I found a copy of CARAMEL KISSES (which displays the old book cover) that has a bit of water damage. I can’t sell it, so, I’m going to give it away. If you want to be entered into the drawing – you must follow these instructions: Leave your name and email address on this blog post. When you leave your email address, you’ll automatically be added to my mailing list. I realize most reading this are already on my list – but – just need to make it clear that if the email address that is used is not my email database, then it will be added. Hopefully that makes sense.
If you win, you must agree to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or social media. CONTINENTAL US ONLY!
Divine Desserts Publishing, LLC Historical Medicine and Summertime!
I hope all of you have been enjoying your week!
Summertime!
Today, on the third day of summer, we’re in the midst of a heatwave in my area! Right now it’s 98 degrees outside! I love sitting outside on my deck but I’ve been unable to do so lately because of the extreme heat! I’ve been keeping cool by drinking my green tea/hibiscus/fresh mint iced tea sweetened with honey! It’s delicious! A squirt of fresh lime is added to the glass right before I drink it!
Trouble Still on the Homefront!
We’re still dealing with trouble on the home front! All of the mold was removed. The leak was fixed. Now we’re just waiting on the construction people to fix the damage! Hopefully it won’t take very long! I hate not having a wall in my downstairs bathroom!
The Blacksmith’s Bride – Medical Research
I’m still working on The Blacksmith’s Bride! In my novel someone gets hurt. As you are probably aware, medicine back in 1867 was a lot different than what we have today. Sometimes a topical solution made with honey or sugar could prevent infection. Laudanum – made from opium, was often used for pain relief. Alcohol and willow bark tea might also be used to prevent pain.
If a person had broken bones or internal injuries then the doctor might recommend rest and immobilization. Sometimes a warm poultice made of mashed herbs could be applied to the affected area to reduce swelling.
It’s interesting to research different subjects while writing my novel!
London
My sister recently returned from her trip to London and Paris! She purchased gifts. Tee shirts for my husband and my son. We’ve not had a chance to give our son his tee shirt since he’s working at Towson University for the summer. Here’s my husband, Chris, in his tee shirt.
I was gifted a shopping bag from Harrod’s department store. Isn’t it pretty? The material is shiny and reminds me of patent leather. I’ve included a few pics close up so that you can see the detail:
Summer is Here!
Want a nice emotional treat during the summer? Check out my Candy Beach Series! These are heartwarming delicious novels and novellas that you can read all summer! All are beach themed! Perfect for reading during your summer vacation!
I’m sure you’ll enjoy these wonderful stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!
Do you have any cool summer plans? If so, I’d love to hear about them!
The Blacksmith’s Bride
As stated in previous weeks, I’m still writing The Blacksmith’s Bride – a historical novel set a few years after the Civil War. The Blacksmith’s Bride is the third book in the Romance Bride Series.
I’m enjoying writing The Blacksmith’s Bride as each character goes through an emotional journey of change and faith. Pre-order a copy for yourself and a friend!
Butterscotch Bliss
Thanks to all of you for your wonderful compliments about Butterscotch Bliss. Currently, the eBook version is only available for those joining my email list. The paperback version is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you feel inclined – please leave a review – only if you enjoyed the book!
Writing Services
As a reminder, I offer writing-related services. I work with writers who may need help with their fiction. Interested in working with me? Details here.
Events
I currently have one in-person event – scheduled for June 28th. More information here.
Our Country!
Remember to keep our country in prayer as all/some of these changes take place! At times, transitions do not run smoothly! Also, remember to pray for all that are suffering in our nation! Be sure to check on your friends and loved ones to be sure they are okay!
I did a Facebook post recently – asking who had read Spare. The post blew up – 506 comments, 317 reactions, and 6 shares. I did a Youtube book review. Watch it and enjoy! #spare #princeharry #meghanmarkle #harryandmeghan #royals
As I mentioned last week, I have a train ride that occurs in 1867 from New York City to Philadelphia. I also shared information about porter’s uniforms in my previous newsletter. I found other information about this profession. Porters only served the white passengers. The African-American passengers had to load their own baggage – this rule even applied to handicapped and elderly passengers. I’m assuming if there were persons of color needing assistance with their luggage – then other black passengers may have assisted.
Smoking
In The Blacksmith’s Bride I have a secondary character who is a juvenile delinquent. When he’s first introduced in the story – you will see him chewing tobacco. I paused when I wrote the scene – realizing that I didn’t know much about chewing tobacco! Historicals are a lot of work because so many things need research! It’s fun but adds extra time to craft a realistic story.
Back in the 1800s boys as young as 10 or 12 often smoked. If the boy was part of a trade such as blacksmithing they may have picked up the habit early. Schools and well-to-do households may have discouraged such behavior, but it was not shocking to see. These boys might smoke/chew cigars, pipe tobacco or chewing tobacco. Although cigarettes existed during the timeframe of my novel – they were not very common. Cigarettes didn’t become popular until the late 1800s.
Another fact that I discovered – back then, smoking was often accepted as a stepping-stone to becoming a man. The tobacco came in different forms, it could be loose (like tea), plug (you’d bite it off of a block), or twisted like a rope. The container might look something like this:
The tobacco might have looked like this inside the tin:
Want to know more about The Blacksmith’s Bride? Pre-order today and tell a friend!
Have you ever known anybody who chewed tobacco as a child? When I was growing up, I had a friend. Her brother was only ten and he chewed tobacco. My friend usually came to my house to play. When I went to her house for the first time I saw wads of brown stuff nestled in their yard. I asked what that was on the ground. (I wanted to be careful to avoid stepping on it!) She said that it was her brother’s chewing tobacco. I was surprised since I’d never known anyone to consume nicotine at such a young age!
Summer is Coming!
Want a nice emotional treat during the summer? Check out my Candy Beach Series! These are heartwarming delicious novels and novellas that you can read all summer! All are beach themed! Perfect for reading during your summer vacation!
Want an extra treat? Check out my Christmas Holiday Romance Book Bundle. Continental US only! These are paperback books that make great gifts for yourself and your friends and family!
I’m sure you’ll enjoy these wonderful stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!
Do you have any cool summer plans? If so, I’d love to hear about them!
Speaking of summer, I’ve finally finished my planting! Here’s a few pics. Also a pic of me after my planting!
As stated earlier, I’m still writing The Blacksmith’s Bride – a historical novel set a few years after the Civil War. The Blacksmith’s Bride is the third book in the Romance Bride Series.
I’m enjoying writing The Blacksmith’s Bride as each character goes through an emotional journey of change and faith. Pre-order a copy for yourself and a friend!
Writing Services
As a reminder, I offer writing-related services. I work with writers who may need help with their fiction. Interested in working with me? Details here.
Events
I currently have one in-person event – scheduled for June 28th. More information here.
Our Country!
Remember to keep our country in prayer as all/some of these changes take place! At times, transitions do not run smoothly! Also, remember to pray for all that are suffering in our nation! Be sure to check on your friends and loved ones to be sure they are okay!
I have a train ride that occurs in 1867 from New York city to Philadelphia. I had to do a bit of research when I wrote the scene. I came across some interesting information about train porters that I’d like to share with you!
A train porter’s uniform was made of wool or heavy cotton and was usually a dark color, such as navy blue or black. The suitcoat could be single or double breasted and it reached just below the waist or hips. The buttons might be brass or pewter and may have been embossed with the railroad company’s logo. The pants were usually worn with suspenders. The porter also wore a military-style cap. Sometimes a patch labeled PORTER would be attached to the jacket or the cap. A white or light-colored shirt with a dark tie and sometimes white gloves, completed the outfit.
Sometimes porters carried a ticket punch, pocket watch, or a small pouch or tool belt. Many porters were African-American. A railroad porter’s uniform might have looked like this in 1867:
Want to know more about The Blacksmith’s Bride? Pre-order today and tell a friend!
Back to College for Research
We dropped our son off yesterday. He’s back at school for a summer research internship. It was nice that he was able to find a summer job at his college. Yesterday, before we left to drop him off, I made pizza for breakfast. Pizza is one of his favorite foods! Here’s a few pics!
Pizza dough rising!
Our son’s living quarters for the summer!
Dining room.
Gardening – Late This Year!
Another reason why my newsletter is a day late – I had to start my garden! I’m getting a late start this year! My son accompanied me when I went shopping for plants at Lowes!
They didn’t have any oregano plants! I ordered some online! They should be arriving shortly!
The Blacksmith’s Bride
I’m still writing The Blacksmith’s Bride – a historical novel set a few years after the Civil War. The Blacksmith’s Bride is the third book in the Romance Bride Series.
I’m enjoying writing The Blacksmith’s Bride as each character goes through an emotional journey of change and faith. Pre-order a copy for yourself and a friend!
Writing Services
As a reminder, I offer writing-related services. I work with writers who may need help with their fiction. Interested in working with me? Details here.
Events
I currently have one in-person event – scheduled for June 28th. More information here.
Our Country!
Remember to keep our country in prayer as all/some of these changes take place! At times, transitions do not run smoothly! Also, remember to pray for all that are suffering in our nation! Be sure to check on your friends and loved ones to be sure they are okay!
