About the Book
Book: Scandals and Mercies
Author: 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?
Marilyn's thoughts: Kathleen Rouser brings us another intriguing historical romance filled with twists and turns, mystery, new beginnings, and finding oneself through faith in God. Her tales are penned with history and love woven throughout the pages with strong developed characters.
Nora compassion to serve others despite all
she endured in life gave hope and meaning to individuals. James was on a
mission to discover answers but God works in mysterious ways behind the scenes.
I highly recommend the entire series of
Stone Creek Brides to fans of historical romance filled with a gentle and
loving Christian message. I received a complimentary copy of this book through
Celebrate Lit Bloggers tour and the publisher without being required to write a
positive review. I have expressed my own
thoughts.
Click here to get your copy!
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.
More from Kathleen
Writing Scandals and Mercies: A Personal Spiritual Journey
By Kathleen Rouser
Scandals and Mercies has been my hardest story to write thus far. It seems that as I work through issues in my life it may come out in my characters. And I can relate to Nora Armstrong, my heroine. I can understand some of her struggles, her tender heart toward the Coping children, and figuring out who she is in Jesus. The challenges I had in writing this book are reflected in the theme which came through as I wrote it—identity in Christ. Then I became more purposeful in exploring the theme. Nora felt alone and had doubts at the beginning, but then she learned what it meant for her to trust in God despite her difficulties.
Though I’d been a believer for nearly forty years when I began writing Scandals and Mercies, I was—and still am—going through some difficult trials that forced me to really think about what my identity in Christ is. Who am I in Him? Will I depend on Jesus through one of the worst trials of my life? Or will I become bitter? I think of when Jesus said some hard things and many of His disciples deserted Him. He said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” And Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Jesus is truly the only One who has the answers, the words of eternal life. Where else would I turn? And when He doesn’t directly answer, especially the way I want, it’s for me to trust in Him.
And it’s also about sharing in the fellowship of His sufferings, not that we can add anything to our salvation, but that trials and suffering are a part of the Christian life, meant to mold us and grow us in our faith. And if we allow it, to be changed more closely into the someone who projects the image of Christ to others. My husband likes to say we are “Jesus with skin on” for each other.
Working through all of that while writing how Nora grew in her faith took a lot of emotional energy, but God strengthened me and I finished her story, while He is still writing mine!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7
Texas Book-aholic, May 8
Life on Chickadee Lane, May 9
Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Betti Mace, May 10
Devoted To Hope, May 10
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 12
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 13
lakesidelivingsite, May 14
For Him and My Family, May 15
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 16 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, May 16
Book Looks by Lisa, May 17
Connie’s History Classroom, May 18
Holly’s Book Corner, May 19
Pause for Tales, May 20
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2b58d/scandals-and-mercies-celebration-tour-giveaway
4 comments:
Thank you, Marilyn, for taking time to read Scandals and Mercies and for writing your lovely and thoughtful review. Glad you enjoyed it. And thank you, Laura, for hosting her review. You are both a blessing to me!
This sounds really interesting!
This looks like a book I need to read. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds like a good story.
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