About the Book

Book: Freed by the Frontier

Authors: Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman.

From quaint civilized towns to treacherous mountain passes and wilderness villages, three couples navigate cultural divisions, overcome past wounds, and face deadly dangers to discover that love knows no boundaries. But as war clouds gather and ancient tribal alliances shift, will their newfound relationships survive the coming storm? Or will the clash of worlds tear them apart?

Three unforgettable romances prove that God’s greatest blessings often come disguised as our greatest challenges, and that true love can bridge any divide.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry loves to take her readers into the past. A romantic at heart, she is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2025 Maggie winner, 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of forty-one years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. Connect with Sherry at sherryshindelar.com.

 

 

 

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

 

 

Nationally acclaimed writer of inspirational historical romance, Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in communications. A widow who was married 48 years to her high school sweetheart, she has two adult children, one granddaughter, and a granddog. A history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, and sitting on her porch watching chipmunks dine from her bird feeder. She recently learned how to play the ukulele. Soli Deo Gloria

 

 

 

More from the Authors

Imagine a time when the U.S. not far from the coast was unsettled wilderness. Where brave settlers faced the challenges of isolation and nature as they established a toehold of civilization. Where multiple nations clashed in battle as they vied for control of land and waterways.

This setting seeded with inherent danger and wild beauty calls to those of us who write frontier historical romances from the 1700s and 1800s. Three of us from Wild Heart Books—Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, and Susan Craft—came together to pen a trio of novellas, Freed by the Frontier. Each of our stories connects to one of our previous series, but each novella can be read independently. We invite you to journey with us back to rugged mountains, wagon roads, and frontier settlements.

 

Wichita Path Sacrifice by Sherry Shindelar

The frontier has always captured my imagination. It is a place of hope and hardship, new beginnings and trials, dreams and risk, and in my stories, a place where love is forged. My novella is the prequel to Texas Forsaken, Book One in my Lone Star Redemption series. Wichita Path Sacrifice tells the love story of captive Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) and Dancing Eagle, a renowned Comanche warrior. The story is set in Comancheria in the 1850’s when the Comanches ruled the southern Plains and settlers entered the Texas frontier at their own risk. Years ago, the real-life story of Cynthia Ann Parker broke my heart. Cynthia was captured by Comanches at age nine, and lived with them for twenty-four years, married, and had children. When she was eventually recaptured by cavalry and Texas Rangers, she wanted nothing to do with the settlers’ world. Her heart belonged to the Comanche and her husband and children who were lost to her. Cynthia’s story had a sad ending that haunted me. I wanted to write a captive story with a happier ending, and that desire led to Texas Forsaken. The prequel, Wichita Path Sacrifice, inspired by the real-life stories of Cynthia Ann Parker and her cousin Rachel Plummer, is an enemy-to-lovers story of love blossoming in the midst of trials, when it seems all hope is gone. It’s a story of choices between paths. Love requires sacrifice. Eyes-Like-Sky and Dancing Eagle must decide how much they’re willing to let go of and risk if they are to claim the dreams of their heart.

 

 

Ofuskee Trail Surrender by Denise Farnsworth

Keturah Caldwell disappeared from A Counterfeit Betrothal, the first book of my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier series. Pledged to wed the hero of that novel, the daughter of a Georgia judge  was abducted by thieves and sold to a war party of Creek braves. One of them, known as Wildcat, quietly protects her on the journey to his village in present-day Alabama. Keturah soon learns she has more in common with the adopted son of the micco than she would ever have guessed. When his cruel stepbrother turns his sights on Keturah and her younger sister, Keturah is forced to trust Wildcat in a marriage of convenience, though she vows to convince him to help them escape. They grow from enemies to lovers amid the War of 1812, as she learns that sometimes, greater blessings can come from abiding than from escaping.

Keturah also meets another captive, Susannah Moore, heroine of A Contrary Betrothal (formerly released as Bent Tree Bride), coming August 18 of this year.

 

Wagon Road Serenade by Susan F. Craft

An enemies-to-lovers historical romance, this novella is set in1754 on the Great Wagon Road spanning from Philadelphia, PA, to Augusta, GA. I wrote this novella as a complement to my three-novel Great Wagon Road series.

Elizabeth Stanton, her reputation marred from an injustice in London, seeks a second chance as a music teacher for a women’s academy in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She joins a wagon train, but scarred from her past, she vows never to rely on a man again. James Morgan, a widowed trapper, hears a vile rumor about Elizabeth and regrets agreeing to drive one of the academy’s wagons. To Elizabeth, James is another charming scoundrel. To James, Elizabeth is a tainted woman to be avoided. Both resist a growing attraction. James admires her willingness to help others. Her soft soprano voice fills the nights with a melancholy sweetness. Had he received false information and misjudged? Elizabeth tries to remain indifferent, but when he saves her and an orphan girl after Indians kidnap them, her heart softens.

Will his gentle treatment erase her misgivings? Can she trust him? Will their hearts reject discord and blend into a serenade of love?

Susan Craft Interview

What is your favorite genre of books? Why?

I’m drawn to historical romance, especially the American Revolutionary War, a time rife with adventure, danger, turmoil, and emotions. I’m a romantic at heart and usually fall in love with my own characters. I once created a character by the name of Nicholas. I had a picture on my office wall of a man I thought looked like him and mentioned him in many of my speaking engagements. Eventually, several letters on my keyboard began to fade, especially the “n”! I thought my husband was okay with my attraction for Nicholas, until he made the comment, “Of course, the “n” is wearing out… you write it so much.”

Are you a one project at a time author or do you have multiple projects going at once?

I am a one project at a time author. I write historical fiction, therefore I extensively research for my novels and immerse myself in the sights, sounds, and smells of places I have visited. My mind is crammed with those details, and I am so focused on gently folding them into my writing, there’s no room for multiple projects.

How has your life experience helped in your writing journey?

My third-grade teacher read aloud to our class each day the novel she was writing about a Cherokee brother and sister. I became fascinated with the Cherokee, who appear in most of my novels. Also, she made me realize that authors weren’t people “out there.” I could be one too. My seventh-grade history teacher brought to life many Revolutionary War heroes, especially Francis Marion, and made me see them as living, breathing human beings, not just names I had to memorize for tests.

What is the funniest thing to happen in the process of writing one of your books?

In my novel, The Chamomile, one of my most beloved characters dies. Writing that scene made me cry. My husband heard me, came running, and asked if I was okay. Through my grief I choked, “I killed Elizabeth.” He cocked an eyebrow and asked, “You do know she’s not real?” I stared at him as if he had two heads. A few weeks after the book was released, my phone rang. I picked it up, and a friend cried and yelled, “Elizabeth…you killed Elizabeth!”

How do you relax after a long day of writing?

I have a beautiful, covered porch that’s my retreat.  I sit in my rocking chair and drink in the wonders of God’s nature and watch squirrels dine on my bird feeder.

 

Where do you find your greatest inspiration?

One of my favorite places to visit is the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina. They have created a replica of a 1760s village with cabins and a meeting house. Cherokee women weave baskets, create beautiful beadwork, tan hides, and cook over open fires. The men make dugouts and blowguns the way their forefathers did.  The atmosphere is truly inspiring.

Who is your favorite author? Why?

Pat Conroy wrote such amazing books. I underlined many passages that I loved and would go back and re-read them. Incredibly described scenes, which I read many years ago, are seared into my memory. I grew up in South Carolina and am familiar with his books’ settings.

Do you have extensive outlines when writing or do you write a book as you go?

Because I write history, I usually create a timeline of important dates. That way I can keep track, and my characters can have conversations about events occurring in their lives. I always know how I want my books to end but often surprise myself with how I reach the endings.

Do you remember the first book you read? What sort of impact did it make on you?

I remember reading Nancy Drew books. I devoured them. I believe I read all of them in the series. I even wrote my first “novel” as a mystery. I was eight and entitled it, The Mystery of the Whistling Cave.  It was ten handwritten pages bound with heavy cardboard and sewn together with dental floss.

What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?

On my office wall I post pictures of people I feel resemble my characters. I surround myself with research books and artifacts. I’m an amateur painter and once painted a waterfall that was in a critical scene. One of my characters, a seamstress, has poor vision, so I posted a picture of what her spectacles would have looked like in 1754. Often, before I start writing, I listen to music. I am particularly inspired by the soundtrack from The Last of the Mohicans as well as Tennessee from the movie Pearl Harbor.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 13

Texas Book-aholic, July 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 16

Lyssa Loves Books, July 17

lakesidelivingsite, July 17

Guild Master, July 18 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 19

Cover Lover Book Review, July 20

Simple Harvest Reads, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 22

Fiction Book Lover, July 23 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 24

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Wild Heart Authors aare giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/7zZDM/freed-by-the-frontier-celebration-tour-giveaway