Interview: Lisa T. Bergren is the author of over sixty books with a combined three million+ books sold. Join us as she chats about her second edition Begotten book 1 of The Gifted Series.
On today’s Pinch of the Past eighteenth century coinage we are looking a the British coins, The Piece of Eight, techniques of theft. Money and currency are such an intricate part of everyday life. I hope this peek at the currency of years past has made the people who walked in the 1700s seem a little more human than before. If you enjoyed it, be sure to check out the Townsends YouTube channel.
Review: If you’re looking for a sweet, clean read with two very different characters who learn to adapt to an ever changing world then The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski is for you.
Len-na is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?
Len-na’ daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden (Ly-den), filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.
Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in (Ly-den), the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.
The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.
Review
This was one heart-wrenching, life-changing, and inspiring book.
It is unlike any other WWII book because of the way it captured the trials, persecution, and travails of Jews and their supporters during the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands.
The compelling story was about the lives of three courageous, bold, and faithful women; Lena, Miriam, and Ans as they lived through one of the most horrific seasons in human history. Their faith was admirable and commendable. They took life in stride, sacrificing, loving, and trusting God even when it was impossible.
Lynn Austin wrote a really compelling, profound, and inspiring masterpiece. The lessons of faith to be gleaned from this book are endless.
If you’re in the mood for a deep, captivating, and educating story with themes of love, forgiveness, and restoration–and a wonderful WWII story–you won’t want to miss Chasing Shadowsby Lynn Austin.
Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of Historical Bookworm Review Team.
About the Author
Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction and was one of the first inductees into the Christy Award Hall of Fame. One of her novels, Hidden Places, was made into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Lynn and her husband have three grown children and make their home in western Michigan. Visit her online at www.lynnaustin.org.
For our Pinch of the Past we are looking at another wonderful fairy tale–Rapunzel. From ancient Persia, to Italy, and then Germany this iconic fairytale is far from Disney’s Tangles, but oh the fun of history. You don’t want to miss this one.
Bookworm Review: If you’re in the mood for a deep, captivating, and educating story with themes of love, forgiveness, and restoration–and a wonderful WWII story–you won’t want to miss Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin.
Interview: Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. She shares her love for potato casserole (aka shepherd’s pie,) the mountains, and her novel Courage in the Mountain Wilderness(which is currently free on Kindle Unlimited.)
Pinch of the Past: With July 4th, right around the corner in the US I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the American political writings from before 1776, showing how the thought of the day finally grew into Jefferson’s monumental document.
Bookworm Review: The Curator’s Daughterby Melanie Dobson. If you love stories that delve into World War II through the eyes of a German SS officer’s wife, if you find inspiration in the lost and found pieces of people’s lives and how God knits them back together, The Curator’s Daughter is the book for you.
1940. Hanna Tillich cherishes her work as an archaeologist for the Third Reich, searching for the Holy Grail and other artifacts to bolster evidence of a master Aryan race. But when she is reassigned to work as a museum curator in Nuremberg, then forced to marry an SS officer and adopt a young girl, Hanna begins to see behind the Nazi facade. A prayer labyrinth becomes a storehouse for Hanna’s secrets, but as she comes to love Lilly as her own daughter, she fears that what she’s hiding–and what she begins to uncover–could put them both in mortal danger,
Eighty years later, Ember Ellis is a Holocaust researcher intent on confronting hatred toward the Jewish people and other minorities. She reconnects with a former teacher on Martha’s Vineyard after she learns that Mrs. Kiehl’s mother once worked with the Nazi Ahnenerbe. And yet, Mrs. Kiehl describes her mother as “a friend to the Jewish people.” Wondering how both could be true, Ember helps Mrs. Kiehl regain her fractured childhood memories of World War II while at the same time confronting the heartache of her own secret past–and the person who wants to silence Ember forever.
The modern day character Ember is shrouded in mystery so the unraveling of her traumatic past as well as that of her past romance, is fascinating.
Hannah, the main female character in WW2 Germany is troubled–typical of one living in war time. Her struggle to do what is right amidst the ravishment of her country and the expulsion and murder of Jewish people is heart wrenching to read.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.
That’s exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father’s quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He’s left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he’s crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.
William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian’s rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?
Review
This was a great read and start to a series. Full of good pacing and drama with lots of ups and downs that will leave a reader turning pages well into the night. The premise is sometimes hard to believe as time travel sometimes can be, but there were supporting reasons and the reader wasn’t left to simply make their own assumptions. The book also expertly sets the reader up to look forward to the next installment. The time period Marian travels back to is the Middle Ages and the author manages to make it romantic while also showing the reader the turmoil of everyday living.
Romance: lots of desirous thoughts and touches as this is a male character from the Middle Ages so it makes sense. The author does a good job of weaving in his macho-ness with Marian’s ‘independent woman’ mentality for a good balance. It is obvious that they desire each other.
Christianese: very light
Violence: As noted, it IS the Middle Ages, but nothing gory or outlandish that wouldn’t be found in a history book.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).
When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
When I told Darcy I was researching for the Pinch of the Past and kept getting lost down rabbit holes, she suggested I pull from one of my stories. I’m preparing to pitch my manuscripts at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference this year, so I dove in to my notes. Here are a few things I found about Seattle Washington in 1900.
One of Seattle’s Hospitals resided within a steamboat.Entrance to Wayside Mission Hospital housed on the steamboat IDAHO, Seattle, circa 1900. Photo: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections UW6573.
At the turn of the century few of Seattle’s destitute and homeless had proper medical care available to them, but on April 1, 1899 a group of Seattle citizens pitched together to open a hospital to help the downtrodden of Seattle.
They purchased the de-commissioned side-wheel steamboat Idaho and placed it on pilings beside the Pacific Coast Steamship Co.’s, Pier C, right at the foot of Jackson St. and with the help of Doctor Alexander De Soto, was opened as the Ways Side Mission Hospital. Because it was on the port, it was easily accessible to seafarers, brothels, saloons, and poverty-stricken neighborhoods.
Entrance to Wayside Mission Hospital housed on the steamboat IDAHO, Seattle, circa 1900. Photo: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections UW6573.
Seven years after opening, the Wayside Mission Hospital was moved ashore due to structural failure; however, it remained open another two years, finally closing when the city opened a 41-bed emergency hospital in the Public Safety Building.
The Odaho sat abandoned for years. During the reconstruction of the sea wall along Seattle’s south waterfront, sometime between 1910 and 1920, it was moved and buried as fill. In 1960 on National Maritime Day, a historical marker was erected at the Idaho’s resting place near the foot of Washington St.
Entrance to Wayside Mission Hospital housed on the steamboat IDAHO, Seattle, circa 1900. Photo: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections UW4662
The Marker reads: “BENEATH YOUR FEET LIES THE WRECKAGE OF THE PIONEER SIDEWHEEL STEAMER “IDAHO”, WHICH SERVED FROM 1900 UNTIL 1909 AS DR. ALEXANDER DE SOTO’S FAMOUS WAYSIDE MISSION HOSPITAL. HERE DR. DE SOTO MINISTERED TO THE NEEDS OF SEAFARERS AND THE DESTITUTE, DONATING HIS TIME AND FUNDS TO THEIR CARE.”
Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org.cohost ~ editor ~ producer ~ reviewer
Featured Author: Carolyn Miller is a bestselling and award-winning author of both Regency and contemporary inspirational romance. She lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia with her husband and four children. Join us for a chat about her latest release Dusk’s Darkest DawnBook 1 in the new Regency Wallflowers series. You can find out more about Carolyn at CarolynMillerAuthor.com
Pinch of the Past: Seattle in the 1900s was rife with crime. From dirty politicians and brothels to drug abuse and Shanghaiing, this city was not for the weak. In this pinch of the past we talk a little about regular people who gave to others to help the down trodden of this big old city.
Bookworm Review: Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of over 30 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards. Her first-time travel novel Come Back to Me is a great read and start to her Waters of Time Series. Full of good pacing and drama with lots of ups and downs that will leave a reader turning pages well into the night. Find out more about Jody at her website JodyHedlund.com. You can also find the book trailer for Come Back to Me by clicking HERE.
Today’s Pinch of the Past features a few occupations of the 1800s including preachers, night watchman, and street vendor calls.
Circuit Rider
Source: Riley Case, “An Aggressive Warfare: Eli Farmer and Methodist Revivalism in Early Indiana,” IMH 104 (March 2008).
definition: A preacher who traveled from church to church in a given district, usually serving a very small population. Also, a judge who traveled and served the populations.
Important dates
An 1838 account describes one circuit rider thus, “A little, portly man in linsey-woolsey and a board-brimmed hat, saluted me, and announced himself a Baptist Circuit rider.” from E. Fagg, the Far West. p. 60
1850 — “I have to do like all the other preachers, especially the Methodist circuit riders–eat chickens… These same circuit-riders undergo more toil and privation for less pay than the ministers of any other denominations.” James Weir, Lonz Powers.
Hog Reever
Image of a hog, from “Diseases of Swine,” 1914, by Charles F. Lynch, pg. 23
One appointed to round up troublesome or stray hogs from city streets. Even as late as the 1860s, well-mannered pigs were allowed to roam city streets and parks to eat the garbage left there. they sometimes numbered in the hundreds, and even New York Broadway was frequented by them. However, the city’s poor often killed these freewheeling dinners and ate them.
Lamp Lighter
Obviously, someone who lights the street lamps at dusk and extinguished them at dawn. There were a variety of lamps used throughout the century, such as candles, whale oil, kerosene, and gas lamps. Sometimes called a gasman, the lamplighter doubled as a night watchman or police.
I love the imagery in this quote. “The narrow and gloomy passage slightly illuminated by one or two jets of light, which Tom the Gasman … had a few moments before lighted. “Masserr, Drifting About. pg. 50.
In 1850 charcoal was sold for 35 cents a barrel. Vendor would call, “Charcoal by the bustle. Charcoal by the peck. Charcoal by the frying pan or any way you lek.”
Pepper-pots, which appear to be a type of stew, was sold off the back of carts. the vendor was known to cry, “Pepper-pot. right-hot.” or “All Hot. All hot. Makee back strong. Makee live long. come buy my pepper pot.”
FAV. the cry to sell sweet potatoes. “My hoss is blind and he’s got no tail, when he’s put in prison, I’ll go his bail. Yeddy go, sweet potato, oh! Fif-en-ny bit a half peck.
Reference
McCutcheon, M. (1993). The writer’s guide to everyday life in the 1800s: For writers of historical fiction, westerns, romance, action/adventure, thrillers and mysteries. Writer’s Digest Books: Cincinnati, Ohio
When Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country in 1949, she knows her life will change—but she could never imagine just how dramatically.
Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their unique culture, most of the residents come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher, and she’s soon teaching just about everyone, despite opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.
Yet it’s the lessons Ellie herself will learn—from new friends and especially from a captivating Cajun fisherman named Raphe (Ra-fae)—that will make all the difference.
Take a step away from the familiar and enter the haunting waters of bayou country for a story of risk, resilience, and romance.
Review
Hullo, this is Darcy, and I’ve just returned from a trip to the Louisiana bayous of 1949.
Seriously, my favorite thing about this book was how the author drew you into the entire culture of her tiny town on the bayou. The description was lovely–you could see the gorgeous landscape around you–but more than that, you entered into a whole little world, sequestered along the banks of the winding waterways.
The story starts out slowly and gradually gains traction to drive ahead. While I didn’t connect with the story on a deep emotional level, both the main characters were people I could respect and root for. And let’s not forget their dear friend Heywood, part comic relief, part thought-provoking philosopher. A great cast of secondary characters and a strong sense of local culture really created a wonderful atmosphere.
There is little violence, and it’s very tactfully covered. Romance is sweet rather than sizzly. (I personally loved the way the romance developed.) The faith component is subtle.
If you enjoy women’s fiction that pulls you into a bygone era, and a story that runs deep and quiet, with hidden twists like the bayou, look for Under the Bayou Moon, releasing August 3, 2021.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Valerie Fraser Luesse is the author of Almost Home and the bestselling, Christy Award–winning Missing Isaac. Her third novel, The Key to Everything, was inspired by a true story. An award-winning magazine writer, Luesse is best known for her features and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently the senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, she has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Acadian Louisiana, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana won the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society. The author lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Dave—and a mischievous orange cat named Cheeto.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
When Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country in 1949, she knows her life will change—but she could never imagine just how dramatically.
Valerie Fraser Luesse