| Can a thief and a lawman find happiness? Orphaned as a child, Beryl Atherton has lived on the streets of London for as long as she can remember. Reduced to stealing for survival, she is arrested. During her incarceration, one of her cellmates shows her a newspaper ad for an American mail-order bride agency. But all is not as it seems, and moments after landing in Boston, she must run for her life. Will things be no different for her in the New World? Working as a bounty hunter since The War Between the States, Lucas Wolf just needs a few more cases before he can hang up his gun, purchase a ranch out West, and apply for a mail-order bride from the Westward Home & Hearts Mail-Order Bride Agency. While staking out the docks in Boston, he sees a woman fleeing from the man he’s been tailing. Saving her risks his job. Not saving her risks his heart. |  |
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: August 15, 2023
Release date: August 15, 2023
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Interview with Linda
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
I’m an Anglophile and love all this United Kingdom. I was looking for a way to combine this interest with my Old West story, and research showed that women from overseas also took advantage of American mail-order brides’ advertisements during the mid- to late-1800s. By making my bride a Londoner and setting her down on the prairie I was able to include the fish-out-of-water theme which is always fun. I’m also intrigued by the various ways laws were enforced in the Old West and by adding a bounty hunter I could include some mystery in the story.
I’m an Anglophile and love all this United Kingdom. I was looking for a way to combine this interest with my Old West story, and research showed that women from overseas also took advantage of American mail-order brides’ advertisements during the mid- to late-1800s. By making my bride a Londoner and setting her down on the prairie I was able to include the fish-out-of-water theme which is always fun. I’m also intrigued by the various ways laws were enforced in the Old West and by adding a bounty hunter I could include some mystery in the story.
#2. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Both characters bring a lot of baggage to the table with regard to not feeling worthy or “good enough.” This feeling is rampant throughout our society today whether it’s because don’t think they’re smart enough, pretty enough, rich enough, thin enough, etc., and I hope that readers will learn that as creatures of God we are each special and unique. He does not expect us to be perfect before we can ask for His salvation, just humble enough to receive this free gift.
Both characters bring a lot of baggage to the table with regard to not feeling worthy or “good enough.” This feeling is rampant throughout our society today whether it’s because don’t think they’re smart enough, pretty enough, rich enough, thin enough, etc., and I hope that readers will learn that as creatures of God we are each special and unique. He does not expect us to be perfect before we can ask for His salvation, just humble enough to receive this free gift.
#3. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
I set aside my “fun” writing during most of my career. I wrote job descriptions, employee newsletters, and technical documents, but not much else. It wasn’t a conscious choice to cease writing fiction, but the writing slowly slipped away until it stopped. I would change not letting that happen.
I set aside my “fun” writing during most of my career. I wrote job descriptions, employee newsletters, and technical documents, but not much else. It wasn’t a conscious choice to cease writing fiction, but the writing slowly slipped away until it stopped. I would change not letting that happen.
#4. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Read genres you might not normally consider. I have found wonderful, favorite authors I never would have if I’d stuck to one genre.
Read genres you might not normally consider. I have found wonderful, favorite authors I never would have if I’d stuck to one genre.
#11 Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart. I have two favorite Bible verses that encourage and sustain me:
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
- Isaiah 40:31 – “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
More from Linda
Dear Reader:
I’ve been an Anglophile as long as I can remember, from reading the classics like Dickens and Austen to watching BBC television. In honor of Beryl’s English heritage, I hope you enjoy this scrumptious scone recipe:
I’ve been an Anglophile as long as I can remember, from reading the classics like Dickens and Austen to watching BBC television. In honor of Beryl’s English heritage, I hope you enjoy this scrumptious scone recipe:
2 C unbleached all-purpose flour
2 T sugar
4 t baking powder
½ t salt
3 T unsalted butter, cold
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 T milk (for glaze)
Strawberry jam (to serve)
2 T sugar
4 t baking powder
½ t salt
3 T unsalted butter, cold
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 T milk (for glaze)
Strawberry jam (to serve)
Preheat your oven to 425F.
In a medium bowl, place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter. Rub the mixture together with your fingers to break up the butter, until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the milk slowly, mixing as you add, using enough of the milk to get your dough to come together with no lumps remaining. (Your dough should be quite sticky. If a good consistency is not achieved with the listed amount of milk, continue adding until your dough reaches a good consistency.)
Spoon the dough out until a well-floured surface. Generously dust the top of the dough and knead the dough 2-3 times to coat it with flour and smooth the surface. Press the dough into a round that is roughly 1 inch thick.
Using a well-floured cookie cutter, cut the dough into 2-inch circles. (Be sure to press the cookie cutter straight down and up. Twisting the cookie cutter will impact the amount of rise you get on your scones.)
Place the rounds onto a greased and floured baking sheet. Brush them gently with the egg yolk and milk mixture.
Bake the scones for 12-15 minutes, until golden and firm.
Remove the baked scones from the oven and let them cool for 30 minutes (if you can resist). If you like softer scones, cover them with a clean tea towel as they cool.
In a medium bowl, place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter. Rub the mixture together with your fingers to break up the butter, until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the milk slowly, mixing as you add, using enough of the milk to get your dough to come together with no lumps remaining. (Your dough should be quite sticky. If a good consistency is not achieved with the listed amount of milk, continue adding until your dough reaches a good consistency.)
Spoon the dough out until a well-floured surface. Generously dust the top of the dough and knead the dough 2-3 times to coat it with flour and smooth the surface. Press the dough into a round that is roughly 1 inch thick.
Using a well-floured cookie cutter, cut the dough into 2-inch circles. (Be sure to press the cookie cutter straight down and up. Twisting the cookie cutter will impact the amount of rise you get on your scones.)
Place the rounds onto a greased and floured baking sheet. Brush them gently with the egg yolk and milk mixture.
Bake the scones for 12-15 minutes, until golden and firm.
Remove the baked scones from the oven and let them cool for 30 minutes (if you can resist). If you like softer scones, cover them with a clean tea towel as they cool.
 Linda Shenton Matchett | Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she has lived in historic places all her life and currently resides in central New Hampshire where in her off hours, she serves as a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!
a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
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Bizwings Book Blog, June 23
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 24
Stories By Gina, June 25 (Author Interview)
Madisyn Carlin, June 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 26
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 27
The Lofty Pages, June 28
Connie’s History Classroom, June 29
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 30 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, June 30
For Him and My Family, July 1
Holly’s Book Corner, July 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3
Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 4 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 22
Bizwings Book Blog, June 23
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 24
Stories By Gina, June 25 (Author Interview)
Madisyn Carlin, June 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 26
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 27
The Lofty Pages, June 28
Connie’s History Classroom, June 29
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 30 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, June 30
For Him and My Family, July 1
Holly’s Book Corner, July 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3
Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 4 (Author Interview)
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