Spotlight on Erica Vetsch and The Bartered Bride

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ERICA VETSCH is married to Peter and keeps the company books for the family lumber business. A home-school mom to Heather and James, Erica loves history, romance, and storytelling. Her ideal vacation is taking her family to out-of-the-way history museums and chatting to curators about local history. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Calvary Bible College in Secondary Education: Social Studies. You can find her on the web at http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com.

THE BARTERED BRIDE
by Erica Vetsch
Published by Barbour Publishing / Heartsong Presents

ABOUT THE BOOK

Duluth, Minnesota in 1905 boasts more millionaires than any other U.S. city. Tycoon Abraham Kennebrae intends to marry his grandsons off to three of the wealthiest heiresses in town and allow Kennebrae Shipping to gain control of Duluth Harbor.

Tempests rage, in the board room, the ball room, and on treacherous Lake Superior. Will hearts and helms survive? Will God prove Himself sovereign over wind, waves, and weddings?

Jonathan Kennebrae, oldest of the three Kennebrae brothers, finds himself backed into a corner. Marry heiress Melissa Brooke or lose his own considerable inheritance. Can he find a legitimate reason to avoid the wedding and still keep his fortune? But as the wedding day approaches, does he want to escape?

Melissa Brooke, only heir to her father’s empire, is bartered by her parents into a marriage contract to a man she’s never met. Can she trust him with her deepest secret? Can she trust him with her heart?

Readers, buy your copy of The Bartered Bride today!

MY REVIEW

Wow! As many already know, I love historical romance. As a historical author myself, though, I am often quite picky about the books I read. Erica has done an amazing job with her research of Minnesota and the little tidbits peppered throughout her book that help bring the reality of Duluth alive to the reader. And the premise of a grandfather who is looking to marry off his grandsons is fantastic! Jonathan and Melissa are rich in detail and quickly hook you with their respective plights. The supporting characters only add to the depth and make for a solid read. Be on the lookout for some great books coming from this author.

OTHER STOPS ON THE TOUR

Nov. 16th Myra Johnson http://myra.typepad.com/
Lisa Harris http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/

Nov. 17th Cindy Wilson http://cindyrwilson.blogspot.com/
Jamie Debree http://thevarietypages.blogspot.com/

Nov. 18th Lynda Schab, http://on-the-write-track.blogspot.com/

Nov. 19th Jamie Debree again http://thevarietypages.blogspot.com/

Nov. 20th Rachel Fernandes http://confessionsofaheadhopper.blogspot.com/
Mary Connealy at Seekerville http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel! Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

The initial idea came from a visit to Duluth MN and loving the setting so much I knew I wanted to write a story set there. Then came some research into the history of the city. And then one day I was sitting in church waiting for the service to start when the idea of a shipping tycoon wanting to marry off his grandsons came to me.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

I can't think of anything specifically as far as character traits. I do know that I've prayed Jonathan's prayer before, that God would change someone else, when in reality, I was the one who needed changing.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Melissa would probably be strawberry since she loves pink. Jonathan, Cookies and Creme, smooth, creamy, and full of little surprises.

4. Are there any themes in The Bartered Bride that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

The theme of God's sovereignty is fairly overt. More subtle would be His trustworthiness. Not only is He in control, but He can be trusted to work things out for our good and His glory.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

This book flowed really well. I wrote that first draft in about five weeks one summer. My favorite parts of this book to write were actually the most difficult as well. The ending provided lots of challenges, but I'm very pleased with how it came off.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next book is The Marriage Masquerade, which is the story of Noah Kennebrae, Jonathan's brother. It comes out early next year.

* * * * *

Thank you, Erica, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of The Bartered Bride.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when the winners are announced each time.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.