Reading · Lorana’s Substack

I told you last week that I am now officially a “Heartie.” I have so enjoyed the series that I went in search of the spin off series When Hope Calls.

I didn’t enjoy it as much, both because the characters weren’t as vibrant and because when it transitioned from Hallmark to Great American Family, it changed too much. They even took out the sisters whom the story was supposed to be about. That being said, if you only watch the first season OR you start in season 2 and don’t think about it being a spin off, it’s a nice series though the romantic tension is nowhere near as good as in When Calls the Heart.

Still, I finished all of those episodes as well, including the Christmas one where Lori Laughlin makes a return as Abigail. I found this weird because it was set to be about the same time as the end of season 8 of When Calls the Heart, so I’m not sure why they waited another six seasons to bring Abigail back. I do feel like the show has been missing her.

Then I found a movie of When Calls the Heart that had been released in 2013 just before the TV show began. It was nothing like the series. Same character name, but that was about it. She goes to some place called Pine Springs and her mountie is named Wynn Delaney. Weird. So then I decided to find the original book by Janette Oke and read it to see how close it was to the series. Boy was I disappointed. It was more like the movie than the series. I’ve since found a book called “Where Courage Calls” that is also written by Janette Oke and her daughter and I think it will be more like the series, but I’m only in Chapter 2.

Needless to say, I’ve been a little obsessed and disappointed that I will have to wait until next year for the next season.

BUT….

It did inspire me. So much so that I went back through all of my Sage Creek books and wrote down all the characters and re-mapped out the town. Then I got to work plotting more books for the series AND last night I started writing.

I’ve had major writer’s block for over a year now. I’ve started three books and been unable to finish all three, but I’m feeling like this time I’ll be able to, so I’m sharing the first chapter with you. I’d love to hear your thoughts and I will get it up on pre-order soon, but until then, you can go back to the beginning and fall in love with Jesse, William, Carl, and Henry again in my Sage Creek Series. Links are below the preview chapter. So, without further ado…. I give you chapter one of A Redeeming Love:

Sally Miller glanced up as the door to the cafe banged open hard enough to rattle the glass in the panes of the front window.

A gust of cool morning air swept in carrying with it the smell of damp earth from the recent rain. The odor conflicted with the tantalizing aromas filling the cafe – the buttery smell of flaky biscuits baking in the oven, the mouthwatering scent of bacon on the stove, and the rich aroma of the brewed coffee her father had started that morning.

Rebecca Hudson rushed in, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed with pink.

“Rebecca, we aren’t open yet,” Sally said as she took the top plate off her pile and placed it on the nearest table. The breakfast crowd would be arriving soon, and she still had to finish the tables.

Sheriff Johnson would be first. His day started early, but he always stopped in for breakfast first. On days he had a prisoner in the jail, he would arrive even earlier and take a breakfast to go for the man.

Horace and Mr. Thompson would be next, the latter demanding coffee before he’d even removed his hat or sat down at the table.

Rebecca waived her hand as if that fact mattered little to her. “I’m not here for food, Sally.”

Of course she wasn’t.

The only time Rebecca appeared this early at the cafe was when she had news. Good news, bad news, it didn’t matter with Rebecca.

Sally swallowed a sigh. She didn’t want to ask the question Rebecca was bursting to answer, partly because it was probably none of her business and partly because she still had so much work to do, but she also knew that Rebecca would not leave until she had spilled whatever was on her mind. “Then why are you here?” Sally asked goodnaturedly.

Rebecca bounced on her toes, her eyes dancing with excitment. “I just came from the mercantile – I need a new brush you know – and I overheard Lizzie and Minnie talking.”

Sally paused as she placed the next plate down.

Lizzie and Minnie – the two saloon girls. They didn’t come into the cafe often as most of their time was spent at the Silver Spur saloon across the street. Sally had exchanged pleasantries with them when they passed on the street over the years, but they didn’t really socialize with the rest of the women in Sage Creek often.

There was a part of her that was very curious to hear what they had been talking about, but she didn’t want to encourage Rebecca too much. The poor girl already had a reputation for being the town gossip.

“It’s not nice to eavesdrop, Rebecca,” she said, placing down the next plate.

Rebecca reached for the plates to help. “I wasn’t eavesdropping.”

“Yes, you were.”

“Okay, I was,” Rebecca said with an impish smile, “but not on purpose. I was just in the aisle and their voices carried over to me. The store was practically empty this time of the morning and I don’t think they realized how loud their voices were.”

“Still, you should have told them,” Sally said, but she was glad to hand off the plates. She grabbed the stack of napkins and began to fold them, her mind drifting with the monotony of the task. Set the tables, clear the tables, wash the dishes. It seemed like a never-ending cycle on repeat. Sally was glad for the cafe – it brought her parents happiness and jobs were hard to come by in town – but she couldn’t help feeling like she was destined for something more. She just didn’t know what yet and as much as she prayed everyday for an answer, God hadn’t given it to her yet.

Rebecca sighed. “Fine, next time I will, but they said that Wyatt sold the saloon.”

That grabbed Sally’s attention and her head snapped up. “What? To whom?”

“They didn’t know,” Rebecca said dramatically, “but not someone local. They said they thought the new owner would be arriving by stagecoach today or tomorrow.”

“Did they say why he was selling?” Sally didn’t know Mr. Parsons well, but he had owned the saloon for as long as she could remember.

Rebecca shook her head as she moved to the next table. “Just that he got a good deal on it. Evidently the railroad coming increased the value.”

Ah yes, the railroad. Sally had no vote, but her parents had told her about the town approving the railroad. Mayor Wright boasted the railroad would allow Sage Creek to prosper. Sally was excited to have faster transportation and about the opportunities and new people it might bring, but she was also worried. What if the railroad brought trouble? What if it changed the town so much that it was no longer Sage Creek? She shook her head to clear those thoughts. Pastor Lewis had just delivered a sermon on trusting God and that’s what she needed to do. What’s done was done and all she could do now was pray about it.

“Does the new owner plan to keep it a saloon?” she asked, trying to keep her focus on the discussion at hand and not on the what ifs that often plagued her.

“They didn’t say,” Rebecca said, placing the last plate.

“I wonder if the new owner will keep them on,” Sally said. In her heart she wondered if the two women had any other skills. Jobs for women were few in Sage Creek, and if they lost their jobs at the saloon, they might be forced to move elsewhere.

“I guess that depends on what he does with the establishment.” Rebecca crossed to the counter to grab the silverware. “What I want to know is if the new owner is handsome.”

“Handsome?” Sally asked, shock filling her voice. “Aren’t you still courting James? I doubt he would be pleased hearing you talk like that.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “James and I decided to end our courtship after the last dance. It was too awkward with him being Pauline’s brother and all.”

Sally nodded. Pauline had been Rebecca’s best friend, but she’d been tragically killed by a stray bullet from a robber. “I’m sorry to hear that it didn’t work out.”

Rebecca shrugged. “We decided to remain friends for which I’m glad.” She sighed. “But it does mean that I need to find a new dance partner before our next dance.”

Sally chuckled. Unfortunately, there weren’t a lot of men their ages in Sage Creek. She herself hadn’t had a dance partner at the last dance, but perhaps the railroad would change that.

“There’s always Samuel Moore,” she said with a teasing smile. Samuel was the oldest son of Doc Moore, the town’s doctor, but he was still a good five years younger than Rebecca.

“Hah,” she retorted back. “He’s closer to your age than mine and I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a farmer’s wife anyway. I think I need something more exciting.”

“And just what do you have in mind for that?” Sally asked with a smile.

“I don’t know,” Rebecca said as she finished laying down the silverware. “But I feel like the winds of change are coming and maybe they’re bringing my excitement along with them.”

Sally sighed softly. The winds of change were definitely coming but what they were bringing was another matter entirely.

END

I’d love to know your thoughts, so please leave me a comment if you’re excited for this book and the many more I have planned. Maybe one day, we’ll see Sage Creek on the TV too. Happy reading and have a blessed Sunday! Book deals below.

Lorana