Thursday, July 30, 2026

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Denise M. Colby

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Denise M. Colby

I’m pleased to welcome fellow Heroes, Heroines, & History blogger Denise M. Colby to my blog today. Read on to learn more about Denise and her books.

When did you know you wanted to be an author? I never planned on being an author, but after a school field trip to Sacramento with my oldest son, and visiting the one-room schoolhouse there, an idea for a story took root. It wasn’t until the same trip two years later with my second son did I attempt to actually write something. God put the desire on my heart, but it wasn’t anything I myself had thought of doing.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? I love different aspects. One of the best things is all the writer friends I’ve made throughout this journey. I also love creating a world my characters live in and writing them in that world. I’m just now writing my next book and there is something about creating the first draft and finding all the ways for the story to evolve and fit together. I have to thank God for that, and it’s so amazing when it all comes together.

How did you learn how to write? Funny you should ask. I took a creative writing class in high school and loved it because the grading was on the story aspect not the grammar (which is where I struggle the most). I earned a degree in Communications, work in marketing and write copy for literature, but that is very different from fiction writing. I didn’t know what I was doing at first, but I read a lot and followed what those writers did to start. Then I attended a local writers group, went to local conferences, and joined online classes. I feel as if I earned another degree with everything I’ve done. Slowly my skills grew and I figured out my own voice. I entered contests and received lots of feedback. When I wanted to quit, God would put what I needed in front of me, whether it was a person or a topic I needed more clarity on.

Do you hear from your readers? What do they say? What I do hear from readers is they love the

faith elements written within the story. I’m so grateful for that, as I love to write from my heart and share God’s truth. But I also whole-heartedly believe that is all from the Lord. I have done as He has asked and He does the rest.

Readers also love Bert, the rooster. Bert sort of stole the show in the first book and I try to include him anytime I can.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite? I’ve written four books and recently a novelette. I love them all for different reasons. In my mind it’s like a tv show where each book is a new episode and the story continues. The characters are all real to me, and so I root for all of them.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? Keeping track of specifics about characters can be challenging. I never realized that I thought of names that started with the same letter, till I had to change some (first and last) so that they didn’t all sound the same. When I picked the five names for the five teachers, same thing. They started with different letters, but they ended the same. When they are all in a scene together it can sound repetitive and I didn’t realize that until after the first book was printed. I had given Olivia the nickname Livvy, but then she’s in scenes with Jenny. But then there’s Lydia in this last book.

Other things too. Such as hair color, eye color, and age. I don’t usually pay attention to my friends eye color. I just know who they are. Sounds funny. I’m laughing right now. But it’s all true.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that strikes you about their work? I read Janette Oke as a girl, and her stories stayed with me. Those along with Little House on the Prairie, influence my writing as I picture my one-room schoolhouse in the same way. My reading time is more limited right now, but some of my favorite authors to read are Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Lacy Williams, Kimberly Keagan, and Susan May Warren. They all write stories that are filled with encouragement and make you laugh and cry. They are heartfelt and there’s growth in the characters. I feel like I grow right along with them.

Can you share a real life event that inspired your writing? In my first book, When Plans Go Awry, I mention the many-years long project of raising up Sacramento. Old-town Sacramento is a great piece of history showing how they built roads on top of itself and raising many of the buildings to keep the area from flooding. I grew up in the area and always thought this piece of history was fascinating. I wanted to include that in my first book.

If your book is part of a series: Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series? I love reading series! So I definitely wanted to write a series. I find every time I introduce a new character, I start finding pieces that connect them to the story world and then want to write their story. Which makes it all so much fun. I have different series ideas that will be a loose tie to the one I’ve currently built. Susan May Warren does this really well.

What draws you to the time period about which you write? Ha! I knew I wanted to be around later 1800s, but I had my characters coming from Cincinnati and didn’t want them coming via wagon train, so I timed it to be after the railroad joined. But since then I’ve written a prequel (where the train didn’t exist). I’m writing right now and 8-chapter free story and it’s set before as well and I had to do research on the travel and locations where it switched from train to stagecoaches.

Why do you write in your particular genre? I love history. And I love reading this genre. I do love regency England, but I was afraid to write that. The details you have to know scared me.

About A Whole New Plan:

Sometimes God’s best plan is the one we never expected.

California, 1870. Pastor William Baker has built his life on faith, routine, and safe choices—until Lydia Spencer walks in and turns everything upside down.

Independent, outspoken, and guarded, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. She has no interest in church… and no intention of revealing the truth she’s hiding.

Because Lydia isn’t just a schoolteacher. She’s a Pinkerton detective, sent west to track a dangerous crime boss—and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means keeping her distance from the one man who sees straight through her defenses.

But when unexplained thefts shake their quiet small-town rural community, and a desperate boy appears with ties to a deeper mystery, Will and Lydia are forced into an uneasy partnership. As danger closes in, so do their hearts. What begins as a reluctant alliance soon becomes a forced proximity neither of them expected—and neither can ignore. Yet the very things that draw them together may be the ones that tear them apart.

Lydia’s life is built on secrets. Will’s is built on truth. And when her past catches up with her, they’ll have to decide what matters most—holding on to their own plans… or trusting the One who sees the bigger picture.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4vOorTP

About Denise:
Denise M. Colby is passionate about all types of stories—whether they are from songs, theatre, movies, or novels. She loves history and constantly finds herself contemplating how it was to live in the 1800s. An avid journal writer, Denise usually can be found with a pen and notepad whenever she’s reading God’s word. Each year, Denise chooses a word to focus on. She shares her learnings about that word throughout the year on the two blogs she writes for.

A wife for thirty years and mother to three boys and daughter-in-love, Denise loves to read, watch movies with her family, sing 80s and musical songs, dance, and spend date nights with her husband. Writing Historical Christian Romance novels combines her love of learning about history and reading. Visit Denise’s website to sign up for her newsletter or connect with her on her social media.

LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/denisemcolby
Website - https://denisemcolby.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/denisemcolbywrites
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/denisem.colby/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/denisemcolby
GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/denisemcolby
BookBub Author Page - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/denise-m-colby

Photo credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy Denise M. Colby

Rooster: Pixabay/JHenning

Old-Town Sacremento: Pixabay

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Wartime Wednesday: Comics During WWII

Wartime Wednesday: Comic Books Go to War

Most scholars agree the Golden Age of Comics began in 1938 with the publication of Action Comics #1 which is considered the first superhero comic and features Superman saving the day. The original print run of 200,000 quickly sold out. Writer Jerry Siegel and illustrator Joe Shuster were paid $10 per page for a total of $130 ($2,973 in 2025). Not bad for a first run.

By the end of 1941, Detective Comics (predecessor to DC Comics) and its sister company All-American Publications had introduced Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Doctor Fate (who?), the Atom, Hawkman, Green Arrow, and Aquaman. Timely Comics (predecessor to Marvel Comics) created the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner, and Captain America. Unsurprisingly, most of the superheroes wore some combination of red, white, and blue apparel.

To some people’s consternation, before the US entered the war, Captain America was featured on the

cover of Timely Comics’ March 1941 issue punching Hitler in the face. According to multiple sources, the cover elicited threats and hate mail. However, New York City major Fiorello LaGuaria “heartedly approved of the cover and telephone owners, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, “You boys over there are doing a good job. The City of New York will see that no harm comes to you.”

After the attack at Pearl Harbor the use of superheroes to fight made-up villains with thinly veiled references to the real enemy increased exponentially. Characters such as Captain Nazi, the Red Skull, Captain Nippon, and Captain Swastika appeared with regularity. Superheroes also promoted patriotism by selling war bonds, creating victory gardens, recycling and saving scrap as well as joining the military or auxiliaries such as Wonder Woman who became a nurse. Superman was deemed 4-F because writers felt he had the power to end the war too quickly and without the military’s assistance.

Initially geared toward young readers, comics quickly became popular with older teens and adult men. A 1943 study indicated that about 35% of 18–30-year-olds, and about 15% of individuals over 30 read comics evidenced by the increase in companies from three in 1935 to eighteen in 1940. A staggering thirty-million new comic book issues were sold weekly by the end of the war.

These statistics may have been one of the reasons for the creation of the Writers’ War Board, technically a private organization but funded by the federal Office of War Information. Their mission as to find ways to insert propaganda in popular media, including comic books. In fact, there was a Comics Committee that helped shape messages.

Comics were circulated among American troops, and it is thought as many as fifty-percent of servicemen read them. Superman became the armed forces’ mascot, and planes, jeeps, and boats carried his name. He was a common illustration on Air Force planes’ nose art, and the USAF Reserve 33rd Bombardment Squadron made him their official insignia.

Entertainment, propaganda, morale-building in one small, inexpensive package.

_________________________

About Eye of the Beholder

Shunned for his appearance, a disfigured veteran encounters acceptance and love where he least expects it.

Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love?

Grace Sutton has no interest in marrying and is tired of her parent’s snide comments that she’s still single on the eve of her 40th birthday. After she loses her job thanks to budget cuts, she decides it’s time to follow her dream of feeding others. Armed with Mrs. Canfield’s cookbook, she opens a refreshment stand at the World’s Fair unaware how one man will turn her life upside down and upset the apple…er, tea cart.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3Pz88KO

Sources:
https://www.nelson.edu/thoughthub/history/the-political-influence-of-comics-in-america-during-wwii/
https://www.thecollector.com/comic-books-wwii/
https://wrightmuseum.org/superheroes-go-to-war/
https://daily.jstor.org/the-propaganda-of-world-war-ii-comic-books/
https://bowers.org/index.php/collection/collections-blog/the-american-comic-strip-and-world-war-ii

Photo Credits:

Action Comics #1: By "DC Comics Celebrates 'Action Comics' #1000 and 80 Years of Superman With Commemorative Book: Exclusive" at Newsweek. Fair use

Captain America Punches Hitler: https://www.thecollector.com/comic-books-wwii/

B-17 with Superman nose art: http://www.ign.com

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Susan Page Davis

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Susan Page Davis

I'm a big fan of Susan Page Davis's books, so I was thrilled when she signed up to be interviewed for my blog. She has written well over one hundred books on her own, and has now teamed up with her daughter and son. Read on!

How many books have you written, and what is your favorite? I’ve had about 110 books published. It would be impossible to pick a favorite, but my Maine Justice series is close to my heart. I grew up and lived most of my life in Maine, and I’ve written romance, historical novels, and suspense books set there.

How did publishing your first book change your writing? I learned a lot by going through the publishing process that first time. For one thing, I couldn’t write what I wanted and assume the editors would publish it exactly as I’d written it. We had several rounds of revisions to go through.

How do you deal with the pressure of deadlines? I started my professional writing as a correspondent for a daily newspaper. That job taught me in a hurry to respect deadlines! If possible, I start an assignment as soon as I get it, not at the last minute. I pace myself, allowing time for planning, research, writing, revising, and just plain thinking about it.

Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decided to write a series? Yes. At the time we came up with the series idea, the publisher we were targeting wanted three-book series. That particular line was discontinued, and we eventually went with a different publisher, but we had already planned three books.

How has your book changed since your first draft? When I first thought about this idea, I considered

having Cassie find some papers that were of interest to the government. We later decided it would be more believable to have a private group trying to recover the papers.

If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you choose and why? Maybe Josh, Adam’s younger brother. He’s adventurous and sometimes a bit foolhardy. But as he matures, I can see him learning how to get himself out of risky situations without having to be rescued.

What is your advice to fledgling writers? Read widely. Try to write something every day.

What is your next project? The Seafaring Women of the Faithful will release Sept. 22. It’s the third book in the Hearts of Oak series, about a sailing ship “manned” by women in the 1850s. It’s co-authored with my son Jim, and we just finished reading through the galley. We’re excited about the launch, and we hope you love it!

Book blurb: Dumpsters and Dragons draws garbage collector Cassie Willis into intrigue and danger. She’s used to hauling away other people’s trash. She’s not used to finding coded documents, being chased by a sinister biker, or getting tangled in a dangerous game with a very real killer. After she brings home a packet of strange papers she found in a dumpster, Cassie hopes someone at a local gamer café might recognize a mysterious symbol. Instead, her search draws the attention of adversaries who are clearly playing for keeps.

Before long, Cassie is working with police to uncover a dangerous scheme hidden behind game challenges. As the assignments escalate and someone close to her and her boyfriend Adam becomes caught up in the investigation, she realizes the case is far more perilous than she expected.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4f665I9

Susan Page Davis and Page M. Davis are a mother-daughter team. Originally from Maine, they’ve

relocated father south. Susan is the author of more than 100 novels and has won the Carol Award, three Will Rogers Medallions, two Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice Awards, and more. Page is a writer and kennel tech. She has published serial fiction and short stories. This is her second mystery novel.

Social media links:

Website: https://susanpagedavis.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Page-Davis/e/B001IR1CGA
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-page-davis
Twitter: @SusanPageDavis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpagedavisauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/255473.Susan_Page_Davis

Photo credits:

Author photos and book image: courtesy of Susan Page Davis

Dumpster: Pixabay/drewplaysdrums

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Wartime Wednesday: Greek Resistance During WWII

Wartime Wednesday: Greek Resistance

Like all German-occupied countries during World War II, Greece suffered food shortages, heavy-handed mandates, forced labor conscription, and brutality. The Italians in October 1940, but the Greek army was able to push the enemy forces into Albania and hold them under siege. Seven months later in April 1941, Hitler answered Mussolini’s call for help by sending German troops. Fighting was brutal, and the king fled to Cairo where according to multiple sources waited for “Germany’s defeat at the hands of the British.” Germany was victorious, and in May a collaborative government was set up in Athens.

Within a short time, Greek resistance emerged, initially by sporadic individual acts of sabotage and civil disobedience such as an incident on May 30, 1941, during which two university students pulled down the Nazi flag that had been hoisted over the Acropolis.

The National Liberation Front (EAM) was the largest of the resistance groups to form and is thought to

have had almost 1.5 million members by 1944. The organization was founded by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and other “left-wing faction” and included a military branch (ELAS) that handled the sabotage and guerilla warfare against the occupying forces. Several sources indicate the group was highly successful in engaging Axis divisions and destroying infrastructure. In addition, EAM organized strikes and protests.

The second-largest resistance group was the National Republican Greek League (EDES) founded in September 1941 by Greek army officer Colonel Napoleon Zervas. Interestingly, the group fought the Axis powers but was also adamantly opposed to the exiled King George. EDES received support from British Intelligence as they performed acts of sabotage and guerilla warfare. One well-known act was the destruction of the Gorgopotamos railway line in November 1942 which disrupted German supply lines. Eventually, EDES’s philosophies led to a civil war, and conflict broke out between them and EAM who defeated EDES in December 1944.

Smaller resistance groups operated throughout the country and were composed of men and women. Many worked in partnership with Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) collecting and passing along intelligence reports, running escape networks for refugees and downed airmen, conducted propaganda events, and staged public protests. Medical staff set up underground hospitals and medical centers.

The combination of sabotage, intelligence activities, and armed combat with resistance forces, sent German troops fleeing from Athens on October 12, 1944.

_________________

About Eye of the Beholder (Apron Strings Tea Tales)

Shunned for his appearance, a disfigured veteran encounters acceptance and love where he least expects it.

Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love?

Grace Sutton has no interest in marrying and is tired of her parent’s snide comments that she’s still single on the eve of her 40th birthday. After she loses her job thanks to budget cuts, she decides it’s time to follow her dream of feeding others. Armed with Mrs. Canfield’s cookbook, she opens a refreshment stand at the World’s Fair unaware how one man will turn her life upside down and upset the apple…er, tea cart.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3Pz88KO

Sources:
https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/greek-resistance-during-world-war-ii
https://radicalteatowel.co.uk/radical-history-blog/a-free-greece-how-the-greek-resistance-defeated-fascism
https://greekancestry.net/yiayiaandme-15/
https://redflag.org.au/article/greek-resistance-wwii-triumph-defeat/

Photo Credits:

Members of EAM/ELAS: By Demetrios Andrianis - Own work

Soldiers raising Swastika over the Acropolis: By Ekdotiki Athinon

Protest of University Students: By National Museum of the U.S. Navy - Lot 11618-4, Public Domain

Friday, July 17, 2026

On Tour: The Broken Weathervane

About the Book

Book: The Broken Weathervane

Author: Laura DeNooyer

Genre: Women’s fiction, dual timeline fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden.

As Leslie Wickersham, Raymond University grants officer, seeks information to unravel a family mystery, English professor Gregory Stafford seeks an elusive interview with one more Buckwalter relative for his upcoming author biography. While Greg and Leslie guard coveted details from each other, her goals are further complicated by letters of blackmail threatening to reveal all she has worked hard to hide.

In this dual timeline novel alternating between 2015 and the 1950s, loyalty is tested and secrets abound when family honor collides with truth. Leslie grapples with the trade-off: how far will a person go to help a loved one thrive?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

More from Laura

The Shame of Silence

In the 1950s, nobody talked openly about mental illness. We think it’s stigmatized today; it was worse then.

When a family member is physically ill or in an accident, folks will line up outside your door to bring comfort or casseroles. It’s an easily shared prayer request. But when a family member has an episode related to mental illness, it’s shrouded in secrecy and shame. Thus, the people most needing prayers and support don’t get them.

That’s the experience of Fritz, Eddie, and Klara Buckwalter in the 1950s timeline of The Broken Weathervane.

Leave It to Beaver

Television in the 1950s became a household word with its daily entertainment. Sitcoms included Danny Thomas’s Make Room for Daddy, I Love Lucy, Our Miss Brooks, and Father Knows Best. Variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show along with comedy shows featuring George Burns, Jack Benny, and Red Skelton had viewers laughing in living rooms across America.

But those shows illuminated the lighter side of life. Today, we fondly embrace the innocence and nostalgia of Leave It to Beaver. But that’s far-fetched from everyday realities. Especially for those plagued by mental illness.

Old Dog, New Tricks

In the 2015 timeline, two co-workers are at cross purposes—both seeking the same information for different reasons.

When my protagonist Leslie Wickersham is hired as the grants officer at Raymond University, she doesn’t count on having to teach an old dog new tricks. By dog, I mean the brassy, pretentious English professor, Dr. Gregory Stafford—who isn’t all that old, but is behind the times.

The dean expects Leslie to drag Greg into the 21st century via social media, something Greg has relegated to the annals of Hogwash and Absurdity.

Their proximity becomes her chance to pick his brain for nuggets from his upcoming biography of local author Linus Fritz Buckwalter.

But she can’t let him know that Fritz is her great-uncle. Or that the one last interview Greg is holding out for—Klara Buckwalter—is Leslie’s grandmother.

Due to Klara’s silence, Leslie hopes Greg holds the key to knowledge about the family rift.

Answers start appearing when Klara gives Leslie her 1950s diary. The answers are shocking—but also contradict Greg’s research.

If you appreciate stories with:

small town family secrets
family drama
dual timelines (2015 and 1950s)
moral dilemmas
family loyalty vs. honesty
an honest, tender treatment of mental illness

. . . then this story will touch your heart.

My hope is that book club discussions will help increase understanding, transparency, and empathy for those who suffer. Open dialogue about mental illness is that important first step toward reducing the stigma associated with it. The Broken Weathervane is the perfect catalyst for that.

An Interview with Laura

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? First of all, everything can be fodder for a story. No experience or pain is wasted.

Additionally, story is one of the best ways to touch others in deep places. People might not listen to a sermon, advice, opposing view, or constructive criticism, but they will listen to stories. I’m deeply touched when a reader reaches out to me personally to share her experience of my story.

Many readers have reached out to tell me how The Broken Weathervane resonated with them due to their own friends or family members struggling with mental illness. That blesses me immensely. I hope the novel invites more discussion among people with similar challenges.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? Over the years of penning stories, I learned how much my writing is cathartic as an exploration of the soul.

A Thomas Jefferson quote comes to mind: “I cannot live without books.” That’s true for me too, but I could add, “I cannot live without writing.”

Writing has served as a creative outlet, a catalyst for ideas, a source of solace, and a way to explore a myriad of confusing thoughts and feelings. I wrestle with difficult events and emotional challenges from my own experiences as these scenarios somehow wind up in my stories, bringing fresh insights, fostering empathy, stretching my limits and my faith. That makes story writing a form of journaling.

In The Broken Weathervane, I explored themes of transparency, honesty vs. family loyalty, mental illness, and challenging family dynamics—themes I’ve wrestled with. I hope the themes resonate with readers too.

Writing is a journey, not just a means to an end. As a teacher, I always taught that the writing process—or any creation of art—is just as important as the product, if not more so. It’s what we learn along the way that gives it meaning.

Can you share a real-life event that inspired your writing? I dedicated The Broken Weathervane to my dad who was the inspiration for this story. Over the years, my dad shared a family story about his father and uncle who were in business together with their youngest brother who struggled quite a bit. The two older brothers did everything in their power to help him succeed in his own businesses and later let him work at theirs. I loved the way they cared for him despite all the difficulties they encountered. I often wondered what the issues were.

This was the spark of the 1950s timeline in my novel. Then the characters took on lives of their own. In the 2015 timeline inspiration, I needed two people at cross purposes with each other—both seeking the same information (from the 1950s) for different reasons.

Last year, my dad was in hospice for five months. I was glad I had the chance to tell him I’d dedicated the book to him. He was surprised and pleased. It was bittersweet launching a book (with a time frame out of my control) while watching him decline. Though he passed away nine days after the book was released, he was cheering for me during those months prior.

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book? Crucial questions for me when planning a novel are:

Do I have a passion for telling this story?
Why should this story matter to readers?
What unique slant or perspective can I offer?

Additionally, the story must sustain my interest for the long haul—through all the ups and downs of feedback, criticism, multiple revisions, obstacles, rejection, and fears.

Regarding The Broken Weathervane, I also asked:

How can I relay a story about mental illness in a way that evokes empathy and also fosters hope, healing, and good discussion?
How can I balance the story with more light-hearted elements so as not to be overly dark and depressing?
How can I redeem the heaviness of the situation without being trite or unrealistic?

How are your characters like you? Different? My 2015 protagonist Leslie and I have both been teachers, love literature, and have wrestled with depression.

Even so, she’s very different than I am. She’s able to hold her own with prickly Professor Greg Stafford—something I’m not sure I could do well! She’s much more assertive than I am. That’s why I particularly enjoyed writing the scenes where they interact. They both push each other out of their comfort zones.

Both Fritz and Eddie Buckwalter were a challenge for me. In the 1950s timeline, I wrote in Fritz’s larger-than-life personality and voice. Other than our common interest in storytelling through writing novels, we are nothing alike. He’s a businessman, for one thing, and an extrovert who loves being the center of attention.

I purposely didn’t use Eddie’s point of view because I didn’t believe I could do him justice, considering his mental health challenges. So, I instead wrote from the perspectives of his wife Klara and his brother Fritz. I think that helps in making Eddie a sympathetic character. Despite their aggravation and confusion about his antics, they love him dearly.

Blogs Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, July 7 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, July 8

Artistic Nobody, July 9 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, July 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 10

Fiction Book Lover, July 11 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 12

The Bookish Ledger, July 13 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 14

Books Less Travelled, July 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 16

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, July 17 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, July 18

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, July 19 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, July 20 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janis is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/0jxOq/the-broken-weathervane-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Ruth Wong

My Experience at the 2026

Suffolk Virginia Writers Festival

By Ruth Wong

There is a specific kind of electricity in the air when hundreds of book lovers gather under one roof. This year, I had the incredible honor of experiencing that buzz firsthand as a featured author at the 2026 Suffolk Virginia Writers Festival. It was a day of selling books and also a masterclass in community, marketing, and the sheer power of the written word.

The journey to the festival began months ago. The selection process is rigorous—this year, the committee received over 300 applications from talented writers across the US. Being one of the 70 authors chosen was a humbling milestone. With our slots confirmed, the logistics began. Each author was permitted to bring 50 copies of their work, and as I packed my boxes, I wondered how many would find new homes.

The day kicked off early. We arrived for setup before 10:00 AM, transforming a quiet venue into a literary wonderland. One of the best parts of these events is networking. I spent the morning chatting with Tia and Bonnie, two fellow writers whose energy and insights made the hours fly by. There’s something validating about swapping publishing stories with people who truly “get” the grind.

From 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, the doors opened for the VIP session. This was an intimate window for

roughly 100 dedicated readers who had purchased early-access tickets. This time included a shared lunch, allowing for deeper conversations that you don’t get during the afternoon rush. It was the perfect “warm-up” to hear what readers are looking for in 2026.

When the clock struck 1:00 PM, the public flooded in. The traffic was phenomenal—a steady stream of bibliophiles that lasted until 5:00 PM. Before 3 PM, I’d sold over 10 books. However, the biggest “celebrity” of the day was undoubtedly Joe Kenda. The line to get a book signed by him was legendary, with wait times stretching up to two hours.

While some might see a massive line as an obstacle, I saw it as a captive audience and decided to get proactive. I walked the length of the queue, handing out my custom bookmarks and inviting people to read the blurbs on the back of my books while they waited.

The Result? People who were originally there for one specific person discovered my stories. By engaging with the crowd and giving them something to do while they were waiting, I turned a “wait” into a “win.” The sales climbed significantly once I started working the “Kenda line.” More importantly, I walked away with new connections, a boost in confidence, and a reminder that being an author is as much about the hustle as it is about the prose.

Suffolk, you were a dream.

About Ruth:

Dr. Ruth Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city. She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym. In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.

The Minnesota Anoka County Library has chosen her as a 2025 Featured Author. One of her books, Echoes over Stormy Sea, won several awards, including being chosen by readers as a winner in the HOLT Medallion Contest.

About Zenith of Tea

A cookbook, a glimmer of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope.

In the early 1920s, accomplished martial artist Wang Mijen is haunted by her past and the red birthmark that she believes prompted her family to abandon her at six. She survives by robbing ancient tombs and living in a cave concealed from the soldiers. When she saves Joseph Cheung, a Chinese Christian educated in Canada, from bandits, her insecurities whisper that such a man could never love an “ugly” girl like her.

Growing up in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Joseph experienced anti-Chinese prejudice. Still, he helps Mijen move to Canada to avoid danger. In Vancouver, amidst anti-Asian riots and the looming Chinese Exclusion Act, Joseph helps Mijen open a teahouse. As they work together to rescue young women trafficked into brothels in North America, Joseph’s unwavering faith and fight for equality challenge Mijen’s hardened heart.

From China to Canada, can Mijen and Joseph overcome their challenges, rediscover their identities, and open their hearts to each other?

A stand-alone novella in the Apron Strings Tea series, inspired by The Nightingale.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4vxPH8O

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ruth.wuwong
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWuwong
Website: http://www.ruthforchrist.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-wu-wong
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwuwong/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/love.respect.grace
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42632055.R_F_Whong
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-f-whong

Photo Credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy Ruth Wong

Suffolk Authors Festival Logo: Courtesy Suffolk Authors Festival

People in line: Pixabay/aykapog

Monday, July 13, 2026

Movie Monday: Easy to Wed

Movie Monday: Easy to Wed

By the middle of 1946, most people were trying to put memories of the war behind them. In response, many of the films put out by Hollywood were lighthearted comedies or musicals. The July 1946 release Easy to Wed combined both and starred Van Johnson, Esther Williams, Lucille Ball, and Keenan Wynn.

The movie was an adaptation of the screenplay of the 1936 movie Libeled Lady, the fifth of fourteen films that Myrna Loy and Williams Powell made together. Jean Harlow and Spencer Tracy also starred in the movie. The plots are the same, but as one site indicated Libeled Lady was sharp 1930s comedy, and Easy to Wed was a typical 1940s Hollywood musical “with the added obligatory swimming scenes to showcase Esther Williams.”

At the time, Williams and Johnson were big names in Hollywood, garnering headlines and big salaries.

Lucille Ball had only managed to be cast in small roles (sidekicks) or in B-movies and would later say the film was the highlight of her career “because she was finally given a good part.” She is mentioned in quite a few reviews as stealing the show: “a standout on the comedy end,” not surprising considering her vast talent.

Imdb’s description of the plot is simple: “To prevent libel against the paper, a reporter tries to compromise the reputation of a tycoon’s slandered daughter,” but there’s more to the story than meets the eye. In reality the tycoon is trying to save his paper from financial ruin, and a convoluted scheme introduces issues of alienation of affection, blackmail, and suspected bigamy, (later determined to be unfounded or the movie wouldn’t have passed code!)

The remake of Libeled Lady was announced in July 1944 and work began with casting and other production tasks. Keenan Wynn’s motorcycle accident in March 1945 brought filming to a screeching halt (pun intended.) It’s interesting that Williams was cast in a film that required singing as this was not a skill she brought to the table. Her songs were in Portuguese making them all the more difficult, so the studio hired Brazilian singer/dancer/actress Carmen Miranda to coach Esther and Van Johnson. Another injury associated with the film was Lucille Ball’s broken toe suffered during one of the dance scenes.

A wild success, the movie exceeded box office expectations and raking in over five-and-a-half million dollars with the studio realizing a profit of $1.6M (equating to an astonishing $27M in today’s money).

Have you seen this classic?

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