Hey, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Nancy Fraser and her new book, “Ella,” here on FAB!! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.
Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Nancy and to increase your chances of winning!!
This eBook is on available for FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited during the book tour!! See below for more details.
Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!
Ella
The Prairie Roses Collection
Book Twelve
by Nancy Fraser
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GENRE: Sweet/Inspirational Western Historical Romance
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BLURB:
To get away from her late husband’s questionable deeds, Ella Winslow takes her three children and heads west to the unsettled Washington Territory to claim land she believes she’s inherited from her father.
Tucker McAlister was fired from his position as deputy marshal for arresting the mayor’s brother-in-law for spousal abuse. His mentor has found him another job, first escorting the wagon train going west, and then as the new marshal in the growing town of Tacoma, Washington Territory.
The trail is long and hard, yet Ella is more than up to the task. Still, Tuck feels the need to watch over her and her children, whether she wants him to or not. It isn’t until they arrive in Washington that he realizes his protection will now need to extend even further than the wagon train itself.
Will Ella’s faith allow her to trust again and make a safe home for her family, while welcoming Tuck into her heart?
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EXCERPT ONE:
Whispering Willows Farm
Maryvale, Missouri
April 16, 1870
Ella Winslow turned toward the kitchen door, the loud crash of wood on wood causing her to startle. Raising her head, she met her brother’s angry glare.
“What the devil are you thinking, Sis?” Connor Miller asked. “You can’t just up and take off with your children. And crossing the country in father’s prized possession, no less? Have you lost your senses?”
“I’ve never understood why everyone claims it’s women who are moody, hysterical even. We can’t hold a candle to a flustered man.” Narrowing her gaze, she gave Connor the same no-nonsense look she often used on her daughter and two sons. “It’s my decision to make. With my husband dead and buried, there’s nothing holding me here. As a matter of fact, given the legacy Peter Winslow left behind, I’d say taking my children away from this town is the right thing to do.”
“So, I’m nothing, am I?” Connor asked angrily.
The hurt she could see in his eyes caused her a small niggle of pain, a moment’s pause.
“Of course, you mean the world to me. You’re my brother, the only family I have left, other than my precious children.”
“Then, why are you leaving?”
Her shoulders heaved on a deep sigh. “You know why. I’m tired of having the good people of Maryvale stare at me with pity, while gossiping about me behind my back. Not to mention the way the children have been teased in the schoolyard.”
“This whole mess will blow over soon enough.”
“I’d like to believe you... that the people I’ve known my entire life will come to their senses and realize I had nothing to do with Peter’s abhorrent business dealings. And, his...” Her voice lowered before trailing off. She couldn’t bear thinking about all the secrets her late husband had harbored. All the evil deeds he’d done.
“He was a liar, a cheat, and—assuming the reports from the marshal’s office are accurate—a cold blooded killer. His actions were his own. You had nothing to do with them.”
“Tell that to the townsfolk who treat me, and my children, like steamy piles of horse dung.”
“Now who’s being hysterical?” Connor teased, his familiar grin firmly back in place.
“Not hysterical, just fed up with being treated so poorly.” She dipped her hand into the pocket of her apron and produced a piece of paper, waving it in the air. “The farm, the last of father’s workshop projects, and this... it’s all that’s left of any value.”
Connor snatched the deed from her grasp and unfolded it, scanning the page for what was likely the hundredth time.
“You don’t even know if this paper is valid. Didn’t you say the land office never responded to your letters?”
“No matter,” she insisted, swishing her hand in the most dismissive way she could manage given her own doubts. “The solicitor who handled the sale of the house and the disposition of claims against Peter’s estate said it’s a legal document. And, thankfully, never part of Peter’s holdings so it couldn’t be used to cover his debts.”
Connor’s voice softened. “You and the children are welcome to stay here with me and Millie.”
Ella reached up and cradled his cheek in the palm of her hand. The threat of tears warmed her eyes. “You’re sweet to offer, but you and your new wife don’t need us hanging around when you’re just starting out. The children and I will be fine.”
Connor shook his head, pulling away from her caress, and dislodging his thick dark curls until they fell across his forehead. “It’s not safe, setting out in a wagon train all alone. Four months—maybe more—on a dusty trail is no way for a lady to travel.”
“I won’t be alone. I’ll have my children, and at least seven other wagons.”
“What if they’re not all going as far as you are? You may be the only wagon on the Naches Pass Trail. You should wait for a year or two, until the railroad is finished. They plan to reach Olympia and Tacoma by 1872.”
“They haven’t met their previous expectations, what’s to say they’ll make this one?” Ella asked. “I don’t want to risk losing out on my claim once the population starts growing.”
“You can’t live in a wagon.”
“According to our father’s notes, he... they... built a small cabin on the property.”
“I wouldn’t be putting any faith in the jabbering of that old fool.”
She gave Connor’s cheek another pat. “Sometimes, dear brother, faith is all we’ve got. I trust the Lord will protect us on our journey.”
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BOOK TRAILER:
Check out Nancy’s exciting new book series trailer below!!!
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FUN JIGSAW PUZZLE:
Nancy has created a fun jigsaw puzzle for her readers to play!!!
Check it out here:
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3834a24fbf3b
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This book is an enjoyable, quick read filled with sweet romance, wholesome, kindhearted characters, intriguing story lines, and beautiful blind faith inspiration.
While I must admit I was a tiny bit hesitant that this book might be on the slower placed side or even a tad bit boring. However, I should know by now that those words are never associated with a Nancy Fraser book – and this book was no different. Nancy’s superior writing skills continue to impress me, I feel like I don’t even need to read the book blurb – I already know I’m going to like it and enjoy reading every page. And at this point, I think Nancy could even find a way to make college textbooks intriguing lol.
This book starts off with the main character Ella, and her brother, Connor, arguing over Ella’s decision to “just up and leave town.” Ella tries to explain to Connor how things have been so uncomfortable after her late husband’s death and finding out his abhorrent and illegal business dealings and bad behavior. Ella confides in Connor about the whole town of Maryvale turning on her, constantly staring at her and gossiping about her, not to mention the ripple effect it’s had on the kids being teased and bullied at school. While Connor continues to try to talk Ella out of making such a drastic change, he finally realizes she has made up her mind and she and the kids are moving out West to Washington Territory.
This book follows Ella and her three children, Callie, Jacob, and Thomas, over their extensive and complicated covered wagon journey from Maryvale, Missouri to Washington Territory and the people they travel with and meet along the way – including a dashingly handsome Tuck, who finds the need and desire to want to protect Ella and her children helping them reach their final destination safely.
This book is a super-fast read at only 119 eBook pages over the course of fourteen short chapters. I was able to read this book in just one quick sitting as I didn’t want to put it down.
This book is fast paced, strongly written with many intriguing plot points, and well-developed, genuine characters.
As always with Nancy's books, I loved the characters, especially Ella, Tuck, and the kids. Regardless of the genre, Nancy always seems to find a way to create such multidimensional, strongly developed, likable, authentic characters that readers are such to quickly connect with.
As someone who has spent quite a bit of time on the Oregon Trail I was excited and intrigued by this story line. While this was always a hot topic in school I found Nancy’s story quite interesting and informative. And I honestly started to fill a little bit spoiled and guilty recalling how easier and way more comfortable my travels across the states were by car. Not to mention, how my family often rented a giant U-Haul to move all our stuff, while Ella tells her kids they are only allowed to bring one toy, two books, two changes of clothes, one nightclothes, and two underclothes – that is all to last them the entire five or so month trip!!! Wow!! I don’t even pack that light for just an overnight trip lol!! Very enlightening!! Of course, Ella does mention that her brother plans to ship their other items to their new home in due time and the main reason for so few items is the wagon is only so big and needs to be mostly filled with pantry items, which does make sense.
This book is Book Twelve of Twenty-Three in “The Prairie Roses Collection,” Book Series. This book can easily be read as a standalone. Before reading this book, I had not read any of the other books in this series and was able to easily follow along. Nancy has teamed up with her author friends to create this exciting new book series as each book is written by a different author, but all books follow strong-willed inspiring female characters and their intriguing adventures along the Oregon Trail.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!! I think all historical romance readers, sweet romance readers, and inspirational book fans will like this book too!! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**
Did you find this review helpful???
If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R22PAMKUIH9YAB
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AUTHOR BIO:
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Nancy Fraser is a best-selling and award-winning author who happily jumps across multiple romance genres with gleeful abandon.
She's also the granddaughter of a Methodist minister known for his fire-and-brimstone approach to his faith. Nancy has brought some of his spirit into her Christian romances. And, her own off-beat sense of humor to her clean & wholesome books.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
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CONNECT WITH NANCY:
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https://romancesweetreads.blogspot.com
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https://www.bookbub.com/books/ella-prairie-roses-collection-book-12-by-nancy-fraser
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60446735-ella
Amazon Author Page:
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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:
**The Ella eBook is available for FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited during the book tour!!!**
Amazon US Kindle eBook:
Amazon US Paperback:
Amazon CA Kindle eBook:
https://www.amazon.ca/Ella-Prairie-Roses-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B09SH3ZWQ8
Amazon CA Paperback:
https://www.amazon.ca/Ella-Prairie-Roses-Collection-Book/dp/B09XZP855S
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Nancy will be awarding a $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
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Also be sure to check out today’s other blog post, featuring an in-depth look at Nancy Fraser’s exciting new book series, “The Prairie Roses Collection,” and enter to win a $10 Amazon OR Starbucks Gift Card giveaway!!
Check it out here:
https://fabulousandbrunette.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-prairie-roses-collection-book.html
****************This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**
This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
Nancy ~ Good morning!! Welcome back again to FAB!! It's always a pleasure to have you here!! Congrats on your exciting new book and book series!! Wow!! You have been busy!! I think you'd put my little to-do lists to shame lol!! As always good luck on the book tour!! I really enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, thanks for providing the copy!! :) I also went ahead and wrote a second post today featuring your new book series and included a second giveaway from FAB to promote your exciting new works!! Congrats again!! Hope you stop by and check it out :)
ReplyDeleteOn my way to check it out. Like I said, you spoil me!
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteOh, Ally, you spoil me. I'm so glad you enjoyed Ella. I hadn't done a wagon train book in years ... and I mean years. It was fun digging out the research materials again.
ReplyDelete