A Book about A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould

Leslie Gould joins us for a chat about Amish and Mennonite History, WW2, beloved readers, and her novel A Brighter Dawn. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

About Leslie

My strongest memories from childhood include stories of hope and grace—and how those stories connected me to family and friends. I also soaked up stories of redemption in the small-town churches we attended.

I’ve written a large collection of dual-time, Amish, and contemporary novels, set in a variety of places—from the Pacific Northwest to Amish Country to France to Vietnam.

My husband, Peter, and I have been married forty years and have four adult children and one grandchild. We live in Portland, Oregon and enjoy traveling, urban hikes, and hanging out with family and friends!

About the Book

Ivy Zimmerman is successfully navigating her life as a young Mennonite woman, one generation removed from her parents’ Old Order Amish upbringing. But when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Ivy’s way of life is upended. As she deals with her grief, her younger sisters’ needs, the relationship with her boyfriend, and her Dawdi and Mammi’s strict rules, Ivy finds solace in both an upcoming trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering and in her great-great-aunt’s story about Clare Simons, another young woman who visited Germany in the late 1930s.

As Ivy grows suspicious that her parents’ deaths weren’t, in fact, an accident, she gains courage from what she learns of Clare’s time in pre-World War II Germany. With the encouragement and inspiration of the women who have gone before her, Ivy seeks justice for her parents, her sisters, and herself.

Connect with Leslie

Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

A Bookchat about The All-American with Susie Finkbeiner & a Review of Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark

Susie Finkbeiner joins us for a chat about her beloved state of Michigan, what draws her to write stories set in the 50s and 60s, and her latest release The All-American. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! Widow Minerva Jenkins has lived alone in her small mountain home for 40 years where she has guarded her husband’s deathbed request. When a young reporter comes calling and inquires about a rumored box of gold on her property, an unlikely friendship forms. Will she go to her grave with her husband’s secret, or will the weight of it be the death of her?

For today’s Pinch of the Past we are looking at some little-known facts about sequences. Did you know that Egyptomania thrust sequences into the fashion spotlight in the 1920s? For more, listen to the episode. 

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Angela Bell. “Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark is everything I’d hoped it would be. Poignant. Beautiful. With the warmth and southern charm of my Granny’s hand-stitched quilt.” (Full review here.)

Connect with  Susie Finkbeiner: Facebook, BookBub, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, YouTube, her Newsletter, and Amazon.

A Bookchat about Forged in Love with Mary Connealy & a Review of Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

Mary Connealy joins us for a chat about hymns, blacksmiths in Wyoming, her favorite books, and her latest release Forged in Love. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at  Old Western terms and quotes.

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Angela Bell. “If you’re obsessed with true crime and love gothic fiction, you’re sure to agree that Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a haunting read!” (Full review here.)

Connect with Mary: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

A Bookchat about The Maid of Ballymacool with Jennifer Deibel & a Review of Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

Jennifer Deibel joins us for a chat about Irish foods, the uniqueness of historical fiction, and her latest release The Maid of Ballymacool. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at the Victorian Etiquette of Courtship.

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Narelle Adkins from Story Chats Podcast. “Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is a Christian novel, and the faith themes are woven beautifully into the story.” (Full review here.)

You can connect with Jennifer Deibel at: Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, and BookBub.

A Bookchat about The Rose and the Thistle with Laura Frantz & a Review of The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

Laura Frantz joins us for a chat about castles, Scottish heritage, travel and her latest release The Rose and the Thistle. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we had Tisha Martin on the show to share Novel Research: Town History. It’s always fun to dig into the history of the town you’re writing about. Many famous people grew up in small towns, which is really surprising. (Full post here.)

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Christie K. “The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham is the second in a series and there are several allusions to the instances in the first book but it could function as a standalone. Except, the first book was so much fun to read that I highly recommend reading that one too!” (Full review here.)

Enter the giveaway by following this link or below.

Episode 52: A Christmas Special & a Bookchat about O Little Town with Janyre Tromp

In today’s episode, we are joined by Janyre Tromp for a chat about our favorite Christmas stories historical and recently released, including the novella set Janyre is a part of, O Little Town

Janyre is a historical novelist who loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. She’s also a book editor, published children’s book author, and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog.

Here is a little about Janyre’s novella “While Mortals Sleep.”

While World War II rages overseas, news reporter Eleanor Sweers returns home to Mapleview to face the repercussions of the death of her sister and her nightmare of Christmases past. But the homefront isn’t as far from the war as she thought: a bomb has landed in the middle of the U.S. Now Eleanor and family friend Gideon Braum may have to choose between the scoop of a lifetime and the love of a lifetime.

Connect with Janyer: Newsletter, Amazon, Website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Connect with Janyer on Instagram

Listener Recommended Christmas Book List

  1. Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham 
  2. A Texas Christmas Carol by Karen Witemeyre 
  3. A Christmas Promise: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Gabrielle Meyer
  4. Five n Dime Christmas from Barbour 
  5. The Unbroken Song by Jennifer Q. Hunt
  6. Michelle Griep’s Once Upon a Dickens Christmas 
  7. Joy to the World novella collection by Erica Vetsch, Amanda Barratt, and Carolyn Miller.
  8. A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs 
  9. An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti.
  10. The Sugarplum Ladies by Carrie Fancett Pagels
  11. While Mortals Sleep by Janyre Tromp part of the O Little Town novlella set
  12. The Christmas Book by Lynn Austin
  13. Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander
  14. The Matchmaker’s Gift: by Lynda Cohen Loigman
  15. Holly’s Homecoming by Jenny Knipfer
  16. The Woodcarver’s Snow-kissed Christmas by Izzy James
  17. A Husband for Christmas Margaret Tanner
  18. The Doctor’s Daughter 
  19. Gabriel’s Gift by Susan Baganz
  20.  Yesterday’s Christmas by A.M. Heath 
  21. A Hill Country Christmas: Hope for Hardscrabble Times by Lynn Dean, Gail Kittleson, Michael Barr, Gina Lister, & Shannon McFarland
  22. Christmas Roses by Amanda Joy Cabot
  23.  Christmas at Whitefriars by  Elizabeth Camden
  24. An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen
  25. Victorian Christmas Brides Collection
  26. Giver of Wonders by Roseanna White. 
  27. The Christmas Melody by Shanna Hatfield
  28. Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
  29. Holiday Heart by Shanna Hatfield
  30. Holiday Home by Shanna Hatfield
  31. Christmas at the Inn by Ashley Clark Book
  32. A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Historical Romances during American Pioneer Christmases by Margaret Brownley, Wanda E. Brunstetter, Kelly Eileen Hake, Liz Johnson , Jane Kirkpatrick, Liz Tolsma, Michelle Ule, Debra Ullrick, Erica Vetsch
  33. Christmas on King Street by Ashley Clark
  34. Christmas at the Inn by Ashley Clark

A Bookchat about Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen & a Review of Falling for the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund

Julie Klassen joins us for a chat about regency England, Jane Austen Easter eggs, and her latest release Sisters of Sea View. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

A Pinch of the Past: What do Mary had a Little Lamb and Thanksgiving have in common? Author, editor, activist, and mother Sarah J. Hale. (Full post here.) 

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Megan Adams from the bookstagram account Messy Bun, Bookish Fun. “If you enjoy capable cowgirls, romance with a little sizzle, and family sagas, you’ll want to grab a copy of Falling for the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund.” (Full review here.)

Connect with Julie: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.

A Bookchat about Caesar’s Lord with Bryan Litfin & a Review of Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark.                                   

Bryan Litfin joins us for a chat about Constantine’s empire, the early Church, writing, and his latest release Caesar’s Lord. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at some strange medical practices, one of which dates back to 6500 B.C. A treatment for headaches, head wounds, and madness, trepanning was not for the faint of heart. (Full post here.)

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Angela Bell. “If you love southern fiction and nuanced dual time stories, Paint and Nectar is sure to be your cup of tea!” (Full review here.)

Connect with Bryan: Blog, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Episode 46: A Bookchat about The Secrets of Emberwild with Stephenia McGee & a Review of The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar                                       

Stephenia McGee joins us for a chat about horses, muscle cars, writing, and her latest release The Secrets of Emberwild. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at how birthdays have been celebrated throughout history. By the way, did you know that “Happy Birthday” is not public domain? That’s right, more than a 100 years old, and someone still owns the copyright. (Full post here.)

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Beth Bulow. “If you love Biblical fiction full of endearing characters, a tender, hard-won romance, and exciting journeys to distant kingdoms,  The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar is an absolute must read for you.” (Full review here.)

Connect with Stephenia: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

A Bookchat about A Daughter’s Courage with Misty M. Beller & a Review of Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd

Misty M. Beller joins us for a chat about marketing, writing, fall family traditions, and her latest release A Daughter’s Courage. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at the history of the man who made apples an American thing–the man best known as Johnny Appleseed. (Full post here.)

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Angela Bell. “ If you’re a fan of women’s fiction and dual time narratives, you’re sure to agree that Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd is a beautiful bouquet of a book!” (Full review here.)

Connect with Misty: Website, Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, and Instagram.