Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Jodie Wolfe!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Back, Jodie Wolfe!

I love Jodie's books and can't wait to read this next one. Get to know this interesting author plus a behind-the-scenes peek!

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

Hannah’s Quest is my 11th published book. I’ve actually written a few others that are in my filing cabinet. 😊 If I had to pick a favorite so far… it probably would be Taming Julia, since the heroine was a lot of fun to write.

I love that story! What does your writing space look like?
 

Check out the photo below! I always have a story board so I can easily see my characters while I write. During the writing process, my desk gets fairly messy. When it’s cleared off, it means I’m getting ready to write a new book. 😊

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book?

With my current Time to Come Home Series, I am trying to include old houses from the town I’m

writing about, as well as area churches, stores, etc. So I often have a bit of research to do before I even start writing a novel in this series.

What was your inspiration for the story?

If you asked me a few years ago if I’d ever write a series focused on prodigals, I would have adamantly said no, since I have no experience in that area. However, things have changed in our lives since then, and it currently is the road my husband and I are walking. I use my writing to help work through various trials we are going through or have gone through.

What draws you to the time period about which you write?

Good question. 😊 I think I love historical because in some ways it was a simpler time of life, although the 19th Century required much more physical work.

What is one thing you wish you could do?

I wished I had a maid to take care of cleaning/organizing the house, while also making meals for me/us.

What was your favorite childhood book and why?

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series. It helped to develop my love of historical and the desire to write.

What is your next project?

I’m currently working on a historical novella collection called Courting Love that will hopefully be out sometime this fall. Once the final novella is written, I’ll get back to work on my Time to Come Home Series. Book #3 will be Sarah’s Search, due to come out in February 2026.

About Hannah's Quest:

Hannah Moore escapes the overbearing grip of her relatives and forges her own way in Shippensburg, PA, far away from their clutches. Despite Hannah’s sheer determination, she finds life on her own daunting as she loses job after job. Unsure where she fits in, Hannah wonders if she’ll ever be good enough. She feels as if God has forsaken her and questions if she will ever find a place to belong. The last thing she needs is an ignorant shop keeper constantly questioning her abilities and standing in her way. Hannah will take almost any position available so as not to return to the place of her upbringing.

Luke Weiser has one goal in mind—finding a way to save his grandmother and restore her health. Only trouble is, she has other ideas about what is best for her. Gran longs to see Luke’s return to faith in the Lord, but he blames God for his grandmother’s sickness and the tragic events of his childhood. After the death of his mother, followed by his father’s abandonment, Luke refuses to trust his heart to anyone, and certainly not a wife. When Hannah keeps popping up in the hardware shop where he works, Luke is forced to think twice about his convictions.

Can two bruised hearts follow their personal quests and discover healing in the process?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/44kXFHx

About Jodie:

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschooling mom. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Jodie creates novels where hope and quirky meet. Visit her at http://www.jodiewolfe.com.

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Susan Pope Sloan!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Susan Pope Sloan!

I am thrilled to welcome Susan Pope Sloan to my blog. Her writing is excellent, with complex characters, interesting plots, and thought-provoking themes. Take a few minutes to become acquainted with this talented author.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

During high school, I was privileged to take a class in creative writing, and that’s when the idea of being an author crystallized for me. For years I wrote short stories and articles, some of which were published or won small-time awards. I figured that short pieces would be the extent of my writing, that I didn’t have to fortitude to write a novel. Finishing that first 90,000 word story as I reached my 40th birthday was a major accomplishment.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

How can I narrow it to one thing? First, I love the beauty of words and find it so amazing that God allows us to participate with him in creating “worlds” through our writing. I also love that, through writing (and reading), we get to live a different life with each story. Finally, I enjoy learning and adding more information to my store of knowledge through the research that writing requires.

How did you learn how to write?

I’d say I learned to write by reading. Since childhood, I’ve been a voracious reader, and the style,

vocabulary, and patterns of writing became part of my education. In high school, I learned to accept criticism as well as praise and to use that input to sharpen my writing—a process that never ends.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

The number depends on how you count them. On the fiction side, I’ve published five books, all in my historical series. Long before those, however, I wrote another novel which has not been—and probably will never be—published. I’ve also written three small non-fiction books and contributed to a couple of anthologies. As for my favorite, that’s like trying to name a favorite of your children. It changes from time to time, and usually is whatever I’m working on at the moment.

How do you develop your characters? (e.g. decide on their vocation, names, etc.)?

Since my series starts with a real-life event, the occupation of the women was a given—they were mill workers. When those positions were eliminated, the only jobs left to women in the 1860’s were teacher, seamstress, or domestic helper. Even the men had fewer choices in those days—mostly soldier, farmer, carpenter, doctor, or lawyer. To stay true to the period, I searched the U.S. census listings of names for each decade between 1820 and 1860. The tricky part about names is making them different enough from each other so the reader doesn’t get confused. In real life, some families like to give consistency to their kids’ names, but that doesn’t work well in fiction.

How has your book changed since your first draft?

Upon my editors’ recommendations, I completely eliminated one secondary character from the story, which meant some serious rewriting. The antagonist’s goal had to be hinted at earlier so it didn’t surprise the reader as “coming out of nowhere.” I also had to revise the ending to give my hero a larger role to play in rescuing the heroine.

What is one thing you wish you could do?

I wish I could travel more. I would love to visit a different historical site or museum every week. Unfortunately, even if I had the funds to do so, I find that my stamina decreases with each year that my age increases, so much of my traveling is done via the Internet.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

Prepare well. Be an avid reader and read widely, including books about writing, but submerse yourself in the genre you want to write. Write as much as possible and submit wherever you can—articles, contests, reviews, etc. Begin building your brand and expanding your reach far and wide. Learn about the publishing industry by attending conferences and joining writers groups. Develop relationships with other writers, agents, editors, etc., and support them before you ask them to support you.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Thinking that writing is an easy road to success. Writing is hard, but even harder is all the other work that goes with it. Writers must assume a large part of the marketing in order to get their work into the world. Unless writers can afford to hire others, they must take on the tasks of accounting, advertising, promotion, and general weight-lifting. They must also learn to deal with criticism and rejection, meeting deadlines, and acting in a professional manner.

What is your next project?

I’m currently working on two novellas which I call the “bookends” for my Civil War series. One is a prequel, and the other one picks up where Redeeming Rupert ends. Both deal with the older generation of characters who are seen only briefly throughout the series.

About Redeeming Rupert

In the aftermath of the Civil War, a young woman's fight to save her family's legacy leads her to an unexpected alliance.

Hannah Whitfield has given up on her own dreams of love and marriage, dedicating herself wholly to her family's welfare. But when a ruthless carpetbagger threatens to seize Whitfield Hall, Hannah's last hope lies with the elusive trustee named in her late father's will. Desperate to secure her brother's inheritance, she steels herself to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Rupert McNeil, haunted by the loss of his loved ones, has vowed never to marry. Following in his uncle's footsteps, he becomes the go-to person for those in need. When he inherits his uncle's farm and the responsibility to help save Whitfield Hall, Rupert finds himself at a crossroads, torn between his own legacy and his duty to others.

As Hannah and Rupert's paths intertwine, a marriage of convenience seems to be the answer to their problems. But with a scheming relative lurking in the shadows, will their newfound alliance be enough to safeguard both their inheritances? Can love blossom amidst the challenges they face, or will the wounds of the past prove too deep to overcome?

Purchase link: https://amzn.to/4jBRt2J

Connect with Susan:
Website: https://susanpsloan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpopesloan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/susan-sloan-7132a155
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20919750.Susan_Pope_Sloan
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/susanpsloan

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanpsloan

Photo Credits:

Books and glasses: Pixabay/Anna Paula Feriani

Writing hand: Pixabay/Pexels

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sherry Shindelar!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Sherry Shindelar!

I'm pleased to be visiting with Sherry Shindlar today. Learn more about this fascinating author and her books.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I have been in love with stories since I was a child. I’d swing for hours on my swing set, pumping my legs back and forth, dreaming up stories in my head. Even then, I had a flair for romance, creating new love interests and episodes for Star Trek’s Captain Kirk.

My favorite possession at age nine was a set of author playing cards (a matching game with photos of famous authors). I wanted to be an author when I grew up and bring stories to life on the written page, stories that would impact my readers.

What does your writing space look like?

During the winter months, I find odd and end places in the house to write. Moving to different spots helps energize my thought processes. But in the late spring through early fall, I love to write outside. My deck and backyard work well, but my favorite spot is in a park by the lake about a five minute drive my house.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

While researching for Texas Divided, I discovered that the part of Texas where my story is set had a

castle. Robert Robson, a Scot who immigrated to Texas, built a concrete castle in the 1850’s in Colorado County. Robson’s Castle had a moat, a drawbridge, a garden on the roof, and indoor plumbing (pumps drew the water from the nearby river). Guests traveled from faraway communities to enjoy lavish champagne dinners, card parties, and balls. Unfortunately, the foundation was destroyed by a flood in 1869

What sort of research did you do for your story, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include?

I read several books on the Civil War in Texas. Until I started Texas Divided, I didn’t know the Yankees ever invaded Texas. I also did a lot of online research on the cotton industry. One of the best moves I made was to contact the Nesbitt Library in Columbus, TX. The librarian connected me with old newspaper articles, letters, and other materials written in the 19th century about the area. However, my favorite type of research is traveling to historic places. The garden scene in Texas Divided is based upon my visit to Carnton House in Franklin, Tennessee for example. I visited three different early to mid-nineteenth century homes in Tennessee to gain information for LeBeau’s plantation in the book. However, my visit to Oklahoma and Texas was the highlight of my research. A couple of the museums had life size models of Western towns. Several of the buildings found their way into the book. I can’t wait to visit Texas again.

Tell us about your road to publication.

A visit to a historic home in the Shenandoah Valley, when my husband and I were newly married, spurred my love for history and planted the seed for a story. A few years later, I wrote the novel, then buried it in a box in my closet when it didn’t get published right away. I returned to college to earn a degree in creative writing and eventually a PhD in literature, wondering if I’d ever reconnect with the stories in my head, the ones buried deep in my heart. 

 Then, in the summer of 2019, the Lord opened my heart to fall in love with writing all over again. And it has been my daily passion ever since. I pulled out the box and unburied the past. My new writing life was born. I rewrote my first novel from scratch, then I wrote another novel, Texas Forsaken, as I waited for a YES from an agent or editor/publisher. After no’s from several of the biggest publishers (no’s because it wasn’t the right timing for a Civil War story or an Indian captive story), I felt like I was moving toward my goals at turtle speed. But God had a plan. In His perfect timing, He threw open the doors for me to receive my first book contract in June 2023, four years from the time I fell in love with writing all over again. And when it finally happened, the Lord answered my prayers beyond my expectations!

Why do you write in your particular genre?

I write Christian historical romance because I want to be able to weave my faith into my writing, I am captivated by history, and I love romance.

How do you celebrate when you finish a manuscript?

I go out to eat with my husband in one of my favorite restaurants.

What writers or books have influenced you?

Laura Frantz: Her books inspired me to fall in love with writing again and to start writing Christian historical romance. Lori Benton: Her Mountain Laurel and Shiloh books inspired me to write a story of redemption, second chances, and great love.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

Laura Frantz’s Indigo Heiress, Jamie Ogle’s As Sure as the Sea, and Gabrielle Meyers’s The Fur Trader’s Lady.

What is your next project?

I’m currently working on the third book of my Lone Star Redemption series, Texas Reclaimed. The story takes place on the Texas Frontier in 1866. After the Civil War, Ben McKenzie, a Yankee soldier with soul-deep scars, travels to Texas to make good on a promise he made to his friend who died in Andersonville at his side. After years of war and a father who wasn’t much count, Cora Scott has lost everything, except for her family’s abandoned ranch and her little brother who is half Comanche. She is determined to hold onto her ranch at all costs unless it means falling for the man whose wounds might be deeper than she can heal.

About Texas Divided:

He thought he was rescuing her from the Comanche. Now the Civil War soldier must prove he isn't the villain she thinks he is.

Driven by the looming expectation of becoming a suffocatingly proper lady, Morning Fawn is determined to escape the confines of her uncle’s plantation and return to her adoptive Comanche tribe. But with each failed attempt, her hopes dwindle, and she wonders if she'll ever find her way back home or if that world is forever lost to her.

Devon Reynolds, disillusioned by the price of affluence and the horrors of war, leaves his privileged life to join the Texas Rangers and later the cavalry. In the military service, he finds purpose . . . until he loses his wife during childbirth while he is away. In an attempt to redeem himself, he takes one last fateful mission to rescue Morning Fawn from the Comanche. But the results force him to question the righteousness of his actions and the cause he serves.

When Devon returns to Texas as a Yankee spy, his path crosses with Morning Fawn once more. Determined to save her from the prison of her uncle's house and to recover Texas from the Confederacy, Devon is drawn to her fierce spirit and unwavering resolve. But can two wounded souls, each fighting their own battles, find solace and love amidst the chaos of war?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Divided-Sherry-Shindelar/dp/1963212134

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/texas-divided-sherry-shindelar/1146107552

Instagram: sherryshindelarauthor https://www.instagram.com/sherryshindelarauthor/

FB Author: https://www.facebook.com/historylitgirl/ Sherry Shindelar Author

Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47340890.Sherry_Shindelar

Bookbub author page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sherry-shindelar

Photo credits:

Robson's Castle Marker: Gregory Walker

Wooden Texas Flag: Pixabay/coopmunster

Talkshow Thursday: An Interview with Rose Carrigan

Interview with Rose Carrigan 

from Rescuing Rose by Susan Pope Sloan

Can you tell me who you are and why you’ve come to Louisville, KY?

My name is Rose Carrigan, and I just arrived in Louisville, along with a few hundred other mill workers and their families, courtesy of the Union army. They burned down the cotton mill in Georgia where we worked—the army, that is. Burned it to the ground and arrested all the workers. Then they loaded us on wagons and took us to Marietta, where the Union had commandeered the town and the railroad.

As you can imagine, it took several trips in those wagons to get everyone to Marietta. The first arrivals were housed at the Georgia Military Institute, but it soon filled up. Fortunately, a kind officer found an abandoned house for my group. We were there for several days before they put us on a train going north. It was awful—dozens of women and children piled into a baggage car for two days before we reached Louisville.

What happened when you arrived?

Our situation in Louisville left a lot to be desired. The building had been designed as a hospital, and we

Photo: Pixabay/
IslandWorks

had a dozen people in each room. There was no water inside the building and no heat—which wasn’t a concern in July, but it would pose a problem if we had to stay there through the winter. With small children and elderly folks among us, sickness was likely to be a serious concern.

That’s why I decided to look for employment. I mentioned it to the other women, and they all agreed to do the same. I figured my sister and I should be able to find something easily enough, since we have more education than the others. Most of our group can neither read nor write. I guess it depends on what kind of work is available and whether the employers are willing to hire Southern women.

What will you do when the war is over?

I don’t know. It’s unlikely we’ll be able to return to Georgia. Maybe some of the women will find a husband here.

Will you be one of those? You’re blushing, so I suspect you might.

I have started corresponding with that officer who helped us in Marietta. He’s asked to court me, so perhaps it will work out for us. One thing is sure: we’ll be do a heap of praying, now more than ever, that this war will soon come to an end.

About Rescuing Rose

His army destroyed her livelihood. She represents the people he scorns. How can they reconcile their differences when the whole country is at war?

When the Union Army marches into Roswell, Georgia, and burns down the cotton mill where Rose Carrigan worked, not only is her livelihood destroyed but she’s also taken prisoner and shipped northward with the other workers. Only the unlikely kindness of one of her guards makes the trip bearable.

Union Captain Noah Griffin hates the part of his job that requires him to destroy the lives of innocent civilians, but at least he’s able to protect these women he’s been ordered to transport to Louisville, Kentucky. Especially the one whose quick wit and kindness draw him.

While they’re forced to wait in Marietta, two fugitives arrive to complicate matters between Rose and Noah. As Rose heads north and Noah returns to the battlefront, they each face fears and prejudices. With survival so tenuous, only faith can help them find love in the midst of so much tragedy.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3VYMCzY

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Denise Weimer!

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Denise Weimer!

What was your inspiration for the story?

Reeling from the loss of over 600,000 men in the Civil War and the assassination of President Lincoln just the week prior, the nation hardly noticed when a steamer carrying a couple thousand U.S. prisoners of war exploded in the Mississippi River on April 27, 1865. Over eleven hundred perished in the icy waters that swelled several miles past the normal embankments at flood stage, making the sinking of the Sultana the most crippling maritime disaster in the nation’s history.

The former POWs on their way to muster out at Camp Chase, Ohio, were already emaciated and ill from imprisonment at infamous Andersonville and Cahaba prison camps. A number were badly burned when the boilers exploded, and many did not know how to swim. You can imagine the scene that ensued. While the steamboats docked at Memphis—which had been under Union occupation since the summer of 1862—got up steam, local citizens hurried to help, even those on the Arkansas shore who had fought for the Confederacy. The towns of Hopefield, Marion, and Mound City had suffered harsh reprisals for harboring Confederate guerillas. The area was well-known as a hotbed of spies and saboteurs intent on disrupting Union shipping on the Mississippi.

This tragedy became the inciting event for When Hope Sank, the third novel in Barbour’s multi-author A Day to Remember Series.

What sort of research did you do for your story, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include?

When writing When Hope Sank, I started by watching a documentary, then delved into online research

Author Photo

while placing orders for some well-known books on the sinking of the Sultana. Finally, I got to take a research trip to the area! It was a great excuse for my daughter and me to enjoy a little adventure and stay in Memphis. We visited the Sultana museum in Marion, Arkansas, and took a paddlewheel steamer ride on the Mississippi. We even got soaked by a thunderstorm as we tried to run the mile back to our car afterward.

If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you choose and why?

For this novel, that’s an easy answer. Beth, my heroine Lily’s cousin. Lonely and longing for approval, Beth gets caught up with the wrong sort of characters and gets herself in a fair amount of trouble in When Hope Sank. A major life shift happens for her at the end. It would be interesting to explore her path to redemption.

What draws you to the time period about which you write?

I’m so excited to return to the mid-1800s with this novel. My writing journey truly started with my Georgia Gold Series set during this same period in North Georgia and Savannah. It was first published about ten years ago. Since then, I’ve written stories from the Rev War through contemporary times, but I have a wealth of knowledge and living history and dance experience to draw on from the mid-nineteenth century.

Why do you write in your particular genre?

I love the idea of bringing a little-known historical event or location back to life. There are so many natural plot builders to be found in the past that it’s easy to shape a fictional story around the real-life happenings.

How does/did your job prepare you for being a novelist?

Well, I became a novelist first, then I became an editor. I worked as a managing editor for the historical imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (later Iron Stream Media) before switching over to act as Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, Misty Beller’s company. We publish exclusively historical Christian romance in series. In that capacity, I get to work with a top-notch staff and some of the most amazing authors. It’s incredibly satisfying to help others reach their publishing dreams. And editing pairs perfectly with writing. It’s made me sharper and quicker with my own creative process, and when I’m actively writing a novel, I will often write in the morning and edit in the afternoon.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

Remember that different people have different paths to publication, and that’s okay. Don’t assume it can only be someone in the publishing industry who can open an important door for you. It’s also likely that other authors will help you more than anyone. We’re co-workers, not competitors. Do your due diligence with educating yourself and putting in the hard work, then wait and see what God will do! His timing is always perfect.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

• Writing a book and sending it in without learning what editors, agents, and publishers truly expect in terms of craft, style (deep POV for fiction!), and presentation. 
• Failing to engage a good editor, critique partner, or a team of beta readers who know industry requirements and CMOS style. 
• Comparing themselves to other authors. 
• Not developing an engaging and active online presence.  
• Expecting to quickly make a living off writing alone.

What is your next project?

My agent has a couple of proposals floating out there. I’d love to work with Barbour again. But I’m also in the midst of releasing my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier Series with Wild Heart Books. Book four, A Conflicted Betrothal, arrives on my birthday, June 11! The series is packed with action, adventure, and romance on the Southern frontier between the 1760s and the 1810s.

About When Hope Sank

April 1865

The Civil War has taken everything from Lily Livingston—her parents, her twin brother, her home. Now she works at her uncle’s inn and keeps her head down. Speaking up for her beliefs proved too costly in a part of Arkansas split by conflicting loyalties and overrun by spies and bushwhackers. One of those partisans, her brother’s childhood friend, will soon return to claim her hand—whether she wants to grant it or not.

Emaciated in body but resilient in spirit, Lieutenant Cade Palmer is crowded onto the Sultana with other paroled Andersonville and Cahaba POWs for the journey north. But a fiery explosion rends the steamer and empties two thousand men into the frigid Mississippi River.

Recovering from wounds that might end his career as a surgeon but clinging to his faith, Cade threatens both Lily’s defenses and her heart. How can she tell him she might’ve prevented the tragedy if only she’d reported a suspected saboteur’s claims? And when the man returns to town and encoded messages pass through the hotel, Lily must follow her convictions to prevent another tragedy.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3J5J6X

Talkshow Thursday: Jo-Ann Roberts A Civil War Trail of Tears

A Civil War Trail of Tears

by Jo-Ann Roberts

It’s lovely to be here today on the History, Hope, and Happily Ever After blog. Many thanks to Linda for inviting me to share my upcoming April release, Book 2 in the Mended Hearts series.

For those who don't know me, I'm Jo-Ann Roberts. I write sweet historical and western romances and have been a published author both independent and traditional since 2019. I’m fascinated by the Old West and always felt I was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. My romances take readers back to a simpler time and place with strong, determined, and courageous women and men who carved out their legacy in a new land.

…and Sofie Bishop and Seth Ramsey are no exceptions.

A few years ago, I watched a story on PBS about a little-known event of the Civil War, telling myself that if I ever had the time, I'd love to create a historical romance based on the life of one of those women who was branded a traitor and sent North.

Fast forward to 2021 when I created the Mended Hearts series. Each book is based on true facts during the latter half of the Civil War. Marrying the Major released in November 2021, and Winning the Widow's Heart will release April 26th, finally telling the romance that had been in my heart and head for so long. The plight of the Roswell women has long been lost to the forgotten passageways of history, and this story is to give voice to one woman’s tragic tale.

Theophile Roche, a French citizen, had been employed by the Ivy Woolen Mill. In an attempt to save

Ivy Mill Ruins, Courtesy NPS

the mill, he flew a French flag in hopes of claiming neutrality. However, the letters CSA (Confederate States of America) were found on the cloth. For two days, the mill was spared, but on July 7th, after it was proven that the claim of being neutral was false, General Sherman ordered everyone connected with the mill to be charged with treason, and the mill destroyed.

Mill workers, mostly women and children, were arrested, charged with treason, and sent to Marietta. From there, they were loaded into boxcars and given several days' rations. Not knowing where they were going or if they would return, they were not even given the opportunity to leave messages for their loved ones.

I hope Winning the Widow's Heart will do the women's story justice.

_________________

She was branded as a traitor to the Union.

He was her sworn enemy.

A marriage of convenience would be perilous…wouldn’t it?

In the summer of 1864 in Roswell, Georgia, widow Sofie Bishop struggles to manage the small family vineyard on her own. The War Between the States took her husband and her way of life. Now, with her home in ruins her only option was working at the Ivy Woolen Mill. Her woes go from bad to worse when the Yankees arrive on Roswell’s doorstep. Courteous and kind, Captain Seth Ramsey is not what Sofie expects from a Union officer. However charming he might be, she’s determined to keep her distance. Even when she finds herself branded as a traitor, arrested, and transported north to an uncertain destiny, she didn’t think she could lose much more to the Yankees.

But she was wrong.

Will his vow of love mend her wounded heart? Or would a marriage of convenience be the best she can offer?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3INFcIB

If you enjoy reading sweet historical romances, I invite you to take a look at my books at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jo-Ann-Roberts/author/B07YRW9XD

Website: https://www.jo-annrobertsauthor.com/

Newsletter: https://www.jo-annrobertsauthor.com/newslettersignup

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/jrobertsauthor/

Release Day: A Bride for Seamus

 Release Day: A Bride for Seamus

I'm excited to announce the release of A Bride for Seamus. Another opportunity to dabble in the 1800s, this story is part of the "Proxy Bride Series. I had fun researching Cedar Rapids, Iowa and learning about farming and ranching in a time before modern machinery was invented. Farming is difficult work, and I hope A Bride for Seamus honors the men and women who choose this challenging life.

A Bride for Seamus is available for purchase or Kindle Unlimited. Grab your copy today!

Amazon

Can two people set aside presumptions, prejudices, and pain to find love? 

 

When her father dies after a lengthy illness, Madeline Winthrop is horrified to discover his will bequeaths their home to his business partner, a cruel and dishonest man, leaving her destitute. With no job or marriage prospects, she seeks help from her pastor who suggests she considers becoming a mail order bride. There’s just one catch. She’s to marry the man by proxy before ever meeting him. 

 

After three mail order brides refuse to stay and marry Seamus Fitzpatrick because of his brother’s mental issues and two rambunctious children, Seamus decides a proxy marriage is the only way he’s going to secure a wife. When the Boston-bred socialite arrives with few practical skills, he wonders if he made the biggest mistake of his life.