Gone with the Wind

Confession time. I’ve never actually seen Gone With the Wind. I know. I know. And I call myself a romance author. I really ought to be kicked out of the group for this one. I’ll get around to watching it. I promise.

So what’s it about anyway? The Civil War? Well, that’s a topic I know and love. I’ve taught about the Civil War in my fifth grade classroom every spring for the past fifteen years. The division between the North and South as one grew more industrial and the other based its livelihood on agriculture. Abraham Lincoln—my favorite president—getting elected. The slavery debate and the challenges to the “all men are created equal” line in the Declaration of Independence. Harriet Beecher Stowe and Uncle Tom’s Cabin as it highlighted the evils of slavery. The Underground Railroad and heroes like Harriet Tubman, risking it all in the name of liberty. Generals Grant and Lee as they led the armies and all the soldiers, sometimes fighting brother-against-brother for the nation. Lincoln’s “Anaconda Plan” to squeeze the Confederacy into giving up, by far the best named plan in our nation’s history. The eventual surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865. All pivotal events in the shaping of the United States of America.

Have you ever considered what would have happened if Lee never surrendered? If the Confederacy had succeeded in becoming its own separate nation?

I have.

Actually, my husband and I have. Our book, A Less Perfect Union, toys with division in our country and with the idea of a Second Civil War. Writing as Goodwin Reed, we explored the status of our nation at the present time. We looked at the issues we see as potential dividers—political party disunity, religious zealots, technological advances, lying in the government, unnecessary war, terrorists… yeah, so like, the list is long.

What was really interesting is that while we were writing this book, there would be stories on CNN that coincided with our fictional events. The correlation was interesting… and a little frightening. We both believe we’re living in a delicate time—a time where a simple pebble might tip the scales and throw the balance off. We watch TV shows like The Walking Dead and think “Why fear zombies?” There are real dangers now that could reduce us to the quality of living portrayed in shows like that. If you can even call what those characters do “living.” I mean, I know I couldn’t survive without proper hair styling products. You?

A Less Perfect Union (and no, the title does not reflect our marriage, by the way) takes the “what if” to the next level. Are you brave enough to take a peek?

Here’s the back cover blurb:

Another war in the Middle East brings General Charles Easley and coalition forces to the country of Yemen. The number of casualties continues to increase from the enemy’s use of devastating improvised explosive devices. When the general’s son, Paul, becomes a victim of the violence, he discovers an unthinkable truth that will force him to question his loyalty. 

Back in the United States, Pastor Roy Campbell wants change. Believing Americans have abandoned morality, Roy deepens his commitment with the ultra-conservative Purist Party. Roy is uprooted from his rural life and soon finds himself among the most powerful people in the country. 

Ultimately, the two worlds collide to create a perfect storm that will change America. Forever. According to businessman and technological genius Hanson Davis, it is not a storm at all, but a symphony of notes brought together in perfect harmony to create what he loves most. 

Chaos.

Are you prepared for a Second Civil War? What side would you be on? The Union who wants to keep the United States just as she is or the Purist side who wants to turn back the clock to a 1950s America?

Oh, and don’t worry. I cut a deal with The Husband before agreeing to work on this book with him. He had to let me have two people fall in love, so it’s not all politics and chaos and changing the rides at Disney World. (What? Oh, now you’re interested!)

You can download A Less Perfect Union here. Let us know what you think by leaving a review. I’ll just be over here watching Gone With the Wind. I swear.   

Toodles,

Chris

www.goodwinreed.weebly.com

www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

Passing History onto Your Children and Grandchildren

By Vonnie Davis

My thirteen-year-old grandson called me as I was cooking supper tonight to tell me about his eighth grade field trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Although he lives in Frederick, Maryland, he's been to the battlefield several times before. His dad, my youngest, still enjoys hiking over the area and crawling across the boulders of Devil's Den.

He's introduced Ryan to what he considers a special part of his childhood. You see, as a single Mom, taking my kids to Gettysburg, about twenty miles from where we lived, was a great way to spend Sunday afternoons. Oh, the teachable moments we had!



Now my son is doing the same with Ryan. He's had custody of Ryan since he was eighteen months old (Think bodybuilder doing pottie training!)

 

"I knew more about the battlefield than anyone else, Grandma. Well, except for the teacher."

I smiled at my over-achieving grandson. A straight "A" advanced placement student, he's taking intro to calculus as an eighth grader, plays first chair trumpet, plays football, soccer and wrestles on the Maryland Terp Elite team. He wants to be an actuary when he grows up.

"Oh? Did you?" 

"Yeah. Some of the kids got a little rowdy, and I told them they were being disrespectful of the soldiers who bled and died there."

I stopped stirring the cornbread I was making and silently cheered his "hootspa". "What did they say?"

"Some listened. A couple jerks wanted to act immature." He sighed as only a teenager can. "Some people have no clue." 

So true.

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1-3, 1863 in and around this sleepy little town in Southern Pennsylvania, just a few miles North of the Mason-Dixon line. Historians cite it as the turning point of the Civil War. Between 46,000 and 51,000 soldiers from both sides were casualties of the battle.

I've always felt an important part of our jobs as parents and grandparents is passing along the history of our ancestors, our communities and our country. Many societies have a strong oral-history tradition. We've lost that along the way--too much technology perhaps. I fear our pasts will lessen in importance and dim in the historical horizon. Soon, hallowed places like battlefields will be plowed under and turned into parking lots of shopping malls or another apartment complex.

Some may not see the connection between my concerns and a poem written by John Donne. I hope you do.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

Civil War re-enacting depicts history

April is Confederate History Month. As a Civil War re-enactor, I’ve learned a great deal of information about that time in our history. I wish I had the space to share it all.

The rebellion started in the spring of 1861 with the fall of Fort Sumter and ended in April 1865 at the Appomattox Courthouse. During those four short years over 500,000 Americans died, more than in all the other conflicts all together. I recently saw a news release that added 100,000 to that total.

The United States is recognizing this terrible time with the 150^th Anniversary celebration of the battles fought across this land. First Manassas or Bull Run was last year, the second will be in July this year. We’ll go on to all the major engagements like Vicksburg and Gettysburg.

I’m encouraging everyone to attend a re-enactment of a battle. Tour the soldiers’ campsites. Watch the battle. Feel the ground shake at the cannon fire. Be awed by the Cavalry and the horses trained to ignore the surrounding melee.

Ask questions about our heritage. Every re-enactor is proud to share his or her knowledge of history. Learn why our ancestors fought. Be proud of them and all our soldiers. They sacrificed so we could have the freedoms we enjoy.

Barbara Edwards, 3^rd Florida Co. A, 12^th Georgia, Co F

 Website: http://www.barbaraedwards.net

Blog Site: http://barbaraedwardscomments.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/BarbaraEdwards

Ancient Blood http://on.fb.me/naHRY5

Twitter: http://twitter.com/barb_ed

Buy hyperlink Ancient Awakening http://www.wildrosepress.us/maincatalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4511

SAVOR THE FLAVOR OF ROMANCE

Since we're celebrating Romance Awareness Month, I thought I'd write about one of my favorite topics: Romance novels. They are as varied and textured as the food we eat. Some are more wholesome while others contain a spiciness that may or may not agree with readers. Still others might be “too mushy” for some – and then there are those novels which are so addictive that, like potato chips, you can’t consume just one.

The inspirational historical romance, then, might be compared to a fruit smoothie that’s served in a lovely, long-stemmed glass. It’s refreshing and sweet, but sometimes tart too. It’s good for the body and soul, and very classy. There are no additives so sensitive readers can enjoy it. And it comes in many different flavors (a.k.a. time periods).

For instance my novel Unwilling Warrior (Realms/Charisma House) takes place during the Civil War. This part of history has often been romanticized in sagas such as Gone With The Wind and I have to admit to watching the movie at least twenty-five times. I’ve always been intrigued with the American South’s antebellum period. While I’m aware of the inaccuracies within the Hollywood adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s novel, I’m enthralled with the era all the same. The beautiful flared, silk gowns, the majestic plantation homes, and the gallantry of handsome beaus beneath towering oaks are the perfect ingredients for any sweet historical novel -- maybe even the chocolate-raspberry smoothie of them all! 

My latest novel, Undaunted Faith, takes place in the Arizona Territory. Gotta love that rugged Old West – even though I would never survived it. Sand, spiders, and snakes...OH, MY!! And the flavor...hot, spicy, and sure to get my GERD all worked up. Nevertheless, I loved the movie True Grit (the version with Glen Campbell is my favorite).

As for reading, one of my favorite stories is The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander -- an RWA RITA winner. I also enjoyed (and endorsed) Miralee Ferrell's latest book, Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming.  (Click on that book title and read my interview with Miralee!)

So what kind of romance novels do you like reading? Do you have a special "flavor" you enjoy the most?

A NEW ROSE OF PROSE

I feel privileged to be blogging with so many talented authors! And, since this is my first time blogging with Roses of Prose, I thought I’d introduce myself.

I’m Andrea Boeshaar, a mom who is proud of her three grown sons and a “grammy” of 4 precious grandchildren. Family is very important to me. I’m also a published author of fiction and nonfiction, a public speaker, and a certified Christian life coach. I am a firm believer that good decisions lead to happy endings. In a world filled with wounded hearts and broken lives, it's comforting to know there is hope -- and it's only a decision away.

You can find out more about me by logging onto my web site at: www.andreaboeshaar.com

I enjoy everything writerly – in fact, that’s the name of my personal blog: . Everything Writerly In it, I discuss the writing life, the publishing industry, my books, and I have guest interviews now and again, so be sure to follow me.

I’ve been writing since 1984 – that’s the year I received my first rejection letter. That made me a real writer! I kept trying and finally my first book was published in 1994. Since then, I’ve written about 25 novels.

My latest book is Undaunted Faith, was released by Realms/Charisma House in May of 2011. It’s the 4^th and final historical romance in my Seasons of Redemption series.

I think my favorite time period encompasses the Civil War years --Pre-Civil War times through the Reconstruction Era. My father was a Civil War enthusiast and his interest rubbed off on me. It's a wartime that's often romanticized, largely because of Gone With the Wind, However, it was a terrible, horrible war (and what war isn't?). Even so, the Civil War marked both an end of an era and new beginnings. To many Americans, it was an end to a way of life. To many more, the Civil War signified the start of true freedom in this country. So it's a very important time in US history!

My series, Seasons of Redemption, is set in this time in our Nation’s history. No shameless plugs intended. I’m just super excited about these Christian historical romance novels! So let me tell you about them.

The first book in my series is, Unwilling Warrior.
It’s 1862 and Valerie Fontaine must face her father’ rejection and escape New Orleans during the Civil War – or be arrested for treason!  

The second book is called, Uncertain Heart.

The year is 1866 and Sarah McCabe discovers true love during her summer as a governess in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But will her employer, a bold and handsome veteran captain of the Civil War, stand in her way of happiness -- or be a part of it?

The third is titled, Unexpected Love.

In Chicago, Illinois, in 1866, Nurse Renna Fields must conquer her insecurities over an unsightly birthmark in order to love a man who needs it more than anything in the world! 

Finally, Undaunted Faith, book four:

It’s 1867 and school teacher, Bethany Stafford, travels to the Arizona Territory along with Jake and Luke McCabe. But there’s trouble brewing in the town of Silverstone and the last thing the McCabe brothers want is to get involved. Unfortunately, it’s too late!

All four books received 4-star reviews from Romantic Times and are available amazon.com.

You can also watch the exciting video trailer for Undaunted Faith, by clicking here.

So what’s ahead for me?

I’m currently writing book 2 in my new historical romance series, Fabric of Time. I finished up book 1, Threads of Hope, and it’s slated to be released in January of 2012. I’m extremely excited about this new series because it takes place in Wisconsin – the state in which I was born and raised. It’s been fun to do the research – and quite convenient too, I must say. In the next couple of weeks I need to visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. Has anyone been there recently?

Well, that’s all about me. I look forward to getting to know both the readers and writers of this fabulous blog!