VICTORIAN MOURNING LOCKS

By Mary Davis

 

In Independence, Missouri sits a unique little museum dedicated to hair art but not fancy hairdos as one might think. The hair in Leila’s Hair Museum are strands from dearly departed loved ones made into art. Before the advent of photography, people liked to keep a little something of someone who had passed on. We have all seen this type of thing in movies where a small hank of hair is kept in a locket.
 

People of bygone eras took this to whole new levels by saving a loved ones hair in a keepsake or weaving it into a work of art. This art form has been around since the 1500s and flourished during the Victorian era.
 

Not only would one find tresses in lockets but woven into bracelets, necklaces, rings, brooches, and other jewelry pieces to keep a loved one close.
 

Originally, these fancy hair art jewelry pieces were only affordable to the very wealthy being created by master craftsmen. By the mid 1800s, women were creating hair art at home. Books and instructional guides were written on the craft. Popular magazines of the time, like Godey’s Lady’s Book, had printed patterns for hair art and offered starter kits with the tools needed for the craft. This made hair art mementos affordable for the average person.

These memorial tokens weren’t relegated to jewelry only. Wall art was created with hair. Sometimes the hair was incorporated into the art and other times the hair was the art.

Hair wreathes like this one would represent generations of a family. Each time a relative passed away, a piece of that person’s hair would be added to the wreath. Hair was twisted with wire to help it hold its shape.

Can you imagine all the DNA in a piece like this?
 

Testing on hair cut from Beethoven’s head in 1827 showed his life-long illness was due to lead poisoning.

Unlike a lot of other natural fibers, hair doesn’t decay over time. It can last for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. On the other hand, the gum used to glue the hair together does decay, resulting in the piece loosing its integrity and the hair coming loose or moving within a piece.

On the far right side, you can see in this one where the hair has come loose and is gone now due to degraded glue.
 

Some famous people whose hair has been saved in some of these hair art pieces are George and Martha Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Webster, Aaron Burr, Jenny Lind, Queen Victoria, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson to name a few.

In this video, you can take a look around Leila's Hair Museum.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOvArYUyPQc)

Do you think this sort of thing is cool or creepy?
 

Would you want your hair preserved in jewelry or wall art for generations to come?

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) #TheDamselsIntent #HistoricalRomance #FreeKU #KU #ChristianRomance
Can Nicole learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?
   Nicole Waterby heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband, not realizing women don’t wear trousers or carry a gun. She has a lot to learn. Rancher Shane Keegan has drifted from one location to another to find a place to belong. When Nicole crosses his path, he wonders if he can have love, but he soon realizes she’s destined for someone better than a saddle tramp. Will love stand a chance while both Nicole and Shane try to be people they’re not?

Free on Kindle Unlimited, or $2.99 to buy ebook.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Damsels-Intent-Quilting-Circle-Book-ebook/dp/B089DTXDCN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+Damsel%27s+Intent&qid=1590863747&s=books&sr=1-2

MARY DAVIS s a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, Courting Her Amish Heart, The Widow’s Plight, Courting Her Secret Heart , “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , and Courting Her Prodigal Heart . 2019 titles include The Daughter's Predicament and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-five years and two cats. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

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Spotlight on Martha Rogers and a Christmas Give Away

Good morning from Houston, Texas.

Martha Rogers here, one of the regular bloggers on HHH blog. Born and bred in Texas, I’ve never lived in any other state except for six months with my aunt in Washington, D.C. when I was in eighth grade. That was an amazing time for me and my sister as we were able to see and do so much in that great city.

I am the oldest grandchild on each side of the family. When we were younger, I liked to "organize" things for us to do because I was just a little bossy.  I liked telling my cousins "how to do things". Those cousins and my sister and I still get together for what we call "Cousin Camp" every year. Here we are at the church in St. Francisville, Louisiana where we met to commemorate our great-grandparents 105th anniversary. I featured the church in my book about my grandparents' love story in Love Stays True.

My husband Rex and I live in Houston and have lived in the same house for 44 years. Lots of history here. Rex and I met at a social for Career Singles at Houston's First Baptist church where we were married and are still members.On October 24, we will celebrate 61 years of marriage.

My husband and I loved to travel when we were younger and have visited many of our great states. We’re retired, but at the age of 84, we are no longer able to travel like we once did. 

My favorite things or people are our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our sixth great-grandchild, Zachery Ryan, was born in August and is a delight. Our youngest grandson is a senior in high school and was recently elected president of his senior class. So, despite COVID, this will be a year of good memories.

I love to read and grew with weekly trips to the library for as many books as they would let me check out. I’ve been writing since I was able to hold a pencil and scribble out stories I told my mother. I had a very creative imagination and my teachers in elementary and secondary school encouraged me in my writing.                                                                                            

My freshman English professors at Baylor University also encouraged me in my writing, and from them I learned more about sentence structure and the

mechanics of writing. I wrote my first novel at the age of 17 on a typewriter in my dorm room. I still have a yellowed copy of it. I am an avid Baylor fan and love my Alma Mater as evidenced by the Baylor wall in the room I use as my office.

After graduation, I wrote short stories while I worked as a Home Economist with the electric company here in Houston. Then I married, had a family, and put my writing on the back burner. I started teaching and eventually earned my MEd in curriculum and began teaching English. I then taught at the college level. 

Right after I began teaching at the college level, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had surgery. After treatment, it still came back five years later, and in 1999, I had the second surgery. This time the treatment took care of it, and I've been cancer free since 2004. God has blessed my life in more ways than I could ever count, and I give Him all the praise and glory for all that He's done for me. I am especially proud of our family and how God has blessed us with beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Below is a picture of our family at our grandson Seth's wedding to Katherine three years ago. 

Finally, after thirty-six years, I retired from teaching when I had my second cancer surgery. I then began attending writing conferences, and got serious about my writing. In 2005, my first novella was published by Barbour in a collection called Sugar and Grits. Our son and his family lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, so we made many trips up there. We always stopped at the Welcome Center just over the Texas line, and I began picking up pamphlets about the history of Oklahoma. That inspired me to set my first book in the state after the land run in the late 19^th century. Then, believe it or not, the acceptance letter for my first full-length novel in the Oklahoma series came on my 73^rd birthday in 2009. One book became the first of six. These are the first four.

Since then, I have over 55 novellas and novels published.

In my series, Homeward Journey, I used some journal entries and letters from my great-grandfather to my great-grandmother just after the Civil War as the starting point for my story. Writing it required a lot of research about the armistice and the conditions of POW camps in the north. My great-grandfather was a prisoner at Pt. Lookout, Maryland and was exchanged a few days after the Armistice to make his way home on foot with his younger brother which is the starting point for the book. That then required research into what towns existed in 1865 between Maryland and his home in Louisiana. Since then, the majority of my books have been set in Texas.

The theme of all my books centers around reunion and reconciliation. That reconciliation may be character to character, the character with self, or the character with God. My characters face tragedy, adversity, loss of faith, sin, and rejection, but through it all, their lives are changed through restoration of faith and prayer.

I'm a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and write the devotional for that loop every week. I'm also a member of Christian Author's Network, WOTS chapter of ACFW in The Woodlands, Texas, and Inspirational Writers Alive, our local writing group in Houston. I also teach a Ladies Bible class on Sundays and co-lead a First Place 4 Health group.

This is one of my most favorite pictures from ACFW conference. I'm getting a hug from Frank Peritti at the Saturday night gala in 2013.

My latest release is a contemporary Christmas story set in south Texas with characters who knew each other in high school, but misunderstanding and a humiliating experience ruined their relationship. Ten years later, it’s time to forgive the past and look to the future, but getting there looks impossible.

Ask me a question about my journey or my books and include your email address. You will then be in the drawing for this book either as a paperback or an e-book.

Learn more about me on my website and Facebook:

marthawrogers.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarthaRogersAuthor

Let's talk about the Titanic!


by Molly Jebber, Amish Historical Romance Author


I've always been fascinated with the Titanic. When I wrote LIZA'S SECOND CHANCE, I chose 1912 so I could mention the Titanic sinking and what the Amish may think about it. They aren't supposed to buy outside world newspapers, but they are curious, and they would have heard people talk about it. Here is one of the lifeboats.

Some random interesting things about the Titanic:


On April 15, 1912 around 2:20 am., the Titanic, a British ocean liner, sank into the North Atlantic Ocean. This was about 400 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada. The ship had about 2,200 passengers and crew.


The RMS Titanic was the largest ship at the time it was put into service. The ship burned about 600 tons of coal each day. One hundred and seventy six men were responsible for hand shoveling the coal in a 24 hour period. Here's a boarding pass.

The ships interior was somewhat inspired by The Ritz in London. The furnishings were lavish and elegant. The Grand Staircase descended down seven of the ship's ten decks which featured cherubs and famous paintings.


The ship had a gym, first-class kennel for dogs, elegant dining and state rooms, beautiful chandeliers, talented musicians for entertainment which were required to memorize 352 songs, and so much more. Passengers were given song books with the list of 352 songs, and they could request which ones they'd like to hear.


The last supper served to first-class passengers had eleven courses. Over 1,500 passengers died in the maritime disaster, and 705 passengers survived. The ship had a capacity of 3,300 which includes crew and passengers. They had a mere sixteen lifeboats for 1,178 people. 

Eva Hart was seven years old when she boarded the Titanic with her parents. She was one of the survivors, and she died when she was 91 in 1996. She remembered the scary event as a child that took her father that night. 

I get teased sometimes about "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" song, because of my first name. I was surprised to read Molly Brown was a widow and survivor, who was on the Titanic. She was known for keeping calm and order while passengers will guided to the lifeboats.  


I loved to take cruises until this virus put a stop to it for the time-being. Where have you traveled? Have you taken a cruise?


Leave a comment on this post and you are automatically entered for a chance to win a copy or eBook of Liza's Second Chance! Please leave your email address  or Facebook page in your comment so I can contact you if you win! You can see a list of my books at http://www.mollyjebber.com

Wild West Sayings We Use Today, Part 15

The spoken word is an unparalleled historical record. The origins of phrases provide intriguing glimpses into past eras. They connect us with those who lived before us in a very personal way. Besides all that, it's plain fun to learn about words and phrases. 

This post is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt.

Wild West Sayings We Use Today, Part 15

This month’s installment in the "Wild West Sayings We Use Today" blog series touches on the law of supply and demand, the movie "Casablanca," and the California Gold Rush. Enjoy! 

Hill of Beans

Something that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans isn’t worth much. This American colloquial slang expression reveals supply and demand at its finest. Beans are readily available, easy to grow, and plentiful. Hence, they are not worth much. Don’t ask me to explain this logic. I’m here to report the facts. 

Historical Reference: An earlier saying, ‘not worth a bean,’ dates from at least 1297. We know this because historian Robert of Gloucester included it in his English Chronicles.

The American love of hyperbole inserted ‘a hill of’ for emphasis in 1863. The most famous use of this term appeared in the classic movie, “Casablanca” when Humphrey Bogart uttered the famous line to Ingrid Bergman: “Ilsa, I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.”

Example: That washing machine I bought wasn’t worth a hill of beans.

Hither and Yon/Hither and Thither

These ways of saying ‘here and there’ or ‘to and fro’ don’t show up in conversations much anymore, but it’s a shame to lose such beauties. They’re the kind of phrases you look for the chance to utter, or at least I do. I suspect these phrases endure in pockets of the United States. My non-scientific theory is based on the fact that my Missourian mother used both of them when I was a child. However that may be, the terms did not originate in America.

Historical Reference: Lexicographer Francis Grose first recorded 'hither' in A provincial glossary: with a collection of local proverbs, and popular superstitions. The year was 1787. Grose identified the term as colloquial slang from the north of England. The 8th-century word spelled 'hyder' or ‘hider,' changed to 'hether' by the 17th century, became 'hither' in the mid-1700s, and is spelled ‘here' today.

Similarly, 'thither' started as 'dider,' became 'thyder’ and 'thether,' and is now 'there.'

‘Yon’ is a shortened version of ‘yonder.’ Most of us think of yonder as a vague, far-away place, but the word actually means 'a distance away, but within sight.'

Example: Do you expect me to search hither and thither for your glasses?

Hit Pay Dirt

Someone who hits pay dirt strikes it rich or otherwise discovers something of value. Hitting pay dirt originated in the mining industry, but eventually described any method of gaining wealth or something valuable.

Historical Reference: This bonafide Wild West term originated in the 1850s during the California Gold Rush. Pay dirt was soil or gravel that contained enough ore to make mining an area profitable.

Example: While researching my western historical novel, I hit pay dirt when I came across a collection of pioneer diaries. 

I’m curious whether any of you readers have heard or used ‘hither and thither’ or ‘hither and yon.’ What are some other expressions you can think of using the word, bean? Have you ever used the term, ‘hit pay dirt’? Tune in next month, same day, same blogger—for another installment in the Wild West Sayings We Use Today blog series. See you then!

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy appear in all her novels in proportions dictated by their genre. Janalyn Voigt is represented by Wordserve Literary.

Learn more about Janalyn, read the first chapters of her books, subscribe to her e-letter, and join her reader clubs at http://janalynvoigt.com.

Montana Gold Series

Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest in America, the Montana gold series explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west.

Learn More>>

The End of the World in 1910—Halley’s Comet

The End of the World in 1910—Halley’s Comet 

by Susan G Mathis

In February 1910, astronomers announced that the Earth would pass through the cyanogen-laced tail of Halley’s Comet. Poisonous gas, Cyanide, would snuff out all life and end the world as they knew it on May 19, 1910!

The New York Times ran the story of the French astronomer Camille Flammarion’s theory which reported that poisonous gas, Cyanide, would snuff out all life and destroy the earth! Most astronomers in the scientific community rejected this theory but thanks to this article, the frenzy had begun.

Fearmongering. Sound like today? 

The yellow press took advantage of the people’s concerns and fed on their fears—and papers flew off the shelves creating more and more fear, even suggesting the comet might crash into the earth and obliterate it. People feared for their lives and went into hiding. 

People bought “comet pills” and gas masks. Telescope sales rocketed; at least if they were going to die, they might as well see something wonderful. Newspapers, drug dealers, and gas mask makers got rich, but the terror that was instilled in many cast a pall on the world for several terrible months. 

On May 19, 1910, Halley’s Comet spent six terrifying hours passing through our atmosphere. One Oklahoma group actually planned to sacrifice a virgin to appease the gods, but thankfully they were stopped. A man in California nailed a hand and his feet to a cross. Churches around the globe held prayer vigils.

But the comet came and went and nothing happened. No one got sick. No one died—except England’s King Edward VII. This led to superstitious Britons connecting the two events for generations. Later, few of these crooks were held to account for their fraud, and it was discovered that the anti-comet pills were merely quinine and sugar. 

In my latest novel, Devyn’s Dilemma, Devyn and the Bourne family live through these events, buying a telescope and viewing Halley’s Comet for themselves. Check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Devyns-Dilemma-Thousand-Islands-Gilded/dp/1645262731

What more would you like to know about Halley’s Comet? 

Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on the 19^th for my next post. 

About Susan: 

Susan G Mathis is an award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemma and Katelyn’s Choice are available now, and she’s working on book three. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise are also available. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.



Lighthouse Publishing: https://shoplpc.com/devyns-dilemma

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Devyns-Dilemma-Thousand-Islands-Gilded/dp/1645262731 

Website: www.SusanGMathis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanGMathis

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SusanGMathis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangmathis

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis

The Pleasant Valley War

By Nancy J. Farrier

Pleasant Valley, Arizona
Photo by WackyBadger, Wikimedia Commons

Most people have heard of the famous feud between the Hatfields and McCoys, but not as many have heard of the feud that sparked the Pleasant Valley War in Arizona. This war that cost upwards of fifty lives and almost wiped out the men of one of the families.

The Pleasant Valley War, also known as the Tonto Basin Feud, Tonto Basin War, or Tewksbury-Graham Feud, took place in Arizona from 1882 to 1892. The events are fairly convoluted and I will try to put them in order so they make sense, but the story is involved so much will be left out.

Edwin Tewksbury
Wikimedia Commons

Ed Tewksbury, owned property in the Tonto Basin of northern Arizona. The land was a lush pastureland with trees and perfect for running cattle. The Grahams also moved to the Tonto Basin and purchased land. John Tewksbury, Ed’s son, and Tom Graham became friends and wanted to build a cattle herd together. They did this by catching mavericks or unbranded calves, which they branded with their own unique brand.

Most of those calves came from the herd of James Stinson, who had a very large herd and wasn’t well liked by the others. There were flare ups when Stinson accused Graham and Tewksbury of stealing his calves. Shots were exchanged and one man was injured. Stinson tried to say Ed Tewksbury was at fault since his shot wounded the man, but John Graham testified that Stinson’s men started the altercation and the charges were dropped.

 In 1884, the war escalated when Stinson offered each of the Grahams fifty head of cattle, and to drop all charges brought against them, if they would give state’s evidence against the Tewksburys. The Grahams took the deal and charges were brought against the Tewksburys. The case was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence, but the trip to the court caused the family great hardship when Frank Tewksbury contracted pneumonia on the trip home and died.

Another increase in the war happened when the Tewksburys leased some sheep and brought them on the range. Cattle owners disliked sheep, saying they cropped the grass too short and left nothing for the cattle to eat. The sheep herder the Tewksburys hired was killed and at one point many of the sheep were destroyed.

The conflict escalated as other factions entered the fray, including the infamous Hash Knife Outfit. The Hash Knife Outfit cowboys were known for their hatred of sheep and sheepherding. They would run herds of sheep into water to drown them. Or gallop among the sheep, scattering the animals and killing many of them.

Tewksbury Cabin
Photo by Marine 69-71 Wikimedia Commons

A sad turn of events happened in September 1887. Some of the Grahams approached John Tewksbury’s cabin. They caught John and another man outside and killed both of them. They continued firing at the cabin for hours. The battle continued until Eva, John’s wife, who was also eight and a half months pregnant, came out of the cabin with a shovel and dug graves for her husband and the other man. The Grahams rode away.

The shootouts, lynchings, and murders continued over the next few years. The Grahams and Tewksburys continued the feud until only two of them were left. Tom Graham fled the area and ended up settling in Tempe, Arizona. He was later shot in the back by assassins. On his deathbed, he named Ed Tewksbury as one of his attackers.

Ed Tewksbury and John Rhodes went on trial for murder in Tempe. The first trial

Gun Port, Tewksbury Cabin
Photo by Marine 69-71 Wikimedia Commons

was thrown out on a legal technicality. During the trial, Tom Graham’s widow, Annie, tried to murder Rhodes. When she pulled her pistol from her bag, some of the fibers of the bag caught in the firing mechanism and prevented the gun from firing.

It took seven men to pry the gun from Annie’s hands as she screamed for them to let her kill the men who killed her husband. She was taken back to her hotel room and I found no evidence that she was charged with anything.

The second trial for Tewksbury and Rhodes ended in a hung jury. They were later released and the charges dropped. In an interesting twist Ed Tewksbury went on to become a lawman in Globe, Arizona, and John Rhodes became an Arizona Ranger. One account said that back then being good with a gun held a lot of sway for you to be in law enforcement.

John Tewksbury Grave
Photo by Thecraziness Wikimedia Commons

Western author, Zane Grey, wrote a book, To the Last Man: A Story of the Pleasant Valley War. The 1992 movie, Gunsmoke: To the Last Man, featuring Matt Dillon, was based on the Pleasant Valley war and Grey’s book. 

Have you ever heard of the Pleasant Valley War or the Tewksbury-Graham-Stinson Feud? Have you read Zane Grey’s book or seen that Gunsmoke movie? If you ever visit northern Arizona, look for the Tonto Basin and think about what would cause people to be so angry they would wipe out most of the opposing family.

Nancy J Farrier is an award-winning author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.

HHH Blogger Spotlight - Debbie Lynne Costello GIVEAWAY!!!

A huge HEY from South Carolina!

Debbie Lynne Costello here. And yes, people really call me Debbie Lynne. My mom is a Debi as well and so I was always called by my first and middle name to prevent confusion. I was born in Michigan. My parents owned a hardware store up in Cadillac where I worked on weekends and summers, and I went to school in a small rural town called Mesick. We always lived on a lake growing up, and I spent a lot of time outside in the woods or on the lake, and was always trying to nurse any wounded animal back to health. I was a tomboy through and through. Played with turtles, frogs, and snakes. And even spiders until one bit me! I started writing stories when I was around eight years old about animals. I loved to read the Ribsy and Henry books. 

In high school, I took every class I could that had to do with writing. When I graduated from high school I went to a Christian College down in South Carolina for journalism and fell in love with the state. The school closed and I headed home and married my high school sweetheart who had joined the Air Force. We lived in Knob Noster, Missouri. I had my first child while my husband was enlisted. When he got his walking papers we moved to South Carolina and made that our home. I've lived in South Carolina three times as long as I did in Michigan and my whole adult life so this is home to me. 

Joe and I always dreamed of having a farm and horses, but with four children that seemed to be a pipe dream. Because of multiple miscarriages, we had one child starting college and one starting kindergarten! We basically had two families. I stayed home and sewed their clothes, sewed for other people, made crafts and did craft shows, and ran a paper route while they were sleeping. I raised and showed shelties to help put them in Christian School. 

We homeschooled the youngest two from 4th an 6th grade to 11th and 12th grade. It was during those later years, when the boys didn't really need my help that much, but needed me in the room to keep them motivated, that I began to read a lot. At dinner I'd tell my husband what I did and didn't like about the book and what I would have done differently. One day he said to me, "Why don't you write a book?" I thought about it for a couple weeks and then one day sat down and started to write. Four months later I finished my 110,000 page manuscript, Sword of Forgiveness. But then came the hard stuff, learning all the things I did wrong! I loved the medieval period and ended up getting 2 contracts for novellas which are part of the Winds of Change Series. 

   

Click on any of my books to find out more about it.

By 2013 the kids either had started careers or were still in college and we finally were able to purchase our farm land where we put our 2 Arabians and 2 Tennessee Walking Horses. In 2015 my husband was diagnosed with Mantle Cell, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That delayed building our new house since we do the building ourselves. The outcome for Mantle Cell is pretty grim. But God in His amazing way worked things out for us and Joe went in a clinical trial with the top Mantle Cell Doctor in the WORLD! (If you'd like to read about our journey you can find it here) The catch was we had to move to Houston, Texas for 6 months so we could be close to MD Anderson Hospital. During that time in Houston I put out another book, Shattered Memories, a 19th century, set in my favorite place, Charleston, South Carolina. It is set in 1886 during an earthquake that devastated the Charleston area. A tremendous amount of research went into Shattered Memories and I used many eye-witness accounts. 

We are now in our new home, although we still have trim work to do, a fireplace to put in among other things. But now that we are 'in' I am back to work, writing, and enjoying every bit of it! My newest release, Bride by Blackmail released two days ago, September 15th, is set in 19th century Charleston, SC. I loved writing this book! It was so much fun! Duncan is a hoot and Charlotte is as headstrong as they come!

A broken heart, a controlling father, and an intrusive Scot leave Charlotte Jackson reeling. Accused of stealing an heirloom pin, she must choose between an unwanted marriage and the ruin of her family name. With the futures of her three younger sisters at stake, as well as her own reputation, Charlotte must navigate through injustice to find forgiveness and true happiness.

Eager to find the traitor that caused the death of his brother, Duncan Mackenzie comes to America and attempts to fit in with Charleston society. But when the headstrong Charlotte catches his eye, Duncan takes on a second mission—acquiring the lass's hand. After being spurned several times, he uses unconventional ways of winning her heart.

And lastly, with my newest release out, I am back to working on the sequel to Sword of Forgiveness, Sword of Trust. I'm hoping to have it out by the end of the year so be watching for it!

In closing, I'd like to mention that God has blessed me in friendships through this career. Some of my closest friends I would never have met if it wasn't for our love for Christian Historicals. My life is so much richer because of these beautiful ladies.

GIVEAWAY

BE SURE TO ASK ME A QUESTION TO BE ENTERED TO WIN ONE OF MY BOOKS AND FOR AN ENTRY IN THE RAFFLECOPTER!

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY- $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD, CHARLESTON THEMED BASKET, SIGNED BRIDE BY BLACKMAIL