Join me today as I welcome guest author Linda Baten Johnson as she shares about her latest release.

The story of mail-order brides is a popular topic for romance writers. In romance, things finish with a happily ever after, but I think the women willing to become mail-order brides lived in desperate situations and felt marrying a stranger miles from their home and friends was their only option. I also believe that these courageous women made their decision because they had a strong faith and a robust belief in God.

In the Land Run Mail Order Bride Series, all twelve authors researched the Oklahoma Land Runs of the late 1800s and developed their stories based on that time period and that specific event. In the Rush of 1893, over one hundred thousand individuals set out to capture one of the forty-two thousand plots. The Boomers, those who waited for the boom of the cannon before entering the territory, often found Sooners had claimed available land. The Sooners sneaked into the Oklahoma territory before the official legal entry and staked one of the homestead parcels as their own.

In the year 1893, America was in the grip of the worst depression it had experienced to that point, called the Panic of 1893. Unemployment in Michigan was near forty percent. The dire economic situation blanketing the country fueled the frantic and hopeful to line up on the Kansas line to enter the Oklahoma Territory. When the cannon sounded, people entered on horses, in wagons, in buggies, on bicycles, and on foot. There was even a train with ten cattle cars filled with optimistic settlers who jumped from the train in order to get a piece of the American dream. More than half of those who began the journey with high hopes found their dreams dashed.

I believe the mail order brides and their spouses who participated in this unique part of the westward movement relied on the Lord during the trying times they faced in obtaining their land and in settling the new territory.

About Rachael's Claim:

Rachael, wearing trousers and sitting astride a spirited horse, pulled the floppy hat lower to disguise her face. She could ride and shoot, but she’d also need nerve and luck. The newspaper estimated over a hundred thousand men and a few foolhardy women would rush into Oklahoma territory in wagons, on horses, bicycles, and by foot when the cannon boomed at noon. Even a train, packed with people ready to jump off, waited for the signal. The Oklahoma Land Run of 1893 held only forty-two thousand plots, so more than half the hopeful settlers would be disappointed. Rachael could not be in that group.

Jess Hunter thrashed with alternating chills and fever and called for water. When he received no response, he struggled to sit up. Rachael was gone. His friends had ribbed him about writing for a mail-order bride. He should have listened. Jess looked around the shack. His claim stake was gone! He struggled to his feet and whistled for his horse. No familiar whinny answered, and Dandy wasn’t in the pasture. Was she a horse thief too? He vowed to track her down—just before he passed out.

BUY LINK FOR RACHAEL’S CLAIM:

Rachael's Claim: Land Run Mail Order Brides Book 5 - Kindle edition by Johnson, Linda Baten. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

About Linda:

Linda Baten Johnson grew up in White Deer, Texas, where she won blue ribbons for storytelling. She still loves telling tales. A tornado destroyed the town when Linda lived there, and the experience of watching faith-based actions in rebuilding lives and homes after the tragedy influences her writing. Her historical fiction books for young readers and her squeaky-clean romances are available in print, e-book, and audio.

Visit her website www.lindabatenjohnson.com.