Episodios

  • Episode 123: Romance in the Midst of Disaster with Kelly Goshorn

    Episode 123: Romance in the Midst of Disaster with Kelly Goshorn
    Mar 18 2026
    Kelly Goshorn is an old-fashioned girl at heart who loves Jesus, her family, and all things historical. A native Virginian, she developed a deep love for history, exploring battlefields and museums, which eventually led her to write inspirational historical romance. After earning degrees in social studies, education, and history, Kelly spent nearly two decades as a licensed childcare provider before returning to writing – a passion sparked by her youngest son. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, was published by Pelican Book Group in 2018, and her nonfiction piece, “Beautiful Words,” appeared in the Spoken Moments anthology. She lives in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband of 30+ years, Mike. They enjoy BBC period dramas, board games, and spoiling her Corgi, Levi. You’ve described yourself as, “An old-fashioned girl trapped in the 21st century. How has that shaped your passion for historical fiction? Kelly: As long as I can remember, I’ve loved history. I had a wonderful grandfather who would tell us stories about his life growing up and stories about our ancestors. The random things I’d find – my dad’s World War II Navy picture or my mom’s ration book from World War II – I always found them fascinating. But I suspect Little House on the Prairie probably had something to do with it. That was my favorite show growing up. If I did anything to get in trouble, all my mom had to do was threaten to take that away. Because back then, we didn’t have unlimited access to shows. If you missed it when it was on, you didn’t get to see it again until summer re-runs. Then when Laura called Almanzo “Manly” and I discovered historical romance, I think that just sealed the deal. KyLee: Honestly, that sounds similar to my experience. I had grandpas who were in World War II in the Korean War, and we got to hear all their stories. And I watched a lot of old black-and-white shows, lots of westerns. I love that, as adult women, God’s allowed a way for us to look back on those good memories and the values we developed, and now we’re creating with them. Can you share how your youngest son inspired you to start writing? Kelly: When the time came to move on from my career as a childcare provider, I wasn’t sure what the next step was, but I sensed from the Holy Spirit that it was not going back to teaching. So my husband and I , and our small group, started praying about it. Now my youngest son Noah always love to write. He might be watching SpongeBob, but he had a notebook he always carried with him, and he’d be writing some kind of story. I remember watching Noah one day and thinking how I always loved writing research papers in college and grad school. I thought of myself as hopelessly un-creative, but I loved to play with the sentences, move them around, tweak them. And that day I thought, “I should give fiction a try.” So I started writing, just for myself, no secret desire to be published. And after a few nights of me sitting in front of the TV with my laptop, my husband asked what I was doing. And when I told him, he wanted to read it, so I let him. And he said, “This is good, but you should write our story.” Shortly after that, I switched to writing our story, but set in the 1870s, and it became something I couldn’t wait to do each day. I started study the writing craft, and in that process of writing and learning, I realized that was the answer to my prayer. And our story became my debut, A Love Restored. Darcy: I love how you say discovering your new path was a process. You had your family and church family praying, but the Lord didn’t drop you a note in your lap to “write novels now.” You were curious, and you tried it, and in that, He show you this was what He wanted you to do. Sometimes we really want the writing on the wall, but God’s like, “No. You’ll find out. Just trust Me on this.” I think that’s cool. KyLee: I was just about to tell you, Kelly, that you should go on the Hope-Filled Romantic Podcast with Heather Tabers. She and I chat quite a bit, and she just started her podcast for Christian romance lovers who believe in both storybook love and the hope that God provides in real life. So I was double-checking her podcast name on Instagram, and I see Kelly Goshorn has already been on the Hope-Filled Romantic Podcast! Authors get to share about their books, but also their real-life love stories, if they’re comfortable doing so. Just a quick shout-out for Heather – our listeners should definitely check out Kelly’s episode on her podcast. Kelly: And secondary shout-out, I had the privilege of reading and endorsing Heather’s book that just released, Their Burden to Bear. If people like the World War I era, I highly recommend it. A fantastic novel. Do you have a favorite battlefield or museum or site that you visited that inspired a story scene? Kelly: I’m really inspired by the area where I live in Northern ...
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  • Episode 122: The American Revolution and Family Bonds with Laura Frantz

    Episode 122: The American Revolution and Family Bonds with Laura Frantz
    Mar 9 2026
    Award-winning, bestselling author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying. Proud of her heritage, she is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Special Guest Co-Host Heather Tabers Today we have someone special joining us. Since Darcy was unable to join for this recording, our friend Heather Tabers stepped in to cohost with KyLee. Heather writes Historical Romance and Children’s Fiction, and she also hosts The Hope-Filled Romantic—a podcast where faith and fiction meet real-life love stories. And now for the interview with Laura Frantz, discussing her latest novel, The Belle of Chatham. (pronounced “chat-um”) Is there a word or goal that’s inspiring you in this chapter of life? Laura: You hit it on the head when you opened and said, “How do we pursue God through our writing?” I’m eighteen novels in now, and my pursuit for the Lord is stronger than it was even with my debut novel back in 2009. I just want to honor him with a gift. He gave the writing gift–it wasn’t one I asked for or really wanted, but it was a sign to me. We’re here to bless and minister to others, and I think the written word does that. So my desire is just to press on. Life is often a spiritual fight, and I just want to finish well. We don’t know how much time we have. I’m old enough to remember the nation’s bicentennial, which was 1976 and now we’re at 2026. So this is a huge milestone, historically for us as a nation, and personally. Whatever time I have left, hopefully it’s many more years and many more books, I want to pursue God with everything that is in me and try to honor him with every story I write. Read more: Episode 122: The American Revolution and Family Bonds with Laura Frantz KyLee: Wow, I admire that. Just to press on, to move forward–whatever’s in front of you, whatever comes your way–just to keep moving towards God. And you’re speaking specifically towards the books you’re writing, but really that’s applicable to every area of our life, as parents, and spouses, and at work, and everywhere we go. And when I think about pressing on with God, I picture that light in front of us, guiding us. What is one book that you read last year that really stuck with you and why? Laura: You know, I read a lot of historical fiction, mostly for research, but one thing I’ve gotten invested in is a 24-book series in the general market – Anne Perry’s William Monk Victorian Mysteries. And there’s a reason I invested in that. My book that releases next January is set in London. I wanted to see how another author, even in a different time period, handled that same setting along the River Thames, and with the police force at that time. So I thought, “Oh, I’ll just read one book.” But there’s a reason Anne Perry is so wildly popular and prolific. She has some of the smartest writing I’ve ever read. So the William Monk series is clean, although a little bit bloody or gruesome at times, but so eye-opening into Victorian England. Do you have a favorite historical figure who inspires you? Laura: George Washington and also Daniel Boone. Men who were both totally intrepid and stalwart. George Washington didn’t know that he’d be on our currency now, or we’d name our capital after him. He had no idea he was the great “George Washington.” And Daniel Boone plays a big part in my heritage. I’m from Kentucky, and recently, I read a document that listed my ancestor as coming into Kentucky with Boone in the latter 18th century. And also George Humes, my ancestor, is credited with teaching surveying to the very young Washington from 1748 to 1750 in Virginia. So to see how the Lord has allowed me to write so close to my ancestry is such a beautiful thing to me. I don’t understand it, but just seeing my people come alive in history, and with such an amazing godly historical figure like Boone, is truly amazing. This crazy woman in the 21st century is writing about these amazing historical figures, and there’s actually a link. Only God could have done that. Heather: My family is the McFeeders family, and we came from the Hume Clan, so I have to believe that we’re cousins somehow. Laura: Long-lost cousins! I love it! KyLee: You never know what you’ll find when you start digging into your genealogy. I have chills just hearing you found out that one of your ancestors came over with Daniel Boone. Digging back and finding out where your people come from is very exciting. And is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered ...
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  • Crossover Episode with the Lit Ladies Podcast

    Crossover Episode with the Lit Ladies Podcast
    Dec 29 2025
    Today we have the pleasure of sharing an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, the Lit Ladies Podcast. Here is more about their show: We are three writers and moms exploring how to live out our faith in our literary lives. We span the country—from the coasts to the Midwest—and with different stages of life, careers, and favorite genres, we are sure to cover the literary landscape. In every episode, we’ll discuss books we love, reading life, and writing craft, using the Bible as our guide for beauty, goodness, and truth. New episodes drop every other Friday! Historical Fiction, War Stories, and What We Sip While We Read This Lit Ladies Podcast crossover with the Historical Bookworm team covers why historical fiction matters, how war settings shape stories, and what everyone is reading right now. Key takeaways Historical fiction makes history personal, which helps you see how everyday people lived.Accuracy matters most when it grounds the characters and the social pressures of the era.War settings work best when the focus stays on human cost, resilience, and the ripple effects on families.Reading older books can mean meeting older blind spots, which calls for discernment instead of reflexive dismissal.Lesser-known conflicts can add fresh perspective, especially when anchored in solid research. Welcome to the crossover Karissa: Hello and welcome to the Lit Ladies Podcast. Today we’re doing a special crossover episode with our friends KyLee Woodley and Darcy Fornier and their historical fiction podcast. We’re so excited to have you here today. Darcy: So excited to be here. We have so much fun hanging out with you guys. KyLee: Thanks for the invite. Glad to be here. Karissa: KyLee Woodley is a podcaster and author of the Outlaw Hearts series, adventure romances set in the American Wild West. Darcy Fornier is a podcaster and author of The Crown and the Axe, and they are both the hosts of the Historical Bookworm podcast, which is in its fifth season. It’s for lovers of inspirational historical fiction, and the show features author interviews, bookish and historical segments, and a wide variety of guests, from Christy Award-winners to high-quality indie authors. Favorite reading beverages Karissa: Before we jump in today, I want to know what is everyone’s favorite reading beverage of choice? Christie: I usually drink water, or else I don’t really drink anything because I’m too busy speed reading. But today for the podcast, since we’re doing it in the morning, I get to drink coffee. Darcy: Usually coffee. If I said anything else, my sisters would say I was lying. But I also enjoy hot chocolate or tea. Anything hot. I’m not going to be drinking lemonade even in the summer. KyLee: The nice thing about being in the South is that the AC is always blasting. So it’s hot cocoa, coffee, soup, any time of the day. My current favorite beverage to go with my reading, which I seldom read, but audiobooks, big on audiobooks these days, is the Iced Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte. I don’t usually go to Starbucks. I find their coffee very bitter, but this is a blonde espresso. I get it without the foam. It’s too sweet and it takes up too much in my cup. Karissa: I like to drink herbal tea. That’s my main comfort drink. Why historical fiction Karissa: What draws you to historical fiction? KyLee: For me, I like the nostalgia. I grew up very sheltered. We didn’t have a TV until I was 12. My mom would just drop us off at the library, then go shopping, then pick us up whenever. We always had audiobooks or books on tape. When we did get a TV, it was black and white. We watched a lot of black and white shows. For me, I remember those good times with old classic films and literature. There’s also this idea of, “What was.” Historical and fantasy are best friends because there’s that sense of wonder. But historical is like, this really did happen. This was really true. I like to dig into history and see who someone was, and go back to where they were if that’s possible. I love to research the way people lived and thought, the things they invented, and how resourceful they were. Darcy: Mine is similar. It’s about the people that came before, and how their stories influenced our lives today. You can go to historical sites and almost touch the lives that they had there. We tend to study history as the big overview. This person was king, these wars happened, all this stuff. Historical fiction lets you dive into what it was like for the day-to-day person. Even if you’re writing about a king, you’re asking what motivated him and what it felt like. People are people as long as they’ve lived. Karissa: That’s my favorite part too. How did people actually live, what challenges did they face, and what did they wear? KyLee: I also like when an author challenges what we accept as historical norms. Bring out something different that we wouldn’t expect. Like a female rancher who ran...
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  • Holiday Treats, Jane Austen, and a Gothic Regency Mystery with Julie Klassen

    Holiday Treats, Jane Austen, and a Gothic Regency Mystery with Julie Klassen
    Dec 29 2025
    In this episode, KyLee and Darcy share a few holiday highlights, then KyLee sits down with author Julie Klassen to talk about research, faith, and her latest Regency release. Key takeaways Holiday traditions can be simple, and still feel special.Teachers and read-aloud stories can shape a reader and a writer for life.Julie Klassen weaves themes of grace, forgiveness, and second chances into her fiction.Real places and local legends can add weight and texture to historical novels.Whispers at Painswick Court blends romance with gothic atmosphere and a murder plot.Holiday baking, hot chocolate, and an Instagram inviteA Bookworm Review of The Lost Girl of Astor Street, Stephanie Morrill KyLee: Today I will be talking with Julie Klassen. Darcy will not be with us because she’s gone to spend some time with her family. We’re recording this beforehand, and Darcy, we are about 10 days until Christmas. I know you are full of Christmas cheer and doing tons of Christmas things. No, that is not true. Darcy and I were talking about how it feels like the season has not quite started because we have been so busy. However, there are a couple special things we would like to share with you. Darcy: The most Christmas-y thing I am doing this year is making hot chocolate over and over at the ice cream shop. I’m not complaining — I love hot chocolate. I love making it, frothing the milk and everything. I am really looking forward to visiting my sister for Christmas. She lives five hours away. We see each other regularly through the year, but I’m going to spend a whole week at her place with my younger sister. The three of us will be hanging out. She has to work, so we’ll probably be doing some reading during the day. I have a couple of Christmas novellas picked out, one by Rosanna White. I’m looking forward to relaxing and doing Christmas-y things after I get the chaos behind me. KyLee: Do you ever throw something in with your hot chocolate, or make it different? Darcy: I’m very classic. I like to stir it with a candy cane and let that slowly melt in. So it’s like a peppermint hot chocolate. KyLee: I only ask because I started baking while procrastinating on preparing for this episode. I had this idea to take peanut butter cookies, make them a little bigger, and put a Reese’s cup in the middle. Like you put a chocolate kiss in the middle. We got Reese’s cups and they were PB&J, which I’m not the biggest fan of. I thought, let’s see if I can make this work. I get halfway through the recipe. I have my sugar out, shortening measured, flour measured, and I have no peanut butter. I do not know how this happened in my house. My oldest has a pretty severe allergy to milk that affects her esophagus. Finding things like proteins is something we’re constantly trying to do. I pulled out some plant-based chocolate protein powder and mixed that in with the cookies, then cooked them up. They are so good. They are a little heavy on the sugar. Along with having my daughter with this severe allergy, my husband has diabetes. So I rarely bake. I was procrastinating and it is Christmas time, so I broke that out. He tried them against my recommendation. He hates coconut, and since it is plant-based, it has coconut, so he does not want them. So it worked out. Darcy: I love that you are improvising with your holiday baking. This may be a new tradition. You might end up making these chocolate-protein-powder cookies every Christmas now. KyLee: They might be the start of a beautiful Christmas dessert. For our listeners, we are going to do something fun. Pop over to Instagram, on the Historical Bookworm Podcast page. On Instagram, it is Historical Bookworm Podcast, not Historical Bookworm Show. You will find a picture of my cookies, and Darcy, a picture of some hot chocolate. Darcy: Yes, absolutely. KyLee: We would love to see pictures of your sweet treats that you are making this holiday season. Now we are going to get on to the show with Julie Klassen. Meet Julie Klassen Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. KyLee: Julie, welcome to the Historical Bookworm Show. Julie: Thank you, KyLee. I’m happy to be here. The most Jane Austen thing, besides tea KyLee: Tea drinking goes without saying for an Anglophile. What is the most Jane Austen thing, other than drinking tea, that you might incorporate into your daily life? Julie: True confessions, I do not drink as much tea as I’m probably alleged to do. I am a coffee drinker. Normally it is coffee in the morning, and then I might switch to tea. I just went to the Jane Austen Christmas...
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  • Episode 119 | Jewels of Kalispell — Behind the Pages

    Episode 119 | Jewels of Kalispell — Behind the Pages
    Nov 15 2025
    Today we are joined by two guests to chat about the latest book they have co-written, An Unexpected Grace Book 3 in the Jewels of Kalispell series. We’ve visited with both of them individually before, and we’re so excited to have them on together today. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. She has won The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and has finaled in the Selah Awards and the Spur Awards. She is passionate about Bible study, reading, music, cooking, and pretty-much-all-things-crafty. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them. Co-Writers and Friends It’s fascinating what makes a good co-writing team, and Tracie and Kim are no exception. They start the interview by sharing about their process, and how they each contribute to research and writing; but, more than that, they share how their friendship supports them in all areas of their lives. Kalispell, Montana As we discuss the third book in this series, Tracie and Kim share about their time in the northern Montana town of Kalispell. Each of the books features a particular landmark of the historic town — in this case, the opera house. We learn more about the settling of Montana, what kept Kalispell on the map, and all about their research trip to the opera house. When Callings Clash An Unexpected Grace explores what it means to be called by God to a particular path in life — and how those callings sometimes clash with those closest to us. Tracie and Kim never neglect the faith thread in their stories, even diving into complex aspects of our faith. A Show-Stealing Side Character When we asked Tracie and Kim if they had a favorite side character in this story, they both immediately came up with the same name. Learn which character stole their hearts (and readers’), and why they’ve come to love her so much. Connect with Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse at their websites, where you can find their newsletters, blogs, and social media links. About the Book Can unexpected grace lay the foundation for a second chance at love? After a decade away, Parker Bennett returns home with a traveling troupe to perform a play based on Uncle Tom’s Cabin at the Kalispell Opera House. Parker has relished his life on the road, but being home awakens long-buried emotions when he encounters his first love, Johanna St. John. He can’t help but wonder if there might still be a place for him in her heart. Widowed for three years, Johanna devotes all her time to a demanding toddler, an injured father, and a successful millinery business. After the loss of her husband, she desires to move on, but reconnecting with her past love leaves her unsure of what lies ahead. Both committed to God’s distinct calling on their lives, Johanna and Parker struggle to see how their futures can unite, and when strange things start happening around town, their second chance at a life together seems more unlikely than ever. Other episodes with Tracie and Kim: A Bookchat about A Love Discovered with Tracie Peterson A Bookchat about Remember Me with Tracie PetersonEpisode 38: Guest Tracie Peterson with Beyond the Desert SandsExploring History and Faith with Author Traci PetersonRemember Me by Tracie PetersonA Bookchat about Set In Stone with Kimberley WoodhouseA Bookchat about A Mark of Grace with Kimberly WoodhouseA Bookchat about A Gem of Truth with Kimberley WoodhouseBookworm Review: A Deep Divide by Kimberly Woodhouse Bookworm Review Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill, reviewed by Angela Bell Castle meets Miss Scarlet & the Duke in this rollicking tale of love and danger! Set in Gilded Age Cincinnati, this historical romance features a spunky dime novelist, exacting poetic justice with her pen, and a straitlaced police officer, investigating a string of literary-inspired murders. When the pair are forced to work together to stop a killer, sparks fly as they debate the difference between justice and vengeance. Fans of Jen Turano and Michelle Griep will love Caudill’s unique blend of humorous shenanigans, quirky characters, action-packed mystery, sarcastic wit, and an enemies-to-more romance with all the banter. If you fancy a book brimming with flirtation, faith, and firearms, Written in Secret is sure to be your cup of tea! THE AUTHOR Crystal Caudill is a tea-drinking, book-hoarding, history nerd. Her award-winning stories are ripe with history, danger, ...
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    33 m
  • Episode 118 To Kiss a Knight: A Regency Romp with Grace Hitchcock

    Episode 118 To Kiss a Knight: A Regency Romp with Grace Hitchcock
    Nov 11 2025
    Grace Hitchcock is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives near New Orleans on a hobby farm with her husband, Dakota, sons and daughter. Regency England — Austen or Heyer? Grace Hitchcock joins us for a conversation about all things Regency England. While Jane Austen may be the first name to pop to mind, Grace loves the adventure and humor of author Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances. We discuss what characters Grace would love to have tea with, and what aspect of Regency society made her devise a cheat sheet to keep it straight. Every Story Needs Some Laughter Known for the fun and humor woven alongside the serious situations in her books, Grace shares how she weaves that humor into her stories — often at her character’s expense. A Mismatched Couple With a relatively staid and traditionally minded hero and an ambitious heroine who is quite “inventive” when it comes to solving her problems, the novel we discuss today, To Kiss a Knight, promises a fun and adventure-filled romance. Grace gives us an inside peek into what makes these two characters themselves — and how they’ll be perfect for each other. Connect with Grace at her website, where you can sign up for her newsletter and receive a free novella, and on Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, and Amazon. ABOUT THE BOOK To Kiss a Knight Vivienne Poppy’s plans are working out quite well. She’s run away from her family and the prospect of a horrid marriage of convenience and plans to spend her time writing under her pseudonym, Lady Larkby. Until she discovers the old Larkby title is not as dead as she thought. Yeoman of the Guard and recently knighted Sir Sebastian Larkby is stunned to discover a Lady Larkby that he does not remember marrying. Suddenly Vivienne is left with a choice: relinquish her pen name, expose her true identity, and break Sebastian’s dying grandmother’s heart—or feign marriage to Sebastian to keep the title and fulfill the old woman’s wishes. This witty novel from award-winning author Grace Hitchcock is filled with scandal, mishap, and just the right amount of romance. Other episodes that feature Grace: A Bookchat about His Delightful Lady Delia with Grace Hitchcock & a Review of The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel – Historical Bookworm A Bookchat about To Catch a Coronet with Grace Hitchcock – Historical Bookworm Bookworm Review “Piper Sail is BACK, and she’s still the cat’s pajamas! In The Secret Investigator of Astor Street, Stephanie Morrill distills atmospheric prose, the nuances of grief, complex family drama, undiluted emotion, and the shadowed back-alleys of 1920’s Chicago into an intoxicating YA mystery riddled with more twists than a speakeasy escape tunnel. Readers of “The Lost Girl of Astor Street” will thrill at being reunited with the intrepid Piper Sail as she takes a magnifying glass to a maybe murder, doggedly searching for the truth and a sense of purpose. If you’re in need of a private eye with moxie and heart, The Secret Investigator of Astor Street is on the case!!” ~ Angela Bell, author of A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure THE AUTHOR Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as two historical young adult novels, The Lost Girl of Astor Street and Within These Lines. Within These Lines was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, as well as a YALSA 2020 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com, which has been on the Writer’s Digest Best Websites for Writers list since 2017. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children. Read more about Stephanie at her website. (www.stephaniemorrill.com) If you enjoyed this episode, we hope you’ll subscribe for more on your favorite listening platform, and join our newsletter (see the sidebar). Don’t forget to share it with a fellow historical fiction reader! And if you really enjoyed this episode and would like to support, you can always buy us a coffee.
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    22 m
  • Country Girl and Lifelong Writer Ann H. Gabhart

    Country Girl and Lifelong Writer Ann H. Gabhart
    Oct 9 2025
    Today KyLee and Darcy sit down with bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart to explore her decades-long writing career and her latest historical romance, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford, which transports readers to the “Saratoga of the West”—the luxurious and intrigue-filled Graham Springs, Kentucky, in the mid-1800s. Other appearances on the show include: A Bookchat about The Song of Sourwood Mountain, When the Meadow Blooms, and Episode 15- Along a Storied Trail. A country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky, Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of many novels, including historical novels, mysteries, non-fiction, and books for young adult readers. She and her husband live on a farm a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Ann enjoys discovering the everyday wonders of nature while hiking in her farm’s fields and woods with her grandchildren and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. A Decades-Long Career Ann takes us back to her early days writing, and describes how she came to publish her first novel and discover this was something she would continue doing her whole life long. She includes a few details from the story that she says she’s never shared in an interview before. Kentucky Hot Springs As a native of Kentucky, Ann loves finding new and interesting history to explore in her home state. Her latest novel, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford, takes us to Graham Springs, a natural hot spring known as “The Saratoga of the West” during the mid-1800s. She shares some of her research about the founder of this spa-like vacation destination tucked in rural Kentucky. Complex Characters Elena Bradford, heroine of Ann’s latest book, is torn between two men — and the duty she owes to her family. Ann discusses the backstory and motivations of her characters, setting the stage for a people-driven story in a lush and luxurious historical setting. Connect with Ann at her website, where you can subscribe to her newsletter, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, and Bookbub. Nothing would please her family more than her securing an admirable match, but true love and loyalty are harder to come by than she imagined. At twenty-two, Elena Bradford has never met a man who made her consider marriage. But when her father dies and leaves the family deeply in debt, Elena becomes their only hope. Her mother uses their last funds to take Elena and her younger sister to Graham Springs, Kentucky, where people find healing by drinking the mineral spring water and healthy recreation through the many daily activities–including dances almost every evening. As her mother schemes to find Elena a wealthy husband, Elena finds herself drawn to two men her mother would never consider. Charming artist Kirby Frazier spends his days drawing and painting the guests, but his real mission is to find a wealthy bride to finance his dream to go west. Melancholy Andrew Harper has come to Graham Springs in need of healing after a broken heart. When a beautiful young lady shows up at the Springs with no chaperone and a story that seems suspicious, nearly everyone is charmed and intrigued. But when an unexpected tragedy occurs, Elena, Kirby, and Andrew will all be faced with decisions of life, love, and loyalty. With a Southern flair and a spark of intrigue, this stand-alone clean historical romance will charm readers with masterful artists, colorful dances, a love triangle, and endearing family relationships. Bookwork Review of Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green “Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green is a sweeping period drama that combines PTSD representation, nods to classic literature, a murder mystery, and poignant spiritual themes into an immersive tale of sisterhood and starting over. Fans of The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano will be moved by the heart-rending depiction of a 19th century insane asylum, and history lovers will be captivated by Green’s scrupulous research and atmospheric prose, which transpose historical events from sepia toned facts to emotive human experiences awash in vivid color. If you’ve ever been curious about The Great Chicago Fire, allow Jocelyn Green to spin you a harrowing tale Veiled in Smoke!” ~ Angela Bell, author of A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure About the Author Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves ...
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    33 m
  • From Farm to Fiction: The Path of Christine Hill Suntz

    From Farm to Fiction: The Path of Christine Hill Suntz
    Sep 28 2025
    Christine knew she wanted to write the day she finished Anne of Green Gables and she’s been lost in her imagination ever since. Winner of the ACFW 2022 Genesis contest for Historical Romance, she also won the 2021 West Coast Christian Writers Golden Goldie Best-in-Conference award. She lives in Ontario on a hobby farm with her family and a herd of entitled goats. When she’s not writing, she teaches high school French and tries out historical recipes on her (mostly) willing family. Follow her for more adventures in 19th-century life. Farm Life Ideals to Farm Life Reality From a childhood in rural Canada, Christine eventually made her way to the big city of Toronto where she lived for several years before the country called her back. She shares how she and her family found a farming style that works for them — and the trials along the way. French Literature Background A student of German and French, with a graduate degree in comparative literature, Christine shares some classic French writers she enjoys — and learns from — as she continues her writing and teaching careers. Hands-On Research Ever wondered what it was really like to wash clothes the old-fashioned way? Christine did — so she researched it and gave it a try. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at what being a laundress was like. Canada’s Early Formation Christine takes us on a tour of the political upheaval her characters face in The Lawyer and the Laundress. For Canadian school children, this is a well-known story. American readers may discover a new-to-them piece of history about how our neighbor to the north became the nation it is today. About the Book The Lawyer and the Laundress Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival. Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life. When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady. If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life. Connect with Christine Hill Suntz on her website, where you can sign up for her newsletter, and on Instagram, Facebook, and Amazon. Bookworm Review All My Secrets by Gabrielle Meyer “Masterfully crafted and beautifully executed, “In This Moment” is a book you simultaneously want to binge read and linger in forever! Gabrielle Meyer is a pioneer in the world of historical fiction, and she’s breaking new ground with the Timeless series. Her attention to historical detail is astounding, immersing the reader in all three time periods. Her heroine Maggie is at once remarkable and relatable, experiencing a fantastical journey we can only imagine while exploring tender emotions and questions of faith we know all too well. In conclusion, I’d hereby like to bestow all the stars I’ve denied to other books on “In This Moment” because five stars just isn’t enough for this mind-blowing novel! If you’re looking for an un-put-down-able story, In This Moment is a must read!” ~ Angela Bell, author of A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure THE AUTHOR Gabrielle Meyer has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope. Read more about Gabrielle at her website. (www.gabriellemeyer.com)
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