Linda Shenton Matchett's Blog, page 44

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Antony Kolenc

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Antony Kolenc

Linda: Welcome to my blog. It’s a pleasure to have you. Congratulations on your awards for The Harwood Series. What made you decide to try your hand at fiction in general, and YA specifically? 
Antony: Thank you, Linda! I’ve been thrilled and thankful to God that The Harwood Mysteries have already won so many awards, including four gold medals and three bronze medals from various writing competitions. The series—currently there are three novels published and a fourth one due out next summer—tells the ongoing story of a peasant boy (Alexander, or “Xan”) and his friend, Lucy, who live at a Benedictine abbey in twelfth-century England. In the series, the pair of teens go on several adventures: exploring a haunted cathedral, catching a den of thieves, and toppling the plots of bandits, to name a few.  Regarding my decision to write fiction, I’ve been a lawyer since 1999, but I’ve always enjoyed reading, writing, and telling stories. I have reams of unfinished stories I attempted to write throughout my life. As I grew older and realized that my writing could be a ministry, too, it inspired me to write a book series that would be suspenseful and engaging while also dealing with deeper questions, such as, “Who am I? What am I supposed to do with my life? Why do bad things happen to good people?” I wanted this series to address these questions in a context of faith, but also in a way that was also spooky and exciting and relatable to younger readers.  LM: The books are set during the medieval era. What draws you to that time period? 
Antony: The books are set during a fantastic period in English history. The series takes place starting in Photo Credit: Pixabay/Momentmal1184 A.D. in the final years of the reign of King Henry II. This is only fifteen years after the murder of St. Thomas Becket, between the Second and Third Crusade, which starts up a few years after Book 1, Shadow in the Dark. This was also a time in the history of Christianity where the Church and State (i.e., King Henry II) were in constant opposition, as the State attempted to control church ministry. This was hundreds of years prior to the Protestant Reformation, of course, so there wasn’t that kind of split in Christianity yet. The time period allows me to explore the system of feudalism, monastic life, church-state conflict, and (in just a few years, the Third Crusade). So there’s a lot going on both educationally and of great interest during this time. 
LM: Research is an important aspect of writing and must have been quite extensive for this series. How did you go about researching The Harwood Series? Was there a particular piece of information you knew you needed to include in one of the books? 
Antony: I had to do a lot of research for these books, with help from others, such as Dr. Jennifer Paxton, who is an expert on medieval monastic life at the Catholic University of America. As you can imagine, there aren’t too many twelfth-century English monasteries that aren’t in ruins at this point. I had to base Harwood Abbey—which is entirely fictional, by the way—on the layout of other abbeys of the time, as well as the entire way of life that Xan and Lucy experience while living there. A few years ago I took two weeks and went to England to traipse about the locations of which I am writing. Of course, we are now over 800 years later and things have changed quite a bit, but it was incredible to walk among the ruins of the abbeys and cathedrals and hike about the countryside. In particular, for Book 2, The Haunted Cathedral, I needed to do research on the history of Lincoln Cathedral, which is fascinating and relayed in that novel. 
LM: In addition to your fiction writing, you work as a law professor, author legal articles, conduct speaking engagements, and host a radio show/podcast. How do you juggle your various responsibilities? 
Antony: You’re right! I write a lot of non-fiction and legal scholarship, and I also write a column in Practical Homeschooling magazine. I’m particularly excited about my new project hosting The Shepherd’s Pie podcast—“a slice of hope to raise faithful kids”—which focuses on issues that impact youth and can be accessed free on my website, www.antonykolenc.com. I do tend to juggle a lot of balls in the air at the same time, but I find that I do my best and most productive work by getting up at 5:00 A.M., when the world is still dark and my family is fast asleep, writing with a hot cup of tea or coffee by my side in the silence of the house. You’d be amazed how much you can get done before the rest of your day begins and the responsibilities of life set in. That has been my practice for many years, which has served me well in all my interests. That is also my best time to start the day right with prayer time! 
LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do? 
Antony: I have always wanted to speak other languages fluently, but have not yet had the chance to learn them well. In particular, I would like to understand my own family heritage of Italian by learning to speak that language one day. 
LM: Now that you have several books published, what advice can you give to fledgling writers? 
Photo credit: Pixabay/
Startup stock photosAntony: Seek God’s will for your gift of writing, and don’t ever give up. Find a great writing group and encouraging group of Christian authors with whom to share your writing life. Also, don’t be afraid to edit and re-edit and re-re-edit your work. No matter how good you think it is, it needs more work…trust me. 
LM: What is your next project? 
Antony: Now that Book 3, The Fire of Eden, is released and Book 4 (tentatively titled, The Merchant’s Curse) is at Loyola Press for editing, I have begun writing Book 5, which will be a murder mystery. I hope to continue the adventures of Xan, Lucy, and his other friends (including a new female character introduced in Books 2 and 4, Christina) into the years of the Third Crusade. 
LM: Where can folks find you on the web? 
Antony: Check out my series website at https://www.theharwoodmysteries.com/ and my author website for other information and to access my podcast at http://www.antonykolenc.com/. 
________________
About the series: 
Book 1: Shadow in the DarkIn twelfth century England, an attack by bandits in the middle of the night leaves a young boy with no memory of who he is or where he is from. Nursed back to health by the devoted monks in a Benedictine abbey, he takes the name Alexander, or Xan for short. Aided by the kindly Brother Andrew, and his best friend, Lucy, Xan commits himself to finding out who he really is. Is his family still alive? Why has God allowed so much suffering into his life? And who—or what—is the shadowy figure creeping around the abbey in the dead of night? 
Book 2: The Haunted CathedralAn ill-fated journey, a long-lost uncle, and a mysterious cathedral mark the next chapter in the life of Xan, an orphan in search of his destiny. For a year, he has lived in the care of Benedictine monks at Harwood Abbey. Now he learns that he has an uncle, said to live in the far-off city of Lincoln. Will Xan survive the trip alongside the prisoner Carlo and his cruel guards? Will he find Uncle William? And why is Xan drawn to the spirit that haunts Lincoln Cathedral—could a ghost reconnect Xan with his dead parents? With Lucy and some new friends at his side, Xan must solve the mystery of The Haunted Cathedral. 
Book 3: The Fire of EdenXan and John are orphans at Harwood Abbey. They are also enemies, but now John, blinded by an accident, struggles with bitterness. In his latest adventure, Xan of Harwood Abbey joins forces with this most unlikely of allies to uncover the mystery of the loss of the Fire of Eden, a priceless ruby coveted by many . . . Who took the ruby—a dishonest monk, a traitorous member of Her Lady’s guard, or the frightening magician who dwells in the woods? Will Xan and John permanently mend their ways? Or will the quest for the ruby destroy any hopes of lasting friendship?
To find out where this next adventure leads Xan and his friends, you'll have to read The Fire of Eden.
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3yKZEp

Traveling Tuesday: Hawaii's Home Front after Pearl Harbor

Traveling Tuesday: 

Hawaii’s Home Front After Pearl Harbor 

Pixabay/WikiImagesThe December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor forced the United States into war with Japan. The following day, Germany declared war on the U.S., and the country became embroiled in WWII. Within hours of the attack, the Territorial Governor stripped himself of his administrative powers, and Hawaii (still a territory at that time) was put under martial law. 
Under military law, the normal judicial process is suspended, therefore courts, witnesses, and juries are unnecessary. Instead, a military tribunal handles all violations and metes out punishment as it sees fit. With more than a third of the residents being of Japanese descent, the government was in a quandary about what to do with them. Interning the individuals, as was being done on the mainland, was impractical for numerous reasons, therefore it was hoped that martial law would take care of the situation. 
All residents over the age of six were fingerprinted and issued identification papers that were to be Pixabay/Cytiscarried at all times and produced upon demand. Curfews and blackouts (including electricity shutoff after sundown) were implemented, the media and mail were censored, and food, gasoline, and other items were rationed. Business hours were assigned and alcohol was prohibited. 
Traffic was monitored and special garbage collection was administered. Civilians were banned from photographing coastal locations, but they were also used to dig holes for bomb shelters and place barbed wire around beaches, water pumping stations, electrical installations, and government buildings. Gas masks were issued and regular drills were held to prepare for gas attacks or air raids. 
Pixabay/David MarkWaikiki’s beachfront hotels were closed to the public and taken over for the exclusive use of the military (whose five branches all had a presence on the islands). Seven POW and internment camps were located on Oahu, the big island, Maui, and Kauai. 
Hawaii was forever changed as a result of WWII, and many scholars feel the statehood that followed fourteen years later had a direct correlation to the war. ______________________ 
About Under Cover:
In the year since arriving in London, journalist Ruth Brown has put a face on the war for her readers at home in the U.S. Thus far, juggling her career and her relationship with Detective Inspector Trevor Gelson hasn't proven too challenging. The war gets personal for Ruth when her friend Amelia is murdered, and Trevor is assigned to the case. Life gets even more unsettling when clues indicate her best friend, Varis, is passing secrets to the enemy. Convinced Varis is innocent, Ruth must find the real traitor as the clock ticks down toward Operation Husky-the Allied invasion of Sicily. Circumstantial evidence leads Trevor to suspect her of having a part in Amelia's death, and Ruth must choose between her heart and her duty.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3pGWa0P

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian and Clean-n-Wholesome Fiction

 

December 2021 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary - General:
Broken Together by Brenda S. Anderson -- Jennifer and Chad Taylor had dreamed of opening a coffee and cocoa shop since before they said, “I do.” When Chad is sent to prison for murder despite claiming innocence, that dream—along with their family—is shattered. After years of fighting for Chad’s release, Jennifer finally breaks free from her shame, anger, and hopelessness, and forges ahead with the dream the two of them once shared. With the help of their college-aged twins, she begins to move forward. Without Chad. When their lawyer arrives with news of evidence that may prove Chad’s innocence, a strange mixture of emotions overtakes her. Does she want Chad to return home? He isn’t the same man he once was, and she certainly isn’t the same woman. She’s worked hard to piece the remnants of their family back together, and his coming home could fracture the family once again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:
Healing Skye by Janet W. Ferguson --People can’t be trusted. Animals always made more sense than humans did to marine biologist Skye Youngblood. After her mother’s suicide, she left Alabama and never looked back. These days, she pours her heart into protecting nature’s sea creatures. When she returns to Dauphin Island, Alabama, for a temporary manatee migration study, her dark past is much too close. She can’t let her guard down. But how can she keep her heart hidden when a kind man with a genuine smile makes her want a fresh start? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

No Place Like Home by Amy R. Anguish -- Roots are overrated, at least to someone like Adrian Stewart, preacher’s kid, who has never lived anywhere longer than six years. That’s why her job with MidUSLogIn, Inc. is so perfect for her—lots of travel and staying nowhere long enough to have it feel like home. But when work takes her to Memphis, TN, closer to her family for the first time in years, and in the same small office as Grayson Roberts, she starts to question her job, her lack of home, and even her memories of her rocky past with the church. Gray is intrigued by Adrian from the moment he sees her, and he’s determined to get to the bottom of why this girl who loves old movies and hums when she works won’t go to church with him. As they grow closer, he wants more, too, but how can he convince her to stay in Memphis when she doesn’t believe in home—or God? Can he use his own broken past to break through hers? (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Reclaiming Hope by Carolyn Miller -- Callie Steele might be a bit… focused on work, but despite what her employers say, she enjoys her well-ordered, productive life. When she’s sent to meet the owners of an estate requiring post-hurricane landscaping, Callie meets their son, Kai Brody, a super-chilled pro surfer, who is as opposite from her as they come. Though initially smitten, Callie knows a relationship with Kai is a bad idea—a very bad idea. Kai, however, can’t help but be intrigued by someone who challenges him to make something of his life again. He’s determined to pursue her, if she’ll give him half a chance. The more time they spend together, negotiating the challenges of work, illness, and family, the more their opposing outlooks clash and connect. What do these unlikely friends really want from life? Is it best to focus on work or recreation? As Kai and Callie answers from the Lord, they also must consider if such complete opposites have enough in common to make a relationship last. (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit)

The Breakup Project by Carolyn Miller --As the twin sister of hockey’s hottest forward, romance-loving Bree Karlsson is used to being ignored, leading to a New Year’s resolution to not date any athlete in her attempt to find Mr. Right. But what happens when the man who might prove to be her personal Mr. Darcy is her brother’s hockey-playing best friend? Mike Vaughan might be happy playing in Boston, but he’d be even happier if Bree could one day see him as more than a good friend. He agrees to help Bree with a special project in the hope she’ll finally see him as something more. But when a misunderstanding ends in a Valentine’s Day disaster, Bree realizes that her breakup project may have broken her friendship with Mike in two. Can she ever redeem her mistake? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Their Yuletide Healing by Mindy Obenhaus -- Foster mom Rae Girard’s determined to make her children’s first Christmas with her the best they’ve ever had—and she’s shocked when the town scrooge, attorney Cole Heinsohn, offers to pitch in. Rae’s young charges have melted Cole’s heart, and he wants them to experience the special day he never had. But when disaster strikes, an imperfect holiday might bring them something better: a family… (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

General Historical:
Elinor by Shannon McNear -- In 1587, Elinor White Dare sailed from England heavy with her first child but full of hopes. Her father, a renowned artist and experienced traveler, has convinced her and her bricklayer husband Ananias to make the journey to the New World. Land, they are promised, more goodly and beautiful than they can ever imagine. But nothing goes as planned from landing at the wrong location, to facing starvation, to the endless wait for help to arrive. And, beyond her comprehension, Elinor finds herself utterly alone. The colony at Roanoke disappeared into the shadows of history. But what if one survived to leave a lasting legacy? (General Historical from Barbour Publishing)

What Matters Most by Carol Ashby -- For ten years, the incorruptible Tribune Titianus enforced Rome’s laws. He’s four days from leaving the Urban Cohort to teach at his brother-in-law Kaeso’s school when Emperor Hadrian and the Praetorian Prefect draft him to secretly investigate and thwart an assassination plot…one that might involve his own commander. He can’t refuse, but if Hadrian’s enemies discover his Christian faith, will it mean death for everyone he loves? The new tribune Glabrio wants two things as Titianus trains him: to discover for their commander who Titianus is investigating and to gain the support of Titianus’s powerful relatives. Marrying Sabina would secure the backing of her grandfather, but because of the teacher, she's making choices no noblewoman should. As he gets closer to both his goals, will he realize in time what matters most? (General Historical from Cerrillo Press)
Romance Novella:
A Covert Cowboy Christmas by Carol James -- A December ice storm destroys Rebekah Kingston's Christmas plans. With the power out and the West Texas roads closed indefinitely, she's forced to spend Christmas at her brother Braden's ranch instead of at home with her parents. But Rebekah and Braden are not alone. Also stranded is an annoyingly chatty ranch hand, Dirk Sims. While Rebekah is certain she's met him before, Dirk insists she's mistaken. However, when Rebekah inadvertently eavesdrops on one of Dirk's phone conversations, she discovers his lie. Dirk is not who he seems. This Christmas just got interesting. (Romance Novella from White Rose)
Suspense/Thriller:

Stealth Insurgence by Vikki Kestell -- Nanostealth | Book 5: Jayda and Zander are returning to Albuquerque, satisfied that they have completed the mission for which President Jackson called them to Washington DC. They are filled with hope for the future, bursting with joy for the unborn child Jayda carries, and keen to share the news of their blessing with those they love: Abe, Emilio, Dr. Bickel, Zander’s parents, and his sister, Izzie. They arrive in Albuquerque on a notable date: the one-year anniversary of General Cushing’s attack on Dr. Bickel’s lab hidden within the tunnels of the old Manzano Weapons Storage Facility. It was the same attack that incited the nanomites to take up occupancy in Gemma Keyes—now Jayda Cruz —the extraordinary event that will continue to impact their lives forever. (Thriller/Suspense, Independently Published)


Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:    A Christmas Home for Hannah by Joi Copeland, A rancher in need of a wife or he loses his everything. A promise to her grandfather to be a mail order bride just may be unfulfilled. (Historic Romance)
   An Awestruck Christmas Medley by Emily Conrad, Four hundred miles of snow-covered terrain stand between the men of Awestruck and a Christmas with loved ones. (Contemporary Romance)
   Footprints on her Heart by Tabitha Bouldin, He’s saving the world, one animal at a time. (Contemporary Romance)
   Gifts: A Christmas Novella by Jeanette Hanscome, When the party guests include faces from her past, Justine must decide whether to keep running or receive a gift that might free her to give much more than her beautifully wrapped presents. (General Contemporary)
   Grace Beneath the Frost by Christine Dillon, Professional success. Personal failure. (General Contemporary)
   Harper’s Hollers by Ruth Kyser, Will God bring them together as more than friends—or will circumstances beyond their control keep them apart? (Contemporary Romance)
   Hidden Danger by Jerusha Agen, The greatest threat to this K-9 team is the one they don't see coming. (Thriller/Suspense)
   The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight, With the holidays in sight, Brady wonders if his own Christmas wish could come true… (Contemporary Romance)
   The Corporal’s Codebook by Susan Page Davis, Jack Miller stumbles through the Civil War, winding up a telegrapher and cryptographer for the army. In the field with General Sherman in Georgia, he is captured along with his precious cipher key. (General Historical)

Western Wednesday: Zane Grey, America's Storyteller

Western Wednesday: Zane Grey, America's Storyteller 
Part of my research for stories includes reading books from the time period I’m investigating, and I recently came across the works of Zane Grey while preparing for a series I’ll be releasing in 2022. I had heard of him, along with Louis L’Amour, as two of the best authors in classic western literature. The more I dug, the more intrigued I became.  Pearl Zane Gray was born on January 31, 1872 in Zanesville, Ohio, a town founded by his mother’s ancestors. (Spelling of the family name was changed from Gray to Grey sometime in the late 1890s.) As a boy, he would hear stories of his forebear’s adventures as pioneers in America’s “First West,” the Ohio Valley. He would later novelize their stories and those of other homesteaders as well as ranchers, cowhands, buffalo hunters, soldiers, and gamblers as the migration westward continued.  As a young man, Zane was an excellent baseball player whose abilities led to a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. He chose dentistry to please his father and graduated in 1896, but chose to play amateur baseball for several seasons, practicing his dentistry intermittently. In addition, he loved the outdoors and found great joy in fishing. He discovered the town of Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and visited often.  It was during one of his visits to Lackawaxen in 1900 that he met Lina Elise “Dolly” Roth, eleven years his junior, while canoeing near the Delaware House, a boarding house on the river. By this time, he’d been writing, but had yet to find success. Dolly encouraged him to continue his efforts, and in 1902 his first article was published, “A Day on the Delaware,” in Recreation magazine. The following year he wrote, illustrated, and published his first novel, Betty Zane, with money from his sister-in-law Reba Grey.  Dolly and Zane married in 1905, and he left dentistry to pursue his writing full-time. They settled in Lackawaxen, and the following year visited the Grand Canyon, Zane’s first trip out west. Times were lean as he tried to establish himself as an author. Using the last of Dolly’s inheritance, he went on a hunting expedition with Western conservationist Charles “Buffalo” Jones. He wrote about his experience in The Last of the Plainsmen which was published by Outing Press in 1908 and marked a turning point in his career.  The Heritage of the Desert came out in 1910, and his most famous work, Riders of the Purple Sage was published in 1912. By 1915, Zane had fifteen books in print along with many fishing and outdoor adventure articles and serialized stories. His success allowed him to purchase a home in Altadena, California and a hunting lodge on the Mogollon Rim near Payson, Arizona. Each year, he spent several months gathering experiences, then he would return home and craft his stories into tales for serialization, magazine articles, or a novel.  Being in California allowed Zane to work closely with the motion picture industry which had begun producing films based on his novels. A prolific writer, he wrote ninety books before his death. Another twenty manuscripts were published posthumously. His novels and short stories have been adapted into 112 films, two television episodes, and a television series. 
Have you read any of his books? 
 ___________________   A brand-new widow, she doesn’t need another man in her life. He’s not looking for a wife. But when danger thrusts them together, will they change their minds...and hearts?  Hannah Lauman’s husband has been murdered, but rather than grief, she feels...relief. She decides to remain in Georgia to work their gold claim, but a series of incidents makes it clear someone wants her gone...dead or alive. Is a chance at being a woman of means and independence worth risking her life? 
Jess Vogel never breaks a promise, so when he receives a letter from a former platoon mate about being in danger, he drops everything to help his old friend. Unfortunately, he arrives just in time for the funeral. Can he convince the man’s widow he’s there for her protection not for her money?  Gold Rush Bride: Hannah is the first book in the exciting series Gold Rush Brides. Steeped in romance, intrigue, and history, the story will keep you turning pages long into the night.
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3d1iRXq

Mystery Monday: The Notting Hill Mystery

Mystery Monday: The Notting Hill Mystery  The Notting Hill Mystery was initially published as an eight-part serial between 1862 and 1863 in the magazine Once a Week. Written under the pseudonym Charles Felix, the story is thought to be the first detective novel, pre-dating Wilkie Collin’s The Moonstone which is often touted as holding that honor. No one knows for certain who wrote the book, but scholars who love to argue that sort of thing have since come to the conclusion that Charles Warren Adams is the author.  Not much is known about the man other than the fact he was born in 1833 in England. He became a lawyer and somehow became involved in “bailing out” the London publishing firm of Saunders, Otley & Co. after the two owners died. Despite his efforts, the firm was liquidated in 1869. However, prior to that, the company had published Velvet Lawn in 1864 and The Notting Hill Mystery in book form in 1865, both written by the aforementioned Charles Felix.   Adams married twice. The first time, he wed Georgina Alethe Polson in 1861, and she passed away in 1880. At some point after that, he met Mildred Coleridge (great-grandniece of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.) She left home to live with Adams, causing an upheaval in her family. Her brother penned a long letter to her attacking Adams who took the man to court for libel and won the case. He and Mildred were married on June 24, 1885 and remained together until Adam’s death in July 1903.  No matter who wrote The Notting Hil Mystery, it is a fun story told by insurance investigator Ralph Henderson who is building a case against Baron “R_____” who is suspected of killing his wife for the insurance payment. (A plotline that continues to show up to this day.) According to one summary, Henderson “descends into a maze of intrigue including a diabolical mesmerist, kidnapping by gypsies, slow-poisoners, a rich uncle’s will and three murders.”   Interestingly, the story is presented using diary entries, letters, chemical analysis reports, interviews with witnesses, and a crime scene map. These techniques didn’t become part of crime fiction until the 1920s. The book was illustrated by George du Maurier (Daphne du Maurier’s grandfather). Pilot Press Ltd. Of London reprinted the novel in 1945 as part of its anthology Novels of Mystery from the Victorian Age. In 2011, the British Library made the book available via print-on-demand, and it sold so many copies, they produced a trade edition in 2012. An ebook edition is also available.



______________ 
Murder at Madison Square Garden:
The dream of a lifetime becomes a nightmare. 
Photojournalist Theodora “Teddy” Schafer’s career has hit the skids thanks to rumors of plagiarism. With any luck, a photo spread with Charles Lindbergh at the America First Rally will salvage her reputation. After an attempted assassination of Lindbergh leaves another man dead, Teddy is left holding the gun. Literally. Can she prove her innocence before the police lock her up for a murder she didn’t commit?  Private Investigator Ric Bogart wants nothing to do with women after his wife cleaned out their bank account and left him for another man, but he can’t ignore the feeling he’s supposed to help the scrappy, female reporter who is arrested for murder at the America First rally. Can he believe her claims of innocence and find the real killer without letting Teddy steal his heart?
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3rcz6JF

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Pamela Desmond Wright

 Talkshow Thursday:  Welcome Pamela Desmond Wright

LM: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your release The Cowboy’s Amish Haven. What was your inspiration for the story, and did you set out to write for Harlequin/Love Inspired or did that come later? 
Pamela: Thank you for the welcome. I appreciate you hosting me. The Cowboy's Amish Haven was inspired by a country song by George Strait. At the time, I had no idea, really, where it might go. I was sort of thinking Harlequin. But since I'd never been able to sell anything there before, I wasn't holding much hope. However, when I signed with my current agent, she knew exactly that it belonged with Love Inspired. Within a few months of submission, the book had sold. 
LM: What is your writing process like, and how much research was necessary for this story? 
Pamela: I usually do a complete synopsis/outline so I can get to know the characters and the plot. Once I have that on paper, I do a few chapters. Usually, it takes several rewrites for me to get the opening of a book right. As for the book. My hero is a bronc rider. And although I was born and raised in Texas, I was never much of a rodeo girl! I had to learn all about the sport. Never knew there was so much involved to getting on a wild horse! Quite eye-opening.  LM: What is your favorite aspect of writing? 
Pamela: It's an escape from my own dull life. Like most people, I work and take care of family. You can pretty much set your watch by my schedule. Taking a few hours a day to write helps take me away to a different place.  LM: What do you do to prepare for writing? (e.g., do you listen to music, set up in a certain area, etc.) 
Pamela: I usually write in silence, though sometimes I will put on music or a television show if the words just aren't coming. I have a dedicated office area where I can focus. My space must be small and closed in and my screen must be extra large. No way I could write on a laptop in a coffee shop, LOL 
LM: You were out of the publishing arena for over seven years. How had the industry changed while you were gone? How had it remained the same? 
Pamela: Most everything involved with book production has stayed the same. What has changed is promotions. Social media plays such a large part in marketing nowadays. I can see how Twitter or Facebook can help connect an author to their fans, and I am trying to learn to use it in a productive way. 
LM: You’ve accomplished quite a lot. What is one thing you wish you could do? 
Pamela: Fly, LOL. Seriously, I wish I could go back to writing full time and give up the night job. Praying I can do that someday! 
LM: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer to fledgling writers? 
Pamela: Pursue your passion. One of the mistakes I made as a writer was to chase the market. Whatever my former agent said was selling, I'd write it. And she'd sell it. But there came a point when I realized I did not enjoy writing in those genres. Writing had become a drag and I just didn't like the books I was putting out. After leaving that agent, it occurred to me I could write what I enjoyed, whether or not it was something editors were looking for. Thus began my foray into Amish romance.   LM: What is your next project? Pamela: I am currently working on another Amish romance for Love Inspired. This one is book 2 in my "Humble Blessings" series, and will continue with characters introduced in book 1. Book 1, which hasn't got a title yet, will be out in July 2022, and I am so excited to share Maddie and Abram's story. Book 2, will go on with Abram's younger sister, Lavinia. I'm also planning another Texas Amish Brides book to follow up The Cowboy's Amish Haven.  LM: Where can folks find you on the web? 
Pamela: http://www.pameladesmondwright.com
About The Cowboy's Amish Haven:
Her home and her heart are on the line… On the same day Gail Schroder’s faced with losing her Amish family ranch, her old crush Levi Wyse shows up on her doorstep. He doesn’t know that when he left ten years ago he’d taken Gail’s heart with him. Now Levi’s her only hope of keeping a roof over her head. But can this cowboy teach Gail the ropes in time to save her home?
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LwAd0

Traveling Tuesday: Las Vegas, Nevada

Traveling Tuesday: Las Vegas, Nevada 

Last week I was supposed to attend a writers’ conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. A number of things came together to prevent me from going in person, but fortunately, there was a virtual option, so I was able to view all of the sessions. Not quite the same as hanging out with fellow authors and getting room service, but a good experience, nonetheless. I’m not sure why the conference founders choose to hold the event in Vegas each year, but the possibility of visiting ignited a desire to know more about the area.  Sin City, as it has been nicknamed, has a much longer history than I knew. Las Vegas (Spanish for The Meadows or Fertile Plains) was not officially founded until 1905, but had been given its name seventy-six years earlier when a Mexican scout came through the valley in 1829. Later that same year a trader by the name of Antonio Armijo led a 60-man group along the Spanish Trail that connected Santa Fe, NM to Los Angeles, CA.  In 1844, John C. Frémont, son of a French-Canadian schoolteacher who had immigrated to the U.S. sometime before the early 1800s, visited the valley and sent reports and writings to the east that found their way into newspapers. The resulting articles helped entice pioneers to head west. Eleven years later, the Mormons chose to erect a fort in Las Vegas but eventually abandoned the location. A native American tribe, the Paiutes, had been living in the area for thousands of years, but when the population of white settlers increased, tensions between the two groups rose, leading to a new treaty that sent the Paiutes away.  Then came the railroads.  The San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad was building a line through southern Nevada in 1902 and purchased 1,800 acres from the Stewart family to continue the project. Using the State Land Act of 1885 to offer land at $1.25 per acre, Montana Senator William Clark and Utah Senator Thomas Kearns promoted the area to American farmers who responded in droves. With the use of wells and irrigation, agriculture became the primary industry for the next two decades. Amazing to consider when you realize Las Vegas is located within the Mojave Desert.  As additional railroads sprang up, more people chose to settle in the area. Businesses, shops, saloons, and casinos lined the streets. However, the city hit a snag in 1910 when Nevada outlawed gambling, going so far as to forbid the western custom of flipping a coin for the price of a drink. Ever creative, business owners ensured that the practice continued in speakeasies and illicit casinos.   Population declined until 1931– a banner year for two reasons: 1) construction began on the massive Boulder Dam (later renamed Hoover Dam), drawing thousands of workers to a site just east of the city, and 2) Nevada legalized gambling bringing back tourists and professional gamblers. By 1936, inexpensive hydroelectricity allowed owners to erect the flashing neon signs that epitomize “The Strip.” Post-war riches enabled corporations and business tycoons to buy and build hotel-casino properties. Gambling became known as “gaming” to transition the industry into a legitimate business. 
More than 600,000 now call Las Vegas home, a far cry from the sleepy collection of farms in the 1800s. 
 ________________ A Family for Hazel
Can a widowed preacher who must marry to keep his church and an alleged thief find true love?  After the Civil War takes Hazel Markham’s father, and her mother dies of a broken heart, a friend of her parents hires Hazel as a companion. All is well until the woman’s lecherous son takes an interest in his mother’s assistant. When Hazel spurns his advances one too many times, the man frames her for theft, and she is fired. As a last resort, she applies to be a mail-order bride, and to her dismay, her groom-to-be is a preacher. Will he believe her claims of innocence or reject her as unacceptable?  Olav Kristensen has no plans to remarry after being widowed five years ago, but when the church elders give him an ultimatum to find a wife or lose his job, he advertises for a mail-order bride. The woman who arrives attests she was unjustly accused of robbery at her last job, but when his daughter’s heirloom locket goes missing, he is hesitant to believe his bride-to-be. Will he lose his church and a second chance at love?
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3kRWFU1

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sarah Anne Crouch

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sarah Anne Crouch!
Linda: Welcome to my blog. Congratulations on your recent release. What was the inspiration for the story? 
SARAH: Many years ago, during a time when I was thinking a lot about starting to write and my sister was going through a crisis of faith, I had the image of a woman becoming a Christian through the process of painting a picture of Jesus. That image turned into Madeleine and then blossomed from there. 
LM: What is your favorite part of the writing process? 
SARAH: I love all the little breakthroughs that come along the way. I especially enjoy when I’m brainstorming ideas or bemoaning a difficult part of the story with my writing group and someone else gives me the perfect solution that makes all the pieces come together. 
LM: What sort of research was required to prepare you to write the story, and did you find any tidbit(s) you knew you had to include? 
SARAH: I watched a lot of YouTube videos of artists painting murals in addition to reading blogs and listening to podcasts. The scenes where Madeleine and A.J. buy paint at the hardware store and where Madeleine transfers her sketches to the wall came from those YouTube videos. 
LM: Tell us a bit about your journey to publication and what lessons you learned along the way. 
SARAH: Ever since I was young, I wanted to write books. I always thought I’d write for children—and I still may someday—but I found myself coming up with ideas for Christian romance stories. I wrote about half of the manuscript for A Summer in Shady Springs and gave up before I met an author at church who encouraged me to finish. She helped me edit, I sent it to a few more people, and we got the manuscript polished and ready. When I found out about Faith Pitch on Twitter, I decided to get a Twitter account just for that occasion. My editor at Anaiah Press saw my tweets, liked my pitch, and I sent her the manuscript. I’m very grateful to Kara for seeing the potential in my story and working with me to make it the best it could be! LM: Do you do anything special to prepare yourself for writing your stories? (e.g., listen to music, go for a run, etc.) 
SARAH: I’d like to add more routine to my writing, but right now the main thing I do is find a quiet place away from my children, haha. I’ve got three little ones, so I take every chance I can to get a little writing in. 
LM: What is one piece of advice you can offer to fledgling writers? 
SARAH: Read, read, read! The best way to learn about writing is to read books in your genre, books about craft, books that are written well, and books that are written poorly (so you know what not to do). Everything you digest will help you become a better writer. 
LM: What is your next project? 
 SARAH: I’m currently finishing up a story about an ice cream man who falls in love with a chocolatier! “A Sweet Dream Come True” will be released in a novella collection called Love in Any Season in September 2022. The collection includes some really talented Christian fiction authors, Amy R. Anguish, Heather Greer, and Regina Rudd Merrick. 
LM: Where can folks find you on the web? 
SARAH: Here are all my links! 
Website: http://www.SarahAnneCrouch.wordpress.com Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/SarahAnneCrouch Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/SarahAnneCrouch Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/SarahAnneCrouch Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/SarahAnneCrouch

About A Summer in Shady Springs:  The last place Madeleine Mullins wants to be is back in Shady Springs, Arkansas—the town where her whole world fell apart. But when her beloved Aunt Clara begs her for help, Madeleine reluctantly takes a job painting a mural at her aunt’s church. Her plan is to finish quickly and leave her bad memories behind. But the more time she spends with the handsome youth minister and the more she reads her Bible, the more she wonders if she has been wrong about God and the Church all along. 
Three years out of college and A.J. Young still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. He knows he wants to settle down and build a family but hasn’t found the wife he’d like to share his life with. Then Madeleine comes to town. Their friendship buds quickly, although it can never be anything more as long as she isn’t a Christian. 
An undeniable attraction grows between A.J. and Madeleine, but she’s only in town for a few weeks, and he can’t date someone who doesn’t share his beliefs. How can Madeleine help A.J. discover a passion for the career he’s always wanted? And how can A.J. convince Madeleine to give God and Shady Springs a second chance?
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3CiWfvC

Old West Wednesday: Charley Parkhurst

 Old West Wednesday: Charley Parkhurst 

Stories of extraordinary people abound from the Old West. The trick is separating fact from fiction, truth from legend. One such story revolves around Charley Darkey Parkhurst, also known as One-Eyed Charley, Six-Horse Charley, and Mountain Charley who worked as a stagecoach driver, then later farmer and rancher. 

The most unusual aspect of this tale is that Charley was a woman. Scholars speculate as to why Charlotte chose to live her life as a man, but because her gender wasn’t discovered until after her death, the real reason followed Charley to her grave. 

Little is known about her early years other than that she was born in Sharon, Vermont, in 1812. She reportedly had two siblings, one of whom died as a toddler, and her mother passed away shortly after Charley’s birth. Nothing is mentioned of her father, but perhaps he’s the one who took her to an orphanage in Lebanon, New Hampshire where she lived until she ran away at the age of twelve. It was at that point, Charlotte became Charley. 

According to one account, Charley met livery owner Ebenezer Balch in Providence, Rhode Island. Balch took the young woman under his wing and taught him about being a stable hand as well as how to be a stagecoach driver. She worked for Balch for some period of time before moving on to Massachusetts and Georgia. 

In 1848, Charley decided to take her chances in the California gold rush and boarded a ship to San Francisco. The vessel stopped in Panama where she met John Morton, owner of a drayage business. He recruited Charley to work for him. She later worked for John Birch’s California State Company and the Wells Fargo Company. 

At some point, Charley was involved in an accident during which a horse kicked her in the face,

causing her to lose her left eye. She took to wearing a patch that covered much of her face, furthering her disguise as a man. Over time, she gained a reputation as “one of the finest drivers on the West Coast.” 

Driving a stagecoach was not only difficult but dangerous. Drivers carried mail as well as gold and passengers and had to deal with hold-up attempts, rattlesnakes that could spook horses, bad weather, and treacherous roads, some of which were no more than trails. Charley’s routes in northern California were the Stockton to Mariposa and San Jose, San Jose to Oakland, and San Juan to Santa Cruz. Described in several accounts as short and stocky, a whiskey drinker, cigar smoker, and tobacco chewer, apparently Charley was up to the task. 

When the railroads cut into the stagecoach business, Charley retired and moved to Watsonville, California where she worked at farming and lumbering. She died in 1879 of tongue cancer, and when neighbors came to lay out the body for burial, her identity as a woman was revealed. An interesting aside is that one site claims the examining doctor determined that Charley had given birth at some point. 

After the LA Times reported the discovery, national newspapers picked up the sensational story, including this piece from the January 9, 1880 edition of The New York Times: “Thirty Years in Disguise: A Noted Old Californian Stage-Driver Discovered after Death to be a Woman: 

He was in his day one of the most dexterous and celebrated of the famous California drivers ranking with Foss, Hank Monk, and George Gordon, and it was an honor to be striven for to occupy the spare end of the driver’s seat when the fearless Charley Parkhurst held the reins of a four- or six-in hand...Last Sunday in a little cabin on the Moss Ranch, about six miles from Watsonville, Charley Parkhurst, the famous coachman, the fearless fighter, the industrious farm and expert woodman died of cancer on his tongue. He knew that death was approaching, but he did not relax the reticence of his later years other than to express a few wishes as to certain things to be done at his death. Then, when the hands of kind friends who had ministered to his dying wants came to lay out the dead boy of the adventurous Argonaut, a discovery was made that was literally astounding. Charley Parkhurst was a woman.” 

 As they say, truth is usually stranger than fiction. 

__________________

A brand-new widow, she doesn’t need another man in her life. He’s not looking for a wife. But when danger thrusts them together, will they change their minds...and hearts? 

Hannah Lauman’s husband has been murdered, but rather than grief, she feels...relief. She decides to remain in Georgia to work their gold claim, but a series of incidents makes it clear someone wants her gone...dead or alive. Is a chance at being a woman of means and independence worth risking her life?

Jess Vogel never breaks a promise, so when he receives a letter from a former platoon mate about being in danger, he drops everything to help his old friend. Unfortunately, he arrives just in time for the funeral. Can he convince the man’s widow he’s there for her protection not for her money? 

Gold Rush Bride: Hannah is the first book in the exciting new series Gold Rush Brides. Steeped in romance, intrigue, and history, the story will keep you turning pages long into the night.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/31QvuSM

Mystery Monday: Meet the Lady Pinkertons

Mystery Monday: Pinkerton’s Lady Detectives 

Kate Warne was Allan Pinkerton’s first female detective, but neither was she the last or only woman he hired. Here is a bit about three of his lady “private eyes.” 

Hattie Lewis Lawton: a widow, she was described by Allan as “delicate and driven.” She often went undercover assuming numerous identities. One of her most dangerous assignments occurred during the Civil War. Posing as the wife of fellow operative Timothy Webster, they traveled to Richmond, VA where they pretended to be Rebel sympathizers from Maryland. Prior to this Timothy infiltrated the underground Sons of Liberty organization. Over the course of several months, the pair collected and conveyed information to the home office about troop movements, battle plans, and other intelligence. 

Vinnie Ream: After the plan to assassinate President Lincoln in Baltimore was unearthed, Allan

Pinkerton was placed in charge of the president’s protection. Rumors of plans abounded, and he investigated every report. He felt that some of the threats originated from within Lincoln’s cabinet, so in an effort to get inside the closed circle without suspicion, he hired Vinnie to sculpt a bust of the president. During her time of creating the sculpture, senators and congressmen wandered in and out of her work area to watch her work, giving her the opportunity to overhear conversations that she passed along to Pinkerton. 

Elizabeth Baker: According to Pinkerton, a “genteel woman agent” who was “more than suitable” for her assignment. He had her contact two sets of friends she’d known from her days of living in Richmond and inform them of her intent to visit. She was invited to say with Captain Atwater of the Confederate Navy and his wife. There, Elizabeth met influential socialites, Confederate officers, and politically ambitious Southerners. During the many parties held at the Atwater’s home, she was able to collect vast amounts of information about the Confederate’s plans. Perhaps her most important opportunity was the time she was invited to watch a submarine demonstration. Afterward, she successfully made her way to Washington where she reported everything she’d seen and included a sketch of the sub. 

Although women were not admitted to any police force until 1891 or widely accepted as detectives until 1903, Kate Warne and her “Lady Pinkertons” paved the way for future female officers and investigators. 

_______________________________ 

May 1942: Geneva Alexander flees Philadelphia and joins the USO to escape the engagement her parents have arranged for her, only to wind up as the number one suspect in her betrothed’s murder investigation. Diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease, she must find the real killer before she loses her sight…or is convicted for a crime she didn’t commit. 

 Set in the early days of America’s entry into WWII and featuring cameo appearances from Hollywood stars, Murder of Convenience is a tribute to individuals who served on the home front, especially those who did so in spite of personal difficulties, reminding us that service always comes as a result of sacrifice. Betrayal, blackmail, and a barrage of unanswered questions… Murder of Convenience is the first book in the exciting “Women of Courage” series.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/4Ax9aN