Celebrate Lit / December 27, 2020

Bride By Blackmail

About the Book Bride by Blackmail

Book: Bride by Blackmail

Author: Debbie Lynne Costello

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 15, 2020

A broken heart, a controlling father, and an intrusive Scot leave Charlotte Jackson reeling. Accused of stealing an heirloom pin, she must choose between an unwanted marriage and the ruin of her family name. With the futures of her three younger sisters at stake, as well as her own reputation, Charlotte must navigate through injustice to find forgiveness and true happiness.

Eager to find the traitor that caused the death of his brother, Duncan Mackenzie comes to America and attempts to fit in with Charleston society. But when the headstrong Charlotte catches his eye, Duncan takes on a second mission—acquiring the lass’s hand. After being spurned several times, he uses unconventional ways of winning her heart.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts on Bride by Blackmail:

Charlotte wants to marry for love. And she doesn’t want to marry anyone even closely like her father. She’s had enough with men controlling her every move.

Yet, just when she thinks she’s found love her life is turned upside down by yet another controlling man. Only this time she must marry him so that her sisters can have the life she’s always wanted for herself and them.

Duncan is in America to figure out who is the traitor and on a mission from the Queen. Of course, no one can know that. Except for two men that he has known his whole life.

When it becomes apparent that the person behind the betrayal has to be someone in his close circle can Duncan figure out who it is before it’s too late? Can he protect his new wife and keep her safe? Will she ever trust him once she learns the truth of how she came to marry him?

I really enjoyed this book. It moved at an even pace and the characters drew me in. I laughed quite a bit through the book. While there is a bit of suspense there is also quite a bit of fun and romance. Plus of course, we’ve got a very independent feminist in a time that that was not the norm.

This is a book that I can highly recommend. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

About the Author of Bride by Blackmail

Debbie Lynne Costello has been writing since the young age of eight. She went to college for journalism. She enjoys medieval settings and settings set in nineteenth-century Charleston, South Carolina. She loves the Lord and hopes to touch people’s lives through her stories. Debbie Lynne lives in the beautiful state of South Carolina with her husband of 40 years, their 4 children, 2 Tennessee Walking horses, 2 Arabians, a miniature donkey, 6 ducks, and 3 dogs.

More from Debbie

It is fun to build characters in books and one of the best ways is to show some sort of a hobby or skill that the particular character enjoys. In Bride by Blackmail, Charlotte and her sister, Nellie, are doing needlework on a tablecloth that they hope to have done by the holiday season. My grandmother who would be over a hundred today loved to do needlework. I have pieces from when she was young up until her later years when she did needlework on pillowcases to decorate them up as a Christmas present. But I also have pieces done by my great-great-grandmother and her sisters. They are cherished pieces I hope to hand down for generations. As part of my giveaway, I’ve purchased antique needlework and embroidered pieces to giveaway with the prizes.

Another fun way to build characters is to show something they love to eat. Nellie, who is a minor character, is visiting the hero’s home with her family. Duncan being from Scotland has scones on the breakfast menu. Nellie can’t get enough of the yummy biscuits and finds the servant enjoys helping her continue her indulgence even after she leaves.

SCONES

Preheat oven to 400

2 cups of flour

1/3 cup sugar

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ cup sour cream

½ cup butter (hard)

½ cup cranberries

1 large egg

2 tsp. sugar (do not put this in with the dry ingredients. This is for topping.)

Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl. Once mixed well, cut hard butter into pats and drop into the bowl. Now cut the butter into the floured mixture until it is more like a crumble. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together your egg and your sour cream until well mixed.

With a fork (no mixer!) blend the liquid mixture into the flour mixture, keep stirring until the mixture becomes one large ball. If you need to you can use your hands toward the end to make sure all the flour is in the ball.

On a lightly floured surface pat the dough out to about 3/4” thick. I try to make mine a rectangle for the next step. Once you have the thickness right, sprinkle with the remaining 2 tsp. sugar. Cut the dough into triangles and place it on a cookie sheet (you can use parchment paper on the cookie sheet). Be sure to place them adequately apart on the sheet to prevent them from touching when rising.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until they are a beautiful golden color.

Allow to cool slightly. These are wonderful warm or cold!