Sandra has agreed to give away one electronic copy of the book. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends August 15, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
The Story Behind the Story...
Are you
one of the many readers who enjoy mail-order bride stories?
When I
was given the opportunity to write such a story, I jumped at it. However, I wanted
something other than the typical American West setting—something unique. As I
mulled it over, the idea that popped into my head was to use a gold rush.
Again,
I didn’t want to do the standard California or Colorado gold rushes, so I began
researching others. That research led to the Klondike, and I decided Skagway
would have made a great destination town. Unfortunately, the more I dug, the
more I realized it didn’t work with the historical timing of the story I had in
mind, so I returned to the research. That eventually led me to Nome, Alaska.
Nome
has a fascinating history, and I could see my adventure-seeking heroine fitting
right in alongside the stampeders, a number of whom left the Klondike when news
came of the wealth found in Alaska.
Can
you imagine picking gold nuggets off a beach?
Once
word got out about finding gold on the beaches of Nome (or Anvil City, as it
was called then) the population swelled to over 20,000 people. They came from
all over to get in on the strike, most sailing to Nome from San Francisco or
Seattle.
Every
kind of business was born, especially gambling houses, dance halls, and
saloons. Even Wyatt Earp owned a saloon called The Dexter. Buildings were
constructed in haste. White tents lined the beach for over thirty miles, and
miners established claims along the various creeks in the area. So many people
arrived that the small post office had trouble keeping up with the mail, which became
a key plot point in A
Love Most Worthy.
The
story, set in the summer of 1900, also took advantage of the weather toward the
end of August. Cold, rain, wind, a little snow…it all came to a head in
mid-September with
gale-force
winds that destroyed parts of the new town and cost around a hundred lives. How
could I ignore using that historical event as an analogy for the turbulence in
the marriage of Hallie and Rance?
The
story revolves around a few months in 1900, and it didn’t take long for the
miners to discover that the gold was playing out. It was no longer as easy as
picking it up from the beach. But Nome has more to its history, like the 1925
serum run, which made the sled dog Balta famous, or the finish line of the celebrated
Iditarod. If you think you might want to try your luck at striking it rich, people
still search the beaches of Nome for those elusive gold nuggets.
And
that research I did about the Klondike? Some of it came in handy. Happy
reading!
Blurb...
He isn't
what she expected.
Life should be lived to the fullest. Her late father's
philosophy sends Hallie Russell to the gold rush town of Nome, Alaska as a
mail-order bride. When her new husband proves distant, Hallie sees her quest
for adventure and her dream of belonging vanish quicker than a miner's golden
nuggets.
But she could be what he needs.
Rance Preston's rowdy lifestyle led to tragic consequences, and
his nephews paid the price. Now they need a mother, but Rance has vowed to
never again let his heart overrule his head...until the high spirits of his new
bride threaten his resolve.
Will they allow the gale-force winds of insecurity to destroy a
bond more precious than gold?
Excerpt...
Hallie was beginning to care a great deal for all the
Prestons and didn’t want to cause continued strife between the six-year-old and
Rance. She bent over and cupped his chin. “Will you do something for me?”
His eyes lit and his head bobbed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Will you be extra nice to your Uncle Rance today?”
She waited while he tilted his head and narrowed his eyes,
considering her request. “I guess so, but he better not make you cry again.”
“I won’t, Robbie.” At the sound of Rance’s voice, Hallie
bolted upright and spun around. He stood in the hallway near the boys’ bedroom,
a paper-wrapped package clutched in his hand and Davie at his side. “At least,
I’ll try not to.”
Enraptured by his steady gaze with its hint of
sheepishness, Hallie’s pulse frolicked. She could blame the cavorting on his
sudden appearance but feared the credit belonged to the husky drawl and gentle
voice.
Really, Hallie?
Her inner heels kicked up as she fell victim to his
chiseled features, those wide shoulders, and the sturdy chest on which she
could lean while his arms enfolded…
She gasped. Get hold
of yourself, Hallie Rus…Preston. For heaven’s sake, this isn’t the first time
you’ve seen your husband, and he has no interest in your attraction anyway.
Besides, his more-or-less apology had been to his nephew,
not her.
“What’s in your hand, Uncle Rance?” Robbie pointed to the
package.
Rance studied it as if he’d forgotten he held it. “I
brought Aunt Hallie something.”
Her breath stuttered. He’d brought her a present?
He stepped closer and held it out for her to grasp. When
she took the package, the paper crinkled and yielded to her touch. Whatever it
enclosed was soft and pliable. She presented him with her most generous smile.
“Thank you.”
Hallie tore the paper, impatient to see the gift. She
pulled out a wide ribbon…a wide, crimson
hair ribbon. Her pleasure collapsed like a deflated balloon.
“I thought it appropriate for today.”
Appropriate for the Fourth of July? Perhaps. But had he
not listened when she mentioned she despised the color red. It reminded her too
much of her father’s death. Why hadn’t he brought her a blue or white ribbon?
Robbie wrinkled his nose. “But it’s red, Uncle Rance. She
doesn’t like red.”
She balled the ribbon in her hand and swallowed her
disappointment. “It’s fine, Robbie. In fact, it’s lovely.” It would be lovely…to
someone else.
Hallie couldn’t deny Rance was a good man. However, she
wouldn’t fool herself. Like her father, he considered her feelings irrelevant.
He hadn’t bothered to remember her name. Why should she expect him to remember
a tiny detail such as her disdain of the color red? To him, she was of no more
interest than the cook stove. Stuff kindling in her when she grew cold, then
ignore her until the next time she was needed.
She had hoped life with him would be different, but so
far, her marriage felt like the same tired refrain sung over and over.
About Sandra...
As an
author of heartwarming and award-winning historical romance, Sandra Ardoin engages
readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a
book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom
says no to eating out.
Keep up-to-date
with the Love in Faith and Fiction newsletter, including information about Sandra’s
October 2019 release!
Where you can find her online...
Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com
As a gift for her newsletter subscribers, Sandra wrote a short story to accompany A Love Most Worthy—a “prelude.” It provides some insight into
Hallie’s story, something those who read only the novella won’t receive. So,
join the Love and Faith in Fiction community and keep up with what’s new,
discover what’s upcoming, and learn of specials and giveaways.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Oh how I love Leslie's blog, I'm always finding new authors to read. My list keeps getting bigger. ��
ReplyDeleteThis book caught my attention because of the Mail-order bride words. I love those kind of books. And the setting also sounded nice.
I'm so glad you love mail-order bride stories! And I know what you mean about that TBR list. Mine is about to topple over. :) Happy reading!
DeleteI'm happy to help, and I always enjoy seeing you on my blog :)
DeleteAnd I totally understand about the TBR pile!
Good luck.
Sandra, thank you for the sweet reply!
DeleteAnd Leslie, you are so sweet. ❤ I LOVE this blog, always learning of new authors. So thank you!
Aww...thanks so much :) You're very welcome.
DeleteThank you for letting me share about Nome and A Love Most Worthy, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteReaders, don't forgot about the available short story prelude!
You're welcome. Thanks for being here.
DeleteI'm a sucker for a great mail order bride story, and this one sounds amazing! Love the setting as well!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm thrilled that it has your interest! I loved doing the research and learned so much about Nome at the turn of the 20th century.
DeleteI enjoy the mail-order bride books, as well.
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for stopping by.
Congratulations, Carolyn B.!
ReplyDelete