We will be giving away books so be sure to pay attention about how to enter. To enter for a chance to win, you MUST leave a comment WITH your EMAIL and you MUST ask one or more of the authors a question you’d like to know about them, their writing, or their books.
We are looking forward to getting to know you better and hope you’ll get to know us better, too!
Be sure to drop by the Facebook Party (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1770933813056488) for a chance to mingle with the authors, and nab even more great giveaways!
The party is today from 5:00 to 7:15 PM Eastern Time.
BRIDE BY BEGUILEMENT
Kirsten Macleod is in a bind. Her father’s last will and testament stipulates that she must either marry, lead the plantation into a first-year profit, or forfeit it to her uncle. But marriage is proving no easy option. Every suitor seems more enamored with the land than with her. Until her handsome neighbor sweeps into her stable to the rescue… of her beloved horse.
Silas Westbrook’s last year at veterinary school ends abruptly when he is called home to care for his young orphaned sisters. Troubles compound when he finds an insurmountable lien on the only home they’ve ever known, and the unscrupulous banker is calling in the loan. The neighbor’s kind-hearted and beautiful stable girl, Krissy, provides the feminine influence the girls desperately need. If only he had a future to offer her. But to save his sisters from poverty, he should set his sights on Krissy’s wealthy relative Kirsten Macleod, the elusive new heiress. Surely this hard-working and unassuming young lady and the landowner could not be one and the same?
ABOUNDING HOPE
Poland’s looming defeat forces an American teacher to escape with children wanted by the Nazis.
It’s late August, 1939, and the world is on the brink of war. The Nazis are threatening Poland, but American teacher Irena Simmons refuses to flee to safety. She’s dedicated her life to serving in her church and school, and she’s watching over the little German boys she whisked to safety the year before. When her former classmate, Jonathan, surprises her in Lvov and insists she leave with him before the war starts, Irena balks. Nothing will interfere with her work—especially a man making demands.
American shipping magnate Jonathan Huntwell had a crush on Irena in school. When their former classmates select him to travel to Poland and escort her out before it’s too late, he doesn’t expect the inner turmoil she ignites in him. Although honor-bound to aid any friend in trouble, Jonathan acknowledges that Irena is more than an obligation to him. However, he must keep his feelings hidden, or he’ll jeopardize their friendship.
Irena soon discovers that the Gestapo agent she successfully evaded in Germany has found her in Poland, and he’s after her young charges. When the Germans invade, Jonathan is in Denmark on business, too far away to help. As the rising danger threatens everything Irena holds dear, she must find a way to protect those she loves.
AND THEIR NUMBERS GREW
Four lives. Four destinies. One gospel.
Rumors of the risen Christ spread through Jerusalem like wildfire—and the Sanhedrin is paying attention.
Their efforts to stifle the name of Jesus only fuel the cause until a young Pharisee gets involved, breathing threats of imprisonment—or worse. Stephen’s brutal stoning accelerates the persecution and sends the faithful fleeing the city for their lives. They are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. As the fledgling church disperses, their numbers continue to grow. Now, the apostles must train the new believers in the ways and words of Jesus—and what it means to live in God's Kingdom here on earth.
The Kingdom of God spreads to Damascus, Joppa, Caesarea, Antioch, and Tarsus through the testimonies of Ananias, Tabitha, and Barnabas. While an outraged Saul sets out for Damascus to arrest them all, the followers press on fervently, with the help of the Holy Spirit—though it may cost them their lives. Four disciples whose lives are intertwined, told in four novellas, chronicling the birth pains of the early church.
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THERESA'S TALENT
Theresa, a former slave, wants two things: to own a business, and to vote. She excels at cooking and baking, so the first should be easy. The second? Already suffragettes had been working for twenty years—while it was the law in Colorado, would she see it the law of the land for every woman in the union in her lifetime?
Toby, a freeman now working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, loves the sense of adventure and justice that being a private investigator brings. But when he sees justice failing for a white man, he can’t stand idly by and do nothing. Even if it means putting himself in danger.
But, is he willing to put another in the same position?
FRANCINE'S FOIBLES
She's given up hope. He never had any. Will they find it together?
World War II is finally over, and America is extra grateful as the country approaches this year’s Thanksgiving. But for Francine life hasn’t changed. She’s still lonely and very single. Is she destined for spinsterhood?
Grateful his parents anglicized the family surname after emigrating to the US after the Great War, first-generation German-American Ray Fisher has done all he can to hide his heritage. He’s made it through this second “war to end all wars,” but what American woman would want to marry into a German family?
A COUNTERFEIT BETROTHAL
At the farthest Georgia outpost this side of hostile Creek Territory, Jared Lockridge serves his country as a scout to redeem his father’s botched heritage. Then he comes across a burning cabin and a traumatized woman just widowed by a fatal shot. Lame in one foot, Esther has always known she is secondhand goods, but the gentle carpenter-turned-scout draws out her heart… though his is already pledged to another. His family’s love offers hope even as violence erupts along the frontier—and Jared’s investigation into local incidents brings danger to their doorstep.
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THE LAMP
Will God hear their cries and grant them a future together, or will deadly occurrences tear them apart forever?
England, 1849. Beatrice Beckwith is an orphaned young lady living with her aunt. On the brink of her deepest wish coming true, her plans unexpectedly collapse. Then, a startling discovery and an outbreak of cholera set in motion a series of catastrophic events, plunging her into even bleaker darkness.
Isaac Taylor is forced to leave Miss Beckwith just as he's arranged a meeting to propose. His deceased great-uncle's derelict house needs restoration. But dust is not his only enemy, and a web of secrets soon entangles him.
Kept apart against their wills, Beatrice and Isaac must navigate deadly illness, family deception, and scheming neighbours, yearning for the time they’ll be reunited. But as they each face their darkest moments, they’ll endure more devastation than ever before.
Can joy once again be found, or will dangerous circumstances extinguish its light—and their very lives?
A prestigious art exhibition becomes a horrific spectacle when a murder sends an art curator and professor hunting for a highly sought-after painting.
Will Jamie Holbrook and Dr. Alessandro Mariani stop powerful organized crime figures before the painting is lost forever, and with it, a two-thousand-year-old secret more valuable than the prized artwork? Jamie will need courage to face her worst nightmares from a painful past in Cleveland, Ohio and the preserving faith of Alessandro's ancestors to heal her wounded heart.
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SOLVE BY CHRISTMAS
When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.
“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”
Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.
As the incidents at the factory become life-threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?
Debbie Lynne Costello is the author of Sword of Forgiveness, Amazon's #1 seller for Historical Christian Romance. She has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She writes in the medieval/renaissance period as well as 19th century. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina with their 4 dogs, 4 horses, miniature donkey, and 12 ducks. Life is good! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-lynne-costello
Cindy Kay Stewart, a retired high school social studies teacher, writes stories of hope, steeped in love, and anchored in faith. Her manuscripts have won the Touched by Love Award, the First Impressions contest, and the Sandra Robbins Inspirational Writing Award. They've also finaled in the Maggie Award of Excellence and the Cascade Awards, and semi-finaled in the Genesis contest. Cindy is passionate about revealing God’s handiwork in history. She resides in North Georgia with her college sweetheart and husband of forty-two years. Her daughter, son-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren live nearby. Cindy’s currently writing a series set in WWII Europe. https://www.facebook.com/cindykstewartauthor
Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor's wife, Naomi Craig loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube and helps facilitate Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dog to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day. https://naomicraig.com
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A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky-clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching writers at any stage of their manuscript. www.donnaschlachter.com
Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance from her home in North Georgia and also serves as a freelance editor and the Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books. A wife and mother of two daughters, she always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses. https://www.deniseweimerbooks.com
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Edwina Kiernan is the Christian author of six novels, four of which are award-winning. An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination and research in hope-infused tales set in times past. She is a committed follower of Jesus (the Living Word), and endeavors to use her pen to point others to Him. When she’s not writing, Edwina loves spending time with her dashing husband and lively little son, reading and studying the Bible, getting lost in a captivating novel and drinking more types of tea than most people realize even exist. Get a free book when you sign up for Edwina’s newsletter here: https://edwinakiernan.com/freebook
Donna worked as a communications professional before turning to full-time writing. Her short stories and articles have appeared in Focus on the Family Magazine, Standard Publishing, LIVE Magazine, and a devotional for mothers and daughters. She has two indie-published contemporary suspense books, Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor available at Amazon. She also contributes her monthly blog to Heroes, Heroines and History. Donna lives in Colorado with her husband of thirty-nine years, and they serve in ministries at her local church. They bike, travel, kayak, and love spending time with their grandchildren. www.donnawichelman.com/blog
Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".
She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!
All of the books sound amazing! Some New to me Authors. For all the Authors Who Inspired you to be a writer? Sarahbaby601973(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi, Sarah. My high school English teacher and authors Janette Oke and Bodie Thoene inspired me to write.
DeleteHi Sarah! Your question is a great one. I’m the cliché writer. When asked the question, “When did you start writing?” I’ve always said, “I’ve been writing all my life—at least since my first stories appeared in my elementary school newspaper.” I have the ditto-run copies to prove it. But fast forward to when I attended an international high school in the U.K. where I focused on English Literature and discovered a love for the classics—Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, Emily Brontë, and Victor Hugo, to name a few. I wanted to emulate them--—write stories that touch the human soul. At least that's my goal.
DeleteHi Sarah! Thanks for your question. I would have to point to Gilbert Morris as my inspiration. His books are what made me fall in love with historical fiction and made me want to write it.
DeleteHey Sarah! I am with Amber, Gilbert Morris was the first author who inspired me. Marylu Tyndall pushed me through to do it. I went to journalism school for a year of college so it's been in my blood for a long time.
DeleteHey Sarah, I think beyond the Lord's prompting, my daughter (maybe 7 at the time??) just told everyone I was writing a book. Even the dental hygienist😂 so encouraging to keep going
DeleteHi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by to comment. I was inspired to be an author when I was a teenager and read Betty's Smith A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
ReplyDeleteWow! My mind is blown by all of the diversity of these books! For any author who cares to answer, what inspired you to participate in this blog?
ReplyDeleteOops...email.....bcrugATtwcDOTcom
DeleteHi, Connie! I was looking for a group blog where I could share WWII stories. When an opening became available on HHHistory, a writer friend forwarded the announcement to me, and I applied. That was eight years ago!
DeleteHi Connie! I'm relatively new to this blog, having started March 4th of 2023. But like Cindy, I write historical romance and slip-time novels, and I was looking for a blog where I could share my stories and the real history behind them.
DeleteGreat question, Connie. I found the blog during a Google search and immediately wanted to be a part. I loved the historical fiction theme that is celebrated by this blog.
DeleteI love history and I knew a lot of authors who felt the same way. I just had a crazy idea to start a blog that authors could share some of the research they did. And it has been 11 years ago now!
DeleteI had been following the blog because of my love of history, and when the group blog I was on folded, I asked to join. When they had an opening, I got in! I love this group, and I learn so much.
DeleteHi Connie, great question! I love interacting on the blog. It's a great way to share research tidbits that double as getting the word out about my next book! I love sharing Biblical information!
DeleteThank you all for answering. One of the things I love most about this blog is your efforts to connect with the blog followers/readers.
DeleteFor all authors, what is the first story you remember writing? The lineup for this HHH party is more than wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLuvthotsATgmailDOTcom
LOL! I wrote a story (along with some poems) and created my first paperback book in second grade. I can't remember what the story was about, but one of these days I'm going to find the book when I finish unpacking. :)
DeleteHi Roxanne,
DeleteThe first story I remember writing was an allegorical tale about a princess. Lol. I think I was 14 or 16 years old at the time.
I was 8 and wrote a story about a platypus. My mom saved all those stories I wrote and gave them to me about 8 years ago.
DeleteHi Roxanne! Like Debbie Lynne, I was about eight years old, and I wrote What Happened When the Centipede Gave a Puppet Show. :-)
DeleteHi Roxanne! Thanks for your question. I've been writing since I was in elementary school. But the first real story I wrote as an adult in college was a romantic suspense called Dangerous Love. I got an A- on it but never did anything with it. I've matured a lot in my writing since then.
ReplyDeleteHello Fabulous Authors! What do each of you most enjoy about writing?
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
Hi Caryl! That's a great question. I love creating a story people want to read. But I also love the craft of writing--creating the words on a page that are fresh and bring a vivid image to mind for the reader. When I've been able to come up with a new way of saying something, I feel like it's been a good day.
DeleteI enjoy sharing about real events from history with my make-believe characters.
DeleteI love making the story come alive in my head! Its fun to guide a story but even more fun when the story takes you places you had never thought of!
DeleteI love shining the light on the incredible women of history, so I typically base my story on some event or person.
DeleteHi Caryl i love seeing people and events in the Bible and wondering why each person mentioned in the Bible (sometimes only one verse!) did what they did or made the choice that is recorded in the scripture
DeleteHi wonderful ladies!! Naomi, I have a question. How do you write Biblical Fiction? How have you found to stay true to the biblical account, ye still expound on it? That is a question I often ponder for biblical fiction😊 sarahdar0801@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! Great question! I have always absorbed the tidbits and trivia that are tucked into the scriptures. The Bible is the first source of research. Then it's fun to look at what is historically documented about the era. Even jewish traditions. once I have that rounded out, I look into culture of the time. The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun, so I figure that applies to people and their behaviors/triggers/struggles/ joys. I am a visual learner, so even watching something like The Chosen (though there were no cameras of course in the Bible) helps me to get away from the modern conveniences and imagine how life could have been for these people mentioned in the Bible
DeleteNaomi or Donna 1. How doe you chose which persons to feature? 2. are you planning on writing more stories about more early church people? lauraine1951@ yahoo,com
ReplyDeleteHi Lauraine! Hmm let's see... I THINK the story goes, We decided to work together, and I think Donna chose first<---because she's on top of it like that. The way I chose Ananias and Barnabas was praying and reading to find who had stories to tell. Yes! next year we will do a sequel. Barnabas will get an extension on my end
DeleteHow long have you all been writing? Charissawisler@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've been writing stories since I was a child. My parents gave me a notepad when I was around 7 or 8 years old.
DeleteI've been seriously writing fiction since 2012.
DeleteI've been seriously writing since the mid-2000s.
DeleteI've been writing books since 2008. What a journey it has been!
DeleteHi Charissa, I believe I started writing in 2017? It took a LONG time for me to finish Rahab's Courage and it was ready to be shared
DeleteQUESTION: On behalf of Licha Haney who hasn't been able to log in: "Who has been your hardest character to write about and why was that?"
ReplyDeleteProbably the hardest character I had to write was Fergus Rafferty in Dial V for Valentine. He is in the military, and I have no experience with that, so I had to do LOTS of research.
DeleteI would say it was King Richard in my last Medieval, Sword of Truth. In attempting to stay true to history, one hopes they get a good idea of the person's personality.
DeleteHi Licha! my hardest character was She'erah from 1 Chronicles 7:24. We only see 1 verse in the Bible about her (5 about her immediate family) She was a big dreamer, a determined Bossy (is that mean? it felt bossy to me) lady who was certain her way was the only right way
DeleteWriting about my female protagonist, Irena, was the hardest because her personality is different from mine. Thinking like her instead of like me was a challenge.
DeleteThis is for anyone: Do you prefer to work with sound or no sound while writing?
ReplyDeleteI've always liked silence. But I recently moved to an office and the person across the hall from me talks very loudly when on the phone so I started listening to music to drown him out. I actually enjoy it! The music, not George talking loudly. lol
DeleteIt varies. Depending on what I'm writing I'll have instrumental praise music, a hebrew musical group or a Hans Zimmer playlist
DeleteI need quiet or "white noise" when I write. There's a YouTube channel of ocean wave sounds, and if there's noise in the house while I'm writing, I put on headphones and listen to that.
DeleteI write much faster and with more emotion if I listen to orchestral music (without words) while writing.
DeleteErralee, that's a good question. Like Linda, I like quiet or white noise, otherwise I get distracted too easily.
DeleteHello, authors, I love the wide range of subjects in your books. Have any of you started writing about one certain era or event and, in the midst of your research, been completely diverted to something else?
ReplyDeletecps1950ATgmailDOTcom
Hey Connie, I definitely have had my characters lead in places and down roads I hadn't planned on. It's really a strange thing. As you try to get into your character something you had planned on taking place suddenly gives you pause because you realize they wouldn't do that and then you see what they would do and they take you down that path.
DeleteHi Connie! SO many rabbit holes to get lost in! It's pretty cool to see all the "technology" the ancients had, but probably not entirely necessary to the current story😂
DeleteLike Naomi says, there are so many rabbit holes, but I tend to stick to my story outline. If I find something especially intriguing, I'll make a note of it or print the research page and decide if this information deserves it's own story.
DeleteInteresting question. Because I write in the WWII time period, and there's a wealth of research from that era, I haven't been tempted to diverge from it. However, once I started researching for Abounding Hope, I realized that the Poland-Hungary angle needed a full story by itself and not just be the first part of the book.
DeleteIt's incredibly easy to go down rabbit holes, because I'm a closet research addict :) But seriously, I love history and can get lost in it. My current manuscript is 1870s mining community in Colorado, but I'm also interested in WWII and 17th century. My next project will be a slip-time (dual timeline) novel takes place in France in WWII and contemporary time in the United States and France.
Delete