Train Travel in the 1800s (Pt. 1)

The audio version of this Pinch of the Past was first shared in Episode 33: Guest KarenWitemeyer & The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea Cobb

The first railway train (Library of Congress)

General facts

Engine, tender with coal and water, mail cars, freight cars, baggage cars, passenger cars. Basic second-class cars might have slightly padded seats, windows at each seat that could open, fresh paint, monthly cleaning; passengers were usually local businessmen and middle-class families.

Continue reading “Train Travel in the 1800s (Pt. 1)”

The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea Cobb

THE BOOK

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 33: Guest KarenWitemeyer & The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea Cobb

With the protestant Elizabeth on the throne of England and her family in shambles, Catholic maiden Gwyneth seeks refuge in the Low Countries of Holland, hoping to soothe her aching soul. But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising to see her safely home to her uncle’s castle. She doesn’t dare to trust him…and yet doesn’t dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns she rescues from the burning convent.

Continue reading “The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea Cobb”

Review of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 32: Guest Jody Hedlund & a Review of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp

THE BOOK

Charlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on–responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who’s come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam’s experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand–but that everyone is learning to fear.

Continue reading “Review of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp”

Episode 32: Guest Jody Hedlund & a Review of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund shares about her Colorado Cowboys Series, her eventful summer, her latest writing ventures, and her many upcoming books! For your chance to win a copy of  To Tame a Cowboy, check out the giveaway page on our website Historical Bookworm dot com. You also find the giveaway link in the show notes for this episode. 

Today’s Pinch of the Past … started as a look at traditions in raising children and somehow morphed into the practices of children in relation to schools throughout history. (Full post here.)

Book Review: Shadows in the Mind by Janyre Tromp. If you’re in the mood for a realistic depiction of mid-century slice of life with a side helping of mystery, then Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is a great read for you! (Full post here.)

GIVE AWAY: To tame a Cowboy

You can connect with Jody at:

Episode 31: Guest Karen Barnett & a Review of Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordman

Interview: Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of seven novels, including Ever Faithful, Where the Fire Falls, and The Road to Paradise; known collectively as The Vintage National Parks Novels. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a ranger, naturalist, and outdoor educator at Mount Rainier National Park and Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park. For more on Karen and her amazing new release, When Stone Wings Fly check out her website at KarenBarnettBooks.com.

Continue reading “Episode 31: Guest Karen Barnett & a Review of Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordman”

 A Pinch of the Past: American Staples

The audio version of this Pinch of the Past was first shared in Episode 31: Guest Karen Barnett & a Review of Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordman.

This Pinch of the Past was first share in Episode 31: You can access it here. The idea of this Pinch of the Past developed in a rather curious way yesterday when I was wrapping up the final tests of the year for my second graders. One reading passage was a nonfiction piece on the origins of Peanut Butter. Did you know the inventor and developer of this great nutty paste was also responsible for a famous cereal brand? He developed the supplement not as a snack food but as a health product?

Peanut Butter

“It’s the Great Depression that makes the PB&J the core of childhood food,” food historian Andrew F. Smith has said. Buyenlarge / Getty Images
Continue reading ” A Pinch of the Past: American Staples”

Episode 30: Guest Jaime Jo Wright & a Review of When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Interview: Jaime Jo Wright is the winner of the Christy, Carol, Daphne du Maurier, and INSPY Awards. She’s also the PW (Publishers Weekly)and ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association)  bestselling author of three novellas. In this episode, Jaime shares about her latest novel, the steller spooky, The Souls of Lost Lake!

Our Pinch of the Past today features the story of the Castillo de San Marcos. In 1513, Ponce de Leon claimed the land he named Florida for Spain. It became an important holding to protect the Spanish ships bearing gold and silver from Central and South America back to Spain. As the French started encroaching on Florida, King Phillip II sent Pedro Menéndez in 1565 who founded the town of St. Augustine. (Read the full blogpost here)

Bookworm Review If you love the premise of time travel, enjoy books with a heroine of strong convictions, and are in the mood for a unique series, pick up When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer. (read the full book review here.)

Episode 29: Guest Ann H. Gabhart & a Review of Long Way Home

Join us for a chat with Award-winning author, Ann H. Gabhart. Her first historical novel was published 1978 by Warner Books. Since then, she has published over thirty novels. Find out more at AnnHGabhart.com and discover her recent June release, When the Meadow Blooms.

Continue reading “Episode 29: Guest Ann H. Gabhart & a Review of Long Way Home”

Episode 28: Guest Angela K. Couch and a review of The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

Interview: Angela K. Couch is the winner of story contests, a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after five munchkins. Join Anglea as she chats with us about her latest WW2 novel A Rose for the Resistance a part of the Heroines of WWII by Barbour.

Continue reading “Episode 28: Guest Angela K. Couch and a review of The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright”

Episode 27: Guest Michelle Shocklee and a review of The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot

Interview: Christy Awards finalist Michelle Shocklee shares about her latest release Count the Nights by Stars. She is the author of several historical novels, including Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Awards finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two grown sons, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about.

Continue reading “Episode 27: Guest Michelle Shocklee and a review of The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot”