Pat Wahler's Blog, page 6

Looking for a Shivery Read?

We’re in the midst of the spooky season of Halloween, so I figured everyone could use a scary book or two for their collection Well, you’re in luck. It just so happens there are two local authors who have penned books that are sure to send a chill right up your spine. [image error]

If a story about mummies sounds fascinating, check out Sarah Angleton’s new book, Gentleman of Misfortune. I read this one and the suspense kept me up at night turning pages. Here’s a blurb to whet your appetite and set the stage:

Gentleman swindler Lyman Moreau is accustomed to changing his identity to suit his schemes. A new opportunity arrives when a collection of eleven mummies and several papyri covered in indecipherable hieroglyphs are due to arrive in New York’s South Street Seaport direct from the Valley of the Kings. Enlisting the help of a crooked customs agent and a black market antiquities dealer, he assumes the identity of Michael Chandler, nephew of deceased Egyptologist Antonio Lebolo, and lays claim to the shipment.

The showman’s plan to amass his fortune displaying the stolen artifacts across the country becomes more complicated when one of his accomplices dies a suspicious death, causing Lyman and the man’s beautiful widow to make a hasty escape from the city. Through four states, along the Erie Canal, and eventually to the doorstep of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Lyman exhibits his dusty companions before a curious public. Rarely more than a few breaths ahead of his enemies, Lyman struggles to keep his prize from slipping away as he tangles with grief, love, [image error]betrayal, and a growing sense of his own mortality.

 

I think you’ll enjoy reading! Click HERE to learn more.

Perhaps you’d enjoy a book that involves some ghosts who are guaranteed to scare you sock-less.  If so, take a look at J.J. Zerr’s latest novel, The Ghosts of Chateau du Chasse. I’ve read this one, too, and can vouch for its high level of creepiness. Here’s the blurb:

Bill Marshall is a senior US Navy fighter pilot, who will not make admiral. During his career, he spoke his mind too often to the wrong superior officers. His wife, Kate, has subordinated her ambitions for Bill and for their children, but she has an opportunity for a great job. Bill decides to resign and support his wife, however, the US Navy has one more job they need from Bill. He receives orders to NATO military headquarters in Belgium. Kate feels betrayed by her husband and struggles to swallow her anger to preserve their marriage for the sake of her children. As Kate and Bill work to resolve their earthly problems, their new castle home places them on a spiritual battlefield where a two-hundred-year-old struggle between innocence and evil rushes toward a conclusion.

 

Yes, some spooky stuff indeed! Click HERE to learn more.

Reader peeps, I hope you find these spook-tacular books by talented local authors the perfect way to spend an evening or two or three. Enjoy reading, and please remember to leave a review. As little as a sentence or two is all you need.

And guess what? You’ll make an author very happy.

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Pat Wahler is the author of I am Mrs. Jesse James, and Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas. She is co-author of Midnight the One-Eyed Cat. Find her books at your local book store or on line vendor. 

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Pumpkin Spice, and Everything Nice

Ahhh, October, of blue skies and cooler temperatures. With one trip to the pumpkin patch already under my belt, I’m in the mood for fall, where pumpkins are as much a part of the season as that most infamous scent and flavor of all – pumpkin spice.

I’m a fan of pumpkin, but sometimes I can’t help thinking we may have gone a bit overboard on this much-loved tradition. It’s evolved into a contest over who can come up with the craziest combination. I swear you can find virtually anything doctored with a dose of pumpkin spice. Here are a few examples:

Pumpkin spice Pringles. When you can’t decide if you want a summery chip or the taste of fall with your dip.

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Wonder how this would taste in a cup of hot chocolate?

Pumpkin spice latte burger. A conundrum of confusion.

Pumpkin spice Peeps. For those who love fall AND Easter.

Pumpkin pudding toothpaste. Huh?

Pumpkin spice beard oil. Haven’t men always wanted to smell – pumpkiny?

Pumpkin spice dog shampoo. Man and man’s best friend can match!

Pumpkin spice detailing spray. Cars can’t be left out of the fun.

Pumpkin spice make-up setting spray. Neither can women.

Well, from the looks of things, if you can eat it, drink it, or smell it, you can find it in some version of pumpkin spice flavor right now. If this is your thing, buy it while you can. If it’s not, you better hold your nose. Pumpkin spice will be with us for a while.

Public Service Announcement: You need to know there are some “fake” pumpkin spice products out there. Click HERE for a site that will tell you if a few of the more outrageous claims of pumpkin spicery are true or false. Pumpkin spice flavored Spam, anyone?

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This may have been tailored specifically for popcorn-a-holics like  me.

Now if you’ll pardon me, I’m off to sample my latest find. It looks good and smells even better.

I may be truly hooked. Could anything possibly be wrong with pumpkin spice Twinkies?

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Pat Wahler is the author of I am Mrs. Jesse James and Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas. She is co-author of Midnight the One-Eyed Cat.  Give the gift of reading to yourself or a friend! Click on sidebar book cover to order now. 

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Let’s Get Started!

Fall is here, and today the sun is shining clear and bright. The sky is blue as a robin’s egg, with low wispy clouds.  It’s the kind of day where you need jeans and a jacket. In other words, practically perfect!

Beautiful weather couldn’t have come at a better time. The last few weeks have been a mad scramble of launching two new books, and on October 2, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas, will join them.

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For anyone who loves the magic of Christmas!

Now some of you may think it’s way too early to speak of Christmas, but here’s the truth. Halloween is a mere 35 days away. Thanksgiving arrives in 57 days. And in the blink of an eye, Christmas will arrive.

My philosophy is, don’t compartmentalize the season. Think of September as the gateway to a series of fun activities – time with family and friends enjoying more than a few of your favorite things.

As a matter of fact, I’ve already started my gift-giving plan, because it’s far better for me to do a little at a time than all at once. My daughter’s goal is even better than mine. She finishes her shopping by Thanksgiving, and wraps gifts while watching “White Christmas” – completely avoiding the Black Friday crush. If you feel the same way, here are a few suggestions that have proved to be popular in my world:

For the little ones – It may be well past summer season, but a water table was the hit of last Christmas. It can be used without water, but look out hot weather! That table became the number one summer pastime. It arrives with an assortment of water toys, and provides countless hours of entertainment. Be aware assembly is required.
Teens – Those who have specific hobbies are pretty easy. Those who don’t-yikes! I hit a home run by gifting a teen boy with a karate uniform and a month’s worth of lessons. He loves it, and two years later has earned a virtual rainbow of belts.
For the ladies, pampering is ever-so-nice. A pedicure, manicure, or massage are little luxuries women often deny themselves. So I say, indulge. Ahhh, now doesn’t that feel good?
For men with hobbies, there’s always something to add to the collection. For the hobbyless, try a new gadget or gizmo. Who knew a chain saw would become one of the most popular gifts I ever gave?

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Oooh! Looks like this could be a book!

Last but not least, never underestimate the value of giving a book. How-to books, biography, history. Fiction of every genre. Light and humorous tales, when you just want to laugh. Pop into a book store, and you’ll find something for everyone.

I’d love it if one or more of my books appeared on your gift-giving list. 

A Penny for Your Thoughts…

When I decided to use a penny in the novel, I am Mrs. Jesse James, I had to do some research. What did a penny from Zee and Jesse’s time look like? This resulted in chasing down several rabbit holes, because the information I found fascinated me. Here’s a  much condensed version of what I learned about the American penny’s history.

Turns out in 1787, the humble penny became the first official currency authorized by the newly created United States. Called “Fugio” cents, the coins were one hundred percent copper, and created in a design suggested by Benjamin Franklin. Paul Revere, patriot and renowned blacksmith, supplied some of the copper for those first coins. The penny was large (roughly the size of a Susan B. Anthony dollar), and heavy.

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The Fugio cent. Isn’t it nice our founding fathers warned us to “Mind Your Business?” (Wikipedia)

Starting in 1793, Lady Liberty was featured on one side of the coin, hand-engraved with her hair blowing wild in the wind (“Flowing Hair” Liberty). Critics disliked the design, so she had several makeovers in that same year before people were satisfied. Then the “Liberty Cap” cent version also underwent several revisions between 1793 and 1796, and the coin’s weight was slightly reduced.

Lady Liberty continued to reside on the penny in the “Draped Bust” cent, morphing to the “Classic Head” cent in 1808. But no coins were minted in 1815 due to a copper shortage following another teeny-tiny disagreement between the United States and Britain, otherwise known as the War of 1812.

This brought us to Ms. Liberty as the “Coronet Head” cent from 1816-1839, and then to “Braided Hair” cent. But despite the revision, critics were not kind, nicknaming the image “fat mistress” and even “obese ward boss”. All this public shaming worked. Once again, the penny got a makeover – but for more reasons than Lady Liberty’s appearance.

By 1857, citizens had grown weary of pockets weighed down by large clunky pennies. So the coin was redesigned to shrink in size – closer to what we see today. Lady Liberty also vanished (perhaps the engravers at the U.S. Mint got sick and tired of updating her look). The coin’s composition transformed to a mixture of copper and nickel; and the woman’s head was replaced with a flying eagle.

Yet the engravers did not rest. Soon the eagle transformed to an Indian’s head. This design lasted until 1909, when Lincoln’s profile was featured, as a way to commemorate the 100th birthday of the martyred president. Lincoln became the first historical figure to appear on a U.S. coin. This penny was also the first coin to include the words, “In God We Trust”. Lincoln continues to grace today’s penny, as the longest running design in United States Mint history. After all, who would suggest a makeover for Abraham Lincoln?

I had a lot of fun making the penny a part of I am Mrs. Jesse James. I even located a coin with the date stamp I wanted during a tedious on line search. Coincidence that I found it? Maybe. I purchased the coin along with one from 1863 for comparison, and added both to my collection. Holding the large coin in my own hand, I could feel its weight, and observe how the copper absorbed body warmth – just as people who handled them years ago would have noticed.

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A penny for a promise. I used the 1828 “large penny” coin as a plot device in I am Mrs. Jesse James.  The 1863 Indian head coin is pictured for size comparison.

This is one of the things I love most about writing historical fiction –  finding fun facts you didn’t expect when the research process begins. The real problem though is, sometimes you get so carried away with research, it slows down writing time. To this charge I can only respond with a single word.

Guilty.

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Pat Wahler is the author of I am Mrs. Jesse James, available at your favorite local bookstore and on line retailers.

The post A Penny for Your Thoughts… appeared first on Pat Wahler.

A Sneak Peek

Publication day for I am Mrs. Jesse James is less than two weeks away. For a long time, I’ve wanted to tell the story of Zee Mimms James. Now after years of research, planning, plotting, writing, re-writing, editing, and polishing, she will finally see the light of day. The thought gives me a feeling of excitement mixed with (I must admit) more than a little terror over how readers will receive my beloved book baby. I’d be ever-so-grateful for any good thoughts and support you can send my way.

Have You Lost Focus?

Are you standing in a checkout line right now with a cart full of school supplies? If so, you’re not alone. The discount store parking lots are filled with back-to-school shoppers. This no longer includes folks like me, a person whose kids are grown up now and shopping on their own, thank you.

Yet I must admit to a certain fondness for new supplies. I love to find a spiffy pen to replace the old one with ink that clumps when you use it.  A stack of sixty-cent notebooks call my name, so I grab several. Just think of all the cool things me and my spiffy new pen can write in them. I may not need more printer paper at the moment, but it’s on sale, so why not?

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Pencils, pens, scissors, markers, glue. And that’s only the beginning. (Pixabay)

These days, most schools send a sizable list of things your kiddos will need for first day of school. (In case one hasn’t appeared at your house yet, no worries. Click HERE to find a general shopping list for kids from kindergarten through college. It can at least get you started.) The multiple lists for different ages reminds me that I once knew a family with twelve children. I can only imagine the train of carts required to get the job done for them. Any way you look at it, a new school year feels like an opportunity for a fresh beginning.

Perhaps it’s not too late to think about those goals I set on New Year’s Day. I admit to having lost focus, but that doesn’t mean I can’t review and renew my efforts now. I could pump up those daily writing goals. I could finish painting the scuffed-up baseboards. I could get more steps on my tracker (a Winston-approved plan). I could…well, let’s not get too carried away. I guess the moral to today’s post is carpe diem.  Seize the day and don’t give up. Even if it means kicking yourself in the pants now and then. It’s a lot like getting the kids back to school. They might not be ready to go, but you’ll still nudge them along.

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What’s on that goal list again? (Pixabay)

On that note, I’ve posted a link to one of the funniest back-to-school-shopping videos I’ve ever seen. Even if you’ve watched it before, this one is worth another look. Caution: there is a certain (hilarious) saltiness to her words and her attitude. Click HERE for OneFunnyMother’s classic back-to-school-shopping video.

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Pat Wahler is author of a novel, I am Mrs. Jesse James (now available on pre-order), and a holiday-themed collection of short stories, essays, and poetry, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas (coming soon). She is also co-author of a picture book, Midnight the One-Eyed Cat (now available on pre-order). 

The post Have You Lost Focus? appeared first on Pat Wahler.

Five Marketing Tips from a Newbie Author

Like raising a child or watching an oak tree grow, creating a book takes a long, long time. Once the process is finished, euphoria fills the mind and spirit. Authors have been known to become so giddy with joy once they’ve completed a project, the celebration goes on for weeks.

Yet the truth is, the work has only begun. Now, the author must publicize and market the book.

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Author after a day of working on his marketing plan. (Pixabay)

This transforms a typically introverted writer into a cringing basket case of fear and insecurity. No more quiet moments creating poetry or prose in front of the computer. Now it’s time to design and find the best price on marketing materials, learn about swag, update information on social media, and send out press releases. Don’t forget to schedule a launch, seek reviews, sign up for in-person and on-line events, arrange interview opportunities, and hold as many signings as possible. A presentation or two doesn’t hurt either (unless nobody shows up, in which case the author must frantically attempt to lure in random browsers). Book tour? That will mean a drive around the countryside to stop at locations kind enough not to bolt the door. Oh yes, and don’t forget about setting up that glorious display table so people will stop to look at your book and maybe even (gasp!) buy it.

With three books releasing during a three month time span, I’m into marketing mode. I can’t pretend to understand the mysterious algorithms of Amazon yet, but I’m working on it.

In case you’re in the same boat, here are five tips I’ve learned (so far) about author marketing.

Don’t try to do everything at once. Devote a portion (an hour or so) of your day to marketing/social media efforts. A burned out author (or marketer) cannot be effective, much less retain their sanity.
Utilize your network of author friends to cross-promote each other’s work. United we stand, divided we…well, you know the rest.
Use the social media platforms you like best. No one can manage them all, unless you have a publicity team. In that case, you don’t need my advice.
Focus on ways to connect, entertain, and inform. Many claim social media should be 90% giving, rather than constant “buy my book” posts.
Be sincere. You can’t hide fake, so don’t even try. Remember you’re unique and fabulous, so be yourself!

I hope these tips help those who may be suffering from marketing angst. Stay strong and confident, writer peeps. You can do this!

Within the tornado of introducing new books to the world (check my events tab for details), the cool opportunity for a radio interview popped up that I wanted to share. (And by the way, don’t forget radio as a possible place to get the word out.)

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What will Sheree and Pat say? (Pixabay)

St. Louis area peeps, please tune in to 550 KTRS radio on Monday, July 30 at 11:35 a.m. Co-author Sheree K. Nielsen and I will be on the air with Jennifer Blome to talk about Midnight the One-Eyed Cat. Can we get through our allotted eight minutes without a faux pas?

You’ll have to tune in to get the answer.

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Pat Wahler is the author of I am Mrs. Jesse James, releasing August 28, 2018 and Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas, releasing October 2, 2018. She is co-author of Midnight the One-Eyed Cat, releasing September 4, 2018.

Happy Birthday, America!

The Fourth of July. What more fitting time of year to suggest a visit to Philadelphia?

A few years ago, a co-worker and I attended a conference in Philly, the birthplace of our nation. As you can imagine, this is a city that teems with history, and I wanted more than anything to see it. Sadly for me, we had virtually no free time except for one day where a tiny three-hour window in the early evening presented opportunity.

Our choices: spend a lot of time in one place, or a few minutes in many. We opted for “many”, bought tickets for a double-decker tour bus, and climbed to the rooftop seating. The weather was delightful, the tour guide interesting, and the trip around town a whirlwind. Here are the highlights. Click on details for more in-depth information about each site.

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Betsy Ross Home photo from historicalphiladelphia.org site. (Darkness rendered my own snapshots worthless)

We saw Independence Hall (details), the Betsy Ross House (details), and tossed a penny on Ben Franklin’s grave (details). The driver pulled over in a no-parking zone for a few brave souls to race toward the Liberty Bell (details) to snap a quick picture. This brought the police who quickly sent us on our way. We also drove past several lovely brick residences where people whose names you’d surely recognize spent time.

Our race around town left me breathless, but the trip wasn’t finished yet. To end the evening, we made one final stop. This time, each person on board stepped off to do what every tourist who visits Philadelphia must do. Can you guess what?

We visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art, of course. Not to go inside, but to race (or in my case, walk) up the fifty zillion stairs to the main entrance. Photo op – if only the lighting had been better. Well, at least you can hear me humming the Rocky theme song.

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Philadelphia Museum of Art and all those steps! (Philadelphia Museum of Art site photo)

I thoroughly enjoyed this small glimpse into our country’s past, but someday I will return to investigate more fully – along with visiting the many other Philly sites that paved the way for America’s independence.

Thank you, founding fathers (and mothers) for the risks you took and the dangers you endured to set in motion what would bring us the freedoms we enjoy today.

Happy birthday, America!

A Summer Day At the Farm

Last week I packed up and headed west. Sounds like the opening to a shoot-em-up novel, doesn’t it? Well, in a way, it was.

The long trek to Kearney, Missouri took about four hours on a steamy hot afternoon that felt more like August than June. After a stop to eat and cool off, we headed for our first destination, Mount Olivet Cemetery. The cemetery wasn’t enormous, but it had tombstones from present day back to well over a century ago. Despite the small size, it still took some searching to locate the family I sought. After about ten minutes of hunting, an arrow painted on the concrete stand of a directory caught my husband’s eye. We walked thirty paces in the direction indicated, and found it.

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The graves of Jesse James, and his wife, Zerelda (Zee) Mimms James.

Yes, we’d just done what the Pinkertons failed to do. We found Jesse James. This more modern stone replaced the original, which had been steadily chipped away by souvenir hunters. The grave site sits in the shade of large evergreen trees, quiet and peaceful, surrounded by the resting place of other members of the James family. There are flowers above the stone, and if you look closely, you can see a penny someone left between Jesse and Zee’s markers.

The next morning, we drove to the Jesse James Farm and Museum. It’s not far from the cemetery, with a road that winds through rolling hills and fields.

Upon arriving at our destination, we found a large modern structure that houses a gift shop, a tiny theater, and several rooms of memorabilia from the James family. We chatted with staff, watched a twenty minute film about Frank and Jesse, and then walked with our guide a short but scenic distance to the original home.

The property is lovely and the acres around it well-manicured. Despite the heat of the day, standing in the shade wasn’t so bad, and I imagined how the family must have enjoyed the same respite during the hot months of summer. After touring the tiny home, we walked to the original burial site of Jesse James – right outside his mother’s bedroom window, where she could keep a sharp eye on it. A rifle stayed near her  bed, just in case a grave robber or vandal had the audacity to show up.

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The first grave site of Jesse James. His body was moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery to rest next to Zee after her death. This marker is not the original.

After the tour, I had a wonderful meeting with the farm’s knowledgeable and kind staff. They answered my questions, and we had a fine time talking about the James family, and all the events that happened at the farm. I left an advanced reader copy of my book, I am Mrs. Jesse James, and they made me feel like I was a celebrity. (As I said, they are very kind!)

I’m hoping for a return trip later this summer, when a true Jesse James authority will make the trip from Great Britain for one of her regular visits to the farm. We’re acquainted through social media, but I’ve yet to meet her in person. It’s an understatement to say I’m looking forward to the possibility of a fascinating and lively discussion.

There is so much more to Jesse and Zee’s story than what I can share here. I am Mrs. Jesse James releases on August 28, and is available on preorder now. I promise you’ll discover many, many more details when you read it.

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Me with two of the amazing staff people at the Jesse James Farm and Museum.

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Pat Wahler is the author of I am Mrs. Jesse James, a novel told from the perspective of the wife of the infamous outlaw. She is also co-author of a children’s picture book, Midnight the One-Eyed Cat, releasing in September; and author of a Christmas-themed collection of short stories, essays, and poetry, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas, releasing in early October. 

 

 

Unplug and Recharge

On a fishing trip to southern Missouri, a cloudy afternoon brought several hours of wind and rain, and by rain I mean a monsoon, which left deep puddles of water everywhere. Once the storm passed, drops the size of teacups dripped from leaves. [image error]

As I picked my way across the ground, trying to avoid tromping into any ankle deep mini-ponds, I glanced up to notice something I’d never seen before. An enormous tree filled with turkey buzzards (several of them flew away before I could snap their picture). Each big old bird sat on a branch, motionless and silent, with wings spread wide to dry.

Can’t you just totally relate to these guys? After being pummeled by a storm, when the clouds cleared away, they shook off the whirlwind to welcome back the sun.

Summer used to be a laid-back time, but not anymore. If you’re like me, you’ve been doing way too much, forever trying to cram in just one more thing. Racing to reach the next goal.  Wearing out your batteries. Risking the possibility of burn-out.

Maybe it’s time to take a lesson from our feathered friends. My own epiphany has arrived, and I resolve to forget those nagging deadlines for a moment each day to sit back and enjoy the warm golden beauty of a sunrise, or take Winston for a long walk around the lake. How about you?

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Breathe, relax, unplug, and recharge. You may find that making time for yourself could be the real key to success.

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Easy-Peasy recipe fans, check out a new post on the Easy-Peasy tab for a quick and delicious way to fix asparagus.

Watch for Pat’s upcoming releases:

August – I am Mrs. Jesse James; a novel of love, loss, and redemption

September – Midnight the One-Eyed Cat; a picture book on learning the value of “me” 

October – Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas; a collection of short stories, essays, and poems for those who love the yuletide