone’s father and brother. Mikhail knows what it’s like to lose both of those, and he’d never wish that loss on another person.

But as Mikhail soon discovers, the team also happens to include the lead scientist’s daughter, Bryony Wetherby, whose ability to survive in the wilderness and knack for drawing maps intrigue him in a way no woman ever has before.

But people on the team are carrying secrets, and Mikhail soon isn’t sure what holds the most danger, the encroaching Alaskan winter, the secrets between the members, or lowering the walls he’s built around his heart.

The Summons by MaryLu Tyndall

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1717 – Bahamas

Emeline Hyde is the runt of the litter. Especially in comparison to her incredibly talented and comely siblings and heroic parents. She longs for a hero like her father to come and sweep her off her feet and give her the romantic adventure her parents had. She longs to find her place in life, her God-given purpose. But instead she finds herself taken from the only security she’s ever known by a man who is as far from a hero as night is from day.

Captain Blake Keene has one goal in life—to rule over his own kingdom. It is the only way to avoid the bruises of betrayal and abuse he’s suffered for so long. Hence, when he hears about the Ring of Solomon from an old Jewish pirate and tracks it down, he plans on using it to gain the power and wealth he craves.
The Jesuits, on command of the Pope, are after the infamous Ring. In an effort to distract them, Blake slips it into a missionary woman’s pocket, only to put her in danger when the Jesuits discover his ruse. Now, he has no choice but to steal her away.

The Ring is more powerful than he expected. The woman not at all like he expected. With Jesuits on the chase and demons haunting him, Blake soon discovers that Emeline holds a power that far surpasses any relic from the past.

Lion of Judah by Henry O. Arnold

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900s BC – Israel

The new king is crowned in triumph…
But his pride proves to be a fatal flaw…
And from out of his own house calamity falls upon him.

Once a shepherd, a captain, and a fugitive, David is now king. He left behind the dangers of life on the run and embraced the comforts of living in the palace. No longer known as the “giant-slayer,” but as the “lion of Judah,” King David enjoys the popularity and prosperity brought on by his victories.

But peace in the nation of Israel has a double-edged sword. David’s pride subverts his judgment, and his desires overwhelm his heart leading him down a dark pathway. The king will go to any lengths to cover up his crimes, but disaster falls upon the House of David bringing this broken and contrite king to cry out to Yahweh for mercy.

Arranged with the Earl by Jackie Killelea

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Arranged with the EarlGoodreads ~ B&N ~ Amazon

1818 – England

A spinster with a tarnished reputation. An earl scarred from war. Can their convenient marriage withstand those aiming to steal everything they have?

Catherine Blynn resigned herself to a life without romantic love after a disastrous broken engagement. Although she’s always hoped to marry for affection, her father arranges for her to wed Loftus Cromwell, the broken Earl of Hardwicke. If she defies her parents, she risks her family’s ruin.

Loftus Cromwell had no intention to marry for love, only for the sake of his estate. But If he fails to win the love of his spirited and unconventional betrothed, he risks his conniving brother claiming everything he holds dear.

As treachery unfolds within the manor’s walls and a foe from Catherine’s past resurfaces, can Loftus and Catherine trust one another enough to unravel the truth before tragedy steals any chance of happiness?

Show Me Skulduggery by Ellen Withers

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1920/1953/Present –  Missouri

Present day: Because of her behavior, the disregard of the needs of her tenants, and her penny-pinching ways, everyone despises slumlord Katherine Mull. When a killer emerges and acts upon their desire to end Katherine’s life, Liesl, Kurt, and Nicole must race against time to identify the killer before this madman kills again. Can they track down the killer before someone else dies? Do they have the skills necessary to identify the killer before they become the target?

1920 through 1953: Mexico, Missouri is famous for being the “Saddlehorse Capital of the World” thanks to world-famous owner/trainers Tom Bass, C.F. Clark, Joseph Potts, George and William Lee, Robert Stewart, and Art Simmons. Each has built upon the solid, respected reputation of the previous trainer at these beloved stables until now. Who can discover and stop sabotage at the stables? Will the Saddlebred trainers be bankrupt if the breed’s sterling reputation is destroyed? Is murder the ultimate act of an evil man seeking revenge?

Covenant of the Heart by Heidi Chiavaroli

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588 BC – Israel

The prophet Jeremiah’s forecast of destruction has haunted Odelia for her whole life, despite her father’s stance against him. When the Babylonian army arrives at Jerusalem’s city walls, Odelia finally understands the truth of Jeremiah’s words. All too soon, she must decide between faithfulness to her family and faithfulness to the ways of the Lord.

When a man who has been like a grandfather to Odelia asks her to help him smuggle the ark of the covenant out of the city, she cannot turn away. Having spent her childhood navigating the underground tunnels and waterways of Jerusalem, she becomes a crucial asset to their mission. But traveling underground while carrying the ark in the way prescribed by the Lord is no easy task. Can Odelia lead everyone to safety? And even if she does, what will be waiting for them on the other side?

Across Barren Plains by Lynnette Bonner

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1850s – Oregon Trail

They long to build a future. But first, they must overcome their shattered past.

Eden Houston wants nothing more than to repair her broken relationship with her husband, Adam. But the death of their infant son has left them distant, walking together in body but worlds apart in spirit. As they follow the Oregon Trail with hope of starting fresh, even the vast plains feel too small to contain their grief and brokenness.

But when they come upon the ruins of a massacred wagon train and find three young children still alive in the wreckage, she finds a spark of purpose in a wilderness of sorrow.

Adam fears that taking in the orphans will reopen the grief that Eden has only just begun to conquer. Leaving the children at the next fort will break her heart all over again—and he’s not sure he can bear that agony a second time, either.

However, that concern will have to wait because the man responsible for the massacre has realized the children survived. And he will do whatever it takes to silence them—and anyone who stands in his way. Including Eden.

In the face of fear and desperation, Adam and Eden must hold tight to love, to hope . . . and to the God who knows how to carry those He loves across barren plains.

Author Interview and Giveaway – The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House – Joanna Davidson Politano

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Look at this mysterious cover. Doesn’t it look intriguing? I love how the house is prominently features and the author’s going to tell you why in the interview. Welcome, Joanna, to the Index!

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

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The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.

It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.

The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people–including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.

Joanna’s Website

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Questions about Joanna’s Story

What inspired this story?

I once asked my engineer husband how alternating current worked, and that magic question was like plugging in the Christmas tree—he absolutely lit up! In his two hour explanation, complete with animated rabbit trails, I was blown away by his untapped genius. He explained hydraulics, electricity, physics, and vintage innovations that never made it to the market. I felt like Alice stepping into Wonderland, seeing a whole world of gadgets and mechanics I hadn’t really thought about before. Seeing the inner workings of his brain, too. Somehow he made it all fascinating.

I took that energy and enthusiasm and brilliance gleaned from my husband into a really fun story about a clockmaker heroine who inherits the estate of an industrialist. I filled that house with all the quirky inventions that never made it big, and brought to life a few from my own imagination. It felt like Wonderland, just like the conversation with my husband, and it absolutely lit up my creativity! I let that house take on a life of its own and then dropped a brilliant but somewhat shy heroine into the midst of it, letting her run around and figure out the puzzle of unfinished inventions. The story evolved from there.

 

Did any of your characters “fight” with you until you succumbed and changed their personality or the story choice you were forcing them into?

My heroine absolutely wouldn’t become the bold, independent, outspoken character I wanted her to be. Instead, she bent into this quirky, clever, intensely tender person who has the creativity and scattered personality of someone with ADHD. So… she was basically me. It’s always wise to write what you know, but I knew this personality too well, and didn’t want to be that vulnerable. Yet every time she opened her mouth or made a move, she took on this persona I hadn’t meant to write. Mostly because it resembled mine more than I wanted it to. She took on all my faith doubts, asked all my deeper questions, and wrestled with what to believe. She struggled to fit into a world that truly wasn’t made for people like her. She found intense delight in unsolved puzzles and couldn’t resist rescuing someone in need. And by the end, I fell in love with her spunk and compassion. I’m thankful for what she made me face, and the questions we asked together. I so enjoyed getting to know Sydney Forrester, and watching her come alive in her story.

 

Why did you choose the geographical location in which your book is set?

I set this book on a made-up island within a real chain of islands, but the coolest part was the house—the house! It’s a real home from Northumberland that was powered totally by water pressure (hydroelectricity) and bursting with brilliant gadgets. Built by a lawyer-turned-industrialist in the late nineteenth century, this house called Cragside was the source of incredible wonderment and inspiration for this story. It was like the first smart house, and every nook and cranny had odd little gadgets that automated processes and kept the house functioning. He never tried to invent the large moneymaker, but to relieve the burdens of everyday people—the kitchen received most of his brilliance. From automatic dishwashers to hydraulic dumbwaiters and rotisseries, shiny metal and mechanics glistened from top to bottom. The tiny trinkets and “just because” inventions intrigued me most, and gave Cragside its unique charm.

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Questions about Joanna’s Reading

What other Christian Historical Novels are similar to yours in setting or storyline?

Roseanna White writes such creative plots set in similar eras to mine. We both gravitate toward many similar elements, like family secrets, dynamic characters, and authentic love stories.

Michelle Griep writes absolutely thrilling Victorian-era novels that have a gothic flair like mine, but are even darker and grittier.

Abigail Wilson writes great historical mysteries set in the same time period with a lovely romance thread.

What Christian Historical Novel taught you something about the craft of writing because it was so well done? Tell us a bit about what it taught you.

A Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts taught me about rich, textured characters and how to bring them to life through small details. This author paints beautiful backstories for her characters, and gives you little sips of them so you’ll see the full scope of a character. Every character and scene in her books feels so real. They’re the sort that stick to your soul and make you want to both argue with them and pray for them. She’s a masterful storyteller.

Joanna is giving away either a paperback (USA Only). Enter the Rafflecopter below!

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In Tempest Winds by Kendy Pearson

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1864 – West Virginia

Not all heroes are born of battle—some are born of sacrifice.

War has a way of changing a man, taking more than he has to give. After three long years, Zander Dabney joins in the fight, but army life is not what he expected, and it seems impossible to escape his hero-brother’s shadow. When Zander finally gets the chance to test his mettle, the horrors of battle shatter his faith and leave him questioning everything—even what he thought he knew about his brother.

Lola Wade has her hands full with the mercantile, a precocious little brother, and a cunning thief. Despite her chaotic life, Zander has captured her heart. But he needs more than her love to confront his inner demons and fractured faith.

In a whirlwind of deception, the enemy attacks the town and garrison, leaving death and destruction in its wake and forcing Lola to make a heart-wrenching decision. But this was no ordinary attack, and the evidence Zander has falls on deaf ears.

Betrayal plunges Zander into a nightmare of injustice and a perilous ordeal of sacrifice and endurance few can survive. He needs a miracle. A lot of them.

The Ragpicker by Pegg Thomas

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The RagpickerGoodreads ~ Amazon

1692 – Massachusetts

Often cold and hungry, eight-year-old Verity Manton, an orphaned ragpicker, clings to the scraps of love and kindness in her harsh world. Things get tangled as the village Puritans’ strange behavior grows more alarming. Verity is caught between the safety of her life and the promise of a better future with a Quaker family who reaches out to her. Yet, she has been warned her whole life that Quakers are evil.

Will Verity have the courage to trust her heart and choose a path that defies everything she has been taught? This powerful prequel novella to the Salem Village series will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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