POSTS ABOUT BOOKS BY CHRISTIAN AUTHORS
WEEKLY BOOK GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment on THIS post through Tuesday, January 27, 2017 to be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book below. If you mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left sidebar “Join This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I'll add your name a second time in the drawing. U.S. mailing address required to receive a paper book. I may or may not have read books offered for giveaways. The mention and giveaway of books on my blog does not in any way indicate any manner of my endorsement of said books. Read book giveaway details at Disclaimers. To provide you security, please leave your email address like this: johnATyahooDOTcom. Winner announced in next Thursday's blog post.
Echoes of the Heart, a novella included in The Pony Express Romance Collection
by Donna Schlachter
Donna Schlachter lives in Denver with husband
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Donna Schlachter |
Enjoy Donna’s article below about the Pony Express.
The Pony Express in a Nutshell
The idea for a Pony Express was conceived in the minds of its owners because of the possibility of winning the contract for the overland US mail. Another company, Butterworth, was running a southern route that took up to three weeks to deliver to the west coast, and Majors and Waddell thought they could beat that time by taking the shorter northern route.
The irony of the matter is they never won the contract; instead, they merged with Butterworth to form the Overland Mail Company, and closed the Pony Express over $200,000 in debt.
My interest in this story came about because I met my friend Mary Davis at a writers’ conference, and I asked her what she was working on. At the time, she was doing the proposal for the book. I said I’d love to be part of it, but she said she had her authors. Still, I did some research, did a road trip, and when she emailed a month later to say one author dropped out, I was ready.
The time period, 1860, fascinates me as there were so many changes happening in America. The train is a near dream; the cross-country telegraph is nearing completion; the country is brewing for civil war; women are campaigning for voting and civil rights. In just a few short years, cameras will photograph the first war ever; telephones will be installed in people’s homes; electricity will light our lives into the dark of night.
Despite the changes, one thing is sure: The Pony Express lives on in our hearts and our folklore much longer than it actually ran.
Donna, please tell us a little about Echoes of the Heart, your novella included in the Pony Express Romance Collection.
Catherine Malloy, an orphan girl running from a compromising situation in Boston, answers a personal ad in a magazine, on behalf of her illiterate friend. Through his letters, she finds herself falling in love with this stranger. Benjamin Troudt is crippled and illiterate, and knows nothing of this ad. His route supervisor, Warton, who was helping Benjamin with the paperwork, has been given only a short time to live, and knows Benjamin needs help, so he places the ad. Can Catherine overcome her belief that the God of her parents has abandoned her? And can Benjamin allow God to open his eyes and his heart to love?
Where can readers find you online?
Blog
Website
Facebook:
Donna’s Books
Where can readers purchase The Pony Express Romance Collection?
Amazon
An excerpt from Donna’s novella, Echoes of the Heart:
Hollenberg Pony Express Station
Kansas Territory
May 1860
Chapter 1
Catherine Malloy braced a hand against the doorframe as the stage rounded a turn. A cloud of dust encircled the coach, filtering through the gaps in the doors, the curtains, the floor, and the roof, threatening to choke her. She coughed politely behind her gloved hand, cringing at the sight of the stains on her once-white hand coverings. Her spirits were as rumpled as her sleeves and skirt. Would the dirt ever come out?
But no matter how primitive the conditions, no matter how hostile the natives or how cold the winters—all stories she’d heard about the Wild West—she would not turn back.
She had nowhere to turn back.
When she’d excitedly read the advertisement in the magazine to her friend Margaret, neither had truly contemplated just how far the Kansas Territory was from Boston. Four days on the train to St. Joseph, Missouri had been just the beginning. Three days in this bouncing torture chamber, surrounded by surly men, snot-nosed children, and sharp-tongued women caused her to question her sanity and her decision more than once. She’d already eaten more dust than she’d known existed.
In Mr. Troudt’s first letter, he’d explained that he ran a way station and needed a wife. Neither she nor Margaret knew what that was. They knew a man from Australia, who talked about working at a sheep station. Perhaps a way station was similar.
Not that any of that mattered. She had no reason to go back. No family. No job.
Not after the way Master Talbott had approached her.
Donna, thanks for visiting with my readers and me. Donna is offering a print copy (US residents only) of The Pony Express Romance Collection to one commenter to this blog post.
Commenters, to enter the book drawing please leave your comment on this post through June 27, 2017 and remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you’re the winner.
The winner of last Thursday’s blog post for a copy of Hidden Assets by Leeann Betts is Paula. I’ll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.
Till next time … keep on smiling.
My latest book has released – Unraveled, a novella. Here is the cover, and you can read more about the book here. You can read the first chapter of the book on my website.
I am a follower.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about the pony express time period. this looks like a fascinating book. I am in.
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net
Hi Cathy, thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. I suspect the boys signed up thinking it would be an adventure, but soon found out the truth about cold winters, hot summers, and hard trail riding. Most only stuck it out a few months, but few regretted the choice to ride. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteLori, thanks for following my blog and for leaving your comment!
DeleteHi Lori: Thanks for dropping by. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteThe 1860's were both a fascinating and tragic period in our history. The Pony Express has always been a very interesting subject, with elements of the frontier and brave young men involved in a vital effort. Those guys probably thought it was fun and exciting! I am also a member of your newsletter subscription group. dobeworld at sbcglobal dot net
ReplyDeleteCathy, thanks for stopping by to leave your comment. I appreciate you subscribing to my newsletter!
DeleteHi Cathy: I love that era, too. So many things happening. Good luck in the drawing, and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI was aware that the Pony Express only lasted for a very short time. These look fascinating! I am a subscriber to this blog! Thanks for the great interview.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie: Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Second only in importance to buying and reading our books is reader interaction for us writers. This is a lovely book, with great paper and ragged edges like the old linen paper. Kudos to the designers at Barbour. Good luck in the drawing.
DeletePaula, thanks for leaving your comment and also for following my blog! I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO IF YOU WIN THE BOOK DRAWING I CAN CONTACT YOU.
DeleteHi Paula: Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteSorry about that. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet Thanks
DeleteI love romance collections and would certainly love to read this one. I am a follower and love visiting here. Thank you, Jo! mauback55 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteMelanie, you're welcome. Glad you follow my blog and enjoy your visits here! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteHi Melanie: Thanks for stopping by. This one is sweet, and I love all the stories. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI LOVE to read and review these collection books!!! :) And this one sounds great!
ReplyDeleteMany Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom
Amada, thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.
DeleteThank you! :)
DeleteHi Amada: Thanks for the enthusiasm! Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteThank you! :D
DeleteI love these collections books. I see 2 or 3 favorite authors and several new ones contributed to this book so I'm looking forward to reading this book that is on my wish list. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!!
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
Wendy, you're welcome. Thanks for leaving your comment.
DeleteHi Wendy: Thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, collections are a great way for publishers to audition new authors and new-to-them authors. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteHi Wendy: Thanks for stopping by. Collections like these are a great way to introduce new or newer-to-you authors. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteIt is hard to believe the pony express had such a short life. I have read many stories about the riders. This one really interests me.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
nlgriggs902atgmaildotcom
Nancy, thanks for comment. I appreciate you following my blog!
DeleteHi Nancy: Right. 18 months isn't long considering how it's become such a part of our history. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI like reading books from this time period. It sounds like a great read. Thank you for the giveaway. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteConnie, you're welcome. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.
DeleteHi Sonja: I like collections because it gives me a quick read, and Barbour does a great job with the quality of the materials and design. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteHi Connie: Thanks for the support, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI love these Barbour collections!
ReplyDeleteElly -Indiana-
jcservantslaveATicloudDOTcom
Elly, thanks for leaving your comment.
DeleteHi Elly: THanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI love reading collection books - also series. I would love to win this very interesting collection.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower of yours, Jo.
debralindquist1ATgmailDOTcom
Debra, thanks for following my blog and for leaving your comment!
DeleteHi Debra: I'm with you -- collections and series. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI'm a follower and I love these collections. I actually "collect" the collections by Barbour. sonja dot nishimoto at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSonja, thanks for being a follower of my blog and for commenting!
DeleteHi Sonja: Thanks for collecting collections. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteOh, this whole collection sounds so good & I'm in love with that cover!
ReplyDeleteDonna, your story is intriguing. It seems like God had just the perfect time for you to write it :-) I love when He intervenes in our lives like that! Thanks for sharing a tidbit, you've wet my appetite for sure.
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Jo, I'm a follower. Thanks for the extra entry and chance to win!
Trixi, you're welcome. I appreciate you following my blog and also for commenting!
DeleteHi Trixi: I heard a new term last night: God wink.
DeleteFor sure, that's what this was. And it opened the door for two more coming out with Barbour in January and February 2018: Bouquets of Brides, and Mail Order Brides. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
This has such a pretty cover! I love novella collections; they're perfect to take on vacation.
ReplyDeleteDianna (dedezoomsalot at yahoo dot com)
Dianna, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.
DeleteHi Dianna: A gorgeous cover! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI love books with novellas and all have the same theme. Great time period. karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)
ReplyDeleteKaren, thanks for coming by and commenting.
DeleteHi Karen: Me, too. I like themed collections. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI am a follower! This sounds like a great book! Shelia Hall sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteShelia, thanks for following my blog and for leaving your comment!
DeleteHI Shelia: THanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteFollowing your blog... would love to read this book collection!
ReplyDeletesmincer10(at)gmail(dot)com
DeleteSusanne, I appreciate you following my blog! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteHi Susanne: Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI would love to win this book!!
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Connie,thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.
DeleteHi Connie: Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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ReplyDeleteI am a follower. This book sounds very interesting! Thanks for the giveaway and interview.
ReplyDeleteDonna, you're welcome. Thanks for following my blog and for commenting!
DeleteHello Donna: Thank YOU for stopping by and good luck in the drawing. If not for reader feedback, we'd be writing to an empty room (or at least, that's how it would feel :))
DeleteI am a follower Jo & I love the Barbour collection books!!! This one especially looks great and I love that cover :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the fun author interview and excerpt of the book & the giveaway!
I'm a follower! Sounds like a great story! Shelia Hall sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy email doesn't seem to be showing up so here I go again! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet Thanks!
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