I say “we” because of the wonderful team of early readers who helped me refine and edit the text of Facing the Faeries 1906 before I sent it in to the publisher on Thursday. Thanks to their insightful suggestions, I’m feeling happy about this book, including Marissa Bowles’ incredible art work for the cover. It should be out by Easter.
There’s a lot I could say, and probably will as we go along here, but for today I want to refer you to this interesting article in the Washington Post, encouraging people to consider giving books to their loved ones for Christmas–NOT bestsellers, which the author says shows no imagination, but books carefully selected, showing how well we know the people on our gift list. Here’s the link for the article.
So, keying off this idea, I’ll shamelessly suggest that you could consider my books! 🙂 The moving memoir Karis: All I See Is Grace, based on twenty years of our daughter Karis’s journaling, from age nine until the week before her last coma, is available in Spanish and Portuguese as well as English. There’s time to read Horse Thief 1898 and Treasure Hunt 1904, the first two books of the Cally and Charlie series, before Book 3 comes out next February or March. If anyone on your gift list loves historical fiction, please consider this! I priced the books to make them easily accessible.
Also, if you read and enjoyed Treasure Hunt 1904, could you please take a few minutes to post a review on Amazon? I don’t usually pay attention, but was surprised to discover that few people have done this–even though I’ve received a great deal of positive response from readers. Reviews matter. Thank you so much!!
For the third time, I’ve had the fun of interacting by email with a Malcomson descendant of the historical Malcomsons in my books, who found me through this site. Here’s what I wrote for them in the “With Thanks” section of Facing the Faeries 1906:
“I do hope the living Malcomson descendants can enjoy this book despite the fictional liberties I took with their ancestors! It is true that William Malcomson I, son of David and Mary Ffennel Malcomson, took leadership of exorbitantly profitable Malcomson Brothers Shipping and Trading upon the early demise of his talented brother Joseph (fictional Peter’s father). It is true that the Society of Friends, rather than excommunicating him, exonerated William I when the company went bankrupt under his leadership. It is true that William I’s wife and sons, along with the extended Malcomson family of the time, were so unhappy with him that he disappeared for three years before reappearing and making amends with his family before his death. I was unable to discover any record of where William I went and what he did during those absent years. So, the story I tell about him and about his son William II, in all three books of the Cally and Charlie series, is entirely the fruit of my imagination.”
William Malcomson II bought Mayfield House (well known to readers of the Cally and Charlie Series) after his Uncle Joseph’s premature death, and rented it out, but he lived in Coolroe, his father William I’s house in Portlaw, County Waterford. Image from the Wikipedia article “Malcomson family.”
Speaking of Horse Thief 1898, I’ve received feedback that some readers have found the number of names and characters hard to keep track of in the first part of the book. I’ve therefore designed a simplified list of the main characters and their relationships, which I’m going to post on this website. You can download and print it to take along with you as you read, as both a reference and a bookmark. Please tuck a copy inside the front cover if you give this book to anyone as a gift. I’m also glad to mail a hard copy to anyone who requests it. Let me know at debrakornfield@gmail.com, along with a physical address.
As we approach Christmas, I hope you will find time for rest and stillness along the way. If you like, you can enjoy my “Advent ABCs,” a brief daily posting with marvelous music on my other blog, ButGod.blog.
With love,
Debra