Pat Wahler's Blog, page 2

What’s Your Favorite?

#writers #research #craftbooks

After many months of reading, research, and writing, in a few days I’ll finish the first draft of my current work-in-progress. I suppose it’s technically more than a first draft since I’ve spent time going back to polish and tweak earlier chapters. My major dilemma is there are so many fascinating things about this character, it’s hard not to include all of them. I’ll have tough choices to make when I go over the manuscript.

Here’s another image from my research trip. This is Sissy, the sweet and helpful co-tour director, who bounded all over the grounds with me and tagged along as I traipsed through the house. She pointed out all her favorite areas, had a marvelous attitude, and her fees are quite reasonable. She doesn’t accept tips – only belly rubs. Don’t you love her smile?

Now on to other news. Recently, I wrote an article for the Saturday Writers’ newsletter. It’s geared toward writers, but I’m sharing it here because I think the topic is interesting for anyone who enjoys a well-written book.

If I’ve forgotten your favorite, please do us all a favor and mention it in the comments!

My Six Favorite Writing Craft Books 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there are probably a few hundred tomes that have been published on writing. The choices can be overwhelming, so I’d like to make the decision a tad easier. Here are the books I can personally recommend as enlightening, entertaining, and useful.

Everyone has a favorite writing book. Will yours make my list?

On Writing by Stephen King. Don’t expect to be scared silly. This isn’t horror, it’s the Big Kahuna of memoir/writing books. I read On Writing years ago, and can honestly say King’s work is the one that inspired me to believe writing wasn’t only a foolish dream. I’m not alone. Published in 2000, this little opus has sold more than 350 million copies. If you haven’t read On Writing yet, what are you waiting for? Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Oh, the angst of writing. Lamott explores the ups and downs that happen to every writer, especially when real life problems get in the way of progress. I recognize myself in many of the topics she tackles, and her talent at turning lemons into lemonade with wry humor is what I love most about reading her work. Be forewarned: Lamott writes in a gritty style and never hesitates to use salty language. Naked, Drunk, and Writing by Adair Lara. The title alone was enough to sell me on this one, and clearly shows Lara has a great sense of humor. This book helped me learn to think about essays in ways I hadn’t considered before. For anyone interested in writing memoir or personal essay, this is a most worthwhile read.Super Structure by James Scott Bell. I am a definite planner, and I merrily underlined many of Bell’s suggestions. He claims his method of structuring works equally well for plotters (like me) as well as pantsers (those who like to write by the seat of their pants). Bell has written a number of craft books, but this one is by far my favorite.Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook by Helen Sedwick. While not quite as entertaining as some of my other choices, this is a must-have if you are considering self-publishing. Sedwick has over thirty years of legal experience, and although laws in each state are different, she does an excellent job at giving an overall view of items such as copyright, taxes, collaborations, and dealing with contractors. She also writes in a down-to-earth way that is highly readable.Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi’s Thesaurus series. Ackerman and Puglisi have created a fabulous library of books that are indispensable for writers. Do you need ideas on how to show your character is frightened? Check out The Emotion Thesaurus. Want to realistically paint a country scene? Try The Rural Setting Thesaurus. How can you add a few flaws to a character? Check out The Negative Trait Thesaurus. There are seven books in the series, and guess what? I own every one of them.

Now that I’ve given you a few starter ideas, don’t procrastinate. We’re in the dog days of summer, so grab a book that adds to your knowledge base, layer on the sunblock, and read while you sip a margarita. Doesn’t that sound like a delightful way for any writer to end the hot and sweaty summer season?

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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Award Winner, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also the author of an award-winning contemporary romance series, The Becker Family Novels, and a Readers’ Favorite holiday-themed story collection, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.

A Teaser and a People Pleaser

#summertime #books #historicalfiction

What have you been up to in 2021?

I continue to move forward, ever-so-slowly, on my work-in-progress. Since I’ve been silent on the particulars, I thought it might be fun to throw out a teaser or two. (Fun for me, anyway, LOL!)

Writing a novel based in history is time-consuming. It takes me well over a year to research and get words on paper – and that’s not counting edits. Given this lengthy process, it makes sense to find a character I’ll enjoy spending time with. Someone who doesn’t bore me. I searched several possibilities for this book until one jumped out and didn’t let go. This gal grabbed my attention faster than a mosquito bite. I couldn’t resist her – a multi-talented powerhouse who achieved endless accomplishments.

As I followed the course of her life, I realized she also witnessed several important points in American history. Horse and carriage days that gave way to motorcars. The fight for suffrage. A global pandemic. Two World Wars. Mentioning these events merely scratches the surface of what it took to understand this globe-trotting woman of the world. In April, I took a research trip to her home (not telling where yet) and the visit reinforced my desire to write about a fascinating individual.

I hope these tiny crumbs have you as intrigued about her as I’ve been. I’m looking forward to sharing more in the coming weeks.

WE INTERRUPT THIS POST FOR A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT… 

Saturday, July 17, I’ll be doing my first live book signing in well over a year. I’m thrilled to pieces and hope you can stop by 6 North Café 14438 Clayton Road, Ballwin, anytime between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

6 North Café is a locally owned family business offering scrumptious food and drinks. It’s a great place to eat and enjoy a cuppa or two. Hope to see you there!

NOW BACK TO OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING… 

Onward to a favorite recipe… and a definite people pleaser. This gem is a perennial hit for summer, especially when the sun is so darn hot, the parking lot asphalt softens like putty.

This recipe came to me years ago from a friend. Preparation is fast and chef-friendly, with practically no measuring, chopping, or complicated steps. At my house it’s hubby-approved and perfect for days when you can’t bear the idea of turning on an oven. Hubby loves the stuff so much he fills a bowl and devours it for dinner.

Beth’s Bean Salad (Note: This recipe is for a single batch, but I always double it)

2 cans black beans, rinsed

1 can Rotel (If doubling recipe I use one can original and one can mild-2 cans of original will really kick up the spice)

1 can Mexicorn, drained (or regular sweet corn, drained)

1 onion, chopped

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp  olive oil

1 tsp red hot pepper sauce

Whisk together red wine vinegar, olive oil, and pepper sauce.  Add remaining ingredients and stir. Make this at least a day in advance for flavors to blend, and keep the bean salad refrigerated.

Could anything be simpler? Enjoy!

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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Award Winner, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also author of an award-winning contemporary romance series, the Becker Family Novels, and Let Your Heart Be Light, a Readers’ Favorite collection of Christmas-themed short stories.

Calling all bargain hunters! On a City Street, Book 1 of the Becker Family Novels, is currently available in eBook version for only $1.99 or FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Please Freeze First

#Twinkies #snacks

In case you wonder what happened to me (it’s been more than two months since my last post-yikes), I’m scrambling to finish the first draft of my latest historical novel. The heroine is another woman from Missouri, and I think you’re going to love her as much as I do. More on this soon.

As if that weren’t enough to occupy me, I’m at the Historical Novel Society annual conference this week, and wow! There’s hardly time to take a potty break, let alone do a blog post.

Given all that’s going on, I thought I’d replay a popular post from a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it!

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The grocery store isn’t my favorite place to be. Yet it’s one of those chores which must be done every week whether I like it or not. Sort of like laundry, picking up dog poo in the backyard, and counting the reasons I don’t have time to clean out the basement. As in most homes, grocery shopping is a task that usually falls to the woman of the house. On the bright side, at least I don’t find weird things in the bags like herring in cream sauce or Tabasco-coated beef jerky when I unpack them.

My shopping process is to put on blinders when I reach the “sweets” aisle. I’m not good with temptation, so a few weeks ago the blinders slipped and something caught my eye.  Strawberry filled Twinkies? This was something new. I didn’t buy them, but I did do a search, and discovered that over time, good ole’ Twinkies have become quite versatile. Here’s a quick look at what I mean.

Cream-filled yumminess. (Pixabay)

The filled sponge cakes were originally created in 1930 by James Alexander Dewar. At first they were filled with banana cream, but (thankfully in my view) he changed the filling to vanilla during the banana rationing of World War II. Dewar dubbed his creation Twinkies after seeing a billboard in St. Louis advertising Twinkle Toe Shoes, another story altogether. He put two Twinkies in an airtight package and sold them for a nickel. People couldn’t get enough of them.

Over the years, Twinkies continued to prove their popularity, so when Hostess filed for bankruptcy in 2012, a near panic ensued. No more Twinkies? Impossible. Shoppers raided the remaining retail supplies while ambitious cooks attempted to recreate the recipe with little success. Fortunately, nine months later, Hostess emerged from bankruptcy, and Twinkies were back on store shelves. “Thank goodness,” muttered Twinkie-lovers everywhere.

Ever since, the tasty treats have undergone a number of new incarnations. Each year special limited edition flavors are introduced. These have included gems like fudge-covered Twinkies, along with the delicious fun of new fillings such as peppermint, peanut butter, cotton candy, and pumpkin spice. (Is there any food on earth that doesn’t have a fall pumpkin spice flavor?)

A particular favorite of mine is the deep-fried Twinkie. Don’t knock it ’til you try it, but if you decide to drag out the deep fryer, here’s a tip from me to you. Freeze the Twinkies before dipping them in batter and frying. Trust me on this. Freeze them or be prepared to eat Twinkie mush.

Freeze them first. (Wikipedia)

Did you know these tasty little cakes have even slipped into our cultural sensibility?

There’s the Twinkie defense – a term for an improbable defense claim, sort of like “eating too many sweets made me do it”. Or the theological Twinkie – spiritually empty calories. And don’t forget the urban legend of Twinkie’s shelf life.

Take note: Twinkies do not, in fact, last forever. Forty-five days in an unopened package is about it.

All of this has given me a new respect for Twinkies – no matter what the dictionary says – and I quote: “Twinkie: a slang term for a person or thing who looks interesting or physically attractive but has little value or worth.” Ouch! I’m sorry, but a Twinkie is more than a valueless little snack cake, isn’t it?

In fact, I’m more on board with the Hostess Twinkie slogan. They are “a big delight in every bite”.

For your viewing pleasure, I’ll end this Twinkie-loving post with a vintage Twinkie commercial. Enjoy!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmbelzVP0x4

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Pat Wahler is winner of Western Fictioneer’s Best Novel of 2018 and the Walter Williams Award for her debut novel, I AM MRS. JESSE JAMES. She is also author of an award-winning contemporary romance series, the BECKER FAMILY NOVELS, and a Reader’s Choice Favorite Christmas collection, LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT: A CELEBRTION OF CHRISTMAS.

7 Things I Learned From the Pandemic

No one who lived through the past year will be likely to forget it. A time when fear, sadness, and panic became our constant companions. Anxiety levels amped to stratospheric heights. A person had to practically be on tranquilizers to watch the evening news. The world as we knew it disappeared.

It’s only been recently that a tiny light began to glimmer, ever so faintly, at the end of this very dark tunnel. Newly developed vaccinations have brought hope, and for me, hope promotes reflection.

I decided to take a look at what I learned in 2020. A lot of things came to mind, but I winnowed them down to seven.

History Helps

When it comes to infectious diseases, Covid-19 is not humankind’s first rodeo. History is fraught with frightening health adversities such as plagues, smallpox, tuberculosis, and polio. The knowledge that these diseases were, so to speak, beaten into submission, became a comforting thought to me. While this in no way atoned for the lives lost to Covid, it helped me understand the fact that with time we would once again persevere.

Made to Move

When mostly confined to one place, a person has a tendency to sit. Especially when the only contact to the outside world is via the phone or a computer. Too much sitting, I found, can lead to an unfortunate consequence. My back started to ache. Then it started to hurt, with pain and numbness shooting down my left leg. Off I went to physical therapy which only made things worse. One X-ray and one MRI later, I discovered I had a herniated disc plus a slipped disc. Why? Because sitting too much is bad. Our bodies were made to move. Over time the pain has improved substantially, but I remember the lesson. I now use a standing desk and take frequent breaks to walk, even if it’s only from one end of the house to the other.

Planning Ahead

Who would have thought that a major lesson would be to plan ahead? By that I mean, don’t wait until you’re down to the last roll of toilet paper or final container of disinfectant wipes before you buy more. Keep the pantry stocked. I’m sure you know why. And guess what? When the chips are down, you can buy almost anything on line.

Fresh Air

I’ve always been a fan of ventilation, but never really fretted much about it. However, over the past year it’s become an obsession. I want at least one window open a bit, even on cold days. There’s something about the idea of clean air sweeping into the house and diluting any germs floating around that makes me almost giddy with joy. I even bought an air purifier to run during the night. I no longer take for granted the privilege of filling my lungs with sweet pristine oxygen.

Technology Rocks

Our best buddy: technology. Thanks to the internet, we’ve been able to work from home, attend meetings and workshops, go to school, go to church, and even visit. My family celebrated Easter 2020 via Zoom. It felt strange, but it beat not seeing each other at all. Before the pandemic started, who would ever have imagined such a thing? While technology can’t replace in-person contact, at least we had a way to connect. I have a feeling this new-found knowledge will permanently change the way we do a lot of things, from employment to conferences to sales. Zooming is a lot cheaper than getting on a plane and booking a hotel room. It also adds a funny touch to meetings when your office assistant (also known as the dog or cat) makes a surprise appearance.

Appreciate the Helpers

As Mr. Rogers once famously said, “Watch for the helpers.” I’ve never taken helpers for granted, but there’s nothing like a pandemic to spotlight their crucial importance. Our medical workers, first responders, researchers, and teachers are among our best friends. They did things like take care of us when we were sick, developed vaccines in record time, adapted to new ways of teaching our kids, and at the risk of their own lives did what they needed to do during an unprecedented crisis. Then there were those who kept food pantries in operation and reached out to the homeless and others who are most vulnerable. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. May we never forget.

Connections

Family and friends. This may have been the hardest lesson of all. You don’t realize how much you miss the fellowship and cohesion that comes from being near loved ones until you can’t be near them. We had to totally change the way we “see” our favorite people. While waving from a distance or visiting virtually was better than nothing, I longed for more. And, after receiving both my vaccines, for the first time in more than a year I got a big long hug from my grandson. Just wow.

I finally feel like life is ever-so-slowly returning to normal. It may be a somewhat new normal, because change begets change, but I’m okay with that. What I hope never to lose again are the most important things.

What about you? What have you learned from living through a worldwide pandemic?

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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She has also authored a contemporary romance series, The Becker Family Novels, and a holiday-themed short story collection, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.

Meet Elizabeth Bell and The Lazare Family Saga

Today I’m delighted to introduce Elizabeth Bell, historical fiction novelist and author of The Lazare Family Saga, to talk about her wonderful four-book series.

Welcome, Elizabeth, and thank you for being here. Please tell us more about the Lazare Family Saga.

The Lazare Family Saga transports readers from the West Indies to the Wild West, from Charleston, Paris, and Rome into the depths of the human heart. Passion, prejudice, secrets, and a mother’s desperate choice in the chaos of revolution echo through five generations as the multiracial Lazare family struggles to understand where they belong. A French baroness, a Catholic priest, a daring physician, an unconventional Southern belle, an enslaved maid, and a blond Cheyenne Indian find love in dangerous places in this epic spanning 1789-1873.

Sounds fascinating. What inspired the idea?

This series grew out of my love of two places: the High Plains of the American West and Lowcountry South Carolina. My family visited Charleston on a vacation in 1987, and we moved to Colorado in 1991. I’ve always thought I was born in the wrong century. I wanted to know what these places were like in the past, and I wanted to know about the people who lived there.

It’s interesting how historical novels always seem to be born through an author’s curiosity. How would you describe your books’ ideal reader?

Someone who loved the classic family sagas of the 1970s and 1980s: Alex Haley’s Roots, Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds, and John Jakes’s North and South trilogy. A hopeless romantic who nevertheless wants meticulously researched historical fiction. The past was often an ugly place—slavery and genocide are part of American history. The love stories in my work have tragic elements, but the joy balances out the pain.

Those were all stories I loved! How long did it take you to write the series?

Almost three decades. I started when I was fourteen. I didn’t know what I was doing yet, and I didn’t realize the immensity of the project I was beginning. I had to learn how to write—among other things, I got a master’s degree in Creative Writing. This series spans so many decades, countries, and subjects, the bulk of those years was research: into the Haitian Revolution, Charleston architecture, enslaved communities, Catholicism, the Oregon Trail, Plains Indian life, early blood transfusions…

It must have been a challenge to research so many different areas, cultures, and topics. How did you come up with each book’s title?

My series is about grey areas, about people and things that aren’t A or B but A and B—and sometimes C! The central family, the Lazares, are multiracial: they have French, African, and Native American ancestry. All my titles tie into that complexity; they’re seeming contradictions. Necessary Sins is a phrase straight from my research, actually from an Easter hymn called the Exultet. Lost Saints is from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese. Sweet Medicine has multiple meanings. The phrase itself is from Cheyenne Indian culture, and the Cheyenne play a large part in my series. I came up with Native Stranger when I realized I’d have to break the third book into two books, creating a tetralogy. Native Stranger mostly refers to my adopted Cheyenne Indian character who comes East seeking his birth family. Juxtaposition and duality are at the heart of my fiction.

Multi-layered novels bring deeper meaning. What do you hope readers will take away from the series?

I want my readers to feel they’ve stepped into the 18th century Caribbean, antebellum Charleston, and a Cheyenne village. I want to make my readers’ hearts race. I want them to rejoice and grieve with my characters. I hope I draw readers out of their comfort zones. I hope they see American history in a vivid new way and not just through rose-colored glasses. I hope that my readers will walk away with a little more empathy for their fellow humans.

Worthy goals indeed. How do you approach your writing process? Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’m a total pantser. I used to hate writing outlines in English classes. I have character arcs in my head, and I know the major plot points. But mostly I let my characters tell me the story, because only they know how they get from Point A to Point B. I’m not someone who can write every day. I write best when I can get several days off my “real job” and can disappear into my fictional world. My creative juices start flowing, and I write practically nonstop—as long as the characters are cooperating and I don’t hit a roadblock where I realize I need to do more research.

Research is my favorite part of writing historical fiction. What research methods are the most fruitful for you?

I like to steep myself in secondary sources so I can get my bearings. Then I do as much primary source research as I can. Reading letters and diaries of the period. Viewing the artwork created by the cultures I’m studying. As much on-site research as I can, “walking the ground.” I love historic house museums. I love historical interpreters at Civil War reenactments and Colonial Williamsburg. I become a sponge. I never know what detail might be pivotal to my story, so I absorb them all.

I think we each have our own favorite reads. What book has most shaped you as a writer?

Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds. This is a novel that holds up to repeat reads, and I get more out of it every time. Most of all, I love how interconnected each generation of this family saga is, how Fee’s story echoes through her children and grandchildren. I loved the idea that (potential SPOILER) the earlier generations screw up and miss their chances at happiness, but eventually the youngest generation is able to break the cycle and find fulfillment. It’s not reincarnation, but it’s like the family is a single being that’s failing and slowly learning and finally growing—the story arc isn’t just about a single character’s journey but all the family members together. I find that grand scale so emotionally engaging and satisfying, and I’ve tried to recreate that in my own family saga.

Wow, I’m hooked! Thank you for joining us, Elizabeth, and many congratulations on this tantalizing historical saga. 

Readers, I’m thrilled to share with you an excerpt of the Prologue to the Lazare Family Saga. And don’t miss this chance to snap up Book One of the series. It’s on sale for a limited time.  

The Lazarre Family Saga

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary Sins (Lazare Family Saga, Book One)

Prologue

Charleston, South Carolina

September 1822

Joseph knew he was committing a terrible, terrible sin, but he could only draw closer. He’d been alive ten whole years, and he’d never seen anything so beautiful. It occupied the very center of the painting. Soft and round, smooth and crowned—there, between the lips of the Christ Child, unmistakable: the perfect pink nipple of the Mother of God.

Joseph should be imitating his patron saint, who stood at the edge of the canvas. White-haired and lumpy-faced, Mary’s husband seemed oblivious to his wife and Son, peering at a book through the spectacles on his nose. Much as Joseph himself liked to read, he could not imagine concentrating on lifeless pages in such company.

Draped in rich robes and her own golden hair, the Blessed Virgin gazed down serenely at her divine Son. The Christ Child’s arms encircled Mary’s right breast possessively, His green eyes pointing out of the painting as if He sensed Joseph’s unholy stare.

“Joseph!”

He jumped and closed his eyes. Only then did he realize his mouth was open too.

His sister Cathy continued behind him, from the threshold: “Haven’t you found it yet?”

Joseph turned quickly, to distract her from the painting. He’d completely forgotten why he’d come into Papa’s office. Mama, Cathy, and Hélène were knitting something for the children at the Orphan House, only their scissors had broken. Joseph had been seated nearby at the piano-forte, and he’d offered to fetch another pair from Papa’s office.

Huffing with impatience, Cathy strode to his desk. Joseph tried the drawers of Papa’s medical cabinet and found scissors. On their way out of the office, he and Cathy passed the painting of headless Saint Denis, the one their father had had for years. Joseph had never seen the portrait of the Holy Family before. Papa must have brought it back from Paris.

In the parlor, Mama signed her thanks for the scissors by touching her fingertips to her mouth and then gesturing toward Joseph. She would not be smiling if she knew why he had lingered in Papa’s office. Mama snipped whatever needed snipping, then returned her attention to her work.

Joseph sat down again at the piano, but as he stared at the pages in front of him, the notes became fuzzy. He dropped his eyes to the keys, but all he could see was that breast, that nipple. Were all women so beautiful?

Were all boys as wicked as he was?

Joseph closed his eyes tightly, and still the vision lingered. He tried desperately to pray, but the words would not come.

Fortunately, before too long Papa returned from visiting patients. Hélène ran to show him the mess of wool she claimed would soon be a mitten. Papa praised it and kissed the top of her head.

Joseph ventured: “Papa?”

“Yes, son?” he answered as Hélène scampered back to Mama.

“May I go to church before supper?”

“Is the choir practicing today?” Papa sounded confused, though Joseph didn’t see his expression because he couldn’t meet his eyes.

“No, sir.”

“Joseph? What’s troubling you, son?”

His sisters stopped chattering to each other, and Joseph felt their stares. Mama must be watching too.

Papa moved a chair next to the piano stool and sat facing Joseph. When Papa spoke, he sounded very grave. “You want to go to Confession, don’t you?”

Joseph nodded miserably. He’d committed a mortal sin. His soul was in peril. What if the negroes tried to rebel again and weren’t caught as Denmark Vesey had been? What if they killed Joseph in his sleep tonight? He would go straight to Hell. He deserved it.

“Whatever it is you think you’ve done, Joseph, you know you can talk to me about it?”

Again he nodded. But his earthly father couldn’t grant him Absolution, couldn’t make his soul clean again.

“You do realize that most people confess only once a year?”

“Father Laroche says he confesses every week,” Joseph murmured, “and that we should too.” What a Priest had to confess, Joseph still didn’t understand.

He heard Papa draw in a breath to respond; but then, from the other side of the room, came the familiar, insistent-yet-polite finger-snap Mama used to attract their attention. Cathy must have been translating for her. Mama made Papa’s sign name, and the expression on her face turned it into a plea. ‘Let him go,’ she said with her hands.

Papa turned to her. ‘In the three years since he began, our son—our perfect son—has made more Confessions than most people do their entire lives.’

Mama frowned. Papa was criticizing her too: she took Joseph every Saturday. Cathy would go with them only once a month. None of her friends confessed more often than that, she said. At the church, Mama always went first, clutching her little notebook till she passed it to Father Laroche. He would read her transgressions and then write down her Penance. Afterward, as Joseph watched Mama burning the pages, he would wonder what she had to confess every week. Apart from her deafness, Mama was perfect, as sinless as a Priest.

Unlike him.

‘None of us is perfect yet,’ Mama argued with her hands and expression. ‘It is only through union with Our Lord—through the Sacraments—that we can become perfect. We are blessed to receive Absolution every week. Have you forgotten Bastien already?’

‘Of course not,’ Papa signed impatiently.

‘He is lucky if he sees a Priest once a year.’ Joseph knew his mother’s brother lived somewhere in North Carolina, surrounded by Protestants. ‘Here, we even have a Priest who knows our language!’

‘Father Laroche does not know your language,’ Papa insisted, emphasizing the sign. ‘He knows French. Your English is just as good, Anne. It’s certainly better than his. I wish you’d confess to one of the Irishmen instead.’

Mama tensed. ‘Father Laroche—’

‘Father Laroche makes you do Penance for’—Papa’s hands hesitated—‘for being a woman!’

Mama drew in a sharp breath, and crimson flooded her cheeks. Her eyes darted nervously to Joseph and his sisters. They were still watching, though Joseph didn’t understand what Papa had meant or why it should make Mama blush. ‘We were talking about Joseph. Please don’t discourage him.’

Papa sighed, glanced away, then finally signed his consent. But he added aloud: “If it’s Father Laroche, son—promise me you won’t believe everything that French bull-dog says.”

Joseph worried about Papa’s soul, too. At Mass, he always looked bored or angry. Now, Papa was acting as though a Priest could be wrong. That was like saying God could be wrong.

You can find Elizabeth Bell on the following social media platforms: 

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Bio

Elizabeth Bell has been writing stories since the second grade. At the age of fourteen, she chose a pen name and vowed to become a published author. Upon earning her MFA in Creative Writing, Elizabeth realized she would have to return her two hundred library books. Instead, she cleverly found a job in the university library. She works there to this day. Her historical series the Lazare Family Saga follows a multiracial family struggling to understand where they belong in the young United States. The first book, Necessary Sins, was a Finalist in the Foreword Indies Book of the Year Awards. The second and third books, Lost Saints and Native Stranger, were Editors’ Choices in the Historical Novels Review.

Thanks again for spending time with us, Elizabeth! I look forward to reading your series.  

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Pat Wahler is the award-winning author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also the author of the Becker Family Novels, a contemporary romance series; and Let Your Heart Be Light, a yuletide-themed holiday collection.

Vaccinated!

It’s been nearly a year. We’ve all been in quarantine for a long time, and carefully masked whenever we do venture out. Not that I hate being at home, but there is something about knowing you can’t leave your house that makes a person… well, want to leave the house.

When news arrived of two approved COVID vaccines, I was thrilled. At the start of distribution, I knew right away I wanted to get on the list to be vaccinated. Except there wasn’t a list.

While states scrambled to get the vaccine, most residents were as puzzled as me. How do I get vaccinated? A call to my doctor didn’t help. He hadn’t a clue either. Local and state jurisdictions didn’t appear to be any better informed. After a ton of phone calls, emails, and frustration, I was finally told that wait lists would be established, and I should sign up on every list possible. I jumped to follow through, and then waited. Time ticked by without me hearing a single word, even after my tier became available. It seemed like communication wires were more tangled than a big pile of spaghetti.

Nurses have the best sense of humor!

Then I got a tip from a friend who used a phone number at a medical practice where we both were patients. I called the number and actually spoke to an honest-to-goodness live person. He asked what felt like dozens of health questions, and then scheduled my appointment for only a few days later. I felt like I’d won the lottery.

This past Saturday, I went to an outpatient center to receive my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I didn’t feel a thing. After hanging around for the required fifteen minutes, I was finished. In and out in a total of twenty-five minutes. The event organizers did a great job, getting folks immunized far more quickly than my expectation. They even immediately scheduled vaccine #2 right on the spot.

Vaccine after effects? Other than a sore arm and small bruise (despite moving my arm around like a windmill in hopes of preventing muscle soreness), I had no problem at all. I hear shot #2 may be a bit more challenging, but I don’t care, because the vaccine gives me hope.

Hope of visiting loved ones. Hope of eating lunch in a restaurant again. Hope of taking a research trip that had to be postponed. And most of all, hope that more friends won’t succumb to this deadly virus.

Yes, I’ve been vaccinated! How about you? Any luck in your area?

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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, I am Mrs. Jesse James, the Becker Family series of contemporary romance novels, and a collection of bite-sized yuletide stories, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.

A Holiday Gift for You!

Food. It’s at the center of every gathering and the star of most celebrations. The aroma and taste of special dishes and drinks we’ve shared over the years with family and friends is one thing 2020 can’t take away from us. And yes, I have the extra pounds to prove it.

In the final few days before Christmas – and before the end of this Annus Horribilis (as Queen Elizabeth I so famously once said) – I’d like to gift you with a few of my favorite holiday recipes. Some of them come from family. Others from friends. But each one includes many sweet memories of happy times during the yuletide season.

 

By the way, don’t you love this holiday place setting? I have Christmas dishes (are you surprised?), but I still haven’t unpacked them. Seeing how pretty this looks, I’m going to drag my dishes out of storage this afternoon. Who cares if I’m not having company?

A Few of My Favorite Things

It’s December 2, and I’ve already begun my annual tradition of watching my favorite holiday movies. Even though most of 2020 has been memorable for all the wrong reasons, enjoying stories I’ve loved for years brings me peace, entertainment, and a comforting sense of normalcy.

I believe we all have our favorite feel-good films, but what follows are a few of the holiday gems I treasure most.

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Christmas in Connecticut – This 1945 black and white film stars Barbara Stanwyck as magazine food and homemaker-tip writer, Elizabeth Lane, a woman who built her career on a series of fibs. In real life she has no skills, no husband, no baby, and no home in Connecticut. When her boss and a recovering soldier are set to spend the holidays with her, Elizabeth needs to come up with a plan…fast! Funny and highly entertaining.

The Bishop’s Wife – This often overlooked film features a stellar cast: David Niven, Loretta Young, and Cary Grant. Niven is a workaholic Bishop who gets a new assistant, in the form of an angel. The Bishop soon learns that what you want and what you need are often two very different things. Heart-tugging with plenty of wry humor, this was remade a few years back. Trust me, you’ll love the original!

The Man Who Invented Christmas – This film is only a couple of years old, but it’s on my list because it appeals to the writer in me. Dan Stevens portrays Charles Dickens, a man who needs a hit story. He conceives the idea to write A Christmas Carol, and his attempts to create it will ring true for every writer. Oh yes, his characters have plenty to say about the process too. Both humorous and poignant, I loved it.

Scrooge – Speaking of Dickens, I adore this version of A Christmas Carol because it’s a musical! You’ll find yourself humming the catchy tunes as Albert Finney learns to love the season in this classic tale.

Are those all of my favorites? Of course not. The list wouldn’t be complete without It’s a Wonderful Life (I cry every time I watch it-bonus tip: the colorized version appears vintage and is surprisingly nice), White Christmas (great songs, dances, costumes, and a heart-warming story), Miracle on 34th Street (original version only, please), Meet Me in St. Louis (Judy Garland was never lovelier, and in my mind the only one who should ever sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”), A Charlie Brown Christmas (perfect for all ages, and if you own it on DVD, it doesn’t matter what station shows it), and A Christmas Story (not only nostalgic but incredibly funny).

Since these last few beauties are so well known, I didn’t put in a more detailed description, but I did provide a link. Sigh. Doesn’t it make you feel better even thinking about these flicks? But wait, there’s more…

Books are another great way to escape from the sometimes harsh realities of life. They also make a wonderful gift for friends or family.

Can you believe this? Somehow, in the midst of pandemic woes, Book 3 of the Becker Family series, Pathway to Home came to life. Wrapping up the series was a tough assignment, but I hope you’ll love the result as much as I do. Let me introduce you to my latest book baby:

An unexpected revelation sends her on a journey…

After her mother’s death, Mira Gordon learns a shocking secret. Could it be true she has a family she never knew existed? Mira is compelled to put her sorrow and her dream of owning a pastry shop on hold, in a venture that will take her from Key West to Kansas City. What she discovers will change her life forever.

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ORDER HERE

Aiden Stewart, a widower and firefighter, struggles to reimagine the future while single parenting his young daughter. When he meets the lovely but determined redhead from the Keys, she catches his eye… and tugs his heart. But Aiden senses there is more to Mira than she’s telling him, and fears the possibility of a new heartbreak.

Can Mira and Aiden move past the pain of grief to claim a new love?

Book 3 of the Becker Family series and a Five-Star Readers’ Favorite!

“I found myself rooting for the characters from the very start and cared so much about them that I wanted to know what happened to them next…Simply gorgeous!”

—Readers’ Favorite

I hope you enjoy reading good books and watching fun favorite movies throughout the holiday season… or anytime.

Tell me. What movies/books are your seasonal favorite?

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Pat Wahler is the award-winning author of I am Mrs. Jesse James, the Becker Family series, and Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.

Pat loves feedback from readers. If you’ve enjoyed her books, a short review on any retailer website would be much appreciated.

You can follow Pat on most social media platforms.

How Are You Doing?

Here we are, almost to the end of October. Can you believe it? Only a few more months left of 2020. I don’t think anyone will be sad to say good-bye to the year we’d all love to forget. A global pandemic. Kids half-in and half-out of school. Holidays coming up that won’t look anything like what we’ve experienced before.

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My pandemic stash.

When the pandemic started, I sat around in stunned disbelief as many of us did, unmotivated to do much more than watch television and bite my nails. The comfort of a regular routine went right out the window. Who could think about doing anything except hunt for toilet paper and disinfectant wipes? I didn’t write because I couldn’t focus, and what’s more I didn’t even try. There were too many other issues screaming for my attention.

But I’d forgotten something. This isn’t the first time our world has been in deep trouble. In the past there have been other terrifying health issues that wiped out countless thousands of people. Smallpox. Typhoid. Plagues. Yellow Fever. Influenza. Tuberculosis. Polio. The Spanish Flu. And if history tells us anything, it demonstrates that eventually Covid, too, will pass.

Bottom line, we must be patient and stay smart, doing what science tells us works to prevent the spread. Wear masks. Social distance. Scrub hands like we just scooped up a smelly pile of Fido’s poop with our bare fingers. And never forget that in the interest of good mental health, turning off the news once in a while is a very important thing.

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Lovely office attire.

Once I came to terms with the fact there wasn’t a speedy solution on the horizon for Covid, I decided what can’t be cured, must be endured, and created my own “new normal”. I forced myself to sit at the computer each afternoon (in my jammies, but who cares?) and work. The result? I finished Pathway to Home, the third novel in the Becker Family series. The cover has been designed and the manuscript is currently with my talented formatter. Release date is still projected for 2020, most likely at the end of November or first part of December. This is later than I’d hoped, but I’m still kind of proud. It would have been much easier to forget about writing, and marinate in worry instead – one of my most brilliant talents, by the way.

Shocking secret! I’ve also started work on my next novel, a story about another woman from the past who called Missouri home.

An Ordinary Guy and His Cats

I am currently in over my head on edits for Book 3 of the Becker Family series. Since I’ve been lax on writing a new blog post, here’s a re-run of one from three years ago that many readers seemed to enjoy.

Come along with me on a trip to Key West where we’ll visit Ernest Hemingway’s little slice of heaven.

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Recently, I finished a book from the tall stack of volumes (also known as the to-be-read pile) sitting next to my bed.

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, by Therese Anne Fowler, is told from Zelda’s point-of-view, and describes her life with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Let it suffice to say the story often shows Mr. Fitzgerald in a less than flattering light.  In an even dimmer beacon, is the author’s portrayal of Fitzgerald’s friend and competitor, Ernest Hemingway.

Reading the story immediately reminded me of my visit a few years ago to Key West where I toured the beautiful home Hemingway and his second wife purchased in 1928. Talk about working in Paradise!

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Hemingway Home in Key West, Florida.

My first surprise occurred when I went through the gate and discovered that 52+ cats live on the property. They go where they want to go, as long as its within the compound walls. Apparently, the animals are trained from kittenhood not to run out the gate, which is wide-open during business hours. Right off the bat, my mouth dropped open in amazement. I can’t train my cat, Bogey, to stay off the kitchen counters.

Many of these cats have another unusual quality… their toes.

Legend has it a sea captain gave Hemingway a six-toed (polydactyl) cat named Snowball, because polydactyl cats bring good luck. Delighted with the feline, Hemingway soon became a die-hard cat lover.

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Hemingway, his two sons, and cats.

Snowball, of course, went on to do what cats in pre-spay and pre-neuter days did. He (or she) began to reproduce. Hemingway favored litters that produced “lucky” polys, and to this day, descendants of Snowball live a life of freedom and luxury at the Hemingway Home and grounds. They sit on furniture visitors aren’t allowed to touch. They frolic in the garden. They play rough as little tigers. One cutie pounced on my hand and left her mark. It didn’t bother me a bit. How many people can say they were scratched by a descendant of Hemingway’s cat?

If you ever go to Key West, I highly recommend visiting. Times being what they are, you can always take a virtual visit to the Hemingway Home. It’s a fascinating place, filled with history.

And in response to how the book I read depicted Hemingway, maybe he did drink too much, sleep too little, and let the fact that he had a wife at home slip his mind from time to time. I still can’t help thinking that anyone so fond of adorable kitties

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A poly at the Hemingway Home.

could be all bad.

Meow!

 

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Pat Wahler is the author of I am Mrs. Jesse James, Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, and winner of the Walter Williams Award for a Major Literary Work.

She has also authored a contemporary romance series, The Becker Family Novels, with book 3 releasing in Fall 2020, and a Christmas collection of short stories and essays sure to please anyone who loves the yuletide.