Carol Cox's Blog, page 5
June 5, 2012
A Bird in a Gilded Cage
Since the release date for Love in Disguise has officially arrived, my thoughts have been focused on southern Arizona and the research trips I made to that area in preparation for writing the story.
I shared some research tidbits during a recent guest-blogging stint on Writes of Passage, and I thought you might be interested in hearing about Tombstone’s Bird Cage Theatre, one of the sites that inspired several scenes in the book. (To be honest, my husband is the one who suggested I blog about the Bird Cage. I think he hoped it would spare him having to listen to me rattle on about the book. You’d think he would know better after nearly 38 years!)
Ellie, our heroine, has to make a lot of adjustments when she moves from Chicago to wild-and-wooly Arizona to go undercover for the Pinkertons. Ellie has moved in theatrical circles all her life, but a place like the Bird Cage Theater was not at all what she was accustomed to.
The Bird Cage had a unique business strategy. While it did serve a portion of the community as a theater, it also operated as a combination saloon, gambling hall, and brothel during the height of Tombstone’s silver boom.
In the area in front of the stage is the faro table where Doc Holliday spent many profitable hours. He and Johnny Ringo got into a shooting match here, but both men were so inebriated that they missed each other, at nearly point-blank range.
Out in the lobby hangs a painting of “Fatima,” an exotic dancer who performed at the Bird Cage in 1881. I’m only showing you a portion of the painting here. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. Fatima, by the way, graciously consented to make a cameo appearance (as the painting, not the dancer) in one of the scenes in Love in Disguise.
I was thrilled to be able to visit an area downstairs that had recently been reopened after being sealed off since 1889. This is the site of the longest poker game in Western history, which ran for 8 years and 4 months (some historians credit it as lasting 8 years, 5 months, and 3 days), nonstop.
A New York Times article from 1882 labeled the Bird Cage as “the Roughest, Bawdiest, and most Wicked night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast.“ Today, 140 bullet holes in the walls, ceilings, and floors attest to its boisterous clientele.
And yet, with all the rowdy, unsavory activity that went on within the Bird Cage, some of the most noted stars of the American stage made appearances here. Photos of Eddie Foy, Lotta Crabtree, Richard Mansfield, and Enrico Caruso hang on a backstage wall.
What a disparity! No wonder poor Ellie was taken aback. How about you? Have you ever been thrust into a new environment where you had to adapt in a hurry?
If so, how did you handle it? Do you have a strategy to share with us? I’d love to hear from you!
Don’t Forget!!
To celebrate the release of LOVE IN DISGUISE, my wonderful publisher Bethany House is holding a giveaway, which begins today!
Grand Prize:
A $200 Pinkerton prize box. Win a trunk full of items Ellie used in her undercover work as a Pinkerton detective. This vintage wood & brass mini travel trunk contains:
An embossed, western leather journal - so the winner can record their own secret observations, just like Ellie did
Two luxurious scarves – one of lace, and one of shimmering cobalt cashmere, for speedy outfit changes
An antique hand mirror – for quick character touch ups
A green agate and filigree brooch - just like the one “Jessie” wore on the cover of the book
Second Prize:
A bar of the stolen loot. The sheriff hasn’t recovered all the missing silver bars, but he found one that fell from the back of the coach as it sped away, and he’s giving it away to the lucky second prize winner. This package contains:
1 ounce bar of fine silver
Third Prize:
An armchair travel pass to Arizona. Ellie visited Arizona on a bumpy stagecoach, but you could experience the sites from the comfort of your favorite chair. This prize contains:
Arizona – A Video Coffee Table Experience
Arizona Ghost Towns & Mining Camps Tour Book
Go to the Giveaway page now to get started!
May 31, 2012
Scavenger Hunt Stop #4
Welcome to the first ever Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! Make the loop to discover 23 new or upcoming novels, and write down the clue at each stop.
When you know what the clues say, fill out the Rafflecopter form by June 4, 2012 (midnight EST) at www.LisaBergren.com, and you could be in the running for the grand prize of 23 new, autographed books (if you live in the USA; unsigned if international).
Note: if you’re the winner, you must email the complete statement within 24 hours of notification in order to claim the Grand Prize…so don’t miss a stop! Be ready with your answer if you’re the lucky winner! No need to email it unless you receive the good word on June 5, 2012.
Colleen Coble
As my part of the scavenger hunt, I’m hosting long-time friend and phenomenal author, Colleen Coble.
Colleen is a master at writing romantic suspense, with over 40 titles to her credit. Her latest release, Tidewater Inn, will appear on bookstore shelves in July.
This is what the book’s about:
Welcome to Hope Beach
Where the sea breeze is fresh, sun sparkles on sand . . .
and trouble appears with the force of a hurricane
Home restorer Libby watches with horror as her friend and business partner is kidnapped before her eyes while she’s watching on a harbor cam.
She rushes to Hope Beach, a remote island in the Outer Banks of South Carolina. When she arrives there is no sign of her friend, but she discovers she is under suspicion for the crime. She also finds a father she never knew has left her Tidewater Inn, a beautiful Georgian mansion on the water, and that she has an unknown brother and sister.
Can she and the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant find her friend and establish her innocence? And can she find a home for her heart on the beautiful shores of Hope Island?
A Scavenger Hunt Exclusive from Colleen:
The stack of books beside Libby’s chair: America’s Painted Ladies: The Ultimate Celebration of Our Victorians by Elizabeth Pomada, Authentic Color Schemes for Victorian Houses by E.K. Rossiter, How to Create Your Own Painted Lady by Elizabeth Pomada, Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes by George Nash, Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated by Michael Litchfield, A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia McAlester, The Old House Journal Guide to Restoration by Patricia Poore, Colonial Style by Treena Crochet.
How many of these books do you think author Colleen Coble has read herself? Would you believe all of them? The reason she chose restoration as a career path for Libby was that Colleen has a great interest in old homes herself. She and her husband have restored an old Victorian home that was in sad shape when they bought it. It was a duplex, and when they tore into the restoration, they discovered the beautiful pocket doors still hidden in the walls. They were able to repair most of the plaster walls after reading The Old House Journal Guide to Restoration. They selected a color scheme after reading every Painted Lady book that Elizabeth Pomada wrote. She consults A Field Guide to Old Houses when chooses houses for her characters. There is a lot of Colleen in Libby. ☺
You can pick up a copy of Colleen’s book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, or at your local bookstore. Find out more about Colleen at ColleenCoble.com.
The Scavenger Hunt Skinny
Now mosey along, Hunters, to STOP #5, which just so happens to be Colleen Coble’s website, to pick up your next clue!
But before you go, write down this STOP #4 clue: DECIPHER
BONUS:
To celebrate the release of my newest book, LOVE IN DISGUISE, my wonderful publisher Bethany House is holding a giveaway, which begins next week.
Grand Prize:
A $200 Pinkerton prize box. Win a trunk full of items Ellie used in her undercover work as a Pinkerton detective. This vintage wood & brass mini travel trunk contains:
An embossed, western leather journal - so the winner can record their own secret observations, just like Ellie did
Two luxurious scarves – one of lace, and one of shimmering cobalt cashmere, for speedy outfit changes
An antique hand mirror – for quick character touch ups
A green agate and filigree brooch - just like the one “Jessie” wore on the cover of the book
Second Prize:
A bar of the stolen loot. The sheriff hasn’t recovered all the missing silver bars, but he found one that fell from the back of the coach as it sped away, and he’s giving it away to the lucky second prize winner. This package contains:
1 ounce bar of fine silver
Third Prize:
An armchair travel pass to Arizona. Ellie visited Arizona on a bumpy stagecoach, but you could experience the sites from the comfort of your favorite chair. This prize contains:
Arizona – A Video Coffee Table Experience
Arizona Ghost Towns & Mining Camps Tour Book
If you’d like to receive notice when the giveaway is open for entries, “Like” my Facebook page (if you haven’t already), or sign up to receive my newsletter (which only goes out 3-4 times a year–no cluttering your inbox!) using the form below.
Your Email Address:
May 28, 2012
Remembering
My dad was a dairy farmer whose workday began long before the sun came up and didn’t end until well after dark. He never took time off during the middle of the day, unless it was for something rather momentous. But he always made time for Memorial Day.
Dad wasn’t a big man—at last not in physical size. At his peak, he stood all of 5’6” tall and never weighed more than 145 pounds. But he loved his country and enlisted in the Army in February, 1941.
His 10-month enlistment was supposed to be up at the end of December that same year . . . but then came the attack on Pearl Harbor. In a letter to my grandfather, dated December 6, 1941, he talked about how much he looked forward to coming back to the farm in about three weeks’ time.
A letter written two days later begins, “I guess by now you’ve heard I won’t be coming home any time soon.” And he was right. He wouldn’t see the family farm again for nearly five years.
Growing up, I heard snippets of stories of his experiences in the Pacific, with him somehow managing to infuse those tales with his typical dry humor. It wasn’t until much later that I was able to put the pieces together and realize how much intense fighting he had seen, taking part in some major battles I’d read about in history books.
Dad made it back home. But he never forgot those comrades who fell on the battlefield. He knew the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. And so every Memorial Day, we would make a stop at a local roadside flower stand to pick up armloads of late spring blooms.
Back at home, we would divide them into coffee cans my mother had saved and decorated with colored foil. Then came the trip to the cemetery, where we’d place the flowers with care on family gravesites and stand for a few moments, remembering those who had gone before.
It’s been a long time since I made one of those Memorial Day pilgrimages with my parents. Over the years, my husband and I have established traditions of our own, ones our children will remember.
This morning we joined a gathering of townspeople at our local cemetery to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service for our country. As I listened to the speakers and watched the honor guard firing off a 12-gun salute, I felt overwhelmed by the knowledge of what has been sacrificed on my behalf by people who never knew me but were willing to stand up for what they believed and left behind a legacy we all share in.
My thoughts turned to the members of my family who have been a part of this legacy—two great-grandfathers who fought (on opposite sides) in the Civil War; the grandfather who served in WWI; my father, who served during every day of WWII; my cousin who spent months in the jungles of Vietnam; my husband, who enlisted in the Army back when it was “uncool” to show patriotism; my son who is currently a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force.
The pride and gratitude I feel for them–and all the other men and women who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military–is boundless.
One of this morning’s speakers read a quote from General George S. Patton, Jr: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”
And I do.
April 12, 2012
Guilt-Free Reading
How many times have you wanted to curl up with a good book, only to put it off because more pressing tasks demanded your attention? Have you ever longed for a way to set aside time to read without feeling guilty?
Well, today is your chance to take some time to relax and indulge . . . and help spread the love of reading!
As I learned yesterday in my friend Judy Miller's post on Writes of Passage, April 12th is National Drop Everything and Read Day, otherwise known as D.E.A.R. Day. What a wonderful idea!
According to the event's website, April 12th was chosen as the official date because it's the birthday of Beverly Cleary, author of the Ramona books and other titles so many of us have loved and read to our own children. The celebration is intended to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority. That's sweet music to an author's ears!
Like many of you, my days have been filled with long lists of things that need to be done . . . Right Now. But today I'm going to set aside 30 minutes to sit down and read.
I've been enjoying Gayle Roper's Shadows on the Sand, but between getting a manuscript ready to send off, preparing for the launch of Love in Disguise on June 1st, and working on ideas for my next book, I've only been able to read it in snatches, mostly at bedtime. Today, I'll take advantage of this nation-wide celebration to finish the book.
And if I decide to stretch my reading time out even longer, I'll go on to the next title in my to-be-read stack, Stephen Bly's last book Stuart Brannon's Final Shot. If you haven't read the story of how Steve's wife, Janet, and their three sons worked to finish the book after Steve's passing, you owe it to yourself to follow the link on the book's title. It's an inspiring story of a family banding together to honor the memory of a remarkable man.
And so, my D.E.A.R.'s, I'd love for you to tell me which book you'll drop everything to read today. Please leave a comment to let me know, and then I won't keep you a moment longer. Go get that book you've been longing to read and settle down to enjoy it. What are you waiting for? Time's a wastin'!
February 16, 2012
Celebrating a Century
I haven't attended many 100th birthday parties. Okay, I haven't gone to any—up until this week, anyway. And the guest of honor is very special to me.
This week marks the centennial of Arizona's statehood.
Of all the stories we've heard about Abraham Lincoln, one that seems to slip through the cracks is the fact that he signed the Arizona Organic Act in 1863. The act provided for the creation of a new territory, and the citizens of Arizona spent the next 49 years working to achieve statehood. That dream was finally realized when President William Howard Taft signed the declaration making Arizona a state on February 14, 1912, and giving Arizonans one more reason to celebrate Valentine's Day.
My family missed being part of that historic occasion, but not by much. My grandparents left Kansas and settled in Arizona in 1917, when the state was only five years old. My grandfather came out first, establishing a dairy farm near what is now 47th Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix. My grandmother followed several months later, making the journey by train with a 4-year-old son, a 2-year-old daughter . . . and only 3 weeks away from giving birth to my father, the first Arizona native in our family tree.
In my own little corner of northern Arizona, it seemed that flags, balloons, and banners were everywhere, making sure no one could miss the fact that it was a day of special note. Prescott, the first territorial capital, marked the occasion by planting a Centennial Tree on the west side of the courthouse plaza . . .
. . . matching the placement of the Statehood Tree on the plaza's east side.
State flags lined the walkway to the courthouse building.
After writing a number of stories chronicling Arizona's road to statehood, the plaza is a place that's dear to my heart. I walked between the rows of flags, studying the events noted in the timeline etched into the concrete walk.
I thought of the intrepid men and women who came out to an untamed wilderness and made it their home. People who left the familiar behind to follow the dream of a better life. It reminded me of what Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi and Corinth, when he talked about "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead " in order to reach our goal, an eternal home in heaven, not built by human hands.
My grandparents may not have been here from the beginning of Arizona's statehood, but they embodied those same traits, and passed their love of the state down to the generations that followed. Now that I have grandchildren of my own, that makes five generations of my family who have lived here. I hope I can instill that same pride in our Arizona heritage in those who come after me. More importantly, I want to pass along a spiritual heritage that can be theirs as well.
With so much of my family's history connected with this state, it was an honor to be able to celebrate this red-letter day in Arizona history.
Happy Birthday, Arizona!
November 23, 2011
It’s Moving Day!
Some people think of moving as an adventure. They love everything related to the experience, from choosing a new location, to finding the right house, to packing and sorting belongings, then arranging them all in a beautifully decorated new home.
I am not one of them.
I’m not a stick-in-the-mud. Really. I don’t have anything against adrenaline-boosting excitement—providing I come through it unscathed—but the thought of moving gives me the willies.
I’d rather eat tofu turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Or sing karaoke in front of Simon Cowell.
During the early years of our marriage, my husband and I moved more times than I want to remember. I developed some serious packing skills, but it was never something I enjoyed. All that sorting, packing, loading, and moving! Then the unloading, unpacking, and trying to figure out where everything should go to make the new house a home. These are all things that make my brain want to explode.
And then there’s the decorating issue. Much as I hate to admit it, the decorator gene passed me by. I feel like I’m doing well if I decide which color to paint the walls. The little touches that make a room stand out and give it character? That whole concept escapes me completely. I love seeing what others have done, but doing it myself? That’s like me expecting an invitation to do a guest spot on Dancing with the Stars. It isn’t going to happen.
This explains why the decision to move is not one I make lightly . . . even when it comes to moving into a new home on the Web. But this time it’s different. And the reason for that?
This time all the heavy lifting was done by the amazing team at PulsePoint Design. Kelli, Emily and their crew rolled up their sleeves and tackled all the packing, moving, unloading, and made wonderful suggestions on how to set everything up.
And the end result? Oh, my! What a glorious job they’ve done with that! This beautiful new site is far beyond anything my decorating-challenged brain could come up with.
It’s the time of year we focus on counting our blessings, and this new home on the Web ranks high on the list. I’m so grateful for these two gracious ladies and their team, and all their suggestions, encouragement, and boundless enthusiasm!
I’m grateful for you, too. Thank you for taking the time during this busy holiday season to stop by and look around. I’d love it if you’d leave a comment and let me know you were here. The welcome mat is always out for you, so don’t be a stranger. Stop by often and see what’s new!
Wishing you and yours a joyous Thanksgiving!
It's Moving Day!
Some people think of moving as an adventure. They love everything related to the experience, from choosing a new location, to finding the right house, to packing and sorting belongings, then arranging them all in a beautifully decorated new home.
I am not one of them.
I'm not a stick-in-the-mud. Really. I don't have anything against adrenaline-boosting excitement—providing I come through it unscathed—but the thought of moving gives me the willies.
I'd rather eat tofu turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Or sing karaoke in front of Simon Cowell.
During the early years of our marriage, my husband and I moved more times than I want to remember. I developed some serious packing skills, but it was never something I enjoyed. All that sorting, packing, loading, and moving! Then the unloading, unpacking, and trying to figure out where everything should go to make the new house a home. These are all things that make my brain want to explode.
And then there's the decorating issue. Much as I hate to admit it, the decorator gene passed me by. I feel like I'm doing well if I decide which color to paint the walls. The little touches that make a room stand out and give it character? That whole concept escapes me completely. I love seeing what others have done, but doing it myself? That's like me expecting an invitation to do a guest spot on Dancing with the Stars. It isn't going to happen.
This explains why the decision to move is not one I make lightly . . . even when it comes to moving into a new home on the Web. But this time it's different. And the reason for that?
This time all the heavy lifting was done by the amazing team at PulsePoint Design. Kelli, Emily and their crew rolled up their sleeves and tackled all the packing, moving, unloading, and made wonderful suggestions on how to set everything up.
And the end result? Oh, my! What a glorious job they've done with that! This beautiful new site is far beyond anything my decorating-challenged brain could come up with.
It's the time of year we focus on counting our blessings, and this new home on the Web ranks high on the list. I'm so grateful for these two gracious ladies and their team, and all their suggestions, encouragement, and boundless enthusiasm!
I'm grateful for you, too. Thank you for taking the time during this busy holiday season to stop by and look around. I'd love it if you'd leave a comment and let me know you were here. The welcome mat is always out for you, so don't be a stranger. Stop by often and see what's new!
Wishing you and yours a joyous Thanksgiving!
January 21, 2011
Spring News 2011
It's been a long time coming, but spring has finally arrived! Leaf buds are appearing on the lilacs, and carpets of filaree dot the landscape with splashes of purple all around our little corner of northern Arizona. The weather is perfect for spending time outdoors, and what a joy to be able to savor these gorgeous spring days while working on my current book!
This new story is set in a fictional town near Tombstone–close enough to make numerous research trips possible–and I've taken advantage of that as often as I could. In fact, my family and I are getting ready for a return visit to Tombstone, where my husband will enjoy competing in a Cowboy Fast Draw Association meet while I hammer out a few more chapters in our hotel room . . . with frequent walks around town for inspiration.
It isn't often that I get the opportunity to do my writing on-site like that. I am so looking forward to it! I'll be sure to let you know more about our time there and fill you in on how the modern-day shootout went.
Be sure to check back later, and in the meantime . . . Happy Spring!!!
December 21, 2010
Christmas Greetings 2010
As we near the end of December, I've been taking time to looking back over one amazing year. We've had our share of trials over the past twelve months, but there are many blessings to be grateful for as well.
Some of those are obvious–our son's graduation from Air Force basic training and tech school, plus the fact that he and his family are now stationed in Arizona. No complaints there! Having family close by is something I'll always be grateful for. Then there are special friends, those I can share my heart with. I count those friendships as rare treasures.
When it comes to writing, I have a special reason to rejoice this year. I recently signed a contract to write three historical romantic suspense novels for Bethany House Publishers. Working with Bethany House is a dream come true! Not only that, but all three books will be set in Arizona in the late 1800s. It just doesn't get much better than that!
I'm already hard at work on the first title, which won't release until July 2012. That's a long time to wait, but keep checking back here for updates. I plan to share some of my research adventures along the way!
I'm also doing another round of guest blogging over the next few weeks. Robin Lee Hatcher asked me to fill in for her on Writes of Passage while she recovers from surgery. I'll be adding new posts every Monday, so I hope you'll stop by and leave a comment to let me know you were there!
May you have a wonderful Christmas filled with family, friends, joy, and hope. Not only hope for the coming year, but the hope of an eternity made possible by the gift of the Babe in the manger.
June 21, 2010
Summer News 2010
What a summer this has been–and we're only halfway through it!
It's been a time to focus on family, travel, history, and writing–my favorite things! My husband, daughter, and I spent the month of June on the road, something we've never done before but are ready to repeat at the first opportunity. Here are some of the highlights:
FIRST STOP, TEXAS
Our first stop was Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where my son graduated from basic training. It was an amazing experience, with ceremonies spanning two days. To say we were proud of our country and our son–who graduated with honors–is a major understatement!
Following an amazing few days of spending time in San Antonio with our son, his wife, and their two little girls, we said our goodbyes and headed east. Instead of zooming along the interstate, we chose to take the back roads whenever we could, and we were so glad we did! Moving along at a slower pace allowed time feel like we were really seeing the country instead of racing past it.
THE "MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR" MOVES ON TO MISSISSIPPI
We made our way across east Texas and Louisiana and drove across the Mississippi River into Natchez. I fell in love with the town and its people, some of the friendliest I've met anywhere. We spent most of one day driving around, viewing the gorgeous antebellum homes before continuing on our way.
FROM ANTEBELLUM MISSISSIPPI TO SPANISH COLONIAL FLORIDA
From Natchez, we drove south and meandered along the Gulf. Our hearts went out to the people in the area whose way of life is being threatened by the oil spill. After more time spent off the beaten path, we arrived in St. Augustine, Florida, founded by the Spanish in 1565, long before any English settlers set foot in Jamestown.
We followed that part of our month-long adventure with a couple of days in Orlando, where my daughter and I played tourist while my husband attended a convention, and then we were off and running again–to take another step back in time in the breath-taking beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Finally, it was on to St. Louis for writers' retreat followed by a day spent on the convention floor at ICRS, the International Christian Retail Show. What a wonderful weekend! There's something about connecting with other writers that throws my creativity into high gear. Here's a photo of me with writer friends Tracy Higley and DiAnn Mills. We had just picked up our convention badges and spent a few minutes catching up on what's been happening since the last time we saw each other.
This month spent on the road will be one I'll always treasure. I learned and saw so much . . . and I have several new story ideas running through my mind. I'll let you know what becomes of them once they've had a chance to percolate a bit!
ONE LAST THING . . .
On the final leg of our journey, we stopped to visit my in-laws, and the trip's history theme continued. I'm doing some guest blogging for my friend, Judy Miller, on Writes of Passage. If you'd like to see something special I picked up on the way home, you can find out about it on the entry for July 14. Drop by and say hello!
