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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Coralee's Compassion


Keli Gwyn here to talk about Coralee Culpepper, the heroine of “A Love Returned” in the Seven Brides for Seven Texans Romance Collection.

If I were to describe Coralee in one word, it would be compassionate. This Southern belle has a heart as big as Texas, which is one of the many things she’s known for—along with her ringlets, of course. The vintage photograph below shows what I imagine her to look like.


Coralee cares for those in her community. She’s a member of Hartville’s Confederate Widows and Orphans Fund committee. She attends meetings and helps raise funds for the CWAOF, but she goes above and beyond those duties.

If Coralee hears that one of the war widows has a need, she takes it upon herself to meet it. She arranges to have meals prepared by her family’s cook delivered to them. Coralee offers the widows work when she can, too, in an effort to provide needed funds while enabling them to maintain their dignity.

In “A Love Returned,” Coralee hires one of the war widows to make baby clothes for a certain little Hart baby that’s on the way. No spoilers here. To find out which brother is soon to be a father, you’ll just have to read the stories in the collection.

Another way Coralee helps the citizens of Hartville is by serving on the committee planning the lavish Christmas Eve Ball. This annual affair was initiated by the matriarch of the Hart family, the late Victoria Hart herself.

At the time “A Love Returned” takes place in 1874, Coralee is helping plan the ball. As she does with anything she undertakes, she gives her all. This kindhearted woman does nothing halfway.

Because of Coralee’s loyalty to her family as well as her to community and the great state of Texas, few people know the depth of her compassion. She harbors a family secret that she promised to keep, and keep it she has, despite great cost to herself.

What Coralee lost is something readers of “A Love Returned” will discover. If you’re like me, your respect for this generous, selfless woman will grow when you do. I’ll give you a hint. It just might have something to do with a certain handsome Hart brother.

Thanks to GW Hart’s edict, his middle son, Sam Houston Hart, is back in Texas. But is Houston home for good? That’s what GW, Houston’s brothers and Coralee wonder. She can’t trust Houston. He left her once, and she fears he could leave again. After all, he still owns the hardware store he started out in California. She’ll just have to keep her distance or risk heartache all over again.

Questions for You
Answer at least one to enter the giveaway.

What organizations or committees--either in your
church or community--do you belong to?

What church or community projects have you participated in,
and which of those projects have brought you the most joy?

The E-x-p-a-n-d-i-n-g Giveaway

Each day this week, I’ll be adding a new item to the prize package, making it BIGGER and better than the one before.

Yesterday’s prize package included three tasty Texas treats: a Texas Millionaire, a Texas Longhorn and a pecan praline along with the first and second books in the three-book Lone Star Cowboy League continuity series from the Love Inspired Historical line that Erica, Gabrielle and I write for: Stand-in Rancher Daddy by Renee Ryan and A Family for the Rancher by Louise M. Gouge.


The winner is Deanna Stevens.
Congratulations, Deanna! Please send me an email me at keligwyn (at) keligwyn (dot) com with your mailing address, and I'll get the package on its way to you.

Today I’m adding the third and final book in the Lone Star Cowboy League series to the prize package. The winner will receive all of the above plus A Rancher of Convenience by Regina Scott—six items in all!



To enter one of my giveaways this week, all you have to do is leave a comment with the answer to one of the questions above by midnight EST. I’ll choose the winner using random.org and will announce the winner’s name in the following day’s post, so be sure to check back to find out who won. (I’ll ask Erica to include Friday’s winner in her Saturday post.)

We’re saving our biggest and best prize for the final post in three weeks, when Erica will announce the winner of our Kindle Fire giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a Kindle Fire loaded with other books written by the authors of the Seven Brides for Seven Texans Romance Collection, including my three Love Inspired Historicals and two by Gabrielle. You can enter the giveaway below, if you haven’t already done so.

34 comments:

  1. This may make me sound like a scrooge, but I've not participated in community activities. I've never really been comfortable in environments like that. I know it sounds bad, but serving my community has never felt natural nor been of much interest! Now if it comes to my church, that's a different story :-) I like serving in whatever capacity is needed.

    However, my husband and son are quite involved in being part of the City Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. They are much more in their element than I am, lol! I think they have the heart of a servant and helping their fellow man. They've been involved with several different city projects & activities over the last 5 or 6 years. They find great joy in it and I support them 100%.

    When I read Coralee's story, I immediately thought of Dorcas in the Bible. How she took care of orphans and widows. I loved the parallel between the two! Such a generous and giving soul :-)

    Thanks for another opportunity to win a great prize pack! I see another Lone Star Cowboy League book in the mix and that makes me excited :-) Such generosity!

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  2. Trixi, you are a very generous person. I've seen how much you support authors, and I'm sure that's just one small part of what you do.

    My questions weren't clear. I'd intended to include both church and community activities, committees, etc. I've updated the post to correct my oversight.

    I love your comparison of Coralee to Dorcas. I hadn't made that connection. I love how readers can see things in my stories that I haven't even seen myself.

    I'm glad you like the giveaways. I had such fun coming up with the prize packages.

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  3. Trixi, I meant to say how wonderful it is to hear about the work your husband and son are doing to help others in your community. It must warm your heart to see that.

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  4. I teach the Ladies Bible Study at my church and it gives me great joy to see how everyone is maturing in the Lord. I used to sing in the choir, until asthma took my breath away. I help out at church however I am physically able, with limited mobility.

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    1. JJ, Bible study leaders are special people. Thanks for all you do to prepare your lessons and bless those in your classes.

      I'm sorry you're dealing with asthma and are unable to sing in your choir now. I'm glad you've found other ways to serve that bring you joy.

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  5. Sadly, I'm not involved in outside projects any longer. Care giving has become a full time activity. I used to be involved in many things at my church before my husband got sick in 2010. Now, I'm a social grinch. I avoid crowds to keep from bringing any bugs home to hubby.

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    1. Andrea, caregivers are special people with hearts of gold. It sounds like you can really relate to Coralee, who is as selfless and generous as you are.

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  6. Hi, Keli - thanks for your interesting post, I'm looking forward to learning more about Coralee and that secret's she hiding.

    Due to health issues, I'm not as involved in my church's organizations and committees as I once was - but used to be involved in everything going on there, sang in the church choir for years, and also played the organ and piano there frequently.

    I also try to conserve strength for duties related to the care of my mother, father, and aunt - all of which have serious health issues, and whom my brother and I (as the only children) are power of attorney.

    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway opportunity!!

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    1. Wow, Bonnie! You're both talented and compassionate. I'm sure you blessed many with your singing and organ and piano playing over the years. And now you're blessing your mother, father and aunt as you care for them. You remind me of Coralee. You have that same kind of selflessness and warmheartedness she does.

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    2. Thanks to random.org, I found out our winner is the person who left the 8th comment. That would be you, Bonnie. Congratulations! I have your address on file and will get your prize package on its way to you soon.

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  7. I love serving in the community-always have. I've been doing something within the community since I was a teenager. Most recently I serve as the secretary of our community Festival of Trees event! It is so exciting to see any event come to fruition after hours and hours of planning and decisions and pulling together. It's even more exciting when you see the light in the communities eyes of happiness, joy, and appreciation. Makes my heart happy.
    Terressa T.

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    1. Terressa, what a fun position you have--Bringer of Smiles. I'm sure those who participate in the Festival of Trees are thankful for the tree-mendous amount of work you put in behind the scenes.

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  8. When I was in youth group the teenagers would go and help the widows clean their yards and houses in the fall. It was such a blessing to help these ladies every fall and get ro know them better

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    1. Kristen, I love hearing about the women you and your youth group have helped. I'm sure you were as blessed by your service as they were.

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  9. I lead a women's Bible study. I've served in women's ministry. Been on a mission trip. I'm reading Coralee's story right now! I'd agree compassionate is a great way to describe her.

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    1. Nancy, you've blessed your body of believers and beyond in many ways. That's wonderful. Where did you go on your mission trip?

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  10. What a wonderful heroine! I loved learning about Coralee's compassion and can't wait to read her story! I am a Sunday school teacher and involved in various church activities. I also volunteer at my children's schools, and I serve on the board of directors of our local county library. I really enjoy helping in my church and in my community.

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    1. Britney, I love hearing about all the ways you serve in your church, your community and your children's schools. Your volunteer activities don't surprise me. I can tell from all you do for authors that you're a kind, generous person.

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  11. For quite a few years I was a mentor to young girls, sort of a Big Brother, Big Sister type of thing. But not with that specific organization. I got married last year and my husband and I took over a family businesses, so haven't had as much time for things like that lately.

    I do volunteer regularly in the church nursery=)

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    1. Patty, mentoring young girls is a great thing. They can use wonderful role models like you. I'm sure you have fun loving on the babies in your church's nursery.

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  12. I don't belong to any organizations nor committees. In time past, I did belong to 2 county genealogy groups. When I would be at the library, I would offer to help visitors find the books which had information that might be helpful in their search. I even met some nice relatives by just being there at the right time.

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    1. Hi, albst nlki I! I'm glad you commented again. Your comment on Monday's post resulted in a giveaway win. I have a prize package full of Texas-themed chocolates waiting for you. I just need a mailing address. If you'll zap it to me at keligwyn (at) keligwyn (dot) com, I'll get it on its way to you.

      What fun to have volunteered in a genealogy library. Helping others discover treasures among the wealth of information must have been so rewarding.

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  13. The activity that brought me the most joy was cleaning and decorating my church for all the holidays.

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    1. Lucy, it sounds like you're both helpful and creative. Love that!

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  14. I was on quite a few organizations and committees at my church then realized it wasn't good for my family. I had felt guilty thinking I needed to be helping in every way - but not at the expense of my family. Now I am not on anything at church but volunteer a few times. It has been a good choice for us for now.

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    1. Susan, there are seasons in life when we have more time to serve outside the home as well as seasons when focusing on our families needs to be a priority. You're wise to realize where your time and energy are most needed right now. There will be plenty of ways to serve when your time to do so is more plentiful.

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  15. I love my church community! My favorite activity most recently was going to some of the local nursing homes to sing carols for/with the residents there! It's so heart warming! Merry Christmas Keli!! rw620 AT aol DOT com

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  16. Robin, singing carols in nursing homes blesses the residents, but it sounds like you're blessed, too. A win-win. =)

    Merry Christmas to you!

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  17. Thank you for the wonderful gifts Keli! I'm sure I will enjoy :)
    I don't belong to any clubs now. I use to sew for babies but my fingers just won't work for that kind of sewing anymore.
    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Deanna, I'm sure you made many wonderful baby things over the years. I'm sorry you're not able to enjoy your sewing now.

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  18. Since we moved to Colorado, we have not joined any groups in the community. We have helped our church with serving meals to people and the food pantry. Our homeschool group also collects food to donate to a local food pantry. :)

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    1. Joy, your heart for the homeless and less fortunate warms mine.

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  19. Thanks to random.org, I found out our winner is the person who left the 8th comment. That would be Bonnie Roof. Congratulations, Bonnie! I have your address on file and will get your prize package on its way to you soon.

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