March is National Women of History Month. To join in the celebration, I’ve chosen to feature one of the “real life” women from my Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series in today’s post. Mary Claver Coleman was one of those wonderful finds during my research for Two Brides Too Many My hero was a new doctor coming to Cripple Creek …
Research Trip for The Quilted Heart: 1st Stop, Gateway Arch
In March 2012, after thirteen years, I returned to St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri. This time, as a historical novelist writing for WaterBrook Multnomah, to do research for my new series, The Quilted Heart. The post Civil War mid-1860s provides the historical backdrop for my three Quilted Heart eBook novellas. First stop: The Gateway Arch and the Museum of Westward Expansion in St. Louis. Everything …
My Favorite Dr. Suess Book
In honor of Ted Geisel’s birthday on Saturday, March 2nd, I thought it’d be fun to share my favorite Dr. Suess book with you. When I teach a Writing for Children course at a writers’ conference, my students can expect me to read Oh, The Thinks We Can Think!. The book embodies traits writers, especially those writing for children, should embrace. Childlike …
Bob’s Corner: No E-Reader, No Problem
Howdy from Bob’s corner! TODAY is Release Day for Dandelions on the Wind, the first novella in Mona’s new series, The Quilted Heart. The three mid-1860s stories are available this spring exlusively in e-Book format, but you don’t need a fancy schmancy handheld e-Reader to read Dandelions on the Wind. Since you’re reading this post, I’m guessing you already have a computer, iPod/iPad/iPhone, Android …
Miss Hattie Reminisces About Saint Charles
I suppose some folks might assume I’ve always lived in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Why, they might even figure I haven’t done anything but run Miss Hattie’s Boardinghouse on Golden Avenue. Truth is, I was once the age of our dear Sinclair Sisters. And younger. My hair might have grayed on me, but you can be certain my Cripple Creek adventures won’t be my last. Nor were they my …
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A Snapshot of American History, 1860s
For the United States of America, the 1860s represent a time of division, devastation, rebuilding, and reconciliation. For families, and for the nation. Abraham Lincoln ran for President of the United States, and was elected, 1860. South Carolina was the first southern state to secede from the Union, December, 1860. The Pony Express carried overland mail from April 1860 to October 1861. …
Vote for Your Favorite Sinclair Sister
While I’m putting the finishing touches on my next series, I’m still celebrating the completion of my debut series: The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek. Are you a Sinclair Sisters fan? While each of the sisters and their supporting characters sank deep into my heart, I have a favorite or two. I’m curious. What about you? Do you have a favorite …
Mr. Boney: Quirky Sidekick or Guardian Angel?
When I ask a group of Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek fans about their favorite secondary characters in the series, Boney Hughes is always in the top two listed. I think we find Boney so likeable because he’s not only a sidekick character throughout the series, but also serves as an atypical mentor and a charming guardian angel. A few …
Mollie Kathleen Gortner: A Cripple Creek Woman
The fascinating women of the 1800s were not dissimilar to you and I, even though their circumstances varied greatly and required extra doses of pluck. They loved and lost. They laughed and cried. They tried and failed. Many tried again and were victorious. Relationships and community mattered to them. Faith played an important role in their strength and resiliency. Mollie …
Christmas Light: A Quilted Heart Devotional
In Dandelions on the Wind, Maren Jensen has immigrated to America, her heart full of plans to send for her family and give them a better life. When her failing eyesight narrows her own prospects for a new life, darkness begins to swallow her hope, along with her vision. As Maren lifts a glowing match to the wick of an …