Across the Shores Book Review and Giveaway!

Posted by abakersp in Historical, Reviews / Spotlights / 12 Comments

I am delighted to introduce you to Caroline Wilkins today, a character in the novella by Kelly Goshorn which is in the collection, Across the Shores. Now, I have to confess. Caroline was supposed to visit me months ago, and I had a lot going on, and for that I apologize. But guys, it’s never to late to learn about a book. I know we focus on all the current releases, but previous releases deserve our attention as well. If you haven’t read Across the Shores, I highly encourage you to. It’s a great collection of novellas, and each of the authors did a beautiful job with their story. Thanks to author Kelly Goshorn for her grace and patience with me as I catch up on all the things!!!

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About the Book

Across the Shores Book Review and Giveaway!Across the Shores
Author Angela K Couch, Kelly J. Goshorn, Carolyn Miller, Cara Putman
Published by Barbour Publishing
on April 1, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Collections & Anthologies, Fiction / Christian / Romance / General
Pages: 448

Sometimes love finds you where you are, and other times it meets you across distant shores
as four women discover in these four historical stories linked by a shared gold pendant.

 
More Than Gold (New South Wales, 1851) by Carolyn Miller
Josephine Wilkins is headstrong and heartbroken—why else would she have left all she knew to follow her brother’s dreams of finding gold across the seas? Daniel Jardine is simply seeking adventure, in a land far away from family responsibilities and duty, two burdens he’s happy to disregard in his quest to be known for himself. When these two finally meet sparks are set to fly, as they discover that digging deeper than first impressions reveals the true value of one’s character, and real love and faith is worth far more than gold.
 
The Veil (Baltimore, 1877) by Kelly Goshorn
After Caroline Wilkins is burned during a suitor’s attack, she retreats behind a lace veil and vows only to remove it for a man who will profess his love without seeing what lies beneath. Franz Kohler is a mountain of a man with a gentle heart and a hidden dream of carving intricate Bavarian clocks. When a mutual attraction grows between them, neither is willing to reveal their secrets, jeopardizing any hope of a future together unless two hearts can find the courage to trust again.
 
Running from Love (Canada, 1905) by Angela K. Couch
Anna Kohler has left her home, and even her country, for the sake of her wayward brother. But when the local Mounted Police takes an interest in them, her hopes for the future collide. Constable Benjamin Cole has a duty to perform, no matter what his heart desires.
 
Lauren’s Song (Outer Banks, NC, 1942) by Cara Putman
Lauren Randolph’s world has fractured with the death of her father five years earlier in a boating accident. John Weary defied his father’s wishes when he followed his grandfather’s footsteps and joined the Coast Guard. When Lauren's brother goes missing at sea, John is determined to do what he can for Lauren, while continuing his work scouring the shoreline for U-Boats. Lauren focuses on her duties with the Civil Defense as they seek to uncover the real reason her brother disappeared. To do so, they have to unravel the truth about the woman who claims to carry John's child and whether fishermen are really seeing U-boats or something else entirely.

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My Perspective

Oh my word. These four stories are so beautifully written. Each one although different, has the same qualities. They grab your attention and don’t let go. They have relatable characters that sweep you away into their respective settings. You feel as if you are in the story, not just reading it. And they do not feel rushed at all, which is difficult to do with novellas.

Miller, Goshorn, Couch and Putnam wrote stories that will absolutely touch your heart. The situations that each heroine found themselves in, and then how they dealt with that situation was honestly inspiring. Those readers who are looking for depth to their novellas will devour these stories. And, may I say, though each novella is of course written by a different author, they did such a fantastic job of making them seamless and all go together. Not just the necklace, but the feel of the story.

I am so happy these authors got together to write these amazing, beautiful stories. I hope there is more coming in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into inspiring stories of love, faith, and family set in America’s vibrant past. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, won the Director’s Choice Award for Adult/YA fiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference in 2019, and earned recognition as both a Selah Award finalist in the Historical Romance category and as a Maggie Award Finalist for Inspirational Fiction. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys, binge-watching BBC period dramas, board-gaming with her family, exploring historical sights, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi.

To stay in touch with Kelly, sign up for her newsletter at https://kellygoshorn.com/my-writing/newsletter

Or visit her on:

Her website: http://kellygoshorn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.j.goshorn/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18023325.Kelly_J_Goshorn

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kelly-goshorn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyjgoshorn/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellyGoshorn

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KellyGoshorn/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kelly-Goshorn/author/B07D2CX3RP?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Meet Caroline Wilkens

Good day to you. Kelly has asked me to come share a bit about myself here on A Baker’s Perspective. This is a challenge for me as I’m unaccustomed to talking about myself. You see, I’ve been raised to be seen and not heard, always valued for my outward appearance and my father’s purse.

Five Fast Facts

1. I am twenty years old.

2. I attended Miss Lilian’s School for Young Ladies where I excelled at music and languages.

3. Besides English, I’m fluent in—Latin, French, and German. I’m currently studying Italian.

4. I’ve grown rather fond of Mrs. Köhler’s potato pancakes.

5. I have a gold necklace handed down to me from my Aunt Josephine.

Q&A

Tell us about your childhood. Who is your closest family member? Who would you like to disown? Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Philadelphia as the only daughter of a wealthy businessman. My mother died when I was a child and I attended boarding schools from the age of seven. I’m not on particularly good terms with my what remains of my family. Before I got stranded in Baltimore, I’d planned to purchase a ticket on a steamer headed to England to find my Aunt Josephine as I had no intention of returning to my father’s home again.

What is your greatest fear? What keeps you up at night?

Memories plague my thoughts and dreams of the night my betrothed attempted to…this is such a delicate matter to discuss…but it’s important for your readers to understand that I never wanted…Charles and I were alone in the library. I thought I was safe because in only a few months Charles would pledge to love and cherish me. But I was quite naïve according to father. Thanks to a burning stick I yanked from the fire in desperation, I managed to thwart his wicked intentions, though both of us shall bear the scars of that night the remainder of our lives. I should mention that all of this detestableness with Charles happens before Kelly begins telling my story, however, the repercussions play a role in the novel and make it difficult to trust Franz at first.

What is your biggest secret?

My biggest secret is what lies hidden beneath my veil. After the fateful night in the library, I fled my father’s house and shrouded my face in black lace. I’m determined not to remove the head covering for anyone. If I am every to remarry, the gentleman will have to take me sight unseen. That is the only way I can be certain he loves me.

What is your most treasured possession?

Well, this is a much easier question. Without a doubt, the necklace my Aunt Josephine sent me on my 16th birthday because it is the only link I have to my extended family. Aunt Josephine’s husband, Daniel Jardine, had a gold nugget he discovered in the Australian gold mines fashioned into a cross. He inscribed it with a verse that has become my favorite, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Tell us about your romantic interest?

Franz is quite unlike any of the men of my former acquaintance. He is a man of honor with the heart and soul of a gentleman. But none of these things would impress father for Franz is an immigrant who works in the rail yards. However, as I get to know him, these things do not matter to me. For the first time, I feel seen for who I am apart from my appearance or my father’s wealth. Franz is not haughty or possessive, rather he treats me like a treasure to cherish. In fact, his term of endearment for me is Schatzi, German for treasure. I am so excited for your readers to meet him. I know they will come to love him as much as I do.

What is your favorite scene in the novel? Least favorite?

Let’s begin with my least favorite scene, shall we? I would have to say when I’m forced to deboard the train a few blocks from Camden Station in Baltimore because the ruffians are blocking the rails. Before long, I’m swept up in an angry mob that is protesting wage cuts. If Franz hadn’t rescued me, I may have been trampled.

Enough of such distressing memories. Let’s speak of more pleasant things like my favorite scene. There are so many to choose from—when Franz teaches me to polka, when Opa, Franz’s grandfather, teaches me to make the Gugelhupf, or when Franz’s Mutter altars a lovely dress for me to wear to the basket social. But if I can only pick one, I would choose when Franz kisses me for the first time. It was both tender and passionate, very different from Charles’s lustier variety. Oh, my, I shouldn’t have shared any of this. What would father say if he knew I spoke of such things, especially to strangers?

What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

I should like it very much if after your readers finished The Veil, they were more inclined to value a person based on their character rather than outward measures like beauty, size, wealth, or occupation.

I’d like to express my sincerest thanks to Mrs. Baker for allowing me to visit with all her lovely readers today. I hope our visit has been as enjoyable for you as it has been for me.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What interests you about this story? What did you find interesting about Caroline’s character?

12 responses to “Across the Shores Book Review and Giveaway!

  1. Perrianne Askew

    I am familiar with Kelly Goshorn’s writing and really enjoy their writing. The bonus will be two new authors for me to read!

  2. Roxanne C.

    By the way Caroline expresses herself, you know that she is a refined lady, and she places importance on a person’s character and heart, their caring and honor.

    This novella collection will be a treasure with stories by four wonderful authors.

  3. conniepsaunders

    Thus sounds like a great read and I’m especially eager to find out why Caroline insists on hiding behind a black veil.

    • I’d also like to know why she hides behind a black veil. What most impresses me about Caroline is she seems to have a good heart about people and I’d love to see how the romance plays out between her & Frantz.

      This is a great blog post, I enjoyed reading your review! This book was already on my radar to want to read & I’m even more eager to do so. Thank you for the giveaway chance to win!

    • Kelly Criste Goshorn

      I’m glad you’re your curious, Connie! I feel I’ve done my job! Hope you enjoy the story!

  4. Patty

    It is so difficult to look past the exterior of a person. I know I’m guilty of judging a person by the cover we see.

    • Kelly Criste Goshorn

      Yes it is. I. I wanted to write a story about a beautiful woman who feels judged and valued only for her appearance and who is just as insecure as the plain Jane’s.

  5. Stephanie H.

    Caroline sounds like a refined young lady who also enjoys family heirlooms. This book seems to have four fascinating stories that will be wonderful reads.