It’s here!! The cover for my Oct. 2015 release—the first in the Christmas trilogy—Christmas in Eden Valley. And I love it.
Finally, after lots of hard work both on my part and the editors’, the book is about to be released.
BUSY DAYS
I wish I had something important or profound or even interesting to post today. I don’t. It’s not that my life is boring. Quite the opposite. Maybe that’s my problem. I’m too busy.
I have had 3 major projects to complete in my writing. Two are done. The third will be done in a couple of days and by then there will be two more to do.
We now have four gardens in our yard. Four very dry gardens. Last year was so wet and this year it is so dry. And of course the bugs love the dry weather. (And there are those we love the wet so you can’t win.). I have treated the bugs organically with diatomaceous earth. Sure hope it works.
The outside of my house is getting painted. I’d post a picture but it is only partially done. But wait, maybe you should see what we are living with.
I’m looking forward to having it done. BTW f you note the dandelions, their presence is intentional. They (whoever they are) say that destroying dandelions threatens the bee population so I’m doing my best to ensure future generations have a food supply.
Hubbie and I also helped our daughter shear alpacas this week. A new baby alpaca was born while we were there. Here is my granddaughter admiring it.
So although I have nothing important and wise to say, I can’t say my life is boring. Summer is always super busy. It’s like we want to pack as much living into a few months as possible.
I hope your summer is also busy, interesting and fun. What makes it so for you?
HEROINE INTERVIEW BLOG HOP
Character Interview Blog Hop – heroine
Thanks to MEARA PLATT – for her interesting interview with Daffodil Farthingale – identical twin to Lily Farthingale in My Fair Lily, which you can read here: http://mearaplatt.blogspot.com/2015/02/those-darn-farthingale-twins.html
I love the title of her book, The Duke I’m Going To Marry, a Regency era historical romance.
Now to introduce my heroine. Widowed Clara Weston is on the run to protect her two little girls from her father. She’s never managed on her own before but—wait, why don’t we ask Clara to tell her story. You can find Clara’s story in my October 2015 Love Inspired Historical book, a DADDY FOR CHRISTMAS, the first in a Christmas trilogy. I wish I had covers to reveal but not yet though I have seen previews of the first two of the series and they are beautiful.
Linda: Clara, tell us about yourself.
Clara: First, my name is really Clara Creighton. I changed my name to make it harder for my father to find me. If I had to describe myself I would say I have been pampered all my life. No, that’s not quite the right word. It’s more like I’ve been taught I’m not capable of looking after myself, let alone my two girls.
Linda: So what have you done about that perception? I assume it’s wrong, isn’t it?
Clara: I guess at first I believed it but over the years I’ve had more and more freedom, learning that I had strengths and abilities no one gave me credit for. Mostly my husband—God rest his soul—and my father. (Her jaw juts out). But when I overheard my father telling the girls they didn’t need to do their lessons because girls weren’t expected to know anything of importance, I realized it was time to leave.
Linda: You mean you ran away from your father? How will he feel about that?
Clara, glancing over her shoulder: He warned me if I tried to leave his care he would follow me and take the girls from me.
Linda: My goodness. That is frightening. Have you told Blue about this?
Clara: No. I guess I want to prove to him, to myself…to everyone, that I can manage on my own. I must in order to be able to defend myself against my father.
Linda: Do you wonder if you can give the girls what is best?
Clara: I firmly believe being together and teaching them to have confidence in their abilities is the best thing I can do. (She sags momentarily). I hope they don’t suffer too much while I try and find us a home.
Linda: Is there a person who has made a positive difference in your life?
Clara, her expression softening: That would be Blue. He’s so steady, so solid, so kind despite his own losses.
Linda: It sounds like you don’t get much time for yourself. How does that feel?
Clara: Once the girls are in bed, I’m alone. I like to read but mostly I think. You know, a person can have too much time for thinking.
Linda: So you’re a woman with a huge secret?
Clara: I have to hide my true identity and be as inconspicuous as possible. Father will not hesitate to follow me and take the girls.
Linda: To shift the conversation a bit, what is the thing you value most?
Clara: That’s easy. My girls. I will move heaven and earth for them. And right on the heels of that is my freedom. I don’t need or want a man running my life, telling me I’m not capable and ordering my every move. I don’t want to be considered a pretty little thing without an intelligent thought in my head.
Linda: I hope things work out for you so you get a new home and your freedom.
Up next in the blog hop is LILLIAN MAREK – with her interview of her heroine Lady Emily Tremaine, who longs for adventure. You’ll find Lady Emily’s story in the book: Lady Emily’s Exotic Journey an Historical Romance.
Her blog will go live June 9, 2015. lilmarek.indiemade.com/blog Be sure and check it out here. You can find more about her on her website: lilmarek.indiemade.com
Lillian Marek spends most of her time in the 19th century, discovering new adventures for her characters. LADY EMILY’S EXOTIC JOURNEY, to be published on August 4, is the second in the Victorian Adventures series.
BANFF ALBERTA
I just returned from a 2 day girls’ trip to Banff. Four of my five daughters joined me for a all-girls’ getaway. Such fun.
There was eating. Lots of eating. Of course, those who can enjoy such treats had a Beaver Tail (it’s a kind of flat doughnut that you can have topped with any variety of toppings). The girls dutifully accompanied me to the Whyte Museum
On the right, a display depicting Mary Schaffer Warren, an early woman explorer.
No trip to Banff would be complete without going to the Banff Springs Hotel. This is a view of their sunroom off the great ball room.
Nor could we not wander the administration gardens.
But the highlight was a morning spent at Lake Minnewanka. Such stunningly beautiful scenery.
You might guess that I love Banff.
LAST STOP
Two weeks ago, my blog took me to the beautiful Broadmoor hotel. It’s a place I could gladly spend a week or two for a writing retreat.
My last stop on my trip to Colorado is Bent’s Old Fort on the Santa Fe Trail.
The fort has been restored with people in period dress and the rooms displayed as they would have been at the time. There is also an opportunity for people to sign up for a week of living authentically as one would in those days. Yes it was tempting. But I’m not keen on sleeping in a buffalo robe on the floor.
I am considering setting a series on the Santa Fe Trail so enjoyed seeing this place and purchasing several books for research.
If any of you have a good resource for more information on the Santa Fe Trail, I would love to hear from you.
HAPPY MOHTER’S DAY
I am blessed to come from a long line of Moms. Ha ha.
My mother on the left with two of her sisters.
My mother taught me many things. Like the importance of words and of pursuing your dreams. She wrote hundreds of articles, stories, puzzles, etc. I think she got paid a few cents/word. But she faithfully wrote, faithfully sent out her work and never complained when she got rejections.
She taught me how to work hard. Monday was wash day and that meant putting a tub of water on the stove to heat overnight then up early to start the laundry. All the clothes would be hung on the line before we went to school. She also grew a huge garden using the empty lots of either side of our house. Most of the labor was done by hand.
She taught me the importance of taking care of others. She regularly visited shut ins, often opened her house to someone in need and took care of a friend’s child for several months when the need arose. I never once heard her complain of the extra work or inconvenience. Come to think of it, I never heard her complain about much of anything and her life of hard work makes mine look easy.
She taught me the importance of reading my Bible and memorizing scriptures, offering us rewards for learning many passages by heart. Along with that, she taught me that God loves me and because of Jesus’ death on the cross, there is a way for me to enjoy that love eternally. I remember asking her, at the tender age of four, what I had to do. I don’t recall the exact words but something to the effect of just asking Jesus to be my Savior. I think she used the words, ask Him into your heart.
Mom, your works rise up and bless you. Thank you for being faithful to your dreams and convictions. Thank you for teaching me such valuable lessons.
NEXT STOP
Last week I was on the train through the Royal Gorge. Did any of you guess it?
Here’s a picture from the top.
Can any of you guess my next stop? It would be a perfect place for a writing retreat.
The flowers and lake are beautiful.
There is even a museum and lots of western art useful for research.
Where am I?
NEXT STOP
Last week was too hard. I gave too few clues. The place was Fountain Valley School in Fountain, Colorado. A school unlike any I ever attended. Here is glimpse inside the art barn where they do all sorts of crafty things—photography, metal work, pottery, painting, etc.
And a picture inside one of their many buildings. I could really find my muse in this setting.
My next stop is much easier to guess. I am in Colorado. On a train.
I am by a river with huge rock walls on either side.
Overhead is a bridge. Way-way overhead.
Where am I?
WHERE IN THE WORLD WAS LINDA FORD?
Yes, I’ve been away and visited a number of places. Can you guess where I was? Here are the first set of clues.
I want to know specifics. Not just a general area. What state am I in? Where are these buildings? Send me your answers at linda@lindaford.org<linda@lindaford.org or on my facebook account.
Can’t wait to see how many know or can guess this place.
LOVING THE THOUGHT OF GARDENING.
An early spring for us. Who can complain? Yes, we will likely get snow again and more than likely about the time of the May long weekend. It’s a tradition in Alberta.
But for now, our snow is gone. Tulips are poking through the ground and I started tomato plants. This is the first time in years I have started my own plants. With a man in a wheelchair who crashes into everything, I didn’t have a place I though was safe but last fall I got new doors and the one at the end of the hallway where he never goes, has a window.
I’m hoping there is enough light there.
I discovered a new mini greenhouse, complete with warming blanket to get the soil warmer and the seeds germinated faster.
A couple of months from now I will wonder why I was so excited about gardening and all the extra work but that’s okay. I intend to enjoy the fictional dream for now.
I live in a fictional dream with my characters too. See how I bring everything back to my writing?
Do you enjoy gardening? Do you enjoy vegetables fresh from the back yard? Umm. Can’t wait for it.