Whew! Twenty-one days ago, my debut novel, Secrets of the Blue Moon, launched into the world in paperback and eBook. Thank you to all who have shown so much love and support along the crazy journey to get to that finish line. At the risk of sounding as if I think I won an Academy Award… A SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS ~ to a splendid group of cheerleading reader friends and sister authors (aka my Pub Buds), many who downloaded an advanced copy of the e-book and provided an online review or blurb: Alida Winternheimer, Amanda Day, Beth Mathison, Carol Ansardi, D.W. (Dawn) Hogan, Donna Kappers, Emily Carpenter, Gabi Coatsworth, Gurleen Roberts, Heather Kennedy, J. Marie Rundquist, Jayne Nestell, Karen Kirkpatrick, Katherine Caldwell, Kathryn Dodson, Kay Ryle, K.E. Huston, Kimberly Hays de Muga, Lainey Cameron, Lindsey P. Brackett, Marcy Lane, Pam Blackwell, Renee Rains, Sharon Dukett, Sheila Athens, Spencer Byce, and Vicky Carter. If I left someone off the list—ugh!—please let me know. A special thank you also to my sister, Lynne, and her husband, Kim, who drove down from Maryland (!) to surprise me at my first signing, and to my daughter-in-law, Lauren, for all the lovely balloons she had delivered to add to the celebration. |
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A NOTE TO BOOK CLUBS ~ I’d be happy to visit with your book club – in person if nearby, by Zoom if from afar. Email me if this sounds like something you’d enjoy. A NOTE TO ATLANTA AREA PEEPS ~ I’d love to have you stop by to say “hello” at one of my upcoming signings: Sunday, 9/29/24, Noon to 5 p.m. ~ Johns Creek Literary Fair at Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater ~ Newtown Park Saturday, 10/5/24, 4 to 7 p.m. ~ An Artist Reception & Book Signing at The Art House ~ 4425 Cherokee Street, Acworth Sunday, 10/6/24, 3 to 5 p.m. ~ Author Book Signing at Barnes & Noble ~ The Avenue West Cobb, 3625 Dallas Highway, Marietta
A NOTE TO ALL ~ Always, always, I thank you for reading—anything! There’s so much content out there, I’m especially honored to those who have taken a chance with a new author and shared the experience if it was positive. (Remember, if you like a book, writers appreciate your sharing a review. Influencers make our hearts leap, yet everyone can post their feedback on Amazon [algorithms, baby!], Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and BookBub. Copy and paste your heart out. It’s never too late for a positive review to sell one more book.) AND NOW ~ life goes on. My work-in-progress continues to give me heartburn, and my website never seems completely up to date. At least the site now has a link on the home page so readers can order the book there and select their vendor of choice. So there’s that. As I like to remind myself often: it’s all good. Cheers ~ Jan |
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Nashville-based author, Ariel Lawhon, wowed me this month with THE FROZEN RIVER, an amazing mashup of historical fiction, mystery, and memoir. Set in Maine in the 1780s, Lawhon’s novel is based on the diaries of real-life midwife and healer Martha Ballard, whose post-mortem exam finds that one of the town’s most respected gentlemen was likely hanged before being dumped into the frozen Kennebec River. |
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Unfortunately, a new town doctor, a young Yale graduate, disagrees, declaring the death accidental. Martha doesn’t back down. Trusting her medical skillset and years of experience, she continues to investigate the crime on her own. She finds proof that the deceased “gentleman” raped a friend, which ups the likelihood he was killed in vengeance. Yet she knows she needs more if she hopes to make the powers-that-be listen. Her sleuthing, coupled with entries from her diary, eventually weaves clues together to solve the murder in a satisfying way. Yet the crux of the story is really about the life of an 18th century midwife, the joys and challenges of motherhood and childbearing, and the disparity of justice here in the U.S. Lawhon’s wintery gothic setting is stark yet vivid. Her use of modern-day prose makes the story more accessible than others I’ve read set in this time period. I especially loved the thoughtful way she depicts the relationship between Martha and her husband, who have weathered many years together, but who still share a mutual love, longing, and respect for each other. It shines extra bright against the icy, post-Revolutionary War landscape. |
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Currently, I’m compiling a free little eBook of short ghost stories that I hope to share very soon. This month’s surprise is a preview of the cover, along with one of the sweeter stories that’s come my way. (I’m still collecting them. Feel free to share.) |
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THE GHOST IN THE FLOWER GARDEN (A true recollection shared by Vicky Carter; retold in Vicky’s voice by Jan Heidrich-Rice.) When our grandson, Britton, was maybe two or three years old, he and his parents lived with me. One day he pointed through the sliding glass door out toward a small flower garden in the back yard. |
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“There’s a man out there,” he said. The yard was fenced and quite private, so I was alarmed at the thought of someone being out there. “I don’t see anyone, baby,” I told him, after a quick scan of the yard. Britton looked at me through clear blue eyes. “It’s Farmer John,” he said. Goosebumps ran up and down my spine. You see, my father, John Ross, spent his life owning and operating a turkey farm in Pennsylvania. No longer with us, Farmer John planted that little flower garden for me years ago when he came to visit. Part of me can’t help but wonder: maybe he still does? |
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If you haven't already signed up for my occasional updates, including book recs and other surprises, please do so by pressing the CONTACT ME button below. No spam. No selling your info. I promise. Cheers ~ Jan | | |
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