Freed by Hope (The Civil War Brides) by Jenna Brandt

Freed by Hope

Hope Hammond is best friends with Faith Abernathy and has grown up around her brother Davis. Recently, an attraction has surfaced between the friends. As the new relationship starts to form, problems caused by the American Civil War have reached a boiling point for the Hammond family, leaving little room for Hope to focus on love.

Davis Abernathy wants to be a soldier and fight for the Confederacy, but his family is against him joining the war effort. The only thing he wants more that serving with honor is to marry Hope, but their relationship can’t progress with her father refusing to let them be together. Frustrated, Davis makes a hasty decision that will change all their lives forever.

Can Hope’s family find a way to mend? Will Davis’s decision ruin his chance to be with Hope? And will the Civil War destroy any future the couple plans to have together?

Buy it on Amazon

(affiliate link)

About Jenna Brandt

Jenna Brandt is an international bestselling and award-winning author who writes Christian historical and contemporary romance. Her historical books span from Victorian to Western eras and all her books have elements of romance, suspense and faith. Her historical series the Window to the Heart Saga and contemporary series Billionaires of Manhattan as well as her multi-author series, The Lawkeepers, Match Made in Heaven, Bride Herder, Belles of Wyoming, and Silverpines have garnered praise and love from readers. Both her books, Waiting on the Billionaire and Lawfully Treasured, were voted into the Top 50 Indie Books of 2018 on Readfreely.com.

She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. She has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bethany College and was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper while there. Her first blog was published on The Mighty website, Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News, CNN Health, and Good Morning America websites. She is a contributor and curator for the website, Novel PASTimes and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Writing is her passion, but she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading, engaging in social media and spending time with her three young daughters and husband where they live in the Central Valley of California. She is also active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team.

To find out more about Jenna, to sign-up for her newsletter, or to purchase her books, visit her website at http://www.jennabrandt.com

Jenna’s Joyful Page Turners Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/844819802336835/

Heroes and Hunks Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430422374043418/

Her books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Jenna-Brandt/e/B0711MSFXW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1497269877&sr=8-1

Like her on Facebook www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor

Follow her on Twitter www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt

Stalk her on Instagram www.instagram.com/jennnathewriter/

Pin her on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/jennnathewriter

Look her up on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16847426.Jenna_Brandt

Check her out on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenna-brandt

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Now Available! Hopefully Matched: Made in Heaven by Ginny Sterling

Hopefully Matched

Married at the brink of the Civil War, young Ava Buchannan dutifully bids farewell to her new husband as any proper southern woman would. The problem is she never dreamed that it would be the last time she ever saw him. In her heart, she knew she should wait for his return, yet her mind told her differently. In the seven years that have passed since her marriage, she’s seen other women move forward with their lives. Yet she is trapped maintaining the family business of undertaker for the town of Maypearl, Texas. Seeing so much death, having no prospects of happiness, and a squeamish constitution were all taking their toll on her… until hope arrived in the form of a letter.

Desperate for a fresh start after the war, Jeremiah Ellington responded to an ad in the paper for a job. His home had been razed, his family gone, and he had only the items on his back to begin his life again. When he received a response to the ad for an assistant to the town’s undertaker, it seemed to be a perfect solution for a former surgeon in the army. One look at the lovely undertaker and his dead heart came alive. Jeremiah would do anything to have Ava in his life, including making her forget her long lost husband.

Can Ava let down her guard enough to begin to enjoy the life around her? Can Jeremiah find a way to break through the shell that is protecting her heart as they are suddenly hopefully matched together.

Available on Amazon

Just 99 cents for a limited time!

I am an Amazon affiliate, so if you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my websites!

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Meet Bob O'Connor, author of 'Return of Catesby'

Today we have an author interview with Bob O'Connor as part of his virtual book tour for The Return of Catesby with Walker Author Tours. Enjoy, and pick up your own copy at http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-8206-1.

Tell us about your book.

My book is the continuing story of Catesby – a real colored blacksmith who lived originally in Charlestown, VA as a slave to Colonel Lewis Washington, a descendant of George Washington. In the first book Catesby struggles to find his freedom. He runs away from the operation of a blacksmith shop under a cruel owner who permanently cripples him. He flees on the Underground Railroad to Pennsylvania.

This book follows Catesby’s new adventures leading up to his teaching position at Storer College, a new school to teach newly freed blacks to become teachers. Ironically, the students’ first day in the classroom was Catesby’s first day too, because he had been taught at home by his mother. Catesby’s vast experience is helpful in encouraging his students and helping them believe that if Catesby, a man with a bad leg who had been a slave could accomplish greatness, they could too.

Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?

On my website.

Where did you get the idea for the story?

It is a continuation of a previous book “Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War”

What do you find most rewarding in writing a book?

The feedback I get from my readers is what keeps me going. I have many who read every one of my books. I get notes from them wanting to know when the next one is coming out.

Tell us about your previous work.

I have published 9 books to date – 8 on the Civil War. Five are fiction. Four are non-fiction.

What other projects do you have coming up?

My next book is about a soldier who I consider the most significant man today from the Civil War – James E. Hanger. He is an unlikely candidate, as he only served his unit one say and was wounded. He has however, contributed greatly as he invented the modern prosthetic. There are 670 hospitals in the U.S. today with his name on them with 700,000 patients – Hanger Orthopedics.

Do you write full time? If so, tell us how you manage it.

Yes I write full time. I am retired from over thirty years in the tourism industry. Writing, research and promotion of my books comes easily to me.

What is your writing process like--do you outline first or just start writing, etc.?

My books all follow the chronology of what really happened. In that sense, the chronological outline is already provided by the actual history of the events themselves. But I am also confined by those actual events.

What have you done to develop your writing craft?

I have written all my life. Along the way I have had editors make suggestions and corrections. They have all helped my writing develop and improve.

What was the hardest part: writing the book, getting it published, or marketing it? Why?

Publishing is the easiest today – though I am sure in the past it was probably the hardest. I find the writing part and the marketing part challenging, but due to my background, I do not find either of them difficult for me personally.

Thank you for your time!

 

Author’s Bio:

Bob O’Connor has been a life-long student of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. He has published six books about the Civil War era and has given over 500 presentations about his subjects in the last six years.

Title of Book: The Return of Catesby

Publisher: Infinity Publishing

Length:  242 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Brief Synopsis: 

The Return of Catesby is a sequel to Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War published in 2008. In this account, Catesby, a former slave, becomes the first colored teacher at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. Storer was one of the first schools in the country to be established for the purpose of educating former slaves. Catesby, a real historical character, brings his experience as a blacksmith, a veteran of the Union Army, and his survival of the famed Andersonville Prison to his students. The historical fiction story is based on Catesbys journals, papers and letters.

Buy it on Amazon:

Review of 'Return of Catesby' by Bob O'Connor

Title of Book: The Return of Catesby

Publisher: Infinity Publishing

Length:  242 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Brief Synopsis: 

The Return of Catesby is a sequel to Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War published in 2008. In this account, Catesby, a former slave, becomes the first colored teacher at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. Storer was one of the first schools in the country to be established for the purpose of educating former slaves. Catesby, a real historical character, brings his experience as a blacksmith, a veteran of the Union Army, and his survival of the famed Andersonville Prison to his students. The historical fiction story is based on Catesby's journals, papers and letters.



**My thoughts**

Yet again, Bob O'Connor has found a way to share his passion for the Civil War with readers. His excitement for the topic shines through in the prologue, where he tells the tale of how he came upon these writings to create the second story about Catesby. The passion continues to shine through as he details Catesby's story as a former slave who is now teaching others how to build a better life for themselves. 

It's a different version of the Civil War times, as Catesby isn't a prominent historical figure as many of the people about whom most of us have read. That lends a feeling of fiction to the story, though Catesby's experiences are real.

It isn't going to be a page-turner that keeps you up at night, but it is going to be thought-provoking. It is going to take some time to go through it, as you digest each one of Catesby's experiences and relate them to your own or to your ideas of the Civil War. It's an alternative way to learn more about our nation's history, and one of the most intriguing times that I adore to explore.

~~Buy links: Amazon \ Bob O'Connor Books \ Infinity Publishing~~

Bob O’Connor has been a life-long student of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. He has published six books about the Civil War era and has given over 500 presentations about his subjects in the last six years.

Developing Historical Fiction Characters by Bob O'Connor

Today we have a guest post from Bob O'Connor about his books Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War and The Return of Catesby as part of his tour with Walker Author Tours.

As a historical fiction writer, my basic style is taking real characters, researching their lives, following an actual time line and then writing a story around that.

In my book “The Return of Catesby” the story centers around a real colored blacksmith who was the slave of Colonel Lewis Washington. His plantation was in Charlestown, Virginia (now Charles Town, WV). The book is the sequel to “Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War.”

In this second book, Catesby meets with General Robert E. Lee again. He had shoed Lee’s horse Traveler twice during the war. Catesby is also asked to give a deposition in the trial of the commandant at Andersonville Prison, Henry Wirz, who was tried by the federal government for war crimes in the late summer of 1865. Catesby had been captured in Florida and was a prisoner at Andersonville prison.

Catesby’s varied experiences and dogged determination to become a free black led to his hiring as a teacher at the new school (Storer College) set up for the teaching of newly freed blacks at Harper Ferry, Virginia.

I do extensive research on what really happened and then add the historical fiction part to fill in the blanks and to offer authentic sounding dialogue.

“The Return of Catesby” is available on line at www.boboconnorbooks.com or at amazon.com. The author may be reached at author@boboconnorbooks.com.