May's "virtual" Tea Party Picnic!!

With the weather this marvelous, who wants to be inside? 

Join us as we enjoy a wonderful spring-time picnic in the city of Sandwich, MA on beautiful Cape Cod.

Today we are pleased to celebrate the release of TWO wonderful novels: SO FAIR A LADY (Amber Lynn Perry) and THE PURSUIT OF TAMSEN LITTLEJOHN (Lori Benton)!

We couldn't be more thrilled to have you! Please feel free to find a place on the quilt and allow us to pour you a drink and offer you some refreshments. Amber has brought her homemade blackberry jam to accompany our fresh biscuits. Lori has arrived bearing character Janet Allard’s famous apple pie. “No one makes a better pie west of the mountains,” neighbor Jesse Bird has been heard to say of Janet’s yummy pies. There is plenty of tea, fresh fruit, bread, cheeses and meats to suit your palate.

Amber Lynn Perry, debut author of SO FAIR A LADY, is wearing a lovely floral top and simple green petticoat--similar to something heroine Eliza Campbell might have worn. (You might even recognize it from the cover!!)


Lori Benton, author of the thrilling THE PURSUIT OF TAMSEN LITTLEJOHN, is wearing a gown from the era of her story (1780s), created by Tamsen, who is a marvelous seamstress, with a fitted bodice and overskirt printed with a pattern of floral sprays, and a white quilted petticoat beneath.

Please do tell us your name and what you are wearing, we always love to get to know our guests!

While you enjoy your drinks and yummy treats, allow us to share with you the two authors and their stories we are sharing with you today.

Amber Lynn Perry's So Fair a Lady begins in Boston, but quickly takes a turn for high adventure as the patriot hero, Thomas Watson, and courageous heroine Eliza Campbell must escape sixty miles south to Sandwich or risk capture by the British—but the danger is only beginning.

A woman who needs the truth.

A man who needs to escape it.

Boston, MA 1773: Shards of Eliza Campbell's life crash to the ground when she discovers a devastating secret: her father was a spy for the Sons of Liberty. Determined to uncover the truth, not even a marriage proposal from the dashing British Officer Samuel Martin can dissuade her. When rescued from British capture by handsome patriot Thomas Watson, Eliza discovers what her father risked his life for and yearns to know more. But will her budding attraction to this courageous patriot damage her already wounded heart? 

After years of being blackmailed by Officer Martin, Thomas plans to start a new life in the small town of Sandwich. However, when his actions place Eliza and her sister in danger, he must act quickly to protect them from falling into enemy hands. If the three of them are discovered, their lives will never be the same. Now, not only must he protect Eliza, he must protect his heart from a love that is sure to wound him far greater than any British soldier ever could.

Sandwich is the oldest town in Cape Cod and boasts a rich history dating back to the year it was founded in 1637. Make sure you take some time to explore this wonderful place when our picnic is over. *wink* Amber loves America and its God-blessed history. She hopes that you will not only love this story as a historical romance, but that you will also increase in your own love for this wonderful country.

* How are you enjoying yourself so far? Do you need more tea? Please feel free to help yourself to another treat while you learn more about this next magnificent novel! *

Inspiration for The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn came straight from the pages of history. While researching the 18th century, Lori came across mention of the Lost State of Franklin—an attempt of the citizens of western North Carolina to form a separate state. Had they succeeded (and they nearly did) Franklin would have been the fourteenth state admitted into the Union. This first post-Revolutionary War attempt at independent statehood spanned a short but tumultuous period (1784—1789), marked by courthouse raids, fisticuffs, and battle, while two governments vied for the same territory. How, she wondered, could such a situation result in anything but chaos—and a setting that begged for a story to be woven through it?

Frontier dangers cannot hold a candle to the risks one woman takes by falling in love.

In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance. 

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?


Thank you so much for joining us today!! We do hope you have enjoyed the picnic. Such a peaceful way to enjoy the day with friends. Make sure you enter the giveaway below for a chance to win one of TWO fabulous gifts.  Can't wait to see you again next month for our next Tea Party.

GIVEAWAY!!

Two separate winners will be chosen in the drawing.
One winner will receive a signed copy of Amber's novel, So Fair a Lady and a cookbook featuring delicious recipes from Cape Cod. Lori is giving away a signed copy of The Pursuit of Tamsen
Littlejohn plus a DVD documentary on The Lost State of Franklin to one winner (US addresses only).

We are using rafflecopter this time around, so simply follow the instructions in the box below to be entered!! Thank you again and God bless!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sandwich, anyone? By New CQ Contributor Amber Perry

Sign for Historic Sandwich

Sandwich, anyone?
by Amber Perry

I have been obsessed with all things colonial and Revolutionary War since I was knee-high-to-a-grasshopper. I’ll never forget the day, at the ripe old age of fifteen, when my parents told me they were taking me to Boston so I could tour the historic sites. I was jumping up and down, and squealing so much you’d have thought I’d won back-stage passes to see The Backstreet Boys in concert.
But for me, this was WAY better than that. I mean, way better.

Newcomb Tavern, known in the Revolutionary era
as Tory Tavern 

While there, on a whim we decided to visit Cape Cod, since it is just about an hour or so from the city.
Little did I know, from that day on I would never be the same.
I remember sitting in the back seat of the rental car, inhaling that new-car smell and marveling at the beauty that dashed past my window when my dad said, “This little town is called Sandwich.”
Of course that got my attention. Sandwich? Who names a place after something you eat? Well, now I can look back and say, “Oh, Amber dearest, how cute and uneducated of you.”

Hoxie House, built in 1675

Once I got over the name, I was captivated by the quaint, historic homes and the magnificent setting. I promised myself that someday, I would go back. I’m sure I’ve never seen a more beautiful little town—and one with such fabulous history that is unknown to most people, unless you’ve been there. (Though I’m sure that can be said for many towns in the U.S.) I never forgot Sandwich, and if you have ever been there, I’m sure you can’t forget it either. * wink *

Inside the Hoxie House

Sandwich, Massachusetts was founded in 1637 and is the oldest town in Cape Cod. Named after a seaport town in England, the land was originally part of the Plymouth Colony. About sixty families first settled the area, and it continued growing after that, however slowly.

Shawme Pond

The Quakers of the colonial era were often persecuted in many places, but found a bit of refuge in Sandwich and the religion began to thrive. In fact, the Monthly Quaker Meetings held in Sandwich, are the oldest continual Quaker meetings in America. So says the Sandwich “historical” website . . .

View of Newcomb Tavern across Shawme Pond

During the Revolutionary War the colonists of Sandwich were very supportive of the patriot cause, but as with most places, there were a number of Tories who insisted on making their own strong feelings known. A well-beloved proponent of the patriot cause, Doctor Nathaniel Freeman, was a fearless leader among the patriots of Sandwich and after a political rally, was attacked by three Tories in front of Newcomb Tavern. If I could, I would reeeeeaaaally like to tell you all about the drama that ensued between the Whigs and the Tories in my favorite Cape Cod town, but I will have to leave that for another post.

Dexter's Grist Mill

Mainly a farming community during the colonial era, Sandwich has a large, centrally located pond (more like a small lake) that people and livestock used on a daily basis. On the pond stands a gristmill, powered by Shawme Pond, that was originally built in 1640 and still grinds corn today!

If I could, I would visit Sandwich every year. No, scratch that—if I could, I would LIVE there, but alas, I fear that will never happen. *sigh* But I do love it and hope to go back again someday.

Inside the gristmill

Have you ever been, and if so, what did you think?

Tell me about your favorite historical town!