Thursday, June 30, 2016

A collage



My sister, Seanna  made this for me in honor of my Great Depression novel. The actress I am using as inspiration for my heroine is Holliday Grainger. She has been in a variety of period dramas, including the recent miniseries of "Bonnie and Clyde." This very English actress was able to don on a convincing Texas drawl! Anyway, my sister created this; it really ties into the themes of my book. Isn't it gorgeous?

Thanks, sis!

You really ought to check out my sister's blog! Not only is Seanna a genius at graphics, she is a fantastic author who writes contemporary and historical dramas!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Femnista Has Moved!

The magazine I write for, Femnista, has moved! You can read the articles at https://femnista.wordpress.com/. You now have the ability to search the website and read through the archive of old articles. Check it out.

If you are interested in reading any of my older pieces, click here.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Sin City (i.e. Terre Haute)

Sin City (i.e. Terre Haute)
Although my Great Depression novel primarily takes place in the Prairieton/Prairie Creek area, Terre Haute is featured in there quite a bit.

The city of Terre Haute has a colorful history. While it didn’t officially earn the nickname of Sin City until 1955, the city was well on its way to earning it by the 1920’s and 1930’s. While Indiana itself has always been part of the Bible Belt, my hometown has had its struggle with sin. 




A prime example was the Red Light District…the area in town where the prostitutes lived. Terre Haute can boast that it had its very own madam. Madam Brown (originally Edith Brown, a minister’s daughter) was well-known in Terre Haute; she ran an infamous house of ill repute; her girls dressed well, had all their shots and were the cleanest members of the Oldest Profession.




When Prohibition was established, like every other city in the nation during the 1920’s and early 1930’s, Terre Haute officially went “dry.” However, there are numerous tunnels beneath the town that were used to transport illegal liquor. The tunnels still exist to this day, although they are no longer in use. Folks may not have bought liquor from a store nor could they frequent a bar, but it was not uncommon for them to have their own still and to market their product themselves.



Terre Haute was a safe haven for some bank robbers and others involved in illegal activities. I’ve heard tales of them staying at the old Terre Haute House, partying hearty. One Hoosier bank robber that has become synonymous with Robin Hood, John Dillinger was no stranger to Terre Haute. He quipped that he would never rob a bank in Terre Haute, because he would risk being railroaded by a train. 




My grandparents used to talk of an African American man who was hung off the Wabash River Bridge. My aunt said she knew a man who bragged about having one of the man’s toes. Hoosiers are known for their tall tales, but after a little research, I learned that this story was true. In 1901, when teacher Ida Finklestein was murdered, George Ward was arrested and incarcerated. A lynch mob gathered, broke into the prison, beat him and hung him off the Wabash River Bridge. His body was later taken down and burned; spectators collected “mementoes” of his remains. 

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Femnista May/June 2016 Issue



This issue of Femnista features articles on how two different worlds collide and meld together. From The Help to Zootopia to Kate Middleton, learn how people from two different worlds encountered and learned from one another.

My article on Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South," is included. Find out what happens when cultured Margaret Hale from southern England meets the hard-as-nails John Thornton from northern England.

You may read it here.