Colonial Tea Party for April

Welcome to our April Tea Party! 

We are so excited to welcome you to Georgetown, South Carolina today. We have some beautiful spring weather, tempting us to take our party outside and under one of these magnificent Angel Oaks!

In case the weather turns, join us in indoors. Here is the full tour of this lovely Colonial house, the inspiration for Lydia Reynolds home in The Patriot and the Loyalist.

Image Source

So come in and enjoy an array of sweet confections as we introduce author Pegg Thomas and her debut novel, 

The Pony Express Romance Collection

Alannah Fagan grew up learning how to take care of herself in the Kentucky wilderness. But when her mother’s death leaves her with a brutal step-father, her only hope is escape. Together with Conn Fagan, her younger brother, she flees their westbound wagon train with no plan other than to survive. Stewart McCann is the middle son of a northern Virginia family with seven brothers. He moved west because he refused to take sides in the war. When a battered young woman and her brother take refuge at his Pony Express station, he finds himself in the middle of another type of battle. A battle for his heart.

Pegg Thomas lives on a hobby farm in Northern Michigan with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. A life-long history geek, she writes “History with a Touch of Humor.” An avid reader and writer, she enjoys fiction stories threaded through historical events and around historical figures. Pegg is also the Managing Editor of Smitten Historical Romance, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. When not working on her latest novel, Pegg can be found in her garden, in her kitchen, at her spinning wheel, tending her sheep, or on her trusty old horse, Trooper. See more at PeggThomas.com.

Pegg's Giveaways: 1 paperback copy (U.S. addresses) of The Pony Express Romance Collection and one of her signature handspun, handknit wool shawl, called Silvery Moon. See Facebook page for details on entering the shawl drawing. Also giving away from the Facebook event, eight handspun, handwoven wool bookmarks ... just for fun!

Witch: Book Three of The Restoration Trilogy

The Restoration Trilogy: When Jennifer Rushmore accepts a brooding bachelor’s job offer to act as coordinator for the restoration of his family’s historic doctor’s house (White), apothecary (Widow) and log cabin (Witch) in a rural Georgia community, little does she know it’s her own heart that will undergo the greatest renovation. Three stories. Three centuries. Three lessons on the healing of the heart. And one buried mystery that threatens their redemption.

Witch: Having restored Michael Johnson’s ancestors’ house and apothecary shop and begun applying the lessons of family and forgiveness unearthed from the past, Jennifer Rushmore expects to complete her first preservation job with the simple relocation of a log home. But as her crew reconstructs the 1787 cabin, home to the first Dunham doctor, attacks on those involved throw suspicion on neighbors and friends alike. And while Jennifer has trusted God and Michael with the pain of her past, it appears Michael’s been keeping his own secrets. Will she use a dream job offer from Savannah as an escape, or will a haunting tale from a Colonial diary convince her to rely on the faithfulness of his love? https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Restoration-Trilogy-Book-Three/dp/0997011971/

Denise Weimer holds a journalism degree with a minor in history from Asbury University. A former magazine writer, she is the author of romantic novella REDEEMING GRACE, The Georgia Gold Series (SAUTEE SHADOWS, THE GRAY DIVIDE, THE CRIMSON BLOOM, and BRIGHT AS GOLD - winner of the 2015 John Esten Cooke Award for outstanding Southern literature) and The Restoration Trilogy (WHITE, WIDOW and WITCH). Denise is a wife and swim mom of two daughters who always pauses for old houses, coffee and chocolate!
http://deniseweimerbooks.webs.com
https://twitter.com/denise_weimer
https://www.facebook.com/denise.weimer1

Giveaway: To celebrate the April release of Witch during the Colonial Quills Tea Party, Denise is giving away an e-book version to a reader who comments on a question during her time slot and a print version to a reader who comments here on the blog stating which book of the trilogy they'd like!

The Patriot and the Loyalist

Completing his three years in the Continental Army, Daniel Reid still has no desire to return home—not after losing the woman he loves to a British Captain—so he volunteers to ride south through enemy lines and deliver a message to Colonel Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. With his temper needing a release and a dark haired beauty finding her way into his broken heart, Daniel decides to join the Swamp Fox’s efforts against the British. Little does he know the British still have the upper hand.

Lydia Reynolds has learned that love comes at a price, and she refuses to pay. Better to close her heart to everything and everyone. When her brother-in-law won’t grant her passage to England, where she hopes to hide from her pain, New Englander, Daniel Reid, becomes her only hope—if she can induce him to give her information about the notorious Swamp Fox and his troops. When the British grow impatient and Daniel evades her questions, Lydia must decide how far to take her charade. The poor man, already gutted by love, hasn’t grown as wise as she. Or so she supposes…

Until the truth is known, the muskets are loaded…and it is time to decide where true loyalties lie.

Available at:       Barnes & Noble           Indigo/Chapters         Amazon

To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after three munchkins. Lear more at www.angelakcouch.com 

Giveaway: A copy of The Patriot and the Loyalist (e-book) 

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Northkill Amish Series

by Bob Hostetler and J. M. Hochstetler

Giveaway: Both books of the series in either print or ebook edition.

Northkill, Book 1

In 1738 Jakob Hochstetler and his family sought sanctuary in America from the religious persecution Anabaptists were suffering in Europe. With other members of their Amish church they settled along Northkill Creek at the base of the Blue Mountain on the untamed Pennsylvania frontier, between French-controlled Indian territory and the British settlements. Eighteen years later the French began to incite the tribes to attack English settlers moving into lands claimed by France, and a bloody war ensued.

Early on the morning of September 20, 1757, the Hochstetler family’s way of life is brutally shattered when their home is attacked by a party of Delaware and Shawnee warriors. Facing certain death with his wife and children, Jakob makes a wrenching choice that will tear apart his family and change all their lives forever.

Amazon

Christianbook.com

The Return, Book 2 [New Release]

Jakob Hochstetler’s refusal to take up arms against the Indians who attacked his Amish family’s home on the Pennsylvania frontier during the brutal raids of the French and Indian War cost the lives of his wife and two of his children. Carried away with his younger sons, Jakob is enslaved by the Seneca, while Joseph and Christian are adopted into different divisions of the Lenape tribe and struggle to adapt to new lives.

Jakob plots a perilous escape in spite of overwhelming odds against succeeding. But even if he can get away, could he survive a harrowing journey over the hundreds of miles of rugged terrain that lie between him and his Northkill community?

Does home still exist? Are his older son and daughter, Johannes and Barbara, still alive? Can he ever find his boys and bring them home?

Amazon
Christianbook.com

J. M. Hochstetler is the daughter of Mennonite farmers and a lifelong student of history. She is also an author, editor, and publisher. Northkill, Book 1 of the Northkill Amish Series coauthored with Bob Hostetler, won Foreword Magazine’s 2014 INDYFAB Book of the Year Bronze Award for historical fiction. Book 2, The Return, releases in Spring 2017. Her American Patriot Series is the only comprehensive historical fiction series on the American Revolution. One Holy Night, a contemporary retelling of the Christmas story, was the Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year.

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(and now for something contemporary)

Saguaro Sunset

No ice cream sandwich is as sweet as a long-delayed sunset kiss.

Friday night’s first phone call was the answer to Teresa Scott’s career dreams. Before she can celebrate, a second call informs her of her sister’s accident and puts Teresa in ‘the driver’s seat’ of Frosty Fingers Food Truck during the Tucson Festival of Books. Determined to keep her sister’s business out of the red, Teresa hides the painful disappointment of giving up her dream.

Fellow accountant Alan Davis sticks his do-gooder nose in, hanging around to help Teresa, the woman he’s adored since forever, not knowing the coveted board position he's just accepted is the one she had to give up. 

Nice Guy Alan isn’t really Teresa’s type, but she’s won over by his humor, adorable smile, and ice cream scooping skills. As his presence become irreplaceable, she sheds the hardened layers of her heart. Just when it’s clear she needs him in her life, Alan has to face his biggest regret and honor an old promise. Will losing this chivalrous knight in a snowman costume break Teresa’s vulnerable heart?

Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and serves on the board of Bridges Ministry in Seneca Falls, NY. She is published with WhiteFire Publishing, Forget me Not Romances and contracted with Journey Fiction. Debra works as a program assistant at Cornell University, and enjoys her family and grandchildren, obsessively buying fabric, watching British programming and traveling with her childhood friends.

Keep in touch at Website, Facebook page, Twitter, Amazon Author Page and Instagram

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Love's Compass

A repackaging by Barbour Publishing of my 2012 debut novel, The Shadow Catcher's Daughter.

Colorado Territory, 1875

Eliana has secrets.

Daring Eliana Van Horn aims to make her mark by joining her father as his photography assistant--disguised as a young man--on a survey expedition to the remote Four Corners. Living in the shadows of his native heritage, trail guide Yiska Wilcox is thrown off course when the shadow catcher's daughter opens up the uncharted territory of his heart.

As they travel through dangerous terrain in the mountains and deserts of Colorado and New Mexico, Eliana and Yiska must learn to overcome the barriers of culture, faith, and ideals to discover common ground. Though they are worlds apart, will they stake a chance on love?

Inspirational romance author Carla Olson Gade writes adventures of the heart with historical roots. With seven books in print, she is always imaging more stories and enjoys bringing her tales to life with historically authentic settings and characters. A native New Englander, Carla writes from her home amidst the rustic landscapes of Maine. An avid reader, amateur genealogist, photographer, and house plan hobbyist, Carla's great love (next to her family) is historical research. Though you might find her tromping around an abandoned homestead, an old fort, or interviewing a docent at an historical museum, it's easier to connect with her at her Facebook Author Page. If you enjoy my books, please remember to share them and leave a review at Amazon and on Good Reads. Thank you!

CARLA'S GIVEAWAY!! A copy of Love's Compass, which includes bonus novel, Pride's Fall, written by Darlene Franklin, AND a 4 x 6 picture frame and a small journal (reminiscent of items character's Eliana and Yiska would have used).

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Alice's Notions

In this quaint mountain town, things aren't always what they seem.

World War 2 widow Alice Brighton returns to the safety of her home town to open a fabric shop. She decides to start a barn quilt tour to bring business to the shop and the town, but what she doesn't know is sinister forces are using the tour for their own nefarious reasons

Between her mysterious landlord, her German immigrant employee, her neighbors who are acting strange, and a dreamboat security expert who is trying to romance her, Alice doesn't know who she can trust.

Amazon   Barnes and Noble

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2^nd place in the NOCW contest, 3^rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 38 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren. Tamera has two novellas in print: A Christmas Promise and Resurrection of Hope. Her first full length novel, Alice’s Notions, was released in April.

You can contact Tamera on her website at http://tameralynnkraft.net.

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Three New Covers!

All three novellas, by Carrie Fancett Pagels, are now under new cover and are also on sale through this weekend! The paperback copy of Tea Shop Folly, cover redesign by Roseanna White, is gorgeous and one of our guests will win a copy!

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., wasn't cured of her overactive imagination by 25 years as a psychologist. She's an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author of Christian Historical Romance. Carrie is the administrator of Colonial Quills blog and Overcoming with God blog. Carrie's 15th romance book will be released in 2018!

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