A little nostalgia, a lot of fun, and an invitation to join today’s online treasure hunt
Some of my best teenage memories involve a church van, a Polaroid camera, and a youth group leader with entirely too much energy and not nearly enough fear of public embarrassment. He was the kind of adult who thought dropping a group of teenagers at the local mall with a scavenger hunt list was a perfectly reasonable Friday night. Honestly, he was right.
The list was never easy. Find a stranger wearing pink shoes and take a photo with every member of the group wearing them. Pose with someone as though they were a celebrity — convincingly enough that a passerby might actually believe it. The hard part was never just finding the item. It was finding a willing stranger, then finding someone else willing to take the picture before the moment fell apart. We were loud and awkward and completely sincere, and somehow adults around us seemed to understand we were there for fun and not for trouble. Those were good days.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The scavenget hunt does not officially begin until 2:00pm EST. You’ll need to come back then to find the rest of the clues. The lantern is NOT the one in the top image. Be sure to read all the details for each post carefully to obtain all the clues!
What Would a Scavenger Hunt Have Looked Like 250 Years Ago?
Of course, if we had tried that same adventure in 1776, things would have gone a little differently. Finding someone wearing pink shoes in a colonial village where shoes were hand-cobbled and came in roughly two colors: brown and also brown, would have been challenging. Pose with a celebrity? Your option would likely have been a man in a powdered wig who may or may not be a founding father, and who almost certainly did not have time for your nonsense. And the camera? You would have been standing there with a painted portrait artist, a twelve-minute wait, and a very unamused subject. The church van would have been a hay wagon. The mall would have been a dry goods store. And your youth group leader would have been considered dangerously eccentric.
We have it easy, is what I’m saying.
We may not be able to get back our teenage years but nothing stops us from being young at heart and having some good, clean fun.
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Today’s Hunt Is Online — and a Lot Easier on Everyone
Fast forward to now, and scavenger hunts have moved to the internet where no strangers are inconvenienced and no hay wagons are required. Today I’m participating in the America 250 Author Hop, a celebration of this country’s 250th anniversary with a group of Christian fiction authors who love their readers and love a good time.
Here is what you need to know. Somewhere in my blog post today, I have hidden a small graphic of a period-appropriate lit lantern. It is tucked in plain sight (but it is NOT the one you see in the large cover image) but small enough to make you look, yet not so hidden that you will be here until next week. Find it, leave a comment right here on this blog post to let me know you spotted it, then head over to my Facebook page and comment “I FOUND IT!” on one of the three posts (or all 3, if you want to increase your chances of winning a $10 Amazon gift card).
TO ENTER: Find the image, leave a comment here on this blog post (keep scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page) to let me know you spotted it, then head over to my Facebook page and comment “I FOUND IT!” on one of my America 250 Anniversary posts.
Here’s What’s Waiting for You on My Facebook Page
Once you’re there, here is what you will find. A giveaway open to anyone who comments on all three of my posts. Make sure you visit each one: 1) The Discerning God’s Best Bundle sale for just $0.99 post — four full-length stories of faith, romance, and redemption set in 1800s America. 2) A free reader gift waiting for every new newsletter subscriber, because I believe in rewarding people who show up. AND 3) information on where to go for the next clue in the scavenger hunt.
The hop runs on July, 2, 2026, from 2 – 7 p.m. EST (but feel free to keep playing if you missed that cut off). Come find me on Facebook, find the lantern on this post and COMMENT below, grab the limited time $.99 deal (UK link), and then follow the link in my third post to visit the next author in the hop.
We may not be able to get back our teenage years — and most of us would not want to — but there is absolutely nothing stopping us from being young at heart and having some good, clean fun while we’re at it.
Now go find that lantern (on this page but not the one in the header image) and leave a comment below…as in WAAAAYYY down…yep, keep scrolling…you’re almost there…
THEN…be sure to go back to my Facebook Page to get the link to the next HOP on the scavenger hunt.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The scavenget hunt does not officially begin until 2:00pm EST. You’ll need to come back then to find the rest of the clues. The lantern is NOT the one in the top image. Be sure to read all the details for each post carefully to obtain all the clues!
I found it.
Not giving away the spot.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!
(not sure Anne Perrault’s link is working as most people are stalled on her link, can it be fixed?)
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
found it
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it
Well done!! If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I see a lantern in the graphic for 2 free books when you sign up
Thank you. Be sure to head over to https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill at 2:00 pm EST to keep playing and enter ALL the author giveaways!
Now head over to https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill and find the 3 posts and comment on each before heading over to the next author.
Great NL Heidi!!!! Lisa M. PrysockUSA Today Bestselling, Award-Winning, Christian Historical & Contemporary Romance Author http://www.LisaPrysock.comEmail: RandLPrysock@aol.comBooks by Lisa M. PrysockAn Arrangement with the HeiressUnpretentious Lady JaneThe Mercenary & the LadyThe Englishman & the NovelistLove in BloomTo Find a Duchess, 15th Anniversary Edition, AnnotatedHannah\’s Garden: a Turn of the Century Love Story, The Victorian Christian Heritage Series, Coming of Age Romance, Volume 1Abigail\’s Melody, The Victorian Christian Heritage Series, The Victorian Christian Heritage Series, Coming of Age Romance, Volume 2The Redemption of Lady GeorgianaProtecting Miss JennaPersecution & ProvidenceArise Warrior Princess, DevotionalThe ShoemakerGeneva: Garden of Joy, Brides of Grace Hill, Vol. 1Dreams of Sweetwater River, Whispers in WyomingMarry Me Katie, Whispers in Wyoming
Thank you, Lisa!
I see the lantern in the free two books picture.
Well done. Head over to https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill to find all 3 posts and comment before moving on to the next author.
I found it and subscribed!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Thanks for describing life in 1776. Found small lantern.
Thank you. Now head over to https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill and comment on all three posts from today to enter.
I found a lantern and not the large one.
Excellent. Now head over to my FB page and comment on each of the 3 posts from today to enter! https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill
Perfect. Now head over to https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill and find the 3 posts, then comment on each before heading over to the next author.
I found it!
Thank you!! Have fun!
I found the little lantern
If you haven’t already done so, head over to https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill and find and comment on the three posts to complete the challenge before heading on the next author.
I found the lantern.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill and find and comment on the three posts to complete the challenge before heading on the next author.
Yes I see the lantern on the free book post!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!!!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found the lantern on the first try.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Could not find where to leave the note as to the lantern in the two free books graphic so I hope this works for you.
You’ll find the place to leave it on my Facebook posts, so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found the lantern.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I.foumd it.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
This has been a fun treasure hunt thanks
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found the lantern.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it! Very creative!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I spotted the lantern!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I spotted it!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it. Already subscribed.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it but goodness gracious I didn’t see the cutoff time until now (10:30est). Oh well, as my dad used to say “You are always a day late and a dollar short!!” lol Thanks for the fun!!
There are still SO many people playing that we aree keeping it open longer. If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it
We’ve kept the hunt open. If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found the lantern!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it, I am a subscriber already.
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it! Not sure if I’m too late?
Not too late! We had so many still hunting, we kept it open. If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
Found it! Under the two free books!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!
I found it!
Still trying to figure out the game!
If you haven’t already done so, head over to my Facebook page, then find and comment on the three challenge posts before continuing on to the next author. And while you’re there, I’d be so grateful if you’d click the Follow button so we can stay connected for future book news, giveaways, and encouragement!