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.

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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?

Interview with Sherry

Do you read books in this genre? If so, who do you like to read?

Christian historical romance is my go-to genre. The only time I read a different genre is if it’s a book written by a writing friend or a critique partner. These are some of my favorite authors to read: Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jamie Ogle, Denise Farnsworth, and Gabrielle Meyers.

What helps you to write? Do you eat snacks, listen to music?

Whenever possible, I love to write outside. In Minnesota, this is usually only possible May through September, but weather permitting, I love to write on my deck, or in my backyard, or at the neighborhood park on the lake. And if I can’t be outside, I love to write by a window. Seeing the outdoors helps open up my thinking. As far as refreshments go, I usually have iced tea or Bubbl’r nearby. (I could drink iced tea 365 days a year.)

If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to?

It’s hard to choose just one I’d like to visit the Eastern frontier in the Carolinas and Tennessee in the late 1700’s through the 1820’s when much of the land was still untamed, and the Cherokee still lived in the area. However, I would also love to go with the artist George Caitlin in the 1830’s when he traveled with First Dragoons on an exploratory mission across the Southern Plains, visiting with numerous tribes and recording their way of life in paint. Going on the Lewis and Clarke Expedition would have been excellent too. All three of these choices feature unspoiled and untamed land that is full of splendor, and opportunities to interact with the tribes, hopefully, as a welcome guest.

What is your favorite hymn and why?

“Come Thou Fount of Many Blessings” is my favorite hymn. I love it because I can imagine my characters singing it. It is a song of redemption and faithfulness. I also appreciate the history behind it. The writer, Robert Robertson, was a seventeen year old troublemaker who attended one of George Whitfield’s sermons in 1757 in order to make fun of him. However, Whitfield’s message struck home and started a spark that three years later, led to Robertson’s conversion to Christianity. Robertson wrote the hymn three years later when he was a pastor.

I also love “Amazing Grace,” partly because it was my grandmother’s favorite hymn, and every time I sing it, I think of her. I also love the history behind it. The writer, John Newton, was the former captain of a slave ship, and he wrote it after he gave his heart to the Lord and repented. He was amazed at the Lord’s grace and mercy.

What inspired you to write this book?

A number of readers who’d read Texas Forsaken longed to read about Eyes-Like-Sky and Dancing Eagle’s love story, so I decided to write the prequel to show how they met and fell in love.