Stephanie Landsem's Blog, page 2
November 9, 2022
The Christmas Countdown Book & Swag Giveaway
I’m making a list, I’m checking it twice . . .
and YOU are on my ‘nice’ list.
As we count down to Christmas, I have books and swag to give away to my Historical Readers Society, my Facebook followers, and my Instagram friends. See below for all the ways you can enter to win.
Bundle #1: A signed copy of The Well, a frankincense & myrrh scented candle from Abba Christian Products, an assortment of herbal teas, and a ‘holy roller’ pen.
Bundle #2: A signed hardcover copy of ...
November 4, 2022
Friday Fun: How much do you know about the 1930s?
I should be writing . . . or sharing some of my Christmas giveaways with my readers . . . or laundry. Instead, I played around with a cross-word puzzle maker for you history buffs out there. Here’s a little brain teaser for #fridayfun (you can play it right on this page or print it by clicking on the little printer in the corner). Comment below if you finish the puzzle or to let me know if you get stuck.
You can make your own crossword puzzle here. Or . Now, for th...
October 22, 2022
Why Are WWII Novels Such an Enduring Genre?
Take a look at any bestseller list for historical fiction and you can’t help but see an abundance of stories about World War II. This has been an enduring thing for more than a decade. In my latest Where Fact Meets Fiction episode with Susan Elia MacNeal, we talked about this phenomena and she had some great insights, as well as some excellent recommendations for WWII historical fiction.
World War II fiction isn’t anything new, but what is relatively new is books from a woman’s perspective. T...
September 14, 2022
Ready for Love Virtual Event
Are you single Catholic woman ready for a Godly relationship?
If so, I want to let you know about a Masterclass called Ready for Love: An online retreat for single Catholic women over 35 who are ready to connect deeper with their Faith, the Saints, and find a Godly relationship.
Not single? send this post to someone who might thank you for it. Not Catholic? This Masterclass will focus on Catholic spirituality, but everyone is welcome.
My friend Anne-Marie Klobe has brought togethe...
September 8, 2022
How Did It Happen? Adolf Hitler’s Rise to Power
Adolf Hitler: A hundred years ago, no one knew his name. Now, it is synonymous with evil. How did it happen that a failed artist from a small town in Austria rose to power and lead his country in an unthinkable genocide and world war?
The answer is complicated and perhaps better suited for an entire book than a blog post, but the condensed and abridged version is this:
war –> economic instability –> inflation –> division –> distrust of government –> scapegoating –>civil unrest –> war
...How Did It Happen? Adolph Hitler’s Rise to Power
Adolph Hitler: A hundred years ago, no one knew his name. Now, it is synonymous with evil. How did it happen that a failed artist from a small town in Austria rose to power and lead his country in an unthinkable genocide and world war?
The answer is complicated and perhaps better suited for an entire book than a blog post, but the condensed and abridged version is this:
war –> economic instability –> inflation –> division –> distrust of government –> scapegoating –>civil unrest –> war
...August 29, 2022
On Being An Historian
When at the wise age of twenty, I decided to change my major from biology to history, I called my parents. They were baffled. I’d always been interested in the sciences and had started as a chemistry major, then shifted to biology. But history?
Then my dad asked a question I’ve always remembered, “Do you really love it?”
I thought for a moment about the required history course I’d taken my freshman year, how I’d savored my study time pouring over thick books on the Russian Revolution. H...
August 18, 2022
An Adventure in Wyoming
Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes shared with me via email and social media as I headed west for my Wyoming Adventure.
It was, indeed, a week to remember. Words can’t really do justice to the incredible scenery, the beauty of the horses, and the experience of living in the wilderness of the high country of Wyoming. But pictures might. I’ll share some of my favorites below. If you have questions, please ask them in the comments!
We met our outfitter at the trailhead and made...
June 23, 2022
Learning from the Great Depression: Hacks for Making Ends Meet in 2022
In 1938 — just like today — nobody can afford to fill their tank. But for very different reasons.
In the Great Depression, gas was 10 cents a gallon, but jobs were hard to find. Millions of families went without because there was no work. These days, we see ‘Help Wanted’ signs in every store window and some businesses can’t keep afloat because they don’t have enough workers, but it’s rampant inflation that is pinching the family budget. Not just gas, but the price of groceries, services, ...
June 3, 2022
#Fridayreads Historical Fiction Book Binge!
It’s been a while since I posted book recommendations, but now that is off to my publisher, and I’ve got some beauties for your summer reading list! Binge on great historical fiction and put a couple books on your future must-read list:
The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles. I can’t say enough about this book. Like Towles’ previous novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, this book is beautifully written with a varied cast of unforgettable characters. It’s a coming-of-age story, a his...
