Historical Bookworm

In this episode we had the pleasure of conversing with Jill Eileen Smith, an esteemed best-selling author known for her biblical novels. Jill has enthralled readers with her series on the Wives of King David and is now set to release a new novel, Dawn of Grace, which navigates through the life of Mary Magdalene, slated for release in February 2025.

A Writer’s Process: Jill shared her meticulous process of researching and crafting her novels. She uses tools like Scrivener to create detailed character profiles and often spends significant time researching biblical texts to enrich her narratives.

Exploring Biblical Narratives: Smith provides an insightful discourse on how historical and religious interpretations have shaped perceptions of biblical figures like Mary Magdalene, emphasizing the importance of grounded biblical storytelling.

Historical Depth in Fiction: The discussion transitioned into how historical events, such as Jewish feasts, significantly influence her storytelling, helping readers to understand Jesus’s presence and actions within those cultural contexts better.

Mary Magdalene’s Story: Jill’s upcoming book focuses on demonic possession and Mary Magdalene’s subsequent deliverance, navigating themes of darkness and light, faith, and redemption. She candidly shared the challenges and delicate nature of depicting these themes.

More from Jill Eileen Smith

Jill also discussed her extensive journey in writing biblically inspired novels. Starting with Old Testament figures, she felt compelled to explore the New Testament, with Mary Magdalene as her latest intriguing subject. As she delves into such stories, she also provides insights for readers who might be reluctant to engage with heavy topics like demon possession, reassuring them about the transformative narrative of deliverance and faith that follows.

Upcoming Works

While her current focus remains on “Dawn of Grace,” Jill is also working on stories from the New Testament, with the Woman at the Well setting the stage for future novels. She acknowledges the difficulty yet profound growth in exploring these tales and is excited about the impact her stories can have.

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of many biblical novels including her first series The Wives of King David.

After twenty years of closed doors, she has published 24 books, fiction and nonfiction, and had one of those books optioned for film. She loves Jesus and His Word and all things related to learning more about the culture and times of the people of the Bible, particularly the women, whom God has immortalized there.

While she loves writing and researching, she is willingly interrupted by her west-coast children and adorable grandchildren. Traveling to Israel was a highlight of her life, but traveling west is her new favorite vacation location. When she’s not packing her bags, she can be found reading stories that take her away, playing too many games and puzzles on her phone (call it down time), or snuggling her lovable, mischievous cats Kody and Kaelee.

Her favorite verse is Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” She has been married to the love of her life for 47 years and counting and lives in a quiet neighborhood in southeast Michigan.

Connect with Jill Eileen Smith: Newsletter, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

In this episode of the Historical Bookworm Show, co-host KyLee Woodley is interviewed about her debut novel ‘The Bandit’s Redemption.‘

The episode provides an in-depth look at KyLee background as a preschool teacher at Baylor University, her experiences growing up in the Pacific Northwest and Texas, and her deep commitment to God, family, and writing. KyLee discusses her journey into teaching and the serendipitous route that led her to Baylor University.

She also shares the inspirations behind her novel, her favorite childhood books, and the themes of perseverance and gratitude that permeate her stories. Listeners get a sneak peek into ‘The Bandit’s Redemption’ and learn about her upcoming releases in the Outlaw Hearts series. KyLee is also offering a giveaway for her debut novel, adding a delightful bonus for fans.

A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard.   

Life in the American West hasn’t been easy for French refugee Lorraine Durand. She has precious few connections and longs to return to her native land. So when the man who rescued her from a Parisian uprising  following the Franco-Prussian War persuades her to help him with a deadly holdup, she reluctantly agrees. Despite his promises otherwise, the gang kidnaps a man, forcing Lorraine to grapple with the fallout of her choices even as she is drawn to the captive she’s meant to guard.

Jesse Alexander must survive. If not for himself, then for the troubled sister he left behind in Los Angeles. At the mercy of his captors, he carefully works to earn Lorraine’s trust, hoping he can easily subdue her when the time comes. But as they navigate the treacherous wilderness and he searches for his opportunity to escape, he realizes there may be more to her than he first believed.

With danger lurking at every turn, they must decide whether to trust each other enough to plan a combined escape or risk falling prey to the gang’s devious schemes.

Find the book on: Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, and Books to Read.

KyLee Woodley is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches at Baylor University’s lab school in Texas where she lives with her husband of 18 years and their three teenage children. She is a writer for Wild Heart Books and is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show—a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.

In her spare time, she cares for a rescue mutt—Lucky—a feisty feline named Hazel, and two adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to Cricket Country and K-Love radio, reads classic books with her children, and watches Marvel movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.

Connect with KyLee on: Facebook, Instagram, newsletter, and HistoricalBookworm.com.

Welcome to the Historical Bookworm Show blog post, where we dive into the captivating interview with Mary Connealy, bestselling author known for her romantic comedies set in the wild west. In this post, we explore Mary’s latest release, “Whispers of Fortune,” the first book in her new series, Golden State Treasures. Join us as we unravel Mary’s creative process, inspirations, and what’s next in her literary journey.

Mary Connealy is celebrated for her lively and action-packed romantic comedies featuring cowboys. With over 75 books and novellas under her belt and numerous awards, Mary shares her journey from a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband—her very own romantic cowboy hero.

Writing Journey: Mary is known for her inspirational story of perseverance, writing for 10 years before her first publication. Her dedication is proof that with faith and hard work, dreams can indeed come true.

Collaboration and Connection: Mary discusses her involvement with the Petticoats and Pistols blog and her love for attending library events and writer gatherings, despite initially preferring to stay home and write.

Historical Inspiration: The authenticity of her settings and stories often stems from real historical events. Mary shares how a trip to Yosemite sparked the idea for her latest book, blending personal experience with historical intrigue.

The Latest Series: “Whispers of Fortune” follows Brody McKenzie, who embarks on a mission to find his runaway brothers and ends up on an unexpected adventure. The book is set against the backdrop of 1875 California and promises a blend of romance, family bonds, and the thrill of a treasure hunt.

Character Insights: The series introduces us to Ellie Hart, a resilient woman who embodies the toughness of the frontier lifestyle. Mary’s unique twist of giving Ellie the wilderness savvy adds a refreshing dynamic to the love story.

In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at the Two Harts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he discovers them thriving at the ranch’s school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. His options limited, Brody reluctantly takes on the role of ranch doctor, and he forms an unexpected bond with Ellie, who’s kept a steady eye on Brody’s two rapscallion brothers. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure.

With winter approaching and his brothers threatening to bolt again, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. But along the way, old adversaries resurface, threatening their newfound affection and the safety of those at the ranch.

Behind the Series

“Golden State Treasures” is centered around the idea of looking beyond earthly possessions to find true treasures, aligning with Mary’s thematic exploration of values and priorities. Her meticulous research into historical events, such as Captain Cabrillo’s explorations, weaves an authentic narrative that adds depth to the adventure.

What’s Next

Mary continues to weave tales of intrigue and romance. Her upcoming releases include “Legends of Gold,” promising further adventures and character developments as the series unfolds. Readers can anticipate more heartwarming stories and engaging narratives in Mary’s future works.

Closing Thoughts

Mary Connealy captivates readers not just with her stories, but with her infectious passion for writing and history. Her dedication to crafting narratives that resonate with themes of faith, perseverance, and love continues to endear her to audiences worldwide. Join Mary in her literary journey by picking up “Whispers of Fortune” and get ready to be swept away by the magic of storytelling once again.

Connect with Mary

Stay updated with Mary’s latest releases by subscribing to her newsletter via her website or following her author page on Amazon. For daily musings and community interaction, check out her activity on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Other places to find Mary include Bookbub and Goodreads.

Giveaway link is here.

The Bandit’s Redemption: A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard.

Hello, this is KyLee with an exciting update on my debut novel, The Bandit’s Redemption! Readers who enjoyed Chasing the Horizon by Mary Connealy will love The Bandit’s Redemption. You can find this new release on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, KOBO, and Books2Read.

Jennifer Deibel joins us for a chat about living in Europe, her love for The Lord of the Rings, Irish traditions, and her latest release, Heart of the Glen. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

Jennifer Deibel  is the bestselling and award-winning author of A Dance in Donegal, The Lady of Galway Manor and The Maid of Ballymacool. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children.

Questions:

When Saoirse Fagan arrives to start her new job as housemaid at Drumboe Castle, she is dismayed to learn that the lord of the house passed away a week prior. Already running away from the tragedy that claimed the lives of her family members, Saoirse wanders the road with nowhere to go until Aileen McCready offers her a lift and possibly a place to stay for the night.

Sheep farmer and weaver Owen McCready is known for his intricate and impeccably woven tweed. But when he’s injured in an attack by bandits, his entire livelihood is endangered. A new–and distracting–mouth to feed adds fuel to the fire, and Owen struggles to keep his family afloat. Though Saoirse is eager to help, even offering to learn the weaving craft, Owen is hesitant to accept aid from this strange young woman, no matter how inexplicably magnetic he finds her.

But Saoirse is not one to give up easily. It may take extra effort on her part, but she’s determined to convince the McCreadys that they need her–perhaps as much as she needs them.

Questions:

With Saoirse’s unfortunate talent for running into disasters, and Owen’s resistance to this forced-proximity romance, readers are not going to want to put this book down.

Connect with Jennifer: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Enter the giveaway here.

Karen Witemeyer joins us for a chat about naming horses, writer quirks, fairytales, and her latest release Cloaked in Beauty. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this brilliant book! 

After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master’s degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late 1800s.

A life-long bookworm, Karen is living her dream by writing novels. Her books have consistently hit bestseller lists and have garnered numerous awards. When not writing, she loves to pester her adult children, play board games, and cross-stitch intricate patterns reminiscent of the historical eras present in her stories.

Karen, welcome to the Historical Bookworm Show.

In the heart of the Piney Woods of Texas, Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty’s resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to Letty grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping her out of harm’s way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.

“Little Red Riding Hood” and “Sleeping Beauty” entwine for a romantic fairy tale retelling that explores the power of true love conquering even the darkest of nights.

We always love a good fairy tale retelling, and this story draws inspiration from two! Judging by the previous two books in this series, readers are in for a treat!

Connect with  Karen Witemeyer: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and BookBub.

Mary Connealy joins us for a chat about her life living on a ranch, parenting daughters, humor in writing, and her latest release Into the Sunset. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 

Mary writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

Back cover copy

To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O’Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny’s sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places.

Maeve grapples with her mother’s impending remarriage and seizes a rare chance to escape her homestead–but that means reuniting with Dakota, the man she holds responsible for her father’s death, who is caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful family. As the two of them navigate their shared history and a dangerous mission, Dakota is forced to confront his deepest fears and fight for the woman who has unwittingly captured his heart.

In this action-packed series finale, Mary Connealy delivers a riveting tale of danger, romance, and second chances on the Western frontier.

We have two women fleeing problems in their family, and the man aiding them is the target of a family feud. Anyone looking for family drama has just found their next read!

Mary recommends this book for a look at her research into women wrongly admitted into an insane asylum. : The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear 

Connect with Mary Connealy: Newsletter, Bookbub, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Roseanna joins us for a chat about Christmas traditions, the joys of email, completing her chemo treatments, and her latest release Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

Being educated at St. John’s College (the Great Books School) taught Roseanna to ask questions, to value conversation, and to never accept the simple answer without exploring it for herself. She and her family make their home in the mountains of West Virginia where she and her husband both grew up. Roseanna is a member of ACFW, a frequent speaker at writers events and small groups of readers, and an unabashed email addict.

You are an unabashed email addict. I am curious what that entails.

I love Christmas time because it’s such a fun time for celebration, and speaking of celebrations… I saw this fabulous announcement you shared on social media. It said, “I am SO happy to report that on Monday, I received my LAST chemo infusion! Cue the confetti!!!”

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn’t seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she’ll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family’s misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah’s hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

An old flame reignites, a misunderstanding regarding the hero’s character, and a possible love triangle at Christmastime. This tale sounds truly delightful!

Connect with Roseanna: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Michelle Greip joins us for a chat about gardening under duress, being present for loved ones while maintaining a career, the history of Egyptology, and her latest release Of Gold and Shadows. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 

Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is a Christy Award-winning author of historical romances that both intrigue and evoke a smile. She’s an Anglophile at heart, and you’ll most often find her partaking of a proper cream tea while scheming up her next novel . . . but it’s probably easier to find her at MichelleGriep.com or on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

It is so great to have you back on the show. Michelle was our second guest ever, on the show when she came on in 2021 to chat about The Thief of Blackfriars Lane. She returned in 2022 when The Bride of Blackfriar’s Lane was released, and Michelle is one of the few authors to host a Pinch of the Past when she shared 3 Types of Victorian Travel. We also reviewed her novelsThe Thief of Blackfriar’s Lane Bookworm Review and Lost in Darkness Bookworm Review.) 

Last time we spoke, you were settling into the country life of gardening and chicken raising, including protecting them from an offending armadillo. 

You are a busy lady with a professional author career and personal life–including twin grandchildren in memory serves me correctly.

The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined. . . .

In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.

After eight years in India, Oxford’s most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor’s determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin–rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk–surfaces, and they’re left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows. . . .

So we have a heroine in Victorian England with a secret identity who is struggling to establish herself as an Egyptologist by day and preserving black market relics by night. In steps a handsome hero running for Parliament, and together they encounter a cruse, ruffians, and treasures. Sounds like a typical Michelle Griep book. 🙂 

I’m intrigued by this Egyptologist angle. According to Britannica Encyclopedia, Egyptology is “the study of pharaonic Egypt, spanning the period c. 4500 bce to ce 641. Egyptology began … [with the scholars] accompanying Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt (1798–1801.) Fast forward nearly 100 years, and we have Ami and Edmond.

Curses will be lifted – 

Listeners, Michell is offering a paperback copy of this novel, Of Gold and Shadows. To enter, check out the giveaway page on our website Historical Bookworm dot com. You also find the giveaway link in the show notes for this episode. 

Connect with  Michelle Greip: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Carrie Turansky joins us for a chat about traveling to England, writing split-time novels, how themes of one’s life often come through in one’s writing, and her latest release A Token of Love. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She loved traveling to England to research her latest Edwardian novels including A Token of Love, The Legacy of Longdale Manor, No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, and The Edwardian Brides Series. Her novels have received starred reviews from Christianbooks.com and Library Journal. They have been translated into several languages and enjoyed by readers around the world. Carrie loves to connect with reading friends on Facebook, Instagram, and via her website and blog: carrieturansky.com.

Your bio mentions traveling to England

Your latest novel, A Token of Love, is split-time historical fiction. 

Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister’s plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice’s disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum’s history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum’s reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.

The mystery of a missing girl will pull at the heartstrings of any woman, but here we also have the historical significance of founding homes. History lovers in our audience will probably also connect founding home with youth houses of refuge and sanitoriums of the time which rarely adhered to the medical rights, practices, and privileges we experience today.

In A Token of Love, you juggle two romantic couples in this book.

You mentioned earlier that you traveled to England to research this book.

Connect with  Carrie Turansky: Newsletter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, BookBub, Amazon, Facebook, X aka Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

J’nell Ciesielski  joins us for a chat about traveling to Scotland, writers/books that inspire her, the elements of a beautiful romance, and her latest release The Winged Tiara, “a sparkling story filled with her signature snappy dialogue and vivid atmosphere that will keep you reading late into the night to see what happens next.” Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 

Bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski has a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories while weaving fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. She is a member of the Tall Poppy Writers and lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle.

Questions:

Now let’s take a moment to talk about your latest release, The Winged Tiara.

November 12, 1918. It was a match made in champagne-soaked heaven, but all too soon the bubbles dried up, and Esme Fox awakens the morning after celebrating the end of the Great War to find herself shockingly and accidentally married. She gathers her belongings and slips out before her new husband can stop her. After all, she knows it’s best to leave before he does.

Four years later, Jasper Truitt, after having made a name for himself in the underground world of jewel thieves, is on the hunt for a valuable heirloom: a one-of-a-kind winged tiara–the last Valkyrie tiara ever created. So it’s with great surprise that he discovers it at a charity event atop the head of a woman he’s never forgotten. His long-lost wife . . . who happens to be pursuing the tiara for a vengeful opera diva desperate to obtain the jewel for herself.

The reunion is cut short when Esme vanishes–again–but their separation is temporary. With a hitman on their heels and a deadline looming, the pair find themselves in an epic game of cat and mouse across Europe following leads from the French Riviera to a shop of wonders in Venice, a fairy-tale castle in Bavaria, and a veritable circus thrown by a champagne heiress, all before a dramatic horseback flight through the French countryside.

In the end only one can win, and with both of their hearts on the line, the winner may well turn out to be the loser.

Lead in>> I LOVE a traveling adventure, and this one covers some really cool European destinations! Of course, there’s hardly time for the characters to enjoy it with a hitman after them, but readers are going to have a great time. 

Connect with J’nell: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Instagram.