Saturday, February 2, 2013

What Am I Doing HERE?

You know, when Debbie Lynne mentioned the idea about a blog for historical writers, I totally raised my hand. And then I began looking around and noticed so did a lot of others. Like, *gulp* the popular girls.

Don't worry, I left high school behind a long, long time ago, but being the shy introverted type that I am (like most writers) it's hard not to compare. Just look at the names on the side bar. SERIOUSLY, I am a blog contributor with Vickie McDonough and Laurie Kingery!!!  YES, little 'ol me. I have their books on my keeper shelves. They are auto buys.

And then there are, like twenty-seven other accomplished authors right along with them. Can you tell I'm a little star struck? So, what am I doing here? Well, I love history. I'm one of those people who doesn't know a lot about one thing, but knows a little about a lot of things. I'm also one who thoroughly enjoys research. It's one of my favorite things about writing. I know, hubs thinks I'm weird too, especially when I get all googly-eyed over antique furniture that comes through our upholstery shop.

Cody's Upholstery
This is just one of the many fabulous pieces that has come through our shop. Once, when hubs worked for another upholsterer, I got to touch really old high back chairs that were brought over from England. I can't remember but I think they were from the 16th century. *swoon*

We've seen a lot of unique pieces come through. One had a falcon's head and lion's feet. We've seen pieces that were made by professionals, and pieces that were obviously handmade by a novice.
Linda's




We even bid on one of the most unique pieces I've ever seen. It had partially naked ladies for the legs. I keep hoping this one will eventually come through. I just want to touch it and inspect the lines the carver chipped out of the wood.

Anyway, told you I was weird. And as you have probably guessed by now, I'm a tad ADD. I got so caught up in talking furniture that I forgot what I was doing here?

Oh, yeah, I love history. And I love to write. When you combine those two things together you an historical writer. Of course, I'm an historical romance writer. One who recently signed a contract with Love Inspired Historical for a Biblical romance. I'm super excited, as you can imagine. And as you can imagine, especially with the added excitement o being part of this blog, I'm kind of in la-la land.

I can't wait to share with you little tidbits I've discovered during my research for my Biblical, or tidbits on Kansas history, my other great historical love.

In March, we'll each be giving away prizes every day, as well as a Kindle, so come back and comment often. Since my book won't be out for a long while. I'll be giving away a wooden cross pendant made in Israel.

Christian was born and raised in Kansas, where she currently lives with her husband and four children. She loves to read, research,travel, take pictures, fish, visit the ocean and writing happily ever afters.

Christina dreams of visiting the Holy Land as well as walk the beaches of Donegal and many other areas of Ireland and Scotland.



33 comments:

  1. So nice to get a peek into your life and interests. Now I know who to go to when I have furniture questions. Love the variety on this blog.

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    1. LOL Patricia, I often have to go to hubs. Sometimes I get the 'I don't know, I just take the old stuff off and the new stuff on.;) But I'm always willing to try and help.

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  2. Christina, I am thrilled you are part of this blog. You may not be a big name -yet- but you definitely have a lot to offer.

    I grew up trolling antique shops with my parents and appreciating everything from colonial era dough boxes to Depression era aprons. They also refinished all their furniture finds, turning them into things of beauty once again so I really appreciate the work you all do!

    Peace and happy blogging, Julie

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I don't ever recall going to an antique store until I was an adult. I'm not even sure where my love for 'old' things came from.

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  3. Nice to meet you, Christina, great post. Yes, you are in good company, but I am sure the other authors are just as pleased that you are a part of this blog. God bless.

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  4. Christina, You fit right in with all these other authors, and you have brought so much to this blog! For those of you not aware, Christina is the one who designed this beautiful blog. She spent endless hours late into the night so that everything was as perfect as possible. THANK YOU, Christina. You are truly a blessing to all of us.

    I was drooling over your pictures. When hubby and I married he was stationed in Missouri and we went to old estate auctions. We were poor, (at that time the military didn't pay well if you were enlisted). We furnished our home by buying cheap antiques and refinishing them. We purchased a couch and rocker much like the pictures above with the wood all the way around the furniture. We reupholstered it ourselves. Wow! that was some hard work. But it was fun. I never out grew my love of old things.

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    1. Thank you, Debbie Lynne! One day I will have a house that has a room especially for antique pieces. I acquired a sofa. It's one of those hand carved by a novice, but beautiful just the same. An elderly lady called the shop and asked if we took furniture. We hadn't been opened too long and I wasn't certain I understood her correctly so I gave the phone to hubs. As I did so, I said, if she's giving away an antique don't you dare turn her down.

      It's still waiting to be redone. One day I'll find the perfect fabric for it.

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  5. Just discovered this blog. Very neat. I am an historical person as well. I have several degrees in history and political science but I don't write. I do read though and do book reviews, guess what my favourites are! LOL.

    Wyndy C
    http://wynswonderland.blogspot.ca

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    1. Wyn, Welcome to CFHS! We just started up yesterday, so you're got in at the beginning. We're glad to have you stop by.

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    2. Wyn, I ran over to check out your site and lost my comment to you. Love that green. You wouldn't happen to be Irish, would you? My grandmother's middle name is Wynne.

      I love to read historicals, so much so that I never read anything else. Some of my contemporary writer friends are starting to win me over, though. ;)

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  6. Christina, those are some very fancy pieces of furniture- I loved finding them on a writers blog. We don't do that work any more, but I still have a habit of seeing the innards of furniture more than the finished product.
    To answer your question- you are here because the Lord put you here, and you have some good stuff to share. I share Patricia's comment- variety is good in any group. Congratulations.

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    1. Thank you, Ruth! Your encouragement means a lot. Funny on the innards! I have more pictures of the guts of sofas than the finished project.:)

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  7. Christina,

    You're so sweet. Thanks for the mention. I kind of feel the same way as you and think what cool company we're schmoozing with here at CFHS. As I read your article, I realized how much we have in common. A love for historical novels, antiques, and writing. I also know a little about a lot of different things. I want so badly to learn how to refinish some of the cool antiques I've bought at auctions and estate sales. I have a tiny booth at an antique mall and hope to get a bigger one soon so I can sell some of the cool things I've collected. And don't forget that all of us published writers were pre-published at some point. Patience and perseverance are key to getting published.

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    1. Vickie, you have a booth at an antique mall? I'd have such a hard time selling things. We were just watching Pawn Stars. I get so upset when someone walks in and sells family heirlooms.

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  8. Wow, this is quite a blog! Thank you for letting us all know about it. Love the post above, and the furniture pics.
    Susan Karsten

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  9. So you enter by commenting? I enjoy historicals so this is great.

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    1. Yep. My give away will be in March so come back often. There looks to be a lot of neat gifts from each of us.

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  10. Wonderful blog idea. I love to collect antique dolls and identify with your love for furniture made years gone by. I find myself wondering where my dolls lived before they came to my house.

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    1. Oh, Jewel, I know. When I see a piece of furniture I just want to know who sat there. Did a young mother rock her sick child? Was it an old man's favorite? And I love to hear the stories about the pieces when our customers have them.

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  11. Hi Christina,
    Good to see you here and get to know you more. I understand being in awe of others. I would be too if I was ever on a blog like this. I love history but never got to study it at school. Oh I have a chaste Lounge in my house (sure it comes with the house) but if it was redone it would be wonderful.

    On the March giveaway dont forget to let us know who can enter (you have international subscribers to this blog!)

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  12. Jenny!! One of my favorite Aussies. It's so good to see you. Thank you for stopping by.

    On the side bare we have our giveaway rules, but watch for the gift cards. I know you love to read. I think you have more books than I do. *g*

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  13. History is so fascinating, especially when you read it in a book. I love Historical fiction it gives you a glimpse and a feel of how people lived and struggled in whatever time of history it takes place. Thanks for sharing...look forward to reading your book when it comes out. :D

    strgth4yu@hotmail.com

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  14. You said it, Linda. I love researching the lives of people from days of old.

    I pray my book does not disappoint. ;) Keep watching I'm sure I'll be giving away a few copies when the time comes.

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  15. Christina, You are such a blessing to us with what you have already done, as Debbie Lynne said. We are the lucky ones to have you.
    And I am smitten with antiques. Those couches are especially beautiful. There are two places I can't go--animal shelters and antique malls. I want to take home everything I see!

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  16. Thank you, Kathleen. And I know what you mean about animal shelters. My current two furpets are pound-puppies. And I stop for turtles, frogs, hawks and even snakes (shivers) (all creatures we've rescued from the road). Yes, even a hawk. We have the coolest nature rehabilitation place. A friend of mine and I saw the hawk and waited by him until help arrived just to make sure he didn't get hit by a car.

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  17. Christina, I'm honored to blog with you. By the way, I have a couch that looks a lot like Linda's in blue velvet.

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  18. Hi, Christina, so exciting to meet you. Those couches are sensational. I tried to cover a simple bar stool. I'm still looking at that disaster! Our two boys are rescue and we wouldn't trade them for anything. My hubby, Jerry, has Scottish roots and going there is one of his travel dreams too.

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  20. Good evening, Ms. Rich,

    I am so thankful that your initial shock didn't sway you away from joining the CFHS, because if it had, I might not have come across your writings as quickly as I have now! I think that is the best blessing that Ms. Costello gave all of us: writers + readers alike! I place to hang out, get to know each other, and celebrate the written word as it appears in historicals! I must confess, I've only been on this blog a full 24+ hours now, as I came upon it at midnight 22nd February!! :O Laughs. I've been slowly making my way through every introduction post, leaving a note for each of you, and I activated the RSS feed so that when March begins I won't miss a beat!! :) :) I'm borrowing my Mum's faster PC to post these notes, as my little ole Mac is a bit on the slower side! Hence the RSS feeds!! :) :)

    I am quite envious that you have a shoppe that comes across such wicked sweet antique gems! I love antiquing which is a bit odd, considering that most thirty-somethings are not into it, much less most children as I've been in antique shoppes as much as art galleries throughout my life! :) :) I love the stories that pieces tell you! I love the history that melts off what you come across, simply by asking the question "Where did this come from and to whom did it belong too?" Such telling stories that burst into your mind's eye just by asking!!! You could write a whole book on a presumption!

    Being a natural bourne curious cat, I suppose it was only just as natural to discover I love to write stories too! :)

    Um,... your not alone in the ADD or ADHD as I suppose they would have put the label on me had my parents been interested in knowing,... they did sort out I'm dsylexic, but I took that as a gift not a curse! :) As far as being hyper curious and aware of everything, I think that feeds well into a writer's life: you get to multi task like no other, and cross reference EVERYTHING into a story that is full of heart and depth of knowledge! Cheers to those of us who rock to our own drums and set a new standard! :)

    I look forward to your future posts and seeing where the magic of the moment takes us! :)

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