About the Book

Book: A Cherished Betrothal

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 23, 2024

He rescued her once, but a chance at love will require the ultimate sacrifice.

Alexander Morris bears the childhood scars of the Long Canes massacre that killed his brother and father. Forced by his dark past into the lonely life of Georgia Ranger, Alexander joins the bordering South Carolina Rangers in their revolt against the Crown. When he’s posted to the fort erected to defend the community once decimated by the massacre, duty demands he court the loyalty of his sworn enemies, the fierce Cherokee warriors.

Elspeth Lawrence never forgot the boy who sacrificed himself for her at Long Canes—any more than she forgot the younger sister taken captive. She’s learned not only to forgive, but also to help minister to the Cherokees at her father’s mission. When Alex Morris arrives at nearby Fort Charlotte, Elspeth finds her memories—and her emotions—stirred. He doesn’t even remember her…or the long-ago attack. But the bitterness that simmers just beneath his stoic exterior—as well as her courtship by a local landowner—challenge their undeniable bond.

When Alex uncovers a long-held secret and a plot to sabotage patriot talks with the Cherokees, he must choose between his desire for revenge and his love for the girl he rescued long ago.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored over a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

That Event That Changed You Forever: The Backstory Catalyst of A Cherished Betrothal

Most of us can pinpoint it—a moment in time that forever altered us and the course of our lives. Maybe it was a place. Or a person. For good or bad, we can never go back to who we used to be. The good or bad depends on how we react to that moment, place, or person, doesn’t it? Whether we allow God to make us more like Him because of it.

Both the hero and heroine of my third novel in the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier, A Cherished Betrothal, live with such a moment. Experts in book plotting say our characters should have a dark moment in their backstory. For Alex Morris and Elspeth Lawrence, the Long Canes Massacre of 1760 is that dark moment. Together, they survived the attack of around a hundred Cherokee braves on a group of settlers fleeing across the South Carolina border into Georgia. Alex lost his father and brother, Elspeth her mother while her younger sister was taken captive. With the resilience of the Scots-Irish who formed a barrier between the colonies and the Native Americans, the Long Canes settlers returned to the border of South Carolina later that same year.

A Cherished Betrothal actually begins in 1775, with the South Carolina backcountry on the brink of revolution. Since the childhood attack, Alex has lost his sense of home. He draws his identity from his service as a Georgia and South Carolina Ranger (yes, this tale veers over the border into South Carolina and the fascinating history around the town of Ninety Six) and waits for the opportunity for revenge. He keeps his anger carefully banked, just as Elspeth hides her fear—especially when she has to face warriors who visit the mission for Cherokee children she runs with her minister father. She’s forgiven her enemies, but she can no more prevent her knees knocking upon sight of the braves than she can forget the boy who saved her life fifteen years ago.

It seems God has answered her prayers when Alex shows up at nearby Fort Charlotte. Only…he doesn’t remember her…or the dark moment that shaped both of their histories. Between Elspeth’s not-so-gentle pressure, a Cherokee boy Alex can’t shake as a shadow, and his commanders’ determination to court the Cherokees as allies for the Patriot cause, Alex is forced to look his past in the eye.

Pivoting between Fort Charlotte, the mission school, and the town of Ninety Six where Elspeth’s wealthy Loyalist admirer helps stir conflict, including the first battle of the Revolution in South Carolina, A Counterfeit Betrothal is a tale of unshakeable love and soul-deep healing. I loved this story so much when I was writing it, I wanted to move into Colonial Ninety Six. I hope you will too!

Interview with Denise

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve fallen in love with time spent outdoors. I’m a mountain girl, and I belong to a hiking club for Christian women. When I’m out in the forest, breathing the fresh air and taking in the rolling vistas of North Georgia, I feel closest to God. I’m also best able to imagine the lives of the early settlers then. Sites and events where I can combine being outside and history are my favorite! Just not in the rain. LOL.

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

Out of the five books in The Scouts of the Georgia Frontier, each with their own unique strengths, A Cherished Betrothal is my personal favorite. I’ve long found the district and town of Ninety Six, South Carolina, on the Georgia border, with its see-sawing conflict as the War for Independence erupted, so intriguing. The research trip I took last January really grounded me in the story. They have an amazing national battlefield site there. The backstory of the Long Canes Massacre that the hero and heroine share provides so much catalyst for conflict and deep personal connection. You can almost feel the bond between Elspeth and Alex surging off the page. It took on a life of its own. Add to that a cultured suitor of Elspeth’s who may just throw in his lot with the Loyalists, and you have an epic clash of interests.

What were the highlights or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

Any time an author uses a historical war or conflict as a setting for their novel, certain challenges are inherent. Several factors come into play: maintaining accuracy, showing both sides as fairly as possible, and understanding that the perspective of the people two hundred years ago is quite different from our current viewpoint with the benefit of hindsight. It can help to read as many first-person accounts as possible, to draw on a variety of sources, and to visit the location in person.

A Cherished Betrothal is even more complex because the Patriots were facing a two-sided war with the British and the Cherokees. Even the Patriots were a diverse group of individuals who were often divided by their cultural backgrounds. This story also depicts how the Scotch-Irish in America were torn between two camps. In the end, each of the players were fighting for their right to freedom and family.

On top of the issues of ethnic and cultural sensitivity, another challenge is to give enough real history to show what was happening at the time while keeping the history the background to a story that’s exciting, romantic, and engaging.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

Healing! The hero of A Cherished Betrothal, Alex, is initially motivated by anger and retribution against the Cherokee braves who killed his brother and father. Elspeth, who also survived the same attack as a girl, has learned to forgive but still struggles with very real fears as she serves alongside her minister father at a mission to the Cherokee children.

Another theme that weaves throughout the story is how much we need to wait for God’s timing. Elspeth has been so eager to reconnect with Alex, and then to see him freed from bitterness, that she succumbs to the temptation to take matters into her own hands. We can want something so much that we rush ahead of God and do more harm than good.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Connect with Denise here:

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Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

May 1, my novel, When Hope Sank, will release as the third book in Barbour’s A Day to Remember Series.

April 1865

The Civil War has taken everything from Lily Livingston—her parents, her twin brother, her home. Now she works at her uncle’s inn and keeps her head down. Speaking up for her beliefs proved too costly in a part of Arkansas split by conflicting loyalties and overrun by spies and bushwhackers. One of those partisans, her brother’s childhood friend, will soon return to claim her hand—whether she wants to grant it or not.

Emaciated in body but resilient in spirit, Lieutenant Cade Palmer is crowded onto the Sultana with other paroled Andersonville and Cahaba POWs for the journey north. But a fiery explosion rends the steamer and empties two thousand men into the frigid Mississippi River.

Recovering from wounds that might end his career as a surgeon but clinging to his faith, Cade threatens both Lily’s defenses and her heart. How can she tell him she might’ve prevented the tragedy if only she’d reported a suspected saboteur’s claims? And when the man returns to town and encoded messages pass through the hotel, Lily must follow her convictions to prevent another tragedy.

June 11, look for the fourth book in The Scouts of the Georgia Frontier, followed by a fifth in the fall.

A Conflicted Betrothal

1765

Ansel Anderson thrives on the independent life of a King’s Ranger, serving the forts between Augusta and Savannah that guard Georgia’s boundary. But as a second son, he needs his own land grant to settle his future. His family knows just the way to secure it—through the favor of a member of the Governor’s Council, Judge Bazel Scott. What better way to win that favor than through the hand of Scott’s daughter in marriage? But gaining Miss Scott’s trust proves more of a challenge than anticipated when she acts as though she doesn’t recognize him from their chance meeting at a tavern known to host those disillusioned with the royal government. Equally disconcerting is the fact that Ansel finds the arguments of the newly formed Liberty Boys increasingly convincing.

As drawn to the enigmatic Ansel Anderson as Temperance Scott might be, he’d be more of a match for her feisty twin sister—who is all too happy to oblige. Not only would timid, nearsighted Temperance make a poor wife for a man trained for life on the frontier, but anyone she allows close to her must share her secret patriot ideals.

Savannah erupts into riots and intrigue following the passage of the Stamp Act, and Ansel is tasked with identifying a spy passing sensitive information to the Liberty Boys and the author of anonymous letters threatening those loyal to the governor. When suspicions focus on the Scotts, which is he prepared to sacrifice—love or loyalty?

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 13

Blossoms and Blessings, February 14

Pause for Tales, February 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

Texas Book-aholic, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Holly’s Book Corner, February 18

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 19 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 19

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20

lakesidelivingsite, February 20

Cover Lover Book Review, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 24

Simple Harvest Reads, February 25 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize 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/2a0cd/a-cherished-betrothal-celebration-tour-giveaway