Carolyn Astfalk's Blog, page 36
May 15, 2017
Relevant Fiction Reviews: American Colonial Period
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I’ve always had an affection for American history, but as I’ve matured, I’ve grown to love it. (Don’t talk to me about European history. Kings, queens, blah, blah. It causes my eyes to roll to the back of my head.) The colonial era has long been my favorite, and I’d love to visit some of the historical locations so important to our nation’s founding. Until then, I can read about them!
(You might wonder what a dystopian science fiction novel is doing in this group. Testing Liberty actually revisits colonial America, specifically Betsy Ross, via 3D video game stimulations designed to both entertain and educate about liberty in an era in which it has become an abstract concept. You get to two genres for the price of one with Testing Liberty!)
[image error]The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this era in American history, from the French and Indian War to the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The writing is skillful and the story engaging, if a bit long.
Both the Oneida and colonist characters were handled with sensitivity and honesty. The romance was light but moving. Above all, the messages of mercy and forgiveness were beautifully rendered.
My only quibble is that it would have been helpful for the chapter beginning to note not only the date, but the time elapsed from the previous chapter since the story stretches over two decades.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund
I won an audiobook copy of Rebellious Heart from the author. The narration was very well done – only adding to the narrative and not distracting from it. The men’s and women’s voice were both well done and distinctive enough for me to identify them without name attribution.
Rebllious Heart is a suspenseful story of friendship, courage, and love. I enjoyed reading about the colonial era and found the pre-Revolutionary War setting fascinating. The romance was clean but sensual.
The characters are well-developed and the plot includes a bit of suspense and mystery. Although I thought that at times both Susanna and Ben’s reasoning for avoiding a romantic entanglement became repetitive, they each had a satisfying story arc. Susanna underwent the biggest change – from blindly obedient to courageously principled while Ben learned to see beyond self-interest and his inferiority complex to valuing who and what matters most.
Recommended for fans of historical romance.
The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep
Goodreads description follows. My review coming soon!
Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of an angry duke. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.
Fight for Liberty by Theresa Linden
Some regimes go out with a bang, others with a whimper. In Fight for Liberty, Theresa Linden takes the reader on a wild ride as Aldonia and its surrounds descend into chaos. Despite the seismic changes going on around them, Dedrick’s love for Liberty is steadfast. With each risky mission she undertakes, Liberty must consider where and how can she do the most good and whether her future will include Dedrick. Should she commit herself to bringing freedom to Aldonia, or are there other, more subtle ways she can make a difference? The final book in the Liberty Trilogy includes all the action and intrigue you’d expect along with the resolution of Liberty’s seemingly paradoxical quest to both be free and to belong.
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In Honor of St. Dymphna: The King’s Prey by Susan Peek
St. Dymphna (the patron of those suffering from nervous and mental afflictions, whose feast day is today) and I go back to about 1996. I can’t recall when or how she first came to my attention. Did I look her up or stumble upon mention of her? I don’t honestly know.
It was about that time that I began to recognize my anxiety issues and learned what a panic attack was. (So, that’s what I’d been experiencing!)
My problem is relatively mild and fairly-well controlled these days. (I wrote about one aspect of my anxiety issues here.) It is not something I’ve ever felt the need to seek medical attention for. But it was enough to lead me to St. Dymphna.
I specifically relied on her intercession during my engagement, when I worried that anxiety (no irony there, huh?) would mar what is to be the most special of days. I still attribute the utter calm and peace I felt on my wedding day to her intercession. I still call on her from time to time, grateful for a patron who understands anxiety and mental illness.
It’s no surprise then, that I eagerly awaited Susan Peek’s latest novel, The King’s Prey, which she has been laboring over for years! Pretty much the only thing I knew about St. Dymphna is that she fled her mentally ill father, who wanted to marry her. (Yikes!) History offers few more details than that, but I knew The King’s Prey would help flesh out those details, bringing me to a greater understanding of her life and martyrdom.
A historical novel based on the life of Saint Dymphna by Susan Peek, the author of fast-paced saints stories for teens.
An insane king.
His fleeing daughter.
Estranged brothers, with a troubled past,
both fighting to save her life.
Who can be trusted?
An insane king. His fleeing daughter. Estranged brothers, with a scarred past, risking everything to save her from a fate worse than death. Toss in a holy priest and a lovable wolfhound, and get ready for a wild race across Ireland. Will Dymphna escape her deranged father and his sinful desires? For the first time ever, the story of Saint Dymphna is brought to life in this dramatic novel for adults and older teens. With raw adventure, gripping action, and even humor in the midst of dark mental turmoil, Susan Peek’s newest novel will introduce you to a saint you will love forever! Teenage girls will see that Dymphna was just like them, a real girl, while young men will thrill at the heart-stopping danger and meet heroes they can easily relate to. If ever a Heavenly friend was needed in these times of widespread depression and emotional instability, this forgotten Irish saint is it!
My review:
Martyrdom is brutal and doesn’t necessarily lends itself to a lighthearted treatment. Then again, this is the Church that made St. Lawrence, roasted to death over a slow fire, the patron saint of cooks.
Susan Peek, wisely I think, intertwines St. Dymphna’s difficult story with that of two Irish orphan brothers, Turlough and Brioc. Both will come to her defense, seeking to save her from her insane widowed father’s attempt to force her into marriage to him.
While Dymphna’s father, the king, is largely an unsympathetic character, for obvious reasons, Brioc’s character allows the reader to delve into the mind of someone struggling with mental illness – not a murderous, villainous person, but a good and kindhearted person who has suffered numerous losses and traumas.
Interspersed with mortal peril, swashbuckling, and glimpses of mental illness are lighter moments, many of which come via the overgrown wolfhound, Sam, loved by Brioc and, begrudgingly, Turlough. The novel also delves into the fractured relationship between Brioc and Turlough, the seemingly insurmountable distance between Brioc and his pregnant wife Lynnie, and several minor characters.
In the end, you’ll be left with a fuller sense of the horror of St. Dymphna’s struggle, the beauty of loving sacrifice, and the power of those sacrifices when offered to God for the sake of another. Ultimately, as with every Christian story, there is a message of hope.
As in all of Susan Peek’s books, the pace is quick, the stakes high, and action nearly nonstop, making it a smooth read.
The King’s Prey: St. Dymphna of Ireland, high stakes action & hope. http://ow.ly/eDUz30bIGMC #saints
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May 12, 2017
Seven Quick Takes
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Blogging from A to Z Challenge Edition
Last month, for the first time, I participated in the Blogging From A to Z April (2017) Challenge. For each of the days in April (minus Sundays) you blog about a topic beginning with the day’s assigned letter. You’re encouraged to blog according to a chosen theme. Mine was my April book release, Rightfully Ours. You then share your posts on blogs and social media. (You can find the links to each of my posts in my Letter Z post.) In early April, I realized I’d clearly over-extended myself. My book released April 1 and the Facebook launch party and blog tour soon followed. I had volunteer commitments to attend to, and my kids’ springtime sports and activities were gearing up. I persevered, and here are seven ways in which it benefited me. The Blogging From A to Z Challenge:
–1–
Restored a Writing Habit
The Blogging from A to Z Challenge made me accountable to writing every day (except for Sundays). With 26 letters and 26 assigned days of blogging, my schedule was set. No matter what else was going on (and there was plenty!) I had to squeeze in that blog post. It didn’t have to be long or the most inspiring post I’d ever written, but there needed to be coherent words on a page ready for me to share each morning. It reminded me that I can make writing a near-daily habit despite what else is going on if I am committed to doing so. This is pretty much the theme over at 10 Minute Novelists and its 365K Club, but this challenge was a good reminder.
–2–
Helped Me Write More Freely
When I first began fiction writing, words flowed quickly and easily. As I’ve gotten a clue grown more knowledgeable about what I’m doing, I’ve found it hard to turn off my inner editor. My production has been stymied by my efforts to get it right – or pretty close to it – on the first attempt. The requirement that I just write allowed me to let words flow on the page without so much censoring.
–3–
Introduced Me to Other Bloggers
Once I posted my own blog, I would visit at least a half-dozen other blogs, read the daily posts, comment, and share on Twitter. I discovered varied themes and styles, some extremely clever. There were photo blogs, serial fiction blogs, poetry, travel blogs, hobbies and crafts, writing tips, and so much more. I ended up conversing with and following some new bloggers. And I learned from them about topics, people, and places I’d never been introduced to before.
–4–
Brought Increased Traffic to My Blog
Every day, I had a steady stream of readers, most of whom I’d wager hadn’t visited before. They often viewed more than one post, and some left comments. All were civil and polite. New people subscribed to my blog, and my page views for April were 390 more than my March page views.
–5–
Helped Me Sell a Book or Two
A couple of visitors expressed an interest in my writing and in my books! I established relationships and shared my writing with new people, some of whom may take a chance on my novels.
–6–
Restored My Writing Confidence
Completing the challenge gave me a much-needed writing boost and reminded me that I could write daily, freely, and accomplish a set goal despite challenges. The feeling of accomplishment is very satisfying, and often hard to come by in my full-time gig: motherhood. Things I clean don’t stay clean. Dirty laundry and dirty dishes are ever-present. The work I do in raising my children may be very important and something that I love, but it’s not the kind of thing that provides a lot of measurable satisfaction or any sense of completion. It’s fun to set a goal and then accomplish it, however minor it may be.
–7–
Spurred My Creativity
Coming up with informative and interesting posts related to a central theme for each letter of the alphabet can be a challenge! (Q, X, Y, and Z, I’m looking at you!) My creative juices were flowing all through April. Here’s to hoping they spill right into May!
For writers: Have you tried the A to Z Blogging Challenge?
For readers: Have you followed A to Z posts?
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For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain’t the Lyceum.
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May 8, 2017
Home Sweet Home
On Saturday, my mom left the house she’s lived in since 1960. That’s 57 years in one home. She lived on the same property, different house, for six years before that. It’s the same property my father lived in for all of his 80 years, excepting his service in World War II.
That property and that home, will always be my first home. When I close my eyes, I can see the tree line towering over the valley where the two-story block and brick home is nestled. I know the pattern of the pink tile floor in the bathroom with its squares and rectangles. I can hear the sound the attic fan makes as it stirs to life. And, I know in exactly which parts of the yard the wild purple and white violets grow.[image error]
The home I’ve shared with my husband is almost as well known, but not quite. I don’t have a child’s eye for detail any longer. And I don’t have quite the same affection for it. We have more of a love/hate relationship. Should money fall from the sky and enable us to make this house the home we envision, things would be different, but, as it stands, meh. I could leave it without missing it very much.
And yet, despite my mixed feelings about it, it’s a source of comfort, as homes should be. A place where you can most fully be yourself with those you most love. The only place you really want to be when you’re sick. The place where you sleep most comfortably (one hopes). The walls that offer you a sense of security and permanence. A shelter from the sometimes harsh world beyond its doors.
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” Jane Austen
Tweet ThisI’m probably more a homebody than most. Lack of disposable income for travel and the sheer amount of effort required in relocating six people for any period of time may have made me so. But for the most part, I am content under a familiar roof where beat the hearts of my husband and children.
Home, like many mundane but meaningful aspects of our lives, is just a foretaste of what is to come. For that reason alone, I’m grateful for the familiarity of the modest homes in which I’ve lived that allow me to glimpse all that is to come – every treasured moment, detail, and comfort awaiting me the day that I return to that for which I was born, in the safe embrace of my heavenly home.
What does home mean to you?
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May 3, 2017
An Open Book
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Welcome to the May 2017 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!
[image error]Despite the many times over the past decades that my husband and I have been reminded couples should pray together, we’ve been horrible about doing it. As in, we almost never pray alone together. Meal time, yes. Bedtime with the kids, yes. But outside of attending Mass together, no routine prayer. To remedy that, when buying a wedding gift for my son’s teacher, I bought an additional copy of A Psalter for Couples by Pierre-Marie Dumont. (Happy 20th Anniversary! To: Us, From: Us.) There are some recommendations in the back of the book for establishing weekly prayer time together that I will read more carefully, but for now, we’re selecting a psalm to read together each night after all of the kids go to bed. It’s a beautiful hardback book with gold trim and red ribbons. It makes a lovely gift (even if it’s to yourself).
[image error]I’ve been working my way through Dana Pratola’s Descended Series using my free monthly loan from the Kindle Lending Library via Amazon Prime. Last week, I read Aaro (Descended Book #3). As the series progresses, more of the nature of the brotherhood of Jett, Sebastian, and now, Aaro, is divulged. Their supernatural abilities suggest a quasi-angelic nature, which I expect will be more fully revealed in the final book as the prophecy regarding these men, all dedicated to defending and protecting women (and extraordinarily good-looking, to boot) is realized. FYI – The books are tagged as “not your mother’s Christian fiction,” and they are not. Particularly in this third book, there’s quite a bit of sexual tension and sensuality.
[image error]As soon as I finish a couple of advance copies of forthcoming books from friends, I’m looking forward to diving into Becky Wade’s new novel, the first in the Bradford Sisters series, True to You. You can get a jumpstart on the new characters by downloading (for FREE!) the prequel novella, Then Came You. I’m eager to participate in the Facebook Release Party for True to You tomorrow night, May 4, at 8 p.m. EDT and then host a spot on the book’s blog tour later this month!
[image error]Now that my oldest son has finished reading The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton with his eighth grade class, I’m ready to re-watch the movie with him. I’m only slightly embarrassed to say that there was a time circa 1984 when I could recite the movie dialogue pretty much line for line. I may also have had pictures of the cast members taped to my bedroom walls. I knew the book inside and out, too.
[image error]The other book he’s finishing is White Fang by Jack London. When I asked what his favorite part of the book was, I got a smart aleck answer regarding White Fang ripping something or someone apart, so I’m just going to spare you recounting those details. I’ve never read Jack London’s books, and my son really enjoyed both White Fang and Call of the Wild, which I’ve been trying to sneak in between other books.
[image error]My third grader is back into the Trixie Belden series since I supplemented the library’s collection by buying her a used copy of a book the library doesn’t carry. She’s reading Trixie Belden #5 The Mystery off Glen Road as well as 7 Riddles to Nowh[image error]ere by A.J. Cattapan. I think of 7 Riddles to Nowhere as sort of a National Treasure for kids. So far, she’s only asked me about a single character in the book, one whose inclusion is maybe my favorite thing about this novel – Old Man Englebert. Having been a bit awed by people who had electronic voice boxes when I was a kid, Kam’s (the protagonist, who suffers from selective mutism) horror/fascination with Old Man Englebert was among my favorite parts of the story.
[image error]The little kids are back in story time at our local library, so we’ve been reading a couple of their selections. I really enjoy reading aloud Hairy Maclary’s Bone by Lynley Dodd. I’m partial to rhyming books, as is my little girl. This is a fun story of a dog who manages to outwit a group of other dogs coveting his delicious butcher’s bone. The varied dogs in the illustrations as well as the predicaments that prevent them from stealing Hairy’s bone are fun to look at.
[image error]My cynical self is less thrilled with Squirrel Park by Lisa Campbell Ernst. A kid and his squirrel friend must prevent the boy’s overbearing father from creating a dull park and removing their beloved tree. When it looks like the mean dad is going to get his way, the squirrel resorts to ecoterrorism and gnaws his tools. Whatever. The kids will like the pictures, and who doesn’t enjoy a beautiful park with a big, old tree? I’m just a wee bit tired of the evil capitalist/anti-nature trope. (Even the School Library Journal called it “a bit heavy-handed.”)
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Want more details on An Open Book? You can also sign up for An Open Book reminder email, which goes out one week before the link-up. No blog? That’s okay. Just tell us what you’re reading in the comment box.
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May 1, 2017
Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World Blog Tour
I’m happy to host the blog tour for Jean M. Heimann’s latest book:
Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World
About the Book:
Fatima. Few place-names in the Christian world conjure up such powerful images and associations as that of this humble town in Portugal. For it was there that Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children beginning in 1917 apparitions that are intimately linked to pious Catholic practices such as devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the five first Saturdays, daily recitation of the Rosary with the Fatima prayer, as well as miracles attested to even by non-believers, such as the day the sun danced. The Virgin’s message, as it always is, was penance. But she also predicted world historical events such as the rise and fall of communism, the second world war, and the attempted assassination of Pope St. John Paul II. She promised refuge in her Immaculate Heart to all who approach her – a promise extended, and urgently needed, today.
This beautifully illustrated volume will be treasured by long-time devotees of our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, as well as those, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, who seek to learn more about the dramatic events related to the apparition that have unfolded over the course of the last century.
In Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World, noted Catholic author and Blue Army member Jean M. Heimann traces the history of the apparitions at Cova da Iria and, assisted by over fifty full-color illustrations, guides the reader through the hundred years since the Mother of God appeared to three little children in a small town in Portugal.
My Review:
I didn’t know how much my knowledge of the Fatima apparitions was lacking until I read Jean M. Heimann’s beautiful new book! As a cradle Catholic with at least average knowledge about my faith, I’ve long known about the Blessed Mother’s appearances to three young Portuguese children in the early 20th century. What this book, replete with beautiful photographs, did, is provide depth and context to my superficial knowledge.
Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World works as a reference book, a coffee table book, a spiritual work, and a primer in history – both ecclesiastical and 20th century world history. One of the most helpful features in the book is a timeline, setting the visions in context with historical events. (It was also a reminder of how slowly the Catholic Church moves, often with good reason.) The timeline is also traced in greater detail through the 20th and 21st century papacies.
Just in time for the centennial of the first apparitions and the canonizations of two of the three visionaries, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, later this month, Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World not only educates and edifies, but brings to bear the continuing relevance of Our Lady’s message today.
As private revelation, the apparitions, while approved (meaning that they are supernatural and do not contradict good faith or morals) are not part of the deposit of faith. Even so, this detailed story of Fatima left me in awe of the majesty of God and the significant role Our Lady plays in salvation history.
Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World educates & edifies. @catholicfire #fatima #catholic
Tweet ThisAbout the Author:
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Jean M. Heimann
JEAN M. HEIMANN is a Catholic author and a freelance writer with an M.A. in Theology, a parish minister and speaker, a psychologist and educator, and an Oblate with the Community of St. John. She is a member of the Blue Army and founder of Our Lady of Fatima Rosary and Study group. Jean is the author of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues (Servant, 2014) and Learning to Love with the Saints, A Spiritual Memoir (Mercy, 2016). Visit Jean at her website http://www.jeanmheimann.com/ through which you can access her award-wining blog, Catholic Fire. Her new book Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World is available for pre-order at Amazon.com or at TAN Books online.
The Blog Tour:
May 1 – Carolyn Astfalk, My Scribbler’s Heart
May 2 – Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker
May 3 – Virginia Lieto, Virginia Lieto
May 4 – AnneMarie Miller, Sacrifice of Love
May 5 – Barb Szyszkiewicz, Franciscan Mom
May 6 – Steven R. McEvoy, Book Reviews and More
May 7 – Lisa Hendey, Catholic Mom
May 8 – Jeannie Ewing, Love Alone Creates
May 9 – Lisa Mladinich, Amazing Catechists
May 10 – AnneMarie Miller, Sacrifice of Love
May 11 — Barb Szyszkiewicz, Catholic Mom
May 12 – Allison Gingas, Reconciled to You and Marge Fenelon, Marge Fenelon
May 13 – Esther Gefroh, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii
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April 30, 2017
From A to Z Blogging: Z is for Zero Sum Game
For the first time, I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! The concept is simple: Each day in April I’ll be blogging on a topic starting with the letter of the day, beginning with A and progressing to Z by the end of the month. Posts will be short and will relate to my chosen theme: my new coming of age story, Rightfully Ours, released April 1.
[image error]Z is for Zero Sum Game
Zero-Sum Game: A game in which the winnings of some players must equal the losses of the others. Zero-sum games are mentioned in a political context when it is believed that resources are limited, and every decision will produce both winners and losers. In such situations, political decisions will be made on the basis of trade-offs between competing interests.
In Rightfully Ours, the messy resolution to discovered treasure could be called a zero sum game. No party is completely satisfied with the end result. Compromises are made, deals struck. But in the end, it’s mostly favorable to all.
Sometimes in life, we comes across the proverbial “win-win,” but more often, there are trade-offs that we must accept. As I sit typing, I look out the window at our beautiful yard located close to highways, activities, and amenities. The trade-off? Traffic noise. Dirt. Proximity to neighbors. (I guess that can be a plus or a minus, depending on your neighbors.)
I’d call the Blogging from A to Z Challenge closer to a win-win than a zero sum game. For me, having experienced it for the first time, it did require a daily commitment to posting and sharing. Therefore, it ate up some of my time. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the process!
It helped remind the that I can make time for writing each day.
It helped me to re-discover writing that just flows from my fingertips without being overthought, over-planned, or over-edited.
It also introduced me to other bloggers and their posts and comments, which both enriched me and brightened my day.
I will definitely consider the A to Z Challenge again!
What’s your take on the A to Z Challenge? What did you like about it? What didn’t you like?
zero-sum game. Dictionary.com. The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/zero-sum-game (accessed: April 28, 2017).
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April 29, 2017
From A to Z Blogging Challenge: Y is for Young Adult
For the first time, I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! The concept is simple: Each day in April I’ll be blogging on a topic starting with the letter of the day, beginning with A and progressing to Z by the end of the month. Posts will be short and will relate to my chosen theme: my new coming of age story, Rightfully Ours, released April 1.
[image error]Y is for Young Adult
I didn’t begin writing Rightfully Ours as a Young Adult (YA) novel. Of course, I didn’t really know what I was doing, but in the start, my youngest protagonist was barely a teen. Once I’d completed a draft, I knew what the book was – a coming of age story. Because my main characters were teens, people wanted to put it into a YA category (well, duh), which I resisted at first. I think the idea of writing for teens intimidates me a bit, since I take seriously the responsibility to “get it right,” particularly if I’m writing about sensitive subjects.
At any rate, I’ve grown into that YA category, one which is enjoyed by both teens AND adults. Some YA books are more appealing to adults than others, but I think, in general, the teen years have wide appeal because of the immense possibilities that lie before us at that age. The future is wide open, and, usually, we’re not so tainted by cynicism (or experience) that we stifle our dreams and desires. It is filled with hope, and that is appealing at any age.
Do you read YA novels? What do you think makes stories of youth so appealing to all ages?
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April 28, 2017
From A to Z Blogging Challenge: X is for Xmas
For the first time, I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! The concept is simple: Each day in April I’ll be blogging on a topic starting with the letter of the day, beginning with A and progressing to Z by the end of the month. Posts will be short and will relate to my chosen theme: my new coming of age story, Rightfully Ours, released April 1.
[image error]X is for Xmas
Is it cheating if I’m technically using the Greek letter Chi for my X-themed post? At this point, I’m not looking to get bumped from the A to Z Challenge, but I’m sticking with my Xmas post.
I’ve heard of some people taking offense to the use of “Xmas” as short hand for Christmas. Not sure where that originated, but it is, in fact, the use of chi, which is the first letter of “Christ” in Greek, so, unless someone is using “Xmas” with the specific intention of Xing out Christ (is that thing?), there’s no room for offense. It’s just a timesaver when writing “Christmas” longhand.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I love writing about holidays, most especially Christmas. I’ve got a couple of Christmas scenes in Rightfully Ours, and three Christmases in . While many people have difficulty with holidays due to losses, there is a lot of lovely nostalgia tied to these celebrations, which often take place within the family.
Here’s one of my favorite passages in Rightfully Ours:
The minty freshness tantalized her nose, but only for a second. The dominant fragrance in the room remained the sweet and savory aroma of the ham Mom had served for Christmas dinner. When the heat kicked on, a gust of fresh pine momentarily wafted beyond the Christmas tree’s limbs, causing Rachel to inhale deeply and savor its woodsy scent.
Paul sat next to her, his hand interlocked with hers, and if he shifted in his seat or leaned in to whisper something to her, his cologne would join the panoply of fragrances that from now on would be uniquely “Christmas” to her.
The mini multi-colored lights from the Christmas tree cast a soft glow on the otherwise dark room. Here and there a red or yellow bulb lit a hidden alcove in the tree where an ornament hung. An eclectic mishmash of ornaments bedecked the large, fine-needled evergreen Dad and Paul had hand-cut for their celebration. Garish ornaments fashioned by little hands hung next to antique balls, ceramic snowflakes, vacation mementos and pop culture touchstones. As Paul had joked while he fastened hooks to the ornaments, “Nothing says ‘let’s celebrate the Savior’s birth’ like an eerie, talking Death Star.”
Name your favorite holiday!
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April 27, 2017
Blogging from A to Z Challenge: W is for Williamsport
For the first time, I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! The concept is simple: Each day in April I’ll be blogging on a topic starting with the letter of the day, beginning with A and progressing to Z by the end of the month. Posts will be short and will relate to my chosen theme: my new coming of age story, Rightfully Ours, released April 1.
[image error]W is for Williamsport
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is the setting for Rightfully Ours. This northern central Pennsylvania city in Lycoming County is best known as the home of Little League Baseball. It’s also the site of many natural gas drilling wells, which is part of the reason I set my novel there. (See F is for Fracking.) For a long time, my husband spent several weeks each summer working in the Williamsport market, and many years, I would take the kids to visit him. While he worked, we amused ourselves by visiting local attractions.
The Susquehanna River, which runs from New York to the Chesapeake Bay, passes through Williamsport. It’s not nearly as wide in Williamsport as what we’re accustomed to closer to home in Harrisburg, but I’d love to go back and do some biking along the river.
We always had a baby or two along for our visits, so we stuck with visits to the World of Little League Museum and Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland as our main attractions. Both are fun family destinations. Our visits were timed immediately before the beginning of the annual Little League World Series Championship, and the air was abuzz with excitement. Reptiland has its own brand of excitement with its live reptiles and fairly recent additions of a butterfly house and animatronic dinosaurs (both a BIG hit with my children). If you’re ever in the area, I recommend you stop.
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FROM MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!
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