Highland Crossings Book Review and Launch Party with Debut Author Gina Wellborn Book Launch Party!!!

Colonial American Christian Writers members Pamela Griffin, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Gina Welborn are teamed with Carol-award nominee Laurie Alice Eakes in this four novella collection published by Barbour in 2012.

Laurie Alice Eakes, Gina Welborn, and Nick at Colonial Williamsburg

Member Gina Welborn has her DEBUT in this North Carolina based colonial collection.

Highland Crossings

Laurie Alice Eakes, Pamela Griffin, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Gina Welborn

(Barbour, 2012)

Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Highland Crossing is a four-novella collection of Scottish immigrants, centered around an heirloom brooch.

1739 - Healer of My Heart, By Pamela Griffin

To keep from being killed, Seona sneaks aboard a ship sailing to America. A healer, on the crossing she saves Colin’s brother. When they reach the colony of North Carolina, Colin brings her under his wing, placing her in a home near his in an isolated settlement. I love this novella and felt like Pamela took me right to the backwoods of colonial North Carolina.  Wonderful love story by a fabulous story-teller!

1758 - Printed on My Heart, By Laurie Alice Eakes

The really fun part of reading this novella was that I took Laurie Alice around Colonial Williamsburg, with Gina, last year when she interviewed the printer there. Laurie Alice is blind but the reader would never know that reading her work. This novella is yet another example of this author’s ability to pack a shorter book (novella) with unbelievable details without sacrificing the integrity of the story.  Laurie Alice has you loving poor Fiona and her hero Owain before you can say “I do”!!! 

Gina Welborn and Laurie Alice Eakes visit Colonial Williamsburg for research

 1789 – Sugarplum Hearts, By Gina Welborn

Seren Cardew is a candy maker. Finley Sinclair, a new immigrant from Scotland, aspires to become a broker. Except that he has no clients! These two were made for each other! This is Gina Welborn’s debut.  Well done, Gina!

1815 - Heart’s Inheritance, By Jennifer Hudson Taylor

 Brynna Sinclair aspires to bring a museum to her town and cherishes history. She likes things to stay as they are. When Niall Cameron, a new Scottish immigrant, takes over at her workplace, she is sure his changes will bring ruin to the community. When he buys a building that Brynna has coveted for a museum, sparks fly.

Jennifer Hudson Taylor has two other Scottish trade length books under her belt and it shows in her knowledge. She also lives in North Carolina, where the story is set!

Highland Crossings can be purchased from CBD, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble

GIVEAWAYS:  Copies of the book will be given away to three commenters this week.  Leave your email address.

Pamela Griffin's Recipe for Wassail

The colonials brought the tradition of wassail from Merry old England to America (though in various forms, the beverage has been around since the Middle Ages). I learned that Wassail comes from the Middle English phrase wæs hæl - which means "good health" or "be you healthy". I have found that it's not just a delicious hot drink but also a remedy that can literally keep you that way. Small wonder, with the ingredients it contains. :)

My entire family loves it during the fall and winter season, not just at Christmas, and in the spring and summer we drink it at the first signs of a cold. It's perfect for cold and flu weather, to help build up the immune system or stop a cold from spreading. And when that sweet cinnamon and spice aroma filters through the house, a sign that it's ready, everyone gathers around the huge pot of wassail, eager for more than just a taste.

Wassail

1 gallon apple cider

4 cups orange juice

2 small cans pineapple juice (or enough for 12 oz.)

1/2 cup lemon juice (normal strength)

3-4 cinnamon sticks

1 Tbsp. whole cloves

honey to taste

Put all ingredients in huge pot, cover and simmer over low heat until hot, though you might wish to add the honey in later, when the wassail has warmed enough to melt it. Stir on occasion. Strain into mugs, serve and enjoy. (Note, when storing what remains to reheat later, be sure and first strain the cloves out of the main pot and remove the cinnamon sticks to keep the sweet taste and not have it go too stout.)


Thanks Pamela Griffin for this recipe!!!

Interview with Pamela Griffin

Pamela Griffin is one of four authors of the novella anthology Highland Crossings.

Published by: Barbour

Date of release: February 2012

Pamela Griffin is also the author of over fifty books, all of them inspirational romance. Her website is http://pamela-griffin.com/
She is a member of Colonial American Christian Writers and we are so very glad!!!

Pamela, what got you interested in the colonial time period?

I enjoy history in all time periods, colonial is only one of them. I am fascinated with research involving tales of the past, European and American especially, and the manner in which life was once lived.

What inspired your latest colonial work?

My editor asked for a proposal with a focus on Scottish immigrants, making her request known to the agency that represents me. I was one of the four authors asked to join and write a story. We chose a setting and I picked which year I wanted to write, intrigued with the idea of the first actual ship that sailed from Scotland's shores bringing across the ocean the first settlers to form the Argyll Colony of North Carolina. My main characters were passengers on that ship. My heroine is a stowaway, my hero, the agent of the expedition.

Do you have a favorite colonial place you like to visit and why?

When I lived in Virginia, I loved my visit to Williamsburg, and when in Michigan, visiting a good friend, she took me to the Greenfield Village.

Pamela, do you have a favorite colonial recipe you enjoy?  Readers, you can find Pamela Griffin’s recipe for wassail this coming Saturday on CQ.

Giveaway:  Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this new release!