Rita Ownby Holcomb's Blog, page 3
April 28, 2016
A Vow Unbroken
First draft of A Vow Unbroken has gone to the editor.
Can I get a Whoopeeeeee?
Can I get a Whoopeeeeee?
April 9, 2016
What readers say
Not only do reviews help with sales for authors, face it, our ego's thrive on them too. When I get one like the following, I just want to sit down with a glass of sweet tea and read the book like I didn't write it.
Wonderful saga for all ages
By islandbb on April 9, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
This story is unforgettable for history buffs and anyone else who would enjoy reading a true account of a real family play out on the written page. I laughed; I cried; and when I read the last page, I realized I had seen a depiction of American life in the 19th century South at it's best. This tale by author, Rita Ownby Holcomb, reminded me of the love and the sorrow and the pure joy experienced by our ancestors. Rita does not disappoint and the good news is that this is the first of a series with her newest book, " A Vow Unbroken " coming out soon. Treat yourself to this uplifting and historically correct book.
Wonderful saga for all ages
By islandbb on April 9, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
This story is unforgettable for history buffs and anyone else who would enjoy reading a true account of a real family play out on the written page. I laughed; I cried; and when I read the last page, I realized I had seen a depiction of American life in the 19th century South at it's best. This tale by author, Rita Ownby Holcomb, reminded me of the love and the sorrow and the pure joy experienced by our ancestors. Rita does not disappoint and the good news is that this is the first of a series with her newest book, " A Vow Unbroken " coming out soon. Treat yourself to this uplifting and historically correct book.
April 7, 2016
Join us for a fun filled literary weekend. Oh yeah,...
Join us for a fun filled literary weekend. Oh yeah, and there's puppies too!
March 12, 2016
Looking for a good book?
Are you weary of naked bodies on book covers; bored with the half dead walking amongst us; perplexed by alternate worlds and dimensions; well past the age of teen-age angst?Do you ant to read a good story about real people, in a down to earth fashion with an authentic historical background?
Then order your copy of A Twist of Tobacco today.
Available in softcover or Kindle editions at Amazon.
Or receive a SIGNED copy from the Author.
February 29, 2016
Historical fiction at its finest!By S. Breheny on Februar...
Historical fiction at its finest!
By S. Breheny on February 10, 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is the kind of writing I absoluting LOVE! The writing flows so smoothly making it easy to "get lost" in the story immediately. The wording and phrases are accurate for the time period and locale. I especially appreciate all the descriptive passages so I can visualize clearly what each character is doing and might be feeling. It is apparent that Rita has done abundant research on many subjects combining all those elements to create a vivid portrait of real life in 1800's Tennessee.
Thank you, Rita, for your labor of love!
A Twist of Tobacco
By S. Breheny on February 10, 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is the kind of writing I absoluting LOVE! The writing flows so smoothly making it easy to "get lost" in the story immediately. The wording and phrases are accurate for the time period and locale. I especially appreciate all the descriptive passages so I can visualize clearly what each character is doing and might be feeling. It is apparent that Rita has done abundant research on many subjects combining all those elements to create a vivid portrait of real life in 1800's Tennessee.
Thank you, Rita, for your labor of love!
A Twist of Tobacco
February 27, 2016
Why leaving a review is important....
I really like your book! Tears were running down my face yesterday when I was reading it! I am not even half way through!I received this message today on a completely unrelated thread.Authors depend on reviews to generate sales but also to keep us motivated. We need to know that people are reading and getting our message, what ever it might be.Notes like that really make my day.
Get your copy today A Twist of Tobacco
February 10, 2016
Tennessee Confederate Veterans Home and Cemetery
In our research quest for A Twist of Tobacco, my husband and I visited the Tennessee Confederate Soldiers Home Cemetery located in Hermitage Tennessee. The home and subsequent cemetery was built on the grounds of Andrew Jackson's plantation The Hermitage.Built in 1892 the home closed in 1933. Residents of the home are buried in the Confederate Cemetery.My great uncle Cahal Knox Polk Ownby was a resident there and was buried in 1918.There is a large monument and the soldiers are buried with a simple stone engraved with their regiments. The graves were placed in an outward spiral. the nearest stones were the first and the farthest stones were the last.The last confederate veteran resident died in 1941.
January 14, 2016
A Way of Life
When people say Southerners before the Civil War it automatically brings to mind Tara and Scarlett O'Hara, sweeping lawns and massive garden parties.
The truth of the matter is that the majority of southerners were simple farmers or merchants. In researching A Twist of Tobacco I visited a wonderful working farm museum near Dover Tennessee.
Homeplace 1850's Working Farm was absolutely fascinating and gave me much background for the daily life of my ancestors before the war began.
Typical Two Pen House with detached kitchen at rear
Parlor with bed and trundle for visiting company. I am standing in the front door of the Pen and you can see straight into the kitchen.
Smokey the house cat.
Making tomato sauce in the hot kitchen.
Stairs to the loft and upstairs bedrooms
Loft room
As you can see, these people lived a life far different from what is often portrayed in movies and TV shows.
The truth of the matter is that the majority of southerners were simple farmers or merchants. In researching A Twist of Tobacco I visited a wonderful working farm museum near Dover Tennessee.
Homeplace 1850's Working Farm was absolutely fascinating and gave me much background for the daily life of my ancestors before the war began.
Typical Two Pen House with detached kitchen at rear
Parlor with bed and trundle for visiting company. I am standing in the front door of the Pen and you can see straight into the kitchen.
Smokey the house cat.
Making tomato sauce in the hot kitchen.
Stairs to the loft and upstairs bedrooms
Loft room
As you can see, these people lived a life far different from what is often portrayed in movies and TV shows.
January 13, 2016
Butternut Grey
"Baby Henry was asleep in a basket on the porch while Carol sewed yellow trim on her son’s Butternut coats. Lizzie had painstakingly cut out the patterns for the uniform jackets and pants. And during the quiet afternoons, when the men were in the field and the children were in school or taking a nap, Carol had been sewing the uniforms for Watt and Ed. She said a silent prayer for all of the boys already gone to war."
from A Twist of Tobacco
I have found so many tiny little tidbits of information in my research over the years. It's these actual bits that give my story life and authenticity.
A page from Watt's actual Confederate Pension Application.
from A Twist of Tobacco
I have found so many tiny little tidbits of information in my research over the years. It's these actual bits that give my story life and authenticity.
A page from Watt's actual Confederate Pension Application.
January 11, 2016
A trip back in time
In September of 2001 I took my first genealogy research trip to Tennessee. Two distant Ownby cousins and I planned to spend at least 10 days touring the area and researching in courthouses. And we did.
We met up with other distant cousins and spent time in the towns and ate way too much country cooking. We based ourselves in Murfreesboro, Cannon County. We were actually researching several families but that's another story for another book.
Along the way we were directed to property that belonged to Eli Craig Ownby and some that is still in family hands.
Tobacco drying shed on land still in possession by an Ownby descendant.
The creek featured in A Twist of Tobacco.
Of course yours truly (on the right) had to wade in the creek like a little girl. After all Queen was my great Aunt.
View from the road where Eli and the children lived after the war.
I'm afraid this chapter of my research story doesn't have a happy ending.
Did I mention it was early September, 2001?
On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was drinking coffee and reading a book in my motel room waiting for the other girls to get awake so we could go back to the Rutherford County Courthouse. We had a big day planned.
The phone rang and it was one of my cousins. She said "Are you watching the news?"
I said, "No, why?"
She was crying and said "Turn it on channel (whatever)"
What met my eyes was unbelievable. A news commentator was standing in front of the burning tower and as I watched and talked with Kena on the phone the second plane hit.
700 miles from home and our families. We packed within thirty minutes, checked out of the motel and headed home. The three of us cried the whole way. Scared out of our wits, we took back roads and what should be a 10 hour trip took u two days.
It was a couple of months before I could even look at these photos taken on that trip. I've been back several times and the pain of that morning has lessened.
I thought it time to share some of my story with my readers.
This series of books is a true labor of love for me.
We met up with other distant cousins and spent time in the towns and ate way too much country cooking. We based ourselves in Murfreesboro, Cannon County. We were actually researching several families but that's another story for another book.
Along the way we were directed to property that belonged to Eli Craig Ownby and some that is still in family hands.
Tobacco drying shed on land still in possession by an Ownby descendant.
The creek featured in A Twist of Tobacco.
Of course yours truly (on the right) had to wade in the creek like a little girl. After all Queen was my great Aunt.
View from the road where Eli and the children lived after the war.
I'm afraid this chapter of my research story doesn't have a happy ending.
Did I mention it was early September, 2001?
On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was drinking coffee and reading a book in my motel room waiting for the other girls to get awake so we could go back to the Rutherford County Courthouse. We had a big day planned.
The phone rang and it was one of my cousins. She said "Are you watching the news?"
I said, "No, why?"
She was crying and said "Turn it on channel (whatever)"
What met my eyes was unbelievable. A news commentator was standing in front of the burning tower and as I watched and talked with Kena on the phone the second plane hit.
700 miles from home and our families. We packed within thirty minutes, checked out of the motel and headed home. The three of us cried the whole way. Scared out of our wits, we took back roads and what should be a 10 hour trip took u two days.
It was a couple of months before I could even look at these photos taken on that trip. I've been back several times and the pain of that morning has lessened.
I thought it time to share some of my story with my readers.
This series of books is a true labor of love for me.
