An Unexpected Sin Book Tour with Sarah Ballance: Guest Author & Giveaway



7 Surprising Facts about Salem’s Witch Trials

When I first decided to write a story set during the Salem witch trials, I thought I knew a lot of the history. The more I researched, however, the more I realized how wrong I was. I now see the trials—and the Puritans themselves—in a whole new light, and these are just a few of the discoveries that led the way.

1. The worst of the Salem witch trials lasted less than a year. The first stirrings were early in 1692, and the final hanging occurred on September 22 of the same year. Though a few remained accused, they were pardoned by May of 1693.

2. Those who were accused and subsequently confessed were spared, but very few confessed—it was against their faith to do so.

3. None of the so-called witches were burned at the stake. Nineteen were hanged, and one—a man—was pressed to death under the weight of stones.

4. The youngest to be accused was Sarah Good’s four-year-old daughter, Dorcas.

5. One of the accused and executed, George Burroughs, was a Puritan minister.

6. Of the 20 who were executed for practicing witchcraft, six were men.

7. Interestingly, though the Salem witch trials are commonly blamed on hysteria, the word “hysteria” didn’t exist at the time. Its origins date to the 1790s, more than 100 years after Salem’s so-deemed hysteria ended.

What about you? Did you find any of these facts surprising?

The Salem witch trials are marked by horrible acts, but the time also encompassed so much more. For the people who lived this period of history, it was dark and terrifying and real. They feared, but they also loved. My Sins of Salem series attempts to bring those love stories—set against the backdrop of one of the most horrifying times in America’s history—to the forefront. I hope you’ll find them as fascinating as I do!

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Book Title: An Unexpected Sin

Series: Sins of Salem #2

Author: Sarah Balance

Release Date: 4/14/14

Genre: Historical Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book Synopsis:

Salem, Colonial

The moment the stranger’s dark eyes meet hers, Anne Scudder’s world is immediately overthrown by chaos. That single flare of desire is immediate, driving away all notions of propriety. Instead, Anne is consumed with sinful thoughts—ones that no unmarried girl should ever have for a man who isn’t her husband…

But Josiah Cromwell is no stranger.

It’s been six years since Josiah stole kisses from Anne, his best friend’s younger sister. Six years since Josiah left after his best friend’s death, burdened by the knowledge that he was responsible for destroying Anne’s family. Now he’s returned to claim the woman he can’t live without. But even as their desire threatens to consume them both—body and soul—the dark workings of suspicion and witchcraft are afoot.

Because in Salem, too much passion can lead a woman to ruin… and condemned to death.

Author Bio:
Sarah Ballance is a multi-published author of contemporary, historical, and supernatural romance and romantic suspense. She's been married to her own romantic hero for what he calls a "long, long time" (and no, he'll never hear the end of saying that). Together they have six children ... and clearly too much time on their hands. She currently writes for Entangled and has upcoming releases from both Entangled and Samhain Publishing.
 

Author Website: http://sarahballance.com
Author Blog: http://sarahballance.wordpress.com
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahBallance
Author Facebook: http://facebook.com/sarah.ballance.author.news

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