Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Carla Olson Gade: Colonial Detours & Drawing



I'm delighted to introduce a friend today. Please meet my friend, Carla Olson Gade! (You already know I have the coolest friends.)


Have you ever found yourself in a situation that went totally against your plans? I’ve heard many people  say “this wasn’t the trip that I signed up for!” 

That sums up how Constance felt in Carving a Future, my novella in Colonial Courtships, set in 1753. You see, Miss Constance Starling was from a family of means, until her circumstances left her alone and destitute. She rallied, though, and was about to find her place again in society, albeit as a lady’s companion, when tragedy struck again.

This time she was spirited away (kidnapped) and placed on a ship to America to be sold as an indentured servant. The poor girl nearly starved to death on the ship, stubborn as she was, but finally relented when her will to survive won out. 
 





After several long weeks at sea, she arrives in the British American commonwealth of Connecticut. The dastardly ship captain chains her to the wharf and attempts to sell her contract, but no one wants her. She was far too ill to be of use to anyone. What’s a girl to do?

This is when the handsome hero steps in to rescue her. So cliché, but every good love story has to have a hero, aye? Nathaniel barters for her contract and becomes her master, if only to save her life and get her away from the treacherous captain. But what was he thinking? 
 

His impulsive act may cost him everything that he has worked so long and hard for in his effort to become a master ship’s figurehead carver. What’s more, despite his good intentions, he may have let others down in the process.

Sometimes the circumstances of our lives intersect with our plans and set us on a new path. It can be due to the actions of others or the very choices we make. Either way, being rerouted like that can create havoc in one’s life. You’ll see that both Constance and Nathaniel have different approaches to dealing with their turmoil. But one thing for sure, they forgot about the memo found in God’s Word. Hopefully they’ll learn to trust and keep in step with Him. 

<---- Feel free to grab and share this graphic!



Colonial Courtships by Carla Olson Gade, Laurie Alice Eakes, Amber Stockton, and Lisa Karon Richardson (Barbour/Oct. 2012):  Unexpected adventure has the four Ingersoll brothers rethinking their futures. But will it thwart their plans for good or bring about four colonial courtships?  
 
Connect with Carla at carlagade.com

And a drawing!
One reader who leaves a comment today will receive a copy of COLONIAL COURTSHIPS!

21 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you, Liz. I hope you'll get a chance to enjoy it!

      Delete
  2. Wow, this sounds like a great read! I love stories that take place during colonial times.

    lmyost@roadrunner.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, me, too! But I guess you could tell that, BW! ;) I'm excited to hear how many readers really do enjoy colonial settings.

      Delete
  3. Thanks for being my guest, Carla. Love this cover, and the story sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It is a pleasure to be here, Cheryl! So nice of you to have me.

      Delete
  4. Whole life has been totally against what I had planned for myself

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you, regencygirl. I've felt that way myself, at times, and it can be unbelievably frustrating. Sometimes it seems like others have been trying to write my own life story for me, but I've decided to let God do that instead. He has a cool way of redeeming and the craziest life circumstances, and I can tell you a tale or two, as I'm sure you have your own as well. Wishing you better days ahead.

      Delete
  5. I love colonial stories. That may have something to do with the fact my husband and I honeymooned in Williamsburg,Va.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear that, Julie! CW...what a romantic place to honeymoon. Sometimes I dream of living there...but I did get a chance to visit last summer and it was one of the must fun times of this colonial history lover's life.

      Delete
  6. I love these novellas, thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carving a Future sounds great!

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jes. It was much fun to write, and research!

      Delete
  8. thanks for the post love chance to win copy of this book.
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  9. this book sound good, and its colonial time. thanks for the chance.



    sisilia83athotmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice to see you apple blossom! Cecilia, glad to hear that you like colonial fiction!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love books set in the colonial period and would love to win this. Thank you for the chance.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Angela, Delighted to hear that you enjoy the colonial period!

      Delete
  12. I would love to win, Enter me!!!
    Thanks for the contest!!!
    Sarah Richmond
    sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete