Abbey Downey: Spotlight on An Uncharted Dream & a Giveaway
I hope you enjoy this post by Historical Romance author Abbey Downey about her new release, An Uncharted Dream. Be sure to comment below by July 8 for a chance to win your book of choice from Abbey’s Adventurous Hearts series. (Paperback or ebook; US resident only)
Like all of my books, An Uncharted Dream is based on stories of real women who courageously pursued their passions in a time when females were not accepted into those areas. This book, rather than being inspired by one woman like the others in the Adventurous Hearts series, came from the story of a group of women who were excluded from recognition simply because they were women. While men from the very same expeditions were invited to join the renowned Explorers Club based in New York City, these women ended up creating their own club after being rejected by other organizations. In fact, the Explorers Club didn’t accept or recognize the contributions of females until 1981.
In 1925, Marguerite Harrison, Blair Niles, Gertrude Emerson Sen, and Gertrude Shelby formed the Society of Women Geographers to unite females who had been exploring the world alongside males for decades already. Like these women, my heroine, Leonora Thornton, has a dream of learning about and experiencing the world, and a passion for helping others do the same. After her father’s tragic death on an expedition, Leonora starts a co-ed club in Milwaukee for anyone interested in the same things she is. Along with her lifelong best friend, Marcus Turner, Leonora then goes on an adventure that upends her idea of how her life would go.
I dedicated this book to all the girls who had childhood dreams of being Indiana Jones, like I did. While many of us cherished fond dreams inspired by those big-screen adventures, real-life careers in history and archeology are nothing like that. The same can be true in our everyday lives, can’t it? We build up a vision of what marriage, parenthood, or a certain career might be like and are sorely disappointed when our fantasy turns out to be just that.
I wrote An Uncharted Dream with that sort of situation in mind. Leonora has high expectations for what will happen when she finally overcomes her fear and embarks on an adventure like her father did before his death. She has built up a belief that if going on an expedition is God’s will for her, it will go perfectly and without a hitch.
But that’s not how it turns out for Leonora, and that’s not how it usually turns out for us. John 16:33 tells us that we will have trouble in this world. Not might but will. However, the good news is that God is over all of it. He has it under control in all those moments in life when we don’t. That’s why we can put our hope in Him, even when hope in the situation seems lost. Leonora and Marcus learn that in this story, and it’s a great reminder for us, too.
I hope that if you choose to pick up An Uncharted Dream, you’ll be encouraged by the way God sustains Leonora and Marcus even as they face struggles that seem hopeless in the moment. I hope you’ll enjoy the historical details of life as an explorer over a hundred years ago. And most of all, I hope seeing Leonora and Marcus grow in their faith through the story will help yours grow, too. Happy reading!
I love your post, Abbey. Your words about trouble in this world and God being over all of it is so spot on and relevant. Your book sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing on the blog this week. God bless you as you continue to write stories for His glory.
Visit the #HopefilledFiction blog and leave a comment on Abbey Downey’s spotlight by 7/8 for a chance to win a book in her Adventurous Hearts series. (US only) #giveaway
TweetJoin the conversation. Are you a Historical Fiction fan? Does Abbey’s book sound like a story you’d like to read? What questions or comments do you have for Abbey?
Be sure to comment below by July 8 for a chance to win your book of choice from Abbey’s Adventurous Hearts series. (US resident only)
An Uncharted Dream – Book Three in the Adventurous Hearts series
Click the book cover for purchase link
An explorer in search of answers, a determined protector, and an expedition that could cost them everything…
Leonora Thornton always envisioned following in her father’s footsteps—exploring the world and chasing adventure. But after his tragic death, she can’t get past the debilitating fear…until she meets an explorer who promises to take her on his expedition to the very place where her father died.
Marcus Turner knows a con man when he sees one, and after years of hiding his family’s shameful financial situation, he won’t let anyone he cares about be swindled again. Especially not Leonora, his longtime best friend and the woman he secretly loves. Joining the expedition, Marcus embarks on a mission to protect Leonora from the swindler, no matter the cost.
When betrayal leaves them stranded far from their destination, Leonora and Marcus must determine if they can rely on God—or each other.
Click each book cover to learn more about book one and book two in the Adventurous Hearts series.
Abbey Downey started writing inspirational romance stories during naptime when her kids were babies and found she couldn’t stop. Abbey is the author of the Adventurous Hearts series from Wild Heart Books. She also works with Spark Flash Fiction producing a quarterly digital magazine that contains love stories under 1000 words.  
A life-long Midwestern girl, Abbey lives in central Indiana with her husband, two kids, and one rather enthusiastic beagle. She loves watching her kids play sports and fixing up a 1900 farmhouse with her husband.
Please share Abbey’s spotlight on social media to help spread the word about her new release!
If you missed Robin Patchen’s spotlight last week, FIND IT HERE.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
33 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Gina Hayward, the winner of Abbey’s book! Please follow the instructions in your email to claim your prize! Thanks to all who read Abbey’s post and engaged in conversation.
Amanda
I like the cover of An Uncertain Road best—it’s the blue and the old car that really draw me in. An Uncharted Dream is a close second. Both covers hint at adventure and discovery, which I love in historical fiction.
Deena Adams
Great choice, Amanda! My favorite color is blue, and I love the old car too. 🙂
Brenda Murphree
I love the covers of these books. Sounds interesting and I would love to win one.
Deena Adams
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Brenda. Good luck!
Angela Laird
I can’t wait to read these! New to me author, but I just got all 3 on Kindle Unlimited!
Deena Adams
That’s awesome, Angela! Happy reading!
Gina Hayward
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres! All of the books in this series looks great and their covers are awesome! I like how they are based on real-life women!
Deena Adams
I agree on all accounts, Gina! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Teresa Warner
New author and series for me, sounds good!
Deena Adams
I’m so glad you’re interested in Abbey’s books, Teresa. I hope you get to read them!
Emma
I like historical fiction. This series sounds very good. I like that your books are based on real women.
Deena Adams
Thanks for joining the conversation, Emma!
Kathy Bailey
Abbey, this looks interesting. We will never know what our “foremothers” had to do to be allowed to exercise their talents.
Deena Adams
Thanks for joining the conversation, Kathy!
Abbey
They certainly had to fight in a lot of areas we take for granted now! I especially love the stories of women who didn’t make it a big deal, but just quietly pursued what they loved and ended up paving the way for other women.
Sharon Kirby
I’m intrigued by this new-to-me author.
Deena Adams
Yay, Sharon! I’m happy to introduce you to a new-to-you author!
Diana Hardt
It sounds like a really intersting book. Thank you for sharing.
Deena Adams
You’re welcome, Diana. Thanks for reading!
Danielle Hull
Historical fiction is my favorite! I listened to the first two books in this series, and they are wonderful! I wish I had read them sooner. Abbey and I both live in Indiana, so I hope we can meet one day!
Deena Adams
Thanks for sharing your positive thoughts on Abbey’s first two books in this series, Danielle!
Abbey
Hi Danielle 👋 I hope we can meet sometime, too. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you a little through this book launch.
Lori R
I like that your books are based on real women.
Deena Adams
Thanks for your comment, Lori!
Debbie Williams
I love historical fiction! This series sounds wonderful! I love Abbey’s comments about this book and her writing. I look forward to reading all of these.
Thanks for sharing, Deena!
Deena Adams
Thanks for reading Abbey’s post and commenting, Debbie!
Abbey
It makes the research and writing a little trickier to use real history rather than fully fictional places and events, but I absolutely love being able to point out that my stories are fiction but there were real women doing this!
Abbey
Deena, thanks so much for having me today!
Deena Adams
My pleasure, Abbey!
Patty
I am definitely a historical fiction fan, but I’m not familiar with Abbey’s writing. I think it might be interesting to go back in time, but only for a brief period. I would definitely miss the conveniences of our modern age.
Kelly V.
I love historical fiction, and this definitely sounds like a book I’d like to read!
Deena Adams
I hope you get to read Abbey’s books, Kelly! Thanks for stopping by.