Romancing History

Semi-Trucks in the Nineteenth Century? Who knew!

I’m excited to welcome friend and fellow historical romance author, Cynthia Roemer, back to Romancing History. Cynthia’s new release, Under Moonlit Skies released this week and I persuaded her to come back and share some of the history behind her novel. Cynthia has also graciously offered an eBook copy of Under Moonlit Skies to one lucky commenter. See below for giveaway details.


First, here’s a little bit about her new release:

Under Moonlit Skies (Prairie Sky Series, Book 3)

Her life was planned out ~ until he rode in.

Illinois prairie ~ 1859

After four long years away, Esther Stanton returns to the prairie to care for her sister Charlotte’s family following the birth of her second child. The month-long stay seems much too short as Esther becomes acquainted with her brother-in-law’s new ranch hand, Stewart Brant. When obligations compel her to return to Cincinnati and to the man her overbearing mother intends her to wed, she loses hope of ever knowing true happiness.

Still reeling from a hurtful relationship, Stew is reluctant to open his heart to Esther. But when he faces a life-threatening injury with Esther tending him, their bond deepens. Heartbroken when she leaves, he sets out after her and inadvertently stumbles across an illegal slave-trade operation, the knowledge of which puts him, as well as Esther and her family, in jeopardy.

Under Moonlit Skies is available from these retailers:

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     BookBub

 


Semi-Trucks in the Nineteenth Century? Who knew!

One of my favorite aspects of writing historical novels is the research involved. I love learning about the past. While researching for my newest release, Under Moonlit Skies, I stumbled upon a bit of history in my own state that I wasn’t aware existed.

At the onset of Under Moonlit Skies, my heroine, Esther Stanton, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, was visiting her sister, Charlotte, in Illinois following the birth of her second child. I needed a viable route that she might have traveled between the two locations in 1859. I found the perfect solution when I discovered the First National Road (Cumberland Road) stagecoach route extended from Cumberland Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois!

To find out more, my husband and I took a day trip to Vandalia and visited the First National Road Interpretive Center. What a wealth of information we gleaned there. Two interesting tidbits of information in particular really stuck with me as I perused the exhibits. I had seen and heard of Conestoga wagons, but I had never heard them referred to as the semi-trucks of the nineteenth century!

Much like the semi-tractor trailers of today, it seems the Conestoga wagon’s sole purpose was to transport supplies. Filled to the brim with everything from household goods, to ammunition, to building materials, the hefty wagons—weighing more than a ton—were an invaluable aid in the westward expansion. They carried no passengers and had no place for even the driver to sit. Instead, he walked alongside or stood on a side board while guiding the team.

The other fun fact I enjoyed learning had to do with the story behind the saying, “I’ll be there with bells on.” It seems many a Conestoga wagon driver fitted a personalized string of bells across their horses’ harnesses. The bells served as decoration and alerted travelers the wagon was approaching. They were also useful in keeping track of horses after dark once they had been turned loose for the night.

But the most interesting reason for the bells came in the fact that when a breakdown occurred with the wagon—which was often the case—the driver generally offered one of his prized bells to a person who was kind enough to aid him on his way. If the journey was a difficult one, most, if not all, of his bells would be gone. It brought him great satisfaction, however, if he arrived at his destination with his bells intact. Thus the hopeful saying, “I’ll be there with bells on” was born.

If you’re interested in learning more, I invite you to visit my blog post: Discovering the First National Road (https://cynthiaroemer.com/discovering-the-first-national-road/)


About the Author

Cynthia Roemer is an award-winning inspirational author with a heart for scattering seeds of hope into the lives of readers. Raised in the cornfields of rural Illinois, Cynthia enjoys spinning tales set in the backdrop of the 1800s prairie. Her Prairie Sky Series consists of Amazon Best-Seller Under This Same Sky, Under Prairie Skies, and Under Moonlit Skies, releasing September 10, 2019. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes from her family farm in central Illinois where she resides with her husband of twenty-five years and two college-aged sons. Visit Cynthia online at: www.cynthiaroemer.com

Authors love to connect with readers. You can find Cynthia on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. Be the first to find out about new releases and other interesting tidbits regarding her writing journey by signing up for her newsletter here.


Giveaway

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ***

Congratulations to Betsy T, the winner of Under Moonlit Skies!!

Cynthia has graciously offered to giveaway** an eBook copy of Under Moonlit Skies to one lucky commenter below. To enter the drawing, please share what you would miss the most if you lived in Illinois during the mid-nineteeth century.

**Giveaway ends at midnight, September 18, 2019.**

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25 Comments

  1. Cynthia, your book sounds wonderful! I think if I lived back then I’d miss indoor plumbing most. I’ve lived without it two weeks on a mission trip and boy was I glad to use a regular toilet again! Congratulations on your release!

    • romancinghistory

      Hi Deena, I totally agree when it comes to the indoor plumbing! Great minds….

    • Two weeks without indoor plumbing is truly a sacrifice!! You’re a brave soul! LOL! Thanks so much, Deena! I hope you’ll be blessed if you have the opportunity to read my Prairie Sky Series!

  2. Connie Porter Saunders

    I would certainly miss “indoor plumbing” and the appliances that make my life easier. And yes, I would definitely miss technology!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

    • romancinghistory

      Hi Connie, Welcome to Romancing History!! Agreed about the indoor plumbing. I know sometimes I even wonder if I could survive without my dishwasher. LOL! Good luck in the giveaway!

    • Hi Connie! Indoor plumbing seems the top one on the list for most of us to miss! Thanks for stopping by to read and enter. God bless!

  3. Betsy T

    I would miss indoor plumbing the most.

    • romancinghistory

      Hi Betsy, I think that most of us agree on that one! Thanks for visiting the post and good luck in the drawing!

    • Hi Betsy! Yes. I so agree! A wonderful invention!! Thanks for entering the giveaway!

  4. Constance Carpenter

    I honestly don’t know if 2019 me would have mid it in mid-19th Century. I am sure if I was born in it and grew up that way. I do know that I would miss technology. I would miss my massive county library 🙂

    This is fascinating. I love the research that went into it!

    • romancinghistory

      Hi Constance, Welcome to Romancing History! I understand exactly what you mean. My hubby says I might like to read and write about the 19th century but neither of thinks I’d last very long. I think it would be cool to go on one of those reality TV shows where you lived a nineteenth century lifestyle for a few months. I’m sure I’d appreciate my dishwasher, air conditioning, car and indoor plumbing a whole lot more! Good luck in the drawing!

    • Hi Constance! Yes. A library of books is something we take for granted nowadays. Books were were a rare luxury on the prairie. Thanks for your insights and kind words! Blessings!

  5. Kathy Bailey

    Cynthia, love this, I’ve always been fascinated by the freighters, the men and women who moved the goods across this great country. Best of luck with your new release.
    Kathy Bailey

    • Thanks so much, Kathy! They were a brave, hard-working lot. I have the utmost respect for people of that era. The best to you in the giveaway!

    • romancinghistory

      Hi Kathy, Agreed. That must have been lonely, back-breaking work. Thanks for stopping by!

  6. Peg J Ribble

    I love your books Cynthia. I have always loved historical romance but wouldn’t have wanted to live in that time, lol. I would miss running water IN the house the most!! 🙂

    • romancinghistory

      Hi Peg, Thanks for visiting Romancing History. I hear you loud and clear. I’m sure I romanticize things quite a bit. Hubby says I might like to read about Caroline Ingalls but I wouldn’t last long in her little house on the prairie! LOL! Good luck in the drawing!

    • Hi Peg! Great to see you here! I would definitely miss indoor plumbing!! Thanks so much for your kind words! God bless!

  7. Linda Shenton matchett

    What a fascinating post. I knew about the wagons but not the bells. I love those kind of tidbits about where expressions come from. Congratulations on your release.

    • romancinghistory

      Hi Linda, I agree those little details make reading historical fiction/romance all the more fun! Thanks for stopping by.

    • Thanks so much, Linda! I love learning about the past as I research my novels. Hope you are blessed by my Prairie Sky Series should you have the opportunity to read it! The best to you in the Giveaway!

  8. Paula Marie

    Thanks, this looks really good! I would miss my smartphone for sure🙃

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