I spent hours trying to figure out what I wanted to do for this post. Did I want to write about how women “built” the west? Did I want to talk about the hardships of homesteading? Maybe sharing how little has changed in the trafficking worlds of the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries. Both have/had it… and it’s awful.
Then I decided. Seriously, I felt almost giddy when the idea came to me. What better way to kick off the release of one mail-order bride novel than to do a cover reveal for the next one! I mean, come on!
So… without further ado…
Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense for you.
Announcing the Release of My New Mail-Order Bride Novel
(and a cover reveal!)
Well, before I show you the cover of my second book in the series, I’ll tell you a tiny bit about Verity’s Valley.
At the end of Penelope’s Pursuit, you’ll meet a young man, Walter Lewis, who’s a bit quirky about some things. Folks wonder if his mother’s quest to find him a wife will ever be successful. She’s brought several young ladies out to meet them and either they turned right around and went home, or Mama Lewis sent them packing!
Enter Verity. She’s desperate for a place to escape and willing to work hard to do it. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the Kansas Prairie or the bottom of a well for her. See why and what God has in store for her and Walter… soonish.
And check out this cover! I love Verity!
Isn’t she lovely? A little old-fashioned, much to her brother’s chagrin, but I don’t think Walter will mind. Do you?
And as for Penelope… I think she’ll enjoy having a new friend!
I’d enjoy giving away a copy or two or three… so…
Nope. First, here’s a bit about Penelope’s Pursuit
(you know, for the one person out there who hasn’t seen me yammering on about it nonstop! Sorry!)
Are mail-order-brides changing their minds, or is something sinister going on in Kansas?
Ten years ago, Penelope’s sister ran away as a mail-order bride, and it was the last their family ever heard from her. Now, with their parents dead and Penelope all alone, the young woman has one goal. Find her sister.
It took enough grit for Reuben to write to Mrs. Mildred Crenshaw about finding him a wife in the first place, but when the train arrives and no bride steps off, the whole thing feels like a confidence scheme. Investigation, however, sends chills down his spine as he realizes women are leaving the east for the west but many never arrive at their destinations.
Is it any wonder that Penelope is livid with the man who abducts her from the clutches of her new friends and rides off into the sunset with her? Is his explanation reasonable? Can she convince him to help her find her sister? Can she trust him?
And is she about to fall in love with a homesteader on the untamed prairies of Kansas?
Publisher’s Warning: This full-length novel takes an honest look at human trafficking, opium dependence, and suicide in the “wild west.” While not graphic in their descriptions, readers should be aware that they are present.
What’s in the box? Well, more than the picture shows.
FOR CERTAIN there’ll be:
- One signed paperback copy of Penelope’s Pursuit (and a real one, not one wrapped around a Bookers on the Rocks book).
- One hand-written, four-page letter that no one but prize winners will ever see (unless you share.
- “Tune my heart to sing Thy grace” stickers (and probably postcards if I can get to the printers… and I should be able to!)
- Candy treats
I have a few other ideas, but it all depends on what fits in there, so anything else is a surprise!
How do you enter?
Leave a comment below telling me which of my first two mail-order bride stories, Penelope’s story or Verity’s story, sounds more interesting. AND… share this post, my Instagram posts, my newsletters–anything about Penelope. Every time you share, come back here and say you did! (Hint: sharing on different days puts your entries all mixed up in with the others for a better chance of winning… or it feels like it anyway!)
CONGRATULATIONS TO VIVIAN F! You’re our winner!
I shared the newsletter with a fellow reader. Penelope’s story sounds so good!
Penelope’s story sounds the most interesting to me because it’s a slightly different take on the trope.
Thank you for this contest. I’m a book reviewer, and if I happen to win a copy of your book I’d be happy to review it for you when I read it.
Best wishes,
Daisy
I am not sure if my comment has been received or not.
IT has! YAY! Thank you
You have such a loving spirit. God bless you. Penelope’s story sounds wonderful. I am so glad your brother is doing better. I posted on Facebook and Pinterest. God bless you.
I am so excited about your new book. I love the cover, It sounds very intriguing. I am so glad your brother is doing better. God bless you. I shared on Facebook and Pin. Penelope’s story sounds intriguing. Thank you for the opportunity.
I am so glad your brother is doing better. God bless you. I shared on Facebook and Pin. Penelope’s story sounds intriguing. Thank you for the opportunity.
God bless you. I shared on Facebook and Pin. Penelope’s story sounds intriguing. Thank you for the opportunity.
I shared on Facebook and Pin. Penelope’s story sounds intriguing. God bless you. Thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you so much for the opportunity. I shared on Facebook and Pin. Penelope’s story sounds intriguing. God bless you.
From the descriptions, Penelope’s story sounds more interesting to me, but since I just finished reading her story and “met” Walter Lewis, I can’t wait to read Verity’s story
I LOVE IT!!! 😀 Verity has a lot of suspense following her! EEP
Penelope sounds most interesting to me at the moment, but who knows? When Verity comes out I may change my mind! And I’ve shared on my facebook page. 🙂
I think VErity’s story sounds best!!! 😀 And I will find the post to share to my friends on Facebook.
YAY! I am so excited about her story!
I have Penelope on my TBR list now and am anxious to get to it. Can’t wait. Your books are always my favorites!
BTW–I would love a box! 🙂
Both books sound wonderful so asking us readers choose is a bit unfair. Nevertheless, I think I Verity’s Valley will capture my interest slightly more than Penelope’s Pursuit.
I tried entering your giveaway but it kept rejecting my comment. I like both books but prefer Verity.
This is your entry! You’re good!!!
Both books sound very good and I would like to read them. I prefer the one about Verity. Thanks for the giveaway!
PP sounds most intriguing to me, because it has more hints of mystery to be solved & danger with romance…
I think you’ll be surprised at Verity’s story…
Man both books sound great and I’m about to start PP, but if I could only choose one I’d pick VV. I always feel bad for people that are long time singles and want to be married so I think Verity’s story sounds sweet! Sharing this blog post with friends on FB.
I tweeted about the book???!
I feel like I should have a special reading costume for this book…
I think I’m afraid of Penelope’s story because I’m a survivor, but I’m glad you wrote it.
Penelope’s story does to me!
I shared on Facebook.
I shared on Twitter.
I shared on Pinterest.
I think I’m looking forward to Verity’s story the most because I love quirky characters.
Nathan and Renee OR Matthew and Donna OR Nadezdha and Andrew
Both stories sound good … you write a great synopsis that makes you want to dive into the books straight away. I’d read Penelope’s book first since its the first one out!
I think Penelope’s story offers a different take into this classic troupe. I am also interested to see how very current real world problems are integrated into a historical novel. Penelope for me.
Hmm. Right now, Penelope is piquing my interest. (The description reminds me of Vicki Kestell’s book, “Tabitha”.)
But then, Verity…. I look forward to both! 🙂
I’ve read Tabitha! I loved it. Not remotely similar, however. 😀
I can’t choose one over the other, they both sound great!
I can’t wait to read Penelope’s Pursuit, I plan to start reading it in a few days. 🙂
I’m interested in both, but I’d like to start with Penelope!
They both sound so good! I cannot choose, but as soon as I am done commenting, I am going to go purchase the book. Thanks for the chance to win the box. ?
Both Penelope and Verity sound like brave women I’d be proud to know.
Penelope’s story will be more disturbing to read, but it might do me good to take off my rose-colored glasses once in a while.
(“Do me good” is grammar. Yuck!)
Honestly I can’t choose, They both sound AMAZING!!!
Based on the descriptions, Penelope’s Pursuits is what I would chose as the most interesting. It I were picking the most interesting based on the book cover, I would pick Verity’s Valley. I look forward to reading both!
For right now, Penelope’s sounds most interesting but that’s mainly because I can actually read it now (started it at 1 am last night but sadly fell asleep so I didn’t get very far)!!
Love all your books & wait patiently *cough* for them to come out & then devour them (when I’m not working 90+ hours a week & exhausted beyond belief). Then I reread them over & over & over again, and then when a new book in a series comes out, I reread the entire series again! #obsessed (but in a good way ? ????).
Both books sound interesting, and I’ve already ordered “Penelope’s Pursuit,” so, I will say I’m ore interested in Verity’s story! Thanks for an opportunity to win one of your books, & goodies! 🙂
I think Verity’s story. Walter ?
I Love The covers on your books they are amazing I would love to win this and Thank you for the chance Your stories sound awesome! Have a blessed Day!
Both of the mail order bride stories sound interesting because I like mail order bride stories. Verity and Penelope’s stories sound great!
They both sound fascinating. This isn’t something I’ve really studied before (I don’t think Sarah, Plain and Tall counts even if it is a good book!).
I’m excited about Penelope because it’s ready to read!. ?
You know how I felt about Penelope Chautona; I haven’t cried that much since Willow 😉 But as much as I love this book, Verity sounds even more awesome and I’d love to see Walter get out from under Mamma’s thumb.
BTW I was the first review up this AM. I miss the group shares though
Penelope is appealing to me because the story line sounds exciting and because she has the same name as my cat. Seriously! If the character is as feisty as my cat, it’s going to be a good story, although I don’t know that I have been disappointed by any of Chautona’s stories that I’ve read. Oops, I think I’m rambling…
Penelope’s Pursuit sounds so interesting! I’m looking forward to reading it! You’re an amazing author!
Hmmm, which mail order bride book do I prefer? Right now I’m all about Penelope because I’m reading her. I must admit Verity’s story sounds interesting too. But I’m going with Penny for now!
I think I’m more excited to read Penelope but only because I’ve been seeing all of your posts about her. I read so worried because I couldn’t remember if I had preordered. I was delighted when Amazon sent me my copy yesterday afternoon!
But I am a sucker for a good escape story. And quirky sounds fun.
Verity’s will be as intense (maybe more so) than Penelope’s. Both have all the feels, though.
Hmmm…which book interest me the most, Penelope or Verity…that’s a hard choice because tho similar they are vastly different! With Penelope and the deeper story of human trafficking, etc I would say that one is more interesting but I know with my background of abuse I would need to be in the right place with God to read it where Verity I would/ could enjoy anytime as it comes across a bit lighter! Love your books though and have read almost all of them!!
Pssst… Verity isn’t really lighter, but then Penelope isn’t as heavy as I make her sound.
Oh my goodness, can’t wait to read Penelope’sstory. Yikes!
Choose one??? I suppose I’ll hope to read Penelope first, just because of her name… not Penny? I don’t recall ever meeting (irl or a book) a character that actually uses Penelope!
But… Verity also intrigues me as I’m re-reading the Agency files atm and see some parallels…