Historical Fiction: Unpacked

Today I'm bringing you a conversation with USA Today Bestselling author Misty M. Beller. The first installment in her Brides of Laurent Series, A Warrior's Heart, released last August. Misty and I talked about how this series was inspired by a podcast about Viking Shield Maidens as well as why she loves the Rocky Mountains and keeps writing about them.

Here's a description of A Warrior's Heart from the publisher, Bethany House:

Her heart longs for peace, but peace won't keep them safe.

Brielle Durand is still haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she's risen to be the key defender for her people's peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret home, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on his promise to his government or take a risk on where his heart is leading him? Either choice will cause harm to someone. Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts to have any hope of finding peace for their peoples.

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On this St. Patrick's Day, I bring you a conversation with Jennifer Deibel about her newest book, The Lady of Galway Manor, which released in February

From the publisher (Revell):

New to the historical romance genre, novelist Jennifer Deibel made her mark on readers in 2021 with A Dance in Donegal, a stunning debut full of romance and mystery in the lush Irish countryside. Influenced by her experience on the Emerald Isle, Deibel now delivers more of the lively sights, sounds, smells, and language of this colorful country in her sophomore novel, The Lady of Galway Manor.

Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed as the new landlord of Galway County, Ireland, in 1920, amid the Irish War of Independence. Adjusting to a slower pace in Ireland leaves Annabeth itching to use her design prowess, and with the help of her father, she finagles an apprenticeship at a local

jeweler—the home of the famed Claddagh ring. Stephen Jennings is sick of romance. Unfortunately, he’s surrounded by it. The Jenningses’ jewelry shop is built on the Claddagh legend and the optimistic promises of love that it holds. Disillusioned by a heartbreak at an early age, how can Stephen peddle a “lie” that he no longer believes in? When Annabeth becomes his new apprentice, worlds collide. She’s English, he’s Irish—somehow, they must manage their working relationship and their differences. But as tensions in the city rise, the Irish locals take matters into their own hands, which spells trouble for the De Lacys. Will Stephen and Annabeth see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe? Working together, they just might find that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire. Uncovering the true meaning of loyalty and friendship, Deibel’s lyrical prose will redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family in The Lady of Galway Manor.

Purchase The Lady of Galway Manor on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase The Lady of Galway Manor on Bookshop (affiliate).

Find out more about the Claddagh Ring.

Check out Jennifer's website, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Today I'm sharing a conversation with debut author Crystal Caudill. Crystal and I met last year when we both decided to join Kimberly Duffy's Bible Recap group. Crystal's debut novel, Counterfeit Love, releases next Tuesday, so we talk about where she got the idea for her novel, what kind of research she did, and how she became a writer even though she didn't really want to. Crystal LOVES to talk about the Secret Service (which features in her novel), and she knows more about this organization that anyone I've encountered before!

Here's a description of Counterfeit Love from Crystal's website:

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves–or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he’s been sent to track down?

After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name–and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors’ threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn’t all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home–and the truth.

After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancée is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career–but that’s better than failing her twice in one lifetime.

They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there’s no question they’re both still keeping secrets–and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.

Combining rich history, danger, suspense, and romance, Crystal Caudill’s debut novel launches this new historical series with a bang. Fans of Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, and Joanna Davidson Politano will be thrilled to find another author to follow!

Purchase Counterfeit Love on Amazon (affiliate).

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Find out more about the Bearing Precious Seeds Ministry.

Check out Crystal's website, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Today I share a conversation with historical fiction author Laura Frantz. I also had Laura on the show in late 2020. You can find that episode here. Today we discuss her newest book, A Heart Adrift. We also talk about the history of Acadia and how we can learn from our mistakes throughout history

Here's a description of Laura's novel from Revell, the publisher:

Award-winning author Laura Frantz has a passion for bringing the distant past to life in her enchanting novels. Her signature style sweeps readers away in a whirlwind of romance, adventure, and rich history. In

Frantz’s newest novel, A Heart Adrift, readers will step back in time to the 1700s—a time fraught with peril both on the sea and in the heart.

In 1775, the threat of war with France is looming over York, Virginia. But Esmée Shaw is fighting her own battle of the heart. Although she is reconciled to live life alone, she still struggles with the loss of a decade-old

love affair that she has never quite recovered from.

Captain Henri Lennox has returned to York after a lengthy absence. He is determined to finally complete the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay—a dream that he and Esmée shared. Although Esmée initially avoids Henri, her desire to make a difference in life entices her to join his undertaking. However, when the colonial government asks Henri to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, Henri’s future is plunged into uncertainty, and he is torn between his feelings for Esmée and his call to duty.

Will a war and a cache of regrets keep Esmée and Henri apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past?

Purchase A Heart Adrift on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase A Heart Adrift on Bookshop (affiliate).

Novels Laura mentioned about Acadia:

Promises to Keep by Genevieve Graham (affiliate)

Jeanne Degas of Acadia by Cassie Deveaux Cohoon (affiliate)

Check out Laura's website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Today's conversation is a great one. I talked with Sarah Sundin about her latest release, Until Leaves Fall in Paris. The novel tells the story of American expat Lucie Girard during WWII. Lucie stays in Paris during the German occupation to run a bookstore for her Jewish friends who've wisely decided to find a safer place to reside. Lucie's story was inspired by Sylvia Beach of Shakespeare and Company. Until Leaves Fall in Paris was a truly enjoyable read. (To get the lowdown on more of the books I read, click on this link to my patreon page and consider supporting my work.)

More about the author:

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the adventure and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling author of historical novels, including Until Leaves Fall in Paris, When Twilight Breaks, and the Sunrise at Normandy series. Her books When Twilight Breaks and The Land Beneath Us were Christy Award finalists, The Sky Above Us received the 2020 Carol Award, and both When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” A mother of three adult children, Sarah lives in California and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She serves as co-director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference, and she enjoys speaking for church, community, and writers’ groups.

Purchase Until Leaves Fall in Paris on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase Until Leaves Fall in Paris on Bookshop (affiliate).

Find out more about Sylvia Beach and Shakespeare and Company.

Check out Sarah's website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Today I'm bringing you a conversation with Jill Eileen Smith about her newest book, The Prince and the Prodigal. The novel focuses on Old Testament Joseph and his brother Judah. Jill and I talked about the story of Joseph (the prince) and Judah (the prodigal), why she chose to focus on Judah, her passion for sharing the truth of the Bible and Jesus, and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Here's a description of The Prince and the Prodigal from the publisher (Revell):

In The Prince and the Prodigal, Smith weaves together the lives of two brothers, Joseph and Judah, who overcome jealousy and betrayal in order to obtain reconciliation that only God could bring about.

Seventeen-year-old Joseph is the favored son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers are deeply resentful of Joseph’s status in the family and look for opportunities to get rid of him. When they encounter some slave traders, they

take advantage of this opportunity and sell Joseph. Although it appears that their troubles are behind them, they are really just beginning—not only for Joseph but also for his brother Judah.

Joseph’s early life in Egypt is fraught with accusations and imprisonment. But a twist of fate moves Joseph through the ranks from slave to trusted servant and ultimately to second-in-command behind Pharaoh. Meanwhile, Judah is running from his past and is haunted by the betrayal that changed all of their lives and the grief that has been brought upon their father. When a famine brings the brothers together, they are faced with a stunning role reversal. Now Joseph is the one in charge and Judah and his brothers must beg for mercy. Hatred, pride, and favoritism have cost this family greatly. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

Purchase The Prince and the Prodigal on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase The Prince and the Prodigal on Bookshop (affiliate).

Find out about Jill's trip to Israel in 2008!

Check out Jill's website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Today I'm sharing a conversation with Jocelyn Green about her newest novel, Drawn by the Current, which is the #1 New Release in Religious Historical Fiction on Amazon. It's also the final installment of her fantastic Windy City Saga trilogy.

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King, Wedded to War, and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Purchase Drawn by the Current on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase Drawn by the Current on Bookshop (affiliate).

Purchase the entire Windy City Saga on Amazon (affiliate).

Find out about the Windy City Saga Tour coming up in April!

Check out Jocelyn's website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!

Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!

Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.

Follow the show on Instagram!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

In a departure from my typical format, I explain why I haven't released an episode in eight weeks. My sister April suddenly passed away on December 13. If you'd like to know more about the person she was, the miracle that brought her into my family, and the day that she left this earth, listen to this episode. I'll be back with more guests beginning next week. Thanks for being patient and understanding.

Join my community and help support the show on Patreon.

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Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. Her novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida. On today's show, Elizabeth and I talk about several of her recent novels, the food industry, and the Gilded Age. We also discuss how reading a book can change our hearts and minds.

Purchase The Spice King on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase The Spice King on Bookshop (affiliate).

Purchase the entire Hope and Glory trilogy on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase Carved in Stone on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase Carved in Stone on Bookshop (affiliate).

Also mentioned:

The American botanist and plant explorer David Fairchild.

The Food That Built America series on the History Channel.

The Rockefeller Institute, now called The Rockefeller University.

Check out Elizabeth's website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!

Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!

Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.

Follow the show on Instagram!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, watching her kids play sports, or helping children discover a love for reading as an elementary librarian, she’s working on a new story.

Candice has written several contemporary romances, but today we discuss her first full-length historical novel, Saving Mrs. Roosevelt, which released yesterday (December 1, 2021). We talk about the SPARS, the first female-only branch of the Coast Guard, around which this book is centered.

Purchase Saving Mrs. Roosevelt on Amazon (affiliate).

Purchase Saving Mrs. Roosevelt on Bookshop (affiliate).

 

Also mentioned:

Candice's historical novella, "Beneath a Michigan Moon," can be found in the Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection (affiliate).

The book Candice mentioned using for research is The Deans Bible: Five Purdue Women and Their Quest for Equality by Angie Klink (affiliate).

The devotional Candice mentioned by Corrie Ten Boom is titled God is my Hiding Place: 40 Devotionals for Refuge and Strength (affiliate).

Check out Candice's website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!

Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!

Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.

Follow the show on Instagram!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!