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