Stop by my blog to learn about Taming Julia by Jodie Wolfe. You can learn the story behind the story, read an excerpt, and enter to win an electronic copy of the book.
Click here.
Showing posts with label #JodieWolfe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #JodieWolfe. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Friday, August 17, 2018
"To Claim Her Heart" by Jodie Wolfe ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Jodie has offered to give away a copy of the book (hard copy - US ONLY; ebook - International) . You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends August 24, 2018. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass along your information.)
Back cover blurb...
In 1893, on the eve of the great race for land, Benjamin David prays for God to guide him to the "Promised Land." Finding property and preaching to the lost are his only ways of honoring his deceased fiancee. He hasn't counted on Elmer (Elsie) Smith claiming the same plot and refusing to leave. Not only is she a burr in his side, but she is full of the homesteading know-how he is sadly lacking.
Obtaining a claim in the Cherokee Strip Land Run is Elsie Smith's only hope for survival, and not just any plot, she has a specific one in mind. The land's not only a way to honor her pa and his life, but also to provide a livelihood for herself. She's willing to put in whatever it takes to get that piece of property, and Elsie's determined to keep it.
Her bitterness is what protects her, and she has no intentions of allowing that preacher to lay claim to her land … or her heart.
The story behind the story...
September 16th will mark the 125th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893. It was our Nation's last great race for land. 115,000 people showed up to raise for 42,000 thoughts. I can clearly picture that day. It was hot and dry. Folks gathered on nine different starting places located along the Kansas border and south of the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma Territory.
All manner of conveyances could be seen — people on foot, horseback, buggies, wagons, bicycles, trains, etc. I could easily imagine the clamor and chaos as all those assembled awaited the gunshot that would signify the start of the race at noon. People were desperate. The country had undergone an economic catastrophe with the plummet of the New York Stock Exchange due to the over-investing in the railroads. Many businesses that depended upon the railroad were forced to close their doors. Quite a number of banks either closed or called in their loans. It was a difficult time.
Such is the backdrop for my new novel, To Claim Her Heart. This book is especially significant to me since it was my dear mother-in-law who introduced me to the history of the land run. It mattered to her because she had several relatives who competed in the land race and found claims. I vividly remember the summer of 1997 when she stopped off in Oklahoma to see one of those original properties. My sons and I tromped over the land and saw the homestead that was built in 1894. The first home had been a soddy that didn't last longer than a year.
The rock home I saw was partially built into the side of a hill and in a state of disrepair. A stream gurgled nearby, and within a couple of miles, the Gloss (Glass) Mountains cropped out of the landscape. It didn't take much for me to start imagining characters tromping through the area and choosing to settle there.
While Mom never lived to see this book finally published, she knew that I was working on it her last days. I'm so thankful that she shared her rich family history with me. Quite a few of the family stories she told me were included in my book.
My review...
Elsie Smith sets off in a race for land. She wants to
carry out her pa’s wishes and stake out the plot he had planned to claim.
However, she never intended to share the land … especially not with a preacher.
Now, it will be up for the courts to decide whether the land rightfully belongs
to Elsie or to Benjamin David, and that could take some time. They must find a
way to coexist until the rightful owner is determined. Elsie has no desire for
a relationship with Benjamin, or anyone else, but God may have a different
plan.
Wolfe’s latest is based on the Cherokee Strip Land Run
of 1893. It’s a sweet romantic historical tale with a steady pace and
well-developed characters and dialogue. The characters are crafted in a way
that they hold the readers’ attention. Benjamin is persistent, but not pushy,
and Elsie is independent and determined, making them easy to connect with and
root for. The snippets from Mrs.
Wigglesworth’s Etiquette Guide to Proper Etiquette and Manners of Refined
Society at the beginning of each chapter add to the enjoyment. Wolfe has a
flair with words that accurately portray the challenges faced for the period,
and her characters demonstrate the importance of trusting God, especially
during trials and hardships. If you’re a fan of historical novels, this is one
to add to your TBR pile.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive
review.
About Jodie...
Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and working meets. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA) and she has been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contest. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She's a contributor for Putting on the New and Stitches Thru Time blogs. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com
Where you can find Jodie online...
Friday, May 13, 2016
"Hearts Tightly Knit" by Jodie Wolfe
In celebration of her latest release, Jodie has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book (US Only). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends May 20, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!
A Word from Jodie...
For
this story, I wondered what would happen if twin sisters made a vow to never
marry. What would they do if a man came into one of their lives? Next I started
looking for photos to use for my characters to help me picture them. Then I
researched things about the time period and had a brief outline in my mind of
what would happen. Although my characters often tend to change things around on
me. J
Back cover blurb...
Orphaned at age ten, Ellie Stafford and her
twin sister Mae made a vow—to stick together and never marry. Nothing will ever
come between them. Now in their mid-twenties, they are bucking convention in
Calder Springs, Texas, as women with respectable occupations who can take care
of themselves. Ellie works at the Good Fixin's Diner and spends her evenings
knitting garments for The Children's Aid Society. When a handsome local rancher
shows up searching for a cook, she's hardly even tempted.
Luke Rogers owns a spread just outside of
Calder Springs. It was running as smooth as cattle going through a chute until
his cook up and marries the local widow and high-tails it back east. With no
cook and a bunkhouse full of ranch hands ready to revolt, he persuades Ellie to
temporarily fill-in until he can hire someone else. He should have known better
than to get tangled up with another woman.
Q & A with Jodie...
Q: What would you be doing if you were not an author?
A: Wow,
that's a difficult question to answer since I've always wanted to write. I did
spend 16+ years homeschooling my two sons. Does that count? J
Q: It certainly does! How did you start writing?
A: I
remember writing my first poem in second grade. It was about Snoopy. In
elementary school I wrote little stories and illustrated them. Then when I
turned 13, I started writing a mystery for teens. I tweaked it in my high school
years. I guess you could say writing has always been in my blood.
Q: What are your thoughts on the publishing industry in general? In relation to self-publishing?
A: The
publishing industry is difficult to break into. My agent and I are still
knocking on those doors and waiting for God's timing. If you asked me a year
ago if I'd ever self-publish, I would have said no. LOL. But then one of the
group blogs I write for wanted to do a collection together, so I prayed about
it and felt God leading me in that direction, so here I am. J
Q: What advice you have for new authors?
A: Make
sure you cover your writing in prayer. Be open to learning and growing as a
writer, even when critiques can be painful.
Q: What is your favorite writing-related book?
A: I'd have to say The
Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela
Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.
Q: What can you tell me about your next project?
A: I actually have two. Ellie's twin,
Mae, will have her own story coming out in November called Love in the Seams. I
also am working on a story set in the town where I live. It's been a lot of fun
researching and learning more about it. Each time I drive downtown I can
picture my story in my mind.
Q: Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
A: Right now it's Hebrews 11:1 -
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and
assurance about what we do not see." (NLT)
Q: What's a book you wish you'd written?
A: That's
a hard one. I'd have to say A Noble
Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter. She has such a way with words.
Q: What is your favorite book character (can be yours or someone else's)?
A: Another
hard question to ask a writer. In this book, my favorite character would have
to be Ellie. J
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jodie. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you a bit better, as well as about your latest release :)
Purchase link...
About Jodie...
Jodie Wolfe got bitten by the writing bug
as a young girl after reading and watching Little House on the Prairie. She
loves writing stories about feisty heroines and strong, godly heroes. The power
of story to influence lives and change hearts is what motivates her to weave
tales that tell of the Savior’s faithfulness and forgiveness. Her books provide
history, hope, laughter, and happily-ever-after. When not writing she enjoys
spending time with her husband, reading, walking and being a grammie.
Where you can find Jodie online:
Website:
http://www.jodiewolfe.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JodieAWolfe
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