Hi everyone! I have a post for everyone bright and early this Wednesday. Today I’m taking part in Faith Blum’s blog tour for her three new Hymns of the West novellas! Today is the release date of I Love Thee so check out the info about each story in the series and then read the fun character interview with one of the characters. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
I Love Thee
Mom and Dad dead STOP Please come STOP Gage
Confirmed bachelor, Cole Baxter, finds himself raising his sister's four young children. After one week of leaving his ranch in the hands of his foreman to take care of the grieving, needy children, he has to admit the task is beyond him and he needs help. But hired help won't suffice: those children need a mother's hand. Cole needs a wife. Approximately 18,000 words.
Publication Date: Today!
This book can be ordered here:
Pass Me Not
Let me at Thy throne of mercy/Find a sweet relief/Kneeling there in deep contrition/Help my unbelief
Timothy is at his wit's end. His twelve year old half-sister has run off five housekeepers in almost a year. Since their parents died, she has grown wilder than ever. What can he do? As he looks for a new housekeeper, his eye catches sight of a mail order bride advertisement. One young lady has a younger sister and sounds like a God-fearing woman. Could this be the answer to his dilemma or will Louise run her off, too? Approximately 15,300 words
This book can be ordered here:
Redeemed
Mail Order bride seeks wealthy Western man. Write Mona Sommers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Alexander Granger is tired of his father’s lectures and sermons. It’s time for payback. His plan is to pretend to marry a woman and scandalize his father when he finds out they aren’t really married. Will Mona accept his offer? Can Alex get away with his plan? Approximately 11,600 words.
This book can be ordered here:
Character Interview
Welcome Guest! What is your name? Is there anything significant about your name?
Hello, Shannon! It’s nice to be here today! My name is Rhoda Josephine Giles. I like to say that I was named after Jo in Little Women, but since I was born before it was written, I guess I can’t claim that. My first name is from someone a little bit famous. At least she was in the Bible. Rhoda was the servant girl who was the first person to see the apostle Peter after his miraculous escape from prison.
Describe your appearance in 10 words or less.
Plain, freckled face, drab brown hair, brown eyes, and slim.
What is your occupation?
I am the postmistress for our small Kansas town. It isn’t the most exciting job, but it’s one of the few jobs a woman can have.
Very interesting. A vast difference between then and now. Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why?
One of the only people to truly understand me and care about me is Cole Baxter. We have been friends for years now. I love him, but he has never expressed his love for me, so I keep quiet. Maybe someday.
Do you have a family? Tell us about them.
I do not have any family anymore. My parents died when I was eighteen and I never had any brothers or sisters.
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live.
With the War Between the States ended, things have settled down some. Being stuck in Kansas during the War was frightening and I am glad that is over with. Otherwise, I believe it’s your usual run-of-the-mill town in a ranching community.
Does your world have religion or other spiritual beliefs? If so do you follow one of them?
There are many religions and spiritual beliefs. I am a Christian. It affects everything in my behaviour. Or rather, it should. Before I asked Jesus Christ to become my Lord and Savior, I was not pleasant to be around. I was abrasive, argumentative, and irritating. Now, I can still be all three, but it isn’t constant and it certainly isn’t as strong.
Do you travel in the course of your adventures? If so where?
The only travelling I do is to go to my friend’s houses, especially Cole’s ranch. He lives about a half hour out of town if I walk. Riding a horse or buggy cuts the time in half.
Name and describe a food from your world/time.
Fried chicken. It has to be the best recipe ever. Take a little flour, salt, and pepper and coat the chicken, then fried in butter or lard. The flavor, textures, and all around goodness is overwhelming and impossible to describe.
One last question before I let you go back to your time. What form of politics is dominant in your world?
The United States is a Constitutional Republic.
About the Author
An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?).
As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have.
Giveaway
How would you like your very own copy of the book that started it all? Well, at least started it all for the novellas. Enter the giveaway below and you could win one of the two following prizes:
First Place:
A signed paperback copy of Amazing Grace as well as one hand painted bookmark (painted by the author's sister) and a silver pen nib bookmark. Already have a copy of Amazing Grace? No problem. If you are a winner, you can request a different book.
Second Place:
An ebook copy of Amazig Grace (or ebook of choice by Faith Blum if you already have a copy of Amazing Grace) and two hand painted bookmarks (painted by the author's sister).
Sales
From August 24-28 only, I Love Thee will be free!
Also on sale during the blog tour are A Mighty Fortress which will be $0.99 from August 23-30 and Be Thou My Vision which will be $0.99 from August 30-September 6.
Tour Schedule
Monday, August 24
Tour Intro at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
Spotlights and Guest Post at Rebekah Lyn Books – Writing novellas
Review of Pass Me Not at The Overactive Imagination
Spotlights at Rise, Write, Shine!
Tuesday, August 25
Spotlights at River of Stones
Review of Redeemed of Wildflower Acres
Author Interview at Jaye L. Knight
Review of Pass Me Not at Hello Precious Bliss
Wednesday, August 26-RELEASE DAY!
Review of Pass Me Not and Author Interview at Laura Whiskens
Spotlight and Character Interview (Rhoda) at Shannon Pemrick
Spotlights at God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae
Release Day announcement with excerpt from Amazing Grace at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
Thursday, August 27
Review of Pass Me Not at Melanie Snitker, author
Author Interview at Marianne Sciucco
Review of Redeemed at With a Joyful Noise
Review of I Love Thee at Hello Precious Bliss
Friday, August 28
Review of I Love Thee at Laura Whiskens
Review of Pass Me Not at Wildflower Acres
Spotlights at Tialla’s Tellings
Sneak Peeks at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
Saturday, August 29
Review of I Love Thee and character interview (Abigail) at Flights from the Aerie
Spotlights and Guest Post at Franky Brown
Review of Redeemed at Hello Precious Bliss
Reviews of Pass Me Not and I Love Thee at With a Joyful Noise
Sunday, August 30
Review of Redeemed at Laura Whiskens
Review of Pass Me Not and Author Interview at Flights from the Aerie
Spotlights at Samantha Fury Novels
Sneak Peeks at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
Monday, August 31
Blog Tour Wrap-up and Giveaway winners at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections