You never know who you might meet in Cripple Creek, Colorado!
While I was in Cripple Creek in August to participate in the Gold Camp Days and Western Literature Festival, I made Wyatt Earp’s acquaintance through a program presented by his grandson, Wyatt Earp.
Then during a book signing at the Cripple Creek District Museum, I met Doc Susie, played by Hedy Boyce.
One thing is for certain, there’s never a dull moment in Cripple Creek. Even if after a full day of museum hopping and historical exploration, you’ve tuck yourself into your peaceful room at Carr Manor. The historic Cripple Creek High School repurposed as a lovely Bed & Breakfast is far too rich in history to be dull.
What fun it was to meet Hedy and chat with her about Doc Susie, the real life woman I feature as a fictional secondary character in The Bride Wore Blue, Book 3 in my Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series.
I was excited when Hedy agreed to an interview, to share a bit about one of her favorite historical Cripple Creek characters–Dr. Susan Anderson.
MONA: Welcome, Hedy! I’m delighted you’re with us today. And I’m excited to let my readers know more about Cripple Creek, its history and all the fun going’s-on there.
HEDY: Cripple Creek is such a neat town, steeped in history and there’s so much to learn. One thng I can say is that there’s always something going on in town.
MONA: What are some of the places and occasions where you slip into the role of Doc Susie?
HEDY: The annual graveyard tour–Mount Pisgah Speaks, the weekend ambiance “walk arounds” in town where I have the opportunity to speak to visitors from all over t he world, and talks to grade school children at local schools.
MONA: What led you to choose Doc Susie (Dr. Susan Anderson)?
HEDY: I have this connection with her. I can relate with her up-hill battle to be accepted as a female doctor in a man’s world. I compare it to my battle to get equal treatment for fight attendants in the late 60s. I was the first fight attendant who was able to get pregnant, have a child, and still keep my job.
MONA: What resources did you use in researching Doc Susie’s life and work for your role?
HEDY: There are a variety of books about Cripple Creek and Doc Susie, including Doc Susie: The True Story of a Country Physician in the Colorado Rockies by Virginia Cornell, Cripple Creek Days by Mabel Barbee Lee, Money Mountain: The Story of Cripple Creek Gold by Marshall Sprague, and The Doctor Wore Petticoats: Women Physicians of the Old West by Chris Enss. In Cripple Creek, there are several photos of her and a variety of information sources.
Hedy Boyce, Gold Camp Victorian Society, in her Doc Susie Costume
MONA: How did you choose your Doc Susie costume?
HEDY: There are several photos of her available in books, in Cripple Creek, and on the Internet, but I chose her gradualtion photo from medical school in Ann Arbor, Michigan as my model. I think that is how I see her in my mind’s eye.
MONA: What was one of the most surprising things you learned about Susan Anderson?
HEDY: There are several surprising things about Doc Susie. All had to do with her overcoming adversity. She wandered around in a dangerous world out west, however, she was an excellent marksman and always had a revolver in her doctor’s bag. If she came upon wild animals or ill-intentioned men, she was capable of dealing with it. But, above all else, she accomplished a lot, including beating TB and living to the ripe old age of ninety.
MONA: Is there a Doc Susie fact that especially endeared her to you?
HEDY: Her love for her brother and best friend, John.
Hedy, thank you for taking the time to sit with us a spell, and talk about Dr. Susan Anderson, a renowned woman, part of Cripple Creek history and one of my favorite real life women to write about.
Learn more about The Bride Wore Blue
Learn more about Cripple Creek
Check out the Cripple Creek District Museum
Learn more about the Gold Camp Victorian Society
Congratulations to Susan F, Jackie M, Renee J, Nicole L, and Tina T, who each won a signed copy of THE BRIDE WORE BLUE.
Comments 53
What a delightful interview with Hedy and her role as Doc Susie! I love the pictures you included; her costume is fantastic! I have been to Colorado, but not to Cripple Creek. I do hope to visit one day. When I do, I will think of you, Doc Susie, and this wonderful book series!
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Author
Hi Britney! Good to see you here. Glad you enjoyed meeting Hedy. A real fun surprise for me in Cripple Creek. Blessings!
Doc Susie was one of the first women I learned about in my quest to understand women in the west, most especially Colorado. My sister turned me on to her. I have alot of books about women now. She was a real pioneer who accomplished alot in medicine an for the miners too. It must have been really great to meet “her”!
Author
Kathy, thanks for joining me here. Doc Susie was a lot of fun to “write” in The Bride Wore Blue. Love real life women stories! Blessings!
I loved hearing about Cripple Creek, a beautiful area, and Doc Susie. I would love to win a copy of The Bride Wore Blue.
melback at cebridge dot net
Mona, What a wonderful article about Cripple Creek and all the people you had an opportunity to meet! You make it all feel like we have a chance to see it through your visit. Love these types of places how blessed you are to be able to go thanks for sharing.
I really love reading your books. Usually can’t put them down.
mcnuttjem0(at)g mail(dot)com
Author
Hello, Jackie. Yes, I am a blessed woman, and how fun that I get to take you along on my journey through my travels, books, and posts. I appreciate you!
Author
Congratulations, Jackie. You’ve won a signed copy of THE BRIDE WORE BLUE. Happy Reading!
Author
Glad you enjoyed the post, Melanie. Good to see you here. Blessings!
Thank you for hosting this giveaway, I’ve been wanting to get this book but haven’t done it yet.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Author
Hi Wendy! Thanks for joining me here. I’m anxious for you to read Vivian’s story. Blessings to you!
What a great time it must have been to “meet” the person you wrote about. I love traveling and getting to know people through reading books.
Author
Good to see you here, Jan. Glad you enjoyed the post. Blessings and happy reading!
Would love to read this book. Hope that I win.
Thank you and God bless.
Hi Rhonda! Good to see you here. The Lord bless you too!
would love to win a copy!
[email protected]
Thanks for joining me here, Camille. Blessings to you!
I read book 4 in this series and loved it. Now I have to get books 1-3. I’m glad they can stand on their own as well as a series.
stephaniezieglerATyahooDOTcom
Hi Stephanie. Yes, I’m anxious for you to read the Sinclair Sisters’ stories. Happy Reading!
I love your books and would love to win this one
Shirley B [email protected]
Shirley, you are a dear reader-friend. Good to see you here.
Would love to win.
Blessings to you, Virginia. I wish everyone could win.
Would love to win this book!
[email protected]
Susan, good to see you here. Blessings to you!
Author
Congratulations, Susan, you won a signed copy of THE BRIDE WORE BLUE. Happy Reading!
Hi, Mona! Such an interesting interview with Hedy and thanks so much for sharing with us! I would love to win this book, thank you for the opportunity!
[email protected]
Hello, Renee. So glad you enjoyed the interview. Blessings!
Author
Congratulations, Renee, you’ve won a signed copy of THE BRIDE WORE BLUE. Happy Reading!
Sounds like a good book~ that’s neat it’s based on a real person too. 🙂
Hi Karen, Thanks for joining me here. Yes, in each of my Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek book, I feature a real life woman from the time and place as a secondary character. Happy Reading!
thank you for this giveaway! I gives me the chance to discover your books. I am new to your stories and I would love the opportunity to read and review. I like this interview! [email protected]
Hi, Nicole! I appreciate your interest in my books, and can’t wait for you to meet my Sinclair Sisters and the Saint Charles Quilting Circle.
Author
Congratulations, Nicole, you’ve won a signed copy of THE BRIDE WORE BLUE. Happy Reading!
What a lovely interview! I really would love to read The Bride Wore Blue.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Hi Amy! Good to see you here. Glad you enjoyed the interview. Blessings!
Thanks for having the giveaway. I’d love to be entered for a chance to win.
Author
You’re entered,, Katie. Thanks for joining me here. Could you add your email address?
would love to win. 🙂
Author
Good to see you here, Angela. Blessings to you!
Enjoyed the interview and hope I win, so I can see what happens next in Cripple Creek. 🙂 So glad I get your posts now too, Mona, I really enjoy them, as well. God Bless!
[email protected]
Author
Hi Tina, I appreciate your interest in my Sinclair Sisters stories. Happy Reading!
Author
Congratulations, Tina, you’ve won a signed copy of THE BRIDE WORE BLUE. Happy Reading!
I’d love to read this book!
Author
Hi Tina,
I so appreciate your interest in my Sinclair Sisters. Blessings to you!
Wonderful interview ! I don’t have The Bride Wore Blue, so this would be awesome to win a copy. I so love your writing Mona.
Blessings
Linda Finn
Faithful Acres Books
Author
Linda, thanks for joining me here. Blessings to you!
What a great interview! 🙂 Thank you! 🙂
Author
Glad you enjoyed the interview, Mippy. Blessings!
Mona, I loved this series. I read books 1 – 3, but not book 4. I’ve recently become disabled because of a medical error, so I’m saving my money to buy book 4 and/or hoping my library may get a copy. I tell my Mom it’s frustrating when I can’t buy my books like I could when I was working. I love history and I truly enjoyed this posting. Great books! Mona, you’re a wonderful author! Thank you for sharing with us.
Author
Good to see you here, Barbara. What a sweet reader-friend you are. Sorry to hear about the disability. God bless you!
Author
Barbara, what is your email address?
Author
Congratulations to Tina T, Nicole L, Renee J, Susan F, and Jackie M, who each won a copy of THE BRIDE WORE BLUE. Thanks to all of you for joining me here.