THE ARIZONA TERRITORY BRIDES COLLECTION - Carol Cox - One Free Ebook

Welcome back, Carol. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I seldom begin writing a book with a specific theme in mind. It tends to take shape as I watch the story unfold and discover new things about the characters along the way. Looking back, I can see that themes of trust and women discovering their inner strength seem to come up over and over again in my books.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My current project is bringing some of my older titles back into print, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to make these books available to a whole new group of readers. This fall, I’m especially excited to bring back a favorite series: A Fair to Remember. The three books in the series—Ticket to Tomorrow, Fair Game, and A Bride So Fair—offer a blend of history, mystery, and romance set against the backdrop of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. It was a fascinating moment in time, and I hope readers will enjoy experiencing it as much as I did!

I love reading about the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. I’ll want to feature that series as well. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly involved with Operation Christmas Child and have been blessed to meet some of the people serving on national leadership teams in different countries. These people are my heroes—especially those working in areas where sharing the Gospel truly means putting their lives and safety on the line. It would be an honor to spend time with one of those team members and see that kind of bold faith in action.

James and I have participated in OCC for decades, too. We love that organization and have also volunteered on the local level. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Working to get the A Fair to Remember series ready for release this fall, I’ve had my attention focused on 1893 Chicago. Fair Game includes a connection to Dwight L. Moody’s World’s Fair campaign, so Mr. Moody has been on my mind a lot lately. I’m inspired by the way he realized that the thousands of visitors coming to the fair from distant lands offered an unparalleled opportunity to spread the Gospel to countries all over the globe…without ever leaving Chicago. Being able to spend time with this man of God and get a glimpse of his heart for evangelism would be an amazing experience!

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

There is nothing joyful about getting a rejection, especially when so much of our heart and effort have been poured into a project. It’s easy to focus on the pain and not much else. Not long ago, I was going through some story files that included early rejection letters for those titles. I remembered how much it hurt to be turned down and how easy it was to feel that my work just wasn’t good enough. If I had let those feelings take over, I might have given up and stopped pursuing publication. To be honest, that temptation was certainly there—discouragement has a way of blinding us to anything but the negative. Following the suggestions of more seasoned authors, I tried setting those rejections aside for a while before looking at them again. I was astonished to find a number of positive comments, when all I had seen at first was a resounding “No.” That helped me get back on track, learning from the criticisms, but encouraged by the favorable comments.

Tell us about the featured book.

Growing up in Phoenix—back in the days before dairy farms and cotton fields gave way to asphalt and new construction—I had the joy of listening to stories from some of the “old timers” who’d lived in Arizona since its territorial days. Those stories sparked a lifelong interest in the history of the West in general and Arizona in particular. The four books in this collection are a tribute to the women and men who worked together to tame this corner of the Western frontier.

MEET THE ARIZONA TERRITORY BRIDES--
Four strong, independent women—each determined to stand on her own two feet,
and not one of them looking for romance. But sometimes love shows up when you least expect it...

Elizabeth Simmons longs to realize her dreams of independence in the newly formed Arizona Territory. Will losing her heart to Michael O’Roarke undermine the independence she has worked so hard to achieve? Or could this land of danger also prove to be her Land of Promise?

Orphaned, then traded to a saloonkeeper by her unscrupulous guardian, Jenny Davis has learned some hard lessons in life. For one thing, she knows beyond a doubt that God doesn’t love her. Andrew Garrett is scouting land for mining investors when he meets Jenny. Digging ore out of hard rock may be easier than breaking down the walls of distrust Jenny has erected around herself in Refining Fire.

Before asking for Hallie Evans’s hand, Jacob Garrett wants to prove his worth to local ranchers—and himself. He’s determined to expose a ring of cattle thieves, then fight in a war for Cuba’s freedom. When his plans are sabotaged by Hallie’s impatient but well-meaning father, Hallie must help her father face his own demons…and sort out her feelings for Jacob. Can faith in God mend all wounds—and allow for romance—in Road to Forgiveness?

Catherine O’Roarke leaves the ranch she’s always called home and moves to Phoenix to take a job at a land investment company. Mitchell Brewer, a journalist for the Phoenix Clarion, comes across some land sales that appear to be a cover for fraud. Mitch knows he has to write the truth, even if it costs him dearly—so dearly that any future with Catherine could be gone. Will Mitch and Catherine be able to see the Lord’s hand at work under a Copper Sunrise?

Please give us the first page of the book.

February 1867

Prescott, Arizona Territory

Richard Bartlett leaned into the biting wind as he walked along, hating the wind, hating the cold, and finding no beauty in the brilliant streaks of rose and gold that tinged the late afternoon sky.

The letter tucked into his waistcoat pocket crackled with every step, reminding him of his dilemma. Should he tell his wife that fool of a girl had written again, proposing a visit? And if he did, how should he break it to her? Letitia was hard enough to please in the best of times, but with her laid up now, and after their recent trouble, she was more sharp-tongued than ever. Head down, chin tucked into the woolen scarf around his neck, he paid little heed to the rugged beauty around him.

He barely noticed when a stocky figure stepped out of the shadows, planting its solid bulk directly in his path, and not flinching when the inevitable collision came.

“Why don’t you watch where you’re…” Richard broke off, realizing who he had run into. His cheeks flooded with heat, then chilled abruptly. “Timothy! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.” He tried a weak laugh that didn’t quite come off.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers online!

Visit my website at: www.AuthorCarolCox.com

You can also reach me on my Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/carol.cox

I’m spending more and more time on Pinterest these days, and it’s been a fun way to share ideas: www.pinterest.com/authorcarolcox.

Thanks so much for the chance to spend time with you and your readers, Lena. It’s always a

pleasure!

I love introducing long-time friends and their books to my blog readers.

Readers, here is a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W1BH5VS?ie=UTF8&tag=lenneldoochaw-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B07W1BH5VS

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