Book Title: Scandals and Mercies
Author Name: Kathleen Rouser
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: April 23, 2024
He’s a reporter determined to uncover the truth, but the secrets he finds could crush her family—and their second chance at love.
Taken from her family’s farm to be raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle, Nora Armstrong has accepted that not only will she never realize her dream of becoming a teacher, she’d also rather be a spinster than submit to her cruel aunt’s society selection of a suitable husband. The one man who caught her eye betrayed her best friend. And she’s got enough on her hands, hiding her sister’s shameful secret from her aunt.
When the local home for unwed mothers burns down, the arson investigation brings big-city reporter James Cooper back to Stone Creek—and back into Nora’s life. James also has a meddling aunt who raises more questions than she answers about his past. Not to mention, he can’t figure out why Nora constantly rebuffs him. When his reporting casts aspersions on the local church and lays the blame for the fire and a series of robberies at the wrong feet, he risks losing his new position at the paper.
As they seek to unravel the town’s mystery, rescue endangered mothers and children, and navigate their own family secrets forced to light, James and Nora increasingly turn to each other for help. But can they overcome James’s lack of faith and the disapproval of Nora’s guardians to find a second chance at love?
Book Excerpt
“Come on, Cooper, we need more hands,” Reverend Ian McCormick yelled. Soot streaked the minister’s face and white shirt. His nostrils flared. His expression dared James to take part in the rescue efforts.
“Right.” He ground his teeth. Helping put out the fire was, no doubt, the most important task. But did anyone in this sleepy town understand the importance of a reporter getting the news to its citizens as well? He removed his coat, throwing it onto the back of a wagon, and rolled up his sleeves.
“Let’s go. We need relief in the bucket brigade.” Ian turned to his wife. “Sophie, we have someone to take your place. The women need you.”
The bright blaze silhouetted a line of men from town. They pumped water from the well into buckets, passing them along toward the fire and doing their best to help beat back the flames. He took the spot Sophie left empty, taking a sloshing bucket from the local carpenter, Mack Frost, who already appeared weary. How long had they been working?
Smoke rose in an ominous cloud. When they tamped it in one place, the bright orange flames ate up the wood in another.
Author Name: Kathleen Rouser
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: April 23, 2024
He’s a reporter determined to uncover the truth, but the secrets he finds could crush her family—and their second chance at love.
Taken from her family’s farm to be raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle, Nora Armstrong has accepted that not only will she never realize her dream of becoming a teacher, she’d also rather be a spinster than submit to her cruel aunt’s society selection of a suitable husband. The one man who caught her eye betrayed her best friend. And she’s got enough on her hands, hiding her sister’s shameful secret from her aunt.
When the local home for unwed mothers burns down, the arson investigation brings big-city reporter James Cooper back to Stone Creek—and back into Nora’s life. James also has a meddling aunt who raises more questions than she answers about his past. Not to mention, he can’t figure out why Nora constantly rebuffs him. When his reporting casts aspersions on the local church and lays the blame for the fire and a series of robberies at the wrong feet, he risks losing his new position at the paper.
As they seek to unravel the town’s mystery, rescue endangered mothers and children, and navigate their own family secrets forced to light, James and Nora increasingly turn to each other for help. But can they overcome James’s lack of faith and the disapproval of Nora’s guardians to find a second chance at love?
Book Excerpt
“Come on, Cooper, we need more hands,” Reverend Ian McCormick yelled. Soot streaked the minister’s face and white shirt. His nostrils flared. His expression dared James to take part in the rescue efforts.
“Right.” He ground his teeth. Helping put out the fire was, no doubt, the most important task. But did anyone in this sleepy town understand the importance of a reporter getting the news to its citizens as well? He removed his coat, throwing it onto the back of a wagon, and rolled up his sleeves.
“Let’s go. We need relief in the bucket brigade.” Ian turned to his wife. “Sophie, we have someone to take your place. The women need you.”
The bright blaze silhouetted a line of men from town. They pumped water from the well into buckets, passing them along toward the fire and doing their best to help beat back the flames. He took the spot Sophie left empty, taking a sloshing bucket from the local carpenter, Mack Frost, who already appeared weary. How long had they been working?
Smoke rose in an ominous cloud. When they tamped it in one place, the bright orange flames ate up the wood in another.
All Excerpts
Excerpt One: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2024/05/scandals-and-mercies.html
Excerpt Two: https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/scandals-and-mercies-epic-book-launch/
Excerpt Three: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2024/05/celebrate-lit-presents-scandals-and_20.html
Excerpt Four: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2024/05/epic-book-launch-scandals-and-mercies.html
Excerpt Five: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/scandals-and-mercies-epic-book-launch/
About the Author
Kathleen Rouser is a multi-published, award-winning author of historical and contemporary Christian romance. She is a longtime member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers. She resides in southeast Michigan, a location which she often uses in her novels, with her hero and husband of forty-some years and two sweet cats who found a home in their empty nest.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for featuring this excerpt of my book, Jolena. Much appreciated.
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