BOOKS in Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection, true to 1887

by Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author

I'm rather picky about historical accuracy. Let's just say that I've not always known as much about research or the way things really were (and my early titles show it). With every book I write, I fall more and more in love with the accuracy, and tiny elements that create a beautiful setting for a romance novel. Today, I want to share the "Books" part of the "Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection One" Series. Oh, and stick around! Make sure you stick with me 'til the end, so you can enter my PRIZE DRAWING for an ebook, standard paperback, or LARGE PRINT paperback of this NEW RELEASE.

All authors in this 9-author series were instructed to include books, any way we wanted, in our Thanksgiving romances. Given my circumstances and setting in Unmistakably Yours, I ended up electing to name true-to-history titles that the Ladies' Lending Library would have actually purchased (or received as gifts to the library), and have a era-appropriate book titles within other story elements (such as Jane's gift to the Murphy boys, and Hank's not-so-appealing nickname by the town's naysayers when they refer to our hero as "Chicken Little.") [Read the book description here-- after all, our hero is FAR from an anxious biddy. He's rather intelligent and wise.]

Vintage Book One: Chicken Little

We all know "the sky is falling" and "Chicken Little"... but just how old is old? Hmmmm.... I was thrilled to find Mrs. M.E. Hall, widow of the late Salmon Hall advertising the sale of all kinds of books (even if she misspelled stationery as stationary) at her residence one door east of the Book Store formerly occupied by her late husband... as she's selling all of his remaining wares... In New Bern, North Carolina. In 1842.

Chicken Little is for sale, along with many other still-familiar titles, in the Newbern Spectator of New Bern, North Carolina, on February 19, 1842.

Yay! Proof that "Chicken Little" was plenty familiar by my story, set in 1887.

But what are the chances that this "Chicken Little" is actually of The Sky is Falling vintage? Another historical newspaper clipping, published in The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, Louisiana on April 15, 1843, verifies the connection. See the transcription, below (I've taken care to maintain everything from paragraph breaks to punctuation-- quite different from today's). The original image is dark and difficult to read.

THE SKY FALLING.---The following humorous little nursery story, told by N. P. Willis, has a very ingenious and excellent point to it, showing, as a moral, how timid persons may be thrown into terror, and how there is always a "Fox Lox" ready to take advantage of their fright. Silly superstition and love of the marvellous [sic] will furnish capital to support humbug and imposture, until the end of time. Let the "Chicken Little" followers of Parson Miller look out for their "Fox Lox."

"Did you ever hear of Chicken Little, how she disturbed a whole neighborhood by her foolish alarm? Well, Chicken Little was running about in a gentleman's garden, and she ran under a rose bush, and a leaf fell on her tail; and she was dreadfully frightened, and ran away to Hen Pen. 'Oh, Hen Pen,' said she, the sky is falling!'  'Why, Chicken Little, how do you know it?' 'Oh, I heard it with my ears, I saw it with my eyes, and part of it fell on my tail.'  'Come, then,' says Hen Pen, 'let us run as fast as we can!' So they ran till they came to Duck Luck. 'Oh, Duck Luck!' says Hen Pen, 'the sky is falling!'  'Why, how do you know it?' says Duck Luck. 'Chicken Little told me.'  'Chicken Little, how do you know it?'  'I heard it with my ears, I saw it with my eyes, and part of it fell on my tail.'  'Oh, let us run,' said Duck Luck; and they went on until they came to Goose Loose.-- 'Oh, Goose Loose!' says Duck Luck-- 'the sky is falling!'  'Why, Duck Luck, how do you know it?'  'Hen Pen told me.'  'Hen Pen, how do you know it?'  'Chicken Little told me.'  'Chicken Little, how do you know it?'  'I heard it with my ears, I saw it with my eyes, and part of it fell on my tail.'  'Run! run as fast as you can,' says Goose Loose.---And away they all went until they met with Fox Lox. 'Oh! Fox Lox, the sky is falling!'  'Who told you?' says Fox Lox. 'Goose Loose told me.'  'Goose Loose, who told you?'--'Duck Luck.'  'Duck Luck, who told you?'--'Hen Pen.'  'Hen Pen, who told you?'  'Chicken Little.'  'Chicken Little, who told you?'  'I heard it with my ears, I saw it with my eyes, and part of it fell on my tail!'  'Make haste,' says Fox Lox, 'and all come into my den.' Fox Lox opened the door, and in they went, and he made a supper of them;---and all this from the foolish fright of Chicken Little."

This example is common of the Victorian Era in the United States-- Newspaper stories retelling folk tales or fairy tales (all of which were not happy endings), intended to teach the morals of the day: honesty, obedience, integrity, wisdom, etc.

Here's a thumbnail image of the original clipping from 1843:

Vintage Book Two: The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde 

Naturally, my Ladies' Library Association would want to buy the most popular new titles. I was tickled to see that The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde fit that bill. The following newspaper clipping was published in the Chicago Tribune of Chicago, Illinois on July 31, 1886... and my story opens in August of 1887. Notice the timing:

The Chicago Tribune, July 31, 1886.

Note, above, "His (Mr. Robert Louis Stevenson's) "Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde" was published twenty-two weeks ago, and 22,000 copies have been sold--a thousand a week."

The following newspaper clip was published in The Clay Center Dispatch of Clay Center, Kansas on June 17, 1886, illustrating the likelihood that this title would be quite available (and of interest) in Mountain Home, Colorado, that very autumn.

The Clay Center Dispatch of Clay Center, Kansas on June 17, 1886.

Vintage Book Three: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Yipee! This well-known title was published in 1876, and though originally a commercial failure (according to wikipedia), newspapers of the decade show the title was certainly available for sale and people did buy it.

"Adventures of Tom Sawyer" won as a prize in a spelling match. McPherson Freeman newspaper of McPherson, Kansas on August 13, 1886.

Prize Copy of New Release: Unmistakably Yours

I'm pleased to offer to one winner his/her choice of the kindle edition, standard paperback, or large print edition of the paperback (paperbacks will be awarded to winners residing within the United States only; if the winner lives in another nation, I'll substitute the kindle edition).

 

TO ENTER THE DRAWING: 

• comment on this post
• include your thoughts about books in an Old West (Victorian / 19th Century American) novel. Here are a few sample questions to spark your ideas... No need to answer them all, but to enter, please answer at least one (or something similar that is of interest to you): 
• What books have you seen mentioned? 
• How do books play a role inside a story? 
• If you were an author, and needed books to play a role in a book you're writing, how would you include that element?
• etc.
• ONE winner will be drawn at random on Monday, October 8th at 7 PM Mountain Time and the winner's name will be posted here. Set an alarm in your cell phone so you'll remember to check back!

Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author, writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequently about Old West history and contributes monthly to Sweet Americana Sweethearts.

Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences

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Copyright © 2018 Kristin Holt LC 

Man Power Multiplied

L-R: Cecelia, Gwendolyn & Bonnie Buckmeyer

In DAUGHTERS OF THE HEART, book 5 of my Texas Romance family saga—and by the way, it's FREE today and tomorrow--one of the Bubckmeyer girls’suitors, Elijah Eversole is a blacksmith / millwright / inventor. He creates whatever his friends Moses and Jethro need for their goldmine (in book 4 SINS OF THE MOTHERS).

Mary Rachel Buckmeyer

He knew nothing of farming, but on his trip to Texas, so hoping to meet and determine if Mary Rachel’s younger sisters were cut from the same cloth since he thought she about hung the moon. Of course, his spoken motive was to build a steam engine for the father of the beautiful lady he held in such high esteem. Henry Buckmeyer wanted to upgrade his sawmill from water power to be steam powered.

During that visit, Elijah observes Levi and a gang of freedmen planting cotton by hand. Voila! He instantly got an idea for a mechanical, mule-drawn planter that would allow two men to do the work of ten. Got a patent onm it, too. Historically, the advancements in agricultural machinery proved phenomenal because one invention led to the need of another.

Thank Wikipedia for this image

For instance, the increase in acres planted meant farmers needed a faster way to harvest so as not to lose crops in the field. Thus the mechanical cutter that replaced the scythes of yesteryear eventually became today’s combine was imagined and built. Two men, a wagon driver with the second cutting ears of corn could harvest about an acre in one day.

Nowadays, it's nothing for the giant combines to cut two hundred acres in a day, provided they have grain carts pulled by tractors driven alongside to empty regularly. It can hold two to four hundred bushels of grain itself—two hundred bushels to the acre in the northern plains isn’t unheard of.


So in the 1850s, what would take a small army of men weeks to accomplish, can now be done in a few days with only three or four men with the right equipment. Advancement is built on need, and innovation advances rapidly where freedom to innovate is encouraged.

Hasn’t God blessed America? 

***FREE*** Don't forget to click over and claim your FREE DAUGHTERS OF THE HEART

Bio: Award winning, bestselling author Caryl McAdoo currently writes four series: the historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and a mid-grade Days of Dread Trilogy. The prolific hybrid novelist loves singing new songs the Lord gives her and painting. She counts four children and seventeen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings, believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God glory, she hopes each one will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron, her high school sweetheart-husband live in the woods of Red River County a few miles south of Clarksville in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

Speaking Trumpet: The Bullhorn of the 19th Century, by Kristin Holt

 by Kristin Holt

Before loudhailers (1950), bullhorns (1950), or megaphones (late 1890's), the device public speakers, public servants, officials at sporting events, etc. used in order to be heard:

Speaking Trumpets (~ 1650)

Brass Speaking Trumpet

"As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts to combat conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze.

Presentation Style 1859

"Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.

"This brass trumpet dates to the 19th century. The shiny and polished horned is plain and unadorned, but shows scratches and dents from use." [Source: Smithsonian, National Museum of American History] 

The brass speaking trumpet (image from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History) measures 12 inches by 4.5 inches.

The highly decorative speaking trumpet is an American Coin Silver Fireman's Speaking Trumpet, image from Heritage Auctions, Bailey & Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A closeup of the decorative mid-section of the trumpet shows the engraving from 1859.

Closeup of Engraving

While writing my newest release, Courting Miss Cartwright, a novella contained within Cowboys & Calico--an anthology  of five sweet western historical romances--I researched Speaking Trumpets. 

I wrote a scene where virtually everyone in town had gathered 'round a platform to participate in the Picnic Basket Auction to raise money for the Church Organ Fund. The crowd was loud. The officiator called for bids. Midst the laughter, good-natured ribbing of the hero (Rocky Gideon), and surprised exclamations, I realized pretty quick I needed a bullhorn. Or a megaphone, at minimum.

My 1879 setting could not allow a microphone. I knew P.A. systems were out of the question, but who knew megaphones weren't designed nor called such until the mid 20th century? Some readers might not find historical inaccuracies a distraction, but many readers do. I do.

I crave historical accuracy. So I put a speaking trumpet in the event official's hand and put him to work using it. The scene takes place in my heroine (Felicity Cartwright)'s point of view, so to make the likely unfamiliar term make sense to twenty-first century readers who know bullhorns and megaphones but likely never heard of a speaking trumpet, I showed its purpose, appearance, and Felicity's familiarity with it.

This picnic basket auction scene occurs just one chapter from the ending, with some significant U-turns in the story, so I don't want to give too much away. But you can read the first third of that scene in my blog post: A Victorian Picnic Basket…worth $7.50? (And a peek inside Courting Miss Cartwright). This post about picnic baskets and the import of picnics in Victorian recreation and courtship doesn't give too much away nor spoil the story. Note: $7.50 in 1879 more or less equivalent to $178.57 today. WHO spends nearly $180 on a picnic lunch?

See post on KristinHolt.com

I'll introduce you to some of the key players in the opening scene of Courting Miss Cartwright. Four people, well, five, if we count the deceased father. 1-- Father. 2-- W.W. Stuart (Father's attorney), 3-- Felicity Percival [Cartwright](heroine), 4-- Rocky Gideon (hero), and 5-- Temperance Cartwright (heretofore unknown half-sister). One of them pays $7.50 in 1879 dollars for Felicity's picnic basket. And I'll give you one hint: Felicity doesn't buy her own.

See post on KristinHolt.com with entire opening scene

This set of Sweet Western Historical Romance Novellas was released last Saturday, July 30th. You'll find my contribution nestled in the middle of four well-loved authors: Amelia C. Adams, Cassie Hayes, Margery Scott, and Kirsten Osbourne. As of 8-3-16, the anthology has an overall average of 4.9 stars from 25 reviews on Amazon.

Yes, it's an inexpensive set. Five NEW novellas for $0.20 each. Twenty cents! And it's a FREE READ with a kindleunlimited subscription. 

But I still want to give away TWO copies, one each to two lucky winners! All you need do to enter this FREE BOOK give-away is to reply to this blog post within 24 hours of its publication (From 12:00 AM on Friday, August 5th to 11:59 PM on Friday, August 5th--all PDT).

In your reply, simply let me know what you think about Speaking Trumpets. Kind of cool that they're historically accurate? Have a hard time believing they work as well as a cheerleader-style Megaphone? Like the collector's item silver decorative one pictured in this post? Write something.

Then don't forget to CHECK BACK (you may want to subscribe to the post). I'll post the winners HERE, in the comments section, just after midnight in the wee hours of Saturday morning (8-6-16). Winners need to provide me (privately) your email address, as Amazon requires it for me to 'gift' you a kindle edition of this book. This title will only be available for a few months' time and will only be in kindle edition.

Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Americana Sweethearts (first Friday of each month) and Romancing the Genres (third Tuesday of each month).  

Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences

Website | Email | Newsletter | Twitter | Pinterest | g+| Facebook Profile | Facebook Fan Page | Amazon

Creating TWIN Book Covers: Costumes, Models, Photography...and GIFT COPIES!

by Kristin Holt

Note: This blog post includes a drawing for two FREE kindle-edition book give-aways! (Read on!)

I had the privilege of contributing two novels (category-length, both roughly 40K words) to the American Mail-Order Brides Series. As one of 45 authors of 50 books, I used the series' cover template, created by a talented artist regularly patronized by our group's leaders. But when it came down to the model or stock photos, that part was up to me.

This series is new. Book #1 (out of 50) released on November 19th, 2015, one each and every day through January 7th, 2016. Reviewers have been kind, expressing appreciation and admiration of the series and the wide variety of contributing authors and types of stories. While all books are about a different state (or territory) within the United States in the year 1890, all are about a mail-order bride. Readers have expressed delight with how very different all 50 books are, and yet they all begin with the same prequel that ties them all together. You'll find this brief prequel FREE on Amazon and on the series' website.

I knew my two books, Lessie: Bride of Utah (book #45) and Josie: Bride of New Mexico (book #47) would be identical twin sisters, hence the need to either use the same model for a custom photo shoot or use stock images of the same model for both covers--or find a set of identical twins to suit my purposes.

A few readers asked if I'd used twin models or whether I'd used one model for both images. One woman who raised the question has a son-in-law who is an identical twin and she can't tell him apart from his brother. Answer: I used one model to represent both twins.

I elected to do a custom photo shoot as to avoid duplication of models used within this fifty-book series (completely unprecedented within publishing--until we did it!). Authors of western historical romance often bemoan the lack of images available within the stock image market.

Costume used for images to be perhaps used with another project

Model in front of "green screen" in costume made especially for Lessie: Bride of Utah.

I had the pleasure of sewing the costumes for both covers. I'm pleased the photographer and her skilled use of lighting was able to make the different fabric textures (while all black) show up with exquisite detail on the finished cover. Look at the difference between my snapshot with my phone (above) and the official cover, below--and the visibility of the silk blouse against the velvet cape and the grosgrain ribbon of the bonnet strings.

 

I enjoy sewing and doing so allows me a creative outlet to compliment my writing and come up with a suit of clothes that are truly era-appropriate. I've sewn many of the costumes used on my various books. I've purchased others, rented some from theater companies, and am continually collecting costume pieces to use for upcoming projects.

This pattern was used for Lessie: Bride of Utah's costume. See it made up in dark red and black, in the photo shoot image and on the book's cover image.

This draft of the copy for Josie: Bride of New Mexico shows a side view of her twin sister, Lessie:Bride of Utah, and a fun view of the bonnet. Part of the FUN of the 19th Century was the clothing...especially the hats! This image was discarded in favor of the published image with only one sister on each cover.

The background images needed to ideally represent the part of Utah and section of New Mexico in my stories...and reflect the late autumn and early wintertime setting. I purchased the background images from a stock photo company, based upon my intimate knowledge of northern Utah and my many travel experiences through New Mexico.

 

These companion novels stand alone and one may be read and enjoyed without the other. While designed to be read in either order, many readers have commented in reviews they recommend reading Lessie first, followed by Josie. Both are available as Kindle editions on Amazon (exclusively) and both are a FREE Read with kindleunlimited. Paperback versions of both are coming soon.

Find the whole series on Amazon

Note: While all 50 books began as exclusive to Amazon and thus offered as a free read to subscribers of the kindleunlimited program, some authors have begun to diversify. It's possible some titles are available now for Nook, on Kobo, etc.

DRAWING is for one gift copy of  Lessie: Bride of Utah (book #45) and one gift copy of Josie: Bride of New Mexico (book #47). Drawing is open for ONE 24-hour period, beginning the moment this post is live (12 AM on Friday, March 4th, 2016) and closes at midnight the same day (11:59 PM on Friday night, March 4th, 2016).

To Enter: Reply to this blog post in the comment section provided. In your response, answer the question: What is your personal opinion about familiar stock images appearing on more than one book cover? Please explain your answer. 

Note: As this is an opinion poll, there is no right and no wrong answer. Your answer (either way) will in no way effect your probability of winning. Two winners will be announced by 10 AM (PST) on Saturday morning, March 5th, 2016, in the comment section of this post. One winner will receive the kindle edition of Lessie: Bride of Utah and one winner will receive the kindle edition of Josie: Bride of New Mexico, via email directly from Amazon. Because of this delivery method, the winners must be willing to provide their email address, privately, to Kristin Holt. Upon announcement of winners, the two who've won will be asked to email me directly [Kristin (at) KristinHolt (dot) com] or through my website's contact page. I respect your privacy--your email address will be used only for the award of your prize.

 

Hi! I'm Kristin Holt.

I write frequent articles (or view recent posts easily on my Home Page, scroll down to mid to lower) about the nineteenth century American west–every subject of possible interest to readers, amateur historians, authors…as all of these tidbits surfaced while researching for my books. I also blog monthly at Sweet Americana Sweethearts (first Friday of each month) and Romancing the Genres (third Tuesday of each Month).

I love to hear from readers! Please drop me a note. Or find me on Facebook.

Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences

Website | Email | Newsletter | Twitter | Pinterest | g+| Facebook Profile | Facebook Page | Amazon

P.S. I'm more than a little obsessed with mail order brides. I've written a 12-part series of articles (blog posts) about genuine history's mail-order bride scams in the 19th century Victorian-era United States. Fact is often a great basis to begin a book on...and fact is often so much stranger and (perhaps) more entertaining than fiction. You'll find the first blog post in the 12-part series here--with easy links to follow through and read as many of them as might strike your fancy.

 

 

Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt, LC

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