The Yankee Widow

I’m delighted to be a part of the blog tour for #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller’s novel THE YANKEE WIDOW (MIRA Hardcover; May 7, 2019; $26.99), a richly layered, multi-generational saga set during the Civil War. 

This evocative and richly researched novel draws from dramatic story of Caroline Hammond, the young widow of Corporal Jacob Hammond, as she takes on the sole responsibility of the family farm that lies just at the edge of the town of Gettysburg. Keeping his promise to look after the farm and keep Caroline and her daughter Rachel safe if Jacob does not return from battle is Enoch Flynn, a hired former slave who has worked for the Hammonds for years and mourns Jacob as a brother.

As horrific fighting erupts on her doorstep, the vagaries of war put Caroline’s homestead in the direct path of a dedicated Union soldier and a passionate Southern rebel. Both are seeking shelter at the farm and each is loyal to his side. As the intensity of one of the pivotal battles of the war comes to a climax, Caroline will do what it takes to protect her daughter, their home, and to help the Union Army that her husband gave his life to.

THE YANKEE WIDOW is a story of sacrifice, loyalty, love, and hope set against the backdrop of the most critical juncture in American history.

For those who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a bit of background on her.

Author Linda Lael Miller

The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.

Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher's Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.

Dedicated to helping others, "The First Lady of the West" personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.

More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com

Thanks for stopping by today. Are you a fan of Civil War themed books? What is it that draws you to this era in books?

Forever A Hero by Linda Lael Miller

◊ Forever a Hero by Linda Lael Miller

◊ Series: The Carsons of Mustang Creek, Book 3

◊ Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages

◊ Genre: Romance, Western

◊ Publisher: HQN Books (March 21, 2017)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 037378970X

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0373789702

SYNOPSIS:

For the youngest Carson brother, finding—and fixing—trouble seems to be all in a day's work 

          Mace Carson doesn't consider himself a hero. Back in college, he came upon a woman in trouble and intervened—but he was just one irate Wyoming cowboy with his boots planted firmly on the side of right. Now a successful vintner, Mace is shocked to be reunited with the woman he saved. But it turns out she's in Wyoming on business…a corporate executive representing the company that wants to buy his winery. Only, he's not selling. 

          Kelly Wright has never forgotten that horrible night ten years ago when Mace came to her rescue, has never forgotten him. The surprising success of a winery in the middle of ranch country has brought her to Mustang Creek, and she's secretly thrilled to discover Mace at the helm. Reluctant to mix business with pleasure, Kelly vows to keep things professional, until her attacker is released from prison and comes for vengeance…against both of them.

There’s nothing like a hero saving the day to start a story in the right direction and author Linda Lael Miller does that perfectly in her latest release.

Miller’s characters are realistic and down-to-earth, while also having some hero-like qualities we all wish for from time-to-time. The interaction between the characters adds depth to the story and draws you further in.

With an eye for detail and rich descriptions, the Mustang Creek comes alive on the page. The setting is perfect and Miller makes the reader feel they are in the middle of the action throughout the story.

FOREVER A HERO has bits of suspense and mystery blended with romance for a well-balanced story. The main two characters being opposites adds a bit of intrigue to the mix. This is a delightful story that can be read on its own or in order with the other books in the series.

Forever a Hero by Linda Lael Miller, The Carsons of Mustang Creek (Book #3), HQN Books, @2017, ISBN: 978-0373789702, Mass Market Paperback, 400 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. What is the first thing that draws you to a western-theme story?