Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 191

Interview & Giveaway with Author Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen is back and ready to disrupt your life as you know it. Once again, be prepared to delay dinner, lose sleep, forget the laundry, and shove off the dishes--until you've turned Lady Maybe from cover to cover!

Here's just a snippet to drag you between the pages:
"One final cry…“God almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness…

Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie.

But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it."

For her latest release, I've invited Julie to our Q & A session:

1.  Julie, tell us what inspired your latest story idea?

Three things. Many of my novels explore unusual professions, and in Lady Maybe, I delve into life as a paid “Lady’s Companion.” Also, after watching the BBC series, Berkeley Square, I found myself intrigued by the plight of one of its characters. Finally, my research revealed that carriage accidents were quite common in the 19th century, so I decided to include one, which catapults my characters onto a life-changing journey. (Perhaps I was tired of hearing my husband complain about the books and movies I like: “But nothing happened! No car chases or anything--all they did was talk.” Well, a carriage crash is not quite a car chase, but it’s pretty close.)

2.  What is your favorite characteristic about your story’s hero and heroine?

Interesting question. I like that the heroine is a stoic, self-sacrificing young woman who makes mistakes, but will do anything to protect those she loves.
The hero reminds me a bit of Jane Eyre’s Mr. Rochester. Life has left him gruff and cynical, but beneath hides a longing, passionate heart.

3.  Please tell us about the spiritual theme of your story you hope every reader is challenged by:

The theme verse is: People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Most of my novels deal with imperfect characters who make mistakes but find forgiveness and second chances through Christ. This has certainly been true in my own life. I hope to remind readers to rely upon God’s grace—and to extend this grace to others.

4.  Jaime & I are coffee addicts. Erica & Gabrielle are tea lovers. What about you? Coffee or Tea? 

Coffee, all the way. Except when I am in England.

5.  Favorite historical movie? Or mini-series? 

Any and all Jane Austen adaptations, as well as Jane Eyre and Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South.

6.  While Jaime loves to take selfies and Erica and Gabrielle love museums, I love Pinterest and food pics. Share a food pic, a favorite family recipe, or link us to your latest pin on Pinterest.

Here’s a photo of a rhubarb pie I recently made. Rhubarb is one of my favorite things about summer.

7.  Always wanted to be an author? Or surprised your path led you to publish?

Yes, I have always wanted to be an author. (My mom saved a 2nd grade report card to that effect.) But it wasn’t until I had worked as an editor for many years that I got serious about pursuing my lifelong dream. So thankful that it has now come true!

8.  Favorite century to read? To write? To watch on TV or in a movie?

I’m guessing my answer won’t surprise you: 19th century England across the board--to read, write, or watch.

9.  Favorite heroine of all time, and why?

Hmmm…. Toughie. First thought was Anne Elliott of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. She is long-suffering, level-headed, and loyal. She allowed herself to be persuaded to refuse the man she loved eight years ago, but she’s not about to do so again. I also adore Trixie Belden, “girl detective” (created by Julie Campbell, who wrote the first six TRIXIE BELDEN MYSTERIES). Trixie is far more realistic and relatable than glamorous Nancy Drew. Trixie is a little stocky (but refused to wear a girdle) and a little tomboyish, but an excellent detective and loyal friend. Plus, she could shoot a basketball like nobody’s business!a Rafflecopter giveaway-------------Blog post by Anne Love-




Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 



Nurse Practitioner by day. 



Wife, mother, writer by night. 



Coffee drinker--any time.


Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: Goodreads

-------------Blog post by Anne Love-




Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 



Nurse Practitioner by day. 



Wife, mother, writer by night. 



Coffee drinker--any time.


Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: Goodreads

Interview and #Giveaway with Author Harry Kraus

So pleased to have Author Harry Kraus here today, a renowned fiction and non-fiction author and a medical missionary in Kenya. I personally haven't read Harry's fiction, but I have read his non-fiction book "Breathing Grace" and was blessed and inspired by it. So i am so happy to have Harry here today and be sure to check out his website, it's a fascinating read!

___________________________________________
Harry, what inspired your latest story idea?

My latest novel, One Drop of Me was inspired by the concept that it only took one drop of black blood to make a person a slave. If a white man had children with a slave who was 3/4th caucasian, his children (like Thomas Jefferson’s in my novel) would be 7/8th white, yet still be considered black and therefore, property. We still do this to some extent. Think about it: President Obama is just as white as he is black, but we say, he is African-American, not white.
How would you describe your favorite characteristic about your story’s hero and heroine?

My heroine, Lisa Griffin, has resiliency! Faced with some of life’s most difficult challenges (betrayal by her husband, loss of a child) threatened, but failed to defeat her (oh, she had plenty of downward movement, but she bounced!). She found strength and inspiration to overcome in the life of Sally Hemings, a slave (and sexual partner) of Thomas Jefferson.
What spiritual theme in your story do you hope every reader is challenged by?

The spiritual theme is that there are many things which can enslave us (not just governments, such as in the Civil War). We can be enslaved by our own fears or a bad marriage. In this novel both Lisa Griffin (the contemporary heroine) and Sally Hemings (the historical heroine) find that true freedomis found through unconditional love.Jaime & Anne are coffee addicts. Erica & Gabrielle are tea lovers. What about you? Coffee or Tea?

COFFEE! I served for most of a decade in Kenya as a missionary surgeon and Kenya grows some of the best coffee beans in the world. I came back from Kenya, a full-fledged coffee-snob! I grind my own beans and drink it straight and uncontaminated by all the girly taste-destroying creamers. (I’m smiling as I write this if you can’t pick up on my tone of voice here).
Jaime inserts comment: Can I share this with my male coworker who puts so much girly creamer in his coffee it tastes like melted pudding?
Favorite historical movie? Or mini-series?

I enjoyed Band of Brothers. War and crisis knit men together like nothing else can.
While Jaime loves to take selfies, and Erica & Gabrielle love museums, Anne loves Pinterest and food pics. What comes to your mind to share?

Chicken Spinach Manicotti: Take 1 and 1/2 cup finely chopped chicken and mix it with 2 cloves garlic, a package of thawed chopped spinach, 16 ounces of cottage cheese, two egg whites, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and stuff into cooked manicotti shells and cover with spaghetti sauce and bake. (From kraftrecipes.com). Easy and so good. Enjoy with a glass of fine Chardonnay if you are so inclined (smiling again).
Jaime inserts comment: When's supper? I'll be there. (Bringing the Chardonnay)
Always wanted to be an author? Or surprised your path led you to publish?

My first dream of writing came when I was in my surgical residency training, an absolutely crazy time to take up a new occupation! My path to publication was smooth. After one rejection, I was picked up by Crossway Books who subsequently published my first five novels. All my stuff (predictably) has a realistic medical stripe. That’s a Kraus signature.
Favorite century to read? To write? To watch on TV or in a movie?

My favorite century to read it the one I live in. That said, I loved writing the story in One Drop of Me of Thomas Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemings.
Favorite heroine of all time, and why?

Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games). She is loyal, resourceful, and never melodramatic!


Readers may contact me through my website: www.harrykraus.com, but I’m afraid it’s a bit out of date. I’ve been taking out a few too many gallbladders and that interferes with my web upkeep. I can be emailed at harry@harrykraus.

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_________________________________________

Jaime Wright -

"The Cowgirl's Lasso", Coming 2016, Barbour Publishing
Spirited and gritty turn-of-the-century romance stained with suspense. Youth leader. Professional Coffee Drinker. Director of Development & Associate Relations and specializes in sarcasm :)
- Represented by: Books & Such Literary Agency

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Duluth, Minnesota

By Gabrielle Meyer

I love Minnesota. From the rugged mountain range in northeastern Minnesota, where the world's largest freshwater lake resides, to the vast prairies of southwestern Minnesota, to the Big Woods of northern Minnesota, to the Mississippi River Valley of southeastern, and the Red River Valley of northwestern Minnesota--not to mention the 11,000+ lakes in between...my home state is breathtaking and diverse.

Today, I want to talk about one specific region of Minnesota--the North Shore.


This past weekend, my husband and I took our four children to Duluth, Minnesota, one of our favorite cities on the North Shore. Once you arrive in Duluth, it feels as if you have left Minnesota and are in a seaport city. Everything about Duluth is charming, from the San Francisco-esque streets, to the canal bridge that allows huge ships into the harbor, you forget you're in the heartland of America. I love Duluth's brick streets, Victorian homes, craggy rocks, soaring seagulls, and wonderful restaurants. Lake Superior is so large, you cannot see across it and you truly feel as if you're looking our onto an ocean.

When we ate our first meal overlooking the lake, our five-year-old son said a prayer: "God, thank you for our food, and for Duluth, and for the lake that looks like an ocean."

I couldn't possibly share everything I love about Duluth, so I'll simply show you a few pictures. I hope you enjoy this mini-getaway to Duluth.

Our first stop was the Glensheen Mansion, home to the
Congdon family from c. 1905 to 1977. Stunning! Here are
my children in the gardens. The house on the left is the gardener's
home and the building on the right is the carriage house and men's
sleeping quarters. The blue behind is Lake Superior. The main house The girls at the Glensheen boathouse
Looking out the hall window from Glensheen


My husband is a champion rock skipper (okay,
family champion...)
Canal Park, near downtown Duluth, is a favorite spot! This
fountain always draws our children.
Here we are in front of the fountain in 2015...  And us in 2010 in front of the same fountain...  One of our stops was the Lake Superior
Railroad Museum. Inside the original depot, a
historic town has been recreated, with authentic
items on display. The trains are also amazing, and
you can climb aboard.
The kids boarding a historic train.
The original northern Minnesota mail train.
The weather was in the upper 80's with a heat index of the
mid-90's, and the humidity was HIGH. Needless to say,
it was a very warm weekend, so we went swimming. Lake Superior
maintains a temperature of about 40 degrees, so it was FRIGID
in the water!

This part of the lake has sand dunes.
Lunch was at Grandma's Restaurant, a famous place in Duluth.
We had front row seats to watch the lift bridge!  In Canal Park


A view of Duluth from the lighthouse in Canal Park
Chasing seagulls in Canal Park
If you look closely, you'll see a wee bit of a rainbow to
the left of the lighthouse.
Watching a large ship come into harbor

On our second day, we went up the shore to
Gooseberry Falls State Park. A DNR officer
was showing the kids different wildlife
specimens.
Our boys at the middle falls.


Walking the trail to the upper falls.

After we left Gooseberry Falls, we went up the shore to
Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most popular tourist destination
in the State of Minnesota. This is our family at the top of the
lighthouse.  At the top of the lighthouse in 2010 when the boys were only
a few months old.
The original light, well over 100 years old.
View from the lighthouse.


 
Some happy campers. :)
Our last stop before heading home was Canal Park to
eat supper. The kids splashed in the water while we
waited for our table.I love Duluth, and I love sharing it with my children. My husband and I have been there numerous times, through each season of our lives. When we were children, while we dated, just after we were married, when we were pregnant with our oldest daughter, when it was just the girls, when the boys were little, and now. Each time we go, we return to our favorite places, but try to see something new, as well. This year was special, because it was the first time the boys were old enough to appreciate our trip. Everyone is still talking about their favorite memories, and I'm sure they'll continue for weeks to come.

Your Turn: Have you ever been to Duluth, MN? Do any of the pictures or information surprise you about this lakeside town? Is there somewhere you like to visit over and over?

Gabrielle Meyer:
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Journeys of the Heart Novella Collection

Last week saw the release of The Journeys of the Heart novella collection! I'm super-excited about this collection. I just finished reading Camy's and Winnie's novellas on Tuesday. I LOVED them. And I know you will, too. My own contribution to this collection is a story that melted my heart. 
To celebrate this release, I'm giving away a print copy of this collection!  The rafflecopter to enter the drawing is below.


Here are the story summaries:


From merry old England to the wilds of Texas, take a delightful journey into adventure and romance alongside a feisty spinster, an English lord, a trail boss, a determined widow, and an unusual train companion—a parrot.

The Gentleman’s Quest by USA Today bestselling author Camille Elliot

When a man's body is found in the stables of Heathcliffe Manor, all evidence points to Christopher Creager as the culprit. The only one who can help him is the woman he hasn’t let himself go near: Honoria Dunbar. But when he enlists her help he discovers Honoria is facing a life-sentence of her own…


The Road Home by Winnie Griggs

Anisha's life is just beginning, and Wyatt feels like his is over. How can a displaced, exotic beauty and former surgeon help two grieving orphans find a forever home?


The Trail Boss’s Bride by New York Times bestselling author Erica Vetsch

Trail boss Steve Ketchum hates river crossings, but before he can get his cattle started across he's got to move an abandoned wagon out of the ford. He goes to haul it away--and discovers the last thing he ever expected. The wagon contains a newly-minted widow—and she’s expecting, too.





This is the photograph that inspired my story The Trail Boss's Bride. It pretty much sums up my story perfectly.

You can learn more about the story by clicking on this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Journeys-Hometown-Romance-Camille-Elliot-ebook/dp/B00YMEE2D6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

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Parenting 101: It's Easy...Right?

If you'd told me I was going to be a career-woman I probably would have lol'd. I was raised from the homeschooled all 12 years thing, to the daughter of a pastor, to the I-married-a-youth-pastor. So where does working outside the home and having two kids fit into the equation? Heck, I even know how to can tomatoes...something I'm trying desperately to forget.

It's intriguing to explore the nuances of being a WOHM (Work Outside the Home Mom) and how it fits into the mold of being the Mom God created me to be. Since there's not a lot of resources out there for us WOHM's, it's nice to know that after almost six years, I see that it CAN be done, and in a God-honoring way where my husband and I are still a team and yet I bring home the bacon. (Which doesn't equate to us living on a pig farm...yet).

So here's a few critical things I've learned about myself in this foray into the workforce of directing people, hitting the 9-5 grind and still coming home to balance family, housekeeping, child rearing, church ministry and that ever-distant concept of ... writing a novel?!

1. Oprah is nuts. Yes I deserve "me" time. Yes, it would benefit my family. But no, there's no way possible to make that happen. So yes, Oprah is nuts.

2. I can't cook--so it's an obvious disqualifier for me being a SAHM

3. I am not a self-contained liberal advocate who thinks her husband is a wuss or that I am somehow superior.

4. Being a mom becomes more precious because of my limited time.

5. House chores are suddenly put into perspective on the low scale of importance.

6. Sometimes you just have to realize not every one is going to agree with you being a WOHM.

7. Sometimes you just have to know that the Lord takes people down very unique roads and it's awesome to see how He works.

8. Coffee is a necessity for every mom -- Acronym notwithstanding.

9. I will never--ever be geared mentally, physically or emotionally for more than 2 kids.

10. ...and that's OK

11. I will often be an outsider in the world of Moms...and that's ok too.

Unlike SAHM's, makeup is daily occurrence, as are showers, dress clothes, and heels. But like SAHM's, pajama pants are still the preferred source of comfort and kids bouncing off the walls still make me smile...and cringe. We have a lot in common...and a lot of differences. But this I know to be true...we all, at the end of the day, kiss our children's temples and pray a prayer of grace and blessing. In that, we are united.
So how does ANY mom keep their sanity? I say it's CHOOSING TO BE INTENTIONAL. I've learned this the hard way but it's true. Things don't fall into place into people's laps and your life doesn't turn out like a Disney movie.
Being Intentional means:
1. You plan ahead down to the minute. Hard for us non-planners. Ask my sister, Halee!! LOL I'm so not a planner. Or my sister Laurie, who buys me planners for my birthday. Yep. Not a planner. But I map out my days hour by hour. Work, home, how many chores I can accomplish in 1 hour a day, what specific fun thing I will choose to do with my kids before bedtime, and intentional snuggles in the morning may mean not griping when the kiddos come into bed at 5:30 AM.
2. You realize it's okay not to be the center of your children's world. It's healthy actually. But then that also means you do need to be intentional in BEING in your children's world. Because all of a sudden you can look at the clock and realize it's bedtime and your kids have been playing on their bikes outside on their own for...forever.
3. Take time for bedtime. I'll be honest. I hate bedtime sometimes. The five times per child getting out of bed once in. Yes, yes, I know what Super Nanny would say. I get strict discipline. But outside of procrastinating, they're also finding reassurance, learning how not to be afraid, and getting extra loves. And they do obey. Just sometimes, one good night kiss isn't enough. I should know. I would still sit on my Daddy's lap if I could.
4. Take time to pinky swear. Sometimes team work is required. Kokomo Jo (5 1/2) and I realized a few weeks ago we're very similar. We don't get mad easy but when we do, we get MAD. And then we talk over everyone. We don't listen. We're like bulls loosed in the roadways of Mexico to skewer any one wearing red. So in a long conversation, my overly mature daughter decided we needed to pinky swear that if we saw the other doing this, we'd say "STOP. BREATHE. LISTEN." Oddly, pinky swearing works. Last night I was going to lose it. So was she. Just a tad stressed. Bedtime had overreached the 5 times up boundary and had proceeded into the "get to bed or I'm going to blow a gasket" level. Kokomo Jo came downstairs and said, "momma, remember how we pinky sweared?" She held out her pinky. So did I. We giggled. But we remembered. She went to bed. I cooled down. She didn't get up again. We snuggled this morning. The line of being the authority needs to be retained as a parent, but it's good to work through your weaknesses with your kiddos sometimes too. They don't see you as perfect, but they learn to work with you, forgive you, and even sometimes, lift you up. 
So that's my parenting column for the blog this year. :) My PhD in living life has been hard earned and I'm still waiting for the diploma.
What's been or is your biggest parenting struggle?
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Jaime Wright -
"The Cowgirl's Lasso", Coming 2016, Barbour Publishing
Spirited and gritty turn-of-the-century romance stained with suspense. Youth leader. Professional Coffee Drinker. Director of Development & Associate Relations and specializes in sarcasm :)
- Represented by: Books & Such Literary Agency

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Monday's Devo: Fishing & Moving Furniture

The Winner of The Curiosity Keeper is Danielle Hull, watch for an email!!
Does anyone else have those things in your marriage that you've just decided you don't do well together, so you avoid them? 

It's sort of like "doing church", it sometimes seems better to just "leave things the way they are..." that way no one gets out of sorts.

For us it's moving furniture...
Personally, I'd be just fine if my furniture stayed the same until Jesus comes back. I don't like change. Often Ted and I can't agree long enough on the plan to make it happen. It took a hurricane to make it happen last time! We figured out it's easier to have a few ideas and then just "get-r-done". In 2004, I spent eighteen days in Biloxi, Mississippi, helping on a healthcare team after Hurricane Katrina had ripped through two weeks prior. We had discussed painting the bedroom for months, but just kept delaying. When I arrived home, he surprised me with a bedroom that was repainted and the furniture was all rearranged. I was thrilled. No arguing. Just done!

Well, eleven years have passed and it's time to redo our front room. I've been dreaming about a library/writing room. Pinterest hasn't exactly solved my indecision! Ah-hem. Yes, I confess, I've been dragging my feet. Dreaming is easier than committing, but it doesn't net you much.

My Pinterest Library Dream....
I'm not looking forward to the chaos I'll have to go through to get the final finished project.

But, last week when my daughter's boyfriend booked his ticket to visit from Ireland in November--I found my incentive and my deadline. I started chucking junk and cleaning out drawers of stuff I don't need. I drug Ted into the front room and the proverbial furniture-moving-bickering ensued. We managed to carry two heavy items up the steps together without dropping them, hitting anything, or killing each other. It's just that his idea of how to hold and tip things is not the same as my vision of how to do it. Yanking, pulling, and grunting with it, upwardly we went.


I left for work the next morning wondering why after 27 years of marriage we still bicker over how to move furniture.

Change is hard.
Changing myself is hard. 
Waiting for someone else to change is hard. 

But it's often necessary. And I keep thinking of Jesus on the beach with his disciples after his resurrection, when they are fishing the same old way--the way they'd done it forever and ever. But their nets were empty. Their efforts exhausting. I can imagine the bickering. "John, I said set the hook better." "Pete, don't tell me how to do what I know how to do." "James, row us over to that really good spot, no, not there, over the other direction."

And Jesus. He's on the shore and calls to them, "cast your nets on the other side..."

Do it differently than the same old way you've always done it. Cast on the other side.

I can just see the bubble clouds in their heads, questioning the Lord. Wondering what could possibly work better than their own time-worn ways. But, they set aside their questions and doubt and obediently cast their nets on the other side. Bickering aside. Joined together as one in a unified task.

And the nets are filled to overflowing. It wasn't the first time Jesus had asked them to cast on the other side and filled their nets to overflowing. He'd first done it when he called them as disciples and made them fishers of men. I wonder if they listened better the second time around? What if church is like that? What if marriages are like that? What if we make things more complicated than they are?


On the way home from work, I was still thinking of all these things. My day had been intense at work. I felt a bit woeful and repentant that Ted and I had argued and was ready to make peace and "cast my net" how ever he wanted to do the furniture. Ready to tell him, I walked into the house and he'd finished it all! The carpet was ripped out, the furniture was all moved. And he smiled and said, I've called someone for a quote on that bay window you've been dreaming about....  Sigh.

Yes. There's a mess. My dining room is stuffed with things. I can't get into my writing office, the doorway is crammed with a file cabinet.

Change is messy.

What if the church of the future doesn't look like we had envisioned in our little thought bubbles in our heads? What if it's less about warming a church pew, and more about getting outside the church walls, touching lives? Moving furniture? What if the church of the future is messy? What if we do it differently?

Casting our nets on the other side, should net us not only fish, or bay windows--but relationships, joy, peace, faith, hope, and unity. 

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
John 21: Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

If the Father is building mansions in the heavens, shouldn't we be about moving the furniture? Fishing for men? Casting our nets on the other side? Setting aside our ways, for His ways...
-------------Blog post by Anne Love-




Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 



Nurse Practitioner by day. 



Wife, mother, writer by night. 



Coffee drinker--any time.


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When Historical Research Gets Fun

I'm in the midst of researching for my next story. It's the second in a three-book series (the first, Redemption's Path, is being shopped to editors as I type this!).

Redemption's Path was set between 1863 and 1918. This second story, which has a few of the same characters, is set between 1864 and 1890. The third story, which will also have one or two of the same characters, will be set between 1805 and 1890. I know. Unusual. But trust me, it all works. :)

The series is inspired by real people and real stories (my favorite kind!). One central figure in the series is a man named Chief Bird in Sky. He is loosely based off the great Chief Hole-in-the-Day, an Ojibwe (Chippewa) Chief who represented his people in Minnesota from 1847 until his assassination in 1868. Chief Hole-in-the-Day was a national figure. He captured the imagination of the United States and was a frequent guest in the White House. He was an extraordinary speaker, and had the ability to sway an audience in his favor. He was also a handsome man, full of confidence and pride.

Ojibwe Chief Hole-in-the-Day c.1865I'm reading two amazing accounts of Chief Hole-in-the-Day, and the village of Crow Wing, where he lived with several wives.


On their own, these books might appear dry. However, to me, these books are ripe with information and accurate historical details, which I will use to make my fictional stories come alive! They are like treasure troves, with each page offering up precious jewels.

I'm specifically on a quest to learn more about Chief Hole-in-the-Day's white wife, Ellen McCarthy. While married to several Indian women, he took a trip to Washington, D.C., where he met and fell in love with Ellen, who became his only legal wife. The trouble is, I can't find much about her! I know she's out there somewhere, I just need to dig deeper.

The next research book I'll be devouring is Chippewa Customs by Frances Densmore (originally published in 1929).

I can't wait to see what riches I'll discover next!

Your Turn: If you're a reader, do you enjoy stories inspired by real people and events? Do you conduct your own research about the real people and events after you finish the story? If you're a writer, do you enjoy researching? Do you have any suggestions on how I might find more about Ellen McCarthy??

Gabrielle Meyer:
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Tips for Hosting and Attending a Facebook Launch Party

Erica here:



This last Monday, I hosted my first ever Facebook Launch Party. I think it was a rousing success...at least that's what the party-goers are telling me...and I wanted to share with you some tips for hosting a party and for attending a party.

1. Hosting


Have a co-host/engineer/facilitator. As the hostess, I was busy just keeping up with answering guests questions, liking posts, commenting, and trying to make sure every guest felt welcomed and important. My daughter, Heather, was the one posting new games and photographs and keeping things moving in an orderly manner. I would've been hard-pressed to do everything myself!
Preparation is key! I began thinking about and assembling launch party prizes months ago. Individual game prizes and gifts to go into the grand prize. I also spent quite a bit of time planning the games, the photographs, the questions, and the timeline. I wrote out the text so that Heather could cut and paste and marry the text with pictures quickly. I had my itinerary open during the party, sat where I could see a clock, and communicated with Heather pretty much constantly so that we knew what we wanted to happen next.
Create a virtual world. As an author, this shouldn't be too hard. We create virtual worlds all the time! In my case, I invited party guests to select an 1880's gown to wear, to find a handsome cowboy to bring them to the shindig, and encouraged them to look for fun, cowboy-themed recipes to post. This started about a week before the party to get folks excited. Build up some anticipation, and it will carry into the party. Excitement is contagious!
Give clear directions. Guests don't like to be uneasy, and they would like a hint of what to expect. Early on the day of the party, I posted a general idea of what would happen during the 3 hrs of the party. There would be games, and prizes, questions to me could be posted at any time. Remind the guests to refresh their screens often to keep abreast of the newest posts. Be crystal clear when playing a game where and how to answer and how the winner will be determined. Let them know which prize is up for grabs. This both helps build anticipation as well as making the guests feel comfortable that someone is in charge of the party and you're all traveling to a pre-determined destination together. 
It's okay to market a little bit, but make fun the primary goal. Remind folks about the book(s) you are launching and post the links where folks can find them. In my case, the party was three hours long and I have three books releasing this month, so we broke it up into sections, introducing a new book every hour or so. I also told folks that the prize winners would be announced only on my FB author page, so they would need to go there and hit LIKE to find out if they wanted a prize. About halfway through the party, I announced that one of the books would be going on sale the next day, so hold off buying until then so as to get the best price. However, the bulk of the party was geared toward having fun with the guests through conversation, games, prizes, and surprises.
Public or Private party? Choose if you want to have a public or private party. I wish I had chosen Public, because by choosing private, I could only send invites to 500 people. After that, if someone wanted to come, they had to be invited by someone who was attending the party. In the days just before the party I would've liked to have spread the word and invited whomever would like to come. Next time I'll know. Facebook does not allow you to change from private to public after you set up the event. 

2. Attending


As early as you are able, let the hostess know you will be attending. This not only helps with the planning, but it also encourages the hostess. Nobody wants to host a party where nobody attends, and having some early commitments to the festivities settles some hostess nerves.
Come prepared to take part. Have some questions for the hostess in advance. Be willing to take part in the games. Comment on others' posts, like the photographs, get involved. You'll have more fun than just spectating.
No Spoilers. If you've already read the launch book, you are welcome to say nice things about it, but don't spoil the story for those who haven't read it yet. 
Have fun! 


Monday's party was great fun! A lot of work, but great fun! I will definitely do it again.

Here's some news from the party:

For this week only, The Cactus Creek Challenge is only $3.99 as an ebook. Get your copy while it is on sale!!! You can get it by clicking HERE: 

Yesterday marked the release date of the Journeys of the Heart novella collection. Three historical novellas for just $2.99. You can read more about this collection and get your copy HERE.

Have you been to or hosted a Facebook Party before? What are your observations?


Erica Vetsch:Executive AssistantEarl Grey Aficionado Find me on PINTERESTFind me on GOODREADSFind me on AMAZON.COMFind me on FACEBOOKFind me on my WEBSITE

Where a Writer Works

Hey everyone!! Figured I'd take you on a little tour this morning. A lot of times it's fun to see where we work and write our novels. To be honest, most of mine happens on the couch after the kids have gone to bed. There's nothing too exciting to show you there because, well, unless you want to see a picture of my sleeping bag and my laptop, there's not much else. (Except a floor strewn with toys).

So, here is my secondary writing space and also my daily workspace. My boss has been gracious enough to let me truly make my office my own. I'll take you on a tour of that in another post.

But for today, I thought I'd show you inspiration. I'm not sentimental where I save boxes of trinkets and twenty years later still have them packed away. But, I do rotate trinkets on my desk that remind of specific people, inspire me in some way, or just reflect who I am.

So welcome, to where a writer works ...


First, my mustache card. This was given to me by one of my favorite coworkers who sports a mustache that looks much the same. He's always leaving me little notes and cards of encouragement and some days, I just need to reread them to remind myself why I come to work each day.
This is a handmade verse card by a fellow blogging friend Sherrinda who sells amazing things on Etsy. (Check her out here). She sent me this card, it's actually from a deck of playing cards, and it reminds me every day that I'm totally dependent on Jesus for my faith. This is a significant reminder when you're an extremely independent person like myself. 


This is an old ink pen from my sister, Halee. She knows I love to write historicals that periodically include dead people ( insert smile here). So the color red is very significant when it comes to a historical romantic suspense novel. And, I have to have my pen in front of me every day anyway, just because it brings me closer to Halee. Which is extremely important to my daily survival. 

This is probably the most disturbing item on my desk. It has a long story behind it in the form of a coworker's fabulous prank. But, I leave it here so when I am writing a darker scene in my novels, I can be inspired by its outlandishly creepy presence. Severed fingers do wonders for writing scenes like a heroine sneaking through an abandoned house at midnight.


This is a necklace piece my mother-in-law made me. She knows I love red. My chain broke so it made its way there to be safe and now it's a fixture. Everyday it reminds me of her and how much she loves me. Not every daughter-in-law can claim that their mother-in-law is one of their greatest friends and cheerleaders!

My circus piggy bank. I love this relic from my childhood. Because I live in the Ringling Bros. hometown and am practically a Ringling myself for as much as I grew up at the circus. It also kept me in the circus mood when I wrote Red Wagon Gypsies which is currently on editor's desks in hopes of landing another contract. My heroine Holly was born in the circus but abandoned on the doorstep of the wealthy town banker. She spends the bulk of the story trying to uncover her past and determining whether the mysterious and anonymous note sender who seems to know all about her past, is friend or foe.

This is a rubber cockroach my daughter enjoyed planting around the house to scare me. So it has made its way to my office where I now plant it around the office to scare other people. (mischief runs in the family)

This is an old card from my sister Halee (I see a theme here). It is kick butt card that I read every time I'm tempted to put chocolate doughnuts in my mouth. To remind me I can and WILL eat healthy.
 These are the Meyers-Briggs personalities of my main characters in She Holds the Grave which I'm currently in process of writing. It's a split story (1/2 contemporary and 1/2 historical romantic suspense), with two heroines bound by time and a mysterious death of a young woman whose secrets will chart the life of one heroine and bring conclusion in the life of the other. 

So there you have it. Where a writer works. Well, at least this writer. I'm going to guess Erica doesn't have a severed finger at her computer desk, Gabrielle probably doesn't have a circus bank, and Anne most definitely does NOT have a rubber cockroach. But then, I guarantee you, those three have their own litany of trinkets that tell a lot about their personalities too. 
What trinket is at your work desk that most resembles you and why? 
Winner of Erynn Mangum's "Make Me A Match": Kim Amundsen! Congrats ... check back this Friday for another giveaway _____________________________________

Jaime Wright -
"The Cowgirl's Lasso", Coming 2016, Barbour Publishing

Spirited and gritty turn-of-the-century romance stained with suspense. Youth leader. Professional Coffee Drinker. Director of Development & Associate Relations and specializes in sarcasm :)
- Represented by: Books & Such Literary Agency

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Perks of DIY Housekeeping

Much as I might like, I may never have the privilege of having a paid housekeeper.
But I remind myself regularly, there are perks of surviving DIY housekeeping.

Yep, I'm my very own DIY Housekeeper. The payoffs are grand (spoken like my daughter's Irish brogue, with a little fairytale twang to it, and in my case perhaps at least the temptation for snark).

This year a friend of mine mentioned over our coffee cups that she endeavored to rid her home of 40 bags of stuff--a bag for every day of lent. She didn't specify how large the bags were, but I decided that each week this summer, I will accomplish one small cleaning goal above and beyond the usual.

So far, it's been...grand. I've cleaned out the game cupboard, an overstuffed kitchen cupboard, a drawer, a corner that had accumulated stuff from college-aged children, sorted book stacks, sorted years of the kids's childhood memorabilia, and went through the clothes closet. I've taken out trash bags, and recycled items to Goodwill.

The Perks, you ask?
1) Empty-nester deep house cleaning is more like reclaiming your world. I'm even thinking of how and when I might want to transform some bedrooms to guest rooms eventually.

2) For the control-freak in me, I get to have a great feeling of accomplishment and reorganization--even if short lived. But with the kids moving out, the house tends to stay clean longer without as many there to bring tsunami-like disaster to the organization.

3) Discipline. Cleaning is a discipline that does eventually bring peace.
4) Even if the bag I've taken out is small, it's progress!
5) I find joy in remembering I survived this stage (you will too, I promise!):
6) It's therapeutic! I start out with a list, feeling overwhelmed.
I love the satisfaction of conquering my stress. There are some days I want nothing other than to just sit down and rest. Other days, too much idle time makes me restless.

7) DIY housekeeping makes me believe I deserve a badge for keeping the home fires burning, and small explosions of disaster to a low roar. LOL.


8) It reminds me that God is a God of enough. I don't need to keep accumulating. Divesting ourselves of stuff and things is a good reminder to depend on God of provision.


I found a few verses to ponder this week:
Proverbs 31:27
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 14:1 ESV / 17
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

Work is good. Rest is good. Satisfying is that cup of coffee, or glass of iced tea after the work is done!

I challenge each of you to get rid of a bag a week! Remember: you deserve a badge, God is enough, and don't forget that "this too shall pass".

Work hard. Play hard. Rest well. Have a great week everyone!
-------------Blog post by Anne Love-




Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 



Nurse Practitioner by day. 



Wife, mother, writer by night. 



Coffee drinker--any time.


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