Shannon here: Historical Romance Author, Darlene Franklin shares the perfect location for a romantic wedding along with an excerpt from her latest Historical Romance, Home Lights Burning. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter Monday’s drawing. Deadline: Oct 13th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Darlene:
Kentucky Dreams by Darlene Franklin
If you’re looking for the perfect destination wedding that feels like you’ve stepped into the past with all of today’s comforts,, try the Ashford Acres Bed and Breakfast in Cynthhianna Kentucky.
Take your time on a trip through Kentucky’s Golden Triangle—Cincinnati (OH. Lexington and Louisville. Park your vehicle at a spot near the South Fork of the Licking River. Listen to the wind whistling through ancient trees and the splash of the river. Imagine the thunderous sounds of buffalo that used to roam the land. Watch for the Lexington Railroad that opened the town. Breathe in the aromas of a successful farming community, of burley tobacco and corn-mash bourbon aged in oaken barrels.
Drive through the town founded a year after Kentucky joined the Union. Picture famous Americans who called Cynthianna home, such as: composer of many rousing marches, John P. Sousa; politician Henry Clay; and orator and politician William Jennings Bryant, among their brightest lights.
Take a turn on Highway 26 East, and an antebellum mansion comes into view: Painted white, with Corinthian columns, stately trees and a spacious veranda. You’ve arrived at Ashford Acres Bed & Breakfast Inn, The owners hope their guests “feel like they are walking into a friend’s home where they can grab a snack or refreshment whenever they want to, … wrap up in a comfortable robe and relax in the sitting room, on the veranda, or in front of the fire.”
Although all five guests suites are completely furnished, they are decorated as differently as the trees they are named for: Garden, Magnolia, Oak, Maple, and Ash.
An assortment of mouth-watering aromas waft through the rooms, from champagne to chocolate, hamburgers to prime rib, picnics to meat and cheese plates It’s no wonder so many couples get married onsite (initial wedding consultation is free) and return for romantic getaways that begin with chilled champagne, chocolate dipped strawberries, and a dozen red roses, The Inn can accommodate groups up to two hundred guests, and the porches, verandas, and sixty acres of rolling Kentucky hillside afford venues for varied tastes.
Check out the Ashford Acres Bed and Breakfast Inn in Cynthianna, Kentucky. You won’t be disappointed.
(a version of this article appeared in On a Mission Magazine)
Excerpt from Home Lights Burning by Darlene Franklin:
CHAPTER 1
Natividad, Colorado, December 4, 1893
Georgina Lord checked her young son one final time, making sure he hadn’t managed to get hands and face dirty in the last five minutes.
Her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Bobina, glanced up from where she was plaiting Marion’s hair. “Perhaps they could take a toy with them. It might keep them occupied while you’re talking with Mr. Jennings about the house.”
“I like staying at the hotel. They make the best breakfastses,” Freddy said. He reached for his head, but Georgina grabbed his hand before he could ruffle his hair again.
“A house will be so much better. You’ll have more room to play.” Georgina also looked forward to enjoying privacy, something she’d missed while they were crowded into the hotel room. But now they expected to be in Natividad perhaps until January—or longer, depending on the weather.
“You’ll like it. I can’t wait to see my room.” Marion flounced in her dress.
“So we truly want Mr. Jennings to like us. Some homeowners are afraid that children will be destructive of
their homes.” Few were like her future sister-in-law, who brought out a box of toys whenever a child crossed her threshold. Remarkable for a woman with no children of her own, although Lord willing, that would change after her marriage.
Bobina accompanied them to the house. “I’m sure you’ll find Mr. Jennings agreeable. He helped me find my cabin when I needed a place after my parents died.” The wind had picked up, and they hurried forward. Georgina carried Freddie. “I wish Holmes could be here this morning.”
Marion skipped ahead, and the wind picked up her skirt and caused her step to falter.
“Be careful.” Slipping on ice was unfortunate; slipping because of high spirits could be avoided.
“I know. But he said the man he hopes will stand up with him at the wedding came in unexpectedly.” Bobina blushed prettily. “He sent a messenger to tell me.”
Georgina was a little surprised that he hadn’t told her. It was probably no one she knew.
“Uncle Holmes is already here. That’s his horse.” Freddy squirmed out of his mother’s arms and dashed the few feet during a lull in the wind.
“Did he tell you he was meeting us here?” Bobina asked.
“I didn’t even tell him what the address was.”
Bobina knocked. A stocky man wearing a carpenter’s belt and a smile on his face opened the door. “Why, Miss Crawford, what brings you here today? I know you’re not looking for a house. No sir, not with that beautiful home awaiting you on your wedding.”
“No, but my friend needs a place to let for a few weeks. I thought of this house.”
“Where are my manners? Come in, ladies, come in.”
Instead of checking out the house for suitability, Georgina glanced around for her brother. Men’s voices came from the other room, and two children appeared in the doorway—Indian children.
“Look, Ma! It’s very nice.” Marion’s face fell. “but there are already people living here.”
Mr. Jennings wrung his hands. “I only wish you had spoken to me earlier, Miss Crawford. Your brother just asked about the house for someone else. Ah, good, here the gentlemen come.”
Georgina didn’t have time to worry about why her brother hadn’t asked on her behalf, or where she would live. Not when she recognized the man accompanying her him.
Leonard Jacob Grover. Like the patriarch, he had left their hometown many years ago and hadn’t returned.
About Darlene: Best-selling Amazon and ECPA author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she continues to write from a nursing home. She keeps going because God keeps giving her more assignments. She’s written more than fifty-five fiction and nonfiction books, including Pray Through the Bible in a Year and Of Cash and Cats in Love Comes on Kitten Paws. Check out a complete list of my books at https://amzn.to/2Lv3Gaa and keep up with me online at Darlene’s Facebook.
About the book – Home Light’s Burning:
Georgina Lord hasn’t seen Leonard Grover since the day her father banned him from the house because he had Indian blood.
A dozen years, two marriages, four children, and two deaths later, Georgina and Leonard meet again as her brother’s wedding approaches.
The old sparks soon fly, but has Georgina truly accepted Leonard’s heritage, as well as that of his children? And can Leonard rediscover his first love for Christ? The holly and the ivy will help them learn how.
Question for Readers: Are you ready for Christmas? Why or why not?
Come back Oct 9th for Anne Greene!
not yet but getting there! just a fe more gifts to buy.
Christmas to a lot of people means receiving and getting gifts.
Jesus came into the world as a gift to mankind.
We don’t give gifts because we want to focus on Jesus and Him alone.
I’m ready to get the festivities going. I would say I’m starting to get ready. I love Christmas lights and snowfall, the day after Christmas, I’m ready for summer.