Welcome to Friday Reads!
If you are the randomly chosen winner, I’ll contact you.
About A Life Once Dreamed…
Ada, Mich—Rachel Fordham established herself as a favorite among historical
romance readers with the release of her debut novel, The Hope of Azure Springs, in
2018. Her sophomore tale, Yours Truly, Thomas, continued to showcase Fordham’s
talents with her captivating plots and intriguing characters. Now, Fordham transports readers to the dusty streets of an 1880s frontier town in her newest romance novel, A Life Once Dreamed.
When Agnes Pratt discovered a shocking secret, she fled her hometown in search of
a new life. Now, six years later, she has made a predictable life for herself as the
lone school teacher in the rugged Dakota Territory town of Penance, which is devoid of romance but filled with work and friendship. But when her childhood sweetheart, James Harris, arrives on the scene, her life threatens to be upended by a man who must never know her secret.
James accepts a position as the town doctor with an ulterior motive—to finally get answers from the girl who left him behind. Undeniably still carrying a torch for “Aggie,” James can tell she’s desperate to keep her distance even if he doesn’t know why. Can James convince Aggie that her secret—and her heart—are safe in his hands?
A Life Once Dreamed is a beautiful story of love and healing that affirms that where you come from matters far less than where you are going.
Q & A with Rachel…
Q: Can you provide a brief description of your new novel, A Life Once Dreamed?
A: Six years ago, Agnes left James and the city behind and started a new life for herself in the Dakota town of Penance. James was left behind and brokenhearted, but he trudged on and became a doctor despite never truly losing his desire to be with Agnes. A Life Once Dreamed is the story of these two people, who’ve grown and changed, coming back together and asking themselves if there is a way for them to share a future.
Q: Both of your previous novels, The Hope of Azure Springs and Yours Truly, Thomas, take place in the fictional town of Azure Springs, Iowa. Why did you choose the Dakota territories as the setting for your latest book?
A: I’ll always be fond of Azure Springs, Iowa, and would love to set a million books there. For A Life Once Dreamed, I needed a setting that was a sharp contrast to Buffalo, New York, where the book begins. I wanted a place that would still be rugged and, in many ways, isolated for my heroine to start her new life in. Penance became that town. It’s full of heart and endearing characters, but it’s also a land that challenges the main characters and causes them to learn a new way to live and to look at life. I hope everyone will love this
rustic town like I do.
Q: What type of research was required for your book?
A: There were many small things that required research—the climate, vegetation, and industry of the Dakotas. I also read up on the rules of etiquette in small rural towns and the life of a teacher. But the issue that required the most digging was illegitimacy and adoption laws of that era.
Q: One of your main characters faces stigma for being an illegitimate child. In the story, you explore how illegitimate children were treated during this time period. Can you expand on this?
A: The idea for this novel came after watching the movie Blossoms in the Dust. It tells the story of Edna Gladney, who was a pioneer in the fight against the illegitimate stigma. I watched this and couldn’t stop thinking about how sad it was that people’s lives were torn apart by something they couldn’t change. After doing research, I discovered that in the time period of my story it was still somewhat possible to keep illegitimacy a secret because birth certificates and official birth records were just starting. Often babies were quietly claimed by someone else, but if their status was known they were often mocked, labeled, and legally
discriminated against. In my main character’s case, her status would have been revealed because of who she was marrying and who knew about her birth. Rather than face the community backlash and public shame, she flees, sparing herself and James. In the years following when my story takes place, the government required the status of illegitimate children to be listed on birth records, and it wasn’t long before those children were harder to adopt out and labeled as inferior. It became much harder to hide, and the stigma grew even worse until people like Edna Gladney fought to spare these kids. In today’s world, it seems foreign to most that illegitimacy was viewed with such scorn. Yet many of us, if we dig in our family tree, will find that we have been touched by this in some way. Bringing a light to this once popular form of discrimination was not only a thrilling writing experience but one I think is important.
Q: Do you have a favorite character from this story?
A: I’m fond of this whole cast. If I had to pick a favorite, I think I’d say Tommy, one of Agnes’s school children, because he’s the perfect comic relief and you never know what will come out of his mouth.
Q: A Life Once Dreamed offers readers a wonderful romantic tale that includes elements of hope and healing. What do you hope readers take away from this story?
A: Like always, I hope readers end the book with a happy sign and all the good feelings that rush over you when you’ve been swept away in an engaging tale. Then I hope they pause and think about what they read and realize they were more than merely entertained. I’d love to know that readers left this story more aware of those around them. Illegitimacy may have lost its stigma, but there are still so many times when we are quick to judge someone based on factors out of their control. In addition, I hope readers will think about how sometimes the roads we travel in this life take us far away from what we were seeking but somehow take us to exactly where we are meant to be.
Q: Are you surprised by how your stories take shape, or is the finished product what you envisioned from the start?
A: I’m always surprised! I typically begin a rough draft knowing where I want to start and where I think I want to get to, but the way I get their always surprises me. The good thing about this is that I tend to write my rough drafts quickly because I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Q: What are you working on next?
A: My 2021 book already has me giddy with excitement. This new book takes readers on a journey with a main character who has a colorful past (years spent in a women’s reformatory), works in a brand-new career field (dental assistant), and can’t help but think if she can clear her name she might have a shot at a real future.
Q: How can readers connect with you?
Q: Visit my website and sign up for my newsletter: rachelfordham.com
Facebook.com/rachelfordhamfans
Instagram: @rachel_fordham
My Review…
Teacher Aggie left Buffalo six years ago after discovering the truth about herself, and she settles in the town of Penance (a name that seems quite appropriate as the story unfolds). She reconnects with James, her former friend and finace, the new doctor in town. He’s curious as to why she left Buffalo years ago.
I enjoyed Aggie and James, but I’d expected a bit more character development. However, it was easy to engage with them and root for them. Some things dragged on a bit too long for my preference (such as Aggie’s secret reveal). And, that turned out not to be as big of a secret as I’d hoped, as I had it figured out earlier in the story. Key themes include family, faith, persistence, and love. Overall, this is a sweet tale that fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
About Rachel…
Rachel Fordham is the author of The Hope of Azure Springs. She started writing when
her children began begging her for stories at night. She’d pull a book from the shelf, but
they’d insist she make one up. Finally, she paired her love of good stories with her love of
writing and hasn’t stopped since. She lives with her husband and children on an island in
the state of Washington.
Rules for giveaway can be found here.
Wow! This book sounds really good! I’ve a feeling my TBR stack is going to grow again! To be honest, 5 of my great nieces and nephews could be labeled this way
Yay! I love hearing that people are adding to their TBR piles ?
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by, Trudy.
I am reading The Hope of Azure Springs right now and would love to read more of Rachel’s books. 🙂
Great, Erin! Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!
I love historical fiction of most eras, but it’s always the characters that determine if a book is a favorite or not. I’m interested to meet these characters and see what’s in store for them!
Very true! The characters definitely make the difference.
Good luck, Candice!
The small town historical setting interests me as well as the life of a teacher back then.
Danielle, I agree. I grew up in a small town, and I used to teach, so I always enjoy seeing those elements in stories.
Good luck!
Christian historical romance is one of my favorites, and I’m always up for a second chance love story. “A Life Once Dreamed” fits both categories.
It definitely ticks the boxes for you, Roxanne. Good luck!
I like that the setting is in a frontier town. Teacher and doctor romance sounds like a good story. Thanks for the chance. I like the cover.
I like the cover, as well, Lynn. Good luck!
Sounds like a terrific read.
It is, Nancy. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your review! I haven’t read Rachel’s books yet…
You’re welcome. Good luck, Natalya! I think you’ll really enjoy her books.
This book sounds so good. I love all historical fiction I guess because I haven’t found one yet I don’t like.
That’s a good reason to love them, Brenda ?
Good luck!
Hi Rachel! Not sure if you’ll see this but wanted to say hi! 🙂
Leslie, I’m reading this book right now and I’m enjoying it! Thank you for show casing Rachel!
You’re very welcome, Jean. Glad you’re enjoying it. ?
I love Christian historical fiction, and the 19th century is my favorite time period. I can’t wait to read A Life Once Dreamed! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
That’s a great time period!
You’re very welcome, Sarah. Good luck!
I love childhood friends to something more! One of my favs! Sounds like a great book.
I think you’ll enjoy it. Good luck, Dezi!
It’s a Rachel Fordham book! 😀 Also, I don’t believe I’ve read many (if any) historical fiction books that deal with illegitimacy. That’s an interesting but difficult topic.
I don’t believe I’ve read many on the topic either, Elizabeth.
Good luck!
the characters
Good luck!
Hi Leslie! I read Yours Truly Thomas, and enjoyed it. Would love to continue on with this book. Thanks for the giveaway1
You’re very welcome, Cynthia. Good luck!
I love reading historicals . Agnes and James sound like very interesting characters.
Merry, they are. ? I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Good luck!