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New Release Celebration and a Giveaway!

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Thank you to Andi Tubbs for this lovely picture!

Thanks for joining me in the celebration of a book release! The first book in my new orphan train series, WITH YOU ALWAYS releases on June 6, and I’m celebrating by GIVING AWAY THREE COPIES of the book here on this blog!

Each of the three novels in the series tackles a unique angle of the orphan train movement. In this first installment, the story centers around the placing out of women that happened in 1857 as a result of a financial crisis and economic panic in the autumn of that year. Women laborers were already at a disadvantage with poor working conditions and low wages. In September of 1857, estimates of New York unemployment ran as high as forty percent. The unemployment hit women even harder, leaving many destitute.

To meet the growing crisis, the Children’s Aid Society in New York, who was already sending orphans west on trains, decided to set up special placement offices to find jobs for seamstresses and trade girls in the Midwest. The women rode on trains, very much like the orphans, leaving everything familiar behind, not knowing where they were going, or what awaited them at the end of the line.

Some of the women ended up in good jobs and started new lives in small towns away from the problems of the big cities. But others didn’t get their happily-ever-afters. They were taken advantage of and sometimes even abused.

Thank you to Rebecca Lynn for creating this graphic!

It’s my hope through WITH YOU ALWAYS to share more about what happened to these women, giving them a voice they’ve never had before. And of course, as always you can expect a heart-warming romance mingled with fascinating historical details.

Booklist gave the book a starred review and said: “Hedlund has effectively captured the hopelessness, volatility, and uncertainty of the times in the first book in her Orphan Train series, a heart-stirring story of survival and love filled with memorable characters.”

To enter to win a copy of WITH YOU ALWAYS, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

And if you haven’t yet had the chance to read AN AWAKENED HEART, the FREE novella that introduces the series, I invite you to do so. Download the free ebook at any online bookstore.

With summer coming, I’d love to hear what books are on your TBR pile! What book (or books) do you plan to read?

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Jody Hedlund

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Award-winning author Jody Hedlund makes her home in central Michigan with her husband and five children. When she's not busy with her family, she loves to read and consume large amounts of chocolate and coffee.
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Comments

  3. A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling, and A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears. Of course your book too Jody. I am in the middle of An Awakened heart now.

  4. I have so many books on my tbr I have your book With You Always, The Coming Flood, On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service by Rhys Bowen

    • That is one of my ALL TIME favorite books! Years ago my Mom bought me the movie for Christmas but I have never watched it for fear of not liking it. The movie is such a classic as well that I don’t want to not like it…does that make sense?

  7. I’m planning to read True to You by Becky Wade, Paws for Love by Dana Mentink, and An Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter this summer. Congratulations on the new release!

  8. I have a varied interest in books and so many I’d love to read. We are in the process of moving into our dream home in a location we have always loved – the Ozark Mountains. Our new home has a large front porch with a view of the mountains that I’m hoping to spend a lot of time on this summer admiring the view with a glass of iced tea and a good book to read.
    A few of the book I want to read this summer are (to name just a few on my list):
    With You Always by Jody Hedlund (can’t wait for it’s release)
    Waiting for Butterflies by Karen Sargent
    Books of a Feather by Kate Carlisle
    Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower
    Cooking Series by Wanda Brunstetter
    Anna’s Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

  9. A few of the books that are on my TBR list are Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series, Jill Eileen Smith’s Redeeming Grace, Lisa Wingate’s The Seakeeper’s Daughter & Lynette Eason’s Without Warning. Right now I am reading Sworn To Protect by Diane Mills & Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Your new series sounds interesting & I think will be added to that list.

  10. I definitely want to read With You Always, but I’m also planning to continue to read Caryl McAdoo’s Texas Romance Series. I was sorting my to-be-read books a few days ago and have many options for additional books to read. One of my pleasures in reading is selecting the next book to be read.

  11. Among those I’m planning to read are The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron, Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson, If I Run by Terri Blackstock, Finishing Our Course With Joy by J. I. Packer, and either Resurrection or The Death of Ivan Ilych by Tolstoy.

  12. TBR Pile – A few on the top are Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter, Love Unexpected by you (just starting that series) :), Right Where We Belong by Tagg/Raney/Walsh, a couple of Regina Jennings books, Beyond Justice by Cara Putnam and I have some Amish books to catch up on by Vannetta Chapman and others. Always fun to pick the next read! Just finished True to You by Becky Wade and The Memory of You by Catherine West. Both amazing books!

  13. I plan to read Daises are Forever and Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma, Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah Ladd, and The Gresham Chronicles by Lawana Blackwell, which friends keep recommending as ‘oldies but goodies.’ I’m eager to read this orphan train series!

  15. I’m trying to read books I’ve already purchased this year. So I’m planning on reading C.S. Lewis Out of the Silent Planet, Prelandra, and This Hideous Strength.

  16. I am currently reading Tosca Lee’s Firstborn. Also on my list is Persuasion by Jane Austen (I confess I’ve never read it…)

  17. Excited about my incredible summer reading list:

    High as the Heavens (Kate Breslin)
    Catching the Wind (Melanie Dobson)
    True to You (Becky Wade)
    With You Always (Jody Hedlund)
    Sweetbriar Cottage (Denise Hunter)
    Just Look Up (Courtney Walsh)
    Jane of Austin (Hillary Manton Lodge)

    And I just completed Wings of the Wind (Connilyn Cossette)- which was fabulous!

  18. I’m looking forward to reading Karen Witemeyer’s latest, Melissa Jagear’s latest and of course yours. I’m also hoping to get to some of the books I have collected on my Kindle.

  19. I can’t wait to read With You Always and also The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett.

  20. I have so many books that I want to read, I can’t possibly list them all.
    We have Jody’s books in the church library and our readers love her books.
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.

  21. This book sounds so wonderful! I think I would like to read all of them! My summer pile is growing…I think perhaps I’m into fall? Congratulations!

  22. I actually have 20 books in my TBR pile, but won’t list them all here. Thankfully, I’m leaving for the beach in a week and plan on knocking some of these out. For now, here are a few that are near the top:

    * Wings of the Wind – Connilyn Cossette
    * Firstborn – Tosca Lee
    * A Stranger at Fellsworth – Sarah E. Ladd

    Thanks for the chance to win your books.

  23. I look forward to reading your new book, along with Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green, Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey, My Daughter’s Legacy by Mindy Clark, and Life After by Katie Ganshert.Thanks for doing a giveaway. 😊

  24. Summer Reads: Planning to finish the Michigan Brides Series with Captured By Love! A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden, The Raven by Mike Nappa, Just as I am by Kim Vogel Sawyer and many more great books!

  25. There are so many books on my TBR list it would take at least two pages to write them down There are many new ones coming out, The Amish Widower” and so many others. I also have a biiiiiiiiiiiiig stack in my room that have to be read.

  26. Thank you for this opportunity! On My TBR pile is the soon to be re-release of Lynn Austin’s first book Fly Away, Denise Hunter’s Sweetbriar Cottage, The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck, and To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander, and Cara Putman’s Cornhusker Dreams trilogy, Julie Klassen’s The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, and Susan Meissner’s Secrets of a Charmed Life are just some on my list!I just finished Becky Wade’s Then Came You and True To You, Timothy Lewis’s Forever Friday, and Susan Meissner’s A Fall of Marigolds and The Bridge Across the Ocean and Katie Ganshert’s Life After.

  27. I just finished The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton which I highly recommend if you like family sagas (with dual time lines) and a hint of mystery.

  28. My TBR pile is huge! I’ve got Susan Anne Mason, Sarah Ladd, Jody (of course!!), Jocelyn Green, Susan May Warren… Oh my goodness. The list is long! Lol

  29. My TBR is ever expanding, especially since May-early June are my craziest months at work, so I have virtually no reading time! First up are “If I’m Found” by Teri Blackstock and “The Writing Desk” by Rachel Hauck.

  32. My to-read list is huge, but a few I will DEFINITELY read are Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano, Romancing Daphne by Sarah M. Eden, and A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White.

  34. My stack is huge right now! After I finish Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette, my next book is definitely A Note Yet Unsung by Tamara Alexander followed by either From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden or Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin. Or even A Spy’s Devotion by Melanie Dickerson. Decisions, decisions, decision….

  35. First on my list is Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer, then The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischoff and The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green. And even though I got to read it early, I’m excited for So Pure A Heart by Amber Lynn Perry to release this month!

  36. I’m reading A Daring Sacrifice and For Love and Honor. I loved An Uncertain Choice!

  37. Any book I can get my hands on. There are so many new ones that I’d love to read.

  38. I have so many books on my to-be-read list… A few, however, are When Tides Turn, by Sarah Sundin, To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson, and Little Dorrit, by Charles Dickens.

  39. I discovered Jody’s book recently. Love her books. Looking forward to reading this one. Ordered it through my favorite indy. bookstore.

  40. I have a massive TBR list. Some of the ones I want to read: Romancing Daphne-Sarah M. Eden; Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart-Jennifer Moore; Then There Was You-Kara Isaac; and of course With You Always!

  41. This new book sounds fascinating! I had no idea that women traveled west to get jobs. Cannot wait until the release.
    My summer reading pile is some books on my Kindle in various genres, some fantasy, some sweet romance, a historical or two.

  42. I wasn’t sure this book interested me, but what you said about the historical inspiration for the story hooked me!

    Oh, I have quite a pile of summer reading books. I’m currently reading “London in the Dark” by Victoria Lynn, a young indie author. I’ll continue my re-read of the “Tales of Goldstone Wood” series by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, and my first-time-ever read of the “Anne of Green Gables” series. I also want to read “The Queen of Attolia” by Megan Whalen Turner, and hopefully get Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” and “A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War” by Joseph Loconte squeezed in somewhere too.

  44. I can NOT wait to read this book! It sounds so good!
    My TBR pile is HUGE!! Some of the books I want to read are, Rekindled -Tamara Alexander, The Silent Governess- Julie Klassen,The Team Hope series by Susan May Warren, and many more!

  45. I plan to read Beren and Luthien by JRR Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien, The Captain’s Daughter by Jennifer Delamere, Freedom’s Price by Christine Johnson, Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge, A Name Unknown by Rosanna White, The Sacred Scarred by Joanna Alonzo and 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michlle Griep. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  46. I’m planning on reading some Nancy Drew books that I read as a child. I’m now reading some of the original books as they were first written when they came out.

  47. I recently rediscovered Regina Jennings and I’m binge reading all her books right now.

  49. So many books, too little time! I just started Just the Way You Are, but coming up will be Finding Joy,Still Falling, All of You, A Moonbow Night, The Loyal Heart, When We Were Yours…

  50. I have a long to read list. But at the top is Because You’re Mine by Colleen Coble and the Lord of the Rings series.

  51. This book 🙂
    The Bible,
    Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series and
    Heart on the line by Karen Whitmeyer.
    I will probably read more than that but those are the ones on top of my list.

  53. Any new books by you, Melanie Dickerson, Mary Connealy, Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, just to name a few!

  54. I have a lot of books in my TBR pile that I’m looking forward to reading this summer. I’m going to start with your book “An Awakened Heart” and “A Love So True” by Melissa Jagears.

    I also pinned this book giveaway on Pinterest!

  55. I’ve already read Melanie Dickerson’s two newest books (A Viscount’s Proposal and The Noble Servant), and True to You by Becky Wade. I have many more on my TBR pile of actual books plus those on my Kindle. I have the last four of Deb Raney’s Chicory Inn novels that I will read soon. I read the first one soon after it was released, then decided I’d wait to read the others when I had them all and would have the time to read them one after the other . I’m thankful to have more reading time in the summer.

  57. I plan on reading And Awakened Heart ,With you Always and Love and Honor.
    Thanks for having this giveaway.

  58. I’ve got about a million books on my to-read list lol! I never really know what I’m gonna read next. I just decide on my next book or series when I finish the one I’m currently on. But I do know for certain that I’ll be reading “The Elusive Miss Ellison” by Carolyn Miller next.
    Elly -Indiana-

  59. Infected, The Girl in the Blue Coat, Tidewater Summer, The Whispering of the Willows, Beyond I Do, and many more.

  60. My list is never ending! 🙂 So many great authors have a new release this summer!

  61. I love reading about the orphan trains and this sounds like a very good one.

  62. Books on my TBR pile are The Road to Paradise, The Swallows Nest, On Loves Gentle Shore, Naomi’s Hope, Mary Chosen of God, and Voice in the Wilderness. They are on my footstool. I have two other piles. Would love to have yours to add.

  63. I have so many great books I want to read this summer…Before Ever After by Samatha Sotto, Driving Miss Norma by Tim Bauerschmidt and Ramie Liddle, A Love So True by Melissa Jagears….the list goes on and on.

  65. Oh, my. First I’m going to finish Karen Barnett’s The Road to Paradise. I’m not sure what I’ll read after that. I’m waiting for Kara Isaac’s new book Then There Was You and Karen Witemeyer’s Heart On The Line to come out. I’m also trying to read at least one book by each of the 41 authors that will be at Christian Fiction Readers Retreat in August. So far I’ve read 13. #CFRR2017

  66. I can not wait to read this series, thank you for the free ebook can not wait…My kind of reading.

  67. Very excited about this series. I was introduced to the orphan train period in history by one of my 5th grade students who showed me the book A Family Apart, first in a series by Joan Lowery Nixon. Several years later we had an excerpt from a true story called Looking for a Home in our reading anthology. I purchased the series by Nixon and started reading A Family Apart to my class. The children were so excited that our principal purchased several copies for the school library. I have been hooked on this topic ever since.

  68. Currently reading What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman. I don’t usually know too far in advance what I want to read. I believe my next book will be the Faded Photo by Sarah Price.

  69. Some of my reading list of books are Falling Like Snowflakes and the other two books in the trilogy by Denise Hunter, a few by Elizabeth Camden, A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Gansheart and the Secret Admirer novella collection!

  70. Oh, Jody…I have a Book request list saved on WORD…8 pages long…(I print out 6-12 books every 3 weeks to give to the librarian at our county Bookmobile) there are so many books, & not enough time…I want to read Dee Henderson’s latest book; Richard Mabry’s latest book; Joyce Meyer’s latest book…and books that area on my Kindle…

  71. Right now I have books 4 and 5 in your lighthouse series waiting to be read. I am also reading Susan May Warren’s Montana Rescue series

  72. I have a few, but I am still looking for a couple more for the summer TBR list.

  73. congratulations. this looks like such a wonderful book. need to add it to my summer reading list. other books I have on my list to read are: The Lady and the Mountain Man by Misty M. Beller / Summer of Dreams by Elizabeth Camde to start with

  74. I have several books on my TBR pile, since I proofread a lot of fiction for my church library. Included on that list is Michael Phillips’ “Secrets of the Shetlands” series, some Sarah Loudin Thomas, Victoria Bylin’s “Someone Like You,” Gina Holmes, Jennifer Beckstrand, and some historical fiction (though I have not decided yet what books–maybe some Melanie Dickerson along with “Newton & Polly”). I’d also like to get some YA dystopian books from our public library just to read something a little different–probably Kiera Cass’ “The Crown.” There’s lots of reading to be done this summer! 🙂

  75. I’ve already ready more than a dozen books in my TBR pile. Right now I am reading Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and Without Warning by Joel Rosenberg. They are two authors I really like!

  76. My summer reads list is fairly long and I’m sure a few of them will end up on my even longer TBR list. With You Always is definitely one I want to read this summer along with new releases from Sara Ella, Amy Matayo, Nicole Deese, Kara Isaac, Tammy L Gray and others.

  79. I wish I could show you a picture instead. I have many print books to read so they can be passed on for others to enjoy.

    • To Tame the Wind By Regan Walker
      The Rover Defiant By Anna Markland Those 2 are on my pile as next then I have a Huge pile that has a Sarah Ladd book as well as many others. I have a lot of print books I need to read before I start on Kindle books. But I enjoy them so much! 😀

  80. Next up is The Promise Bride & Farmers’ Market Mishap.
    Finished your Lighthouse series.. love it! Looking forward
    to your orphan train series 🙂

  81. This book plus the latest from Lauraine Snelling and Karen Witemeyer. I have read a bit about the orphan trains, non-fiction, and found it very interesting and sometimes sad.

  82. I plan on reading Susie Finkbeiner:Trail of Crumbs ,Denise Hunter:Sweet briar Cottage, Elizabeth Camden:To the farest Shore,Carrie Turansky:Shine like the dawn,and of course your books An Awakened Heart,love and honor.
    I better stop or the list will be to long.Thanks for the giveaway.

  83. From my TBR pile, I’ll be reading A Moonbow Night and One Thousand White Women this summer.

  84. This Summer, I plan to catch up on reading some series I have in my TBR. I have your young adult series at the top of the pile. Along with Ronie Kendig’s Quiet Professionals. 🙂

  85. I’ve got a bid TBR pile but among them is your Newton and Polly! Sarah Sundin, When Tides Turn and Mark of the King, Catching the Wind, Masquerade, Maybe its You…….. Thanks for the chance.

  86. I hope to be reading your newest title. I also have THIS LIFE I LIVE (Rory Feek), THE MEMORY OF YOU (West), and HIGH AS THE HEAVENS (Breslin) on my pile.

  89. I’ve been reading a lot of Karen Witemeyer’s books lately and plan on digging out more from my library!

  92. I have a TBR bookcase, lol, next up, Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar…then Beyond Justice by Cara Putman…several by Coleen Cooke after that…then onto more review reads… 🙂

  94. I’ve started Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series (now on book 2) and plan to finish the five; In a Pirate’s Debt by Elva Cobb Martin; The Thorn Healer by Pepper Basham; Lady Betrayed by Tamara Leigh; For Love and Honor (by you!); and would love to read your newest as well!
    Thank you for the chance to win it!

  95. I just finished Trusting Grace by Maggie Brenan, your book is definitely on my list.

  98. I am reading Rescuing the Gospel by Lutzer and I will order your new book!

  101. My TBR list is huge! But I hope to finish the Sherlock Holmes collection this summer 🙂

  102. I’m reading Undaunted Hope. When I’m done with this series I’ll be reading With You Always. I really enjoy your books.

  103. The Butterfly and the Violin, Red Door Inn, the Holly Ana Paladin mysteries.

  104. I will be reading Sacred Privilege by Kay Warren and Between Heaven and the Real World by Stephen Curtis Chapman. With You Always is now on that list!

  105. As a teacher, I devour books all summer…the next on my list is Irena’s Children by Tilar Mazzeo. Thanks for this giveaway.

  106. I am going to read as much as I can this summer… hopefully your book and a bunch of YA fiction too.

  108. I just started reading A Trail of Crumbs by Susie Finkbeiner and I have a stack of books waiting for me, just not sure what order I’ll read them in. If I win your book, it will go to the top of my to-read list! 🙂

  109. My Summer to read list includes many Historical fiction and Amish fiction books by my favorite authors. There are too many to list.

  110. My Summer to read list includes many Historical fiction and Amish fiction books by my favorite authors. There are too many to list. I pinned to Pinterest.

  111. I definitely want to read this book, along with Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson, and Love Kindness by Barry Corey.

  114. I’m currently re-reading the baxter family series by Karen kingsbury.I just started “Sunrise”, still have a few to go but wouldn’t mind adding this one to my list..

  115. My TBR list is getting out of control. We’ve started a Goodreads Monday post each week to help keep tabs on the wildfire! I’m scheduled until September with review books as it is (counting series that I need to go back and refresh on!). I guess I can’t complain that I’m not doing what I love when I’m not at the day job 😀

  116. I have recently finished Then Came You & True to You by Becky Wade, A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner, Fly Away by Lynn Austin, Forever Friday by Timothy Lewis, Beyond Justice by Cara Putman, A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander. I am currently reading Kate Breslin’s High as the Heavens that came out today! My “to be read” this summer includes your new book, Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours, Denise Hunter’s Sweetbriar Cottage, Rachel Hauck’s The Writing Desk, Tamera Alexander’s To Wager Her Heart, Cara Putman’s Cornhusker Dreams Trilogy. I am sure there are more that I am forgetting! Thank you for this chance to win your new book! I am a “new” reader to your books, can’t wait to check them out!

  118. Really enjoy your books. So many books so little time. Also enjoy listening to books on CD.

  119. I plan to read a lot, including the following:
    Love in Bloom – by Sheila Roberts
    Catching the Wind – Melanie Dobson
    You Lost Me – David Kinnaman
    Jesus Always – Sarah Young
    Five Days in Skye – Carla Laureano
    The Lady and the Lionheart – Joanne Bishof
    The Five TImes I Meet Myself – James Rubart
    A Daring Sacrifice – Jody Hedlund.

  120. This summer I’m looking forward to reading High as the Heavens (Kate Breslin), Grounded Hearts (Jeanne Dickson), Then There was You (Kara Isaac).

  123. Wow! I am glad that summer is almost here. I have been busy with subbing in Midland this year. On my read over the summer list: I plan to study the book of Daniel in the Bible, catch up on reading your newest releases, read Dee Henderson’s Thread of Suspicion, and some fun mysteries that I found and will later share with a friend. Have a great day!

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