Part of the Women of the Heartland series:
- In Times Like These
- With Each New Dawn
- A Purpose True
- Kiss Me Once Again
Kiss Me Once Again
Historical Cozy Mystery
1943: The world is at war and the outcome is anything but sure
In the heartland, communities like Caroline, Iowa, must bind together to support The Cause. As the war drags on, few families escape paying the ultimate price.
But the unity of this close-knit community is threatened by a violent death-a murder committed in the basement of the town's beloved Church Street United Brethren. Everyone, including the congregation's handsome new pastor, becomes a suspect.
The underpinnings to the mystery delve deep into the town's past... and extend far beyond its borders.
A Hill Country Christmas: Hope for Hardscrabble Times
Christmas Love Through the Ages
Ready for the Christmas spirit? Light the Yule log, grab a snuggly blanket, and settle in for a
collection of stories celebrating the season. This collection of festive tales honors our beloved
traditions, reminds us of our moorings, and warms our hearts. Short stories and novellas take us
on a journey from 1868 to today. You'll travel from Bethlehem with angel Gabriel to an airport
in Colorado. Lena Nelson Dooley, Lisa Bell, Gail Kittleson, Cleo Lampos, and Paula Peckham
offer tales commemorating the wonderful season of hope and possibility. Welcome to Christmas
Love Through the Ages.
Listen, by Lisa Bell: If you were the angel Gabriel, how would you get people to remember Jesus at Christmastime?
A Father’s Gift, by Paula Peckham: A young man, anticipating the birth of his child, learns about love and sacrifice only a father can give.
The Rescued Christmas, by Lena Nelson Dooley: Can a young woman trust God to turn her worst nightmare into a blessing?
Turtle Creek Christmas, by Gail Kittleson: Finding a home means everything to an orphan girl, but discovering the joy of Christmas surpasses her wildest dreams.
A Divine Romance, by Lena Nelson Dooley: A friend leads Jolene to Colorado and then to Jesus.
A Bookmobile Noel, by Cleo Lampos: The difficulties of rural Illinois in the Great Depression are lessened by a novice librarian’s ingenuity.
Gold Mine Christmas, by Gail Kittleson: Though we seek earthly fortune, genuine treasure remains a matter of the heart.
Blessings on the 38th Parallel, by Cleo Lampos: Amid war-weary Korea in 1952, hope rekindles in the lives of a soldier and a MASH nurse.
A Christmas Hallelujah, by Paula Peckham: In the aftermath of a canceled Christmas Eve flight, strangers become friends when presented with the chance to show selfless love to a fellow journeyer.
Excerpt:
Country Music’s Hidden Gem: The Redd Stewart Story
Redd Stewart's journey began as more than just another rags-to-riches story, but with an essential heritage of family love and music that would later shape him into one of the music world's greatest 'unsung heroes.'
His life inspired others to do better, to be better, to love unconditionally, and to share with others the blessing of God-given talent. He was a man who never asked for personal praise, but whose individual contribution to the Country and Pop music industries is still alive throughout the world today.
Many of the songs written by Redd have been performed and recorded by such entertainment legends as Patti Page, Hank Williams, Roy Rogers, Dean Martin, Michael Bublé, and the list goes on. He was heard to say in all humility, "I don't deserve any of this."
Follow these pages of heartfelt thoughts about our subject as explored in detail by the musician, author, and loving son of this sincere man, revealed for the first time is the real-life love story that inspired the lyrics to the world's most famous Country music song; the beautiful Tennessee Waltz.
Excerpt:
Secondhand Sunsets: A Novel of the Mogollon Rim
West.
Heading west.
Put the past behind you.
Start over.
In nose-biting pre-dawn cold, Ray’s rap sounded. Out front waited a new wagon. Abby buttoned her wool coat and bonnet, doubled Papa’s traveling blanket over her arm with her parasol, and crossed the threshold for the last time. Ray hoisted her trunk as she clambered into the buckboard.
He was no gentleman—no surprise to that. Through hushed streets, past Annabelle’s house, the silent empty clapboard church, and beyond the new train depot, memories flitted one by one. With each, her heaviness lifted, and out in the countryside west of town, each squeaky turn of the wheels breathed hope.
In rhythm with the creaking wheels, words circled through her mind like poetry—Now we are wed... no longer alone... heading west.
A fog immersed her. Not an endearing word from him, nor even a kindly touch of his hand.
Her husband.
***
A sudden light spangled the heavens as if to show that sunshine still reigned.
Abby sank to a fallen log—the glow rimmed the clouds in an ethereal aura. Crimson became rose, yellows transformed to gold, and periwinkle caressed deep purple.
“Could I have been befuddled all this time?”
The scripture Fred read at supper filtered back.
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.”
The day’s warmth still hovered, and with it, a sense that all was well. The sky flamed for several more minutes.
This beauty and my love for you are one.
She hugged the message close. “Perhaps, after all, I am loved.”
Excerpt:
All for the Cause
Distant thunder rolled as Mr. Olsen poured coffee for his customers, and comments crackled like popcorn.
"Surrender?"
"Unconditional, he said. Who woulda thought..."
"Sure ain't lookin' good."
"Sure hate to think of 'em bein' prisoners."
"Ain't Howard Hannam's son over there?"
"Yeah, and my brother's boy. Sure hope MacArthur keeps his promise to rescue them fellas."
The news was grim in May 1942. The Philippines had fallen to the Imperial Japanese Army. Rommel is on the move in Northern Africa. The Russian Army is pushed back toward Stalingrad. In the sweltering jungles of Corregidor, PFC Stan Ford battles illness and injury as he and his comrades escape and evade a tenacious enemy. And in the Heartland, women mourn the loss of husbands, sons, and sweethearts.
While everyone else seems to be doing something to support the troops, Twila Brunner feels lost, and useless. But when she sees a newspaper article about a Prisoner of War camp being built in neighboring Algona, Iowa, she believes she has finally discovered a way to to give something for the Cause.
Excerpt:
A Purpose True
Part of the Women of the Heartland series:
- In Times Like These
- With Each New Dawn
- A Purpose True
- Kiss Me Once Again
Though War Breeds Cruelty and Injustice, Grace Yet Prevails
Southern France - Spring, 1944
German panzer units crisscross the region, dealing ruthless reprisals against the French Resistance, and anyone suspected of supporting its efforts. Secret Operations Executive (SOE) agent Kate Isaacs is tasked with providing essential radio communications with the Allies, while her guide, Domingo Ibarra, a Basque shepherd-turned-Resistance fighter, dedicates himself to avenging the destruction of his home and family.
Thrown together by the vagaries of war, their shared mission, and common devotion to liberty, the last thing Kate and Domingo anticipate is the stirring of affection that threatens to blossom into love. But how can love survive in the midst of the enemy’s relentless cruelty toward innocent citizens?
Everything hinges on the success of the Allied Invasion - L’Invasion.
Excerpt:
With Each New Dawn
Part of the Women of the Heartland series:
- In Times Like These
- With Each New Dawn
- A Purpose True
- Kiss Me Once Again
Late Winter, 1943
The world is at war with no end in sight
Addie Bledsoe and Kate Isaacs, best friends from Iowa, are embroiled in their own private battles. In England, Kate grieves the loss of her pilot husband even as she awaits the birth of their child. Addie makes the dangerous trek across the ocean to be with her friend in her hour of need, much to her abusive husband's ire.
With Europe reeling under the heels of the Nazi Wehrmacht the two friends are once again called on separate journeys. Kate is recruited into Britain's Secret Operations Executive (SOE), resulting in a clandestine mission behind enemy lines in occupied France, while Addie wages a war of the heart in war-torn London.
Somehow, these heroic Women of the Heartland must find a way to overcome the adversities of the war without, and the war within.
Excerpt:
Reviews:Amazon Customer on Amazon wrote:
Well written, I learned a lot about the events leading up to the Allied Invasion of Normandy. Gripping book, can't wait for the next one!
In Times Like These
Part of the Women of the Heartland series:
- In Times Like These
- With Each New Dawn
- A Purpose True
- Kiss Me Once Again
July 7, 1937
The Marco Polo Bridge Incident results in a prolonged war between China and Japan.
The United States remained neutral.
September 1, 1939
Germany invades Poland leading Britain and France to declare war on Germany.
The United States remained neutral.
Over the next 15 months at least 35 nations were embroiled in the Second World War.
The United States remained neutral.
December 7, 1941 - The Day that will live in Infamy
The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans, wounding 1,143, and destroying 18 naval ships including five battleships.
The following day the United State declared war on the Empire of Japan. Three days later, the US declared war on Germany and Italy.
In Iowa, the Heartland of America, best friends Addie and Kate are embroiled in their own private wars. Kate's pilot husband has gone Missing in Action, and Addie's overbearing and controlling husband vents his rage on her. Somehow, these heroic Women of the Heartland must find a way to overcome the adversities of the war without, and the war within.
Excerpt:
Reviews:Lisa J. Lickel on Amazon wrote:
Many characters made the start slightly puzzling, but once I sorted out who belonged to whom, the pages almost turned themselves. Great period piece exploring family dynamics and interpersonal relationships as well as the growth of self-esteem and the importance of friendship.
In Times Like These is a lesson of intergenerational frustration on one front, and love and healing on another. Addie grows up oddly innocent and sheltered in a terribly dysfunctional family, while her husband, Harold, likewise grows up watching his father verbally and emotionally abuse his mother, though not to the extent his own righteousness led him to act out on the wife he settled for and the life he felt was dealt to him. Instead of doing his best, Harold felt victimized when things didn’t go his way, and took out his selfishness on those around him. Addie, with her poor self-image, learned through the help of her neighbors and friends, to stand up for herself.
This story proves the importance of self-revelation based on an intimate faith in God, not the interpretations of Scripture and faith practices of others where “right,” “wrong,” and “justifiable” are usually in the eye of the beholder.
Loved it and would read it again. Great for discussion groups and those who like well-researched WWII era on the US side and female character growth.
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