Lynn U. Watson's Blog

October is my favorite month–maybe because the weather and the leaves change (and I celebrate another birthday). It’s also the month of the Protestant Reformation and Halloween. Martin Luther chose the date wisely for nailing his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg.

“Martin Luther is said to have posted his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of All Saints’ Church (also called Castle Church) on October 31, 1517. This was the eve of All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day (the origin of the name “Halloween”).  It was a time when Christians were particularly focused on their dead. The unfortunate thing was that, by Luther’s time, there was tremendous confusion about just what happened to believers after death – ultimately moving Luther to address the misconceptions associated with the afterlife.”

~from Crosswalk

To learn more about The Protestant Reformation and its connection to Halloween, visit the Crosswalk link above.

Without printing, would there have been a Protestant Reformation?

“I was reminded of the importance of the Bible to the Reformation from an unlikely source several years ago. Victor Hugo wrote the following historical commentary during one of the rather frustrating plot lapses in The Hunchback of Notre Dame:

“The sixteenth century shattered religious unity. Before printing, the Reformation would just have been a schism; printing made it a revolution. Take away the printing press and heresy is enervated [weakened, destroyed]. Be it fate or providence, Gutenberg was Luther’s precursor.”

Find the complete article about Luther & Gutenberg at Church Works Media

 

 

 

“In light of the history of both Halloween and the Reformation, it seems appropriate during this time to remember and rejoice over those who have died in Christ, both heroes of the faith and loved ones – for in biblical terms, all Christians are called “saints” and the blessing of heaven awaits us after death (until God gives us new glorious bodies to live on a new earth).”

~from Crosswalk 

Copyright 2022, Lynn U. Watson, Revised 2024

Photos from Pixabay

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. I will tell of all the great things You have done. ~Psalm 9:1 (NLV)

How many great things has God done for you recently? Do you only count the “BIG” ones? Do you notice the “little” ones, too? Do you recognize, especially the little ones, as miracles from God? And do you thank Him and tell of all of them? The birds in my backyard have been very vocal telling the world of all the great things God does in their world.

Our small group is studying the Book of Acts. Peter has just raised Dorcas from the dead. Now that’s a BIG miracle. But we started talking about all God’s miracles. All the great things He does in our lives and how we so often let them go unnoticed instead of like the Psalmist, “telling of all the great things You have done.”

I’ve been reaching out about Tangled Promises to the writing and readers community, bookstores, libraries, and more. And I’ve been asking God to lead me to the best connections. I’m not sharing them just yet, but this week, I had positive responses on three of those! YES! I’m thankful and shouting!

And I’m going to shout about a couple little miracles too (that were mighty BIG in my eyes). I keep three necklaces hanging from the lampshade on my dresser (see photo). As soon as I take them off they go right back to that spot. A few weeks ago I was wearing the ‘L’ while out shopping with my granddaughter. When I arrived home, it was missing. I could not find it anywhere. It must have fallen off in a store and I would never see it again. I discovered the cross was missing, too.

Many years ago a friend introduced me to her simple prayer, “Jesus Lost and Found. Jesus Lost and Found.” I prayed and God did the rest!

A week later a container of stinky cleaning supplies leaked all over the garage floor in front of the car. There were leaves and other outdoor debris mixed in the puddle. My husband used a broom to push the mess outside. Sunlight sparkled off the stones on something, He reached down and came up with the necklace! That was a miracle! A few days later I discovered the cross in the toe of my slipper!

God doesn’t answer every prayer with a “YES”, but I love it when He does. What BIG & Little miracles has God done in your life recently? Shout them out!!!

Bird Image from Pixabay 

The long-awaited day arrived! Tangled Promises, Clara & Daniel’s story is in the world. How far will it travel down the highways of life? Great vacation read or just cozy up in the backyard hammock, by the pool, or in your favorite reading chair. Wherever you read Tangled Promises be sure to take a picture and share it. Here’s why and how.

To celebrate my debut novel’s release, I’m giving away 3 signed copies of the book along with some Tangled Promises-related bookish goodies. Here’s how to play along!

1. Take a picture of you (or your pet) with your copy (ebook or paperback) of Tangled Promises.

2. Post the picture to your Instagram or Facebook feed with #tangledpromises
3. Tag me in the post.
Facebook: @lynnuwatson or @lynnuwatsonwriter
Instagram: @lynnuwatson  
If you do not tag me, I will not necessarily know you’ve posted, and your entry may not count.

4. Tag a friend in your post who you believe would also enjoy the book.

I’ll have an online app pick the winner on July 31, 2024. I’ll notify you by email or messenger. The winner must have a U.S. mailing address.)

Here’s what Tangled Promises is all about:
Thunderous applause extinguishes her dream and ignites her worst nightmare.

Clara Reinhold’s father publicly pledges her hand to Georg Wolff. His character and arrogance match the stench of his odious cigars, but his lineage offers a suitable alliance for the station of a baron’s daughter.

A charades clue years earlier turned friendship into a promise of forbidden marriage between Clara and family carriage driver, Daniel Becker.

If she refuses Georg and follows her heart, her father disowns her and she loses everything – her loving family, dear friends, and the only home she’s known.

As a tangled web of scandal and deceit unwinds, hidden motives and illicit activities emerge among an unsuspecting ring of players changing everything but nobility’s rules.

How will justice be served?

How will Clara and Daniel overcome obstacles to claim a future beyond that of a charade?

Here’s what reviewers have said about Tangled Promises:
This is a true melodrama in the very best sense of the word! Entertaining throughout. The heroine’s plight moves you and the villain’s dastardly ways keep you booing and hissing (and guessing!) The rich historical details are evocative of the time, and make this a delightful trip to 19th Century Germany.
~Jennifer Mistmorgan, Author of Heart in the Clouds, a Selah awards finalist in both debut novel category and historical romance category.

Lynn U. Watson’s debut novel is a delightful story that takes us to 19th century Germany, a time when being the daughter of German nobility often meant marrying a man chosen by her parents. The setting was refreshing and captivating, and the plot kept me turning pages as I cheered for Clara in her struggle to do what is best. Tangled Promises checks all the boxes for anyone who enjoys historical romance novels.
~Michelle Shocklee, A 2023 Christianity Today Book of the Year Award-winner for Count the Stars by Night

Tangled Promises captivated me from the first pages and kept me reading past two a.m. to discover how Clara would overcome her father’s disastrous decision. Watson’s knowledge of the times and mores of when nobility ruled in Germany was excellent.
~Patricia Bradley, USA TODAY Best-Selling Author

Tangled Promises is published by Celebrate Lit Publishing

Jesus is Alive! Focusing on His resurrection. Worshipping our Risen Savior. Those come first in our family’s celebration.

We also like to eat. The traditional foods of the holiday become important, I know my grown children with grown children of their own expect chocolate buttercream eggs from a certain local chocolatier. Deviled eggs (doesn’t sound too Eastery-) and lemon meringue pie top my daughter’s list of traditional Easter foods.

*Tangled Promises is set in Germany. Osterbrot or probably more accurately in the area where the story takes place, Osterfladen, is on the menu. Easter bread. It’s typically a sweet bread because Easter is the time to break the Lenten fast.

Recipes vary. Here’s one to try: German Osterbrot – Osterfladen

Jesus tells us He is the Bread of Life! That’s what His death and resurrection are all about! He gave His life so that we may believe and live with Him forever in heaven.

“…I am the Bread—living Bread!—who came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this Bread will live—and forever! The Bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live is myself, this flesh-and-blood self.”            ~John 6:51 (The Message)

* Tangled Promises is published by Celebrate Lit Publishing. They have a free gift for you when you pre-order Tangled Promises. Here’s the link to claim it.  

All Scripture quotations are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Our task loads or concerns can be overwhelming no matter how much we believe we trust God for His help. This reality smacked me in the face a few days ago. I’m thankful I chose to stop and open my Bible before I dug the trench any deeper.

To my surprise (and why should I be surprised? LOL) my Bible opened to this verse. He was waiting for me to stop digging in my heels to get the next thing on my list done. He wanted me to come to Him. He was waiting with arms open wide to show His love and compassion.

The things on my list were good things including moving forward on the manuscript for the sequel to Tangled Promises. But my traction had slipped. Just opening my Bible and contemplating this verse, I had come to Him. He was waiting and the next morning he provided much-needed inspiration.

Clara, the main character in my upcoming novel, Tangled Promises, found herself overwhelmed by her circumstances. She treasured Bible verses that spoke truth and hope to her life. Had she read this in the Bible of her day (1880’s) it would have read like this:

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.    ~Isaiah 30:18 (KJV)

 

We serve an amazing God. We know this truth, but we can be easily entangled in the trap of moving on without consulting Him for directions and help. He loves you and me. He’s waiting for you and me. He’ll show you and me the way.

What is one Bible verse that reminds you to trust Him more?

Those hideous masks Dad stored with strange costumes and a Santa Suit appeared to be human faces with their eyes gouged out. When Great Aunt Laura took possession of them, they became scarier. Hiding out in the dark fruit cellar of my grandparents’ basement, she fashioned them into a couple of dummies. No one could look until she said, or until she was ready to reveal her project. I didn’t really even want to see them, but I was curious. Despite my tentative interest, I’m certain I squealed and ran the other way.

Aunt Laura proudly positioned them at a table at Grandma and Grandpa’s 50th Anniversary party. There were two. She danced with one of them.

This party was in October of 1956. Note the clothes. And yes, the party was in the garage. I didn’t crop the picture because part of the “Congratulations” message and the years are visible, written in chalk on the garage wall. Although a mere 5 years old, I remember this party well. No, the little blonde girl is not me.

One of the gifts they received, a 22-karat gold-finish teapot still has a home in my little china cabinet.

The next photo might embarrass Grandma, but it’s from that day. And the other from their wedding day. In the anniversary photo they are within a year of my and my husband’s age today.

Sixty-seven years later, my husband and I celebrate our 50th anniversary this month. A photo from our wedding day, and a recent pic of the two of us. Actually, the more recent one was taken on our 49th anniversary a year ago.

Our celebration will continue all summer. It begins with a family wedding on our actual anniversary date at the same church where we were married. (I told Jeanette and Tyler they chose the best wedding date ever.) We’ve planned a trip this summer to visit friends who’ve moved away to a place we have never been to but would love to visit. Visiting friends is the icing on the cake for this trip. And an official anniversary celebration on an unofficial date later in the summer–since our specific day is occupied.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. ~Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 
~Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. ~Matthew 19:6 (NIV)

Let the parties keep going!!!

Copyright 2023, Lynn U. Watson
50th balloon image from Pixabay

I’ve learned in writing their books, authors research many interesting things that for whatever reason are lost to the story.

Today I thought I would share a piece of history that tried hard, yet failed to make it onto the pages of Tangled Promises. Several of the Reinhold women in the book make a trip to Paris in 1881. The main character’s (Clara Reinhold) very excited thirteen-year-old sister, Emmaline, hoped to ride a merry-go-round. In 1879 Paris acquired one very similar to the ones we know today–The Jardin du Luxembourg. It is the oldest in Paris. (This picture is not it–sorry,)

What do you know of the ancestors of Merry-Go-Rounds? They have a rather gory history, the story going back to Renaissance jousting matches. Today they provide gentle entertainment for young and old alike.

Paris for Dreamers shares a most informative story of their history. The excerpt below shows real people and real horses engaged in this entertainment. I spared you the gory parts of early matches, however. Feel free to read the whole article. In fact, I hope you will.

By the 17th century, jousting tournaments had been replaced by a less violent, more elaborate version of an equine extravaganza known as un carrousel. Almost an equestrian ballet, a carrousel was an intricately coordinated pageant of a parade, with horses and their riders elaborately dressed. One of the most famous carousels of the time was that of 1662, a celebration Sun King, Louis XIV’s first son. It was held just to the west of the Louvre (the royal palace at the time), which is why this public square there is now called the Place du Carrousel.

Most of us have great memories of riding the colorful carousel horses and choosing our favorite. I’m certain Emmaline had an opportunity on another trip. Maybe she will tell us about it another time.

Next month I will see a mock-up of the cover for Tangled Promises. Pre-order status cannot be far behind. A fun gift included when you pre-order invites you to jump into Clara and Daniel’s story world. I can’t wait to share.

Are you a member of BookBub? There are so many benefits for readers–especially to hear about FREE or greatly discounted books in the genres you love and from authors you love. Sign up today. And thank you in advance for following me there.

Copyright 2023, Lynn U. Watson
Photo from Sergio from Pixabay" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pixabay

Cynthia Roemer’s newest book in her Wounded Hearts series, Beyond Wounded Hearts, released this week!
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!!

I asked her to share something about herself and her writing to feature here on the blog, and feature in my newsletter, Inklings from my Pen. Cynthia is a special lady and her books are special, too. You will enjoy getting to know her better. Cynthia would be honored for you to check out her links and follow her on social media — AND, of course, purchase a copy of her book.

When I decided to write novels set during the Civil War era, I’m not sure I knew what I was getting into. LOL! My three previous novels were set, for the most part, on the Illinois prairie in the mid to late 1850’s with much of the storylines stemming from my imagination. I researched the time period, but had little actual historical content to incorporate.

Book Three in the series, set in 1859, touched on pre-Civil War tensions, so the natural progression, led me right into the Civil War years. I thought, why not? I enjoy learning about history.

But oh, was I in for a shock. There was sooo much detailed research involved in integrating actual people and events into a story. The more historical backdrop gave my fourth novel, Beyond These War-Torn Lands such a different flavor and feel that it called for a new series altogether. Thus, my Wounded Heart Series was born.

I soon learned to enjoy weaving together fact and fiction.

One aspect I find most gratifying about writing historical novels based on actual events and people is the opportunity to insert my characters into real historical situations. There is something invigorating about bringing historical figures to life and having my characters interact with them. Granted, it takes loads of research to incorporate accurate details and descriptions of real people and events.

In Beyond These War-Torn Lands, Book One in the series, my hero and heroine are both steeped in historical details. We see Drew and Caroline interacting with such figures as General Grant, as well as other known historical figures I can’t share. (to name names would produce spoilers, which I don’t wish to do.)

The novel puts Drew in the thick of some of the lesser-known Civil War battles such as the Battle of Monocacy, the Battle of the Crater, and the Siege of Petersburg. While Caroline has her own surprises to unearth as the war ends and new challenges begins.

My recent release, Beyond Wounded Hearts (Wounded Heart Series ~ Book Two) rewinds a bit, beginning with the Union takeover of Richmond. This story features Drew’s younger brother, Luke, and a beautiful but bitter young southerner named Adelaide who, after suffering a great deal of loss, has a long journey ahead toward both physical and spiritual healing.

In the throes of the fiery fallout at Richmond, Luke and Adelaide encounter various historical figures such as General and Mrs. Lee, and the renowned Union spy, Miss Elizabeth Van Lew. But as much fun as I have merging fact and fiction, the most important aspect of my writing lies in the desire to weave spiritual truths into the storylines.

My characters each have an area of their lives that is challenged in some way, a flaw, weakness, or problem they must face. In Beyond Wounded Hearts, Luke deals with guilt from his past in relation to a lost friend. This guilt plays out in an attempt to earn his way back into God’s good graces. Adelaide’s heart, on the other hand, has become so wounded by loss that she has given up on God altogether. An intriguing tale ensues as their two opposing viewpoints and worlds collide.

Beyond Wounded Hearts Blurb:

They were North and South ~ Faithful and Faithless

After suffering disabling burns during the fall of Richmond, Adelaide Hanover awakens in a hospital alone and destitute, escalating her already stanch hatred for Yankees. When the Union soldier who freed her from the rubble begins paying her visits, she wants nothing to do with him … or his faith. Yet, his persistent kindness penetrates her resolve and forges a much-needed friendship. But after a dangerous man threatens Addie, she flees Richmond, intent on solving the mystery to her aunt’s dying wish before he does.

Haunted by a tragic failure in his past, Corporal Luke Gallagher takes Adelaide’s plight on as his own. Though his strong beliefs collide with his growing feelings for her, he offers his family’s home as a place to convalesce. Adelaide’s initial rejection, followed by her sudden willingness to accept his benevolence, hints there’s more to the decision than a mere change of heart. When trouble follows her, endangering her safety, as well as his family’s, Luke must lay his life and his convictions on the line to save them.

Author bio:

Cynthia Roemer is an inspirational, award-winning author with a heart for scattering seeds of hope into the hearts of readers. Cynthia enjoys spinning tales set in the backdrop of the mid-1800’s prairie and Civil War era. She resides with her husband on their family farm in central Illinois. Visit Cynthia online at: www.cynthiaroemer.com

Connect:

Website:  https://cynthiaroemer.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaRoemer/

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16785237.Cynthia_Roemer

Author Newsletter Sign-up:  https://mailchi.mp/2a0d03dfaa50/newslettersignup

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Roemer/e/B06Y1CJ588/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cynthia-roemer

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/cynthiaroemer

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/cynthiaroemer_author/

Copyright 2023, Lynn U. Watson and Cynthia Roemer

The women in my upcoming debut novel, Tangled Promises, visit Paris’ fashion district. They purchased fabric for several ensembles for each of them. Gowns of the late 19th century were quite elaborate and fabric was usually produced in narrow widths. For each gown, they purchased 10 yards of fabric plus trims and buttons and more. I searched unsuccessfully for a video of rolling out velvet fabric which is usually on a long bolt about 39″ wide. A fairly narrow fabric.

Many years ago I was teaching a Bible study on Isaiah, his vision in the temple (Isaiah 6), and our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. When my characters in Tangled Promises were shopping, the large amounts of fabric they purchased drew me to that study and a story I shared. I dug through some old, old, blog posts and found it. No need to recreate that for you. First here’s the verse that puts the attention on the amount of fabric.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. ~Isaiah 6:1

Now here’s my little story about it.

When our children were growing up, to supplement our family income, I spent many hours at the sewing machine creating custom garments for the public. Our firstborn, did not entertain herself well for very long. (How many of you have had one of those children?) This meant oftentimes holding her in my lap while I sewed, or snatching moments to sew late at night or during her very short naps — she didn’t like those either. When she was old enough to sit up and get into things, her curiosity and investigative skills happened onto a new “toy” —  grocery sacks (those brown paper ones full of fabric scraps! My little daughter would sit on the floor where I was working and carefully dump those sacks. She would slowly inspect every single piece of fabric in those sacks as though she were looking for a rare treasure. When she finished with them, I could gather the pieces back into the sacks, and she would repeat the entire search all over again. She was thrilled with this little game, and it won me 45 minutes every afternoon of uninterrupted sewing time.

My curiosity led me to estimate just how many grocery sacks of fabric would have been required to fill the temple. After measuring the scraps, and estimating how many layers of fabric and the size of each layer to fill the temple my very unscientific calculation: 151,875 or so . . . That’s a whole lot of grocery sacks. Now my daughter had two sacks, and she went through each of them twice in 45 minutes. So, if she had 151,875 sacks, and was willing to go through each of them twice for 45 minutes, she would spend 56,953 hours or 2,373 days, or 339 weeks or 6.5 years of her life 24/7 at this. I’m sure she would discover some pretty cool things about the fabrics as she examined their intricate patterns and textures. If you will further consider that she could go through the same two sacks of scraps for a month or more before we changed out the mix — well you get the picture — this could be a lifelong, 24-hour-a-day activity and the discoveries would not be made this side of eternity.

Many 19th-century gowns had trains, not nearly as long as the Lord’s that filled the temple in Isaiah’s vision, but they required extra fabric. It’s a loose connection, but as I wrote the book this little story begged to be shared again.

Tangled Promises releases 12.28.23. I’ll be sharing more in my FB readers’ group and my newsletter as the process continues.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Looking for a unique idea for Valentine’s Day? We have a great one for you. It’s a bookish idea for Valentine’s Day!

Authors use “pull quotes” from their books as teasers on social media and correspondence with their readers. Books expose avid readers to thousands of quotes every day.  Grab your favorite quotes about LOVE. Each day through Valentine’s Day place one of them in a special box or envelope you leave where your love(s) will find them. Your Valentine(s) can be anyone you would love to bless with a special message–your spouse, your children, special friends, or co-workers–your imagination is the only limit.

My loved ones, let us devote ourselves to loving one another. Love comes straight from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and truly knows God. ~1 John 4:7

Suggestions for special LOVE quotes can be found in the links below.

The Bible is full of love quotes. Bible Study Tools is a great place to search for those.
Christian.net has a list: 40 Christian Love Quotes to Use this Valentines
Parents magazine: 9 Quotes about Love from Children’s Books

If you are not already following Christian authors on Instagram, it’s a great time to start. Authors will publish memes with quotes from their own books and from other authors too. You’ll discover great quotes and even better, you’ll discover new-to-you Christian authors and great reads. Many of us follow each other on Instagram. Begin by following my Instagram page. From there learn who I’m following and who is following me. You’ll make many new friends and some of those shared quotes will be about LOVE.

Copyright 2023, Lynn U. Watson
Scripture taken from The Voice. Copyright © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.