About the Book
Title: Together Forever, Orphan Train Book 2
Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Inspirational historical romance
Release Date: May, 2018
Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a
job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York.
She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she’ll be
able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan
train so they can finally be reunited.
Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a
former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but
tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though,
seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past
that he keeps hidden.
As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of
Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a
shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of
their lives forever.
Click here to purchase your copy!
About the Author
Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher’s Bride, and A Noble Groom,
winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a
bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the
University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with
her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on
Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.
Guest Post from Jody Hedlund
30,000 Abandoned Children
By Jody Hedlund
Imagine a city where 30,000 abandoned and homeless children live on the streets.
Sounds like something from a futuristic dystopian novel, doesn’t it?
Or something that might happen after a war or apocalypse or major
disaster, right?
This exact thing actually happened in the 1850’s. And the city was New York City.
It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 30,000 homeless children roamed the dirty city streets and alleys of New York City.
30,000. Children. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s the size of a town.
Historians look back on that time and try to make sense what led to
such horrific conditions for children. Of course, the influx of
immigrants was at an all time high. Jobs and housing were scarce.
Diseases were rampant. Hunger and poverty became a norm. (Orphan Train Depot)
As more and more people became aware of the enormous problem within
the crowded slums, courageous heroes rose up and attempted to do their
part to make a difference.
While we may not always agree with the methods that were used to save
the thousands of homeless children, we can admire the men and women who
could no longer sit idly by.
The Children’s Aid Society was started by Charles Loring Brace as one
such attempt to help the hordes of homeless children. His “Emigration
Plan” is better known today by the term “Orphan Trains.”
My latest series tackles various elements of the orphan train movement. Together Forever,
releasing in May, highlights the placing agents, those devoted people
who rode the trains with the orphans. The agents spent weeks and months
on the road caring for the children, all the while trying to place them
in loving homes.
(If you’d like to try out the series, start with my FREE novella, An Awakened Heart.)
Like the brave men and women who came before us, may we always strive to do our part to make a difference!
Blog Stops
By The Book, May 22
Pink Granny’s Journey, May 22
Blogging With Carol, May 22
ansel book blog, May 22
Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 23
Moments Dipped in Ink, May 23
Genesis 5020, May 23
Blossoms and Blessings, May 23
Reading Is My SuperPower, May 24
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, May 24
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 24
Christian Bookaholic, May 24
Just the Write Escape, May 25
Among the Reads, May 25
The Power of Words, May 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 25
Radiant Light, May 26
The Christian Fiction Girl, May 26
The Avid Reader, May 26
Janices book reviews, May 26
Daysong Reflections, May 27
Mary Hake, May 27
Carpe Diem, May 27
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 27
Kathleen Denly, May 28
History, Mystery & Faith, May 28
A Baker’s Perspective, May 28
Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Faithfully Bookish, May 29
God’s Little Bookworm, May 29
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 29
Neverending Stories, May 30
Maureen’s Musing, May 30
Bigreadersite, May 30
Inklings and notions, May 31
To Everything A Season, May 31
Two Points of Interest, May 31
Christian Author, J.E.Grace, May 31
Have A Wonderful Day, June 1
Lighthouse Academy, June 1
Godly Book Reviews, June 1
Red Headed Book Lady, June 2
For the Love of Books, June 2
Vicky Sluiter, June 2
proud to be an autism mom, June 3
Bibliophile Reviews, June 3
Texas Book-aholic, June 3
Connie’s History Classroom, June 4
Pause for Tales, June 4
Reader’s cozy corner, June 4
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/cee5/together-forever-celebration-tour-giveaway
MY THOUGHTS
Jody Hedlund has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first book years ago. I have loved every single one of her books, and I highly recommend them! This orphan train series has been really interesting, especially on the historical side of things. I have read a few books set during this time and event but it is always good to think about what it must have actually been like. This book takes you into the background of the people that went with the children to place them, and the lives of the kids themselves. I have had a hard time totally getting into the characters in this new series. I really don't know why but they just haven't been my favorite of Jody's books. While still good, something just seems a little different in the writing. That being said, I am excited to read the next book and see where Jody takes us next!
Jody Hedlund has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first book years ago. I have loved every single one of her books, and I highly recommend them! This orphan train series has been really interesting, especially on the historical side of things. I have read a few books set during this time and event but it is always good to think about what it must have actually been like. This book takes you into the background of the people that went with the children to place them, and the lives of the kids themselves. I have had a hard time totally getting into the characters in this new series. I really don't know why but they just haven't been my favorite of Jody's books. While still good, something just seems a little different in the writing. That being said, I am excited to read the next book and see where Jody takes us next!
Four stars.
"I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All opinions are my own."