Happy Tuesday!
Today we have a guest blogger. Donna Schlachter will be talking about her book Calli. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and read on!
Book Spotlight – Calli – with Giveaway
When I write a book, I look for a verse related to the theme. I find it helps keep me on track for the story I have in mind. For Calli, I chose:
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow…
Psalm 146:9
This story has both the fatherless and a widow. Calli’s husband recently died in an accident while on military duty, and she’s not completely recovered from that. But does anybody, really? However, as we know, most folks don’t want to be reminded of death, so she feels both alone and scared, as if she’d never known and loved her husband. She’s angry with God and cannot reconcile the notion of a loving God with One who would take her husband.
Bradley Wilson is returning from California, defeated and broke. When the wagon train leader abandons his charges, Bradley is left in charge. He simply wants to get home, having finally come to terms with his wife’s death. He longs to start over. Again. An orphaned baby, a murder at an archeology site, and a nurse determined to use him to get to Missouri is more than he can handle.
Can Calli and Bradley come to terms with their loss and look forward to a new life? Or will they choose forever to be alone?
I set this story in 1870, a time when wagon trains were still heading west, but now some were straggling back, not having found what they’d hoped for. Unofficial estimates put these “returners” in the tens of thousands. I felt that was a story I wanted to tell.
I’ve visited the historic Fort Bridger site, and as I wrote the story, I envisioned the buildings as they were then and are today. That’s a great benefit for me as an author, because I immerse myself in the story and can focus on the characters and what’s going on.
About the Book
Calli works as a nurse with the US Army at Fort Bridger, Wyoming in 1880. When a wagon train full of discouraged emigrants passes through on its way east, a pregnant widow delivers her baby then dies. Bradley Wilson, leading this train, has few options. He asks Calli to travel with them until they find a relative to take the child in St. Joe, Missouri. Calli, drawn to both this dark and quiet man and the child, resists. But when she disappears, he wonders if she’s run away or been kidnapped. Can these two put their pasts behind them and move into a new future together? Or will Calli insist on having things her own way?
About the Author
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 50 times in books; is a member of several writers groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both.
Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive a free ebook simply for signing up for our free newsletter! http://www.DonnaSchlachter.com/blog Check out previous blog posts at http://www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com and http://www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com
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Giveaway
For an opportunity to win an ebook, head over to Rafflecopter.
Toni Shiloh 
My favorite timeframe for the story! Thank you for sharing!
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You’re welcome!
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