It’s Historical Fiction Celebration Week here!!! Three current releases will be bundled and given away to one lucky winner. Books that I think you will fall in love with as I did. Grab a cuppa your favorite brew, and I’ll introduce you to them. And stick around for instructions for entering giveaway at the end.
Kim Vogel Sawyer – This sweet, gracious author has been one of my biggest encouragers on this writing journey. She was a Genesis judge when I submitted (with fear and trembling) the novel which was to become my debut novel. After I got over the shock of winning, Kim wrote and told me she’d been a judge and loved my novel. Wow! She was already a best-selling, award-winning novelist by then, and I was so humbled that she would reach out to me. Since then, my admiration for her and her work has grown as I’ve seen her become one of the most beloved historical writers of Christian fiction. I think you’ll love her latest release WHAT ONCE WAS LOST. 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times!!!
A woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, a man standing apart—can these three souls embrace a God with new plans for them?
On a small Kansas farm, Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house uninhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.”
With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between him and Tommy. As obstacles to repairing the farm pile up against Christina, she begins to question her leadership ability and wonders if she can fulfill the mission to which she’s dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Can Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart and life to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope. More than one million copies of her books are currently in print with awards including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.
Anne Mateer and I became acquainted in the early days as well when we were both struggling to figure out this writing gig. We were Genesis finalists in the same year (different categories) and we’ve cheered each other on with our subsequent contracts and book releases. It’s good to have a friend to walk alongside, and Anne is not only one of the dearest, but also a poignant, celebrated historical writer. Her latest book, A Home For My Heart, is warm and wistful, a touching tale of a special group of orphans. A lot like Kim’s book, now that I think about it. I’m happy to add it to the giveaway.
Sa
die Sillsby works as the assistant to the matron at the Raystown Home for Orphan and Friendless Children and dreams of the day she’ll marry her beau, Blaine. But when the matron surprises everyone by announcing her own engagement, Sadie is suddenly next in line for the job. For a young woman who was once an orphan herself, a shot at such an esteemed position is a wish come true.
But the matron of the Home cannot be married. Is Sadie willing to give up her dreams of a life with Blaine and a family of her own? Is she prepared to forgo daily involvement with the children as she instead manages the financial, legal, and logistical aspects of the orphanage? And when it’s revealed that the Home is spending a lot more money than it’s taking in, can Sadie turn things around before the place is forced to close forever?
Anne Mateer has loved reading and writing historical fiction since childhood. In 2000, she began studying and working to hone her craft, finally resulting in a publishing contract in May of 2010. Along the way she reached the finals of ACFW’s Genesis contest three times and saw her short essay, “Let it Snow”, published in A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts.
Anne Mateer lives in Texas with her equally history-obsessed husband. They have three children, now in various stages of high school and college, who have spent many a family vacation touring historical sites.
Carrie Turansky – As with Kim and Anne, I’ve known Carrie for awhile and she, too, was a Genesis judge the year my story won! And she has been equally supportive. Maybe that’s why I feel such a connection to these three authors and their books. A while back, though, Carrie told me she was writing a Downton-Abbey inspired story, and I was ecstatic! Yes! Pairing one of my favorite authors with one my favorite shows was sure to be a winning combination. And it is!! I’m thrilled that, at last, The Governess of Highland Hall will be hitting the streets (next week is the official release date), and I’m delighted to offer it here as part of the giveaway.
Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?
Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.
Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.
While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
Carrie Turansky has loved reading since she first visited the library at age five and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of eleven novels and novellas. Carrie and her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, and speaker, have been married for more than thirty-five years and make their home in New Jersey. They often travel together on ministry trips and to visit their five adult children and three grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys spending time working in her flower gardens and cooking healthy meals for friends and family.
So here it is: ALL THREE BOOKS to ONE LUCKY WINNER!!
All three books to one lucky winner!
You can earn up to FIVE entries – Here’s how:
1. Leave a comment telling me what book you read last (required) and then chat about any of these authors that you’d like.
2. Share the giveaway on FaceBook.
3. Share the giveaway on Twitter.
4. Like my author page on FaceBook.
5. Promote the giveaway in a unique way – that’s up to you!
For # 2 through 5, you’ll have to leave an additional comment so I know what you’ve done.
I’ll draw for the winner on Monday, October 7.
Chat and share away!
Giveaway for US residents only. Your chances of winning dependent on # of entries.