SCAVENGER HUNT STOP #26
Follow the clues to win a Kindle Fire, free books and more!
WELCOME:
- Welcome to the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!
- Begins 10/25 at noon MDT
- Ends 10/28 at midnight MDT—plenty of time; no need to rush!
- 31 stops
- Discover authors with new or soon-to-be-released novels
- Collect the clues in red on each post, beginning from Stop #1 (link to http://lisatawnbergren.com/2012/10/scavenger-hunt-stop-1-2/ ) and at Stop #32 (http://lisatawnbergren.com/2012/10/scavenger-hunt-stop-32/), fill out the Rafflecopter form. Be ready to provide the completed clue quote, gathered from all 31 stops, within 24 hours of email notification or another winner will be randomly drawn. No need to email/submit it, unless you are notified on 10/29/12.
- Grand Prize: A new Kindle Fire, plus 31 new novels! NOTE: Please comment at every stop that allows for comments to be eligible for the Grand Prize.
- 2nd & 3rd Prizes: $50 Amazon, B&N, CBD or BookDepository.com gift certificate. Contest is open to international entrants. If the winner lives outside the United States, they shall win the equivalent in gift certificate funds to the prize in US dollars.)
Stephanie Grace Whitson:
I’m so excited to introduce fellow historical lover and author, Stephanie Grace Whitson!
With the spring 2012 release of The Key on the Quilt (Barbour Publishing), Nebraska author Stephanie Grace Whitson will have over twenty novels and two non-fiction books to her credit. Her books have appeared on best-seller lists and been finalists for the Christy Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year. Whitson is a frequent guest speaker and lecturer on a variety of historical and inspirational topics for civic and church groups. Along with antique quilts (she volunteers at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Lincoln) and pioneer women’s history (she received her Master’s degree in Historical Studies from Nebraska Wesleyan University in May of 2012), French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture remain passionate interests. This fall, book two in The Quilt Chronicles series titled The Shadow on the Quilt releases along with a novella collection titled A Patchwork Christmas.
THE SCAVENGER HUNT BASICS:
Before you go, write down this STOP #26 clue: ~excerpted
Your next stop is Stephanie Whitson’s own blog! www.stephaniegracewhitson.blogspot.com
Be the first to receive writing updates, try her favorite recipes, and get her FREE guide: 10 Beloved Books (that inspire me professionally and personally).
The history facts are fascinating!
Thanks for participating in the scavenger hunt!
Bless you, dear Hannah, for taking part in the fun:) Happy hunting to you!
How fun!! I love Stephanie’s writing and have been a fan for years. It’s always fun to see the inside workings of an author’s mind as they craft a story. I especially love to use real life people and places in my own writing – and I’m a sucker for a beautiful mansion! 🙂 Thank you, Laura & Stephanie, for this fun post!
Gabrielle, YAY, you’re here!! So glad you’re a Whitson fan:) Me, too, starting with her native series way back in the 90’s. I just got a peek at her next Quilt book, #3 in this new series, on Rel’s blog and it’s a keeper. Thanks so much for being here and being so encouraging. I knew you’d like the history behind this post, my friend:)
Gabrielle, I’m like you … a sucker for a beautiful mansion. I remembered that house for years and finally got to use it in a book. One of my favorite memories as a new writer was being able to do a book signing at the mansion that I used in Sarah’s Patchwork all those years ago. Although now that I live in an 1800s house … I see the work below the charm. Ha.
I love the bios she includes. It helps to set the ‘mood’ of the story. I enjoyed the historical facts and the pic of the mansion.
Angie, Thanks so much for your comments:) I love the bios, too as it really makes the story spring to life. You can tell Stephanie loves history! Happy hunting to you!
Angie … sometimes when I’m “stuck” with a book, I stop and do the auto-biography. Often it turns up something that helps me move forward. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the fun!
Tina, Thank YOU for taking part!!
I love Stephanie and her work. Thanks for being a part of the scavenger hunt. God bless you.
Glenda Parker
Hugs back atcha, Glenda. Thanks for joining the hunt.
I can’t wait to read these new books!
Bless u, Kate! Can you imagine all 31 of them?! Book bliss:)
This hunt has been so fun. I have gotten a great list of new authors to me!!
Melanie, So happy you’re enjoying the hunt! I had a lot of fun, too, visiting these blogs and learning more about the books and authors. Bless you bunches!
It neat that Stephanie based the home in the book on an actual place!
Patty
Patty, I think so, too. Truth really is stranger than fiction, as they say, and these real places give a story such depth and authenticity. Thanks so much for your comments!
I’m glad you like that idea, Patty. Most of my book ideas start with a real event from the past … or a place that sparks my imagination with ‘what if’ questions.
I like that mansion! My imagination goes wild walking through doors and into each room!
Linda, Love how you phrase that – your imagination goes wild walking through the doors and rooms. Mine, too!
Love all the historical background. Thanks for your writing talent. Continued blessings!
Lois, Love your gracious spirit. So glad you’re here and are part of the hunt. Happy reading to you!
Great material I love this hunt!
Emily, Me, too. Great hunt – readers like you make it so worthwhile!! Happy reading to you, too:)
Hi Laura…this is perfect timing because I just finished Courting Morrow Little last night! Oh my…I was entranced by it! LOVED IT!! I read The Frontiersman’s Daughter a while back and these past couple of days I remembered why I loved it so much. I love your style of writing…detailed, passionate, and full of emotion…among other things. When Morrow was afraid, I felt afraid, when she was in love, I felt the love, etc. I can’t wait to read Love’s Reckoning! I also love Stephanie Grace Whitson’s books and enjoyed reading the post. Blessings~Stacey
I’m about to go post on your page on facebook!
travelingstacey(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Hi dear Stacey, Lol but we’re cross-posting:) I just left a comment for you on MaryLu’s blog. But heavens, I sure don’t expect you to go back and look for it so I’ll try to thank you here. I knew it had to be YOU because of your precious picture. Maybe you felt at home in Morrow’s world because she was such a mother at heart. Love hearing that things in the story came alive for you – that’s certainly my intent as an author so my heart is singing if that happened! I hope you’ll enjoy LR just as much when you have time for it. I’m working on Jack and Ellie’s story now – and have started Jamie and Rowena’s. But nuff said:) You’ve made my day with your kind comments. Till we meet again!!
I had to go back and find the comment, Laura : ). I treasure that picture of me and my littlest…he’s growing so fast now it’s hard to believe he was that tiny : ). My sweet children are my treasures and I try to tell them that as much as possible…even in the midst of the craziness sometimes! Your book DID come alive for me…which is why I couldn’t put it down : ). I enjoy seeing all your Pinterest things and I looked at your book list. We have many in common : ). Bless you!
Thanks so much for the history info and sharing how you create your characters. It was very fascinating! Thanks for writing awesome books for us to read.
Meagan, Bless you for sharing your love of history and making such kind comments:) It’s a joy to write books for you to read! Thanks so much for being here!!
I found you via the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt.
I don’t know a lot about Nebraska and I’m not nearly as old as Theodora, but I empathize with her sense of “growing more impatient with the nonsense in the world with every passing day.” 🙂
Theodora sounds like she’ll be a favorite character! I love the Dowager Countess!
Wow! What a lot of historical research she has done! That seems fun to me.
Looking forward to reading Stephanie’s books. She is a new author for me.
Stephanie~ I enjoyed your two Quilt books! They were both a little different from each other, but I loved both of them. My reviews.. The Shadow on the Quilt and The Key on The Quilt.
I loved seeing these photos and revisit the story again! Those portraits fit so well, I love it! I would think they were real!! So what’s next in the Quilt series?
I’ve not had the chance to read one of Stephanie’s books but this one sounds really good. Would love to try one and know several others who would enjoy it that I could pass on when I finish it.
Laura,
I can’t wait to read Love’s Reckoning. I still haven’t had a chance to read it:( , it is first on my todo list after finishing our move:)
Rebecca
I love the old photographs. They are amazing!!!!
The history in your books are amazing.
I’ve read Stephanie’s books before and always enjoyed them, it was cool getting to see some of what goes on in her head during the creative process!
What a BEAUTIFUL old mansion!!! Sad to think of the history that was destroyed and replaced by a joint that sells square hamburgers. 🙁 But this scavenger hunt is wonderful, and I am really enjoying “meeting” new authors this way! Can’t wait to read this book!
I hear you, Amy. I have wondered what it looked like when they tore it down. I think it had been a hospital/infirmary for a while. There was a grocery store on that corner first, but now every time I drive by it I think of the mansion that was.
Great scavenger hunt!
I think it is cool that you use old pictures for characters. Most authors I have seen use new pictures.
It could be that my imagination just isn’t good enough to transpose modern faces back in time :-). I have stacks and stacks of the old sepia toned photographs and that’s where I go looking for my characters. Of course the need for “new old faces” also gives me the excuse to prowl flea markets and antique malls. Win-win!
Thank you for being part of the blog-hop/scavenger hunt! Stephanie’s latest book looks really good
I love the fact that she gets her names from old black and white photos. I used to research people’s family histories and love everything to do with our ancestors.
It is amazing what could be tore down to make way for a Wendys. So many beautiful things have been lost, like the mansion.
I never liked history until I started researching my family’s history. Now I like to think about how they lived back then and what they would be doing.
I look forward to reading your stories and am glad to have found you on this scavenger hunt.
I think you’ve found “the key,” Sandra. History can be boring until we get past the dates and into the real people’s lives. My own children didn’t like studying history. But then one day when we were studying the Civil War, I mentioned the sword and the Bible a relative carried through the war. That made it more personal.
It’s always interesting to read how authors come up with their ideas. The pictures and descriptions Stephanie used seem perfect!
I am a big fan of Stephanie’s writing. I really enjoyed reading that she wrote bio’s for her characters before writing the book.
thanks so much for saying hello, Jennifer. Bless you!
Thanks so much for this scavenger hunt!
I have loved the Quilt series and anxiously await the next one!
I’m so glad to hear you say this, Becky. I’ve wanted to write quilt stories for a very long time and it’s been a joy to have Barbour believe in those possibilities and make it happen.
I love the thought of Laura looking at old photos to “recognize” her characters!!!
I am participating in the Scavenger hunt! I love hoe Stephanie incorporates real people and places, I think it helps the reader connect better to the story!
Hi Laura,
I’m having so much fun on this scavenger hunt. When I was growing up on the mission field, I lived with my family near the boarding school with all the dorms and the teachers/staff-members and several other missionaries’ homes and we used to do scavenger hunts all the time…and progressive dinners, too! What fun we had. This is bringing back all kinds of memories.
So loved your Silas and Lee excerpt on Mary Lu’s site!
Blessings,
Becky
Becky, I thought of you when I posted that little scene:) Thanks so much for reading it. I just couldn’t stop writing that love story! Just had to know what happened once they returned to the hotel!
Oh, your mention of progressive dinners makes me hungry. They don’t do that sort of fun thing here in the woods:( Maybe I should start? Missionaries are so creative in terms of fellowship and entertainment! My brother and his family in Spain do some wildly fun things!
Thanks so much for joining in the hunt. Love seeing your smiling face – and others, too!!
I hadn’t thought of progressive dinners in such a long time. I wonder if folks do them anymore … what fun they are.
Oh! And Stephanie’s wonderful back stories! LOVE Theodora’s little tidbit. How fun! Her pictures of the two women are PERFECT!
Blessings,
Becky
thanks, Becky. I learned to love prickly old Theodora.
Very interesting time period. Great old photos.
Thanks for being part of the hunt!
We found a lot of great DVDs that we all were excited to observe again. Over the span of a couple of months, we re-watched god, the father of the particular Rings trilogy, the Godfather trilogy, and pertaining to twenty other sorts of movies that we all loved and hadn’t watched within a while.
LOVED the beginning of this book!! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Wow! The exclusive content was amazing! I love the background on the characters and all of the pictures!
thank you VERY much, Virginia. It was a challenge for me to decide what I might do. I’m so glad to know you enjoyed it.
I love the sephia colored pictures, what a neat way for readers to connect to the characters.
I love those old photos too. More than one character in a book has been inspired by a photograph. Often they inspire questions that I go about answering and voila … there’s a character for a book.
Love it. Thanks for being part of the hunt.
I’ve read several of Stephanie’s earlier books, and enjoyed them. This one was not on my to read list, but it’s definitely being added. In fact, I just placed it on hold at the library.
I must say it is an absolute shame that the house was torn down.
Those photos are a hoot. Isn’t it amazing how personality can be easily imagined by some of those faces? I’m glad to get to know more about Stephanie and this series.
Thank you, ladies!
I loved the bios, pics, name Juliana, and I especially love these two authors!
The story behind the mansion is very interesting. How sad that it is gone now. Have you heard of the castle in Omaha? It is still standing and pretty neat!
Thanks for hosting this section of the scavenger hunt!
I really enjoyed the first Quilt Series book by Stephanie and this behind the scenes just made me even more anxious to read the next book!
The pictures are great! And I love the idea of writing an short autobiography to get to know the characters! Thanks for letting us “behind the scenes.”
LOVE the photos that you added, it helps to imagine the places. Thank you!
Och! As Silas would say! I keep calling poor Eden ‘Lee!’ I know what her name is, but it got stuck that way in my Thursday brain over at Mary Lu’s blog when I meant to write MISS Lee and now it seems likes it’s stuck that way! But I MEAN Eden. Ha! I know she’ll understand. Now maybe Elsbeth would have a fit or two, but Eden Lee-soon-to-be-Ballantyne would just smile and warmly squeeze my hand. 🙂
Blessings,
Becky
Becky, I didn’t even notice! You’d laugh because on bleary days, when my mind is full of too many books, or I’m working on 3 at once, I sometimes insert the wrong heroines into the wrong scenes, lol:) Thankfully I usually find them before my editor does…
LOVE your thoughts on Elspeth and Eden. You are SO right. You’ve nailed them to a capital T!
You’re such a sweetheart, dear Becky. Isn’t this scavenging the funnest thing?!!
Steph, I’ve not had the chance to read your new series…but I can’t wait to do so!
thanks so much, Catherine … it’s great to meet new folks who think they might give my books a try. I’m blessed.
Thank you for being part of the hunt!
Love this!!
Thank you so much for being part of the scavenger hunt. I look forward to reading your books.
I loved how she included true facts about fundraising quilts being common in the 19th and 20th centuries. Great history regarding it!
I am having a blast on this hunt!
I love the old pictures!!
Those pictures are so neat. It really helps if the author has images in her head.
Just like Paul Harvey says, the rest of the story always adds a lot!
Thanks so much to everyone for the wonderful comments! Lisa Begren and gang sure know how to put on a savvy scavenge:) Bless you all for being here!
I love this author (Stephanie) and have read The Key on the Quilt, So I was glad to see the next one – The Shadow of the Quilt. Sounds like a little suspense and of course a good love story !I really like behind the scenes.
Judy … quilt history is one of my guilty pleasures. I could study old quilts literally by the hour. I’ve done some of that at the quilt museum here in Lincoln and sometimes I think i should just move in and see what I can learn about the women who signed those quilts!
And since we are ALL finding lots of new books we want to read, let me put in a plug for your local public library. I’m blessed that my library here in Nebraska has a HUGE Christian fiction section. But they are also great about inter-library loan, and I’m thankful that they make so many books available to prospective readers. Libraries are great partners and they need our support, too.
I love all of the history!
These books look so incredibly fascinating!
One of the reasons I love historical fiction is that it stems from real life. I love Stephanie’s book and it’s so fascinating to read all the research she did to bring those stories to life!
I love old pictures and Stephanie has some beautiful ones here!
I, (of course ;-)!) have liked your Facebook page. When do you leave for Scotland, getting all ready?
End o’ November, lass (as Silas would say;)! SO good to see you on the hunt, my friend! You read so proflifically, I’m thinking these 31 or so authors aren’t news to you! You sure make it more fun. Hope the writing is going well – and all else!
And thanks so much for liking my new FB page. I haven’t figured out how to move my friends over there and it’s pretty lonesome!
LAURA AND STEPHANIE GRACE … ISN’T THIS CRAZY??? 🙂
The Shadow on the Quilt looks WONDERFUL, Steph!!
Do NOT respond to me — just wanted to say “hey”!
Hugs,
Julie
I love Stephanie’s book. They are really fun to read. I am going to have to look for her new book.
Very interesting! Looking forward to reading the books.
I liked that you actually drew from Lincoln’s Mansion. It’s hard to believe what it took to heat these building.
“how to heat it” is one of those questions I struggle to answer. Did they have a coal fired furnace yet? Or was it wood stoves? What about gas lighting? Indoor plumbing? On and on … so many bunny trails!
Hello, I did like your p[age on Facebook and just want to say thank you for being apart of all of this and letting us into your world. Sometimes I don’t think authors realize how much they mean to readers or what a blessing they are!
Now for Stephanie Grace Whitson, I have been a fan of
her books for awhile….although I haven’t read anything new by her…somehow I have missed this….I for one love her books…and this being historical, and involving orphans and those in need….plus lively characters…all right up my alley…sounds great! Again….thank you all for doing this
Johnette, You have such a lovely, memorable name! And thanks so much for your kind comments about our books and having a look inside an author’s world. Likewise, I love getting a glimpse of readers’ heads and hearts. We often don’t know what a book means to our readers so it’s a true blessing when we can connect and read comments like yours and others here.
So happy you’re enjoying the hunt! I am, too:)
I want to know what the devastating secret is! I’ve never read Stephanie’s books, but now I’m going to have to read The Shadow on the Quilt, so I can find out what Juliana’s husband was hiding!
I loved how she looks at sepia-colored photos for her characters and that mansion!! Oh how I would have loved to see the second story with wood from different countries!! It breaks my heart that something that majestic once stood there and gradually became a Wendy’s! Thanks for the good reads and hope to win more. God bless!!!
Thanks for participating in the Scavenger Hunt.
I love that Stephanie gives her old photographs names and identities!
Thanks, Becky. You know, sometime I wonder if I will meet the real people in heaven someday … yikes. I hope they like their new name! Ha.
i love Stephanie’s novels, and was intrigued at how she fleshed out her characters. Thanks for sharing.
Love the picture and part about the Lincoln mansion. So fascinating! Thanks for the added info.
loved being brought in to her thoughts about the character and the setting…
I love how she weaves in “every day” or “keepsake” items into her stories…or attributes value to these common items through memories of trials or special events
Thank you, Nat. I have a lot of “old stuff” sitting around that makes me want to know more about where it’s been and the people who owned it or used it. Tiny leather books … even a pair of “balmorals” (Victorian ladies’ shoes). Where did they walk?
Stephanie writes great stuff. Looking forward to reading this one. Was fun to get a little bit of a history lesson.
Sometimes I think of historical fiction as a painless history lesson … some of my favorite novels brought history to life for me in ways nothing else could have.
So interesting…i look forward to reading more!!
I like the way she looks at old photos for inspiration. I like to find old names for the same purpose.
Beth, the old names fascinate me too. One of the reasons I like to wander old cemeteries. I collect names when I do that.
I have joined your giveaway also! 😀 Thank you too for the clue!
Quilting is something I have never learned to do but I think it’s fascinating. I love the era in books where people gathered aT quilting Bees!
Ah, yes . Quilting bees. Often about a lot more than the quilt. My dearest friend are women I met “across a quilt” when our kids were young.
Man, I wish I had tons of old photos for looking through, there’s just something a little odd about choosing modern day actors to be the faces of historical characters.
Melissa, my first “stash” came at a flea market. There was a bin of old photos and I made a ridiculous offer and bought the entire bin. HOURS of fun. but you can find sepia photo collections on the internet now, too. I’ve seen many for sale on ebay and on history blogs.
Stephanie, thank you so much for “the rest of the story”. I love knowing the history behind a book. I have read a few of your books and look forward to reading more. 🙂
Thanks so much. Fun to meet another Stephanie … spelled the old fashioned way.
What a beautiful home. Thank you for saving it at least in our memories to cherish. Would love to live in that beautiful place
Blessings to you.
I am having a great time and have added a couple books to my “Must Read” list! Thank you all!
I love books that include quilting, I’m very excited to read this book!
There are just too many wonderful historical novels! Wish I could read them all. This one sounds VERY interesting.
I agree, Diane. My “to be read” pile and my wish list keep growing.
Anxious to read your book, Laura. And also, Stephanie’s. Thanks for joining the Hunt.
I love how you used the old photographs to imagine your characters. I just went to a seminar on historical fiction writing and we were given a picture and had to tell information about that person. Very fun. The start of a novel right there.
Gail, that sounds like a fascinating seminar. Love the idea of looking at a photo and having folks imagine. I do that with school kids, too, sometimes when we do writing workshops.
Wow that stuff sounds so cool!
leezard(at)embarqmail(dot)com
Looking to reading Stephanie’s The Quilt Chronicles series. Sounds like a awesome historical.
I love how she pieces all the historical facts together to make the story more real. Fascinating!
I like the idea of double fundraising on the quilts. We may have to try that for our ladies group at church!
LaQuita, it’s a very rich tradition (fundraising quilts with church groups). Our Nebraska History Museum has an exhibit of fundraising quilts right now. You can see one of the quilts here: http://blog.nebraskahistory.org/?p=7096
I’m extremely excited to read all of the books I have found since being a part of this hunt!! This exclusive is a great idea!! I could really use the ideas for my WIP.
I love the black and white photos!
I loved the historical pictures!
Yes, Stephanie’s information is full of history and extensive information. Stephanie would be a new author for me, and I would certainly like to read any of her novels. Thank-you for sharing.
I’m the same way when I’m writing – I can’t imagine the character very well, but I know him or her when I see photos.
Nice to know I’m not the only one, Emily.
I am so looking forward to reading these books!! The Shadow on the Quilt sounds very interesting… And I like Stephenie’s ways of getting to know her characters… very neat.
Laura, thanks for this giveaway… I’ve liked you on facebook.
Shantelle, Thanks so much for participating and leaving a great comment and also liking my new author page. It’s a true pleasure meeting you and other readers like this!!
Happy hunting – and reading:)
The Shadow on the Quilt has a great cover, catchy (intriguing) title and sounds like a great read!
Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt!
I “liked” and commented on your FB page. Please enter me in the bonus prizes. 🙂
I loved her picture of the mansion, it’s gorgeous!! We have a few of those old ones around too and we love to drive by them.
Thanks for doing the hunt!
Thanks for being one of our stops on the scavenger hunt!
Loved the use of photos to help create the characters and the settings! There are so many cool old photographs!
There are several things I love about what you shared, the pictures, the descriptions, the synopsis of one of the Aunts. Would love to read your book. Oh, love the quilt idea. I am involved with quilting now. I just finished a crazy quilt my grandmother put together, my mom worked on the border, and I embellished and put the back on it. Love it.
Cherie, my first husband’s favorite kind of quilt was a crazy quilt. I had one all planned out, but the stitching drove me crazy 🙂 … so I only have one half-finished block. You have my admiration for doing it! They are so gorgeous.
Sounds like a must read to me! Thanks for being in the scavenger hunt!
i found you in the hunt
Thank you so much for participating. I have had a lot of fun on this hunt. Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read, along with the wonderful mansions. I would love to go on a historical mansion tour around the country! Thanks again!
I love the cover of The Shadow of the quilt!
I love when authors show pictures that inspired the characters and settings of their books. I’m a very visual reader, so it helps me “see” the story like a movie while I’m reading. I love those old sepia toned photos, and the two Stephanie posted seem to “fit” her characters well. And I love the old mansion! I used to live down the road from the Winchester Mystery House, so I always enjoy any story with a historical mansion.
I’m having fun and meeting lots of new authors.
I think your idea for writing down things about the characters and finding a picture is a good idea!
This scavenger hunt really has been a blast!
I am a sucker for books with “quilt” or any quilt pattern in the title.
Stephanie Grace Whitson is an author that lives up to her name. She has such grace in her writing, after reading her first book I had to find every book.
Thanks for the Scavenger Hunt! Love it!
I love how you find inspiration. I love that your brought the Lincoln mansion to life once again in your book.
Sounds like we have many, many quilt-lovers here! I must confess I’m a quilt addict, too, and have them hanging on the walls of my little house like artwork:) And I think that’s one reason these books of Stephanie’s are so unique – she loves quilting and quilts, too, and it shows in her lovely prose!
Thank you for the background on The Shadow on the Quilt. I love the photo of the mansion. Can you imagine it being built for two people, even with hoped for children! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
I love quilts, especially ***s
That’s a very insightful comment and I hadn’t thought of it. A house like that for only two people. now that you say that, I think I remember that Biltmore was built for a couple with only one child …
found this via the scavenger hunt. i’m not on Facebook, so i can’t “like” you even though i like you *heh*
i love old mansions. in fact, during grad school i got to live in one built in the 1880s in old towne portsmouth – rent free. it was an awesome place even though it was a bit run down. i’ve got stories of encountering critters joining me inside…
Thanks, Deb! I just appreciate you being here in whatever capacity! Happy hunting:)
So you’ve experienced the “not so charming” side of old houses, too. We have that in our house. Our Victorian era foundation is not even close to being critter-proof.
I am a quilter so I’m greatly looking forward to reading “The Shadow of the Quilt”!! Thanks for participating in the scavenger hunt.
Laura and Stephanie, how incredibly gracious you both are. Thank you being a part of the scavenger hunt. I also like the tips about using the vintage pictures for character developement. Cass’s background touched me though. I always seem to love the characters that don’t seem to think they can escape their past.
Krystal, Thank you for being incredibly gracious, too! So happy you’re here and enjoying the history and the hunt. I must say, I haven’t had this much fun in cyberspace in a long time! It’s an author’s dream to meet kindred book spirits and I’ve found myself wishing it could be in person instead – and that everyone could win these prizes! But that would be heaven, I guess, and not earth!
Like you, I’ve always been drawn to characters who are shadowed by the past. It’s a theme so many can relate to.
Anyway, you’re nearly through if you’ve made it this far! Love your enthusiasm and kindness. I’ll remember you:)
Look forward to reading the “quilt” series. Thanks for participating in the hunt!
I love how Stephanie uses old photos of people and houses to inspire her fiction.
Anita, I’m overwhelmed and delighted by all the people who love how Stephanie did her research and showcased it here. I think this new series of hers is so fascinating and factual and fictional all at once!
I love older pictures of people like the ones you have above. I am a big fan of the old/rustic look.
Me, too, Salyna! Anything historic, rustic, or a reminder of the old days and I’m right there:) Thanks so much for being in the hunt!
I liked and commented on your facebook page (can’t believe I hadn’t already liked it before this contest!)
The portraits of Theodora and Lydia are priceless! So awesome. I can totally see their personality! 🙂
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com
Those pictures of the people you posted are really neat! I love trying to create auto-biographies for my characters! 🙂
Those ladies look baller!
I can’t wait to read Stephanie’s book! It looks great!
Very interesting!
I love the bonus material we’re getting on this blog and on many of the others! Thanks for sharing the great background information and for participating in the hunt.
Lynda, Thanks so much for saying so – I am loving knowing some of these new to me authors, too! And all the fun stops:) Bless you bunches!
Laura!
I love your page 🙂 And can I add that I love those old photos that are part of Stephanie’s post! I love genealogy and that’s what those make me think of lol. This whole thing is so exciting! Thank you for being a part of this and taking time out of your busy schedule to spend time with us!
Hannah
Love the thoroughness of your research, Stephanie! Where do you get your sepia photos? Are they family heirlooms? Such fun to learn new things–and sad that lovely mansion was razed. (I’m such a romantic!)
Thanks for taking part in this scavenger hunt.
Sadly, my family is one that doesn’t know much about their own history. My folks were from very poor families. In fact, I have exactly one photograph of my own mother taken when she was a child. Only one. And none of my Dad. maybe that is why all those “homeless” photos at antique malls and flea markets etc. call to me. I want to give them a home … and they do spark my imagination. I’ve been “collecting” the unwanted photos for a long time. It started with a large portrait at a farm auction of a woman who was so compelling … and I was so saddened that her family had let her image (and the associated memories) go onto that sale. So I brought her home. The first of many many old photographs.
I think it is very interesting that Stephanie said that she couldn’t imagine how a character looks, but that she recognizes him/her when she sees him/her.
I just wanted to give a “shout out” to everyone who is participating in the scavenger hunt. You’ve all been so encouraging to this writer. BLESS YOU! I’ll be traveling tomorrow so I won’t be able to check in until Saturday evening, but i will be back. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’m headed to a museum to do some research. And to see an exhibit of 19th century women’s undergarments … if you can imagine that. Corsets & such. Oh, my.
This looks so interesting! How do you come up with your ideas? I like the quilt theme.
Her book looks facinating! Loving the historical material!
Love the old pictures! I’ve always been fascinated with these old pictures. It’s neat that Stephanie uses these for her characters. I’m not aware of any others that do so.
I just finished reading Ms. Whitson’s book and absolutely loved it!
Oh my word i love your books Stephanie! And i love every thing old, rustic, and have been looking at used quilts for a room I’m doing in very old rustic. Anyway looking forward to this series! Thanks for participating!!
Thanks. I love reading about the history inbooks. Thanks for sharing.
would love to win for my wife
Kevin, You’re a hero of a husband doing this for your wife! Thanks so much for taking part:)
Hello Laura nice seeing you on the hunt thanks for hosting another author that is a fav of mine Stephanie, always like reading her stories as well as yours. I like the pics you have added to this post, love seeing and reading about times gone by….
I am a FB fan and will be moving along now to the next stop…
I can’t wait to read your books
Rebecca, I hope you enjoy my stories if you do read them – thanks for saying such kind things!
Thank you for participating in the Scavenger Hunt, it’s really interesting to meet other authors 🙂
Just stopping in to say hello and thanks for participating in the Scavenger Hunt. I’m enjoying discovering new authors and enjoyed this behind-the-scenes peek.
Barbara, A HUGE thank you to you and every single person who’s taken time to stop here and be a part of the hunt. It is such a blessing!!
A beaded bookmark? Wow, that takes some real talent.
Halita, Oh, these bookmarks by Belle on a Budget are so beautiful. Christy has an Etsy shop and makes such beautiful items. Thanks for your comments!
Love Stephanie’s books. My library in Texas had a BUNCH of them! Can’t wait to read more, Stephanie!
Can’t way enough good about libraries – I always encourage readers to ask if our books can be ordered. Often they will do this and then it’s a blessing to everyone. Thanks so much for stopping!
I really like the idea of the Mansion. It is too bad that a place that had such historical importance would be torn down and turned into a Wendy’s. =( I guess all good things must come to an end at some point.
The idea behind the fundraising quilt is also a good idea. I might suggest that to my school.
Laura Wilson
Great post. I love old photographs! What a cool way to create your characters. 🙂
This Scavenger Hunt is fun!
I love anything historical, and I think all the information on the quilts is very interesting!
It’s so sad that the mansion was razed! I enjoyed all of th history in this post!
Thank-you so much for participating in such a fun and unique event! I have enjoyed this so much. I really enjoyed getting a “behind the scenes” look at the development process! Thanks again!
Heather, Bless you for being here and making the hunt so fun and unique, as you so aptly said:) We sure appreciate dear reading friends like you!
I haven’t had the opportunity to read Stephanie’s books yet, but I must say that that cover is SOOOOOO captivating!! Maybe it’s the warm tones that was used…but it just makes me want to pick it up RIGHT NOW! 🙂
Katie, I’m with you – this cover just jumps out and you and begs you to read on… Just wait till you see the others in the series! Happy hunting to you!
The mansion looks gorgeous! And so does the cover! The behind-the-scenes stuff was so intriguing, too! 🙂
I know when I read a book by Stephanie that it will be well researched. I enjoyed seeing the photos used for the aunts and the real mansion. What a shame it is no longer standing.
Thoroughly enjoyed the character development and mansion info!! Thank you!
Oh I love historical fiction, and I enjoy it even more when there are real pictures to back up the stories. I am learning to quilt, so that catches my eye as well!
Can’t wait to read your books. This scavenger hunt has been great!
I love reading the character sketches. Very interesting!
I cant wait to read the Shadow on the Quilt. I love the cover. But then I love anything written by Steph. So awesome!
I’m enjoying this hunt and finding new authors!! Thanks!
I am really enjoying these behind the scenes glimpses into the books.
Looking forward to reading your books. I loved the pics you showed and the mansion.
These books looks great! I so enjoy touring historical mansions and homes. And of course, I love reading historical fiction!
I love books written in the 1800’s. Love the cover and the mansion. Interesting to read about how Stephanie formulates and gets to know the the characters in her books. Would love to read. Thanks for chance to win and the Scavenger Hunt. My Mother used to make quilts.
I especially enjoyed Sarah Grace Whitson’s description of her characters and how she uses sepia art to visualize her secondary characters and the history of how quilts have been used in the past and in passing down our heritage. Thanks to both Laura Frantz and Sarah Whitson for participating in this scavenger hunt. I appreciate the opportunity to win prizes and learn things about my favorite authors and reading genre.
I loved the history behind the story of this book (that mansion was GORGEOUS). And the character sketches were very interesting. It really helps to bring the book to life. Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing on Laura’s blog. 🙂
Oh my, the cover of The Shadow of the Quilt is absolutely beautiful!!!
I love the bio’s. It gives a great insight to the character. I also love the sepia pictures. It reminds me of some of the finds I have found in my own research of my ancestors in the 1800’s.
I haven’t read anything by Stephanie Grace Whitson yet. Am looking forward to picking up one of her books soon.
Inspiring.
Thank you for this opportunity. May GOD bless your writing.
I am wanting to read your books
As a Nebraskan, I loved learning about the mansion that is no more. Very interesting!
Very cool!! Really enjoyed all the information. It really made the book come to life already so now I must read it!! 🙂
I always enjoy hearing the back story of how authors put together their characters. I love that she uses real pictures to develop her characters!
I love how she explains how the “knows” her characters in photos when she sees them! That’s exactly how it works for me too, I have a hard time picturing them sometimes until I come across that perfect face somewhere that matches the character.
Dearest Laura,
The wind blew a beautiful card into my mail slot! A perfect pick me up since our favorite baseball team, The Detroit Tigers, is behind in the World Series! We want them to win so badly!!
I totally skipped every clue and just came to your number 26 stop! I think this is so great that the authors are taking so much time and effort to put together something for their readers. Unfortunately, at this time, I am not able to participate. I am happy for all those who are going to win all of these amazing prizes!!
I will be responding via the mail post soon! Hopefully, they were able to solve the mail issues! I heard our city is having the same sort of issues. People must be so desperate to steal from others!!
Have a great week…Love, Stacie Hope
Stacie Hope – Oh, love how you put that – “the wind blew a beautiful card into my mail slot”! That’s what a treat yours was for me:) So glad you stopped by! GO TIGERS!! Have been thinking of you and am so thankful you’re enjoying yur work. Talk soon!!
Love seeing all these authors featured!
Jenny, So happy you’re here and learning about new authors. I sure love meeting readers like you! Thanks so very much to everyone for all their time and comments on the hunt. You’re the best:)
This has been so much fun! Thanks for participating! Stephanie’s book sounds great. I really enjoyed learning about her process of developing characters. And that beautiful mansion…what an interesting history it had!
Thank you for hosting this hunt.
Abigail, Oh, you bless me! Thanks for reading that scene and wanting to read Eden’s story. Happy hunting to you:)
Love the “two” characters part. It was interesting.
Thanks for participating in the scavenger hunt. It’s great fun to learn about new (to me) authors. Adding a real, historical mansion to your story must also be fun.
I love seeing the “biographies” –Theodora sounds like a character!
Love that old mansion.
Oh, I so wanted to enter your contest by leaving a comment, but alas, the Rafflecopter says the contest is over way too early. Hopefully you can fix this situation soon. Love your books!
I love old quilts & their history – sure I will love Stephanie’s books also. Thanks for the opportunity to win the prizes – I “liked” your Facebook page.
bonnieroof60@yahoo.com
Using old sepia photographs when casting characters for a historical novel is such a great idea!
I loved reading about the mansion and that it was actually once a beautiful building. I hate hearing that building such as this are torn down instead of restored. What kind of history will be left behind eventually? (I thought the contest went until midnight (MT) tonight. The rafflecopter on this page says the giveaway is already closed.)
I liked your character bio – and I especially like the story of the mansion. I like that the house lives on in your book, even though it’s no longer there.
How sad to learn that grand old mansion was demolished. But what fun to learn how you “recognize” rather than “imagine” your characters. I totally get that.
Thanks for the opportunity to win. I liked your fb page.
gilliach(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for taking part in the hunt! I love learning the real history behind stories.
Love the cover for The Shadow on the Quilt! I already liked your book page, Laura.
Stephanie is new to me, but when I’m out of books… this is a good thing!! Woo hoo.. more to read. Thanks for sharing!
I live it when there are historical realities tied into fiction! So great!
Sounds like an amazing story! Love the research that goes into a book.
I have never read a historical book except in history class, and must say from reading the tidbits here am wanting more, more, more! Love the pics and hearing about the aunts, the quilt and the mansion. Just so glad that I don’t have to clean it!!
I have done as asked, please enter me to win your bonus offerings.
Thank you.
I love that Stephanie has shared pictures and a character sketch. I can’t imagine all of the unpublished work that must go into developing a really good story. Thanks Stephanie.
Thank you for the scavenger hunt, it’s great fun.
I have The Shadow on the Quilt. I enjoyed it very much and it’s super to have the historical information behind the story.
Blessings
Ruth Ann Dell
WONDERFUL TO SEE ALL THESE GREAT READERS COMING IN ON SUNDAY. BLESS EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS AND HELPING US SHARE THE JOY OF BOOKS! YOU’RE ALL WINNERS IN MY BOOK:)
Thanks, Stephanie, for all the background information on your inspiration for this book. I read the link about fund-raising quilts as well – it was very interesting that the woman who won that pictured quilt had the idea of collecting signatures on her travels. I’ve always love quilts and enjoy reading the history behind them. That house you pictured must have been magnificent in it’s day. It’s always sad to hear about such a home being torn down and becoming a chain store.
I’ve read several of Stephanie’s books and enjoyed them immensely. This Scavenger Hunt has allowed me to meet so
many new authors and their books. Thanks for being part of this and letting me get to know you. I look forward to reading your books. Thank you.
I find it fascinating that Stephanie Grace Whitson writes autobiographies for her characters to flesh them out more. What devotion to her work!
Glad to learn of another series or at least a couple of books about quilting — it is one of my hobbies. I am glad to find another Christian author’s books to read. Best wishes to you!
I love Theodora’s bio! She sounds very amusing and definitely brings to mind Maggie’s character in Downton Abbey
I enjoyed the history of the mansion in this post – sounds like another good book.
Thank you for doing the hunt. I have really enjoyed it. I have enjoyed your books, Laura. I also like Stephanie’s books. I love old houses. I loved seeing the picture of the mansion. Wish it was still there. I used to live in Kansas and I remember one year for a field trip we went to Abilene and saw a very large home there. I remember it had a bowling alley in it.
Thanks again and God Bless,
Kim in NC
Loved Theodora! How fun to see characters come together and literally take on a life of their own! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for participating in the scavenger hunt!
I love Stephanie Grace Whitson’s books, especially the book Sixteen Brides! I’ve not actually read any of her other books or yours, but I definitely will get to work on that!!! The Shadow on the Quilt looks great!! I love this hunt for showing me new books and authors!!!
The character autobiographies were so interesting! I’ve never seen anything like that. I loved the mansion, too. 🙂
Your books bring to life the era I loved the most, thank you much. Liked you on facebook
In particular, I enjoy when authors share parts of their writing process with readers the way Stephanie Grace Whitson did above. Please enter me in your drawing :-).
I like that Ms. Whitson’s quilt series follows the history and people behind the quilt. Off to her site to learn more 🙂
Im a big Steph Whitson fan! Love her books, especially 16 Brides. Thanks for the fun hunt!
Oh, I’m a quilter and can’t wait to read Stephanie’s books. You are on my list to read too. This is lots of fun!
Love the use of the sepia photographs!
Thanks to both of you for participating in this scavenger hunt! I enjoyed reading Theodora’s autobiography! How neat that each room on the second floor of the mansion was paneled with a solid wood of a different country!
I haven’t read this book of Stephanie’s, but I’ve read her other books. I usually can’t put them down
I love the characters!
Just loved reading Stephanie Grace Whitson’s history and character bios – looking forward to reading her books asap!
The bios really help to set the tone for the book. My grandmother is 95 and still sews quilts everyday, so after I read the book I will share it with her to keep our “ties” strong.
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing.
I love learning about these historical places. My friend is a quilter. I’m going to pass this info on to her.
I love learning about the characters and seeing the old pictures! Thanks for participating in the scavenger hunt!
I’m not a facebook user so bummed about not being able to participate:( But i love Hisotrical Fiction so Stephanie’s books will be great addition to my list of books to read
Valerie, You’re still in the drawing so no worries! You don’t have to be on the Book of Face as they say. Happy hunting to you:) And thanks for participating!
THANKS SO MUCH – CAN’T SAY IT ENOUGH – FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION! THE CONTEST WILL RUN INTO TOMORROW AT WHICH TIME WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED. BECAUSE OF THE STORM, WINNERS HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY TO MAKE THEMSELVES KNOWN DUE TO POSSIBLE POWER LOSS, ETC.
PRAYERS WITH OUR READING SISTERS ON THE EAST COAST AND SOUTHERN STATES – HOPEFULLY THIS WILL JUST BE A LITTLE BLIP AND NOTHING MORE. WILL CHECK IN TOMORROW:)