SMALL TOWN ROMANCE is Back!

I am so pleased to be in this boxed set. This one has a little of everything, historical, contemporary, and fantasy. So if you like to mix up your genres, this is the set for you. Or maybe you want to try out a different genres. This set is for you.

💖SMALL TOWN ROMANCES: Inspirational Boxed Set #FREE on KU or $0.99 to buy! Sale ends Monday July 10th. Get it before the price goes up!

📚5 Novels of Romance 💖 by 5 bestselling, award-winning authors. You'll love these unique stories of love! Something for everyone with 2 historical, 2 contemporary, and a fantasy romance.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Romances-Inspirational-Boxed-ebook/dp/B0881ZH5H2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZZ72LC7064IL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._ZVrcmze2TtzY-0u9Tvpt4_tF0oQrEM0kb1PLWHxMqkZ_DYmYK28WlosO3wYnQcgfWzyXomLnPIweft8o7E6toqw0Xhj4ewoTUQNVwY5r3lqo5MaQEO4ALCpH1JJ-1VsQbw_W3-TXLoxlHpgaecaEPtZoD0zlOhtEnrkOaDx1PlkSZXiBwc0VXe0pwITo9oeSrjHHjg804H_SwQFesprVWDxrls9keacehMsd4YcgQU.nY8JBQDeW0LqPfKJqJDCnWkW1Yqc6YYKqZdiOnQy960&dib_tag=se&keywords=Small+Town+Romance+by+Mary+Davis&qid=1720281313&s=books&sprefix=small+town+romance+by+mary+davis%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1

#SmallTownRomance includes…

The Daughter’s Predicament by Mary Davis—As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. While a third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping to sweep her off her feet. Whom will Isabelle choose?

Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron—Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?

Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery.

Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course? Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined.

At the Crossroad by Christa MacDonald——Erin Sullivan has endured the rumor mill of Sweet River, Maine for years. Being the subject of small-town judgment taught her not to hope for good things. No matter how strong her feelings were for Pastor Dan Connors, she planned to keep them buried for the sake of his reputation and the good of her own heart.

Dan became a pastor thinking it would be temporary--three years later he is struggling in a job he never wanted. When Erin sees Dan struggling alone, she reaches out to help, and he comes to rely on her quiet strength and kindness. Dan is determined to find his way, but it may have to be without the woman he's come to love.

Dreams of My Heart by Barbara Scott—If plucky Irish immigrant Kate O’Brien can’t pay off the loan on her deceased brother’s homestead, she’ll be forced to marry the banker’s son. When she’s attacked by a drunken gang, salvation comes from a total stranger—Texas cattleman Buck McKean. However, his kindness threatens her reputation, and they marry to prevent impending consequences. But love has a hard time growing within two hearts scarred from past hurts. When Kate asks Buck for the unthinkable, her choice endangers both their lives. Can God mend their hearts and save their love?

Unbroken Spirit by Kelsey Norman—Nina Anderson never expected to pull an unconscious man from a lake. Neither did she imagine that the unearthly man would claim he was sent to be her protector and help her with an impending future event. Nina’s mysterious new protector, Liam, brings her the respect she’s always wanted—and maybe even a chance at love. Will he have the power to save her and restore Nina’s faith in God?

Happy Reading!

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

 

Tuesday Tidbits: A Bit of ROMANCE NOVEL History

If there is a romance gene, I’ve got it. I know romance novels haven’t always had the best reputation, but they are the hottest selling genre, with sales of over a billion dollars annually. So when did this love of romance novels begin?

Before Gutenberg invented the printing press, making romance novels more accessible to the masses, romance stories existed. The ancient Greeks had them as well as many other cultures. The ones that weren’t copied over and over by hand were told by word of mouth and acted out as plays, as were other types of stories. There is a list of over twenty ancient Greek romance novel titles, most are but mere fragments of the original stories. Only five of them have survived in a nearly completed state.

The Native Americans of Mackinac Island, Michigan have a tale about Arch Rock on the Island. 

An Indian maiden was tied to the rock by her father when he forbid her to marry the brave she was in love with. Her tears melted away the gigantic hole in the limestone rock, leaving the arch we see today. Her warrior rescued her and took her with him to his people. Though this story is used to explain a geological formation, it’s interesting that the Native Americans chose to use a romance theme to explain it.

The first recognized modern romance novel is considered to be Pamela or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson in 1740. 

. . . and the first from the woman’s point of view. (Interesting that romance novels before this were from the man’s point of view or probably omniscient point of view.) It was one of the first best-sellers. Go romance!

Then in the early 1800s came Jane Austen and then Charlotte Brontë in the middle of the century. Romance novels became more popular after World War I. Walter Scott developed the popular mass-market version of the historical romance novels which is said to have begun in 1921 with the publication of The Black Moth.

Mills and Boon, British publishers, began publishing hardback romance novels in the 1930s, which were popular across England. In 1957, Harlequin Enterprises, a Canadian company, began releasing Mills and Boon’s category romances in North America. In the 1970s, Harlequin bought Mills and Boon and other companies published romance novels as well that were now being sold in mass-market stores and other places where women shopped like supermarkets.

I think of Grace Livingston Hill (1865-1847) as the forerunner to the current modern-day Inspirational romances, both category and stand-alone. She wrote over 100 novels and short stories. Her published works span from the 1870s until after her death in 1947. Her last novel, Mary Arden, was finished by her daughter Ruth and published in 1948.

Romance novels continued to change and adapt to the market and have continued to sell more and more copies. Romance novels have many, many sub-genres that contribute to the large number of sales. These vast sub-genres enable romance readers to find just the right fit for them.

This reader (and author) is happy romance novels are still going strong.

HAPPY READING!

NEW!

THIMBLES AND THREADS: 4 Love Stories Are Quilted Into Broken Lives

Love Stitched into Four Women’s Lives
Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When four women put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to love? #thimblesandthreadscollection
Click HERE to order yours today.
FREE Preview
#thimblesandthreadscollection
“Bygones” by Mary Davis
Texas, 1884
Drawn to the new orphan boy in town, Tilly Rockford soon became the unfortunate victim of a lot of Orion Dunbar’s mischievous deeds in school. Can Tilly figure out how to truly forgive the one who made her childhood unbearable? Now she doesn’t even know she holds his heart. Can this deviant orphan-train boy turned man make up for the misdeeds of his youth and win Tilly’s heart before another man steals her away?

Other stories in this collection:
“The Bridal Shop” by Grace Hitchcock, “Mending Sarah’s Heart” by Suzanne Norquist, and “Binding Up Wounds” by Liz Tolsma


THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT (Book 2 in the Quilting Circle series)
FREE Preview
Can a patient love win her heart?

As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her own hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his own chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals, but this only further confuses her decision.

A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer.  Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love? Will Isabelle capitulate and marry the man her parents wish her to, or will she rebel and marry the man they don’t approve of? Or will the man leaving her secret love poems sweep her off her feet?

#ChristianRomance #HistoricalRomance #Romance

MARY DAVIS s a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection (January), Courting Her Amish Heart (March), The Widow’s Plight (July), Courting Her Secret Heart (September), “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection (December), and Courting Her Prodigal Heart (January 2019). Coming in 2019, The Daughter's Predicament (May) and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads (July). She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-five years and two cats. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

Newsletter  Blog   FB  FB Readers Group   Amazon   GoodReads   BookBub

ThrowBACKLIST Thursday:WINNING OLIVIA’S HEART

WINNING OLIVIA’S HEART is the third and final book in my Island Hearts series.

TROY MORRISON IS THE BIGGEST CATCH IN TOWN

   Olivia Bradshaw has loved Troy since childhood. And now is her chance with the handsome banker. But when every other woman on San Juan Island is also charmed by his easy manner and good looks, Olivia worries he’ll be just like her philandering father. No matter how often Troy professes his love for her alone.
   When Olivia’s family falls on hard times, Troy will do anything to help. Even wed for the sake of their good name. But he knows Liv balks at being forced into marriage. Though Troy’s never wanted anything more than to have Olivia by his side, must he set her free to finally capture her heart? 

Free Preview

With this story I had to think a bit ahead on so that I could plant my heroine and hero back in book 2. That meant I needed to figure out a few things about them and their backstory while writing the previous book. Some times those things come naturally, and other times it’s a struggle. But I needed to put them in Bridget’s classroom and show a little interest between them. Then when I wrote book 3, I needed to give these two reasons to have moved from Roche Harbor down to Friday Harbor. Which didn’t prove to be too difficult.

The main street in Friday Harbor.

Olivia and Troy’s story takes place in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. Friday Harbor is the only incorporated town on the archipelago of the San Juan Islands. Friday harbor is on the east shore of the island.

One story on how the harbor got named goes that someone in a boat off shore called to a man on the beach, “What bay is this?” The man on land called back, “Friday!” because he thought the man had asked what day is it. A town is named and a legend is born. I don’t know if that story is true, but it’s fun, and I love little quirky things like that.

This is looking out at the harbor in Friday Harbor.

Though Troy is a charmer, his heart belongs to only one girl. I still love Troy’s undying loyalty to Olivia. We all hope for someone to look past the stupid we do and love us anyway.

Happy Reading!

ISLAND HEARTS series

Her Honorable Enemy ~ Free Preview

Romancing the Schoolteacher ~ Free Preview
Winning Olivia's Heart ~ Free Preview

NEW!

THIMBLES AND THREADS: 4 Love Stories Are Quilted Into Broken Lives

Love Stitched into Four Women’s Lives
Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When four women put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to love? #thimblesandthreadscollection
Click HERE to order yours today.
FREE Preview
#thimblesandthreadscollection
“Bygones” by Mary Davis
Texas, 1884
Drawn to the new orphan boy in town, Tilly Rockford soon became the unfortunate victim of a lot of Orion Dunbar’s mischievous deeds in school. Can Tilly figure out how to truly forgive the one who made her childhood unbearable? Now she doesn’t even know she holds his heart. Can this deviant orphan-train boy turned man make up for the misdeeds of his youth and win Tilly’s heart before another man steals her away?

Other stories in this collection:
“The Bridal Shop” by Grace Hitchcock, “Mending Sarah’s Heart” by Suzanne Norquist, and “Binding Up Wounds” by Liz Tolsma

THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT (Book 2 in the Quilting Circle series)
FREE Preview
Can a patient love win her heart?

As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her own hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his own chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals, but this only further confuses her decision.

A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer.  Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love? Will Isabelle capitulate and marry the man her parents wish her to, or will she rebel and marry the man they don’t approve of? Or will the man leaving her secret love poems sweep her off her feet?

BOOK RELEASE FB PARTY!!!

4 BOOKS! Cozy Mystery, Historical Romance, Women’s Fiction, Suspense

Something for everyone!

GRAND PRIZE: 6 month Kindle Unlimited subscription!

July 29^th  from 4:00-6:00 PM Pacific, 7:00-9:00 Eastern.

Pop over and join the party group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/541277049330653/

Other prizes include Amazon & Starbucks gift cards.

COME JOIN THE FUN!!!

HEARTBEATS IN TIME – 5 books of Old West

Christian Romance (4 novels and 4 novellas) by 7 bestselling, award-winning authors, including my book, The Widow’s Plight. You'll love these 8 unique stories of love! Get it here: https://amzn.to/2VzRBoI
#HeartbeatsInTimeSet

FREE Preview
The Widow’s Plight (Book 1 in the Quilting Circle series) by Mary Davis
A single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding her past cost her the man she loves?
Finding Love In Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell
Dreams of My Heart by Barbara Scott
Hills of Nevermore by Janalyn Voigt
Heart of a Cowboy Novella Collection--four Old West romances by Susan Page Davis, Miralee Ferrell, Yvonne Lehman, and Vickie McDonough

#ChristianRomance #HistoricalRomance #Romance

MARY DAVIS s a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection (January), Courting Her Amish Heart (March), The Widow’s Plight (July), Courting Her Secret Heart (September), “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection (December), and Courting Her Prodigal Heart (January 2019). Coming in 2019, The Daughter's Predicament (May) and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads (July). She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-four years and two cats. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

Newsletter  Blog   FB  FB Readers Group   Amazon   GoodReads   BookBub

Tuesday Tidbits: KINDLE UNLIMITED?

I’m learning all sorts of interesting things about marketing and reviews and Kindle Unlimited. Back when I started writing and first got published, none of what an author needs to do today to get their book to sell existed. The whole landscape of publishing has changed. Little by little I’m learning to navigate some of these new avenues necessary to publishing, marketing, and selling. The time has come for me to learn about Kindle Unlimited.

I don’t know quite how Kindle Unlimited (KU) works, but evidently, an author can make more money with page reads for KU than an outright sale of the book. Especially if the book is on sale for a super good price.

I keep hearing about how you can read books for “free” on KU and authors get paid for pages read. It can’t really be free. Because how would authors get paid?

So I did a quick search. Here’s what I found. KU isn’t free, it’s a monthly subscription for around $10 a month. It works like Netflix. You pick from their over 1 million titles and can read as many books as you want or can each month. So if you’re a avid reader and your budget doesn’t allow you to purchase all the books you want to read and this would be a great deal. And unlike the library, you don’t have to wait or driver anywhere to pick up the book you want to read.

So this box set of historical novels and novellas I’m in—HEARTBEATS IN TIME—is available for a limited time, and FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. 

Authors get paid by the page read. I don’t know how Amazon tracks all that, but better them than me. If you’d like to own these awesome books, you can for 99 cents, 4 novels and 4 novellas by bestselling, award-winning authors. That’s 8 stories! An awesome deal either way! 

Here’s the line up of the stories included in the set:

The Novels:

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book 1 in the Quilting Circle series) by Mary Davis

A single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding her past cost her the man she loves? (Book 2, The Daughter’s Predicament, releases next month.)

FINDING LOVE IN LAST CHANCE, CALIFORNIA by Miralee Ferrell

A young woman on her own after the death of her father, tries to run the family ranch while solving the mystery of sabotage--can a wandering cowboy with a young son help solve her problems and possibly bring love into her life?

DREAMS OF MY HEART by Barbara Scott

Can A reluctant bride and her new husband fall in love despite their wounded hearts? 

HILLS OF NEVERMORE by Janalyn Voigt

Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on helping her survive? Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest, Hills of Nevermore explores faith, love, and courage in the Wild West. 

The Novellas:

HEART OF A COWBOY Novella Collection--four historical romances by Christian authors, set in the Old West

“Hearts in Pursuit” by Susan Page Davis

~Can Abby and Sam fight their way through danger and violence and live long enough to find love? 

“Hearts Reunited” by Miralee Ferrell

~Taylor is determined to save her ranch after her father’s death, but she won’t let anyone help—especially not her old friend Jesse Townsend.

“Have Dress, Will Marry” by Yvonne Lehman

~Julie Hayes must escape from Wildcat Mountain. Her only hope is to approach the cowboy, saddleback preacher Timothy Sullivan, and ask him to marry her.

“The Hand-Me-Down Husband” by Vickie McDonough

~Ellen didn’t want a hand-me-down husband, but could their marriage be God’s will for them both?

HEARTBEATS IN TIME get it today.

HAPPY READING!

=0)

NEW!
THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT  (Book 2 in the Quilting Circle series )
Can a patient love win her heart?

As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her own hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his own chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals, but this only further confuses her decision.

A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer.  Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love? Will Isabelle capitulate and marry the man her parents wish her to, or will she rebel and marry the man they don’t approve of? Or will the man leaving her secret love poems sweep her off her feet?

eBook available May 1, 2019. Paperback available now.

RECENT!

The MISSADVENTURE BRIDES Collection

Love Is One of Life’s Greatest Adventures 
Seven daring damsels don’t let the norms of their eras hold them back. Along the way these women attract the attention of men who admire their bravery and determination, but will they let love grow out of the adventures?

Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure, a 1904 road-trip
Zola Calkin sets out on an adventure to be the first woman to drive across the country. Will the journalist tasked to report her presumed failure sabotage her efforts? Or will he steal her heart?

COURTING HER PRODIGAL HEART

Mother-to-Be’s Amish Homecoming... Pregnant and alone, Dori Bontrager is sure her Amish kin won’t welcome her—or the child she’s carrying—into the community. And she’s determined that her return won’t be permanent. As soon as she finds work, she’ll leave again. But with her childhood friend Eli Hochstetler insisting she and her baby belong here, will Dori’s path lead back to the Englisher world…or into Eli’s arms?

THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT ~ A sweet historical romance that will tug at your heart. This is book 1 in the Quilting Circle series.
Washington State, 1893
     When Lily Lexington Bremmer arrives in Kamola with her young son, she’s reluctant to join the social center of her new community, the quilting circle, but the friendly ladies pull her in. She begins piecing a sunshine and shadows quilt because it mirrors her life. She has a secret that lurks in the shadows and hopes it doesn’t come out into the light. Dark places in her past are best forgotten, but her new life is full of sunshine. Will her secrets cast shadows on her bright future?
     Widower Edric Hammond and his father are doing their best to raise his two young daughters. He meets Lily and her son when they arrive in  town and helps her find a job and a place to live. Lily resists Edric’s charms at first but finds herself falling in love with this kind, gentle man and his two darling daughters. Lily has stolen his heart with her first warm smile, but he’s cautious about bringing another woman into his girls’ lives due to the harshness of their own mother.
     Can Edric forgive Lily her past to take hold of a promising chance at love?

#ChristianRomance #HistoricalRomance #Romance

MARY DAVIS s a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection (January), Courting Her Amish Heart (March), The Widow’s Plight (July), Courting Her Secret Heart (September), “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection (December), and Courting Her Prodigal Heart (January 2019). Coming in 2019, The Daughter's Predicament (May) and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads (July). She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-four years and two cats. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

Newsletter  Blog   FB  FB Readers Group   Amazon   GoodReads   BookBub