Drawing

I love historicals. There is a wider breadth of dramatic events to choose from. For instance, what in our present world compares to the scope of adventure in a wagon trek westward, the challenges of living in a sod shanty, or the sheer grit of surviving endless dust storms or  a vicious snowstorm?

I got a taste of real pioneer life as a child. My father did road maintenance work in remote areas. My parents—brave souls—gathered up us children and took us along. We lived in a VERY primitive bunkhouse. There were absolutely no modern conveniences (you have to remember this was about 200 years ago. lol) We experienced firsthand some of the tasks our pioneer forefathers did.

Of course, not everyone agrees. I had one reader write me and briskly inform me that there was nothing romantic about the  ‘good old days’. The hard work was numbing; the hardships devastating. Life simply wasn’t pleasant.

I have great admiration for these people, their hardy spirits and their absolute stubborn joy because it always hits me when I read their stories that few of them were bitter or complaining. They simply faced and accepted the challenges of their situation, striving to make things better and in the midst of it all, clinging to a sure faith. As many of these people say in their stories, God was their strength and their shield. In Him they found forbearance and hope. I’m convinced their lives have much to teach us.

In my new series—Stagecoach To Golden Valley—I strive to portray their grit and faith. In preparing to write my previous series, Montana Cowboys, I had done research on gold mining. I had visited Libby, Montana which experienced a gold rush in the 1860s. While in Libby, I poked through the museum, took pictures of cabins and equipment, browsed the local history section of the library, traipsed through the woods, and sat to admire the waterfalls. BTW, I am in love with waterfalls and have used them often in the new series.

The only thing I needed to complete my research was to learn about stagecoaches. I gleaned some interesting facts. The wagons were pulled by three matching pairs of horses. The interior was often crowded with three benches—one facing forward, one facing to the back and one in the middle. Each bench could hold three passengers—with barely room to breathe. A stagecoach traveled about 5 mph. The team of horses had to be changed every 12-15 miles so there were way stations at those points. The overnight stations were often referred to as Home Stations. Food, drink and a place to bed down were provided but not necessarily with much comfort accompanying them.

Riding a stagecoach lacked any hope of relaxation. The coach swayed and jerked and bounced. Elbows jabbed into ribs. Passengers were tossed against each other. Then there were the dangers associated with travel over rugged terrain—landslides, washed out roads, steep and narrow embankments. There was always the risk of robbers.

There are other reasons for making the treacherous journey across the mountains besides the hope of finding gold. Some travelers wanted escape. Some wanted shelter. Others wanted to start over or find missing family. Some even arrived under mysterious circumstances.

FROM THIS DAY

A past too dark to forgive…a love too powerful to deny.

Addie Stone has devoted her life to helping her adoptive parents care for the less fortunate. She and her mother are journeying to Golden Valley to continue this work and help the preacher. She lives a plain life believing it will protect her from criminals—and pain.

Nash Burns, a handsome young rancher, has strong ideals—hard work and honest gain. The last thing he wants is to be like his father.

The pair are stranded along with the other stagecoach passengers when heavy rains wash out the road. They are soon drawn to each other, finding similar goals and ideals. When the secrets of their past are revealed, they wonder if they can possibly forgive each other.

Will they find their way to forgiveness, healing and a love that satisfies the yearnings of their hearts?

The tropes of this book are:

• stranded
• guilty secrets
• family saga
• second chance

Which of these are your favorites? Or is your favorite something else? I’ll give away one ebook copy of From This Day so leave a comment.