Bobby R. Woodall ~ Western Suspense Author

Welcome...

To Hope-Inspired Stories, for anyone who'd like to discover more about books and stories that uplift and encourage.

Several years ago, while teaching high school art, I discovered I was as thrilled as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that promoting other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it is my hope you are blessed with a message of grace as I was, through the words of authors featured here. Please join me in welcoming writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories as they share their work. 

We'll have a mix of stories hi-lighted through the month of September starting with a new genre, Western Historical Suspense.

This week it is my pleasure to present Bobby R. Woodall, author and member of Western Writers of America. He's saddled up and brought along his two Western Suspense stories, "Clearwater" and "Mercer's Manor". You'll also find his personal story will knock you clear out of your boots! 

Mercer's Manor

Publisher : Independently published (May 12, 2020)

Dan Mercer is an ex-Union officer struggling to overcome the atrocities of having been a prisoner of war while forging a new life for himself on the untamed plains of Oklahoma. Now, as part owner of a ranch he helped save from bankruptcy, the only thing marring his happiness is a lost love. So when the government sends him on a quest to find his love and to betray her, Mercer has a choice to make…

Clearwater

Publisher : Independently published (May 12, 2020)

In 1879, a small town in the Indian Territory is robbed by a murderer who has just escaped execution. The town springs in to action and quickly forms a posse – an aged sheriff, a retired Pinkerton Operative, an Indian scout, and the bank’s president, who has secretly embezzled all of the town’s money. Can the town find a savior before the town goes under? A band of men from the East decide to battle the odds and find the killer.

Now you'll have to read Bobby's personal story:

You can reach Bobby at: 

http://www.bobbyrwoodall.com/

OR: brwoodall@att.net

Merle Haggard and "The Lonesome Fugitive"--a favorite of Bobby's since his youth. 

Reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment to be included in a drawing for a signed copy of a book by this week's featured author. 

• ...And if you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a prize drawing at the end of this month: A 25.00 gift card and your choice of one of the books featured this month! (drawing for U.S. addresses only please).
  
  Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Sodus Bay, N.Y. during a particularly harsh storm on Lake Ontario earlier this year was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. Note the courageous lone seagull taking flight in the upper right corner of the photo. 
  
  
  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).
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                                         Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired!

Lori Benton

Welcome...

To Hope-Inspired Stories, for anyone who'd like to discover more about books and stories that uplift and encourage.

Several years ago, while teaching high school art, I was as thrilled as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that encouraging other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it is my hope you are blessed with a message of grace as I was, through the words of authors featured here. Please join me in welcoming writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories as they share their work. 

For the final week of August and this month of historical romances, I'd like to present Lori Benton's soon-to-be released, "Mountain Laurel"...

• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2020)

“A fascinating story, rich in emotion.” ―Diana Gabaldon, New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series

North Carolina, 1793
Ian Cameron, a Boston cabinetmaker turned frontier trapper, has come to Mountain Laurel hoping to remake himself yet again―into his planter uncle’s heir. No matter how uneasily the role of slave owner rests upon his shoulders. Then he meets Seona―beautiful, artistic, and enslaved to his kin.

Seona has a secret: she’s been drawing for years, ever since that day she picked up a broken slate to sketch a portrait. When Ian catches her at it, he offers her an opportunity to let her talent flourish, still secretly, in his cabinetmaking shop. Taking a frightening leap of faith, Seona puts her trust in Ian. A trust that leads to a deeper, more complicated bond.

As fascination with Seona turns to love, Ian can no longer be the man others have wished him to be. Though his own heart might prove just as untrustworthy a guide, he cannot simply walk away from those his kin enslaves. With more lives than his and Seona’s in the balance, the path Ian chooses now will set the course for generations of Camerons to come.

A story of choice and consequence, of bondage and freedom, of faith and family.

Author: Lori Benton

An excerpt from "Mountain Laurel"... 

             Mama was the first of Mountain Laurel’s slaves to know about the letter. Before Master Hugh posted it away north, he called Mama from her spinning and read that letter to her. You could’ve knocked me over with duck’s down when it happened, but that’s how we came to know early on that Master Hugh was asking his half-brother, up Boston-way, to send his youngest son back to North Carolina.

            Master Hugh’s nephew came here once before, but he never paid me no mind that I can recall. He was twelve years old then, the age a boy, whatever color his skin, gets to fancying himself a man. Me, I was half his years and, what was surely worse, a girl. I was nothing to the master’s kin. But he was something to me.

            Even now I can close my eyes and see him as he was then. Tall for his age. Skinny as a fence rail. Eyes the blue of a jaybird’s wing and hair like Mama’s spinning flax. It was on account of that flax-pale hair I made my first picture, hunkered under the kitchen lilacs so he wouldn’t spy me scratching his likeness on a piece of broken slate.

            Rubbing out that drawing lest I get caught with it came hard, but it was only the first. I’ve made many pictures since then but only one other of him—on a scrap of old paper we was made to strip off the parlor walls, that summer Master Hugh up and married again. It shows his nephew looking off to the side, with that moonbeam hair curling over his brow like the halo of an angel. No one has laid eyes on it but me. Not even Mama.

            Every slave keeps to their heart a secret. This one is mine.

Reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment to be included in a drawing for a signed copy of a book by this week's featured author. 

• ...And if you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a prize drawing at the end of this month: A 25.00 gift card and your choice of one of the books featured this month! (Drawing for U.S. addresses only, please).
  
  Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Sodus Bay, N.Y. during a particularly harsh storm on Lake Ontario earlier this year was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. Note the courageous lone seagull taking flight in the upper right corner of the photo. 
  
  
  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).
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                                                   Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired!

Janet Palmer Grunst

Welcome...

To Hope-Inspired Stories, for anyone who'd like to discover more about books and stories that uplift and encourage.

Several years ago, while teaching high school art, I was as thrilled as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that encouraging other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it is my hope you are blessed with a message of grace as I was, through the words of authors featured here. Please join me in welcoming writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories as they share their work. For this week of August, I'd like to present "Setting Two Hearts Free" by Janet Palmer Grunst.  

Publisher: Smitten Historical Romance 

Publication Date: 

• October 6, 2020

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Would their love survive the invisible wounds of war?
Donald Duncan joined the Patriot cause for noble reasons, battling the British while enduring deprivation and hardship on every side. The war has changed him, and now the battle is internal. Returning home to Virginia is in sight where a new life and his Mary wait for him.

Mary Stewart spends the war years with her family at Stewarts’ Green, helping them operate their ordinary. Daily, she prays for Donald’s safe return, eagerly waiting for him … until that day the evil side of war touches her. 

Two hearts changed by a war that dragged on for six years. Two hearts left hurting and struggling to find the love and trust they once knew. Is there a path for them to rekindle what was lost --Setting Two Hearts Free?

Setting Two Hearts Free can also be purchased at:

https://shoplpc.com/setting-two-hearts-free/ 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/setting-two-hearts-free-janet-grunst/1137453926?ean=9781645262800

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085DRXFZY/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3

When making your comments on an author's post, you'll be added to a drawing for a book from that author. Note: Setting Two Hearts Free doesn't release until October 6th. However, Janet can offer a paperback of two other novels in the series, A Heart Set Free or A Heart For Freedom.

Janet Palmer Grunst ~ Author

Reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment to be included in a drawing for a signed copy of a book by this week's featured author. 

...And if you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to this month's prize drawing: A 25.00 gift card and one of the books featured this month! 

I asked Janet what her favorite hymn was, and her answer:  "It's difficult to think of a favorite hymn, but the Lord led me to "Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"...

Charles Wesley wrote it after a period of illness and questioning his faith. It would have been sung during this period of history and the third stanza seems so appropriate for the story.

Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Sodus Bay, N.Y. during a particularly harsh storm on Lake Ontario earlier this year was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. Note the courageous lone seagull taking flight in the upper right corner of the photo.   

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of Peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).

Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired!

"In High Cotton" - Ane Mulligan

Welcome...

To Hope-Inspired Stories, for anyone who'd like to discover more about books and stories that uplift and encourage.

Several years ago, while teaching high school art, I discovered I was as thrilled as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that promoting other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it is my hope you are blessed with a message of grace as I was, through the words of authors featured here. Please join me in welcoming writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories as they share their work. 

Historical Romance stories released in the second half of the year will be hi-lighted through the month of August...

This week it is my pleasure to present "In High Cotton" written by Ane Mulligan. A timely story about a woman who, finding herself in desperate straits, must survive the Great Depression.   

• Publisher: Heritage Beacon Fiction 
• Publication Date: August 3, 2020

While the rest of the world has been roaring through the 1920's, times are hardscrabble in rural South Georgia. Widow Maggie Parker is barely surviving while raising her young son alone. Then as banks begin to fail, her father-in-law threatens to take her son and sell off her livelihood—the grocery store her husband left her. 

Can five Southern women band together, using their wisdom and wiles to stop him and survive the Great Depression?

Author: Ane Mulligan

"Beneath the Cross of Jesus" ~ One of Ane's favorite hymns; appropriate for the Great Depression Era--and our present times.  

Reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment. If you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a prize drawing for a 25.00 gift card, and your choice of one of the books featured this month.

Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Sodus Bay, N.Y. during a particularly harsh storm on Lake Ontario was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. Note the courageous lone seagull taking flight in the upper right corner of the photo.  

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).

Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired!

Linore Rose Burkard

Welcome...

To Hope-Inspired Stories, for anyone who'd like to discover more about books and stories that uplift and encourage.

Several years ago, while teaching high school art, I discovered I was as thrilled as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that promoting other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it is my hope you are blessed with a message of grace as I was, through the words of authors featured here. Please join me in welcoming writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories as they share their work. 

Historical Romance stories released in the second half of the year will be hi-lighted through the month of August...

This week it is my pleasure to present two great reads from Linore Rose Burkard: 
"Miss Tavestock's Mistake"and "Miss Fanshawe's Fortune"--Book One and Two of the Brides of Mayfair Series. 

• Publisher: Lilliput Press (June 8, 2020)
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• Publication Date: June 8, 2020

Young Miss Margaret Tavistock is promised in marriage by the wish of her dearly departed papa to Captain Rempeare. But the captain's been at sea for a decade. When she finally meets him, tempestuous sparks fly, and she impulsively adopts a daring false identity. Going by "Lady X," she vows never to marry such an infuriating man.

Captain Gabriel Rempeare is prepared to fulfill his duty and marry Miss Tavistock--if only he can clap eyes on her! Circumstances keep them apart, though he cannot seem to avoid the maddeningly lovely Lady X.

When the two are thrown together in Mayfair, Miss Tavistock discovers the real nature of the captain, and regrets her subterfuge. But can such a noble man forgive deceit? Or has her mistake already cost her everything?

• Publisher: Lilliput Press (August 7, 2020)
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• Publication Date: August 7, 2020

Miss Frances Fanshawe’s past is shrouded in mystery. Raised genteelly as an heiress to a fortune, she is forced to question everything after her mother dies and leaves her with only a single clue to the money. Unless she can locate her father or otherwise prove her heritage, not only the fortune but her very respectability is at stake.

In line for a baronetcy, Sebastian Arundell has no time for sorting out questionable tangles for young women with dubious histories. No matter if they are young, appealing, and have ridiculously large chocolate eyes to melt a man’s heart. But when it becomes apparent that other people are after Frannie’s supposed fortune, he is drawn to investigate. As the search deepens, Frannie falls in love with handsome, proper Sebastian. But if it only proves what he suspects—that she's an illegitimate pauper—will all hope to win his heart be lost?

Author: Linore Rose Burkard

Linore's books have set the mood-- now let's attend a Napoleonic Ball with  Regency Dances: Cotillion and Reel 💕

Reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment. If you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a prize drawing for a 25.00 gift card, and your choice of one of the books featured this month.

Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Sodus Bay, N.Y. during a particularly harsh storm on Lake Ontario was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. Note the courageous lone seagull taking flight in the upper right corner of the photo.  

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).

Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired!