Author Eunice Boeve writes award-winning historical fiction for both adults and children. In her home state of Kansas, she has also had two serials of historical fiction for children featured in syndicated newspapers for a program called Newspapers in Education. The program, which targets schools, also provides guides for classroom use.
Eunice’s first story for the NIE in 2011 was a time travel story which she eventually lengthened and published as a book Continue reading
Writing a book is like having a baby–the only real difference is that there is more struggle in the conception of a book. And once the book is handed over to a publisher, a midwife willing to help you bring forth your cherished creation, there are months of editing as the baby moves towards taking its final shape. There are months of waiting as other people do what they must to make sure the baby is healthy, months of trying to get on with your normal life, write the next great opus, and continue to wait while kindly friends and relatives politely ask—this time without patting your stomach—how you’re doing. What they really mean is, what’s taking so long? And long it is: the months pass; you make the preparations for the baby’s arrival. In the case of the book, you blog like hell, get your name out in the social media, build a platform and wait some more. Continue reading
Posted in Historical Novels, Literature, Literature of the West
Tagged Andrea Downing, Loveland, new author, writing competitions
Eunice Boeve
Eunice Boeve, a Kansas resident, grew up in Montana and Idaho, influenced by a story-telling cowboy father and a reading, poetry-loving mother. Her first submission for publication—and subsequent rejection—was a poem her sixth grade teacher encouraged her to send to the Weekly Reader. Besides a few short children’s stories and as many articles, she is the author of four middle grade historical novels, an adult historical fiction/western novel, Ride a Shadowed Trail, and its sequel, Crossed Trails, soon to be released by Whiskey Creek Press. Before retiring, she worked as a speech para in a school for special needs children and as a bookkeeper/secretary in her family-owned funeral home. Eunie and I are both members of the organization Women Writing the West and we’ve had a lively correspondence for well over a year now. I’m thrilled to have her with me today. Continue reading
Sometime in my youth, The Cheyenne Club entered my consciousness via my viewing diet of western television programs . It was therefore no surprise that this bastion of privilege and luxury, and sometime-home to the British ranchers who had invaded Wyoming, would make an appearance in my western historical novel which deals with the very large ranches run by aristocratic Brits.
In the 1880s, Cheyenne, Wyoming, was reputedly the wealthiest city on earth on a per capita basis. Conveniently located on the transcontinental railroad system, it proved an ideal spot to establish a gentleman’s club catering not only to the British aristocrats that were now there, but also to the cattle barons, railroad magnates, industrial giants and political movers and shakers within its reach. Set up to rival the Corkscrew Club in Denver, which admitted only foreign noblemen, the Cheyenne Club was originally called The Cactus Club, but the name was soon changed. It was built in 1880 with specifications that would rival any London club. 
There were two grand staircases, tennis courts, wine vaults, a grand piano, reading, billiard, dining and smoking rooms. Rooms were paneled throughout with hardwood floors overlaid with Turkish carpets, and had tiled fireplaces displaying Shakespeare quotations. Continue reading
Velda Brotherton
I’m very pleased to have as my guest this month the very energetic and multi-talented Velda Brotherton. I first encountered Velda through Women Writing the West and was delighted to subsequently find that Velda and I are both being published by the Cactus line of The Wild Rose Press.
While her forthcoming novel, Stone Heart’s Woman, is a western historical romance, Velda’s multi-faceted career includes both fiction (historical and contemporary) and non-fiction books, writing workshops and speaking engagements. Continue reading
This month I have a guest on my blog, Ann Parker, award-winning author
of the Silver Rush historical mysteries. The fourth book in the series, Mercury’s Rise, has just been published by Poisoned Pen Press.
A few months ago Ann and I sat down to lunch in NYC where she held me spellbound with tales of the Great and Good–or the Not So Good–who passed through Leadville, Colorado, center of America’s silver mining industry back in the 1800s. I’m sure you’ll be equally fascinated with what she has to say. Continue reading
Posted in Historical Novels, Literature of the West, Women writers
Tagged Ann Parker, Bat Masterson, Benvenuto Cellini, Colorado, Doc Holliday, gunslingers, James Brothers, Leadville, Meyer Guggenheim, Oscar Wilde, President Ulysses S. Grant, Silver Rush historical mysteries, Susan B. Anthony, Walt Whitman, Wyatt Earp
A short time ago I entered a writing competition and, unfortunately, came in fourth where the first three places were the finalists. Like anyone else, I was disappointed that, by a mere two points in this case, I had been pipped at the post, but like my ex always used to say when he had just missed hitting a car, “Almost doesn’t count.” Continue reading
Born in New York, Andrea Downing has only recently returned from the UK where she lived for most of her life. Having traveled extensively through Europe, Africa and Latin America, she now divides her time between NYC and the east end of Long Is., punctuated by frequent journeys out west---the area of the USA she loves best. Her first book, Loveland, was published August 10th by The Wild Rose Press.
My historical western romance, now available in paperback from the Wild Rose Press and Amazon Learn more →
