Tag: Kathleen Denly

Book Review and Giveaway | Harmony on the Horizon by Kathleen Denly

In celebration of the release of Harmony on the Horizon, book 3 in the Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen Denly is offering a giveaway!

One winner* will receive:

  • 1 Handmade tag-style bookmark – Darcy Quote

  • 1 Sing in the Sunlight Bookmark

  • 1 Harmony on the Horizon Sticker

To enter, leave a comment on this blog and sign up for Kathleen’s Readers’ Club here: http://bit.ly/KRCMemberSignUp 

Deadline to enter is 11:59pm NZT on Monday 17 January. Winner will be announced in the comments for this post and contacted via email.

*Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

Book Review

Margaret Foster has come to San Francisco to find work as a teacher. However, she has an unfortunate incident on her way to her interview and is rescued by the handsome Fletcher Johnson but is turned down for a job. She then travels to San Diego at the suggestion of businessman Everett Thompson. Everett doesn’t let on, but his business is in trouble … including his property and businesses in San Francisco.

Back in San Francisco, Fletcher Johnson is a kind of Robin Hood figure, gambling and forging documents to help keep vulnerable women out of harm’s way. One of them is Katie, who has trouble holding down a job (a result of a violent and abusive background).

I got  little confused when the novel didn’t go in the direction I’d expected. The story had two couples in two different locations (something that wasn’t made clear in the book description). Once I worked that out, I was able to settle in and enjoy the novel.

The research was a definite strength of the novel.

I enjoyed the insights into early San Diego, and thought the author did an excellent job of integrating actual historical events into the plot. While the research was evident, it never overpowered the storyline.

The novel also did an excellent job of showing the explicit and implicit racism of the white settlers in San Diego and their interactions with those of other races. I was unpleasantly surprised to learn that the event I thought didn’t seem realistic was an event based on an actual court case in San Diego. If only this kind of behaviour was only historical …

The San Francisco-based part of the plot was equally well researched, and showed the depravity of many of the powerful players in the poor areas, as well as the racism against the Chinese.

Mama says the closer she is to God, the more she wants to spend time with Him

The other strength of the novel was the Christian element. Both women were Christians and were able to live out their faith in a way that influenced others, including the men in their lives, to reconsider their views on faith as the novel progressed.

Overall, Harmony on the Horizon had strong female characters, a solid Christian thread, and excellent research. It’s a solid end to Denly’s debut trilogy.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen DenlyKathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About Harmony on the Horizon

Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.

On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.

After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.

As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.

Find Harmony on the Horizon online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Author Interview | Introducing Kathleen Denly (plus #Giveaway)

Today I’d like to welcome author Kathleen Denly to the blog to share a little about herself, her writing journey, and her next release: Harmony on the Horizon. She’s also offering a giveaway, and a bunch of goodies to anyone who preorders the novel. Welcome!

First, please tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from?

I’ve spent the majority of my life in sunny Southern California. Technically born in San Diego, I only lived there the first two weeks of my life until I moved back again in 1999. Six months ago our family moved to the mountains in Central California. It’s been an adjustment, but we love our new home.

Which of your books is your personal favourite, and why?

This is not a fair question. LOL It’s so difficult to choose because my third book, Harmony on the Horizon, only recently finished its final edit and by the time you’ve read a story fifty times and analyzed it to death, it can’t be your favorite story no matter how wonderful it is. It’s like eating ice cream for breakfast every day for a month. Sure it seems fun for the first day or even week, but by day twenty-five, if not sooner, you’re ready for some eggs already! All of which means Harmony on the Horizon can’t even be in the running here. That leaves me with Waltz in the Wilderness or Sing in the Sunlight if we’re only counting published novels.

But I’m going to cheat and say that my favorite is the one that hasn’t been published and may never be published because it needs such a major overhaul. My working title for it is First Stone and it’s my favorite because it was so much fun to write. Plus I learned a lot about my craft in the process. Even if it is a major train wreck.

Great answer!

It’s said that authors should write the kind of book they like to read. What is your favourite genre? Who are your favourite authors?

My favorite genre is historical Christian romance. Some of my favorite authors in this genre include Mary Connealy, Melissa Jagears, Elizabeth Camden, Pepper Basham, Rachel Fordham, Tara Johnson, Cathy Marie Hake, Roseanna M. White, Regina Jennings, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Carolyn Miller, Erica Vetsch, Kristi Ann Hunter, Kelly Eileen Hake, Misty Beller, Carrie Turansky, Karen Barnett, Judith Miller, Tracie Peterson, Jen Turano, and Cara Grandle. I know I’m forgetting some, but this list is already so long I think I’ll stop here.

I love it when authors list so many other authors I already know and love … and a few new-to-me authors to check out.

What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?

I am currently reading Rachel Fordham’s A Lady in Attendance and I definitely recommend it. I’ve yet to read a novel by Rachel that I didn’t love and this one is calling me to quit typing and go read.

About your book

What kind of books do you write? Where and when are they set?

I write historical Christian romance set in nineteenth century America, with a particular focus on California.

Tell us about your latest book. Who will enjoy it?

Harmony on the Horizon is the third book in my Chaparral Hearts series. Unlike the previous two books, this novel follows four point of view characters and is largely split between the two settings of San Diego and San Francisco, although it all comes together in the end. I think it’s a great choice for readers who enjoy history, urban adventure, and complex characters with real, relatable flaws facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Here’s the official description:

Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.

On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.

After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.

As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.

What was your motivation for writing Harmony on the Horizon?

I went on a field trip with my kids a few years ago at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. While we toured the restored schoolhouse, the docent shared the story of the Mary Chase Walker scandal which occurred in 1865. Mary was the first teacher to teach in San Diego’s first schoolhouse, but her position was short-lived due to the “mistake” she made of inviting the “wrong person” to dine with her in the town’s nicest hotel. As a result of this choice, many parents refused to send their students to school until she was fired and an emergency board meeting was held to determine what to do. While records of the result of that meeting have since been lost to history, we do know that she was no longer teaching one month later and shortly thereafter married one of the board members. Needless to say, my writer’s imagination was captivated.

Where did the characters and story come from? What were your influences?

Well, I’ve already mentioned where Margaret and Everett come from in my previous answer, so I’ll tell you about Katie. She comes from a combination of Anne Shirley (complete with red hair) and the things I learned about childhood trauma through my training to become a foster parent. In Harmony on the Horizon, Katie struggles to keep a job due to compulsive daydreams that are a type of coping mechanism stemming from an extremely traumatic childhood.

About your writing

What do you see as the main differences between fiction written for the Christian market compared with the general market?

While I’d love for a nonbeliever to enjoy my novels and learn more about God, I view my stories as a ministry to the church body. To me, that’s usually the difference between the two markets–who the stories are written for.

Do your novels have an overt faith element?

Absolutely. While I strive to keep story first and never be preachy, there is always a strong faith element in what I write. I can’t seem to help it. It’s how I see the world and where the Spirit is leading me.

Is writing for the Christian market harder or easier than writing for the general market? Why?

For me, I think writing for the general market would be more difficult because of the need to censor my natural tendency to view everything through God’s Word. Trying not to directly mention Him or my character’s relationship with Him would feel incredibly constricting.

About your publishing journey

What is the hardest part of getting a book written, edited and published?

Formatting! Blech. Click, scroll, click, scroll, for what feels like an eternity, just to make sure the chapter headings are in the exact right spot and I didn’t miss an indent here or a hashtag there. Soooo tedious! LOL

How is self-publishing different from working with a publisher? What made you choose the traditional publishing option?

I’m traditionally published through Wild Heart Books and it was the best decision I’ve made so far on this writing journey. My publisher’s support in both tangible and emotional ways has been invaluable. They have an entire team dedicated to making my work the best it can be and getting it into as many readers’ hands as possible. I know my novels are better and have reached more readers for being published through Wild Heart Books. I’m very excited to have recently signed a contract to publish three more novels for the Chaparral Hearts series through Wild Heart Books.

What advice do you have for someone seeking to write and publish a novel?

Pray, practice, and study your craft. Learn what all the industry experts recommend, but before implementing it, submit your plans to prayer. Just because one person tells you to follow a certain path (even if that person is an expert and the path is objectively excellent), doesn’t mean it’s the path God has for you.

Thank you, Kathleen!

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen Denly writes historical romance to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com. 

Kathleen lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

Find Kathleen online at

Website | Newsletter | BookBub

In celebration of Kathleen’s upcoming release, Harmony on the Horizon, book 3 in her Chaparral Hearts series, she is offering a giveaway!

Giveaway from Kathleen Denly

One winner* will receive:

  • 1 ebook copy of either Waltz in the Wilderness or Sing in the Sunlight – winner’s choice
  • 1 Pair of Earrings – Purple Glitter Studs
  • 1 Faux Leather Bookmark – Purple Rose Clusters – Purple Tassle
  • 1 Sing in the Sunlight Bookmark
  • 1 Harmony on the Horizon Sticker

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post and sign up for Kathleen’s Readers’ Club here: http://bit.ly/KRCMemberSignUp 

Deadline to enter is 11:59pm December 15, 2021. Winner will be announced in the comments for this post and contacted via email.

*Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
Only the most important decision of his life, and the Lord was choosing now to go silent.

Book Review | Sing in the Sunlight (Chaparral Hearts #2) by Kathleen Denly

The first few chapters of Sing in the Sunlight were awkward reading, because it was pretty obvious Clarinda was being strung along even before we met him. Once we met, it was even more obvious.

And yes, he turned out to be exactly the slimy creep I expected him to be. Worse, in fact.

The story gets properly started when Clarinda leaves her boarding school in northern California and travels to her family home in San Diego, escorted by her cousin. On the way, they meet mine owner Richard Stevens, who has just inherited a shipping company.

When she arrives home, rather than telling her parents the truth—that’s she’s unmarried and pregnant—she tells them she is now the widowed Mrs Stevens, and that dear Richard died in a mining accident. It’s a convincing lie, until Richard Stevens appears on the scene … having dreamed they were married.

So starts an entertaining yet thought-provoking marriage of convenience story.

It’s easy to see why Clarinda got scammed by the slimy creep: she has facial scars that have left her believing no one will ever love her. She’s even convinced her own family can’t deal with the sight of her, so it makes perfect sense that she’d fall victim, then run away to the family ranch where no one will see her.

It’s great to watch her come out of her shell and open herself up and befriend her new husband, even if she doesn’t want to stay married to him. As such, it’s a unique marriage of convenience story, and one I will probably re-read.

Recommended for fans of Christian historical fiction.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen DenlyKathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About Sing in the Sunlight

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.

Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.

Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.

Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?

Find Sing in the Sunlight online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Guest Post and Giveaway | A Reason to Sing by Kathleen Denly

Today I’m delighted to welcome author Kathleen Denly to share about her upcoming release, A Reason to Sing. Welcome, Kathleen!

Do you enjoy traditional hymns or do you prefer more modern worship songs?

Personally, I love both. Growing up I attended a variety of churches that sang a mixture of both. Some of my favorite childhood memories, however, are of the times when the older women in my extended family would gather around the nearest piano and begin singing hymns together. I wish we’d had smart phones back then. I’d love to have a video of those beautiful women praising God together in that simple way.

Don't miss the next book in the Chaparral Hearts series

These spontaneous moments of worship from my childhood played a large part in the development of my novel, Sing in the Sunlight. Even as a child, I understood what a gift their voices were and as a writer I wondered what might have happened had one of them lost the ability to praise the Lord in this way. I considered writing a character who’d lost her voice, but that didn’t feel right for this story. So I continued playing with the idea. Eventually, I found my way to a character who didn’t lose her voice, but instead had lost her hope—her reason to sing.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

We all know that classic worship song, now a favorite in many Sunday School classes. In my novel, I explore the idea of what happens when a person’s light is hidden beneath the “bush” of tragedy, hurt, and confusion. When the singer believes God doesn’t care about them, what is there to sing about? Only when we are basking in the light of our heavenly Father’s love do we truly have reason to sing.

God has blessed me with many reasons to sing. One of those reasons is my daughter, Ava. We adopted her when she was sixteen months old, but before that Ava suffered a horrific tragedy. Not only did she lose her birth family, but an event transpired which left her with numerous scars. Many of those scars are on her arm and face. I’m grateful that she was too young at the time to remember what transpired, but being an author I wondered how her life might be different if the event (or something like it) had transpired at an age when she could remember. How might that have changed her life? When I combined this question with the treatment of visibly different people in the nineteenth century, I found the inspiration for my heroine, Clarinda.

This photo of the moment when I first met my daughter August 20, 2017, reminds me of how we all face the choice of whether or not to trust our Heavenly Father.

By the grace of God, Ava, is a happy, healthy child who loves to sing, dance, and “make a joyful noise” with her Fisher Price piano, but Clarinda’s joy has been lost. So she seeks it in places she shouldn’t and encounters consequences she never anticipated. Thankfully, our Lord is loving and mighty and works all things together for good for those who love Him. So He sends a special man into Clarinda’s life to point her back to the One who’s been with her all along—to remind her of her reason to sing.

What are your reasons to sing? Do you prefer contemporary or traditional worship songs? Let me know in the comments below!

Giveaway

To celebrate the upcoming release of Sing in the Sunlight, the second book in her Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen is offering a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win a digital copy of Waltz in the Wilderness (book 1 in the Chaparral Hearts series), a custom set of Sing in the Sunlight gold vinyl stickers and 2 bookmarks made and signed by Kathleen Denly.

Open to U.S. and International winners, void where prohibited. Entries open until midnight on January 19, 2021 Winner will be announced on Kathleen’s Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram accounts and must contact Kathleen with your mailing address within seven days of announcement.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen DenlyKathleen Denly writes historical romance stories to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | FB Reader Group

Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon

About Sing in the Sunlight

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.

Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.

Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.

Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?

Watch Kathleen Denly read Chapter One of Sing in the Sunlight.

Sing in the Sunlight releases on 21 March 2021 from Wild Heart Books.

Pre-order Sing in the Sunlight at:

Ebook order links:  Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Paperback order links:  Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble 

Pre-order Bonuses

In celebration of this second book in her Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen’s offering preorder bonuses. These include a set of exclusive coloring pages (hand drawn by Kathleen for this novel), and an MP3 recording of the hymn referenced in the book (God Moves in a Mysterious Way) performed by Kathleen’s wonderful mother.

Anyone who preorders Sing in the Sunlight no later than February 28, 2021 can register to receive their preorder bonuses. To register, email your proof of preorder purchase to kdpreorderbonuses@gmail.com no later than February 28, 2021. A proof of purchase is typically a screenshot of your receipt.

Please do not include any personal information such as physical mailing address or account numbers when submitting your proof of purchase. Preorder bonuses will be emailed on the day of the book’s release to all who register.

 

Harmony on the Horizon Cover Reveal and Puzzle Scavenger Hunt

Cover Reveal and Giveaway | Harmony on the Horizon by Kathleen Denly

Welcome to the cover reveal tour for Harmony on the Horizon, book three in the Chaparral Hearts series! Collect all the passwords and enter for a chance to win the grand prize!!!

Harmony on the Horizon

Chaparral Hearts series book 3

Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.

On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.

After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.

As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.

Now available for preorder! CLICK to grab your copy!

Releases January 2022!

Fighting Fire AND Each Other

Did you know that before fire departments were taken over by local governments, private fire companies used to compete to reach a fire first? In some cities the competition even became violent. Competing firemen would fight each other while the structures they were meant to be saving continued to burn. San Francisco’s fire fighters were generally well behaved until the 1860s when their competition reached a boiling point that led to street brawls. One such altercation is included in Harmony on the Horizon. Eventually the private companies were dissolved in favor a public fire department. On the day the last private company closed, there was a huge ceremony held which had the overtones of a funeral.

Click HERE to view a sneak peek of the cover and collect the password for this stop!

Remember to write your passwords down so you can enter the giveaway on the final cover reveal page!!!

To find the next stop on the tour, visit the Scavenger Hunt Home Page!

sing in the Sunlight

Cover Reveal | Sing in the Sunlight (Chapparral Hearts #2) by Kathleen Denly

Cover Reveal Sing in the Sunlight

It’s time for a Cover Reveal!

I thought Waltz in the Wilderness was an excellent Christian Historical Romance (click here to read my review), so was delighted when Kathleen Denly asked me to help promote book two in the Chaparral Hearts series. Sing in the Sunlight releases in March 2021, and here’s the cover:

About Sing in the Sunlight

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is.
Neither is the woman who now claims his last name. Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in
1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.
Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.
Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?

Find Sing in the Sunlight online at:

Amazon | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

Preorder Bonus

In celebration of this second book in her Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen Denly is offering preorder bonuses. These include a set of exclusive coloring pages (hand drawn by Kathleen for this novel), and an MP3 recording of the hymn referenced in the book, (God Moves in a Mysterious Way) performed by Kathleen’s mother. Anyone who preorders Sing in the Sunlight no later than February 28, 2021 can register to receive their preorder bonuses.

Preorder Sing in the Sunlight

To register, email your proof of preorder purchase to kdpreorderbonuses@gmail.com no later than February 28, 2021. A proof of purchase is typically a screenshot of your receipt. Please do not include any personal information such as physical mailing address or account numbers when submitting your proof of purchase. Preorder bonuses will be emailed on the day of the book’s release to all who register.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen Denly

Kathleen Denly writes stories to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. She enjoys finding the lesser known pockets of history and bringing them to life through the joys and struggles of her characters.

Sunny southern California, a favorite setting in her stories, is also her home. She lives there with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories.

When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Click here to watch Kathleen talk about Sing in the Sunlight on Facebook.

Forced to choose between Eliza's safety and what society deemed proper, he must choose Eliza's safety. He prayed Alice would understand.

Book Review | Waltz in the Wilderness by Kathleen Denly

Waltz in the Wilderness is Kathleen Denly’s debut novel, and it’s excellent. It’s set in California during the Gold Rush, in the time when people referred to the East as “the States”. (That amused me.)

I found the beginning a little disjointed. I didn’t immediately realise that Eli was Eliza, or that her father had left her with her aunt and uncle. That could have been me—I wasn’t able to sit down and read the way I usually do. Instead, I was snatching a chapter here and a chapter there … not my preference.

But once I got into the story without interruptions, it flowed and flowed well. There was plenty of action (including a shipwreck and a near-drowning), a trek into the wilderness, and plenty of emotional conflict. Daniel is a great hero. He is a man of honour, choosing to do what he believes is right even when it’s hard.

My favourite character was Eliza.

She was a woman who could think and act for herself and wasn’t afraid to act outside society’s norms. She’s strong and independent, knows her own mind, and goes after what she wants … even if it doesn’t appear to make sense. But she’s also not the kind of woman who complains, no matter how bad the circumstances, and I could admire that about her (okay, so she did have a little moan at one point, but it didn’t last).

I especially liked the fact that Eliza and Daniel both developed as characters during the novel, especially in terms of their spiritual journeys. Eliza especially had some lessons to learn, and they came out naturally—which is a testament to Kathleen Denly’s writing.

Recommended.

Waltz in the Wilderness by @KathleenDenly is an enjoyable Christian historical romance debut, set in the American West during the gold rush. #ChristianRomance #BookReview Share on X

Thanks to Wild Heart books for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen DenlyKathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

Waltz in the Wilderness is Kathleen’s debut novel and the first in a series of three stand-alone historical Christian romance novels connected by secondary characters and their beautiful Southern California setting.

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About Waltz in the Wilderness

She’s desperate to find her missing father. His conscience demands he risk all to help.

Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother’s death, so she’ll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend’s unexpected assistance is a blessing she can’t refuse.

Daniel Clarke came to California to make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it’s been four years since he left Massachusetts and his fiancée is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement.

When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt?

Find Waltz in the Wilderness online at:

Amazon | Goodreads | Kobo

Read the introduction to Waltz in the Wilderness below:

New Releases in Christian Fiction

New Releases in Christian Fiction | February 2020

It’s February already! I don’t know about you, but I think January went fast. It certainly doesn’t seem like a whole month since my last new releases post!

Yes, here’s what’s new in Christian fiction from members of American Christian Fiction Writers. More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

What’s on your to-read pile for February?

Contemporary Romance

Hands of Grace by Brenda S. Anderson — She’s always looked for love in the wrong places. He wants nothing to do with love. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Desert Willow by Patricia Beal — A stubborn ballerina and a charming young officer are brought together by an old woman’s dying wish and last love letter. (Contemporary Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

I have Desert Willow on preorder after reading a raving review from Narelle Atkins. I loved A Season to Dance, so I’m looking forward to reading this one!

A Gift to Cherish by Victoria Bylin — Rafe Donovan, a cop from Cincinnati, is haunted by a recurring nightmare about the drug death of his high school sweetheart. Those nightmares force him to take leave from his job, seek help, and shelter in Refuge, where he pounds nails for his brother’s construction business. Rafe has no desire to stay in Wyoming. His goal is to get back to being a cop in Ohio as soon as possible. But then he meets Daisy Riley . . . When he finds her stranded late at night with a flat tire, he’s impressed by her courage. Daisy is equally impressed by him, but as a former victim of violence, she treasures her safe and secure life in Refuge. Together they navigate the road to love—one that’s complicated by the arrival of Daisy’s troubled best friend, online dating, and the impossible obstacle of 1,600 miles between her home and his. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

I have this on preorder as well. I love the way Victorial Bylin weaves a great Christian romance out of what feel like real people.

Her Rocky Mountain Hope by Mindy Obenhaus — Learning to trust can be the greatest adventure. She’s always played it safe…Can he reach her guarded heart? Ready to open his camp for young cancer patients, Daniel Stephens must impress foundation overseer Blythe McDonald to ensure she approves funding for next year. But the cautious former cancer patient was once let down by a similar program, and she’ll leave no stone unturned in her evaluation. Can he convince her his camp is worthy of the money…and that he’s worthy of her love? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

The Story of Us by Teri Wilson — When a bookstore owner and an architect go head to head over a new development that threatens her store, they find a box of love letters from the past that may hold the key to their future. (Contemporary Romance from Hallmark Publishing)

General Split Time

The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiavaroli — Boston, 1773… Emma Malcolm’s father is staunchly loyal to the crown, but Emma’s heart belongs to Noah Winslow, a lowly printer’s assistant and Patriot. Her father has promised her hand to Samuel Clarke, a rapacious and sadistic man. As his fiancée, she would have to give up Noah and the friends who have become like family to her?as well as the beliefs she has come to embrace. After Emma is drawn into the treasonous Boston Tea Party, Samuel blackmails her with evidence that condemns each participant, including Noah. Emma realizes she must do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means giving up the life she desires and becoming Samuel’s wife. Present Day… Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs. But before her dream can be realized, she must return to Boston in order to put the abuse and neglect of her childhood behind her. When an unexpected encounter with the man she once loved leads to the discovery of a tea chest and the document hidden within, she wonders if perhaps true strength and freedom are buried deeper than she first realized. Two women, separated by centuries, must find the strength to fight for love and freedom. . . and discover a heritage of courage and faith. (General Contemporary from Tyndale House)

Historical:

Heavenly Lights by Barbara M. Britton — God gave Noah bat Zelophehad four sisters, a way with four-legged creatures, and a strong spirit. She will need all three gifts to thrive in the Promised Land of God and find love with a special shepherd. (Historical from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])

Historical Romance

Waltz in the Wilderness by Kathleen Denly — Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother’s death, so she’ll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend’s unexpected assistance is a blessing she can’t refuse. Daniel Clarke came to California to make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it’s been four years since he left Massachusetts and his fiancé is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement. When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

This is my current read—you can expect to see my review in a week or two.

The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason — Quinten Aspinall is determined to fulfill the promise he made to his dying father and keep his family together. To do so, he travels to Canada to find his younger siblings, who were sent there as indentured workers when Quinn was away at war. While overseas, he agrees to look for his employer’s niece who ran off with a Canadian soldier. If Quinn can bring Julia back, he will receive his own tenant farm, allowing him to give his ailing mother and his siblings a true home at last. Julia Holloway’s decision to come to Toronto has met with nothing but disaster. When her uncle’s employee rescues her from a bad situation, she fears she can never repay Quinn’s kindness. So when he asks for her help to find his sister, she agrees. The quest draws the two of them together, but soon afterward, Julia receives devastating news that will change her life forever. Torn between reuniting his family and protecting Julia, will Quinn have to sacrifice his own happiness to finally keep his promise? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Three Little Things by Patti Stockdale — Hattie Waltz should forget the troubled neighbor leaving for boot camp in 1917. He forgot about her ages ago. It had always been the Waltzs verses the Kregers, his family pitted against hers. When she hands him a farewell gift, a chemistry lesson unfolds. The good kind. Arno Kreger can’t leave Iowa or his old man fast enough. He’s eager to prove his worth on the battlefield and stop blaming himself for his brother’s death. Before entering the train, he bumps into Hattie. He’s loved her forever, always from the sidelines, because nobody crosses Hattie’s pa. One innocent letter soon morphs into many. Arno and Hattie share three little secrets in each letter and grow closer together. But he’s on his way to war across the ocean, and she’s still in her father’s house. Their newfound love will need to survive dangers on both fronts. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin — With his future stolen by his brothers’ betrayal, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the US Army Rangers, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. Leah Jones works as a librarian at the army base, hoping to find her lost sisters. A marriage of convenience binds them together, but will D-day—and a foreboding dream—tear them apart? (Historical Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Taming Julia by Jodie Wolfe — A gun-toting, breeches-wearing wife wasn’t what the minister ordered. In 1875, Kansas bachelor Drew Montgomery’s sole desire is to serve God, but his congregation’s ultimatum that he marry or leave, forces him to advertise for a wife by proxy. Jules Walker strides into Drew’s life wearing breeches and toting a gun and saddle–more cowboy than bride. After years on the trail, she’s not exactly wife material, but she longs for home and family, and will do anything to ensure Drew never discovers what she really is. (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])

Mystery

Under Cover by Linda Shenton Matchett — In the year since arriving in London, journalist Ruth Brown has put a face on the war for her readers at home in the U.S. Thus far, juggling her career and her relationship with Detective Inspector Trevor Gelson hasn’t proven too challenging. The war gets personal for Ruth when her friend Amelia is murdered, and Trevor is assigned to the case. Life gets even more unsettling when clues indicate her best friend, Varis, is passing secrets to the enemy. Convinced Varis is innocent, Ruth must find the real traitor as the clock ticks down toward Operation Husky-the Allied invasion of Sicily. Circumstantial evidence leads Trevor to suspect her of having a part in Amelia’s death, and Ruth must choose between her heart and her duty. (Historical Mystery from Shortwave Press)

Romantic Suspense

Legacy Reclaimed by Robin Patchen — She’ll risk anything to save the company her parents built. When someone makes threats on her life, he’ll risk anything to save her. But that someone will stop at nothing to make sure they both fail. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Speculative:

Cry of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse — Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire’s attacks. The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband’s power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power. Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her? (Fantasy from Bethany House [Baker])

Young Adult

Follow the Dawn by Rachelle Rea Cobb — Anna Emory grew up the invisible, shy younger sister, and she prefers it that way. But when her father attempts to arrange an unsavory marriage, Anna learns that courage is sometimes found in adversity. Then she meets a boy and his father struggling in their relationship, and they tip her quiet world upside down. Captain Mathieu Tudder has run from responsibility, entrusting his young son’s care to another and devoting his Sea Beggar ship to the Dutch Revolution. After that cause fails, Tudder returns to England for the son he left behind. But his son seems to have given his heart to a unknown and quiet lady—a woman who reminds him of all he’s ever loved and lost. Will these two hearts—the battle-scarred and the broken—ever find true freedom? (Young Adult Historical from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

The Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder — Every legend must start somewhere… No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere. Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell. But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself. (Young Adult Fantasy from Enclave Publishing)

I haven’t read any of Chawna Schroeder’s novels, but she has run some online courses for American Christian Fiction Writers. I’ve been impressed her ideas and her depth of insight. She’s an author worth checking out!

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

The Duke’s Refuge by Lorri Dudley, Historical Romance
Hannah’s Courage by Molly Jebber, Amish Romance
The Missing Manuscript by Sylvia A Nash, Cozy Mystery
Silvyn’s Tale by Sara Nicole, Fantasy
Freedom Lake Collection: Books 1 – 3 by Toni Shiloh, Contemporary Romance
Yellowstone Yondering by Kristen Joy Wilks, Contemporary Romance