I really cannot believe summer is almost here. We all know where the spring went. although it was very “unspringlike” to me since I am a teacher.
I’m excited about my summer book stack. Four of the authors are new to me. So, let’s get started with a familiar author, Melanie Dickerson, and The Piper’s Pursuit. Of course, a plague of rats and missing children.
I know that Days of Messiah, The Messiah’s Sign by Amber Schamel will be an inspiring Biblical journey with a plot of leprosy, unfaithfulness, schemes, and a son.
Give me a princess and I’m all in. Give me another princess, even better. Foremost by Jody Hedlund is Book 2 in The Lost Princesses. The prequel and Book One were fun reads.
Cities of Refuge Book Three, Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette takes the reader to the Old Testament in the time of Joshua and the setting of the conquest. If it is anything like the first two, I will be entrenched in Israel in a little while.
The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin takes place in 1944 Normandy. Sundin is a first-time author for me although she has written many novels. Fun!!!
Mary Ellis is also a new author for me. Magnolia Moonlight takes place in Natchez, Mississippi. A mystery in a town I love. Actually, I lived seven miles from Natchez for twelve years. Ah, can’t wait.
A Place at our Table by Amy Clipston is an Amish Homestead Novel. She is a new to me author that I’m sure to enjoy.
And number eight! The Duke’s Dilemma by Elaine Manders. I love Duke tales as well as Princess drama. I’ve never read any of Manders’ duke stories, so here it goes.
Do any of these sound interesting to you? What will you be reading?
English socialite rushes to save her sister from the Nazis.
sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the Romance Through the Ages Award and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at 
marriage and family therapist, she can’t wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island–they’re all too young, too old, or too weird–Maddie feels like she’s finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.
author of more than thirty books, including On a Summer Tide, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at 
I usually have to wait until the summer or Christmas break to read and study all the books for a new project. A blessing during quarantine has been my research on 1740s France during the Enlightenment era with characters such as King Louis XV, Rousseau, Voltaire, and Madame Dupin and her salons. I chose the period before the French Revolution to add a glimpse of what led to the downfall of the monarchy.
I set my new work at the Chenonceau château–my favorite place on earth! No, really. This castle is called the Ladies’ Château for most of the owners have been women. In 1740 the famous woman was Louise Dupin who is known for her enlightening salons where celebrated and want-to-be philosophers met and expounded on their thoughts and theories. I’m using this search for knowledge and truth as the background for my characters facing “truth” in its many forms.
Even though I’ve started writing my novel, I continue to research. When I rewrite it, I’ll include any tidbits that I need to ground it in history. I always feel down when I’ve finished a research project.
Oh, and did I mention that part of my research always includes a personal visit to the sites that I include in my novels? I continue to show up on the Chenonceau property to wander the rooms and stroll the avenues and gardens.
Gardening anyone? Recently in my blog, I have shared two things that I have done during “Stay at home”–NaNoWriMo (writing) and my Austen binge. Another area that has benefited from my extended hours at home is my yard. How about yours?
I have always worked outside the home teaching during spring. I planted a few items on the weekends, but never anything that took extra time. I did not have any time to spare. But now…oh my, I had no idea spring could be so productive while at home. My garden has reaped the benefits of time and attention.
I really didn’t mean to do it, but as the week progressed it all fell into place. My Jane Austen Binge. It started with a book I found on Audible Miss Austen by Gill Hornby. The main character? Cassandra Austen. But of course, the narrative sheds light on the life of Jane too. Life, Love, Love Lost. All so exciting.
Caryl McAdoo continues prolificity with her new Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga series. Readers around the world enjoy her best-selling novels and shower them with 5-Star ratings galore. With forty-eight titles—and counting—her love for writing is obvious; the lady loves singing the new songs the Lord gives her as well! (Check out YouTube). Caryl gave Ron four children and the couple shares eighteen grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, the seat of Red River County, in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.
imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
Connect in Fiction with Marguerite Gray 