Thursday Talkshow: Meet Caryl McAdoo

Thursday Talkshow: Meet Caryl McAdoo

Linda: I am so pleased you could stop by to chat with me. You’ve just released two books, Son of Promise and Silent Harmony. Can you tell us about bit about them?

Caryl: May I first say what a pleasure it is to be with you today? I so appreciate this opportunity, Linda.

My readers met the main characters in Son of Promise, Travis and Emma Lee Buckmeyer when they married in the final installment (book ten) of my Texas Romance Family Saga, Chief of Sinners. I really loved the two of them and decided they needed their own novel, but it couldn’t be a romance, so I’m calling it a Companion book to the series—women’s fiction. It’s a story of redemption, and conquering familial love, of truth and lies and of moral choices resulting in consequences.

Travis has wanted to tell his wife of a long ago indiscretion, but keeps putting it off due to multiple miscarriages, but time has caught up with him. That morning, he has to tell her he has a twelve-year-old son from a one-night-stand because he’s going to pick the boy up from a reform school and intends to bring him home. Bringing the juvenile delinquent into their lives means lots of conflict all around. It’s set in 1950—the year I was born. 

Silent Harmony is a part of a ten-book collection called Lockets and Lace. The novella is set in 1867, just after the Civil War that took the lives of the father and the oldest sister’s husband, leaving three Parker sisters living alone together on their northeast Texas prairie. The arrival of the story’s hero, a preacher form the east coming to start a School of the Deaf in the area at his mother’s family home place, brings even more trouble between the sisters as all three have their eye on him.

The title character, Harmony is the four-year-old daughter of the widowed sister, Lucy. The middle child, Servilia is a gossip and keeps a sharp tongue. With a chip on her shoulder, she resents both sisters and her deaf niece. The girls’ mother passed at the birth of the third sister, so Lucy’s raised Melody and loves her as her own—the same way Melody loves Harmony. I recently blogged about my research on Schools of the Deaf Schools of the Deaf .

    

Linda: Those sound fascinating! You have written numerous books. Where do you get ideas for your stories?

Caryl: These two titles are my thirty-first and second to be published; the first ten traditionally, then in 2014, I went independent and have published the rest since then, so I’m a hybrid author. When I start a new story, there’s only a vague idea of the character and premise. I just start writing chapter one, and the characters and stories develop as I write. Just like the new songs God gives me, I must give Him all the glory for these wonderful stories, too. Sometimes I get more than halfway into one and still have no idea how He’s going to make it all work, but He always does. And it always amazes me J

Linda: You have written Biblical, historical, and contemporary fiction. How do you decide which genre you’d like to write in, and do you have a favorite?

Caryl: Each time I start a new book, I have that vague idea which determines the genre. I love them all and for different reasons. In the Biblical fiction series The Generations, it’s making Biblical characters come alive.

I’m a real stickler to adhere to the Word, so I do not change His story, just add dimension to the characters who were just people like us with troubles and trials and emotions. You will find though that the perspective on the Scripture might take quite a different turn from the traditional stories we learned as children in Sunday School.

My best-selling novels are the historical romances, and because I have a beloved (fifty years of marriage to my co-writer husband Ron in June 2018!) I enjoy writing these love stories. And though I was no history buff in high school, I find myself enthralled with the research for the different time periods to find how those people lived. Contemporary romance is fun because I can just write away, very little research.

Because I have seventeen grandchildren, I also write for Mid-grade and Young Adults. Ron and I go to schools and I love those presentations and being around the children. I have a thriller, a military story and a couple of mysteries—working on another now—and three non-fiction as well! One of my mentors, Jack Ballas, Berkley’s top western author, told me, “Caryl, pick a genre!” But I never could! As to my favorite genre . . . ummm . . . I will say the historical Christian romances.   

Linda: What is your favorite part of the writing process? (e.g. research, dreaming up characters, developing plot, etc.)

Caryl: Dreaming up and giving my characters dimension! I think most readers would agree that my stories are character driven. I’m told over and again how they feel like real people, family and friends to my readers. What a wonderful compliment that is. The fun part is the characters become the same to me!

Linda: Family is very important to you, and I’m sure you must spend as much time with them as you can, but do you have hobbies or activities you like to pursue?

Caryl: I love flower gardening but have difficulty getting up and down like I used to. I love singing—praise and worship songs best. And I’d be remiss not to include playing bridge. Ron and I play every Tuesday night with several other couples and from that, I’ve been invited to play in a monthly ladies bridge club on Thursday afternoons.

Linda: Quickies:

What’s your favorite color? GREEN, some might say a little obsessively! My eyes were very green as a child. Emerald is my birthstone. Spring is my favorite season when everything turns green—it signifies new life. I drive a green car, my walls are green, I have green furniture, roof, clothes, purse, sunglasses, date book, coffee cup, and I only write with green ink J Laaaa!

What’s your favorite food? TACOS! I’m having a Taco Tree in the front yard of my heavenly mansion. Come on by and have one when we both get there! I’ll share!

What’s your favorite Bible verse?  Oh, so many to choose from, but a ‘life’ scripture is Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Caryl:

Website: http://www.carylmcadoo.com/

Newsletter signup: http://carylmcadoo.com/sign-up-to-the-caryler

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarylMcAdoo.author

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_1hQx6UZbWi3OYwmKKxh6Q

Blogs:

The Word and Music: http://carylmcadoo.com/blog/

HeartWings: http://www.HeartWingsBlog.com

Stitches Thru Time: http://www.StitchesThruTime.blogspot.com

Sweet Americana Sweethearts: http://www.SweetAmericanaSweethearts.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/GoodReadsCaryl

Google+: http://tinyurl.com/CarylsGooglePlus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryl-mcadoo-00562323

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CarylMcAdoo

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/CarylMcAdoo

Puzzle: https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=10dafee7870e

Talkshow Thursday: Author Terrie Todd

Talkshow Thursday: Author Terrie Todd

I discovered Terrie Todd's first book, The Silver Suitcase when it first came out. I was drawn to the story because it was set during WWII, my favorite era about which to read and write. Since then she has come out with two more books, Bleak Landing the most recent. Grab a "cuppa" and get to know this interesting lady.

Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. I loved your first two books, and recently discovered that you’ve published a third, Bleak Landing. I can’t wait to read it. 

Here's the book blurb: In the dead-end Canadian town of Bleak Landing, twelve year old Irish immigrant Bridget O'Sullivan lives in a ramshackle house and dreams of another life, even as The Great Depression rages. Routinely beaten by her father and bullied by schoolmate Victor Harrison, the waifish but fiery redhead vows to run away and never return. Just a few short years later, run she does-fleeing the unspeakable repercussions of her father's gambling. In Winnipeg, Bridget lands a job in a garment factory, the first step in her journey to shed her past and begin anew.

When her father dies, Bridget-now a striking and accomplished woman-returns home to claim her inheritance. But she has no identification to prove her stake, and no one in town recognizes her-except Victor, who has become a pastor and a candidate for town mayor. Though war has wounded him, his secret affection for Bridget remains, and now he's the only one who can help her prove her integrity. But can he also prove he's a changed man worthy of her forgiveness?

As Victor preaches of freedom in faith, will his words spark Bridget's once-hopeless heart and lead her to the life she's been seeking?

Where did you find your inspiration for this story?

Terrie: Thanks so much for inviting me, Linda! Bleak Landing began with a mental image of a young girl locked in an outhouse on a hot day during the Great Depression and went from there. Parts of the story were also influenced by Downton Abbey, even though my story is set a few years later and in Canada, not Great Britain!

LM: The age old question for writers – are you a planner or a “panster,” and what is your favorite part of the writing process?

Terrie: Definitely a pantster. When I try to plot it out, I either lose interest because I already know what happens, or I deviate so much my original plan is unrecognizable.

My favorite part is the editing. Laying out that first draft is grueling, and makes me feel like a cotton headed ninny muggins. But once that’s down and I’ve got some feedback from others—especially after the professional editors get their hands on it—I love making improvements and polishing the story.

LM: You write historical fiction which requires an extra layer of research to ensure accuracy about the era. How did you go about researching Bleak Landing and did you discover any extra special tidbits of information? 

Terrie: Having done two previous historicals (The Silver Suitcase and Maggie’s War), I was able to use some of the research from those. I loved working in some little-known tidbits like “IF Day” in Winnipeg during the war, and the visit of the king and queen in 1939. My editors at Waterfall Press were also brilliant at fact-checking and caught some of my errors, such as my reference to the Hudson Bay Company (it’s actually the Hudson’s Bay Company, even though the body of water is called Hudson Bay! Who knew?)

LM: How did you get started as a writer, and how did you decide to seek publication?

Terrie: I first realized I might have a knack for writing when people began telling me how much they looked forward to our family Christmas newsletters. For years, I was the drama director at my church and wrote numerous plays and sketches for the team, some of which were later published. I began writing my first novel in 2009, the year I turned 50, just to see if I could.

The road to publication was long and littered with “close, but no cigar” results in contests. While I waited and learned more about the industry and studied the craft, I took on a weekly “faith and humor” column in our local newspaper. Six-plus years of column-writing has taught me much about meeting deadlines, connecting with readers, and writing tight. I also sold a couple of plays and eight Chicken Soup for the Soul stories during that time.

When my first novel finaled in the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest two years in a row, it drew the attention of an agent (Jessica Kirkland) who signed me and eventually sold the book to Waterfall…who then published my next two books as well.

LM: You live in a beautiful area of the world, a place many people visit. If money were no object, what is your idea of the ultimate vacation?

Terrie: At the risk of sounding cliché, I can’t imagine anything better than escaping a cold Canadian January to lie on a warm beach in Hawaii or Jamaica. So far, imagining it is all I’ve managed.

LM: What is your next project?

Terrie: I just finished the first draft of another historical called April’s Promise. Here’s the tag line:

One Secret. Three Sisters. One longs with all her heart to know the truth. One simply wants the truth to go away. And one is desperate to keep the truth hidden forever.

Waterfall Press has discontinued its fiction line, so my agent is in the process of finding us a new publisher for this fourth book.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Terrie: 

Website: http://www.terrietodd.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/terrie.todd.31

Talkshow Thursday: Historical Fiction Writer Elaine Manders

Talkshow Thursday: Writer Elaine Manders

Linda: I am so pleased you could stop by to chat with me today. I’m a big fan of your writing, and I’m excited to hear that book 3 in your Intrigue Under Western Skies series is coming out. Can you tell us a bit more about it, and when is the release date?

Elaine: It was just released yesterday and is available on Amazon right now. Here's the book blurb:

When her father dies, Katherine Levinson discovers her parents have kept secrets that render her happy childhood a farce. She and her gravely ill mother face eviction, and she has no choice but to appeal to the brother she’s never seen, the famous cattle baron, Rhyan Cason. Over her gravely ill mother’s objections, they move to Nebraska and the sprawling cattle ranch, Sollano.

Instead of the warm welcome Katherine expects, she and her mother are met with whispers and scorn in the little prairie town near Sollano. Gradually, the sins of her parents’ past surface, and Katherine begins to doubt her very identify. With her brother busy with cattle rustlers and her mother too ill to be bothered, Katherine turns to Colt Holliman, a soft-spoken neighboring rancher, for comfort.

Tired of waiting for the right woman to come along, Colt has promised to wait for Charley Ryder, an acclaimed female sharp shooter and equestrian acrobat with the Wild West Show, but it’s becoming clear Charley loves the show more than him. As his attraction to Katherine grows, he finds himself spiritually conflicted. How can he break from past commitments and follow his heart?

Then unexpected danger strikes, testing Katherine’s and Colt’s faith in God—and each other.

 Linda: What was the inspiration for this story?

Elaine: I wanted to tell what happened to Rhyan Cason’s (hero in the first 2 books) mother and give Colt Holliman (Rhyan’s best friend) a love interest. Also to show how Carianne’s (heroine of first 2 books) “culture” center had grown from a library to a theater and Wild West show.

Linda: You write historical fiction with this novel set in Nebraska during the late 1800s. How did you go about researching the era and location, and did you have a significant “aha” moment you’d like to share?

Elaine: Oh, I’m glad you asked that, Linda. You’re the first person to ask me that question, and it’s truly a God moment in my writing career. When I started this series I didn’t know where to put it. All I knew was it had to have space for a big ranch and be located on the transcontinental railroad. The ranch was based on the real 101 Ranch in Kansas and Oklahoma. The railroad didn’t go through either of those states, so the most logical place was Nebraska. Besides, the Platt River ran along the railroad, which worked into my plot beautifully. Now this is the God thing. I didn’t know anything about Nebraska except it was in the plains. The first book I came across in my research was a 900 page book called a Collection of Nebraska Pioneers put out by the Nebraska Daughters of the Revolution. It became my bible, and had recollections of Nebraska’s first settlers. Many of my secondary characters were inspired by that book. Then I mentioned my book to my eye doctor, and he said his family settled from Germany in Nebraska, and they had put out a 400 page book, which he lent to me. It was complete with land plats, house plans, maps, and incidents. I gave the doctor in my book this kind man’s name. From these two books, I feel I know the Nebraska of the 1880s as well as anyone.

Linda: Very cool! What do you do to prepare yourself to write? (e.g. do you listen to music, go to a specific location, etc.)

Elaine: I sometimes listen to classic rock and roll, but I do my best thinking pacing around the house. I used to twirl a baton as I did this—one of the nutty things I did to get the creative juices flowing.

Linda:  What is your favorite part of the writing process? (e.g. research, dreaming up characters, developing plot, etc.)

Elaine: Dreaming the story. It plays out like a movie in my mind. I’m not the type of writer who can write out of sequence, because one scene must follow the other. But this helps to keep the plot straight. There’s a lot of suspense in this series, (Actually, in all my books, so far) and like a mystery, it requires foreshadowing, clues, and logical conclusions. The hard part is sitting down and typing out what I see and hear.

Linda: Family is very important to you, and I’m sure you must spend as much time with them as you can, but do you have hobbies or activities you like to pursue?

Elaine: I love crafts, especially crocheting. Other than that, I try to keep up with my almost grown grandchildren, and reading. I read a lot.

Linda: Quickies:

What’s your favorite color? Red

What’s your favorite food? Chocolate

What’s your favorite Bible verse?

Elaine: Many, but one is Isaiah 40:31 – Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.

Linda: Thank you so much for stopping by. Where can folks connect with you on the web?

Elaine: 

Website: http://www.elainemanders.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elaine.manders.35

Twitter: @ehmanders

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Cindy Thomson

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Cindy Thomson

I'm a bit of an Anglophile. Included in that is an interest in Ireland and Scotland, so when I discovered author Cindy Thomson's books I knew I had to "meet" her. She was gracious enough to take time from her busy schedule to answer my questions. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did.

Linda:  Cindy, thanks for joining me today. You have two fictional book series. One is set in the 5^th Century and the other in the early 1900s. What prompted you to write in such different eras?

Cindy: My first book is set in ancient Ireland. I had trouble selling any more to publishers so my agent at the time suggested I write about Irish immigrants at Ellis Island. We sold that and then after that I went back to the 5^th-6^th century. That’s how it happened, but I enjoy history in general.

LM: You write fiction and non-fiction. How is the writing process different for each one?

Cindy: Fiction for me is more creative. It takes more out of me and takes longer to write. Non-fiction is reporting, hopefully in a story-telling manner. More documentation is required for non-fiction, but since everything I write is history-based, I enjoy it all.

LM: The age-old question for writers – are you a planner or a “panster,” and what is your favorite part of the writing process?

Cindy: I’m a pantser who wishes she was more of a planner. I think if I was I wouldn’t write myself into quite as many corners. That has been a learning process for me. I learned that I could not change it, that is how stories come to me, but I also learned that a certain amount of plotting is critical and necessary. My favorite part of the process is after I’ve written the first draft. Getting the story down is hard, but once I have it I love going back and fixing it and making it better.

LM: Writing about a different era and culture requires lots of research. What tidbit did you discover during that phase of writing that created an “aha” moment for you? 

Cindy: There certainly wasn’t just one so I’ll just pick one. My latest book, Pages of Ireland, is about  the value a book had in ancient Ireland. I read about a story that was recorded in the 17th century about a man named Conal Mac Geoghegan of Lismoyne who recorded in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, "I have seen myself part of that book which is at Durrow in the Kings County in the custody of an ignorant man. When sickness came upon cattle, for their remedy put water on the book and suffered it to the rest there a while and saw also cattle return thereby to their former or pristine state and the book to receive no loss." A man dunked the ancient book into a cattle trough! According to The Ancient Books of Ireland by Michael Slavin, The Book of Durrow does show signs of water damage and "a hole in the top right-hand corner of the leaves indicates that they could have been suspended by a thong in the 'cure' process." This “tidbit” led to me writing Pages of Ireland and to include a scene like that.

LM: That is fascinating! What’s the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

Cindy: Ever? I guess you mean in the process of writing a book. When on a research visit to New York City, I attended a cocktail party held at the Police Museum, given by the Irish American Historical Society. There was no cost so I went simply because I was writing about a policeman in NYC in 1900. My husband and I knew no one there and had no idea why were invited or what the purpose was. They were recognizing someone for his contribution to something. But novelists go to all kinds of places in the name of research.

LM: What is your next project?

Cindy:  I am finishing up the third in my Daughters of Ireland series. It should be out by mid-2018. The title is Enya’s Son and like the others in the series it’s based on legends. This one is about St. Columcille and his mother and the quest to hold on to things that enviably will slip away from you, and the discovery of what is really eternal.

LM: What advice can you give to not-yet-published writers?

Cindy: Don’t rush. It’s so easy now to rush to publication, but a professional takes his/her time, researches the industry and the process, and does not cut corners, especially not with editing. Find a writers group. That will be the most valuable thing you do because you can learn so much from other writers and make good contacts.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Cindy:

Website: http://www.cindyswriting.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cindyswriting

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cindyswriting

Group blog: http://www.novelpastimes.com

Thanks for having me today, Linda!

LM:  It has been a pleasure! You can purchase Pages of Ireland on Amazon.

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Archie Heron

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Archie Heron

Today I'm sitting down with Lord Archibald "Archie" Heron, the male protagonist in my novella A Doctor in the House, part of "The Hope of Christmas" collection that was released on November 24th.  I thought you'd enjoy learning a bit more about him.

LM: Thanks for joining me today, Archie. Can  you tell us a little bit about Heron Hall and how your family came to own it?

Archie: Like many English families, my family was awarded Heron Hall to recognize service to the Crown, in this case Elizabeth I. My great, great, great...well, you get the picture...grandfather was a high ranking official and an assistant to William Cecil who helped end the war with France after she became Queen. He was given a title and the estate. Records are sketchy, but I believe the property was taken from someone to give to my ancestor. The place was in disrepair, and it took nearly twenty years to renovate.

LM: You served in the war before coming home to take over the reigns at Heron Hall. Are you allowed to tell us about your experiences.

Archie: Now that the battles are over, I can share that I was in North Africa fighting Rommel, the Desert Fox. It was brutally hot, and Rommel didn't get his nickname for nothing. Skirmishes went on for weeks. We'd gain ground, and then the Germans would push us back. I was wounded at Tobruk. It took me months to recover and just before they were going to send me back, I got word my brothers had been confirmed dead (swallows heavily), and as the last remaining heir I was discharged.

LM: I'm sorry about the loss of your family. In addition to that loss, Heron Hall was requisitioned by the government for war use. Can you tell us about that?

Archie: I had three days to vacate the house, not much time at all, but that's the way it often was. Anyway, the estate was assigned to the Americans as a convalescent hospital. And to top it off, the administrator was a woman, Dr. Emma O'Sullivan. Rather unorthodox in her treatment methods and not one to take direction from others. Feisty, that's what she is. But Heron Hall served during The Great War, it only makes sense for us to do our bit again during this war. And the lads are so brave. It is my pleasure to do what I can to boost their morale.

LM:  The war has been going on for nearly three years. What has that been like?

Archie: We're fortunate at Heron Hall because of the amount of land we have. We are able to grow crops that supply us and the surrounding area. But there are many things we can't grow or get hold of such as coffee, sugar, and clothing. Not that we need lots of new clothes, but the material wears out, and we're unable to replace the items. Shoes too. Leather is impossible to come by and even if you have enough points and money, there are very few shoes to be found. And there's always the fear of being bombed. The Germans have been tenacious about attacking. But we British are resilient and we will get through it.

LM: It's hard to imagine the war being over, but have you thought about what you would do when the hostilities cease?

Archie: (shrugs) I'm Lord of the manor now. With that title comes great responsibility. I will continue to minister to the people in the village, ensuring they have enough to eat and jobs that will provide for them. We've already lost a few lads, and will probably lose a few more. I'll need to help them get past the grief. It's going to be a long road, don't you know?

LM: Thanks for taking time to visit. I'll let you get back to the boys.



Book Blurb: Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt signs the order allowing women in the Army and Navy medical corps. Within weeks, Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart?

Archibald “Archie” Heron is the last survivor of the Heron dynasty, his two older brothers having been lost at Dunkirk and Trondheim and his parents in the Blitz. After his wife is killed in a bombing raid while visiting Brighton, he begins to feel like a modern-day Job. To add insult to injury, the British government requisitions his country estate, Heron Hall, for the U.S. Army to use as a hospital. The last straw is when the hospital administrator turns out to be a fiery, ginger-haired American woman. She’s got to go. Or does she?

Do you love Christmas stories? Love to read but you're a little short of time this season? The Hope of Christmas is the perfect solution: three heartwarming stories that don't take long to read at all. Pick up your copy today on Amazon.

Talkshow Thursday: Author Amber Schamel

Talkshow Thursday: Author Amber Schamel

Today I am sitting down with my good friend and fellow writer, Amber Schamel. I'm excited to be part of getting the word out about her latest release, Solve by Christmas. It's Amber's first crack at writing a mystery, and it's a good one! Draw up a chair and meet Amber!

Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. You recently published your first mystery, Solve By Christmas. What made you decide to write in that genre? What was your inspiration for the plot?

Amber: I needed a story idea that would be of shorter length. I had already determined that I wanted to make it a Christmas story. As I was thinking about that, I wondered about plots with a deadline of Christmas. By Christmas...that was intriguing. As I made a mental list of different story lines one came to mind about a detective who had to solve a case by Christmas. I liked that idea, because I’ve always had a fascination with detectives and mysteries. Then the though popped into my head, what if the case the detective had to solve wasn’t a “case” as he thought? And there’s where it began.

LM: Do you anticipate more adventures for Detective Hollock?

Amber: I don’t know yet. We’ll see how this first book is received. Since it’s my first mystery I am TOTALLY nervous. LOL. But I have been thinking about a story line involving Jasper and the boys from the orphanage.

LM: You have published several books. What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Amber: Creating with the Creator. There is no feeling like crafting and writing a story where God whispers into your ear. So many times I have not been able to solve a story issue until He drops a thought in there that fits perfectly. And I’m sitting there thinking, “Where did that come from?” Jasper’s story idea was kinda that way.

LM: Which of your characters, if any, are inspired by real people (including yourself!)?

Amber: Well, I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. And then Jasper would surely find me out, so let’s just keep that secret under wraps. ;)

LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing? For example do you listen to music or set up in a specific place?

Amber: I open my faithful laptop Qwerty, plug in my headphones and turn on a soundtrack playlist. These are about my only rituals since I have to write in a lot of places. In the car on road trips, in hotel rooms, on airplanes, in a ranch in the Ozarks, and in our home in Colorado.

I choose a different soundtrack playlist for each story that I write. For Solve by Christmas a majority of the playlist came from the Titanic soundtrack since the disaster took place in the same timeframe as Jasper’s story.

LM: You live in Colorado, a beautiful area of the U.S., but if money were no object, what is your idea of the ultimate vacation?

Amber: Somewhere with LOTS of history and endless opportunities for museums and fellowship with local believers. And if I can see beautiful scenery along the way, I’m a happy gal.

LM: What is the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

Amber: You’re as bad as Jasper, probing for all these secrets! LOL. Let’s see. I once scared myself with my own shadow. I have done some TOTALLY stupid looking things to make my little sister laugh. Mostly strange expressions.

LM: What is your next project?

Amber: I have a Civil War novel that I’m working on editing and hope to pitch soon. But as far as what first draft I’m writing next...It’s a WWII love story. I don’t want to give it all away, but let’s just say it has to do with this question: What if your best friend died and you fell in love with their fiancé, only to find out your best friend was still alive?

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Amber: Everywhere! Well, almost. ;) Check out the links below and be sure to sign up for my newsletter (http://www.amberschamel.com/newsletter-signup.htm)

Website: http://www.amberschamel.com

Blogs:

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com

http://www.hhhistory.com

http://amberschamel.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7073165.Amber_Schamel

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Schamel/e/B00CIXK91M

Pronoun: https://books.pronoun.com/amberschamel

Blog Tour: A Name Unknown

Blog Tour: A Name Unknown

 

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

 

Book title: A Name Unknown  
Author: Roseanna M. White  
Release date: July 4, 2017  
Genre: Historical Romance  

She’s Out to Steal His Name. Will He Steal Her Heart Instead? Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they are no longer pickpockets—now they focus on high value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. Rosemary’s challenge of a lifetime comes when she’s assigned to determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany. How does one steal a family’s history, their very name? As Europe moved closer to World War I, rumors swirl around Peter Holstein. Awkward and solitary, but with access to the king, many fear his influence. But Peter can’t help his German last name and wants to prove his loyalty to the Crown—so he can go back to anonymously writing a series of popular adventure novels. When Rosemary arrives on his doorstop pretending to be a well- credentialed historian, Peter believes she’s the right person to help him dig through his family’s past. When danger and suspicion continue to mount, though, and both realize they’re in a race against time to discover the truth—about Peter’s past and about the undeniable attraction kindling between them.

My Thoughts

You've heard of sleeper movies? This is a sleeper book. The story begins slowly, which I struggled with a bit, but probably because of the large number of fast-paced suspense and mystery books I read. I loved the main characters. Rosemary Gresham is a believable mixture of grit, gumption, and insecurities. Peter Holstein stutters and hides behind his articulate author persona. He is oblivious to his strength of character (no pun intended), and I loved him for that. It was fun to follow his writing process. Mrs. Teague's about-face was a bit abrupt for me, but nice to see. I loved the plot twist at the end and didn't see it coming which made it all the more exciting. Peter's faith is strong yet gentle, and I appreciated how he was used to share the salvation message. A book to be enjoyed multiple times.

I received this book for free from Celebrate Lit Publicity, and was not required to provide a favorable review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

 

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of over a dozen historical novels and novellas, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her British series. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to make their way into her novels…to offset her real life, which is blessedly boring. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Guest Post from Roseanna White

It’s always a challenge to make a historical setting authentic—especially when it’s set in a region you’ve only ever read about. As I was writing A Name Unknown, I learned so much about Cornwall—all the more when I had the opportunity to visit the gorgeous Penzance region while the book was still in edits! I quickly learned that I had far too many trees in my story, and hadn’t quite captured the uniqueness of the coastal setting. I dove into rewrites with excitement and gusto, ready to make my fictional Cornwall more like the real one. I studied the Cornish accent, Cornish foods, typical Cornish coloring in hair and eyes. I’ve now gotten rather proficient at making pasties (beef hand pies) from scratch, I’ve special-ordered ingredients to make Cornish ginger cookies called fairings, and I’ve spent quite a lot of time listening to videos of people speaking in a Cornish accent. Delving into this rich region and its history was a blast! And I’m so excited to get to share the culture of Cornwall—and a taste of their unique flavors—with you. In a special Celebrate Lit giveaway, I’ll be offering not only a signed copy of my book, but also some homemade ginger fairings! Here’s the recipe I used . . . after special ordering the Mixed Spice (reminiscent of pumpkin pie spice) and Golden Syrup (a thick syrup with a bit of a toffee flavor) from Amazon. 😉 (I have a gram scale so did use the weight measurements rather than volume—also, English teaspoons and tablespoons are a bit bigger than American, so I heaped them, and I turned out deliciously.)

GINGER FAIRINGS RECIPE 100 grams butter, cold and diced 225 grams all-purpose flour ¼ heaping teaspoon salt 2 heaping teaspoons baking powder 2 heaping teaspoons baking soda 1 heaping teaspoon ginger 2 heaping teaspoons mixed spice 100 grams superfine (caster) sugar 4 heaping tablespoons golden syrup Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and spices in a stand mixer. Add the butter and beat until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in sugar. In a small saucepan, warm the golden syrup until it’s clarified a bit; stir into the flour mixture until a dough forms. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls and put on prepared baking sheets a few inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes, until golden. Cool a few minutes on the trays and then transfer to a cooling rack.

Blog Stops

Roseanna's Remaining Blog Stops:

July 30: His Grace is Sufficient

July 30: Book Bits, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

July 31: Reader's Cozy Corner

July 31: Cafinated Reads

July 31: Artistic Nobody

July 31: The Important Things in Life - God, Books, and Chocolate

Giveaway

To celebrate this tour, Roseanna is giving away a grand prize of a paperback copy of A Name Unknown & 2 dozen cookies from Roseanna!!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bc0e

Release Day!

Release Day!

Did you ever have something you were waiting for that seemed to take forever to arrive, and when it did it felt like it happened in an instant? That has been a bit what this exciting journey to publication has been like for me.

I have been writing since I was a child. It was only after my husband and I moved to New Hampshire that the idea of seeking publication began to germinate in my mind. I stumbled on some freelance opportunities and became a regular contributor to several regional and statewide travel and lifestyle magazines. I even managed to score an article in the national magazine Writer's Journal.

Around 2005, I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. I used NaNoWriMo as the impetus to get started. National Novel Writing Month is held during November, and participants commit to getting 50,000 words down on paper, on a project they begin on the first of the month. Despite being a rookie, I managed to meet the goal. By early the following year, I had finished the remaining 30,000 words and deemed my story ready for a publisher. Needless to say, it was not, and received numerous resounding rejections.

Fast forward to 2016. By then I had attended ten Crimebake conferences, several NH Writer's Project workshops, graduated from Jerry Jenkins' Christian Writers' Guild, and revised my story countless times. In between there, I had self-published some novellas. Then I was signed by not one, but two publishing companies! I had been waiting eleven years to be traditionally published, and my dream had come true. In many ways I felt every one of those years, and in other way, it felt like overnight success.

Sandra Barela of CelebrateLit Publishing contacted me and asked me to write a novelette that was included in their collection Let Love Spring. She was so pleased with my work, she asked me to write another that will be included in a Christmas collection releasing in November, 2017.

In early December of last year, Under Fire was accepted by eLectio Publishing, and a release date of July 25th was selected. The last six months have been a combination of waiting and work. Thanks to my beta readers, Jessica Baker, Rebecca Peterson, Mary Rowlette, Natalee Stotz, and Connie Tillman for taking time to read the manuscript and give me feedback. Thanks to the design team at eLectio who did such a creative job on the cover. The most common response I've had to it is "striking," and I must say I agree. Thanks to Jesse Greever and Christopher Dixon, who believed in me and my story, and have been such an encouragement during the process.

Please consider picking up your copy of Under Fire. (Hint: books make wonderful Christmas gifts too!)

I am visiting Donna Schlacter's blog History thru the Ages and Peg Bann Phifer's blog Whispers in Purple today. I hope you'll stop by.

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Sandra Merville Hart

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Sandra Merville Hart

Linda:  Your latest book is the second in your Civil War Romance series. Where did you get the idea for your story?

Sandra: I had a feeling that there was a story waiting for me in Gettysburg. My husband and I went there to find it. We started at the battlefield where I found Tennessee regiments that fought the initial battle on the first day and were part of Pickett’s Charge. We attended ranger talks and tours. An idea began to form.

Gettysburg has many wonderful museums—we visited them. We took evening walking tours and walked the town’s streets around the “Diamond” where women and children lived through a nightmare. Then we returned to the battlefield.

Standing on Cemetery Ridge at dusk, I stared at the open field crossed by Pickett’s Charge. Though the land is peaceful now, it still tells a story. I also wanted to show what the townspeople endured. The idea for A Rebel in My House was born.

LM: You are an editor for DevoKids.com. How does that affect you as a writer?

Sandra: Besides editing the few submissions we receive, I write a lot of historical articles for DevoKids.com. The three main areas I write for on the site are Adventures in History, God’s World, and Holiday Traditions. This task has honed my skills for writing articles. Even a 200-300 word article requires research; I’ve become a better researcher. Learning where to find free images to enhance the post helped me for my own Historical Nibbles blog.

LM: Your website is full of fascinating historical information. Have you always enjoyed history or did something in your past spark an interest?

Sandra: Thank you! I’m thrilled that you like my blog. I had a great history teacher in high school. She brought history to life. It was the first time I thought of historical figures as people who struggled and triumphed as we all do. Then I took an elective in college for World War I. The teacher grabbed my attention the first night and held me spellbound with fascinating, behind-the-scenes, glimpses of the history.

My fascination with the Civil War began as a child with stories of brother against brother and father against son. I wanted to know more, even when in elementary school.

LM: Do you have an intriguing research story to share?

Sandra: When I went to research in Gettysburg for this novel, I decided to pay for a private ranger tour. I asked our Battlefield Guide, Clay Rebert, if there were any Tennessee regiments in the battle. I told him I was researching for a novel and didn’t have a clear idea of the story line yet. I study the history first and then the story solidifies. Our guide tailored the tour for my research and even missed part of his lunch hour. I had offered him my homemade chocolate chip cookies during the tour. He declined. My husband assured him that my cookies receive lots of compliments. He was very gracious and knowledgeable, answering all the questions I had at the time. When he missed part of lunch because of our tour, he accepted a couple of cookies and a bottled water. I hope that tided him over! 

LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing? For example do you listen to music or set up in a specific place?

Sandra: I write in my office. I turn on a box fan to mask background noise. That helps me focus.

LM: You seemed to have done a lot of traveling. If money were no object, what is your idea of the

ultimate vacation?

Sandra: Most of the traveling I’ve done has been for family vacations, conferences, and research. Often I don’t look for inspiration—it finds me. People and places with a history inspire me. Many stories fester for months and years before they enter my conscious thoughts. I’d love to tour Revolutionary War cities like Boston and Philadelphia. I’d also love to travel Route 66 at some point to see some of the family businesses that survived all these years. There’s a story idea there …

LM: What is your next project?

Sandra: Thanks for asking! I am writing a Civil War novel set primarily in Tennessee. A friend told me that a husband and wife served in the Confederate Army together. That sparked lots of research! An idea was born for a very different story. My working title for the new novel is A Lady in My Regiment.

LM: That sounds intriguing! Where can folks find you on the web?

Sandra: Thanks for hosting me, Linda! I’d love for folks to visit me on my blog, Historical Nibbles. I'd love to connect on Social Media too:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sandra_M_Hart
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100329215443000389705/posts
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Watch the trailer here

Buy the book! https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-House-Sandra-Merville-Hart/dp/1941103383/ 

Blog Tour: Carrie Turansky's Shine Like the Dawn

Blog Tour: Carrie Turansky's Shine Like the Dawn

 
 

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

 

Book: Shine Like the Dawn  

Author: Carrie Turansky  

Genre: Historical

In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother’s millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible tragedy reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. But Maggie is resilient and will do what she must to protect her sister Violet. Still, the loss of her parents weighs heavily on her heart and she begins to wonder if what happened that day on the lake…might not have been an accident.

When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son Nathaniel, who is Maggie’s estranged childhood friend, returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father’s vast estate, Morningside Manor. He also assumes partial control of his father’s engineering company and the duty of repaying an old debt to the Lounsbury family. But years of separation between Nate and Maggie have taken a toll and Maggie struggles to trust her old friend.

Can Maggie let go of the resentment that keeps her from forgiving Nate—and reconciling with God? Will their search for the truth about her parents’ death draw them closer or will it leave them both with broken hearts?

My Thoughts

Margaret “Maggie” Lounsbury’s life changes in the blink of an eye, and she is left to care for her younger sister. Rejected by various relatives, she ends up living and working with her elderly grandmother. The incident leaves her bitter and mistrusting of God and others. Shine Like the Dawn uses realistic dialogue and well-researched description to effectively evoke Edwardian England. Unfamiliar with the time period, I learned quite a bit about the developing technology of the early 1900s and its impact on the cultural and social mores of the era. I related to Maggie and her childhood friend, Nate Harcourt, who tried to reconcile their knowledge of God to their everyday struggles. The story moves at a steady pace, and I enjoyed the small element of mystery included.

I received Shine Like the Dawn for free from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to provide a favorable review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence. A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.

Guest Post from Carrie Turansky

Hats, Glorious Hats!

 

By Carrie Turansky

 

One fun part of my research for Shine Like the Dawn was learning about hat making in the early 1900s. My heroine, Maggie Lounsbury is a milliner who designs women’s hats. She learned this skill from her grandmother who owns a small shop in the village of Heatherton. Maggie has an artistic eye and she enjoys making stylish hats, but she doesn’t like the overdone designs some of their customers request, so that creates some humorous conflict in the story.

Hats in the Edwardian era were large and often covered with feathers, flowers, lace, netting, berries and bows. The “bird nests,” as Coco Chanel called them, were held on with large hat pins stuck through piles of hair on the crown. These hats were called Gainsborough or Picture hats because of the way they framed a lady’s face. They often featured huge dried flower arrangements and sometimes included real leaves and twigs! No doubt the Garden hat was a fitting name. 1907 The Merry Window hat became very popular after the leading lady in the play by that same name wore a hat that was even taller and wider than usual. Some people complained these hats were too big and obtrusive in public places like the theater or picture shows. But English women loved them and wore them to all kinds of events.

The popularity of using large feathers and stuffed birds on hats caused concern for the welfare of birds. Many protective laws took effect and milliners had to use more ribbon and tulle and only large ostrich feathers to decorate hats. Those ostrich feathers came from birds that were raised on farms and their feathers were collected as they fell out naturally. The movement toward smaller hats began around 1913 when hats still had high crowns but smaller brims. Straw boaters, small top hats, and mini versions of picture hats were very common.

Motion pictures had the greatest influence on Edwardian hat fashion. After the release of The Three Musketeers many ladies wanted to wear tricorne and bicorne shaped hats. They were still very large but now had shapes other than just round. Hat brims were folded up on the side, at an angle, or all around to create drama. Veils disappeared in the early 1900s only to come back again as a long scarf that wrapped over the hat and under the chin for the new sport called motoring.

I’ve had fun dressing Edwardian style for book launch tea parties and other book events. It made me feel very special to wear these lovely hats. What do you think of Edwardian Hats? Would you like to wear one?

Thanks to friends at the Vintage Dancer website for some of this information.

Stop by Carrie’s Facebook author page and view her live videos February 21 – 25, 3:00 pm Eastern. She’ll be talking about the story behind Shine Like the Dawn and giving away a fun prize each day to one person who leaves a comment. Even if you can’t catch the live video you can still enter for 24 hours after it’s posted. She is also hosting a book launch celebration and giveaway on her blog February 25 – March 6.

Like to my Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky/

Link to my Book Launch Blog Post: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/blog/

Blog Stops

February 21: New Horizon Reviews

February 21: Bookworm Mama

February 21: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

February 22: Tell Tale Book Reviews

February 22: Book by Book

February 22: History, Mystery and Faith

February 23: Bibliophile Reviews

February 23: Smiling Book Reviews

February 23: A Readers Brain

February 23: Faithfully Bookish

February 23: Lane Hill House

February 24: Back Porch Reads

February 24: The Scribbler

February 24: I Hope You Dance

February 25: Stuff & Nonsense

February 25: The Power of Words

February 25: A Greater Yes

February 26: cherylbbookblog

February 26: Moments Dipped in Ink

February 26: Splashes of Joy

February 27: Genesis 5020

February 27: inklings and notions

February 27: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

February 28: Karen Sue Hadley

February 28: A Simple Life, really?!

February 28: Neverending Stories

March 1: Daysong Reflections

March 1: Connie’s History Classroom

March 1: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

March 2: These Splendid Sentences

March 2: Singing Librarian Books

March 2: Blossoms and Blessings

March 3: Pause for Tales

March 3: blogging With Carol

March 3: Mary Hake

March 4: Radiant Light

March 4: For The Love of Books

March 5: Christian Bookaholic

March 5: Rachel Scott McDaniel

March 6: History, Hope, Laughter & Happily-ever-after

March 6: Baker Kella

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away all 4 books: Shine Like the Dawn, The Governess of Highland Hall, The Daughter of Highland Hall, and A Refuge at Highland Hall.! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b0fb