Maria von Trapp, a novel? Yes, please! Add to that it’s written by a highly skilled novelist and this is a must-read this summer.
I was excited to receive an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher. This is my unbiased opinion.
I admit, I knew very little about the real people in this story before reading Maria. Now I feel like I have the bigger picture. I love when a novel teaches me something. (You’ve heard me say that before if you’ve read my other reviews, but it’s still true!) What I did know, or thought I knew, came totally from the movie-or was it from watching high school musicals over the years? I’m not sure.
The story takes us to the real Maria, and her discontent with the play that has gone into rehearsals. The author created a character that is assistant to Oscar Hammerstein. The assistant, Fran meets with Maria and hears her concerns while knowing there isn’t much that can be changed at this point. I appreciated knowing about Maria’s pious nature, her sternness, her disapproval with how the family is portrayed (her husband as the strict disciplinarian that in fact Maria was, the oldest child as a girl when he was actually boy … and more) While we know deep down that stories inspired by someone’s life are not usually 100% factual, it’s still good to know what was real and what was Hollywood, or in this time setting, Broadway.
I love how we get to go back in time with Maria and experience her struggle to leave the nuns. Her backstory makes the elder Maria much more relatable. How her decision to marry The Captain came about. How he felt about her. How the children felt about her. The actual songs they sang together. If you knew someone about the von Trapps, this might not surprise you. It did me. The Sound of Music is so fun and entertaining that it’s easy to forget the story is loosely based on real people, so I for one appreciated learning all the backstory.
An important character both in this novel and in real life was Hammerstein. I enjoyed getting to know him and his genius. The last song written was an important factor in resolving Maria’s issues with the play and perhaps, as Moran has suggested, with her children.. You’ll have to read the book to find out which one. I mean, what fantastic musical scores were created!
The only down note, in my opinion, was the unexplored, brief relationship between the two fictional characters, Fran and Peter. I would have liked to have seen more of. a parallel drawn between Fran in the later timeline and Maria in the 1930s I thought that was going to happen seeing as Fran was in an unhappy relationship with a man named Jack and Maria’s early life was also unhappy. But there might not have been enough similarities for that. The ending seemed to be missing something. Maybe it was that. However, this novel was fun to read, educational, and entertaining. If you love The Sound of Music you must read this!
July 16, 2024; ISBN 9780800740665; Ebook ISBN 9781493445493
Her career as a concert pianist at an end, Joanna Vaughn comes home to Sweetwater Crossing, widowed and unsure what the future holds. The arrival of a pair of newcomers stirs up a decades-old mystery, a shocking revelation—and the chance for Joanna to find true love.
Thanks so much for inviting me. I’m delighted to be here.
Tell us something about where you live.
For almost all of my life, I’ve lived in Finley House, the largest—and some would say the most pretentious—house in a small town in the Texas Hill Country named Sweetwater Crossing. I enjoyed living there and knew it would always be home, but about a year and a half ago I was given the opportunity to go to Europe. It should have been a dream come true, but it turned out … Let’s just say it didn’t turn out the way I’d expected.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
If you’d asked my father, he’d have said there was something special about my name. My mother wouldn’t have agreed. All the while they were expecting me, Mama insisted that if the baby was a girl, she should be named Josephine, since my father’s name was Joseph. But when she died giving birth to me, Father wanted to be certain I’d never forget that my mother’s name was Anna, and so he called me Joanna.
Do you have an occupation? What do you like or dislike about your work?
I am—or, rather, I had hoped to be—a concert pianist. That’s why I was in Europe. I was studying with maestros, perfecting my skill. I loved everything about playing the piano, and the idea that my music could touch people’s hearts filled me with joy. But then everything changed.
Who are the special people in your life?
Without a doubt, the most special people in my life have always been my sisters. Even though no two of us have the same two parents, we’ve been as close as any three girls could be. Oh, there were times when I resented Emily’s bossiness—she’s the oldest—and when I thought Louisa was being spoiled because she’s the youngest, but most of the time they were my closest friends.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
To make a difference in the world. I believe that each of us is put on Earth to make it better in some way. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a big way or a small one; what matters is that we change things for the better. I had thought I’d do that as a pianist, but now … Now I don’t know what I can do.
What do you expect the future will hold for you?
Oh, how I wish I knew! At first I thought the future would be concert tours, but that ended. Then I thought I’d have a happily-ever-after with my husband, but he was taken from me far too soon. Now the future is cloudy.
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s never to give up hope. My future may not be the one I planned or even the one I thought would be best for me, but I’m certain that if I wait and trust and never give up hope, God will lead me to the future he knows is the right one for me.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of After the Shadows and Against the Wind, as well as several historical and contemporary romance series, including Mesquite Springs, Cimarron Creek Trilogy, Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at AmandaCabot.com.
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Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Tell us something about where you live:
Thank you for inviting me. I was born on a farm near Bloomington, Illinois, but we moved to town when Papa took a job at the carriage shop. I hated to move away from my best friend, Jubilee Walker, who lived on a neighboring farm, but we continued to go to school together and maintain our friendship. I grew up in a house my father built, and completed my basic education at public school. After high school, I was planning to live at home and attend Illinois State Normal University to gain training as a teacher. But events transpired that caused me to change my plans. I made a difficult decision to leave home, and the comfort of my friends and family, to move to Poughkeepsie, New York, where I currently reside as I continue my education.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
My Christian name is Cornelia—Cornelia Mae Boswell. I was named in honor of my mother’s mother, who died before I was born. Thankfully, my parents didn’t care much more for the name than I do, and they’ve always called me Nelly.
Do you have an occupation? What do you like or dislike about your work?
I am a student at Vassar College, studying for a career in the literary arts. I love the intellectual challenge of my studies and the feeling of accomplishment I gain from meeting those challenges. I’ve gained a much broader and clearer understanding of issues in our society, and I’ve made the acquaintance of inspiring people. But being so far away from the people I love is difficult. At times, the freedom of being away from my family and Jubil is a guilty pleasure, but at other times, I desperately miss their love and the ease and comfort of being with them.
Who are the special people in your life?
My family foremost, but Jubilee Walker also feels like family. He and I were best friends throughout our childhood, then as we grew older, our friendship deepened. Now that we are adults, our relationship has gotten complicated, but we care very much for each other. Lily Warner, the wife of Jubil’s business partner, is a mentor to me and an important influence. And her sister, Professor Maria Mitchell, is my chaperone and benefactor while I am at college. She introduced me to her friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who has also become a friend and mentor, as well as my inspiration in the struggle for women’s social equity.
What’s your family like? Do you have brothers and sisters?
I have twin brothers who are two years younger than me. They are annoying! They are identical twins, but easy to tell apart—Ike has good sense, and Eli does not—but they are an inseparable team. The boys are loud, overly energetic, clever to a fault, and determined not to let their elder sister rule the roost. My father can be opinionated and overbearing, but my mother reminds me that I take after him. She deserves a sainthood for her efforts as a peacekeeper and shepherd to such a rowdy flock. I love them all dearly.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
To be in control of my own destiny and circumstances. To live a life filled with accomplishment and exciting experiences. Hopefully, to find someone to share love and life with.
What are you most afraid of?
That I will be forced to live in a way that goes against my nature. That I’ll live a dull life and accomplish little, and that my convictions will drive love away. I also harbor a deep concern that I will lose Jubil to some fatal event while he is on one of his adventures, but I accept that he must live his life as he chooses.
Are you harboring a grudge against anyone, and why or why not?
You could say I harbor a grudge against males in general—at least those who feel that women should remain subordinate to men and live without the same social rights and status that they enjoy. For example, I find it difficult not to resent my father for his efforts to control my life. He insists that I live according to his wishes, regardless of my own interests and my own will. His viewpoints are widely shared today, but times are changing, and people should change with them. I was also upset for a time with Jubil for upending our marriage plans, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me, so I am no longer holding that grudge.
Do you have a cherished possession?
Ever since childhood, I have maintained a journal of my experiences, thoughts, and feelings. My brothers got into my writings once, but my parent put a firm end to that before it became a habit. I also have a beautiful pair of beaded moccasins given to me by Jubil. He brought them back following one of his Colorado expeditions with Major John Wesley Powell. I wear them almost every evening, and they remind me of him and of home.
What dreams do you have for your future?
I want a career, to be able to support myself financially and to live wherever I choose. I’d like to be recognized for my talents, though I am not entirely sure yet what those are. I would like to be a writer, but I am not sure yet whether I would be a better journalist or novelist. I am quite willing to accept a position with a publishing business until I find my literary wings. I also have romantic dreams, but I feel those will have to be fulfilled after my career ambitions have been realized.
Is there anything you’re afraid people might find out about you?
Not really. I have no deep dark secrets. I suppose I do have a phobia about people discovering my first name, and deciding to use it publicly.
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
That I am willing to stand up for myself and do what I must to be an independent woman in the world and to fight for the same rights and opportunities as any male.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
Despite my very feminine appearance and demeanor, I am quite capable on horseback, and not at all squeamish about the outdoors.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
Tim Piper is retired from a long career in Information Technology and has been a lifelonghobbyist musician. In his earlier days he was an avid hiker and backcountry camper, but his adventures these days are less strenuous and more comfortable. He began his education at Illinois State University as an English major, but life circumstances put him on a more pragmatic path, and he graduated with a BS in Business Admin, a degree he finds appropriately named. He lives in Bloomington, Illinois. You can stay in touch with him at www.timpiper-author.com or follow him on Facebook.
Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller July 2, 2024; ISBN 9780800744700; Ebook ISBN 9781493445578; $18.99; Paper
The German invasion of Poland derails Adia Kensington’s plans to learn from the greatest breeders of Arabian horses in the world, but brings a British spy to her aid. Amidst the Blitzkrieg and a tense occupation, the two clash over everything—except their efforts to save the horses. Based on true events.
Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Tell us something about where you live.
I live and work at a Arabian horse breeding farm in Eastern Poland called Janów Podlaski—it is a beautiful farm steeped in history and splendor. It had been my life’s goal to work here and the Polish Arabian horse is a unique breed with its own history of war, sport, and excellence.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
Adia means “Gift from God” and as my parents were spies in the Great War, I believe they viewed me as such. They died before I could ever ask more about this.
Do you have an occupation? What do you like or dislike about your work?
I am a horse trainer, which I know is rare for a woman. For most of my life I was underestimated and ignored, but I work hard and have risen to gain the respect of my colleagues here in Poland. I enjoy being around the horses all day—I understand them far more than people.
Who are the special people in your life?
The director of Janów Podlaski, Filip, and the orphan who adopted me, Ewan, are two of the most special people in my life. They are my constant companions and supporters, and both of them I trust with my life.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
My deepest desire is to import the best of the Polish Arabian horses to my own fledgling farm in America. I’ve learned so much in my time in Poland, but I would love to share this special breed with the broader world and especially with American audiences. But these are some of the best horses in the world, and the cost is so far out of my reach.
What are you most afraid of?
I’m most afraid of failure—I’ve always been told that I don’t know what I’m doing, and that my place isn’t inside the barn. But I don’t really care what others think. I care about what I can do, and I know I’m stubborn enough to make just about anything happen. With the rising tensions between Germany and Poland, though—I’m also afraid that time simply won’t be on my side.
Do you have a cherished possession?
No, I care far more about animals than things, so as long as I have what I need to do my job (which isn’t much,) I’m happy.
What do you expect the future will hold for you?
I’m not sure when so many things are outside my control—but I know that the one thing that is within my control is that I’ll always be looking after horses and the helpless. Nothing can keep me from that.
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
I’d always believed that I could handle anything that comes at me, on my own. But in the course of my story, I learn how deeply I must rely on others and that it’s not a weakness to do so. I also thought that things were so simple, before the war. And after war falls on our doorstep, I realize that things aren’t quite so black and white.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
I don’t like having the attention on me—I’d much rather talk about horses. I’d always much rather be behind the scenes, cleaning stalls and tending to the horses, but I’ll say that I’m glad for being able to share my story and the incredible efforts of those around me to save the Polish Arabian breed from annihilation. My role is just a small part of this bigger story.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
Nicole M. Miller lives in Washington State with her husband and two sons, along with her Arabian horses, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and guinea pigs. As a longtime horse owner, she’s been involved in many horse organizations, including serving on the Clark County Fair Court and as Miss Teen Rodeo Washington. She’s received national and regional awards for her nonfiction from American Horse Publications and the Society of Professional Journalists. See her stories in The Horse of My Heart, The Horse of My Dreams, The Dog Who Came to Christmas, and Second-Chance Horses. Learn more at NicoleMillerWriter.com.
July 2, 2024; ISBN 9780764241086; Ebook ISBN 9781493446575
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Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Tell us something about where you live.
My name is Melody Doyle, and I live in 1867 Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, with my Irish father whom I call Da. Da is helping build the Transcontinental Railroad, and that’s what brought me here. It’s a happening kind of place, let me tell you. This is a railroad town set on the edge of a vast prairie in the Front Range area of the Rocky Mountains. It’s not very big yet, but there are plans for it to grow into a city to rival Denver and Chicago.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
Having me put a song in my mother’s heart. She always loved music, but she died when I was ten, which was fifteen years ago.
Do you have an occupation? What do you like or dislike about your work?
I do house cleaning and gardening for a woman who owns a boarding house for men. I like working for her. I’ve always enjoyed keeping busy, and these are the kind of skills I’m good at, since I’ve been practicing them since my Mama died fifteen years ago and I had to take care of our home.
Who are the special people in your life?
My da. He’s the best father in the world. He loves God and has incredible discernment when it comes to knowing if a person is bad or good. He’s an amazing man, and I love him so dearly.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
It may sound silly, but I just want to get married and settle down. After growing up as an only child, I want to have a big family with lots of music and laughter in our house.
What are you most afraid of?
Losing the people I love. I lost my mother when I was just ten years old, and because of Da’s job with the railroad, I’ve always been afraid of losing him too. I think being alone in the world frightens me more than anything, which is why I want to settle down in Cheyenne. I have lots of really good friends here, and Da will be working close by as the railroad moves west. He can come visit me often. Hopefully when the railroad is finished, he’ll settle here too.
Do you have a cherished possession?
Not really. There are things I love, but they’re just things. I cherish people most of all.
What do you expect the future will hold for you?
Marriage and a family is my goal, and that’s Da’s goal for me. I want to settle down in Cheyenne and not move on down the road with the railroad, but Da says I can’t stay here unless I have a husband. And not only that, but he has to be someone Da can approve of. That won’t be easy, but I’m trusting God to deliver the right man.
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
I’ve learned a lot of things, but maybe the most important is that I’m better as part of a team than on my own. Trusting God and putting myself in His hands is the first and best thing I can do. Trying to manage on my own often gets me in trouble. My relationship with my earthly father is also something that has been very special, and I’m blessed to have such a good father. My prayer is that I can find an equally good husband. After all, it’s not good for man to be alone—God said that, and I think He would say the same is true for women.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
My faith in God is what has gotten me through the roughest times, and God has never failed me. I know there will be ups and downs in life, but God is faithful and constant. He will never leave me to face anything by myself. So long as I walk close to Him, I know I will be all right. Also, cherish friendship. Friends are special gifts that I believe come from God. They help us along the way and often fill the role of being God with skin on in the sense of encouraging and uplifting us. Never underestimate the power of friendship. Especially in marriage. It’s good to be friends with the love of your life.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
Tracie Peterson (TraciePeterson.com) is the bestselling author of more than one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary, with nearly six million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
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“Lena Condotti, thanks for stopping by Novel PastTimes today! Were going to get right into it, tell us what first attracted you to Orazio Bordoni?”
“Without a doubt his boyish, messy look. I’d like to say it was his artistic skill since we met in the studio, but his hair, the bomber jacket, his massive smile caught me first.”
“You were modeling for a life drawing class the day you met. Was that a little bit awkward?”
(Laughs) “Maybe for him, I’m used to guys trying to take me out after class. I usually say no, but I couldn’t resist him.”
“How would you describe your relationship?”
“We both love adventure and doing the unexpected. We explore unknown spots in Rome and on the coast. I love to dress up and go out to dinner and go clubbing. Orazio is more casual. We try to strike a middle ground. I think he’d love camping in the mountains, but I can’t imagine getting all wet and grimy.”
“Has Orazio met your family? What did they think?”
“We haven’t been together long enough to meet my parents. Maybe after summer is over. I’d love to meet his parents though.”
“Any plans for that?”
“No, he doesn’t really talk about his family much. I don’t want to push him. I’ll meet them when he’s ready.”
“Tell us what is your ideal date with Orazio looks like?”
“Our first date, when he paddled me around the pond at Borghese Gardens and then we went to the museum was romantic and unforgettable. We could both spend the rest of our lives, looking and talking about art and being outside.”
“Who are your favorite Italian artists?”
“I’m more contemporary. Orazio likes the old masters. I love Modigliani, De Chirico and a few of the street artists around Piazza de Popolo.””
“At this point in your relationship with Orazio what are your hopes and dreams?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think that no matter how rough your family upbringing is, you still want children with the man you love. I do want a family someday, not huge, just a couple of little Orazio’s running around.”
“Oh boys! Does he want children too?”
“Yes, I think so. He can be a bit mysterious when talking about the future. One minute he wants to own his own gallery and the next he’s talking about leaving Italy for a long holiday, we’ll see.”
“What about you? What would you say are the influences that have guided your life up to this point?”
“Because of Papa, I despise politics. I feel like I’ve spent a lot of time running from his spotlight. With Orazio, I’m free of that. He cares nothing for politics. I’m influenced by my heart and where it takes me.”
“Lucky you, I wish we could all say that. You’ve been quite a successful model, both in the studio and in Milan. Do you hope to keep modeling?”
“Definitely, as long as I can. Sophia Loren is my hero. She’s eternal, beautiful at every age.”
“You have a lot of inner confidence. Where does that come from?”
“Definitely my Nonna Condotti. My grandmothers practically raised me because Papa was traveling so much and Mama was busy at the theatre. I wear this Virgin Mary medallion to remind me that many mothers have blessed my life and made me strong.”
“Anything else you want to share?”
“Yes, thanks for chatting with me and I want readers to know, Viva Italia! Life is to be enjoyed. Don’t take it too seriously. Grazie!”
“Viva Italia! Thanks for your time today, Lena.”
Margaret Ann Philbrick’s first novel, A Minor: A Novel of Love, Music, and Memory received critical praise from Kirkus Reviews: “An emotional story . . . clear prose . . . delicately constructed . . . nuanced characters . . . breaks the mold.” She is the contributing editor of Everbloom: Stories of Deeply Rooted and Transformed Lives, a collection of essays and poetry for women. Her poems and articles have been featured in numerous anthologies and publications, including Christianity Today, Relevant, The Redbud Hyphen, and Patheos. Her Christmas book, Back to the Manger, created in collaboration with her mother, has become a holiday classic. Margaret is a founding member of the Redbud Writers Guild NFP and a member of the Door County Published Author Collective. You can connect with her via her website, www.margaretphilbrick.com
Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to meeting your readers.
Tell us something about where you live.
Well, I grew up in New York City, in a lovely little brownstone with my parents. But after my mother died when I was 14, my father decided he had the flexibility to travel for work. But now, he’s looking to settle down somewhere and seems to have chosen this little town in Montana called Kalispell. So far it seems all right, but I’m a bit unsure about putting down roots here.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
Nothing too special. Although my mother liked to call me Ellie. My father will call me that from time to time, but I really don’t like anyone else calling me that.
Do you have an occupation? What do you like or dislike about your work?
I have traveled with my father, Samuel Briggs, for years now. I write notes about his work and organize engagements. I’m also privileged to attend important meetings where he is able to influence donors, congressmen, even the President, about preserving the land of our glorious nation.
Who are the special people in your life?
My mother was the dearest woman to me. My life turned upside down when I lost her. I love my father fiercely but it seems as if we are growing apart a bit. I don’t quite know how to deal with that. That’s it really. I’m an only child, so no siblings.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
That’s a bit of a personal question. One that I would have to think about for a minute. I think I would like peace the most right now. I didn’t realize how much the travel around the country, though oh-so-grand, has worn me plumb out. There is a restlessness in me that I can’t describe or pinpoint. So peace would be a great relief.
What are you most afraid of?
Death. And I hate talking about it. Because I watched my mother die the most agonizing death one could imagine. I’m often terrified thinking about my own fate. Though I haven’t met many who aren’t. Except my hosts, the Ashburys. They have an incredible confidence and the aforementioned peace. One of the items on my current to do list is to talk with Mrs. Ashbury about that.
Do you have a cherished possession?
I suppose it would be my journals. They hold thousands of notes about meetings with interesting and influential individuals around America. There are many fond memories tucked in those pages. Oh! And my bicycle. That wonderful contraption gives me a profound sense of freedom no matter where we travel.
What do you expect the future will hold for you?
More travel I suppose. I’m not really sure. As I mentioned earlier, Father is talking about settling here in Kalispell. It seems to be a thriving community, even though there is a bunch of hullabaloo about the railroad right now. I’m sure if you asked my hostess, Mrs. Marvella Ashbury, she would say my future holds marriage. But I’m not ready for that yet.
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
I am learning that Jesus can actually be trusted. My mother was a woman of deep faith. She trusted the Lord with her whole heart. But when He didn’t hear my prayers to save her, I fell into a deep depression and spiral of unbelief. It was hard to see that about myself. I can be so very stubborn and hardheaded. But I’ve learned that I am capable of changing my mind, and that I don’t always have to be right. Nor am I!
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
I truly love our great country and would love to see the lands preserved better for future generations. But I also see the value of our farmers and ranchers who own vast swaths of land and use that to feed citizens. I would love to see better harmony between these two groups of people because I think both are important to the flourishing of our country.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
Thank you for your questions – I am delighted to share a bit of my story. And I hope my journey encourages and blesses someone else who has struggled with fear and grief and knows that Jesus wants to bring them out the other side into life.
With Each Tomorrow by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse (The Jewels of Kalispell #2)
May 21, 2024; ISBN 9780764238994; Ebook ISBN 9781493446537; $17.99; Paper
Eleanor Briggs travels to Kalispell, Montana, with her conservationist father to discuss the formation of Glacier National Park, and sparks fly when she meets Carter Brunswick, despite their differences. As the town fights to keep the railroad, the dangers Eleanor and Carter face will change the course of their lives.
Tracie Peterson (TraciePeterson.com) is the bestselling author of more than one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary, with nearly six million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
Kimberley Woodhouse (KimberleyWoodhouse.com) is an award- winning, bestselling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction
books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.
Release Date: June 4, 2024. Affiliate link used to support NovelPastimes.
This book is amazing on so many levels. First, it sheds light on some history that I wasn’t aware of. The author’s note about this is not to be missed. Second, the story drew me in from the beginning, rooting for a child who fights to survive in creative and ingenious ways and for a woman who struggles with grief and wants to prove that she is capable of doing her job. Third, the dual time periods were equally engaging, which is not something that is often done successfully.
The story is told from two points of view in two time periods. The first is 1909 and Olive, otherwise known as Ollie. She’s a vulnerable 11 year old who escapes an abusive household after one of the family’s charges, a 13-year-old Native American named Hazel, disappears. Suspecting her stepfather, and missing her father who died and her mother who’s addicted to opium, Ollie runs away, taking Hazel’s six year old sister with her. The story explores the tragic truth of homeless children in the woods in that era and Ollie’s determination to overcome and build a new town for them called Shelterwood. She’s sure her stepfather, however, is looking for her.
In 1990 we meet a park ranger named Valerie who, after the unexpected death of her husband, is starting over with her young son in a new national park. She has challenges being a woman in a male-dominated profession, but befriends a Native American tribal policeman. Valerie encounters a freak accident in the park, a runaway teenager with secrets, and remains of children buried in a cave. There seems to be something going on that no one wants to investigate.
Lisa Wingate weaves these two threads together while leading the reader on a journey that is both educational and suspenseful. As I was reading I was amazed at all the details that the author included. I thought she must have done a ton of research as she taught me many things I never knew about the early advocates for Native American children, the early statehood of Oklahoma, the duties of National Park law enforcement and more. How she learned all these things is throughly explained at the end of the story.
Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
My parents gave me the name Miriam or Maryam in Hebrew. It means “beloved, but also rebellious and bitter.” I was the beloved first child, and although I was a girl, I was cherished. Maybe a bit too much? I was independent and selfish, and, to be honest, proud at times. But when Abba Father took ahold of my heart and squeezed it, well, bitterness came out. It had to happen before He could change my heart.
What does a day in Shunemtown look like for you? What do you like or dislike about your life?
Ima gave me many jobs each day to keep me out of trouble. I liked sweeping the dirt floors in our humble home that served also as a stable for one donkey, a goat, sheep and four chickens. I didn’t like the chickens—they were messy and and stunk awfully! I brought them food and cleaned their pens. Ugh!
I also helped Ima prepare our simple meals of bread, dates, goat’s cheese and occasional lamb during the holy festivals. I loved our marketplace in the center of town, so when Ima asked me to buy some fruit and vegetables, I immediately obeyed!
Who are the special people in your life?
My Ima and Abba —and of course, my baby brother Zacheus. Oh, and my friend Jonas, the widow’s son, whom Elisha the prophet brought back to life.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
I know I can be selfish and hard-hearted at times, especially when it comes to chores. Obedience isn’t easy, especially when I have to put aside MY wants and do the things my Ima has assigned to me. Although I love my baby brother, taking care of him is a full-time job. I can’t go out and play on the hills with Jonas and my other friends when I’m responsible for him.
I wished—no—I prayed I’d learn to be unselfish, not always wanting my own way. But that meant Jehovah God had to discipline me because He loves me. But I wasn’t ready for what the future held—how it came about. I wanted my light to shine for Jehovah, no matter where I was, so when I was captured and sold to Naaman, the captain of the Syrian army, I learned the hard way. But, in the end, I made a difference in my master’s household. They now believe in the one true God!
What are you most afraid of?
Losing my family and my home has been my greatest fear. They meant more to me than anything —well, except for our Abba Father in Heaven! But I held onto hope in those dark days of captivity. I discovered if you have hope, you have everything you need!
Do you have a cherished possession?
Well yes, I have three.
The leather collar from my pet lamb, who was taken for a sacrifice during our Day of Atonement. I wept bitterly, especially knowing he died for my sins. Just thinking about it now, years later, still makes me cry.
Then, there was a simple blue cloth my ima wove that was used to swaddle me at birth. The blood stain brought to mind the pain my dear Ima bore to give me life.
Lastly, a dried pomegranate flower that reminded me of our garden back home, which I miss dreadfully!
All three were lost when the soldiers destroyed our village years ago.
I’m sorry to hear that. What do you expect the future will hold for you?
Although I’m not quite sure, but I think Commander Naaman is grateful for my part in his healing. Possibly, he will give me my freedom? I’ve enjoyed serving his wife, Adara, and would not want to leave her household if she still needs me. We’ve created quite a bond. Maybe someday I will marry my childhood friend, Jonas and have children of our own!
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
I can make plans, but God writes my story! He knows what is best for me—what will draw my heart to Him. I would choose an easy life, but I know myself—I would forget my God and go my own way if life was trouble-free.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
Yes. I thought being separated from my family and taken captive to Syria would have been the worst thing that could happen to me, but I was wrong! Having a hard and unforgiving heart displeases God my Father and makes me miserable, knowing I have not let my light shine as I should.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
As a former educator and librarian, Jarm Del Boccio gives young readers a fresh perspective of history, offering them a real-life hero in her award-winning middle-grade novel, The Heart Changer.
Now, in her silver years, Jarm looks forward—not backward. With transparency, resourcefulness, and passion, Jarm helps maturing women flourish for God’s glory. www.jarmdelboccio.com/
BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
My name is Tyler Dawson, but most folks call me Ty. I reside in a small town in southeastern Oregon. Town by the name of Meridian. A couple years ago, my neighbors pressed me into service to act as their Sheriff, since the man who preceded me had turned out to be a lying bag of –. My apologies. Let’s just say he was a dishonest and disagreeable man. Before they made me their sheriff, I was a rancher. And a Korean War veteran. Three generations of my family has run a cattle and horse operation out here in the wilds since the late 1800s. Seen a lot of change in those years. Some of it good. Some not so much.
What else do you want to know?
YOU’RE NOT FROM CONTEMPORARY TIMES, ARE YOU?
No, ma’am. The year I’m living in is 1976 – our nation’s Bicentennial. Like I said, I fought in Korea, returned to the States and worked in Hollywood as a wrangler for a time while I got my head back on straight after the war. Met my wife, Jesse, while I was working on the studio lot. We moved back to Oregon after we got hitched. We have a daughter, nearly grown. We call her Cricket. She’s in college now, over in Colorado.
YOUR EYES LIGHT UP WHEN YOU MENTION YOUR WIFE AND DAUGHTER.
Can we talk about something else, please?
OKAY. YOU SAY YOU LIVE IN THE 1970s. WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT?
Listen, things in Meridian, Oregon, haven’t changed much since my grandfather started this ranch. For that matter, the whole county hasn’t changed much. Not until recently.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
What, are you kidding? Vietnam? Watergate? Woodstock, ‘free love,’ LSD, marijuana, chaos and bloodshed at Wounded Knee, students shot by the National Guard at Kent State… Five years ago, gas was 36 cents; it’s nearly double that now. The economy is a mess, and nobody trusts anything that comes out of Washington DC, not that I blame them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a political man. It just breaks my heart to see what has happened.
YOU’RE A ‘LAW-AND-ORDER’ MAN, THEN?
You think there’s something wrong with that?
I CAN SEE YOU ARE A MAN WHO APPRECIATES PLAIN TALK. TELL ME WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF SINCE YOU’VE BEEN SHERIFF.
I’ve learned I don’t care to brook any bullcrap. People around here just want to live their lives. That goes for me, too. I love my wife and my family. I love my ranch and my town. Lately, we’ve had to put up with liars, thieves, murderers and interlopers of every stripe, and I’ll tell you this: If you want to get along in my town, you’d best treat the folks around here with respect, and we’ll do the same in return. You do that, we’ll get along fine; you don’t… well, that’s going to become a different kind of problem for you.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A THREAT
I’ve never made a threat in my life. I’m merely informing you beforehand as to what’s going to happen. I believe it’s only fair that people understand in advance how things work. It’s still a free country. Nobody has to stick around here if they don’t want to.
I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN BOOKS WRITTEN ABOUT YOU, SHERIFF DAWSON.
Yes, ma’am. Four of ’em so far: SOUTH CALIFORNIA PURPLES was the first one. Then there was FISTFUL OF RAIN, followed by RECKONING, and most recently, KNIFE RIVER.
THE BOOKS HAVE EVEN WON SOME AWARDS?
That is a fact. A number of them, actually. Turns out, we’ve got quite a few stories to tell, here in Meriwether County.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, SHERIFF DAWSON?
I prefer not to talk about myself all that much, if it’s all the same to you. Everything you need to know about me is written in those books I just mentioned. There’s more books coming, too, I understand. There’s no shortage of things going on around here, that’s for sure… Hear that sound? That’s a radio call coming in. Sorry, but I’ve got to go. Nice to meet you, ma’am. Drop by again anytime.
Baron Birtcher is the winner of the Silver Falchion Award (Hard Latitudes); Winner of Killer Nashville Readers Choice Award (South California Purples); and Best Book of the Year Award for Fistful Of Rain.
He has also been nominated for the Nero Award, the Lefty, the Foreword Indie, the Claymore, and the Pacific Northwest’s Spotted Owl Awards.
Baron’s writing has been hailed as “The real deal” by Publishers Weekly; “Fast Paced and Engaging” by Booklist; and “Solid, Fluent and Thrilling” by Kirkus.
Bestselling author, Don Winslow, has said, “You want to read Baron’s books, then you want to live in them.”
NYT Bestseller, Reed Farrel Coleman says: “Birtcher is part poet, part philosopher, and a consummate writer. You need to read his books.”
I invite you to join me on the ride with Sheriff Ty Dawson, and to (re)visit those heady, turbulent, beautiful and terrifying times of the 1970s; and to join me on Facebook and Instagram at:
Novel PASTimes 