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. 

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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!