Over the past year, I have come to know Davalynn Spencer a little through her books, her newsletters, her Facebook group, and her testimony. I have a special place in my heart for this dear lady and was so glad she is allowing me to share the new cover and an excerpt for her newest book with you.
Just to shake things up a bit, let me first share this excerpt and then I will share the details about the book.
Lockton, Colorado – 1879
Prologue
Gracie slid a thin sheet of paper from the top drawer of her papa’s desk and held her breath, listening for Papa’s steps on the porch. It would take him only a little while to finish chores, but she had already memorized what she wanted to say.
Perching on the edge of his desk chair, she unstopped the ink well, and dipped his pen, taking pains not to drip on the leather-cornered blotter. Carefully she penned her plea.
What did the hymn say? The one they’d sung yesterday at church—“Blest be the tie that binds … each other’s burdens bear.” That was it.
Since Mama died, Papa didn’t have anyone to help bear his burden other than Gracie herself, and if she understood the words to the song as she believed she did, then God wanted her papa to have a helper.
She signed his name and addressed an envelope to the pastor in Independence who had married her parents. Then she ran to her room and hid the letter beneath her pillow. When Papa went to work tomorrow and she went to school, she’d stop by the mercantile and slip the letter into the storekeeper’s mail pouch.
Peeking through her lacy curtains, she let loose a whisper. “Oh Lord, I pray this ain’t lying I’m about to do, but my papa needs a tie that binds his heart up. It’s been hurting for such a long time.”
She smoothed her pillow and quilt, then took all her nine years of knowledge to the kitchen and made biscuits for supper, confident that the Lord heard her prayer. She’d been taught to believe such things since before she could remember. Why, just yesterday the preacher’s words had stirred through her heart, telling her to have faith, to trust God. And she believed those words.
Especially since the preacher was her papa.

Mail-Order Misfire: Front Range Brides
by Davalynn Spencer
Series: , Front Range Brides #.5Published by Wilson Creek Publishing
Publication Date September 3, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Western, Action/Adventure, Christian Fiction
Setting: Colorado Gilded Age – US – 1875 – 1900
Written for: Adults
Synopsis:
Preacher Bern Stidham is a peacemaker—when he’s not carrying one on his hip. His little girl, Gracie, wants a helper for her preacher/sheriff papa and a mama for herself, so she writes their former pastor in Missouri asking for a mail-order bride.
Recently widowed dressmaker Etta Collier is a half-step ahead of the banker who carries a lustful eye for her as well as the note on her home. When her pastor receives a letter from little Gracie Stidham, he sees a solution for everyone’s problem and encourages Etta to answer Gracie’s request.
Running from one man’s lecherous pursuit into the home of another she knows nothing about, Etta Collier risks everything to ease a little girl’s loneliness and perhaps find a second chance at love.
Thank you so much, Phyllis. Your blog post makes ME want to buy the book – and I wrote it!
Your comment made me laugh! 🙂 I’m so glad to be able to share about your book with others. Thank you for stopping by!
Your book sounds like a really good page turner, the story sounds charming ! The cover is Beautiful also! The Synopsis is really good and yes it also makes me want to read this book! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this on your blog. God Bless you all.
Thank you for stopping by, Alicia. Hope you enjoy the story!