Episode 16: Guest Jody Hedlund & a Review of In A Far Off Land

Jody is the bestselling author of over 30 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. She shares about her new time travel novel Come Back to Me, her love of cats, and the fun of writing. Learn more about her at her website JodyHedlund.com/ and her ReaderRoom Facebook group.

We share prolific hymn writers in our Pinch of the Past. A look at the reformer Martin Luther, the “The Godfather of English Hymnody” Isaac Watts, and blind teacher and lobbyist Fanny Crosby.

Bookworm Review: If you love historical fiction that will keep you crying both happy and sad tears, filled with intrigue, mystery and suspense then In A Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem is the perfect book for you.

We are giving away a copy of Come Back to Me.

Giveaway began on August 15, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 27, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.


Episode 14: Guest Lisa T. Bergren & a Review of The Ice Swan

Interview: Lisa T. Bergren is the author of over sixty books with a combined three million+ books sold. Join us as she chats about her second edition Begotten book 1 of The Gifted Series.

On today’s Pinch of the Past eighteenth century coinage we are looking a the British coins, The Piece of Eight, techniques of theft. Money and currency are such an intricate part of everyday life. I hope this peek at the currency of years past has made the people who walked in the 1700s seem a little more human than before. If you enjoyed it, be sure to check out the Townsends YouTube channel.

Review: If you’re looking for a sweet, clean read with two very different characters who learn to adapt to an ever changing world then The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski is for you.

Braced for Love by Mary Connealy

About the Book

Left with little back in Missouri, Kevin Hunt takes his younger siblings on a journey to Wyoming when he receives news that he’s inheriting part of a ranch. The catch is that the ranch is also being given to a half brother he never knew existed. Turns out, Kevin’s supposedly dead father led a secret and scandalous life.

But danger seems to track Kevin along the way, and he wonders if his half brother, Wyatt, is behind the attacks. Finally arriving at the ranch, everyone

is at each other’s throats and the only one willing to stand in between is Winona Hawkins, a nearby schoolmarm.

Despite being a long-time friend to Wyatt, Winona can’t help but be drawn to the earnest, kind Kevin–and that puts her in the cross hairs of somebody’s dangerous plot. Will they all be able to put aside their differences long enough to keep anyone from getting truly hurt?

The Review

I’m glad to have the opportunity to tell you about Mary Connealy’s latest release, Braced for Love. for years I read Mary’s books because her works always promised me a safe, fun historical read.

In her usual fashion, Mary spins a fun western tale; and while the series is centered around a family of brothers, like many of her other series, this one is different because these brothers appear to be enemies. My favorite thing about this book was the setting. The terrain is described beautifully as frontier life on a cattle ranch. From the ranch to the cattle, the hills, rivers, and a waterfall. I also enjoyed seeing the other minor characters interact and wonder who would end up with whom. Mary always gives hints as to who might star in the next book as the romantic couple.

For our more conservative listeners, you will be happy to know that kisses are sweet not steamy, and the violence is neither gory nor unnecessary.

If you enjoy reading clean, western romance with a little danger, family values, and a marriage of convenience, you won’t want to miss Braced for Love, book 1 in Mary Connealy’s Brothers in Arms Series.

This review was originally shared in episode 6 of the Historical Bookworm Show.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.
She is the bestselling author of 48 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.