Carrie Fancett Pagels, who writes Christian historical romance, joins us to introduce us to Colonial American Christian Writers and their recent releases.
Carrie: Thank you, Joyce, for the opportunity to share about recent releases by members of Colonial American Christian Writers, of which I am the founder. Two years ago at the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in Indianapolis, I approached Laura Frantz and Joan Hochstetler about forming this group. Colonial fiction has been a tough sell in the Christian market and we wanted to support and promote our subgenre and also provide research support. Our group blog is Colonial Quills.
Themes readers will frequently find in inspirational colonial/federalist era books are: forgiveness, overcoming harsh environments, servitude, loss, grieving, war, reconciliation and, of course, love! Kathy Altman of HEA recently reviewed Arms of Love, an Amish colonial/American Revolution story written by one of our members, Kelly Long. (Check out HEA's interview with Kelly.) HEA's Serena Chase reviewed MaryLu Tyndall's Veil of Pearls -- a recent federalist era novel I'd love to see made into a movie!
In September alone, we have three new releases from members of CACW, two of which are in the colonial to federalist period: Laura Frantz's Love's Reckoning (recommended today by HEA's Serena) and J.M. Hochstetler's Crucible of War. In October there are two more releases.
September: Laura Frantz's newest book, Love's Reckoning, is her fourth published novel with Revel. Laura's first three books were set in frontier colonial America. Her debut novel, The Frontiersman's Daughter, is a favorite of mine. This wonderful frontier story was followed by Courting Morrow Little and The Colonel's Lady, the latter being inspired by George Rogers Clark. All of these books have been translated into Dutch by Kok Publishing in the Netherlands.Laura's new series, The Ballantyne Legacy, is a four-book saga set in federalist American. The first book in the series, Love's Reckoning, set in Pennsylvania, was recently reviewed by Diana L. Flowers. Laura is known for having a rich poetic style in her voice and writing and writes historical fiction with strong romantic elements. She is an author other Christian writers wish to emulate.
Joan "J.M." Hochstetler just released the fourth novel in her comprehensive historical fiction series on the American Revolution. The American Patriot Series begins in April 1775 with Daughter of Liberty. Her September 2012 release, Crucible of War, "follows Elizabeth Howard and Jonathan Carleton as they face the devastation and triumphs of war — from the American colonists' first armed confrontation with the British to the spreading inferno along the frontiers of Indian territory, through the battles raging in the Middle and Southern colonies and on the high seas, and at last to the final, decisive assault at Yorktown."
In October: Rita Gerlach's Beside Two Rivers, the second book in the Daughters of the Potomac series for Abingdon Press, continues the story of a young woman who returns to England after surviving multiple hardships, and a difficult marriage, during the American Revolution. (Check out HEA's interview with Rita.)Carla Gade's novella in a Romancing America collection from Barbour, Colonial Courtships, is a romance about a young indentured woman.
Our authors have books ranging from early colonial American history -- Barbara Blythe's Fire Dragon's Angel set during the time of Bacon's Rebellion to America's federalist period with Lisa Norato's lovely Prize of My Heart and Roseanna M. White's Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, an RT Book Reviews Top Pick.
To find out more about CACW, its members and their books, visit the Colonial Quills blog.
