Linda Shenton Matchett's Blog, page 54

Traveling Tuesday: Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England

 Traveling Tuesday: Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England

 

Located twenty miles north of London, Hatfield is a town in the county of Hertfordshire, England. Originally a Saxon settlement known as Hetfelle, by 970 AD, King Edgar had given five thousand acres to the monastery of Ely. 
Nearly six hundred years later, the village would be home to Elizabeth Tudor, later Elizabeth I, who reigned from 1558 to 1603. Parts of her childhood home still exists at Hatfield House’s Old Palace, and some of her belongings can be found inside. She also spent time in the Old Palace under house arrest during the reign of Mary I. A portion of the other wing, the Banqueting Hall, also stands and contains many of its original roof beams which are said to be pockmarked with gunshot holes from when people would shoot at the sparrows that nested in the ceiling. 
Hatfield House, the country home built in 1607 and on which I based Heron Hall in A Doctor in the House, is the home of the Cecil family, the Marquess of Salisbury and forms the center of the old town. Surrounded by forty acres, the 223-room house is considered the finest example of Jacobean architecture in England. The gardens were designed by John Tradescant the Elder who included plants that had never before been grown in Britain. 
Situated by the top of the hill, St. Etheldreda’s Church, the first wooden church, was founded by the monks from Ely in 1285. The current building was constructed then renovated between the 13th and 15th centuries and is exceptionally grand for a parish church, however unsurprising because it acted as the worship center for Hatfield House. The first Earl of Salisbury, Robert Cecil, is buried in an ornate tomb outside the church. A private cemetery holds other Cecil descendants. 
The Old Mill had stood at the same location on the River Lea for over one thousand years and is mentioned in the Doomsday book (a manuscript record of the “Great Survey” of England and Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror). The present structure dates to the 18th century, and the miller’s cottage from the 17th century. To this day, the wooden machinery is still powered by the waterwheel, turning stones to produce freshly ground flour. 
In 1930, Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, aviation pioneer and aerospace engineer, opened his airfield and factory at Hatfield. By 1949, de Havilland was the largest employer in town with almost 4,000 staff. His Mosquito, a twin-engine combat aircraft is considered by many to be the most versatile warplane ever produced. Sadly, all three of his sons died in airplanes crashes, two as test pilots, the other in war service.  After the war, Parliament created the Abercombie Plan for London to address the vast homelessness of its citizens as a result of the war. Hatfield was one of the first eight new towns proposed and has many examples of modernist architecture from the construction project. As of the 2011 census, the city has nearly 40,000 inhabitants. 
_____________________ They’re supposed to be allies, but mutual distrust puts this pair on opposite sides.  Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt signs the order allowing women in the Army and Navy medical corps. Within weeks, Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart? 
Archibald “Archie” Heron is the last survivor of the Heron dynasty, his two older brothers having been lost at Dunkirk and Trondheim and his parents in the Blitz. After his wife is killed in a bombing raid while visiting Brighton, he begins to feel like a modern-day Job. To add insult to injury, the British government requisitions his country estate, Heron Hall, for the U.S. Army to use as a hospital. The last straw is when the hospital administrator turns out to be a fiery, ginger-haired American woman. She’s got to go. Or does she?
Pre-order Link: https://amzn.to/36V4nX5

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Lynne Basham Tagawa

 Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Lynne Basham Tagawa

Linda: Congratulations on your latest release, The Heart of Courage. What was your inspiration for this story, and did you know when you wrote The Shenandoah Road there would be a sequel? 
Lynne: Thank you! When I first started writing Shenandoah, there were two things in my mind. First the Great Awakening, a huge revival that shaped our early history profoundly, and second, I wondered how the Christian faith and various ministers influenced the American Revolution. Yes—this was a trilogy in the works, and the third will be set during the Revolution. But the first two books do include tidbits, such as a discussion in Courage about Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. It’s a tiny insight into how Scottish Presbyterians thought about rulers, and this people group would later make up a significant chunk of Washington’s army. 
LM: What sort of research did you have to do for the story, and was there a particularly intriguing tidbit you knew you had to include? 
Lynne: I do wide-ranging research, not just what you’d think. Of course, I researched Shawnee customs and theology for this second book, since I have a Shawnee character (love him). But I also research tangentially connected stuff like geology. Since my characters live in the Shenandoah Valley, I needed to know the lay of the land—literally. For this reason I was inspired to have one character fall into a limestone cavern. There are some you can go visit today, such as Luray caverns. 
LM: How do you prepare yourself for writing? (E.g., Do you have a specific routine you use, place where you write, or music you listen to?) 
Lynne: I tame my inbox, get a second cup of coffee, and open it up. I know I can’t wait for inspiration. I just sit down and write—and if I write badly, I can edit! I’m old enough to remember typewriters, when you couldn’t. If there’s anything that prepares me, it’s reading—preferably well written fiction. It gets my juices going, and sometimes I end up staring into space, imagining a conversation between my own characters. 
LM: Do you plot out your stories or write “by the seat of your pants?” 
Lynne: I need signposts along the way. So, at the scene level, I’m a pantster. But the storyline must be marked out with plenty of stakes so I don’t get lost. 
LM: Here are some quickies: 
Lynne:  Favorite childhood book: I loved animal stories like Bambi and The Black Stallion. Even today, you will notice the horses in my stories have personalities. 
Favorite vacation spot: My favorite vacation spot is my reading chair, although my husband takes me to the Texas Hill Country occasionally and that’s always fun. 
Favorite Bible verse: Isaiah 41:10 got me through childbirth. Four times. I didn’t do epidurals, almost no one did in those days. 
LM: What is your next project? 
Lynne: Currently I’m working on a novella starring two of the minor characters in Courage. But I’m also doing research for the third novel in the series. A number of authors have written wonderful books set during the Revolution, and it’s intimidating to even think of trying. But it’s a hugely fascinating time, and I hope in my story I can unfold something a little different while entertaining my reader. 
LM: Where can folks find you on the web? 
Lynne: Website: https://www.lynnetagawa.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Lynne-Basham-Tagawa-263573557821364/
About Heart of Courage:
No one would understand. But he had to obey his conscience. 
It’s 1753, and troubling news comes to Russell’s Ridge . . . 
Susanna Russell longs to escape her valley home. When war breaks out, she gets her wish to study in fabulous Williamsburg. But she realizes she’s lost something important along the way. Something—and someone.  James Paxton is studying for the ministry. But when violence threatens the valley, his path becomes clouded. What is God’s will for his life? The answer is alarming—and impossible. 
Red Hawk spies white surveyors near his home, a harbinger of trouble to come. Shawnee chiefs go to Philadelphia to treat for peace, but the unthinkable happens, and Red Hawk loses all he once held dear. Then he has a strange dream. What can it mean?  War, romance, and gospel truth unite in this remarkable sequel to The Shenandoah Road. 
 “The Heart of Courage is a rare blend of history and inspiration, stirring the heart and spirit while it entertains the mind. Truly worth reading.” —Sydney Tooman Betts, author of The People of the Book trilogy
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CBLQC3G

Fiction Friday: October New Releases in Historic Fiction

 

New Releases!
Check out these October releases in Christian and Clean-n-Wholesome historical fiction: 
Joy to the World by Amanda Barratt, Carolyn Miller, and Erica Vetsch (10/13/20): In Joy to the World, three popular romance authors come together to offer a heartwarming collection of holiday Regency romance. Based on the lines from a beloved Christmas carol, these three novellas have depth, faith, and satisfying stories all packed into the perfect length for readers to curl up and take a brief break from their holiday busyness. “Far as the Curse is Found” by Amanda Barratt, “Heaven and Nature Sing” by Carolyn Miller, and “The Wonders of His Love” by Erica Vetsch. 
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0825446694


The Lost Heir by Candee Fick (10/5/20): A foundling raised by the local vicar and his wife finds herself the ward of an earl and on a direct path to a London Season. If only her heart wasn’t still drawn to her childhood friend and their small Yorkshire village. 

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GZL8YDQ






Setting Two Hearts Free by Janet Grunst (10/6/20): Donald Duncan joined the Patriot cause for noble reasons, battling the British while enduring deprivation and hardship on every side. The war has changed him, and now the battle is internal. Returning home to Virginia is in sight where a new life and his Mary wait for him. Mary Stewart spends the war ears with her family at Stewarts’ Green, helping them operate their ordinary. Daily, she prays for Donald’s safe return, eagerly waiting for him...until the day the evil side of war touches her. Two hearts changed by a war that dragged on for six years. Two hearts left hurting and struggling to find the love and trust they once knew. Is there a path for them to rekindle what was lost; Setting Two Hearts Free?
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B085DRXFZY

A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason (10/13/20): A young woman struggles to find redemption by helping troubled women and in doing so finds love but deems herself unworthy of happiness.
Purchase Link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B087RSV9JH






A Doctor in the House by Linda Shenton Matchett (10/15/20): Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt signs the order allowing women in the Army and Navy medical corps. Within weeks, Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart? 
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K7J7RHX



The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano (10/20/20): A career-minded woman in Victorian England sets out to deliver a lost love letter to its rightful owner—unless it’s already too late.
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B087RTJNPR

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Tracey Lyons

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Tracey Lyons 

Linda: Thanks for stopping by. You’ve written Regency, Reconstruction/Gilded Age, and contemporary Amish fiction. How do you decide which time period to use for your stories, and do you have a favorite? 
Tracey: I love writing historicals, so all of my first books were written out of my love for history. When I moved on to a new publisher I decided to try my hand at writing Amish fiction. 
LM: Do you base any characters on real people (including yourself)? 
Tracey: Oh my goodness! Yes! I have a series called the Women of Surprise, sweet historical set in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. I based the female characters on myself and my two sisters. I’m not sure they were happy with me! LOL!  LM: Do you have a set routine to prepare for writing (e.g. listening to music, etc.) and is there a time of day you are more productive? 
Tracey: I’m way more productive in the morning. I like to have a scent infuser going and I put on spa or classical music. 
LM: Research is an important part of writing any book. How do you research for your stories, and have you unearthed any exceptionally interesting tidbits? 
Tracey: I travel to all the locations where my books are set. I also like to talk to people who live in those areas. Back in the day I used to spend a lot of time at my local library and historical society combing through books and records. These days I do use the internet, but I don’t find it the same as being there in person. In my first historical I got to go to the original garnet mine in upstate NY. That ended up being where I set the story.  LM: What is one thing you’d like to learn how to do? 
Tracey: I really want to learn how to drive on a NASCAR track. 
LM: Here are some quickies: 
Tracey: Favorite Season: Fall Favorite author: Shelley Shepard Gray Favorite Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14 
LM: Can you tell us what writing projects are on your plate right now? 
Tracey: I’m in the early stages of a proposal for the Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense line and I’m tinkering with a contemporary series set in the Hudson Valley of New York State. I’m working on edits for The Amish School Teacher releasing April 2021, Harlequin Love Inspired. 
Linda: Where can folks connect with you? 
Tracey: Website: http://www.traceyjlyons.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TraceyJLyonsAuthor Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tracey-j-lyons Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/Tracey_J_Lyons Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Tracey-J.-Lyons Sign up for my newsletter: https://traceylyons.com/contact.html#newsletter
About A Love for Lizzie: 
Childhood friends joined by a painful past...can love blossom between them? 
After her father falls ill, Lizzie Miller and her family desperately need help to keep the farm going during harvesttime. Neighbor Paul Burkholder is eager to lend a hand—and to court Lizzie. But Paul has a secret that he fears could push Lizzie away. Can they finally heal from a tragedy in their pasts...and open their hearts to each other?
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH13VR7

Wartime Wednesday: World War II's Youngest Sailor

 

Wartime Wednesday: WWII’s Youngest Sailor 
By law, individuals must be at least seventeen years old to enlist in the U.S. military. During World War II, one could enlist at sixteen with parental consent. However, by all reports, underage enlistment was common during the two world wars. So common that the non-profit organization Veterans of Underage Military Service has more than 1,200 active members. There are many reasons why boys would enlist at such a young age. Some came from large families who didn’t have enough food to go around. Others were caught up in the excitement of fighting, and others such as Calvin Graham were in difficult family circumstances. 
One of seven children who lived with an abusive stepfather in Crockett, Texas, Calvin moved into room house with an older brother. He sold newspapers and delivered telegrams to earn income. Seeing the headlines and knowing that some of his cousins had died in battles, he decided he wanted to enlist. In an effort to look older, he began to shave and practice speaking in a deep voice. 
After telling his mother he was going to visit relatives, Calvin dressed in his older brother’s clothes, donned a fedora, and set out for the recruiting station. Clutching the paperwork that included his mother’s forged signature notarized by a stamp stolen from a hotel, he lined up behind five young men who didn’t look much older than him.  During his exam, the dentist took one look at his five-foot-two, 125 pound body and into his mouth announcing that he was twelve years old, but Calvin insisted he was seventeen. The dentist didn’t buy the lie, but after the young recruit told the man he knew for a fact the boys in front of him weren’t seventeen yet and had been let through, the dentist said he “didn’t have time to mess with him.”  Calvin was sent to San Diego for basic training, where he later claimed the drill instructors were aware of the underage recruits and made them run extra miles or lug heavier packs. Finally assigned to the USS South Dakota, he served as a loader for a 40 mm anti-aircraft gun. In October 1942, the ship was part of the Battle of Santa Cruz and received a unit citation. A month later, they participated in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, and Calvin was wounded. Shrapnel had knocked out his front teeth and he sustained flash burns. 
The damaged ship made its way to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs, and the crew were honored for their heroic deeds. Calvin received Purple Heart, and a Bronze Star for distinguishing himself in combat. However, he was unable to participate in the celebrations. His mother had recognized her son in newsreel footage and reported him to the authorities. Taken into custody, he was returned to Texas where he spent three months in the brig.  Word got out ill treatment of the “baby vet,” so the Navy released Calvin after stripping him of his medals and giving him a dishonorable discharge. He was treated as a celebrity in Houston, and reporters clamored to tell his story. Eventually, excitement about the young man dissipated, and he faded from view.  Three decades later, after an extensive letter writing campaign, he received his honorable discharge and his bronze star, but his purple heart was not returned until two years after his 1992 death. ____________________________
About Love at First Flight
Can two people emerge from the clouds of past hurt to find a silver lining of love?  Evelyn Reid would rather fly than do anything else, so when war engulfs the U.S., she joins the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. One of the program’s top pilots, she is tapped for pursuit plane training...the dream of a lifetime until she discovers the instructor is her ex-fiancé, Jasper MacPherson. 
Collecting enough points to rotate stateside, fighter pilot Jasper MacPherson is assigned to teach the WAFS how to fly the army way. Bad enough to be training women, but things take a turn for the worse when his former fiancée shows up as one of his students.
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/336lL9a

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome David Harder

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome David Harder 

Linda:  Welcome to my blog. Congratulations on your latest release, Persuaded: The Story of Nicodemus. What made you decide to try your hand at biblical fiction and what was your inspiration for the story?

David: I was reading the gospel of John and the time when Nicodemus came to visit Jesus. As I continued to read, I saw that Nicodemus was mentioned three times. In each case, Nicodemus shifts his perspective from doubter, to defender, to caretaker. I couldn’t find the name, Nicodemus, mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. John wrote his gospel long after Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote their versions of the Jesus story. John was reluctant to write his gospel because he felt he couldn’t add anything, but eventually he did complete his story of Jesus. Jon took a completely different style when he wrote about Jesus and covered many events that we will not find in the other gospels. I felt the mention of Nicodemus was significant, especially since John covered three separate events. John’s style of writing wasn’t extravagant, but he focused on important elements that highlighted the love of Jesus. The risks that Joseph and Nicodemus went through, to care for Jesus’ body after the crucifixion, spoke about their commitment to Jesus. My studies led me to believe there was a story about Nicodemus that readers needed to hear. Over the course of two years, I developed the material covered in Persuaded.

LM: What sort of research was required to write Persuaded and did you stumble on any tidbits you knew you had to include?

David: Countless hours were spent searching for related material to the Persuaded story. My bookmark for research contains over 100 tabs for the material alone. I read extra Biblical books, history records, research papers, and dissertation papers in an attempt to piece this puzzle together. When I covered the burial of Jesus, I could not find anything related to first century Jewish burials (Tahara in Hebrew). The information I did find indicated the process took several hours and longer than the time afforded Joseph and Nicodemus. It was rushed, which explains why the women rushed to the tomb to finish the job after Passover was complete on Monday. I devoted more than one chapter regarding this event because it needed to be told. 

Joseph and Nicodemus were both associated with the Sanhedrin and part of the powerful and wealthy organization. To care for Jesus after the Sanhedrin had dishonorably condemned Jesus to death, indicated these two men risked their reputations and possibly their lives to perform the Tahara. The second tidbit about this event covers the Jewish law regarding being unclean. According to Mosaic Law, touching a corpse prevented an individual from participating on religious services or functions without first a cleansing ritual (which included a sacrifice on the alter in the Temple). On Friday at around 6-6:30 pm (sundown), was the beginning of the Sabbath. It would end at Sunrise on Sunday. Friday was also the beginning of the Passover, a highly regarded holiday for Hebrews. Passover would last seven days. 

This means that Joseph and Nicodemus could not participate in Sabbath, nor could they attend Passover because they were unclean. Once they atoned for their actions in the Temple, everything would be right again. For two highly educated men in the Sanhedrin to remove themselves from a Sabbath and holy holiday, and care for a man condemned of breaking the Law, meant this was an important event.

LM: In addition to being an author, you are also an artist. How do you balance the two creative careers?

David: At present, my clay art is on hold. My latest back surgery required rods and screws where they fused my lower spine. Once I’m healed, I hope to return to the potter’s wheel, but I suspect

my projects will be smaller. For me, spending time on a wheel is centering. I disassociate with the world and get lost in the creativity with my hands. It’s no wonder there are plenty of references to clay and potters in the Bible.

I use my wheel in churches where I present my personal testimony and cover the parable about the prodigal son. The visual demonstration, connected with the words from the Bible, leave a lasting impression on people’s minds. It’s a form of ministry for me.

Writing allows me a different form of creativity and I can participate in the medium anywhere and anytime. I take notes on my phone and set down with my laptop and start new books all the time. I have four or five stories started in my computer for the future and at least five completed manuscripts. I’m always tinkering with my stories whenever I learn new information about the craft of writing, and receive inspiration for individual manuscripts.

LM: Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication? What advice do you have for fledgling writers?

David: Never quit writing. If you feel inspired to write, then write. I started writing for my own sanity. Personal stress and calamity left me in a dark place of depression. When I wrote my first book, it was after I clawed my way back to the normal world. I wrote about that journey and it’s called, Carving Hope Out of Depression (non-fiction). Once you do start writing, realize your work may not appeal to a wide audience and it will contain many, many more errors than you realize. Be humble and accept the criticism, learn from your mistakes, and hone your craft.

LM: What is the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

David: For me, becoming an author is pretty quirky. Looking back at the dismal grades achieved in English classes of high school, I'm sure my teachers would find this news rather earth shattering. My careers revolved around high-tech computer gear. After my back injury in 1995, I realized that I would need to find different hobbies. I’ve made huge adjustments to physical activities and spare-time projects since then. With a creative mind and lots of energy, I need an outlet and writing has fulfilled this for me.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Mountains or Ocean for a vacation?

David: Mountains. The smells, the quietness, the beauty – nothing compares to the majesty of the great outdoors.

Sweet or Salty for a snack?

David: Oh, definitely both! In fact, Celtic sea salt caramels from the company Bequet (out of Montana) are divine. For some reason, salt and sweet work well together and probably why so many coffee houses offer drinks associated with these flavors.

Coffee or tea as your “go-to” drink?

David: I gave up caffeine years ago for health reasons. I switched to decaf teas and like the different flavors. Teas with an earthy taste appeal to me.

LM: What is your next project?

David: Currently I have two complete manuscripts which I’m putting the final touches on for publication.

The first, Adage Lake, is about a man name Sol King. When fire reduces his cherished wife and home to ashes, he travels to a different area to avoid the grief. Driven forward, his desperate intentions fail when life pushes back two-steps with harsh life-lessons. His heart hungers for peace, but he cannot get a break. Sometimes grasping for optimism is the sole enduring human strength that survives life’s challenges. This story examines the depths of a man’s character and his inner demons. Unwarranted tribulations shadow Sol’s journey, but he persists in the faith of a happier future. With wisdom, he redeems his situation, gains more than he expected, and finds restoration for his spiritual relationship. Adage Lake is Christian Fiction, Drama/Suspense.

The second project is Nazareth’s Craftsman:The Story of Joseph. We know so little about Jesus’ earthly father, and known as the husband of the Virgin Mary. While Biblical records provide limited information, oral traditions and extra Biblical texts provide more. A careful examination of the gospels provides additional insight about Joseph—his kindness, generous nature, and how devoted he was to God’s calling.

Nazareth’s Craftsman takes the reader on a journey through time and brings the Biblical characters alive. Joseph’s obedience and wisdom would prepare his adopted son for the world. Jesus wasn’t a soft, work-free individual, he rolled up his sleeves and pulled fishing nets into a boat. When Jesus sets off to start his ministry, his half-brothers and sisters are upset because as the oldest son, it was Jesus’ responsibility to care for the family and its business. In the formative years of Jesus, Joseph imparts his work ethics and a devotion to his mother.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

David: 

Website: https://www.davidharder.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbtCGKPiLuBOaE5esnQcsLg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidHarderAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidcharder

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidcharder/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-harder-52393865/

WattPad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/davidharder

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19739604.David_Harder

AllAuthor: https://allauthor.com/author/davidharder/

FamilyFiction: https://www.familyfiction.com/authors/david-harder/

About Persuaded: The Story of Nicodemus:

Escaped narrowly after the fall of Jerusalem...

Pursued relentlessly by the Sanhedrin...

Entrusted covertly with a mission more significant than he had imagined...

 

From the prison colony on Patmos, the Apostle John entrusts Nicodemus with manuscripts for the Christian fellowships increasing throughout the Roman Empire. While transcribing the manuscript, Nicodemus is prompted to recall his former life and his encounter with Yeshua – a man of mystery, a healer, a teacher, and a prophet. It is an encounter that changes everything.

 

Under the cover of darkness, risking his reputation and endangering his life even further, it is here that Nicodemus realizes the world-changing power of the Good News...and what being a follower of Yeshua truly means.

Purchase Links: 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Apple Books

Ambassador International

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Allison Wells

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Allison Wells

Linda:  Welcome back! It’s such a pleasure to have you visit again. Congratulations on your latest release, Bell of the Night.  What was your inspiration for this story?

Allison: Thank you so much for having me back. It’s always a pleasure. Bell of the Night was inspired by the photos of Mr. EJ Bellocq, who photographed many of the girls in Storyville, New Orleans’ legal red-light district, over 100 years ago. One photograph simply captured my attention and I knew I had to tell her story. (But I will give a warning, many of the photos do depict the ladies in stages of undress, so proceed with caution.)

LM: Research is an important part of writing any book. How did you go about doing research for your story?

Allison: There is a good bit of information about Storyville out there, which was very handy. But there wasn’t much on daily life, so much of that was made up. I looked up the names of actual madams and lawmen of Storyville, incorporating them where I could. I used maps from 1915 to show me the layout of the town and how easy it was for people to come and go to New Orleans. It was a lot of fun, research is always one of my favorite parts of writing a book.

LM: You write fiction and nonfiction. How is your process different for the two genres? The same?

Allison: The only non-fiction I write is in the form of magazine and news articles, so the process is

totally different. For those, I’m usually interviewing people for their expertise or experience, getting direct quotes, and I’m on a much tighter deadline. The hardest part is trying to condense my writing down to under 500 words because I have a space limit. I guess the similarity is that I write better under pressure, so knowing I need to get something done helps me buckle down and finish.

LM: How do you decide what to write about next?

Allison: I get inspired by so many things. A photograph, scripture, a song, a colorful family tall tale. Something will strike me as a story worth telling. I was watching a YouTube video the other day and someone was telling the story of a family member who refused to go west with her husband during the westward expansion - and she shot herself instead of getting in the wagon. I was floored, and I thought it would make a wonderful novel. Maybe one day!

LM: Have you ever struggled with writer’s block? What did you do to overcome it?

Allison: All the time. There are six people in my house and I work from home, so I’m constantly thinking I need to fold laundry or sweep the floor or something else instead of writing. Then I do sit down and nothing happens. The best way to overcome writer’s block, for me, is to spend time in prayer, focus on the story at hand, and just struggle through it. It may come out terrible, but at least I got through it and I can always go back and edit later.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Allison:

Ocean or lake? Lake, all the way.   

Walk, bicycle, or drive? Drive, I need the AC.

Sweet or salty snacks? Ooo, can I mix the two?

LM: What is your next project?

Allison: I’m currently working on a series of books set in the mid-1800s in South Carolina. The idea was a complete God-send, and He has really been directing my steps with it. I also have been working on a contemporary fiction novel loosely based on the Woman at the Well from John 4.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Allison: All over the place!
Website: http://www.allisonwellswrites.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/allisonwellswrites
Instagram: @orangealli
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/orangealli
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18239522.Allison_Wells

________________________

About Bell of the Night:

Bluebell was sold to Victoria Knight, a well-known Storyville madam, at the tender age of eleven. Now at nineteen, Bell is numbed to her life—until an optimistic preacher named Teddy Sullivan comes to New Orleans, intent on saving the sinful souls of the South.

Teddy is instantly drawn to the petite brunette with sad eyes and longs to rescue her. Bell, however, decides that saving her friends from selling themselves in the Storyville cribs is more important than saving herself. In a fit of selfless desperation, Bell convinces Teddy to marry her best friend, which Teddy agrees to do while cooking up plans of his own.

When a handsome and rich client offers to take Bell from the brothel, Bell thinks all her prayers are finally answered, until she is forced onto the street with nowhere to go.

If Bell isn’t able to see that God loves her regardless of the path her life has taken, and Teddy can’t help Bell get even more of her friends out of Storyville, both risk not only losing sight of God’s plan...but each other.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3hcvYF3

Release Day: Love at First Flight

Release Day: Love at First Flight 

I'm excited to announce the release of Love at First Flight. I've been fascinated with the Women's Air Service Pilots since I first learned about them many years ago. I can't imagine what it must be like to fly a plane and admire anyone who can do so. The WASP program lasted less than sixteen months (with the Women's Auxiliary Flying Squadron starting the year before), yet made a great impact on WWII. Freeing men for combat these 1,074 women ferried planes, towed targets, and tested new aircraft. I hope this story honors them, especially the thirty eight who lost their lives in service.

Amazon

Love at First Flight is an Amazon exclusive. You may purchase the book or read it through your KU subscription.

 

Can two people emerge from the clouds of past hurt to find a silver lining of love?

 

Evelyn Reid would rather fly than do anything else, so when war engulfs the U.S., she joins the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. One of the program’s top pilots, she is tapped for pursuit plane training...the dream of a lifetime until she discovers the instructor is her ex-fiancé, Jasper MacPherson.

 

Collecting enough points to rotate stateside, fighter pilot Jasper MacPherson is assigned to teach the WAFS how to fly the army way. Bad enough to be training women, but things take a turn for the worse when his former fiancée shows up as one of his students.

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Carol James

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Carol James

Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on the release of your novel Season of Hope. What was your inspiration for the story and why did you choose this particular era to set your story?

Carol: Linda, thanks so much for letting me visit and share about Hope and Josh’s story.

Season of Hope has been ten years in the making. It was the first manuscript I wrote. The plot was born out of the strife, rebellion, and uncertainty of the late nineteen-sixties and early nineteen-seventies (my high school and college years). While, to me, it seemed like a natural era in which to set the story, as I began to pitch the novel to agents and publishers, I quickly learned the Vietnam era was considered no-mans-land. It was not long ago enough to be nostalgic nor recent enough to be contemporary. A wise author friend told me to pack the novel away for a few years and work on other manuscripts while I waited. So, ten years later, I brushed it off, tweaked it, and here it is. Just like Hope, I had to wait for the right season.

LM: The age old question for writers – are you a planner or a “pantster,” and what is your favorite part of the writing process?

Carol: That’s a great question. I consider myself a hybrid…a Plantser. I do minimal planning prior to writing. I always choose a Bible verse (or two) and a song as my inspiration. For Season of Hope I chose Song of Songs 2:11-12: 

11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is hear in our land;

 

And Aaron Keyes’ song Not Guilty Any More for my inspiration.

Once I’ve done that, I design three to four major plot points (usually the beginning, ending, point of commitment, and the black moment). As I write from point to point, I often let the characters lead. And that is my favorite part—being surprised in the direction we go. Sometimes my characters amaze me!

LM: How do you prepare yourself for writing?

Carol: I feel I am always writing—although I might not be putting any words down on paper. I’m always looking for ideas and inspiration. One of my favorite habits is my daily walk with my dog. Our small town park has a lovely walking trail surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, and a flowing stream. As Zoe ambles along and sniffs every inch, it’s the perfect time for me to slow down, too, and think. I can pray over my work. Maybe the surroundings will call up a song I’ve just heard, or a Bible verse I’ve just read. For me, being still mentally in creation stimulates my creativity. Oftentimes I’ll come home from our walks filled with inspiration for my current work or for a future story.

LM: You have several books out. Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication?

Carol: I would be honored to share. I consider writing my ministry. The idea of writing came into my life in a season of big changes. I knew God was doing a new work in my life, but it took me a while to find out what it was. I never had a desire to be a writer until I read some of Karen Kingsbury’s novels. Her work showed me that Christian authors can, and should, tackle the big issues today’s readers are facing. For Mother’s Day, my oldest daughter took me to one of  Karen’s book signings. I remember standing in line thinking about what to say in the few seconds while she signed my book. When it was our turn, I blurted out, “I just love your books. In fact, your work has encouraged me to start writing. But I’m sure everyone tells you that.”

She shook her head and smiled. “No one’s ever told me that before.”

She was kind and warm and asked me questions about my work and my professional affiliations. Then she wrote a phone number on one of her cards and said, “Tell them Karen told you to call.” It was through her connections, my first novel, Rescuing Faith, was published. And that’s how it all started. An amazing story. Sometimes I still can’t believe it really happened.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Carol:

Favorite childhood book: Little House on the Prairie

Favorite food: Anything Mexican, or chocolate

Favorite vacation place: the English Lake Country

LM: What is your next project?

Carol: I have a Christmas novella entitled Redeeming Christmas releasing later this year, a new novel releasing in the next year entitled No Longer a Captive, and I am currently writing a novel with the working title of A Time for Singing. It’s the story of a man and woman who are both recovering from heart-breaking rejections and learning to trust and love (themselves and God) again. The two write secret, anonymous letters back and forth, and leave them in the drawers of an old inn. The idea is based on the Secret Drawer Society at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn. My husband and I stayed there a few years ago. When we discovered the drawers filled with letters, I knew I’d include that idea in a novel one day.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Carol:

Website: www.carol-james.com

 

Social media links:

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarolJamesAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroljamesauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolJamesAuth

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19149238.Carol_James

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-james

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3duHqKc

 

About Season of Hope:

Hope Stockton’s life is dead, frozen in a winter of guilt, deceit, and fear. When handsome young pastor, Josh Lewis, comes to serve in her church, she wonders if she can trust him with her past. Will he be able to help her answer the questions that have been buried in her heart for years? Or will his own secrets drive them apart and prevent him from helping Hope find her spring of forgiveness?

           

Set in small town Texas in the years during and following the Vietnam war, Season of Hope is a story of forgiveness and restoration.

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

The History of Labor Day

 The History of Labor Day

 

Unless you work in the retail industry (which ironically causes the longest working hours for its employees), you’ll have the day off today in honor of Labor Day thanks to the labor movement and President Grover Cleveland. For many, Labor Day means the end of summer, and in non-pandemic times, returning to school. When it was created, the idea was to celebrate the contributions and achievements of American workers.

 

The late 1800s was the height of the Industrial Revolution, an interesting chapter in our country’s history. The period was marked by significant inventions, the development of time saving processes, and great financial success. However, these came at the cost of the average American who worked twelve-hour days and seven-day weeks for a pittance. Child labor was also rampant, with youngsters working in mills, factories, and mines, earning even less than the adults.

 

Manufacturing began to surpass agriculture as a means of employment, and labor unions appeared. As

working conditions worsened, the unions became more vocal, and gained hundreds of thousands of members. Strikes and rallies were organized as a way to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Unfortunately, some of these events turned violent, with the Haymarket Riot of 1886 in Chicago being particularly violent.

 

On Tuesday, September 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union held its first Labor Day. In New York City, ten thousand workers marched in a parade from City Hall to Union Square. A picnic, a concert, and speeches marked the event. The second Labor Day was held on September 5, 1883. Several states passed legislation recognizing the day, but Congress wouldn’t legalize the holiday until 1894. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 changed several holidays (including Labor Day), to ensure they would always be observed on Mondays so that federal employees could have more three-day weekends.

 

Enjoy your day!

________________________

About Love at First Flight:

Can two people emerge from the clouds of past hurt to find a silver lining of love?

 

Evelyn Reid would rather fly than do anything else, so when war engulfs the U.S., she joins the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. One of the program’s top pilots, she is tapped for pursuit plane training...the dream of a lifetime until she discovers the instructor is her ex-fiancé, Jasper MacPherson.

 

Collecting enough points to rotate stateside, fighter pilot Jasper MacPherson is assigned to teach the WAFS how to fly the army way. Bad enough to be training women, but things take a turn for the worse when his former fiancée shows up as one of his students.

Pre-order Link: https://amzn.to/3jQOMet