Sandra Merville Hart's Blog, page 22
May 10, 2023
Telegraphic Romance
by Sandra Merville Hart
The heroine in my recent release, A Not So Peaceful Journey, Book 3 in my “Second Chances” series is a telegrapher in Hamilton, Ohio. I researched to find out about the daily activities required by the job in 1884.
Female telegraph operators had been hired for the job as early as the 1840s. In 1846, Sarah Bagley performed that job in Lowell, Massachusetts. Three years later, Phoebe Wood accepted the position in Albion, Michigan.
During the Civil War, the need for telegraphers heightened when the men enlisted in the military for both sides, putting more women in the industry. Training for female telegraphers became more available when Western Union opened a school for them in 1869. A year later, 4% of the telegraphers were female and that number continued to rise.
One fun thing I learned in my research was that the increased number of women in the profession sparked public interest. This led to novels and stories being written about them.
A new literary genre, telegraphic romance, was born. In these stories, young women found romance with operators they “met” in the course of their job.
Desiring to learn more about the day-to-day job of the telegraphers, I read Wired Love: A Romance of Dots and Dashes by Ella Cheever Thayer. It was published in 1880 and it provided all those daily details—and more—that I needed for my story.
In the novel, Feisty Nattie Rogers is a telegraph operator. She meets the mysterious “C”, a telegraph operation in another station on her wire. He refuses to tell her his full name and they develop a friendship over the wire that soon has her dreaming of love.
Nattie tells her fellow boarders all about “C” and they can’t wait for the two of them to meet. But the course of true love meets some hurdles.
This book is written in the omniscient viewpoint. The reader knows what everyone is thinking all the time. Written in 1880, this story has the long conversations prevalent in writings of that day. I confess that I skimmed over some of those, but still enjoyed the story.
What was important to me wat that the author gives a thorough overview of a telegrapher’s job in the story.
What fun that this occupation inspired a new genre in the late 1800s!
Sources
Thayer, Ella Cheever. Wired Love, 1880.
“Women in telegraphy,” Wikipedia, 2022/10/19, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_telegraphy.
May 9, 2023
American Notes by Rudyard Kipling
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Rudyard Kipling’s West American Notes
I checked this book out of the library when doing research for A Not So Peaceful Journey, Book 3 in my “Second Chances” series. My characters take a train journey from Ohio to Oakland, California, in 1884.
I found his experiences interesting but he didn’t take the route I needed my characters to follow. Also, his journey happened five to six years after my story so it wasn’t a research book for me.
Kipling’s excellent writing transported me back in time. His well-written descriptions gave just enough details so that I could see the scene.
Recommended for readers who enjoy learning about the West in the latter part of the 1800s.
May 7, 2023
Tea Brack Recipe
Welcome to friend and fellow author, Cindy Thomson, who shares a recipe with us for a delicious tea brack. Cindy is the author of several historical novels set in Ireland or that have Irish characters. Welcome to Historical Nibbles, Cindy!
by Cindy Thomson
Ireland is a rural country dotted with seemingly endless family farms. Local beef, potatoes, cold weather vegetables, free range eggs … are all the things you’d expect to find enrich a meal in Ireland.
I love tea brack—a traditional Irish fruit loaf or tea cake. Everywhere you go in Ireland, you are offered tea anytime of the day. I loved that since I love tea.
My interest in Ireland started with my genealogy. I wanted to learn more about my ancestors who came over from Ireland in the 18th century. I learned about Irish culture and history and wrote about it in both my fiction and nonfiction.
I write stories that seek to share the legacy those before left for us. Their joys and sorrows, their lessons learned, can teach us so much. I have two fiction series. The Daughters of Ireland series includes Brigid of Ireland, Pages of Ireland, and Enya’s Son. They are set in ancient Ireland and are based on legends. My Ellis Island series features immigrants, most from Ireland but there is an Italian immigrant main character as well. The characters all live in a boarding house run by an English woman. The books are Grace’s Pictures, Annie’s Stories, and Sofia’s Tune. Subscribers to my newsletter receive a free novella, which is the boarding house woman’s story, a prequel.
I’m sharing a recipe for tea brack today.
Pour the hot tea over the dried fruits in a medium-sized bowl. Set the mixture aside to cool to lukewarm, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease an 8″ x 2″ round cake pan. If your pan isn’t at least 2″ deep, use a 9″ round pan.
In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dried fruit, and any remaining liquid. Stir until thoroughly combined; the batter will be thick and stiff. Add the egg, mixing until thoroughly combined.
Spread the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top evenly with the coarse sparkling sugar. Bake the bread for 60 to 70 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out moist, but without clinging crumbs. Turn the bread out of the pan onto a rack.
I hope you enjoy this delicious bread as much as my family does.
About Cindy
Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of two novel series and several non-fiction books. She is the owner of a team blog Novel PASTimes, vice president of the Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation, and co-founder of the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. She is also a frequent Thurber House creative writing teacher. As a genealogy enthusiast, she does research for hire and writes from her home in central Ohio where she lives with her husband Tom near their three grown sons and their families. Visit her online at CindysWriting.com, on Facebook: Facebook.com/Cindyswriting, Twitter: @cindyswriting, Pinterest: @cindyswriting and Book Bub: @cindyswriting.
May 2, 2023
Mr. Pullman’s Elegant Palace Car by Lucius Beebe
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
This book was part of my research for A Not So Peaceful Journey, Book 3 in my “Second Chances” series. My characters take a train journey from Ohio to Oakland, California, in 1884. On the last leg of their journey, they rode in Palace cars.
George Pullman was one of several in the railroad industry who built cars for passenger travel in the 1800s. The Palace car was an elegant way to travel for the more well-to-do guests and there were a variety of designs.
In the West, the Pullman Palace cars were painted canary yellow for a number of years.
One thing I love about this book is the many photos, early ads, and sketches of old cars. The descriptions included with them were quite helpful.
Recommended for readers who want to learn more about early train travel.
April 25, 2023
Lucy and Thunder by Bettie Boswell
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Lucy is afraid of Thunder. Whenever a storm comes, her family has a lot of advice on how to deal with it. She tries to follow it, but is still scared.
Then when one of her furry friends is also frightened by Thunder, Lucy finds the courage to confront her fears.
This is a delightful book for adults to read to young children. It’s also a good book for new readers to read.
I love the illustrations! The author is not only a talented writer but also a gifted artist. She illustrated her own book.
The book is geared to children 3 – 7, and a great book for parents to read to their children at bedtime.
I will look for more books by this author!
April 23, 2023
Chocolate Bread Pudding
by Sandra Merville Hart
I was looking for a recipe to use some old bread and found this one for chocolate bread pudding in The Fannie Farmer Cookbook.
I utilized my food processor to make the bread crumbs and then toasted them in a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes. Allow the crumbs to cool.
The milk was scalded while the bread crumbs were in the oven.
Ingredients
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 quart milk, scalded
2 cups homemade bread crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
¼ cup butter, melted
2 eggs, slightly beaten
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
Add the unsweetened chocolate to the scalded milk away from the burner and stir until smooth. (This didn’t look quite chocolatey enough for me, so I added 3/8 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the mixture.) Add the breadcrumbs and set aside to cool until lukewarm. (The mixture cools within a few minutes.)
Once cooled, add the remaining ingredients. Mix well and then pour into the prepared dish.
Bake for about 50 minutes or until the pudding is set.
Serve with whipped cream—a delicious suggestion. 
Light, soft. Deliciously chocolate flavor. I think that my addition of semi-sweet chocolate chips worked well. It’s not a heavy dessert, which I loved. It wasn’t too sweet. The whipped topping was a creamy addition.
I’ll make this again.
Sources
Revised by Cunningham, Marion and Laber, Jeri. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, Alfred A Knopf Inc., 1983.
April 19, 2023
Behind the Scenes: A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2
by Sandra Merville Hart
I have wanted to write a story set in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1880s for several years. It seems to me that it was on my heart to write while I was still working as a Programmer Analyst and writing was but a dream.
Twins Cora and John had been living on their family’s farm before moving to Cincinnati to attend college. John went rogue on me (he does that in Book 3 too ) and got a job at a newspaper working with Ben, and decided against college. Meanwhile, Ben begins to court Cora.
When our story begins, Cora is in her second and final year at the Cincinnati Kindergarten Training School. Kindergarten is still in its infancy in 1883. In fact, the demand for kindergartens grew in the 1870s. There were about four hundred kindergartens by 1880, and the need to train teachers for them was a natural part of that growth.
A training school in Cincinnati was organized in March of 1880. At first, kindergarten students (aged four – six) learned the 3 R’s –reading, writing, and arithmetic. Before long, principals in higher grades complained that kindergartners also needed a basic knowledge of music, drawing, and manual training.
This led to greater training for kindergartener teachers, who learned teaching tools that included games, songs, and handwork.
I imagine that incorporating games, songs, and activities engaged the children’s interest in a new and fun way for them.
Part of my research included The Songs and Music of Friedrich Froebel’s Mother Play by Fro. Bel. Friedrich. Early training schools used Friedrich Froebel’s writing extensively in their training so I mentioned his Mother Play book within the story.
Though demand for kindergartens was growing, most schools didn’t address the needs of these four to six-year-old children by providing a kindergarten class. Cora has to fight for a local school to start a new class to open the fall after she graduates.
Another fun thing about this novel is the places I’ve included that the modern reader familiar with Cincinnati will recognize: Fountain Square, the Suspension Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Zoological Gardens to name a few.
Follow characters you’ve grown to love in A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1 in the “Second Chances” series into A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2!
Available on Amazon , Apple Books , Kobo , Barnes & Noble , and Books 2 Read .
April 18, 2023
The Lieutenant’s Secret Love by Elva Cobb Martin
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Charleston Brides, Book 5
Hannah White’s father orders that his newborn infant be left to die when his wife dies at childbirth. Hannah has no idea that the family who finds and raises her are not her blood relatives until the truth is revealed the first time she meets her father at age sixteen.
Adam White learns that the girl he’s always considered isn’t actually his sister. He’s a lieutenant with the U.S. Navy when he learns differently. His feelings for the sister he’s always adored begin to reshape themselves in the months he is away.
His job is a dangerous one and Hannah prays for his safety. Hannah moves to Charleston where her aunt teaches her nursing skills. She catches the eye of other bachelors, but, her love for Adam changes with the knowledge of her true birth.
This story is so intriguing. It snagged my attention from the tragic prologue and kept me turning pages.
I enjoyed this story! There were twists and turns throughout the story that surprised me. The main story starts in 1800. I loved learning about the U.S. Navy and the job of the marines at the time. Forgiveness is a believable theme throughout the novel.
I will look for more books by this author!
Recommended for readers of inspirational historical romances.
I was given a copy of the book by the author. A positive review was not required. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 11, 2023
The Novel Proposal by Susan May Warren
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
How to create an outstanding book proposal
This writing help workbook is packed with helpful hints on strengthening your novel’s story.
Warren shows authors how to dig deeper to understand their story. It helps authors to consider the character’s greatest fear, the lie he/she believes, the motivation, wound, and goal that drives his or her choices.
This book was actually written to help writers create a book proposal. I actually still pull it out for nearly every novel I write. It’s so helpful to look over the questions as an aid to deepening the characters.
I’ve highlighted many sections for easy future reference.
I purchased this book several years at a writers’ conference. I’m so glad I did!
Recommend for authors, especially new ones. Such a helpful tool for writers!
April 9, 2023
Coddle, an Irish Stew
Welcome to friend and fellow author, Cindy Thomson, who shares a recipe with us for a delicious Irish stew. Cindy is the author of several historical novels set in Ireland or that have Irish characters. Welcome to Historical Nibbles, Cindy!
by Cindy Thomson
Ireland is a rural country dotted with seemingly endless family farms. Local beef, potatoes, cold weather vegetables, free range eggs … are all the things you’d expect to find enrich a meal in Ireland. I had my first grass-fed hamburger in Ireland. I had a beef stew in a gift shop that was so good. The woman who worked there had just brought it in from her own kitchen.
Some traditional Irish foods include beef stew, potato leek soup, Irish brown bread, and a full traditional Irish breakfast referred to sometimes as a fry up. I also love a dish called Coddle which is a traditional stew made with sausage, potatoes, and bacon.
I’m sharing my recipe with you today.
Ingredients8 slices bacon chopped into 1-inch pieces½ pound Irish pork sausages 8 sausage links1 pound potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 8 medium potatoes)3 medium onions sliced into ringsGround black pepper to season3 tablespoons chopped parsley divided2 cups chicken brothInstructionsHeat a teaspoon of oil in a hot skillet. Brown the sausages on all sides. Do not cook through. Set aside to cool.
Peel and slice the onions, separating the pieces into rings.
Peel and cut the potatoes into one inch cubes.
Slice the bacon into one-inch pieces.
Layer the ingredients in a Dutch oven starting with half the onions, four sausages and half the bacon. Season with pepper and sprinkle half the parsley over the onions and meat. Next add a layer of half the potatoes. Repeat all the layers onion, sausage, bacon, parsley, ground pepper and potatoes. Add the stock. It should come within one inch of the top of the ingredients but not cover them. Place the Dutch oven over a burner on a high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours.
Serve in a bowl with crusty bread on the side.
I hope you enjoy this delicious stew as much as my family does.
About Cindy
Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of two novel series and several non-fiction books. She is the owner of a team blog Novel PASTimes, vice president of the Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation, and co-founder of the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. She is also a frequent Thurber House creative writing teacher. As a genealogy enthusiast, she does research for hire and writes from her home in central Ohio where she lives with her husband Tom near their three grown sons and their families. Visit her online at CindysWriting.com, on Facebook: Facebook.com/Cindyswriting, Twitter: @cindyswriting, Pinterest: @cindyswriting and Book Bub: @cindyswriting.
