ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROMISE - Misty M Beller - One Free Book

Bio: USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories set on the 1800s frontier and woven through with the truth of God’s love. Her Southern roots run deep, and she lives in South Carolina with her husband and children.

Misty delivers an exhilarating addition to the Sisters of the Rockies series fraught with peril, adventure, and romance amid the majesty of the Rocky Mountains in the second installment, Rocky Mountain Promise.

Can you please tell us a little bit about your new novel, Rocky Mountain Promise?

Misty M. Beller: I’d love to! Animals are far easier for Lorelei Collins (our heroine) to manage than people. God seems to agree with her, for He continues to send orphaned critters her way, like a buffalo calf with beautiful shades of white fur. White buffalos are extremely rare and considered sacred by the Native Americans, which puts them in high demand. Trapper and Indian alike appear in their cabin yard, some trying to woo her into marriage so she’ll bring the buffalo calf along as dowry. Others try to steal the calf outright. The only man who doesn’t seem interested in her unusual pet is Tanner Mason, the man who’s come to their valley to establish a trading post.

No one has successfully kept a trading post open in this part of the Rockies for longer than a couple of months, but Tanner intends to be the first. If all goes as planned, he and his partner could eliminate the need for the summer trapper rendezvous altogether, instead supplying the mountain men year-round from their post.

As the annoying advances of the local men become more sinister, Lorelei and her family know it’s time to take action. She moves the calf to the secure walls of the fort surrounding Tanner’s trading post, but an entirely new danger arises. One that might require more than either of them has to give.

Rocky Mountain Promise is book 2 in the Sisters of the Rockies series. What is the connecting element that ties each of the books in the series together?

MB: The idea initially started with four sisters going west and finding themselves in the midst of a trapper rendezvous—not the place for four unprotected women! The rendezvous was an event that happened every summer in the Rocky Mountains, usually in the Wyoming area. Each book in the series tells one of the sister’s stories as they stay in the west and build a ranch, continuing their father’s dream in a way none of them would have expected.

Do these novels stand alone or do they need to be read in order?

MB: Each book is definitely a complete story in itself, so I would encourage readers not to hesitate in reading Rocky Mountain Promise, even if they haven’t read the first book. If you’d like to follow along with the full family saga, though, feel free to start from the beginning!

This novel focuses on Lorelei Collins as the main female Point Of  View. What do readers need to know about Lorelei and the traits that set her apart from her sisters?

MB: I loved writing Lorelei! She LOVES animals and has a heart to heal and nurture. Growing up on a ranch in the early 1800s, she understands that animals are important to survival, but she loves taking in any injured or orphaned creature she finds. Her encouraging heart extends to people too, but she also possesses grit and knows how to stand her ground. In addition, she has a strong faith that keeps her grounded in the face of uncertainty and struggle.

Throughout the series, readers will get to know a bit about members of the local Piegan Blackfoot population who are trusted friends of the Collins family. What did you learn about the trappers’ relationships with the Piegan while researching this book that you can share with readers?

MB: I love to read firsthand accounts—journals from trappers and natives and white men who lived with the natives. I’m often surprised how some trappers kept a very distinct distance from any of the tribes, while others worked and lived among them as friends. Some tribes were certainly more open to accepting trappers among them than others, but I’ve also seen that the temperament of the trapper made a big difference in how they were received by the various tribes.

What other themes present themselves throughout the novel? 

MB: Tanner is such an admirable hero, one of those truly good guys with strong integrity. Unfortunately, his family didn’t always recognize these qualities, so he’s experienced more than his share of rejection because he didn’t measure up to the expectations of those around him. Lorelei’s steady faith and unconditional love help guide him to the ultimate unconditional love of the Heavenly Father. I love Tanner’s journey to faith!

What do you enjoy about writing historical romances set on the American frontier?

MB: I tend to be a sentimentalist, so Christian historical romance is my favorite genre to read and write, especially the adventurous and challenging life in the Rockies. I love the simpler life, where there’s no rat race. Just hard work, plenty of alone time (can you tell I’m an introvert?), and a strong family unit. There’s something amazing about the Rockies in particular. They capture my heart anew every time I see them, and I want readers to feel the majesty of the peaks and the vastness of the land around them.

Is there anything you found challenging about this genre?

MB: It can be challenging to write about a time I haven’t experienced and cultures that don’t exist in the same form anymore. Reading firsthand accounts helps bring that time period to life, as well as visiting historic forts and talking with those who have studied the time period in greater depth. My family and I also love camping, and I learn so much from attempting to live out the challenges my characters face, even if for a single night!

What will fans of romance love about the relationship between Lorelei and Tanner?

MB: Lorelei and Tanner work so well together! Tanner had his dreams shot down so many times in his life before coming to the Montana Territory. He really needs an encourager like Lorelei to come alongside him and show him he’s wonderful exactly the way God made him. For her part, Lorelei needs someone who will believe in her dreams and fight alongside her for the causes she champions. Tanner definitely proves himself a swoonworthy hero as he steps in to help her accomplish her goals!

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

MB: I pray this story draws readers closer to God. I pray they seek His will for their life each step of the way, and that they aren’t afraid to accept God’s grace and the fresh slate He offers when we seek His forgiveness.

Can you share what you’re working on next?

MB: Ooh yes! I’m getting ready to start writing book 3 in the Sisters of the Rockies series. This is Faith’s story, the baby sister in the family. She’s all grown up now, yet her fascination with the life of a trapper hasn’t faded since she came west with her sisters three years before. She sets out for the 1839 trapper rendezvous to find a group of trappers she can trust to join on with. Unfortunately, that turns out to be harder than she expected.

Grant Allen signed on to help deliver supplies for the rendezvous in the Green River Valley, and figured he’d see all he wanted while trading supplies for furs between the mountain men and Indians. He didn’t expect to be so fascinated by it all. After securing approval to stay in the mountains when the wagons return east, he signs on with a group heading out to trap.

It only takes a day after they’ve left the valley before Grant realizes there’s something very unusual about one of the “men” in their party. Now he needs to find out who this woman is, why she’s masquerading as a fellow, and how they can keep her safe in this country of wild animals and even wilder men.

How can readers connect with you?

MB: I love to connect with readers! One of my favorite ways is through my newsletter, and readers can get a free copy of one of my ebooks when they sign up at this link: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook

I also love to connect at:

https://mistymbeller.com/

https://amazon.com/author/mistymbeller

www.instagram.com/mistymbeller/

https://www.facebook.com/MistyMBellerAuthor

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/misty-m-beller

https://www.goodreads.com/MistyMBeller

http://www.pinterest.com/MistyMBeller

Thank you, Misty for sharing Rocky Mountain Promise with my blog readers and me. Your books are always page turners.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Mountain-Promise-Historical-Romance/dp/0764241540/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MKQ8IM8Y5QN1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lPlsCCfBS75Qxny0749Njw9qk8gIx1ko0-HsXlNHmGBgOb3JYGLMPzaw6e2lJuJz8hMAZ14HgOX7XofORrRo9QNqI3o2Cb65aWg8TUfA-ohJa3CPTm9ECbHoLtMu2wPx9qibqBVaw2Ym3TasJgaE9YGGDD0LxHmZfyYJx_1UIfMjCU44wYruVMVQXLIdE8Su2Ir5WGgfMoob0LJSDwpZ2eajq0gHLnumgD9VMtxIifU.7M5x-CPUNl5IgnuHDJzlLJ8x-UETmzmzPe-6za5xWYw&dib_tag=se&keywords=rocky+mountain+promise+misty+beller&qid=1713979734&s=books&sprefix=Rocky+Mountain+Promise+%2Cstripbooks%2C83&sr=1-1

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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PARKINSON'S AND RECREATION - Dennis Jernigan - One Free Books

Dear Readers, today I’m introducing you to one of my favorite Christian songwriters. 

Bio: Dennis Jernigan is a songwriter and author who, with his wife of 40+ years, Melinda, makes his home in northeastern Oklahoma where they have raised nine children together and now enjoy thirteen (so far) grandchildren. Foremost known for his Christian praise music, Jernigan has extended his creativity to the realm of authoring books. He feels a sense of urgency to chronicle his journey with Parkinson’s Disease with the goal of encouraging and inspiring others to live well and experience joy in spite of their circumstances.

About Parkinson’s and Recreation: One Man’s Journey Through Parkinson’s…So Far
Parkinson’s and Recreation: One Man’s Journey Through Parkinson’s…So Far is a humorous yet sensitive look at author Dennis Jernigan’s journey through the rough and rocky terrain of Parkinson’s Disease.

In Parkinson’s and Recreation, Dennis takes the reader from the devastating and dreaded moment of hearing the words, “Mr. Jernigan. You have Parkinson’s Disease,” to the instances of discovering unexpected moments of joy and peace as he came to terms with the diagnosis and symptoms he’s lived with for over five years now.

With open honesty and humor, Jernigan bares his soul about overcoming the difficulties of fear and anxiety that often creep in when breaking the news of a diagnosis like this. Through stories and anecdotes, as well as practical advice, Dennis shares the beauty of his journey so far and the myriad opportunities he’s found to make new and lasting—and sometimes hilarious—memories with his family.

Whether you suffer from Parkinson’s Disease (PD), know someone who does, or whether you have no experience with PD at all, this book will prove to be a breath of fresh air to you in the chaotic world around you.

In a nutshell, Parkinson’s and Recreation is the story of a man who decided to change his attitude and perspective when faced with a dreaded circumstance. It’s the story of a man who has chosen to live life fully…and die well.

A warning to the most pious readers: Jernigan shares a few stories teetering very near the boundaries of good taste (to almost bawdy in nature) but all with the hope of showing the good, the bad, and the humorous as honestly as possible.

Thank you, Dennis, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I know there are plenty of people it can bless.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Parkinson%E2%80%99s+and+Recreation&i=stripbooks&crid=30YS07RFUKJ68&sprefix=parkinson+s+and+recreation+%2Cstripbooks%2C95&ref=nb_sb_nossv

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

WINNERS

IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners  - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.

Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win. 

Cherie (FL) is the winner of Shadows at Dusk by Elizabeth Goddard.

If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.

Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.

If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to. Remember, you have 2 weeks to claim your book.  

THE IRISH MATCHMAKER - Jennifer Deibel - One Free Book

Bio: Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal (winner of the Kipp Award for Historical Romance), The Lady of Galway Manor, and The Maid of Ballymacool. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children.

Jennifer draws from her years of experience living in Ireland to craft historical novels steeped in culture. In her newest novel, The Irish Matchmaker, Deibel journeys back to Ireland with a tale of mismatched romances, fresh new starts, and happily ever afters.

About the story: As the daughter of a matchmaker with an excellent reputation, Catríona Daly is well-versed in love. The one thing love hasn’t done for her yet is take her away from the tiny town she’s been languishing in. The only time the village is truly bustling is during the annual matchmaking festival. And this year, she has her eye on the grandest prize at the festival, Andrew Osborne, the son of a lord. After a failed romance set up by a rival matchmaker, Andrew is ready to find a new match. And Catríona has just the match in mind—herself.

Donal Bunratty is left adrift after the loss of his wife. He has been trying to manage his cattle farm and raise his daughter all alone. But finding new love is more difficult than it would seem. Despite his shyness, Donal agrees to attend the matchmaking festival for the sake of his daughter. Alas, when he attends the festival, the only woman to draw his attention is the one who’s supposed to find his future wife for him—and she is set on matching herself with another.

It will take everything Catríona has learned of love to end this festival with success. The matches she makes could change her life forever.

Welcome, Jennifer. Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel The Irish Matchmaker? Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love—even though personally she has yet to find it. Eager for a match of her own and a fresh start away from her sleepy village, she makes grand plans for the annual Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. She never expects a shy, widowed sheep farmer to distract her from her goal.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading The Irish Matchmaker? I pray that all readers will be encouraged in their own faith journey—whether they’ve been following Jesus for years or just exploring what this God thing is all about. And if anyone is struggling to trust in God’s provision, when it’s almost impossible to see how He could provide, I hope that they would be heartened and encouraged to trust Him.

Why do you love setting your novels in Ireland? The culture, language, and people are part of my heart and soul. I love being able to help others experience even a piece of that incredible country. It is such a joy.

What type of research was required to portray the historical setting in The Irish Matchmaker? While I’ve driven through Lisdoonvarna and stopped for tea once or twice, I was never able to spend much time there. So I spent a lot of days and weeks online learning about the town’s history, as well as the history and methods of matchmaking. I was so grateful to be able to chat with people at the Spa Wells Historical Centre, as well as talk to third-generation matchmaker Willie Daly (who is still making matches in Lisdoonvarna to this day)! It was some of the most fun research I’ve done in a while!

Catríona is the daughter of a renowned matchmaker. What were the responsibilities of a matchmaker during this time period?

Matchmakers were responsible for finding suitable matches for their clients. Sometimes the first match worked, other times it took a few tries. Then it was their job to negotiate the terms of the match—money for dowry and land or livestock that was going to be part of the deal, etc. Many matchmakers also kept meticulous records. Lisdoonvarna’s current matchmaker carries a book with him that has the details of every match made by him, his father, and his grandfather!

Catríona is determined to make a reputation for herself as a great matchmaker, as well as make herself a prosperous match. What, in your opinion, makes a great match between two characters? That’s the million-dollar question! There has to be some common thread connecting the characters to begin with. It could be a shared circumstance, mutual attraction, or even mutual annoyance! But both parties really need to have the same goal for the relationship. A good dose of conflict or a few obstacles can really help refine those goals and draw the couple together. I also think laughter is a must for any successful romantic match.

What do you love most about writing historical romance? I love being able to experience the world through a different lens. No matter how many stories I write, I learn so much, and I get to see countries, cultures, and time periods most people don’t get the opportunity to if they don’t read or write historical fiction. It’s a chance to see what things were like.

What about your own life influences your writing? Oftentimes, my own faith and struggles influence what or how I write. I’m able to draw on those experiences in order to add a deeper layer of authenticity to the characters’ thoughts and actions. Many of the humorous situations in my books were inspired by events I actually experienced—like the “moving cloud” (aka sheep) in the nighttime journey over the Errigal Pass in A Dance of Donegal and the cows munching on seaweed in the middle of the street after a storm in The Lady of Galway Manor!

How can readers connect with you? I absolutely love connecting with readers, so I hope they will! My website has all the links to find me around the web. Readers can sign up for my newsletter there and find links to all my social media.

Where can readers purchase a copy of The Irish Matchmaker? The Irish Matchmaker is available wherever books are sold in paperback, ebook, and hardcover format. And the audiobook will be available after the release date. The best deal can always be found at Baker Book House where you can preorder the book for 40 percent off and free shipping.

Thank you for sharing this book with us. It sounds so interesting.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+irish+matchmaker+jennifer+deibel&crid=17CQ3T8T95GKA&sprefix=The+Irish+Matchmaker+%2Caps%2C88&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_21

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

WINNERS

IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners  - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.

Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win. 

Caryl K (TX) is the winner of Calling on the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund.

Brenda (MS) is the winner of Earning the Mountain Man's Trust by Misty M Beller.

If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.

Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.

If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to. Remember, you have 2 weeks to claim your book.  

SHADOWS AT DUSK - Elizabeth Goddard - One Free Book

Bio: Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels, including Cold Light of Day and the Rocky Mountain Courage and Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold nearly 1.5 million copies. She is a Carol Award and Reader's Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry.

Elizabeth has mastered the craft of writing action-packed, high-stakes novels that keep readers on the edge of their seats. In Shadows at Dusk, book two in the Missing in Alaska series, Goddard returns readers to the last frontier and introduces characters who face new dangers and dark mysteries as they search for what they’ve lost while learning to trust each other.

About the story: Alaska is a far cry from his home state of Montana, but Detective Trevor West would go to the ends of the earth to find his missing sister. After disappearing in a small Alaskan town, all she left behind were a few photographs. With Police Chief Autumn Long’s help, Trevor seeks out Carrie James. An experienced bush pilot with knowledge of the area, Carrie is his best shot at finding the locations depicted in the photographs.

But Carrie won’t help for free. Grieving the death of her trusted friend, she agrees to use her skills to help Trevor if he uses his own expertise to track down her friend’s killer and bring them to justice.
Neither of their searches prove to be easy as they venture into the dark secrets of the Alaskan land. To find what they need, they’ll have to trust each other and stay steadfast in the face of danger. The truth—and a killer—is out there.

What type of research was required for Shadows at Dusk? This novel required a ridiculous amount of research—in fact, probably the most research I’ve had to do for any of my novels. I had to know everything about flying a bush plane in Alaska. I had to learn details about the various islands, conflict minerals, geology, and EPA Superfund sites. I find it all so fascinating!

Both of your protagonists, Trevor West and Carrie James, have skills that the other one needs. Can you explain their roles and how they can help each other? Detective West is a former Deputy US Marshal who used to track fugitives, and Carrie is determined to find the person responsible for her friend’s death and needs his tracking skills. Carrie has been a bush pilot in Southeast Alaska for ten years, and she recognizes the locations in the pictures that Trevor’s sister left behind. They make a great team!

Shadows at Dusk is set in Alaska. Why did you choose this setting for your series? I can’t believe that’s even a question! Ha. Most of my novels are set in stunning locations, and I figured it was time I write another series in Alaska. The landscape provides all the elements I need to ramp up the tension.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading Shadows at Dusk? I hope they’ll come away breathless after the ride of their life. Entertainment aside, I want to give them a fresh sense of awe at God’s creation as they learn more about Alaska and to make them feel like they’ve just come back from an adventurous trip.

Shadows at Dusk is the second in the Missing in Alaska series. Will we be seeing any recurring characters from Cold Light of Day, the first book in your series? Carrie and Trevor head away from Shadow Gap in their search, but they interact with Shadow Gap characters throughout the novel.

What is the connecting element between the books in the Missing in Alaska series? Shadow Gap, Alaska, and the characters who live there connect all the stories.

What do readers have to look forward to in the final volume of the Missing in Alaska series? Another wild ride and a winter story!

What do you love most about writing romantic suspense novels? I love the action and adventure I can add to the suspense elements to keep pushing the story forward, and, as a result, I often hear my books are unputdownable.

How can readers connect with you? At my website, ElizabethGoddard.com, readers can subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest news. The icons for my various social media sites can also be found on my website.

Where can readers purchase a copy of Shadows at Dusk?  Everywhere books are sold, but especially Baker Book House.

Thank you for sharing Shadows at Dusk with us, Beth. You know I love all your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-at-Dusk-Missing-Alaska/dp/0800742052/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lrSFMecubuCdkXDJAJK75dlTpgomoGbjGJoDVIcrew6oGSAGkWQSXS8la4Jl2wYghqZ2dnsxSDYEqBhOWSJyO9pk4LdMhwFHB_fmyZY_Ih6tPRPpKbosuKZESxnUadC_Hab_qu16W0C9M72gm977cWGB2UIDihdIw_4LCcjyvB5KySgPnUGQyM_j8-zPqgj_Wq9wl4mCpN8ILGUuhLfENxaKKQiAYoaEXB1wsYZMw3U.02ObAlKWtHXMuTKgxtSQaXH-fVXl1760S9_8tgvcAxU&qid=1712892582&sr=1-1

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com  

WINNERS

IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners  - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.

Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win. 

Anne (NM) is the winner of Double Take by Lynette Eason.

Brenda (MS) is the winner of Cherished Betrothal by Denise Weimer.

If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.

Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.

If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to. Remember, you have 2 weeks to claim your book.   

CALLING ON THE MATCHMAKER - Jody Hedlund - One Free Book

Bio: Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats.

From the talented pen of bestselling author Jody Hedlund comes a brand-new series set amidst the bustling streets of St. Louis, Missouri, the gateway to the West. Beloved for her western historicals, readers are sure to fall for the Shanahan siblings as they discover their places in life and love—even in spite of themselves—with the help of a wily Irish matchmaker. Escape to 1849 St. Louis for a daring and romantic tale in Calling on the Matchmaker, book one in the A Shanahan Match series.

About the Story: Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved that she’s not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her days caring for immigrants in the slums.

Unwilling to consider marriage, Finola has perfected the ability to sabotage the relationships her parents arrange for her. At wit’s end, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. After her usual tricks fail, Finola quickly realizes she can’t outsmart or outwit the dashing, determined, and daring man.

A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union with the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning—and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger, testing all they know about love and sacrifice.

Your latest novel, Calling on the Matchmaker, is book one in the new series, A Shanahan Match. Can you please tell us a little bit about the series?

Jody Hedlund: This new series is a saga involving the Shanahan family in the frontier city of St. Louis, Missouri, in the late 1840s. The Shanahans are a big and loving family with six children. The oldest are reaching marriageable age, so the local matchmaker is called upon to help form advantageous matches. Even though the Irish matchmaker is wily, he still faces challenges as he seeks to pair each of the Shanahan siblings with their true loves.

Since the series revolves around the Shanahan siblings, can you provide a short introduction to each sibling? Book 1 in the series involves Finola Shanahan, who is the oldest Shanahan sibling and the first in line for the matchmaker’s help. The trouble is that she has no intention of getting married and works to foil the matchmaker’s plans.

Book 2 tells Enya Shanahan’s story. She is a fiery redhead with an equally fiery personality and is rebellious against her strict parents. As a result, she gets herself into trouble and ends up needing a marriage of convenience.

Book 3 finally gives Kiernan Shanahan a chance to find his true love. As the first-born son, he’s driven in life, business, and love. He’s ready for the matchmaker to find him an advantageous match, but his heart may have already found someone else.

What do readers need to know about the Shanahan family, but especially about Finola? Finola’s parents both immigrated from Ireland as young adults. As a result of their Irish heritage, they have strong ties to the large Irish community in St. Louis and also have a heart for helping the newly arrived Irish immigrants, many of whom are escaping starvation and poverty in Ireland due to the potato famine. Finola, in particular, has become involved with a group of nuns who visit the poor tenements and help the immigrants. She desires to join the convent and spend her life in service to God. But her parents are opposed to her entering the convent and want her to get married.

Some major themes that Calling on the Matchmaker addresses are family relationships, mistakes, and forgiveness. How do we see these play out in the lives of your female protagonists? Finola is wrestling with a past family tragedy that she hasn’t been able to forget about or forgive herself for. As a result, she feels as though she has to do penance for the mistake. One way she feels she can make up for the tragedy is by becoming a nun and living a life of service to God. She has tried to talk to her parents about her desire to enter the convent, but they haven’t listened to her. As a result, she doesn’t communicate well about what she wants. Throughout the course of the story, she has to learn to gain a voice as well as learn to forgive herself and others for the past.

This novel is arguably a bit different from other books you’ve written recently. Can you share what inspired the idea for this story? It is a little different. But I hope readers appreciate getting to learn about new areas of the country and new parts of history through my stories. Since I love romance more than anything else, I thought the matchmaker idea would be a fun way to tie a series together. As I began researching matchmaker stories, I realized that there is a long tradition of Irish men being matchmakers. So, the Irish matchmaker takes the stage in all of the books.

Which character in this book was your favorite to write and why? Do you think this will be readers’ favorite as well? Obviously I love the hero and heroine! But aside from them, Bellamy McKenna, the matchmaker, is one of my favorite characters in this series. He is in the process of beginning to take over the matchmaker duties from his father and has some different, less conventional ways of bringing about matches. He’s not only intuitive, but he’s also very clever. Readers will hopefully fall in love with Bellamy (and maybe, just maybe, he’ll get his love story eventually too!).

Your previous series, Colorado Cowboys, highlighted cowboys in the American West. What prompted you to head in a different direction for this series? As much as I loved writing my Colorado Cowboys series, I didn’t want to pigeon-hole myself as a western or cowboy-romance writer. Since most of my series highlight different places and historical events, I wanted to take readers on a new adventure and introduce them to a new part of history that I haven’t yet explored.

Why set these books in St. Louis? Does it have special meaning to the story? Knowing I wanted to use the Irish, I researched places that had large Irish populations in the 1800s, and St. Louis was one of them. As the Gateway to the West, St. Louis was full of danger, disease, and disaster—all of the things that make for a great story and the perfect setting for the Shanahan family.

In particular, I chose the year 1849 as the starting point for this series because a number of tragedies occurred in St. Louis at that time, including a deadly cholera epidemic and a tragic fire along the riverfront.

What is one of your favorite things about writing historical fiction? I love finding and bringing little known eras of history to life for readers. It’s always fun to hear from readers how much they’ve learned from my books and how that aspect of history came to life for them.

What lessons do you hope readers gain by picking up Calling on the Matchmaker? I hope readers will learn, just like my characters, that sometimes we mistake our own inability to forgive ourselves as God’s inability, but instead God forgives us so deeply, that He puts our mistakes out of His mind as far as the east is from the west. If God forgives us so generously, shouldn’t we also be willing to forgive ourselves the same way?

Can you share which Shanahan sibling the next book in the series is about? The next book is Enya’s story and involves a marriage of convenience, a steamboat captain, and the Great Fire of 1849.

That sounds interesting, too. How can readers connect with you? To stay up to date, I invite readers to join my Facebook Reader Room where I post the most relevant book news and interact with readers. Or readers can visit my website at jodyhedlund.com

Thank you for sharing Calling on the Matchmaker with us today. I know my readers will want to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Calling-Matchmaker-Arranged-Marriage-Historical/dp/0764241966/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WJLfo39M-naWbtWqdsCmvN9NG1zHQfQ733-7okQz1OvhKyq34Kz0oPc59btk-cqnZEbNux5zCMAi3QUWqv1HmRViY7juCWYrP9UwqQi4lNRJP9jtEVzQzF-mfkhW_ma1QpEfN9HdJg1ubMEnqRRKV3uq2L1pIsnDDm9EpXDmlXQ1noEJiKse6T-5lv1UrAGPBxT3enIevv5FrsjBH0sjcfE4cdQCLMKVXG1HMRr2JkY.MC4DjU6lL2nxHYgGB4XbnhzkDMw1jm-X_9oBTx-RS18&qid=1712246074&sr=1-1

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