About the Book

Book: Freed by the Frontier

Authors: Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman.

From quaint civilized towns to treacherous mountain passes and wilderness villages, three couples navigate cultural divisions, overcome past wounds, and face deadly dangers to discover that love knows no boundaries. But as war clouds gather and ancient tribal alliances shift, will their newfound relationships survive the coming storm? Or will the clash of worlds tear them apart?

Three unforgettable romances prove that God’s greatest blessings often come disguised as our greatest challenges, and that true love can bridge any divide.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

 Freed by the Frontier by is a compilation of historical fiction by Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth and Susan F. Craft. These stories are tied together by the unimaginable strength of the remarkable women in these stories.

What you might need to know:

These are not warm and fluffy stories, they contain hard and sometimes harsh views of the reality of the westward expansion of America including the abduction of European Americans by Native Americans. While the authors did a wonderful job of crafting the characters in the stories some readers may need to be aware of these themes.

What I think about these books:

This collection introduced me to a new author, Sherry Shindelar, author of Wichita Path Sacrifice. Set in the 1850’s this book features Maggie, Eyes-Like-Sky , a Texan who has been captured and made a slave by a Comanche family whose son had been killed by settlers. It also features Comanche warrior Dancing Eagle who sees Eyes- Like- Sky as more than a slave. Shindelar has written a wonderful novella that captured my attention and has me looking forward to the next book by her.

Denise Farnsworth wrote Ofuskee Trail Surrender,  which features Keturah Caldwell, who is taken captive and Wildcat, a creek who is looking to find his own place in his tribe. I loved getting  more of Keturah’s story.  I also love the quote that was told to her at the beginning of the story, “ You set your course in life by how you rise to hardship”.  I really enjoyed this story as I have others by Farnsworth. I can’t wait to read what she gives readers next.

Susan F Craft once again took readers along the Great Wagon trail in Wagon Road Serenade. Set in 1754 this story features Elizabeth Stanton,a divorcee  who is hoping for a new start in the colonies and James Morgan. When times get hard on the trail both realise that they may have been wrong about each other.  It was so nice to be back on the Wagon Road, I don’t know that I will ever grow tired of stories from it.

This was a great collection with varied stories, however I would not recommend this to younger or sensitive readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Authors

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry loves to take her readers into the past. A romantic at heart, she is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2025 Maggie winner, 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of forty-one years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. Connect with Sherry at sherryshindelar.com.

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

Nationally acclaimed writer of inspirational historical romance, Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in communications. A widow who was married 48 years to her high school sweetheart, she has two adult children, one granddaughter, and a granddog. A history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, and sitting on her porch watching chipmunks dine from her bird feeder. She recently learned how to play the ukulele. Soli Deo Gloria

More from the Authors

Imagine a time when the U.S. not far from the coast was unsettled wilderness. Where brave settlers faced the challenges of isolation and nature as they established a toehold of civilization. Where multiple nations clashed in battle as they vied for control of land and waterways.

This setting seeded with inherent danger and wild beauty calls to those of us who write frontier historical romances from the 1700s and 1800s. Three of us from Wild Heart Books—Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, and Susan Craft—came together to pen a trio of novellas, Freed by the Frontier. Each of our stories connects to one of our previous series, but each novella can be read independently. We invite you to journey with us back to rugged mountains, wagon roads, and frontier settlements.

Wichita Path Sacrifice by Sherry Shindelar

The frontier has always captured my imagination. It is a place of hope and hardship, new beginnings and trials, dreams and risk, and in my stories, a place where love is forged. My novella is the prequel to Texas Forsaken, Book One in my Lone Star Redemption series. Wichita Path Sacrifice tells the love story of captive Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) and Dancing Eagle, a renowned Comanche warrior. The story is set in Comancheria in the 1850’s when the Comanches ruled the southern Plains and settlers entered the Texas frontier at their own risk. Years ago, the real-life story of Cynthia Ann Parker broke my heart. Cynthia was captured by Comanches at age nine, and lived with them for twenty-four years, married, and had children. When she was eventually recaptured by cavalry and Texas Rangers, she wanted nothing to do with the settlers’ world. Her heart belonged to the Comanche and her husband and children who were lost to her. Cynthia’s story had a sad ending that haunted me. I wanted to write a captive story with a happier ending, and that desire led to Texas Forsaken. The prequel, Wichita Path Sacrifice, inspired by the real-life stories of Cynthia Ann Parker and her cousin Rachel Plummer, is an enemy-to-lovers story of love blossoming in the midst of trials, when it seems all hope is gone. It’s a story of choices between paths. Love requires sacrifice. Eyes-Like-Sky and Dancing Eagle must decide how much they’re willing to let go of and risk if they are to claim the dreams of their heart.

Ofuskee Trail Surrender by Denise Farnsworth

Keturah Caldwell disappeared from A Counterfeit Betrothal, the first book of my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier series. Pledged to wed the hero of that novel, the daughter of a Georgia judge  was abducted by thieves and sold to a war party of Creek braves. One of them, known as Wildcat, quietly protects her on the journey to his village in present-day Alabama. Keturah soon learns she has more in common with the adopted son of the micco than she would ever have guessed. When his cruel stepbrother turns his sights on Keturah and her younger sister, Keturah is forced to trust Wildcat in a marriage of convenience, though she vows to convince him to help them escape. They grow from enemies to lovers amid the War of 1812, as she learns that sometimes, greater blessings can come from abiding than from escaping.

Keturah also meets another captive, Susannah Moore, heroine of A Contrary Betrothal (formerly released as Bent Tree Bride), coming August 18 of this year.

Wagon Road Serenade by Susan F. Craft

An enemies-to-lovers historical romance, this novella is set in1754 on the Great Wagon Road spanning from Philadelphia, PA, to Augusta, GA. I wrote this novella as a complement to my three-novel Great Wagon Road series.

Elizabeth Stanton, her reputation marred from an injustice in London, seeks a second chance as a music teacher for a women’s academy in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She joins a wagon train, but scarred from her past, she vows never to rely on a man again. James Morgan, a widowed trapper, hears a vile rumor about Elizabeth and regrets agreeing to drive one of the academy’s wagons. To Elizabeth, James is another charming scoundrel. To James, Elizabeth is a tainted woman to be avoided. Both resist a growing attraction. James admires her willingness to help others. Her soft soprano voice fills the nights with a melancholy sweetness. Had he received false information and misjudged? Elizabeth tries to remain indifferent, but when he saves her and an orphan girl after Indians kidnap them, her heart softens.

Will his gentle treatment erase her misgivings? Can she trust him? Will their hearts reject discord and blend into a serenade of love?

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 13

Texas Book-aholic, July 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 16

Lyssa Loves Books, July 17

lakesidelivingsite, July 17

Guild Master, July 18 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 19

Cover Lover Book Review, July 20

Simple Harvest Reads, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 22

Fiction Book Lover, July 23 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 24

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Wild Heart Authors aare giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/7zZDM/freed-by-the-frontier-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Mabel and the Privy of Doom

Author: Susan Kimmel Wright

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: March 5, 2026

Mabel plans to bring the joys of volunteering to the masses…if she doesn’t fall victim to an ancient curse first.

Mabel has previously encountered dead bodies while volunteering—but she never imagined she’d run afoul of a legendary curse. Until now…

A university archeology team has come to excavate an old privy on the grounds of the Thompson estate, home of Medicine Spring’s first white settler. They hope to retrieve items of historic interest, but rumors of lost treasure and dark curses swirl around the project.

Mabel has joined the dig as a volunteer, despite her reluctance to touch anything collected from the ancient outhouse pit. It doesn’t take long however, before she realizes a few dirt-encrusted artifacts are the least of her worries.

She doesn’t believe in curses, but accidents and misfortune plague team members—including Mabel herself. She begins to wonder if there might be some truth in the old stories. When a body turns up on the site, it appears the curse has transformed from local legend to deadly reality. Will Mabel be its next victim?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan Kimmel Wright began her life of mystery in childhood, with reading. That led her to writing kids’ mysteries and eventually to Medicine Spring with Mabel. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Susan’s also a prolific writer of personal experience stories, many for Chicken Soup for the Soul. She shares an 1875 farmhouse in southwestern PA with her husband, several dogs and cats, and an allegedly excessive stockpile of coffee and tea mugs.

More from Susan

I suspect it takes a somewhat warped sense of humor to write a book called Mabel and the Privy of Doom. In fact, I’m afraid this entire series may someday be Exhibit A when my kids decide I need a guardian—but meanwhile I’m having fun!

Mabel and the Privy of Doom was a joy to write, combining my love of mysteries, screwball humor, American history, lost treasure, and ancient curses. It all started when I first learned about historic outhouses or privies.

I discovered the Homewood privy (c. 1801) in Baltimore on a walkabout near Johns Hopkins University. Part of the Declaration of Independence signer John Carroll of Carrollton estate, this handsome brick building has been well maintained over the centuries and has its own historic plaque! (No, not “John Carroll Sat Here!”) Yet another high-profile privy excavation has been performed in patriot Paul Revere’s back yard in Massachusetts in recent years.

Archeologists often learn a great deal from excavating old outhouses, just from examining objects thrown away or accidentally dropped in the privy pit. Even privy pits on humble farmsteads or in modest back yards reveal a lot about family circumstances and daily life. Artifacts such as old bottles, coins, and broken pottery commonly surface.

Growing up, I was fortunate(?) enough have an outhouse on our rural, western Pennsylvania family property. My father, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, built our house himself after returning from World War II. Because the work took a long time, he also built an outhouse for use during the construction period, before plumbing was connected.

My father (perhaps I got my wacky sense of humor from him) added a “Sanitary Inspected Restroom” sign on the door. It now graces the wall of our powder room.

            The outhouse survived for most of my childhood. Because our water supply came from a spring that occasionally went dry during a summer drought, we were occasionally forced to resort to the old privy. Luckily, these occasions were rare and typically brief, but I’ll admit I prayed fervently for rain.

Interview with the Author

• What does success as an author look like to you?
  At this point in my career, I’m not looking for literary awards, financial success, or bestseller status. Success for me in providing my readers with a respite from life’s struggles. I want them to come home to my fictional village of Medicine Spring, kick off their shoes, get caught up in the story, and find themselves laughing a lot. While I do hope my stories have underlying moral value, the readers I most often think about are dealing with family issues, financial problems, grief, cancer treatments, and all the other things that wake us up at night.

  Nothing brings me more satisfaction than the people who tell me they’ve found comfort from my books during a dark time. I’ve been incredibly touched by those who tell me they’ve read the entire series more than once. What could possibly mean more than that?

• Which character did you connect to best in this book?
  It probably comes as no surprise that I connect most closely with my main character Mabel. Like her, I’m a former lawyer, hopefully good-hearted though socially awkward, very attached to my late grandma, have dogs and a cat, and live in an old Victorian farmhouse that is far from a showplace. Sadly, I can’t eat like Mabel, who is—to put it as kindly as possible—a bit of a chowhound. Also sadly (but probably for the better), I don’t wander into thrilling mysteries everywhere I go!
• What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?
  I have many, but 2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESB) is particularly precious to me as a writer: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
• What is your vacation spot?
  I have several favorites, and I hesitate to pick one or two, because my brain keeps clamoring, “But what about…?” One of my favorites has been Key West, FL, which I’m thinking about right now because dear friends have been spending a week or so there every spring for years, and have returned fairly recently from this year’s trip. A few years ago, my husband and I drove down to enjoy it with them, and I’ve longed to go back.

  I love the quirkiness, the romantic atmosphere, Cuban coffee and food, Key lime pie, and all the resident chickens running about in the streets. We visited Hemingway’s house, where I enjoyed absorbing the very place where he did his writing (and petted the six-toed descendants of his six-toed cat!). Another thrill for me because of my love of American history was visiting
  President Truman’s Little White House, which has been preserved nearly perfectly, right down to the “The Buck Stops Here” on his desk!

• Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.
  In good weather, I like to write on my screen porch and watch the seasons change. I look out on our back yard and adjacent pony pasture, which these days is an overgrown tangle of tall grasses and native wildflowers like butterfly weed and joe-pye. Forsythia bloom in the spring, and the oaks and maple turn red and gold in the fall. The porch also furnishes terrific writing
  atmosphere—with thunderstorms creating drama, and fog to lend mystery.

In the morning, I can hear the birds sing. We have a wide variety, including cardinals, song sparrows, titmice, and towhees. Later in the day, especially before or after a rain, come the lovely, liquid melodies of the wood thrush. Sometimes, we get an entire flock of turkeys—around April, the turkey menfolk love to strut their stuff and fan their tails for their unimpressed lady friends.

This time of year, robins hop about, pecking for earthworms, our resident bunny comes out to browse in late afternoon, and often a deer grazes at the edge of the yard (making my dogs lose their minds while the deer scarcely looks up). Honestly, with all this going on, the real mystery is
how I ever get anything written at all!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L, July 10

Texas Book-aholic, July 11

Simple Harvest Reads, July 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 14

The Avid Reader, July 15

Artistic Nobody, July 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 17

Guild Master, July 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 19

Holly’s Book Corner, July 20

Fiction Book Lover, July 21 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, July 22 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 22

Lily’s Corner, July 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book of the winner’s choice from my series, Mysteries of Medicine Spring!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/vkE9E/mabel-and-the-privy-of-doom-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Thalia in Exile

Author: Allen Brokken with Thalia Schertzer

Genre: Middlegrade Christian Fantasy

Release Date: June 26, 2026

Thalia never expected to be taken. But the Darkness has plans of its own.

When the dreaded Steele Brothers and their Giant allies raid her home at midnight, Thalia and her friends are forced on a harrowing journey to the mysterious academy at Emohnomed. Like the young men of Judah chosen for the King of Babylon’s service, they are dragged towards a land of shadowed luxury to learn the language and literature of a culture that serves the Darkness.

Thalia finds brief respite aboard a luxurious train. But when Headmistress Imogen adds a “gift from the bishop” to the students’ punch, Thalia’s keen senses catch the putrescent smell of a counterfeit light. Clinging to the Good Book she smuggled into her bag, she refuses the smoke-laced food that turns friends into unthinking foes. In a world of beautiful lies, Thalia must stand firm against false accusations and prove that the only true strength comes from the Light that cannot be tainted.

Because this isn’t just about escaping her captors. It’s about saving the people who no longer know they need to be saved.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age-appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off on their own adventures, he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media.

Thalia Shertzerr is a dedicated writer whose Christian faith is the central part of her life and the heart of her storytelling. Outside of writing, she has a strong interest in science and hopes to pursue a future career in clinical medicine. Thalia balances her time between her academic goals, her faith, and her love for reading and capturing moments through the lens of her camera.

More from Allen

Two years ago, I was overwhelmed with the production schedule I’d made for myself after the Towers of Light series was completed.  I had a vision for three new series. First, I was trying my hand at writing a picture book with everyone’s favorite kitten, Meow Meow, as the hero. I also had a mind for an early chapter book series that was classic frontier boy hijinks, think Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn, but was an exploration of the fruits of the spirit that boys could relate to.  Finally, I had a series that had the classic Victorian elements of a boarding school for girls, but set in the war-torn landscape of the Heathlands.  I wanted to retell the story of Daniel’s exile to Babylon and the lessons we learn about following our conscience and persevering in a world with ungodly values.

For the first two, I had a collaborator who helped make the story real, but I just didn’t seem to have the time for the third.  I had an outline and overall concept that tied the story in nicely to Spring Fields from the Towers of Light series, but there was no way I could really sit down and write it as well as everything else.

Then an email landed in my inbox written by Thalia Shertzer, an 11-year-old homeschooler from Canada.  She had been a fan from the beginning, and her family was a huge supporter of my work.  Thalia asked me if I needed any help writing for the Towers of Light world.  I immediately knew that this was a match made in heaven.  I wanted to write a story about a girl around her age, and now I had a girl who wanted to write a story.  We met on a video call a few days later, and I laid out the “flight plan” for what would become Thalia in Exile.  I’m really looking forward to this tour, where we’re being interviewed together to talk about our adventure in writing!

Interview with the Author

• What inspired this book?

After the Towers of Light series was completed, I wanted to explore more of the world I’d created.  I had opened the idea that there was an evil school out east and thought it might be interesting to explore having children taken off to that school to become disciples of the darkness.  In many ways, it felt like a way to retell the stories from the book of Daniel, so that’s the approach I took when sketching it out, but then I shelved it for lack of time.  Then my biggest fan from Canada reached out and asked if I wanted help writing something.  So I pulled it off the shelf, and we worked on it together.

• Which author influenced the you most?

Brandon Sanderson, as his course on writing science fiction and fantasy taught me so much about the craft. Wayne Thomas Batson and Morgan L Busse are a close second for their examples of weaving faith into the story in a masterful way

• What is your vacation spot?

I love an ocean beach.  Just sitting and watching the waves makes for a great vacation day.

• Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

I have a three monitor setup when I write.  My laptop screen at the bottom, my main screen above it, both in horizontal mode as you’d expect.  Then I have a third monitor that is vertical, like your smartphone.  This really helps rearrange text to make sure things land where you want them.

• If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

The Bible.  I’ve read it through a number of times and every time I gain something new from it. You can never get bored with a book like that.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, July 3 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, July 4 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 5 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 7

Blossoms and Blessings, July 8 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 8

Stories By Gina, July 9 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, July 10 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, July 11

Guild Master, July 12

Fiction Book Lover, July 13 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, July 14 (Author Interview)

Books, Books, & More Books, July 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 17 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/DMYZO/thalia-in-exile-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Quest of Fire: The Unending Light

Author: Brett Armstrong

Genre: Christian, High Fantasy

Release Date: December 30, 2025

War has consumed the Lowlands in both Jason and Anargen’s eras. Each teen struggles to keep true to the Quest as the armies led by the dark powers of the Lowlands edge closer to victory.

A secret buried in Ordumair can guarantee that evil Monarch Ilyron destroys the Tower of Light Anargen has striven to defend. And Jason’s brother, Dorian, has found an equally powerful weapon in the mysterious land of Jhi. The ancient threat of dragons returning to the Lowlands threatens to plunge the Lowlands into ruin.

Losses that leave both teens grieving deeply and an ever-diminishing list of allies means they must be willing to give everything to rescue their world from the looming desolation. But they must face the truth that it is still far too little to win, unless they can hold on till the King’s Day arrives.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow’s Edge series), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire saga). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

More from Brett

Quest of Fire is a story told across seven books that took twenty years of dreaming and drafting. A story about the High King, who is a reflection of the King of Kings and the great story He has composed in which we are all taking part. Our God is described as “a consuming fire”*, a fire that also refines us and is shaping us into His likeness. My hope with the Quest of Fire series is that after reading it that fire has caught and blazes in the reader’s heart and gives them the courage to stand firm. Because Quest of Fire is filled with moments in which a vast, terrible darkness seems certain to crush a small group bravely bearing up that light, and they must choose to stand firm no matter the cost. The final entry in the series, The Unending Light, picks up that theme and sees it to its harrowing end with epic battles fought across a world built with rich, immersive detail. Heart warming and rending moments take place that just as much as the dramatic and sweeping conflicts force the protagonists to face the dark and choose whether they will remain in the light and see the Quest of Fire to the end or turn back and flee like so many others around them. So my hope is that others will read and join in the Quest of Fire, because even though it is fraught and hope is fragile, there is one truth that both the protagonists of The Unending Light and we need cling to: “the darkness has not overcome the Light.”** This story, like the great story, is about Him.

* Hebrews 12:29

** John 1:5

Interview with the Author

1. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

For a time, it was all difficult to write. Never mind the number of intensely emotional scenes that are interspersed with battles that range from enormous campaigns to single combat. Nor the distances and diversity of the cultures that had to be traversed and feel real and fascinating and organic. I felt such enormous pressure all around to make this book everything it needed to be: an epic, satisfying conclusion not only for readers six books into the series but to me who had been writing this series to some degree since high school. Twenty years for me, seven years for readers. Thousands of story years for the protagonists. It all weighed so heavily on me. I prayed a lot about this book, asking the Lord to do more with it than what I could in my limitations and insufficiencies. My desire is to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand and though I bring a lot of quirks and inadequacies in my bristles that could hamper what He makes, I feel certain He can and did answer those prayers with something far better than I could make on my own.

2. Which author influenced the you most?

That’s a very good question and on first blush I’m not sure I know the answer myself. I suppose most people who read Quest of Fire are quick to pick up on JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis as having greatly influenced me. But there’s also William Shakespeare who directly influenced me and also influenced Tolkien and Lewis. It feels like perhaps he’s more an influence because of the additive weight of direct and indirect influence. Taking that a step further, no doubt Shakespeare to some degree had to be influenced by the Arthurian legends—particularly by Thomas Malory. That seems like it would be an even greater degree of compounding of direct and indirect impacts on my writing. So, I suppose if we keep following the chain that way, ultimately, the question of which author most influenced me is the same as for all of those who came before me. If you look at Scripture from beginning to end and realize it is in fact a narrative, a true one, filled with foreshadowing and parallelism and arcs and motifs and themes that are so masterfully shaped across thousands of years, multiple books, and through the lens of so many cultures yet understandable in every language and to seeking hearts the world over—God, the Great Author, is undeniably my greatest influence. And as a Christian author the One Whom I seek to imitate even if I’ll never achieve even a preschooler’s recreation of their parent’s work by comparison.

3. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

I would say that John 10:27-30 has been my favorite set of verses ever since I first began following Christ.  

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” 

There’s enormous comfort there in terms of knowing that no one, even me, can thwart what the Lord is doing in my life. I’m His workmanship and He shapes me like a potter an earthen vessel, but He does it with the tenderness of a shepherd caring for His sheep. Even the dumb, wayward kind such as myself. Also encapsulated in this is a declaration of Who Christ is, Who God is, and the reality that God cannot and will not ever be overcome. That makes for a hope that doesn’t wear out or end. The very kind of hope we need in our ever so dark and broken world. It calls to mind earlier in John’s Gospel (chp. 1, vss. 4-5):  

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 

Which is itself an example of how Scripture leads you to Scripture and reminds us that it is all one grand design by the LORD.

4. If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

Apart from Scripture, if I had to choose one book, I would probably snag one of the collections of all the Narnia books together. I don’t necessarily like or agree with everything in them (the wild Bacchus scene in Prince Caspian is still…um, a bit weird for me), but there’s so much deep truth in simple packaging in it. And such beautiful pictures of Christ through Aslan and Heaven through Aslan’s Country. I find myself reading and re-reading them and relishing each time I visit Narnia.

I suppose a more practical answer would be some kind of survivalist guide that could help with getting off the island, or even Hatchet/The Cay/Robinson Crusoe for thinking through the complexities of surviving there. But there’s more to living than surviving, so yeah, I think if I had to be stuck on a deserted island with one fiction book, The Chronicles of Narnia collected would be the one for me.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, July 9 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, July 10 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, July 11 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 12

Fiction Book Lover, July 13 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, July 14 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, July 15

Vicky Sluiter, July 16 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 17 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 17

For the Love of Literature, July 18 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, July 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 20 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, July 21 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, July 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 22

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, an eBook copy of The Unending Light, exclusive digital map poster, and series theme music!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/EgmVf/quest-of-fire-the-unending-light-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE

Author: EJ Ashmore

Genre: Biblical Fiction/young adult

Release Date: October 15, 2025

Sixteen-year-old Eliza has accepted life as a Hebrew slave in Egypt, never to be seen, heard, or loved. After all, she has it good, working alongside her sister for the wealthy Ameneten family. Though unworthy of love, she is free to love others, and she loves her master’s oldest son, Seti (unbeknownst to him).

Only when Moses returns to the land of Egypt to free his people is she emboldened to pray to the ancient God her mother used to speak of, and she prays for the love of Seti, but only if he first rejects his gods and falls for the Hebrew God.

As the God of gods hardens Pharaoh’s heart, He softens Seti’s and pursues him with a love Seti has never known, while also shining His face on Eliza who learns she is indeed worthy of love.

This is the Exodus as told from both Eliza and Seti as a love story between God and His people, God and Seti, and Seti and Eliza.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

EJ Ashmore, a mother, wife, and a nurse, only wrote for fun as a teenager. Once babies and college got in the way, she stopped, but she also no longer wanted to write unless it was for God. When her son was 15 and trying to grapple with why God would harden Pharaoh’s heart, then punish him, she took to writing again. Best to show him rather than explain it. But then Joel Richardson’s SINAI TO ZION came out, and she fell in love with how the whole exodus and wilderness scenario was God’s love story- from pursuit, winning the love of the people, to betrothal, complete with a wedding supper which has yet to happen. It’s a literal play-by-play of the ancient Jewish wedding customs, but so is Christianity. Not only that, but human marriage was designed to reflect God’s desired relationship with His people.

This became EJ’s passion: to demonstrate this in a story for young people, as is to reach the average teenager who feels unworthy of God’s (or anybody’s) love.

FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE comes from Exodus 9:16 and is EJ’s debut novel.

More from EJ

When Lisa Phillip’s son was 15 and trying to grapple with why God would harden Pharaoh’s heart, then punish him for it, she took to writing. Best to show him rather than explain it. But then Joel Richardson’s SINAI TO ZION came out, and she fell in love with how the whole exodus and wilderness scenario was God’s love story—from pursuit, winning the love of the people, to betrothal, complete with a wedding supper which has yet to happen. It’s a literal play-by-play of the ancient Jewish wedding customs, but so is Christianity. Not only that, but human marriage was designed to reflect God’s desired relationship with His people.

This became Lisa’s passion: to demonstrate this in a story for young people, as is to reach the average teenager who feels unworthy of God’s (or anybody’s) love.

FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE comes from Exodus 9:16 and is Lisa’s debut novel. Since there is already a well-known author by the name of Lisa Phillips, a pen name was chosen.

Interview with the Author

1. Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Eliza is pretty much me as a teen. This is shown even more in the second book. She’s insecure, rash, and vulnerable, yet she hates these things about herself. She also feels unworthy of God’s attention. She’s dirty with frizzy curly hair, and not that pretty. But she’s in love with somebody way out of her league and who doesn’t love her God, and the boy doesn’t even know it. In fact, he humiliates her. Just like me as a teen.

2. What inspired this book?

Several things inspired me to write this. First, I love to imagine myself as an ordinary person in the Old Testament, especially in the Wilderness wanderings. I think people are too judgmental about the Israelites and how they acted, when to me, it’s just normal human depravity. I wanted to illustrate this with ordinary characters witnessing everything and going through the thought process and emotions people back then must have gone through, while also not being VIP’s (important people of that time or having the “inside” perspective of what was happening).

Joel Richardson’s book SINAI TO ZION helped me see the big picture of God’s love story for His people and how it is patterned after ancient Hebrew wedding customs. I fell in love with God and want others to see God the way I do.

The trigger for me to get writing was when my fifteen year old son struggled with the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. I struggled with this too as a teen, as well as my worthiness of God’s love. I feel like there is a deep need for this realization, especially among young people now days.

3. Which author influenced you the most?

Joel Richardson and Connilyn Cossette influenced me the most. I love Connilyn’s writing style. I aspire to write like her.

4. What is your vacation spot?

I love to be on a mountain or at the edge of the Pacific Ocean where there are minimal to zero people. I love the view and the intimacy I feel with God, places that make me feel small and God feel so big and beautiful. My character Seti also loves these.

5. If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

On a deserted island, I’d have to have the Bible. I know that sounds cliché, but it never gets old and you never stop learning new things in it. Specifically the Old Testament. It’s filled with revelations of God’s character, His reactions, His feelings, how He chooses people, How he loves people and redeems them. I love how He uses sarcasm, poetry, parables, and idioms specific to the people He’s speaking to. Also, the variety of books and writing styles in the Old Testament never gets old. From storytelling, instructions, poetry, individual prayers and lament, feeling like God is far away or being enraptured by God, and how every book contains the big picture. There’s just so much.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 8

Simple Harvest Reads, July 9 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 10

Artistic Nobody, July 11 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 12

Guild Master, July 13 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 14

Fiction Book Lover, July 15 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 16

The Bookish Ledger, July 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 17

The Bookish Pilgrim, July 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 20

Books Less Travelled, July 21 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, EJ is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/tMHcl/for-this-very-purpose-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Secrets of the Desert Rose

Author: Marilyn Turk

Genre: Dual Timeline

Release Date: February 24, 2026

Three Women. Two generations. Their friendship survived the war. Their secret survived even longer.

Monique and Audrey, one French and one British, grow up in French Algiers on the coast of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Best friends, they keep each other’s secrets into adulthood when World War II changes their world and Algiers sides with the Hitler-based Vichy government. Audrey joins Charles DeGaulle’s resistance army, the French Foreign Legion, while Monique stays to work in the underground resistance aiding the Allied invasion of North Africa.

In present day, American born great-granddaughter Nicole, a graduate student in archaeology, goes to North Africa for an internship. The now centenarian Monique (Mimi), debilitated by a stroke, urges her to find the Desert Rose. Nicole finds different types of desert roses, but none are the right one until she stumbles onto information that hints the desert rose might not be a flower after all. While Sami, her instructor in Algiers, helps her find the desert rose, he also has to protect her from people who want the heirloom ring Nicole wears which has its own secret.

Will Nicole find the secret before it’s too late?

Excerpt from the Book:

Prologue

North Africa, 1942

Was this the day she would die?

Audrey covered her helmet with her hands and burrowed facedown into the sand as another shell landed nearby, shaking the ground and showering her with one more layer of dust in her desert dugout. She spit out sand and turned her head to suck in a breath. The relentless ear-splitting booming and shelling from German Panzer tanks continued as if their supply of ammunition was infinite. Would any of her fellow soldiers survive this time? Concern for their safety, those who had become more like family were more important to her now than her own life. Maybe this would be her last moments on earth, a fitting end to the life she had chosen. What else did she have to lose?

Her mind flashed back to her best friend Monique and how they first met. Where was she now? No doubt someplace safe living out her protected life, enjoying the comforts of modern conveniences—something Audrey hadn’t experienced for quite some time. Not that she envied her friend. Monique’s life had always been more genteel than her own, and Audrey had long accepted their differences and the choices they’d made.

Missed an Excerpt? Go Here:

About the Author

Award-winning author Marilyn Turk has written over twenty historical and contemporary novels and novellas laced with suspense and romance. She especially likes writing World War II era books, and loves to discover information not widely known for her stories. In addition to fiction, Marilyn is also an annual contributor to Guideposts’ Walking in Grace and other Guideposts anthologies.

Marilyn enjoys helping other writers and founded the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers, AWSA, Word Weavers International and the United States Lighthouse Society.

Marilyn’s most recent books have been Secrets of the Desert Rose, The Escape Game set in World War II, and a novella, The Gilding of Minnie Tucker, set in The Gilded Age..

She and her husband Chuck have a blended family of four sons, one daughter and four grandsons whom they enjoy spending time with.  Marilyn and Chuck are lighthouse enthusiasts and have visited over 100 lighthouses in the United States and other countries. They also served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine. As a result of her interest in lighthouses, Marilyn wrote Lighthouse Devotions, 52 Inspiring Lighthouse Stories.

About the Book

Book: The Broken Weathervane

Author: Laura DeNooyer

Genre: Women’s fiction, dual timeline fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden.

As Leslie Wickersham, Raymond University grants officer, seeks information to unravel a family mystery, English professor Gregory Stafford seeks an elusive interview with one more Buckwalter relative for his upcoming author biography. While Greg and Leslie guard coveted details from each other, her goals are further complicated by letters of blackmail threatening to reveal all she has worked hard to hide.

In this dual timeline novel alternating between 2015 and the 1950s, loyalty is tested and secrets abound when family honor collides with truth. Leslie grapples with the trade-off: how far will a person go to help a loved one thrive?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

More from Laura

The Shame of Silence

In the 1950s, nobody talked openly about mental illness. We think it’s stigmatized today; it was worse then.

When a family member is physically ill or in an accident, folks will line up outside your door to bring comfort or casseroles. It’s an easily shared prayer request. But when a family member has an episode related to mental illness, it’s shrouded in secrecy and shame. Thus, the people most needing prayers and support don’t get them.

That’s the experience of Fritz, Eddie, and Klara Buckwalter in the 1950s timeline of The Broken Weathervane.

Leave It to Beaver

Television in the 1950s became a household word with its daily entertainment. Sitcoms included Danny Thomas’s Make Room for Daddy, I Love Lucy, Our Miss Brooks, and Father Knows Best. Variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show along with comedy shows featuring George Burns, Jack Benny, and Red Skelton had viewers laughing in living rooms across America.

But those shows illuminated the lighter side of life. Today, we fondly embrace the innocence and nostalgia of Leave It to Beaver. But that’s far-fetched from everyday realities. Especially for those plagued by mental illness.

Old Dog, New Tricks

In the 2015 timeline, two co-workers are at cross purposes—both seeking the same information for different reasons.

When my protagonist Leslie Wickersham is hired as the grants officer at Raymond University, she doesn’t count on having to teach an old dog new tricks. By dog, I mean the brassy, pretentious English professor, Dr. Gregory Stafford—who isn’t all that old, but is behind the times.

The dean expects Leslie to drag Greg into the 21st century via social media, something Greg has relegated to the annals of Hogwash and Absurdity.

Their proximity becomes her chance to pick his brain for nuggets from his upcoming biography of local author Linus Fritz Buckwalter.

But she can’t let him know that Fritz is her great-uncle. Or that the one last interview Greg is holding out for—Klara Buckwalter—is Leslie’s grandmother.

Due to Klara’s silence, Leslie hopes Greg holds the key to knowledge about the family rift.

Answers start appearing when Klara gives Leslie her 1950s diary. The answers are shocking—but also contradict Greg’s research.

If you appreciate stories with:

• small town family secrets
• family drama
• dual timelines (2015 and 1950s)
• moral dilemmas
• family loyalty vs. honesty
• an honest, tender treatment of mental illness

. . . then this story will touch your heart.

My hope is that book club discussions will help increase understanding, transparency, and empathy for those who suffer. Open dialogue about mental illness is that important first step toward reducing the stigma associated with it. The Broken Weathervane is the perfect catalyst for that.

Interview with the Author

1) What does success as an author look like to you?

My stories serve food for thought as well as hope and second chances—tales that “redeem the years the locusts ate.” I want readers to be both challenged and encouraged. I hope my stories make them think differently about a situation or give cause for reflection. Most rewarding is when a reader takes time to reach out and tell me how my story impacted her.

One reader wrote this about The Broken Weathervane: “You’ve written a deeply compassionate novel that treats mental illness, family loyalty, and love with rare nuance, allowing truth to emerge without spectacle, and healing to feel earned rather than convenient.”

Other readers have shared how my story rang true for them based on their experiences with mentally ill family members. They appreciated how this difficult topic was handled with sensitivity and tenderness.

That, to me, is success.

2) What inspired this book?

My dad shared a family story about his father and uncle who were in business together with their youngest brother who struggled quite a bit. The two older brothers did everything in their power to help him succeed in his own businesses and later hired him to work at theirs. I loved the way they cared for him despite all the difficulties they encountered.

This was the spark of the 1950s timeline in my novel. The characters took on lives of their own.

In the 2015 timeline inspiration, I needed two people at cross purposes with each other—both seeking the same information (from the 1950s) for different reasons.

3) Which character did you connect to best in this book?

My 2015 protagonist Leslie was the easiest because she and I have both been teachers, love literature, and have wrestled with depression.

Even so, she’s very different from me. She’s able to hold her own with prickly Professor Greg Stafford—something I’m not sure I could do well! She’s much more assertive than I am. That’s why I particularly enjoyed writing the scenes where they interact. They both push each other out of their comfort zones.

4) Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

One of the characters in the 1950s timeline of this dual timeline novel struggles with mental illness. I purposely didn’t use Eddie’s point of view because I didn’t believe I could do him justice, considering his challenges. So, I instead wrote from the perspectives of his wife Klara and his brother Fritz. I think that helps in making Eddie a sympathetic character. Despite their aggravation and confusion about his antics, they love him dearly.

I wrote many scenes in Fritz’s larger-than-life personality and voice, which was a challenge. Other than our common interest in storytelling through writing novels, we are nothing alike. He’s an extrovert who loves being the center of attention.

5) Which author influenced you the most?

If we’re talking about early influences, it’s Louisa May Alcott. In middle school, I relished Little Women and identified with Jo, the writer. I never forgave Amy for burning Jo’s stories! Destroying the irreplaceable is the worst way to hurt a writer.

I read many of Louisa’s books and later a biography. My writing career had already been decided ever since second grade, but reading her books cemented that goal. Learning later about her stance as an abolitionist and proponent of women’s suffrage made her a worthy role model as well.

Blogs Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, July 7 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, July 8

Artistic Nobody, July 9 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, July 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 10

Fiction Book Lover, July 11 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 12

The Bookish Ledger, July 13 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 14

Books Less Travelled, July 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 16

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, July 17 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, July 18

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, July 19 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, July 20 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janis is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/0jxOq/the-broken-weathervane-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The White Stone: Faith at the Edge of the Deal

Author: Scott Meinke

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Release Date: November, 2025

In the high-pressure world of corporate success, the lines between ambition, compromise, and faith are rarely clear.  The White Stone tells the story of a driven professional forced to confront a question many believers face but few talk about openly: What does faithfulness look like when the cost is real- and the reward is unseen?

Rooted in the message to the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2), The White Stone explores integrity under pressure, the slow erosion of conviction, and the grace that calls us back when we’ve settled for less than we were made for.

This is a story for anyone who has wrestled with success, struggled with compromise, or wondered whether quiet obedience still matters in a results-driven world.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

About the Author

Scott Meinke is a business leader, writer, and ministry founder with decades of experience navigating faith in the workplace.  After a long career in the insurance industry, Scott began writing stories that explore integrity, ambition, and what it means to follow Christ when success and conviction collide. The White Stone is his first novel – born out of real-world experience and shaped by Scripture – examining the quiet decisions that define character long before they define careers.

More from Scott

What if the biggest risk isn’t losing your job… but losing your soul?

We don’t drift all at once.

It happens in small decisions. Quiet compromises. Moments no one else sees.

The White Stone: Faith at the Edge of the Deal steps into that tension.

Luke Chambers is building a career, a reputation, a future.

From the outside, everything is working.

But inside, the questions are getting louder.

How far is too far?

When does success start costing more than it’s worth?

And what happens when doing the right thing threatens everything you’ve built?

This isn’t just a story about business.

It’s about integrity under pressure.

About faith in the gray areas.

About the quiet line we all face—the one between who we appear to be and who we are becoming.

Because the real danger isn’t failure.

It’s becoming someone you never intended to be… and calling it success.

But this is also a story of hope.

Of second chances.

Of truth breaking through.

Of what can be restored when courage finally outweighs control.

And beyond the pages, this story is part of something bigger—

supporting real lives and real work happening in Vietnam through Did Over Should Ministries.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 25

Artistic Nobody, June 26 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, June 27

Guild Master, June 28 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, June 29 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 29

The Bookish Ledger, June 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Books, Books, & More Books, July 2 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 3 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, July 4 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 5

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, July 6 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, July 7 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, July 7

Stories By Gina, July 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Scott is giving away the grand prize of a pre-release copy of The Open Door and a Vietnam-themed coffee package, connected to the mission of Did Over Should Ministries, supporting outreach efforts in Vietnam!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/193LT/the-white-stone-faith-at-the-edge-of-the-deal-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Montana Rose

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 23, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a poignant Western romance about second chances, redemption, and the healing power of faith—a moving tale of a heartbroken young widow, a compassionate rancher, and the love that helps them both find their way home.

When Cassie Griffin’s abusive husband dies, leaving her pregnant and destitute, she’s forced to marry a stranger to survive. Red Dawson, a hardworking rancher and part-time preacher, steps forward to save her from a worse fate. Though Red fears marrying a non-believer goes against his principles, he can’t stand by and watch Cassie be claimed by the ruthless Sawyer clan.

Living in Red’s rustic cave home is a far cry from Cassie’s former life of luxury. But as she learns to work alongside him, she discovers strength she never knew she possessed. Red’s gentle patience and unwavering faith begin to crack the protective shell she’s built around her heart. When a dangerous enemy threatens their newfound happiness, Cassie and Red must trust in God’s plan—and each other—to survive.

Can a marriage of convenience bloom into true love? And can a woman who’s known only submission find the courage to stand tall? A tender story of healing, hope and the transformative power of unconditional love. Perfect for fans of Janette Oke and Karen Witemeyer.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

More from Mary

Montana Rose was one of the first books I wrote. Very early on, though it took a while to get it published. And I ended up rewriting it to make it part of a three book series.

My basic goals with Montana Rose were two fold.

One, I seem almost addicted to writing feisty lady ranchers. I do it so much that I decided I needed to challenge myself. Write a quiet, shy heroine.

Cassie Dawson was born. And the thing with Cassie was, she was so used to being controlled by her much older husband, it was very hard for her new husband to convince her of her own worth.

Drawing Cassie out, finding the inner woman, making her believe she had worth, was such an interesting challenge for me as an author.

For a woman who writes in the same genre all the time, I really do try and mix things up. I PROMISE I DO!

Not sure how often I succeed but making my characters be three dimensional is always my goal. And I try and do different things in my books. A fist fight on a moving train. A fire in a blizzard. Diving off a galloping horse to stop a runaway bad guy. I try different careers and different locations. Always, I am trying something new. In Montana Rose, I picked a quiet, frightened mouse of a woman.

At least that was how it started out. By the end, Cassie finds herself.

So that was the fundamental goal.

And the second aim I had was Love Comes Softly, Janette Oke’s classic, beautiful Christian romance. I just loved that book. The pregnant widow, the husband who’s trying to help and needs help himself. Shove them together into a marriage and try to find love.

Of course, my book has more comedy and more gunfire than Love Comes Softly. I call it love comes softly, with mayhem. I pitched the title Love Comes Loudly. Or maybe Love Comes Hardly. We went with Montana Rose. Probably for the best.

Cassie remains a beloved sweetheart. Red, the best hero I’ve ever written…except he was probably too nice. The hero needs to have some challenges too. But Cassie just needed Red Dawson to be so kind and strong and wise. Yes, he has red hair and he has a temper that rarely erupts…though sometimes. But most Red is the best.

Those are the creative forces that forged Montana Rose.

Interview with the Author

1. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write

Cassie was my very deliberate attempt to NOT write a feisty lady rancher. I love that character type so much that I just deliberately wrote against it. And it wasn’t easy. My writing leans toward in-your-face mouthiness in all the characters, sass and sarcasm. Making Cassie just COWER in front of sweet-hearted Red was hard. He didn’t demand obedience but she would obey him even if later he doesn’t remember what exactly he said that made her thing she HAD to mind him.

Bringing Cassie back from years of control from her much older, cold-hearted first husband, well, I didn’t want it to be too easy for her to just flip the switch. But I didn’t want to go to slow bringing her around either. In the end, I loved Cassie and Red’s relationship so much.

2. What inspired this book?

Montana Rose was my attempt to write Love Comes Softly, only with mayhem and comedy. I pitched the title, Love Comes Hardly….or maybe Love Comes Loudly. We went with Montana Rose, so okay, fine!!!

But the pregnant widow, the kind-hearted rancher. The marriage of convenience. Of course the rancher in Love Comes Softly had a child who needed a mother. In my book Red Dawson married a woman he had no notion that God chose for him, to save her.

Red is one of the most heroic characters I’ve ever written. One of the problems with him was that he needed a flaw. All characters need a character arc after all. But I just felt like Cassie was so fragile, she needed endless kindness.

Red’s main struggle was he didn’t see how God could have chosen this woman for him. But he found himself so drawn to her he sorta didn’t care. It took a while for Red to see his life had unfolded in exact accordance with God’s plan

3. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

I have so many and, some days when I read a section I’ve read before it touches me in a new way. I find this the miracle of the Bible. One I love that came to mind today is: Isa 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

4. What is your vacation spot?

We go fishing in Minnesota every August. My husband started when he was about six. I started going after we married. Usually the same place, same food, same fish. Now our adult children and their husbands and children go, too. Not all of them every year but they come when they can. It’s a perfect vacation to relax and spend time with the family.

5. Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

Honestly, a great question to ask. I’m at my daughter’s house in Omaha, Nebraska AND I had eye surgery today. Very minor but a film had formed over the implanted lens from cataract surgery. My vision in one eye had gotten cloudy. They lasered the lens and it’s already better. A one minute surgery and, except for my vision being dilated, it’s already so much better. So I’m viewing through much improved vision, two granddaughters who are making me sit through the movie Matilda. That part of the view is giving me plenty of time to type! But my granddaughters are precious company.

6. If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

Wow, how can I answer this question in any way that will interest your readers? Hmmm…favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird…but to read it again and again for all time? Can I have the Bible? That’s a book deep enough and long enough to last a lifetime.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

Devoted To Hope, July 2

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3

For Him and My Family, July 4

Simple Harvest Reads, July 5 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, July 6

Sydney Schmied Books, July 7

Labor Not in Vain, July 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 9

The Bookish Pilgrim, July 10

She Lives To Read, July 11

Cover Lover Book Review, July 11

Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/iDuaH/montana-rose-celebration-tour-giveaway