Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

With two very different horizons stretched out before her, one young woman stands on the cusp of an unknown future.

1850

Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew.

As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Rowena feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?

Book #3 of The Ballantyne Series

Publisher: Revell, 2014

Cover photography and design by Brandon Hill

Excerpt:

        Papa had forsaken his black mourning band.

        The shock of it stole through Wren like ice water. For two years her father's shirtsleeve had borne a reminder of her mother's loss, as telling as the lines of grief engraved upon his handsome face. Not once had he taken off the black silk. But all of a sudden it was missing. And Wren ached to know what stirred inside his russet head.

        It had all begun with a letter from far upriver. From New Hope. She'd paid the post, wonder astir inside her as she studied the elegant writing. Ansel Ballantyne, Cane Run, Kentucky. They received a great deal of mail, mostly from Europe and the violin collectors and luthiers there, or from Mama's family, the Nancarrows in England. Not Pennsylvania, with the Allegheny County watermark bleeding ink on the outer edge of the wrinkled paper.

My Review

Meet Rowena--Wren--Ballantyne, a native of Cane Run, Kentucky and talented violinist. At twenty-five years old, she's never courted or visited her socialite kin in Pittsburgh, owners of one of the biggest fleets of steamboats around. She enjoys a simple life, the fresh air in the mountains, her freedom to lose herself in her music. But when a letter arrives, beckoning her father back east, every aspect of her life changes in ways she never saw coming.

Meet James Sackett, avid abolitionist and the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. The life he leads now is very different from his orphan upbringing. He will be forever grateful for his apprenticeship with Silas Ballantyne, to which James has pledged his friendship and trust. Then Silas's granddaughter, Wren, steps aboard the Rowena, the very woman the boat was named after, with sun-bronzed skin and wild eyes... Between the growing danger of sneaking slaves across free state lines and spending time with the one woman James can never have, his life is in constant turmoil.

Quotes from classic authors such as Mark Twain, John Keats, Jane Austin, and many more open each chapter. Romance, deceit, loss, and danger keep the pages turning in this beautifully written story I devoured within three days. The cover is gorgeous with the fall colors of the mountains. A great read on a chilly autumn night. I gave this book 5 stars!  

*I received a free copy of this book from Revell Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

________________________________

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, Love's Reckoning, and Love's Awakening. She is a Kentuckian currently living in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons. Along with traveling, cooking, gardening, and long walks, she enjoys connecting with readers at www.LauraFrantz.net.



See behind-the-scenes footage of the cover shoot for Love's Fortune here.

Tried & True by Mary Connealy

Aspen Ridge
Idaho Territory, July 1866

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister—and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk—they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”—but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better for her future?


Bethany House Publishers, 2014


My Review
What a wilde ride! 
As with all of Mary's books, Tried & True opens with page-turning action. The most unqualified of the three Wilde sisters to repair a leaky roof, Kylie braves it as a storm rolls in--wearing her skirt to boot. The one thing the Wilde sisters don't do is act feminine, especially after serving in the war as boys per their father's request. He's lost his only son and is determined to replace him by pretending he has three more. But Kylie's tired of denying her femininity and rebels against her father's wishes at every turn. Soaking wet, clinging to the eaves to keep from dying, and shouting for help in the middle of nowhere, Kylie has no choice but to fall into the arms of her rescuer Aaron Masterson, a handsome land agent who's not going to be happy when he finds out Kylie is homesteading as a man. 

This story had great conflict, humor, and a beautiful message. In a society where people are denying who God made them to be, I found this story refreshing. The cover is gorgeous, and I can't wait to see who comes along to tame the rest of the Wilde sisters. I gave this book 5 stars!

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. 


Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies about cowboys. She's the author of the

acclaimed Trouble in Texas and The Kincaid Brides series, as well as several other stories. Mary has been nominated for a Christy Award, was a finalist for a RITA Award, and is a two-time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. They have four grown daughters and a bevy of grandchildren. Learn more about Mary and her books at:
maryconnealy.com
mconnealy.blogspot.com
seekerville.blogspot.com
petticoatsandpistols.com

Fudgy Autumn Brownies

September is here! The days are getting shorter and the nights cooler. Here's a quick and easy dessert to take along to your next fall cookout or to enjoy with a cup of coffee and a good book.


Fudgy Autumn Brownies

1-1/3 cups unsalted butter, room temp
2-2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs

3 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup baking cocoa

1/2 tsp salt

confectioner's sugar (optional)

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Spread into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until top is dry and the center is set. Serve warm with ice cream or cool completely and dust with confectioner's sugar if desired.

Silver White Winters--Cover Reveal

Here it is! My book cover for Silver White Winters, releasing late fall/early winter. Here's a sneak peak into the story. 

She thought she had it all. Until she discovered the treasures in the snow. 

          Country music singer/songwriter Raelynn Rivers is a has-been. According to the latest gossip magazines, that is. Her last number-one hit was six years ago, and her songwriting ability has vanished. Her foundering career is all she has left, and she’s determined to once again hold the title of “Country Music Queen.” But Raelynn’s dreams are derailed when a coal mine collapses in her home town of Eve Hollow, West Virginia, trapping her daddy and brother inside.

            The man in charge of the mine rescue is Lane Ryan, her childhood best friend and the former fiancé she abandoned twelve years ago for her career. In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one has inspired her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries around is as big as Coal Mountain.

            Will Raelynn sacrifice her title, or say goodbye to Lane forever? 


I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some snow!

DIY: Fire Starters

I'm adding something new to my blog--DIY (do it yourself) projects.
One thing I can't stand is waste. Call it ridiculous or OCD, but I can't stand to see something go to waste whether it's food, the last bit of hand soap in the pump, whatever. I'm always trying to figure out ways to make things last, reduce waste, and save money. As I create projects around my home, I'll be sharing them with you.

Image courtesy of
franky242/freedigitalphotos.net

Today's project: Fire Starters
What you'll be recycling: egg cartons, newspapers, and leftover candle wax

This time of year we start planning ahead for winter. One thing that's always on our list is gathering firewood. There's nothing greater than a warm fire on a cold night. Except a cup of coffee and a good book while you sit by it. But at times the logs don't want to cooperate by catching easily. No one wants to spend an hour trying to get the fire going. I started making these fire starters a couple years ago and they work great. No more time and matches wasted here. These starters do all the work.




Keep in mind, the finished product isn't the most attractive thing, but it works. Another plus? There's finally a purpose for the last inch of candle wax in the jar.


Materials:
Leftover candle wax
Cardboard egg carton (do not use foam cartons)
Newspaper (or cotton balls)

Step #1: Cut the lid and side tab off of the egg carton. Place newspaper or paper towels underneath the carton to catch any spilled wax.
Step #2: Carefully melt the leftover candle wax in the jar on LOW heat. You can use a jar warmer (looks like a tiny crock pot) or warm over a burner.




Step #3: Cut strips of newspaper into two-inch strips, approx. 10 inches long.







Step #4: Wad each strip of newspaper and place one in each hole of the egg carton. (If using cotton balls, skip to step 5.)



Step #5: When all of the wax in the jar is melted, carefully pour the hot wax over each wad of newspaper, filling each hole half-full. You may need to use a potholder if the jar is too hot to hold with your bare hand. (If using cotton balls, place one cotton ball in each wax pool, making sure to leave half of the cotton ball above the wax.) Some of the wax may leak through the bottom of the egg carton, and that's okay.

Step #6: Let the wax dry and cool completely.










Step #7: Cut the individual starters apart using a hobby knife or a pair of good, sharp scissors.






To use, arrange the firewood/kindling as normal. Place one fire starter strategically with the kindling. Light a corner of the fire starter. The flame will catch and continually burn the wax, catching the kindling and logs on fire. Best of all, the scented wax fills the space with a great smell!

To further reduce waste, clean out any remaining wax from the candle jar, wash thoroughly, and plant flowers or herbs in the jar. I try to coordinate the plant with the picture on the jar. For example, if the picture on the candle jar is an outdoor scene, I'll plant herbs or small fern in the jar. If the picture contains fruit or flowers, I'll plant flowers with like colors.

Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the small town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle. 
Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor...until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique way with food brings both gratitude and condemnation, placing the pair in the middle of a maelstrom of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.

Excerpt:

                Perla smiled and began to walk again. “But if you can see your way clear to accept me as I am, maybe others will, too.” She glanced at him, a faint twinkle in her eyes. “When I first arrived here, I heard you described as a pillar in the community.”

                Casewell felt his face burn hotter. But this time what he felt was more shame than anything. When she’d first arrived, he would have agreed with her, but now…

                “No more than you’re really an angel, I guess. Folks are mighty quick to slap labels on people around here.”

                “I think it makes them feel safer.” Perla glanced up at the stars beginning to show. “People like to know where they fit, and it’s easier to find your own place if everyone else is safely in theirs.”

                They walked the rest of the way to the Thornton’s in silence. Casewell stopped at the bottom of the steps and watched Perla make her way up onto the porch. She turned at the top to wish Casewell a good-night. The light from inside the house cast a halo around Perla’s hair, and Casewell had to smile. She might not be an angel, but she couldn’t help looking like one.

                She seemed to hesitate, then spoke. “Thank you, Casewell. I felt like maybe you judged me harshly after I told you about Sadie. Somehow, after this evening, I feel, well, I guess I feel like you’ve forgiven me. Like you’re not going to hold my sins against me anymore. I appreciate that.”

                Before Casewell could reply, she turned and disappeared inside the house.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2014

My Review

        This story took my breath away. From the very beginning, the author pulled me into the story, the setting of the Appalachian Mountains, and the raw, real characters became as dear to me as family. I loved how the book was told mostly from the hero’s point of view. This was his story. And his journey of discovering how to forgive and love others through Christ gripped my heart—shown in ways unique to other Christian fiction books I’ve read with similar themes.

        The book’s cover fit the tone of the story perfectly.

        Sarah’s debut novel is brilliant. Her writing is simple yet beautifully poetic with phrases like, “All too often sorrow and joy come skipping into your life holding hands.” I look forward to what she brings next.

Don’t miss Sarah’s free e-novella Appalachian Serenade featuring Delilah and Robert Thornton, and introducing Perla and Casewell. Get it here!

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.

A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.

Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.

For more on Sarah and her books visit www.SarahLoudinThomas.com 

New Book Announcement!

Image courtesy of patrisyu/
freedigitalphotos.net

I'm excited to announce my next Christmas novella Silver White Winters will release with White Rose Publishing later this year as part of Pelican Book Group's Christmas Extravaganza!








Here's a sneak peak into the story.

She thought she had it all. Until she discovered the treasures in the snow. 

          Country music singer/songwriter Raelynn Rivers is a has-been. According to the latest gossip magazines, that is. Her last number-one hit was six years ago, and her songwriting ability has vanished. Her foundering career is all she has left, and she’s determined to once again hold the title of “Country Music Queen.” But Raelynn’s dreams are derailed when a coal mine collapses in her home town of Eve Hollow, West Virginia, trapping her daddy and brother inside.

Image courtest of
digidreamgrafix/
freedigitalphotos.net

            The man in charge of the mine rescue is Lane Ryan, her childhood best friend and the former fiancé she abandoned twelve years ago for her career. In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one has inspired her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries around is as big as Coal Mountain.

            Will Raelynn sacrifice her title, or say goodbye to Lane forever? 



*I hope you'll join Raelynn and Lane this holiday season in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. 
More details to come.