It’s release week!!! The final story in the Ladies of Harper’s Station series is now available as an e-single. This story is not new. It released back in January as part of the Heart’s Entwined novella collection, but it’s been given a makeover with a new cover and a low price point for the stand alone e-version.
Me with some of my Dutch readers in their traditional costumes.
Claire and Pieter’s story is a special one to me because it is the fulfillment of a promise. A couple years ago, I had the privilege of traveling to The Netherlands to do a book tour with my Dutch publisher. The people there were so warm and welcoming, I was immediately enchanted. Several of them teasingly asked when I would write a story with a Dutch hero. At first I smiled and laughed, but the longer I stayed, the more the idea grew on me. Ideas began to germinate, and eventually an idea was born for a Dutch-American hero. As it so happened, I had an Irish-American heroine in a series I had just started who needed a leading man. Two immigrants, the possibility of a secret past between them–boom! My story was born.
The Love Knot features a lot of knotty imagery. (Ha! Couldn’t resist that play on words.) There are embroidery knots that start off symbolizing Claire and Pieter’s tangle past but as the story progresses, the meaning of the imagery shifts to encompass the idea of two futures tied together so tightly they will never be separated. Claire’s Irish heritage also comes into play with the Celtic love knot design that represents unending love and loyalty.
Click cover to order or give as gift.
I must say that I really do enjoy the new cover to this e-single. It captures my heroine so well. She has no idea what awaits her on that incoming train, but even as she watches it arrive, something tells her that her life will never be the same. And don’t you just love her hair? Gorgeous – and styled with elaborate knots! I couldn’t ask for anything better.
Mother’s Day is coming up soon. If you have a mom who likes to read, maybe instead of sending her a card this year, you can send her a love story instead. The novella costs less than your average Hallmark card. Or maybe treat yourself to a little spring fling. While The Love Knot is part of an overarching series, Claire and Pieter’s novella stands on its own, and you don’t need to read the others to enjoy it.
- Do any of you have Dutch or Irish ancestry?
- What countries of origin are represented in your family tree?
I haven’t done very extensive digging into my family’s history, but thanks to my granddaddy, I do know that my dad’s side of the family came from England. My maternal grandma had French Canadian blood, and the name I received from my husband’s side of the family sounds German, though we’ve never been able to turn up any ancestry information to verify. The closest we found was the German surname Wiedemeyer.
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My origin is from the Czech Republic with roots in Austria and Poland.
A few years ago – when one of my grandmothers was yet alive – I and my father made a family tree on a big cardboard paper. We found four generations of our ancestors. It was really interesting time. I always like to listen to old true stories – especially from WW2 and 30s.
Such a rich history, Blanka. That’s wonderful! it’s funny that you mention those three countries because I went on a European choir tour one year and the three places we stopped were Vienna, Austria; Krakow, Poland; and Prague, Czech Republic. We could have been tracing your family tree!
I’m originally from Canada. My mother’s family came from Ireland and my father immigrated from England. So I guess that makes me Irish English.
An Irish – English romance between your parents. If that had been a century earlier there would have been some real sparks flying with that one!
I loved this story and read it in the collection. Claire’s and Pieter’s story was a perfect way to “tie up” the series. I’ve read several books with people or places in the Netherlands and enjoy learning about that culture.
My heritage is Irish, Scottish, and English. I think I may have mentioned in this blog that my son did some research on Ancestry, tracing our family to a cousin of Mary Queen of Scots. He was looking into a link to France when he stopped. My husband has Irish and Scottish heritage through his mother and German through his father. They settled in the Pensylvania Dutch country. Through his service in the Marine Corps, he was able to trace some to what was at the time East Germany, so he couldn’t travel there. His name was originally spelled Stroehecker and it meant ‘flinger of hay’ or farmer.
Fascinating, Betty! Royal blood runs through your veins. Love it! And how fun is “flinger of hay”? I love learning the meaning behind names. 🙂
HI, Karen. I’m sad to hear that this novella ends the series. I was hoping for more, but I understand all good things must end. I was born in the Netherlands so my ancestry is pretty well set, ha ha. I was a year and a half when we emigrated to the U.S. The frustrating thing about traveling to Holland is that I am eager to practice my Dutch speaking, but everyone (except for many of my parents’ generation) speaks English. They are a fantastic group of people, and may I add, the tallest in the world. Anyway, thanks for the great stories. No pressure, but I’m ready for more! Take care, and may the Lord bless you!
Hi, Hilda! Yes, I noticed the height of the Dutch people while I was there, especially the women. Impressive! That and the sheer number of bicycles was amazing.
I’ll definitely keep writing – I have a new series that will be starting next month. WooHoo! Thank you for being a loyal reader and hug those Dutch relatives of your for me the next time you see them. 🙂
Love the Dutch connection! We visited Ellis Island a few years ago and got the info about my dad’s family coming through there in the early 1900’s. As far as I know all 4 of my grandparents were from or descended from the Netherlands.
Thank you for the connection in the story and thank you Dutch readers for the suggestion.
How wonderful that you have a Dutch connection, too, Jen! I loved my visit to Holland and would love to go back some day. Maybe when the tulips are in bloom. Wouldn’t that be gorgeous?
Happy Release Week! I’m a mix of Irish, Cherokee and Czech.
What a fascinating blend, Caryl. I bet you have some great stories in the branches of your family tree. 🙂