Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Desert Manna series by Karen Baney, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Books
Title: Beauty for Ashes
Series: Desert Manna #1
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: March 7,2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Uplifting Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1871.
As a widow who lost her husband in Sherman’s fiery march to the sea, Rebecca Elliot struggled to provide for her son. When she hears from her brother in Prescott, Arizona, she makes the journey west to start over. An unexpected tragedy on the last leg of her travels changes the trajectory of her heart and life as she never could have imagined.
Perry Quinn finally said goodbye to his late wife when his life is turned upside down. When he loses everything that he worked hard to accomplish, he must humble himself and start over while trying to find the answers to why he lost everything. Along the way, a kind woman steals his heart and reminds him that there is beauty in the middle of the ashes of his life.
Will he let go of his grief to find true love?
If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub
Title: Joy for Mourning
Series: Desert Manna Series #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: April 25, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1872.
Grace Talbert spurns every suitor her father finds. She longs for the spark of romance and is unwilling to settle for something less. Her passion is running the Women’s Aid Society, which organizes many charitable events to help the poor and the Indians. When a trip to deliver goods to the reservation leaves her stranded with a handsome stranger, she discovers the love she longed for.
After many years of wandering and building up his freight business, Joshua Harrison decides to return to Prescott. As bachelor, he is ill-equipped to raise the orphaned daughter of a friend. He hopes the stable life of a small town will bring what he needs to become a good father. Having failed at love twice, he is afraid to try again, until he is stranded with the unconventional and beautiful Grace Talbert.
Can he move past his heartache to open himself to love again?
If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Title: Oaks of Justice
Series: Desert Manna Series #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Gripping Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1873.
Mel Larson is used to being underestimated as a female attorney. When her life is threatened, her mentor takes her home to Prescott. As the defense attorney for her innocent client who is on trial for murder, she goes head-to-head with the new District Attorney. When she apologizes to him for using some unconventional tactics, sparks fly, and she finds a love she had not been looking for.
Alex Glassman was ready to settle down but after a failed courtship, he doubted if he would ever find the right match. When a major court case falls into his lap, he is unprepared to argue the case against a fiery red headed woman. When the case is over and he humbles himself to admit his mistakes, his heart is captured, and he dares to hope that she could be the one.
If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Buy the Complete Series in One Volume
Guest Post from Author Karen Baney
Real Historical Inspiration by Karen Baney
I love including real historical facts in my novels. I am often inspired by great sources used for the research behind my stories. The same is true for the Desert Manna Series. Here are a few highlights of how my research helped shape the series.
Freighting
The history behind freighting and each of Perry and Dixon’s trips (Beauty for Ashes) was inspired by the recollections from Thomas Sanders, a real-life Prescott pioneer, who documented his time in Arizona from the 1860s to 1880s in a book called My Arizona Adventures. I borrowed some trips and anecdotes from his colorful stories, including:
- A 24-member military band joining the freight wagons.
- The flooding of the Salt River stranded their party on two different shores of the river.
- Contracting with the military to deliver supplies (and the leader’s ineptitude).
- And so much more!
Indian Wars
Part of my research involves general reading about the era (1871 – 1873). When I learned there were two major “Indian Wars” involving General Crook in Arizona, I read General Crook and the Western Frontier by Charles M. Robinson III. This book provided the inspiration for all the scenes that mention Crook or his wife in Beauty for Ashes and Joy for Mourning. It led me to deeper research about Camp Date Creek, where I learned about the extreme poverty forced upon the Indians by corrupt Indian Agents.
Women’s Aid Society
My husband and I love to travel throughout Arizona, visiting many museums. On one trip, I bought a picture guide of historical Prescott. One picture in the book depicted the members of a women’s “aid society,” which described their purpose as leaders in charitable works for the community. This sparked the idea of Grace Talbert leading the organization in Joy for Mourning.
Women Attorneys
In Oaks of Justice, I mention that Mel (Melissa) Larson could not practice law. This is historically accurate. I did a deep dive into the definitions of attorneys and those who were allowed to take the bar. In the 1870s in territorial Arizona, women could take part in court proceedings under the guidance of a licensed attorney (male). It wasn’t until 1892 that women were admitted to the bar and allowed to become licensed. I enjoyed incorporating this into the novel.
Life of Indians in Territorial Arizona
When I first wrote the Desert Manna Series, I intended to include a Native American character named Kowara. I wrote several scenes with him as an antagonist in Beauty for Ashes, which I later removed in favor of focusing more on Perry and Rebecca’s characters.
Much of my research happened before that decision. I had the privilege of learning more about the Yavapai’s sub-tribes through two amazing sources.
I’m currently working on Spirit of Despair: A Desert Manna Novella, which tells Kowara’s story and explains why he targeted Perry Quinn.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this peek into how I incorporated real history into the books in the Desert Manna Series.
About the Author
Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.
Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each win signed copies of all 3 books in the Desert Manna series plus a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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