Serenity Sunday

Book Research at the Civil War Museum in New Orleans

As research for My Daughter's Legacy (Cousins of the Dove), I spent some time recently in the Civil War Museum in New Orleans, LA.  Built in Confederate Memorial Hall, the museum has an excellent collection, and the workers there were extremely helpful in answering all sorts of book-related questions.

One item that caught my eye was this doll, which belonged to the daughter of President Jefferson Davis.  My co-author, Leslie Gould, and I actually have a scene set at the Davis’s house, in the children’s nursery, so I imagine we just might give this doll a mention in the story.

Also in the story, our heroine’s mother wears tintypes in a locket (though hers are on a necklace rather than a bracelet.)  This was a cool find regardless, and the photo looked exactly as I’d pictured.

The Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama plays a part in the story, so I was pleased to find this painting of the ship:

And here are a few more items that were on display…

In the end, this museum was exactly what I needed here in the home stretch of writing this book. Many thanks to my family for going there with me, especially my two daughters, Emily and Lauren, whom I found waiting patiently for me out front once I’d finished my research inside.  They’ve been doing these research trips with me for so long now, they know the drill!

Serenity Sunday

Mindy's Top Picks of 2016

How many books did you read last year? I’ve just gone through my list and was surprised to see that it totals 102. (Higher than my usual of about 60-80. Good for me!) From those, I pulled together a list of the ones I enjoyed the most. Clearly, I’m no literary snob—note that my top ranked fiction is a YA novel that reads like a (much better) DaVinci code for teens—and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I will, however, mention that I do read plenty of “good” fiction as well, it’s just not my favorite. Literary is the green vegetable, but these 10 are the dessert. And if I’m being honest, I always like dessert more than vegetables!  

I also read a lot of great nonfiction last year as well, and it was especially tough to narrow those down to just 10 favorites. 

Thanks to eye issues, I only read via audiobooks, so I’d like to add an Honorable Mention for the BEST READER of the year: Humphrey Bower who narrated Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Though the book didn’t make my top ten, Bower was by far the best reader I listened to all year. Considering my total, that’s saying a lot!

One last thing, please note that these weren't necessarily books that were released last year, they’re just books that I happened to read last year.

Anyway, for what it’s worth, here are my top ten picks for the most compelling fiction and nonfiction of 2016. Enjoy!

MINDY'S FAVORITE FICTION

1. The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall

2. Bruno, Chief of Police: A Novel of the French Countryside by Martin Walker

3. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman

4. The Cold Cold Ground: A Detective Sean Duffy Novel by Adrian McGinty

5. The Girl You Left Behind: A Novel by Jojo Moyes

6. The Prayer Box (A Carolina Heirlooms Novel) by Lisa Wingate

7. I Am the Traitor (Unknown Assassin) by Allen Zadoff

8. Salvage the Bones: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward

9. If You Find Me: A Novel by Emily Murdoch

10. The Pecan Man by Cassie Dandridge Selleck

MINDY'S FAVORITE NONFICTION

1. American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers by Nancy Jo Sales

2. Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men by Leonard Sax

3. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

4. The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz

5. The Ghost in My Brain: How a Concussion Stole My Life and How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Helped Me Get It Back by Clark Elliott

6. A Long Way Home: A Memoir by Saroo Brierley 

7. Off Balance: A Memoir by Dominique Moceanu

8. The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built by Jack Viertel

9. The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business by Josh Kaufman

10. The Great Beanie Baby Bubble: Mass Delusion and the Dark Side of Cute by Zac Bissonnette


What books did you enjoy in 2016?

Serenity Sunday

New Releases in Christian Fiction: January 2017

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Contemporary Romance
Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley by Valerie Comer, Mary Jane Hathaway, Elizabeth Maddrey, Danica Favorite, Lee Tobin McClain and Annalisa Daughety -- Is love possible for a makeshift mom and a handsome widower? What about a bed and breakfast owner and the farmer next door? A curvy jilted bride and a mysterious, handsome chef? Then there's the real estate consultant and the grandson of her elderly client; a high-powered lawyer and a woman farmer, and a formerly engaged couple. Can love make a difference in their lives? Exploring food, friends, and family in Arcadia Valley, each of these novellas kicks off a three-book series, intertwined with the works of the other authors. This collection is only the beginning of your adventure! (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) 

Restoring Love by Jennifer Slattery -- Mitch, a contractor and house-flipper, is restoring a beautiful old house in an idyllic Midwestern neighborhood. Angela, a woman filled with regrets and recently transplanted to his area, is anything but idyllic. As Mitch struggles to keep his business afloat, and Angela works to correct the mistakes of her past, these two unlikely friends discover they have something unexpected in common--a young mom fighting to give her children a better life after her husband's incarceration. While both Mitch and Angela are drawn to help this young mother survive, they also find themselves drawn to each other. Will a lifetime of regrets hold them back from redemption and true love? (Contemporary Romance from New Hope Publishers) 

Historical Mystery
Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering -- Drew and Madeline Farthering visit the Yorkshire moor to catch a killer and solve a mystery that involves an old feud, a new rivalry and a huge, spectral hound that may or may not be a harbinger of death. (Historical Mystery from Bethany House [Baker]) 

Historical Romance: 
A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander -- A master violinist trained in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington manages to get an audition at the newly-formed Nashville Philharmonic. But the conductor--determined to leave his mark on the world of classical music--bows to public opinion. Women are "far too fragile and frail" for the rigors of an orchestra, he says, and Rebekah's hopes are swiftly dashed. Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is Nashville's new orchestra leader. And despite a reluctant muse--and a strange buzzing and recurring pain in his head--he must finish composing his symphony before the new opera hall opens. But far more pressing, he must finish it for his dying father, who inspired his love of music. Then Tate's ailment worsens. Rebekah can help him finish his symphony. But how do you win back a woman's trust when you've robbed her of her dream? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

The American Heiress Brides Collection by Lisa Carter, Mary Eileen Davis, Susanne Dietze, Anita Mae Draper, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Lisa Karon Richardson, Lynette Sowell and Kimberley Woodhouse -- Meet nine young women in America between 1880 and 1911 who have been blessed by fortunes made in gold, silver, industry, ranching, and banking. But when it comes to love, each woman struggles to find true love within a society where "first comes money, second comes marriage." What kind of man can they trust with their greatest treasure—their hearts? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) 

Two Suitors for Anna by Molly Jebber -- In 1903 Ohio, a young Amish woman must choose between the life she has long planned for with her beloved Noah Schwartz, and a new, very different future… But Noah has a surprise for Anna: once they're married, he wants them to travel and live in other communities. Anna, who loves her home and her job at the quilt shop, is distraught when he takes her hesitation as rejection—and leaves. Daniel Bontrager's arrival adds to Anna's confusion. Since taking over his late brother's farm, the handsome roofer has offered friendship and gentle attentions. Yet the pull of first love is strong and deep, especially when Noah returns. Through each revelation, Anna must search her faith for guidance, knowing she is choosing not just a husband, but a life to nurture and to share… (Historical Romance from Kensington) 

My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas by Erica Vetsch -- Journey to Fort Bliss, Texas, where a battle of emotions versus ideals is about to be waged. When a high-steppin' eastern fashion artist, Priscilla Hutchens, swoops down on the fort to gain custody of her twin niece and nephew she is met with resistance by their uncle, post surgeon Major Elliot Ryder, who thinks he knows what is best for them. Who will win the battle? Or will a truce be called for the sake of love and family? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) 

Romantic Suspense
Dead Run by Jodie Bailey -- Kristin James's morning run turns deadly when she's attacked by a stranger who's after something her deceased soldier brother stole overseas. Her neighbor Sergeant First Class Lucas Murphy steps in to help her and won't let her brush the attack under the rug. He'll do everything he can to keep Kristin alive, but he can't tell her that he's under orders to investigate her link to her brother's misdeeds. Kristin has no idea what the bad guy is after and doesn't want to believe that her brother wasn't on the straight and narrow. But as evidence against him piles up, can they catch the criminals without becoming the next casualties? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

Justice Delayed by Patricia Bradley -- It's been eighteen years since TV crime reporter Andi Hollister's sister was murdered. The confessed killer is behind bars, and the execution date is looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned killer didn't actually do it, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, the person who confessed to the crime is Will's cousin. They have less than a week to find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But much can be accomplished in one week--including uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and falling in love. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker]) 

Undercover Protector by Elizabeth Goddard -- Undercover at a tiger sanctuary, Special Agent Grayson Wilde is convinced the owner's involved in a wildlife trafficking ring--until someone tries to kill her. Gemma's determined to rebuild the tiger oasis she lost when her family died, but someone wants her out of the way, and she's starting to wonder if her parents' and uncle's deaths were really accidental. Grayson says he'll do anything to protect Gemma, but she can't shake the feeling that her alluring new volunteer might not be all that he seems. With a vicious criminal closing in, though, she has to trust Grayson…because she won't survive without him. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

Buried Memories by Carol J. Post -- A soldier hero suffering from PTSD and a young woman struggling to overcome a traumatic childhood fight for their lives and find healing together. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

Still Life by Dani Pettrey -- Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart. Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat. (Romantic Suspense from Bethany House [Baker]) 

Supernatural Thriller
Fatal Accusation by Rachel Dylan -- Attorney Olivia Murray hopes her life in Windy Ridge will get back to normal after a hard-fought trial. But she soon finds out that the forces of evil have not given up. An embezzling scandal rocks the community church to its core. The New Age groups are ready to declare victory when a high-profile prosecutor files criminal charges against the local pastor. However, Olivia is not willing to give up on the community she's come to love. She takes on the defense pro bono knowing it could destroy her career, but it's a case she is called to defend. The battle will be fierce, but she's not fighting it alone. Her friend and fellow attorney Grant Baxter is by her side. Olivia must use all the tools in her arsenal to combat those who seek to destroy the believers in the community. If Olivia can't prove the pastor's innocence, more than her career is on the line. The entire community of Windy Ridge could fall to the forces of darkness. (Supernatural Thriller, Independently Published)

Serenity Sunday

Selfie Day: …And a Crusty New Year

Last January, I posted about how my husband and I love to make pies and how we always use the extra crust to decorate the top in honor of something relevant.  So, for what it’s worth, here is a look back at our year in pie…

Year of Pies

           

January: Our first good snowfall of the year! 

February: Call it a “Hallmark holiday” all you want, but we love Valentine’s Day—and always enjoy it with a pie.

March: This is a “Huguenot pie,” to celebrate turning in the manuscript for My Sister’s Prayer.    

April: My husband did this one, in honor of one of our favorite shows, Person of Interest.  (That’s a pay phone and a computer, both of which are relevant to the series.)

May: Too early for swimming in the lake, but the Spring winds were great for a little sailing.    

June: Back out on the water, this time in our new kayak.    

July: I made this one to bring as a hostess gift when we visited friends at their vacation house at the Jersey Shore. I even pulled up the Street View image on Google Earth of their gorgeous home so I could get it just right. Considering that I’d never seen the place in person at that point, I think it came out pretty good. J

August: Celebrating the Olympics with our own torch on a pie.    

September: Time for school!

October: Loving the changing leaves!

November: A partially eaten cornucopia for fall :)

December: Wreath-ing in the new year with another festive pie. So long, 2016! Hello, 2017.