Welcome to the circulating blog tour and giveaway for The Searchers series of middle grade historical fiction by Bertha Schwartz, hosted by JustRead tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Daisy’s Search for Freedom (Searchers #1)
Author: Bertha Schwartz
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: December 1, 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
It’s the 1850s and Daisy, a slave girl from Alabama, is thrilled when her Mama is brought to her plantation to be the new cook. Six Oaks Plantation has been Daisy’s home for years, and the future looks bright now that she and her Mama have been reunited. The happiness doesn’t last, though, when a dangerous encounter with a notorious slave hunter endangers Daisy’s life. She has no choice but to run. Leaving behind everything she has ever known, Daisy strikes out alone on the Underground Railroad.
Daisy’s search for freedom leads her deep into the woods. Along the way she is joined by Simon, a four-year-old boy and his pet kitten. Pursued by dogs, uncertainty, and a slave tracker determined to capture them by any means necessary, Daisy starts to wonder if she will ever be safe again. Does Jesus care about runaway slaves lost in the woods?
PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Ambassador
EXCERPT
The rest of the afternoon and evening, Cook stayed very close to Daisy. Daisy tried to pretend that all was normal, but she was afraid someone would notice her trembling hand or hear her beating heart. Inwardly, she continued praying, Sweet Jesus! Sweet Jesus! which seemed to be all the words she could form in her thoughts.
When it was finally time for bed, Daisy remembered that Mama had once told her, ‘If you are ever in trouble an’ can’t find the words to pray, just call on Jesus’ Name. He’ll understand.’ The words brought Daisy comfort now.
She sank on the cot. What if she just ignored the message? She knew instantly she couldn’t do that. Before she blew out the candle, she again noticed Cook’s apron. What if she never saw Cook . . . Mama again? She lovingly touched the apron, and then stopped. The pockets were bulging! She pulled out some biscuits and cheese! Mama knew about the message! Was she supposed to leave tonight? Daisy sank onto the cot, her legs weak with fear. She didn’t want to leave! She was safe here with Mama, wasn’t she? Daisy swallowed hard to tamp down the fear. She remembered all the stories of runaway slaves who were caught.
No, Daisy decided. It would be much safer to stay here. She would stay in bed and pretend she never got the message. It was much safer—or was it?
BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bertha Schwartz is a Swiss Amish transplant to the beautiful farmland of Nappanee, Indiana. She loves spending time with family and friends, including fifty-two nieces and nephews. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, sewing, and reading. Raised near the lovely Swiss city of Berne, Indiana, Swiss is her mother-language. Languages and different dialects are a special interest of hers.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive:
- a set of all 3 books in The Searchers series (US only)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 9, 2019 and lasts through 11:59pm February 4, 2019. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops – and remember to visit the tour each week for more posts.
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Melissa Andres says
January 11, 2019 at 10:24 PMThis sounds like such an interesting series! I like the covers!