Blog
Guest author of the Month: Roy Taylor
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 1207. Apple Fritters.-- Pare and core some fine large pip pins, and cut them into round slices. Soak them in wine sugar, and nutmeg, for two or three hours. Make a batter of four eggs; a table-spoonful of...
Book Clubs: Getting to Know you
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857 1313. To make Salt Butter fresh- Put four pounds of slat butter into a churn, with four quarts of new milk, and a small portion of annatto. Churn them together, and in about an hour, take out the butter and treat it...
Guest author Of the Month
What's in Mrs. Hale Receipt for the Million 1857? 1310. Method of curing bad Tub Butter-start the tubs of butter in a large quantity of hot water, which soon melts the butter/ skim it off as clean as possible, and work it over again and again in a churn, with the...
Teaching Hands-on History I
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Millions 1857? 1079. Method of making excellent Butter from the Milk of Cows fed upon Turnips – Let the bowls, either lead or wood, be kept constantly clean, and well scaled with boiling water before using. When the milk is...
Celebrating Historical Fiction with Guest Helena Page Schrader
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 1199. Cheap Ginger Biscuits.—work into quite small crumbs three ounces of good butter, with two pounds of flour; then add three ounces of pounded sugar Writing historical fiction Why Do I write Historical Fiction? I...
SR Klushman interview
Strider does a one-on-one interview with Janet Oakley, discussing her newest book, Brisling Code, (to be released mid-September), prequel to her award-winning Quisling Factor, part of her series on Norway in WWII. The'll also discuss her other numerous works of...
History Through Fiction Podcast appearance
During the interview, host Colin Mustful talks with Oakley about the Norwegian resistance movement during WWII, the important reason her main character can speak in sign language, and how her own family history helped make her into a storyteller. Don’t miss it! Listen...
Writing Little Known WWII History
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for Million? 4095. Give yourself as you are, what you are, and how you see it. Every man sees with his own eyes, or does not see at all. This is incontrovertibly true. First, an update on The Brisling Code and its Audio Book Last...
An Audiobook for Brisling Code & Fall is here
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million? 4093. The Author. – If you would write to any purpose, you must be perfectly free from without, in the first place, and yet more free from within The Brisling Code is out and about It's been been over two weeks since I...
The Brisling Code
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857 4282. The Weather and the Blood. – In dry, sultry weather the heat ought to be counteracted by means of a cooling diet. To this purpose, cucumbers, melons, and juicy fruit are subservient A Cover at Last & an...
Shetland Noir: A criminal affair
What's in Mrs Hale's Receipts for the Millions 1857? 4097. Letter-writing. – Great care and attention should be devoted to epistolary correspondence, as nothing exhibits want of taste and judgment so much as a slovenly letter. A wish fulfilled Last July, before...
Another Grand Adventure of History and Writing
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million? 4356. Common Carriers. – The owners of a steamboat are responsible to shippers of goods as common carriers. Common carriers, if they make a wrong delivery, are responsible for any loss. Shetland Noir I don't plan to...
Saying Goodbye, but Seeding the Future
I have always loved history since I was a girl. I grew up on pioneer tales from the family going West, a great-grandfather who was a surgeon at the Battle of Gettysburg, another great-grandfather an amateur geologist in the Hayden Expedition that scientifically...
News update for August
What's happening in my world? Sometimes I get so busy that I forget to post. It has been a productive spring and summer. First, the audio book of The Quisling Factor came out in April. As a novel in paperback and ebook it has received wonderful reviews. I'm very...
Dancing with the Pulpwood Queens
DIGITAL CAMERA I can't believe that it's January, let alone 2022. Where did last year go? Hopefully, gone for good and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We've had massive rain around Thanksgiving (which brought devastating flooding) and snow storms that...
An Audio book for The Quisling Factor
What's happening with my novel? Since The Quisling Factor was published in August 2020, it has gone on to win awards and selected as a book club read by Sons of Norway lodges around the country and as a Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guys Reading Nation International Book...
Fall is Here
Fall is here and so is the rain. It's a good time to finish cleaning up the garden and get ready for winter. It's also a good time to write and edit in between the dry spells which will be minimal this week. As October deepens, I've been out in my garden putting...
The 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Norway May 8 1945
I had the great privilege to be invited to present a 10 minute History of Norway during WWII. I really put my teaching skills to wrote. As I happened, I came after the Royal Norwegian Embassy attache there who is also historian. https://youtu.be/lIYeKCNt0_s
Catching Up
Hi all, I hope this finds you well. I've been enjoying cool, but sunny weather after our death heat wave here in the Pacific NW a few weeks ago. It's so unusual for us. I worried the most about my pets, the Intern (Kinky Boots) and Biggie, my grand puppy. We stuck to...
What’s Happening with The Jøssing Affair
What's in Mrs. Hale Receipt for the Millions 1857 4356. Common Carriers. – The owners of a steamboat are responsible to shippers of goods as common carriers. Common carriers, if they make a wrong delivery, are responsible for any loss. NORWAY in WW II My...
My Reading & Discussion on Bestselling Reads
In which I get to read an excerpt from Mist-chi-mas: A Novel of Captivity and talk about the background behind the novel. I also have a great chat with author and journalist Scott Bury about writing historical fiction and my deep interest in Norway in WWII ....
Talking history with AC Fuller
Find the interview here:https://acfuller.com/talking-historical-fiction-j-l-oakley-episode-114-december-2-2016/ Once a journalist in New York, A.C. Fuller now writes fiction at the intersection of media, politics, and technology. Before he began writing full time, he...
Quisling Book Launch at Village Books
If you missed the launch of Quisling, you can still watch the replay here:https://www.crowdcast.io/e/jl-oakley
A Novel Talk with Wendy Kendall
Author J L Oakley joins co-hosts Carl Lee and Wendy Kendall for a fascinating talk about her historical thriller set in Norway. Janet's artful blend of can't-catch-your-breath history with unforgettable characters is an epic read. https://youtu.be/J5sHef2Y_CQ
Good news for The Jøssing Affair
What's in Mrs. Hale Receipts for the Millions 1857? A word to the Young.— Never be cast down by trifles. If a spider breaks his thread twenty times, twenty times will he mend it again. I don't think anyone has much more to say about 2020. It's been a hard year with...
Historyteller’s Scavanger Hunt
Welcome to Historytellers Scavenger Hunt! This is a hunt dedicated to novels historically set in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s where all genre are welcome. You’ll get the opportunity to discover new authors, new stories and to meet and talk to other readers who love this...
A New Look
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Millions 1857? Scrape your shoes and use the mat. Welcome to my new website. It's been months in the making and frankly, needed a complete overhaul. So here it is. What do I hope to have for you? Better layout and...
Time to Celebrate and Other Waaay Behind Posts
What's in Mrs. Hales Receipts for the Million 1857? 1221. Unfermented bread-This keeps moist longer than bread made with yeast, and is more sweet and digestive. The brown bread made in this way particularly recommended for dyspeptic. Take four pounds of flour, half an...
Stepping Out
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Million 1857? Appear in full dress. Always wear gloves. Do not wear rings on the outside of your gloves. Getting Ready for HNS 2017 in Portland I’m just hours away from getting on a train to Portland for the USA Historical Novel...
Going to the Mother of All Book Club Gatherings
What’s in Mrs. Hale’s Receipts for the Million 1857? Upon entering, first address the lady of the house; and after her, the nearest acquaintances you may recognize in the house. The Pulpwood Queen Girlfriend Weekend Sometimes, some really good things happen to one of...
Catching Up with 2016
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Million 1857? Postage. – Since the establishment of the cheap postage, it is recognized as a rule that all letters should be prepaid/ indeed, many persons make it a point of never taking in an unpaid letter. Keeping in Touch and...
THE JØSSING AFFAIR HAS LAUNCHED
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Millions 1857? 2680. A Paris card of invitation to an evening party usually implies that you are invited for the season. Time Flies by When You're a Writer and Have a Life Hang it all, where did the time go? I was going to report...
Christmas Poetry
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 691. To make Old Writing legible – take six bruised gall nuts, and put them to a pint of strong white wine; let it stand in the sun or forty-eight hours. Dip a brush in it and wash the writing, and by the color you...
Lost Letters from WW I
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Million 1857? 3863. If you would avoid the diseases which your particular trades and work are liable to produce, attend to the following hints: 3864. Keep,if possible, regular hours. Never suppose that you have done extra work,...
Writing History into Story: The 1946 Tsunami That Destroyed Hilo
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 4006. Rules to Govern Persons who Attempt to Rescue the Drowning – 1. In removing a body from the water, whether into a boat or drawing it along along by your own efforts always keep the face upward. What's in Mrs....
Crazy, Fun Summer
Crazy Fun Summer What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Million in 1857? 1271. Spruce Beer-- For white spruce, pour ten gallons of boiling water upon six pounds of good raw or lumps sugar, and four ounces of essence of spruce; ferment with half a pint of good yeast,...
A #LeiCrimeKW Blog Tour
What’s in Mrs. Hale’s Receipts for the Millions 1857? Books upon etiquette are useful, inasuchas that they expound the laws of polite society Experience alone, however, can give effect to the precise manner in which these laws are required to be observed. A Whirlwind...
Brand New Kindle World Launches #LeiCrimeKW
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Millions 1857? 4112. If you are not a good writer, it is advisable to use the best ink, the best paper, and the best pens, as, though they may not alter the character of your handwriting, yet they will assist to make your writing...
Adventuring into a Kindle World
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Millions 1857? 1387. Choice of Reading. – Never keep a house without books. Life is not life to any great purpose where books are not. Hawaii No Ka Oi and Some Exciting News I'm excited to be part of the launch of best selling...
A Little Book Tour
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt's for the Million 1857? 1387. Choice of Reading. – A good book is a safe refuge in idle hours. Hope the new year is going well so far, though I know some parts of the country are slammed with ice and snow or storms. We're getting slammed...
Congrats to Winners of the Christmas in the Mountains Blog Hop
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Million, 1857? 3873. Home! --It marks the sacred spot to which the cares and tumult of the world do not reach; and where, except in cases of extreme, depravity, its vices do not intrude. Winners!! Won't Caroline be pleased? As...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Millions 1857?
Christmas Time in the Mountains 1907
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 2680. A Paris card of invitation to an evening party usually implies that you are invited for the season. Frazier, A Little Town in a Wilderness Today we're going up to my fictional settlement of Frazier,...
Announcements, Announcements
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1859? 00. She's speechless. There's a great blog hop coming up on the the 20th and we'd love to have you attend. Things will be given away. All historical fiction writers. And we shall add that Timber Rose is now a...
Finding Mineral Part I
What's Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 3868. Always have fresh air in the room in which you work, but so that you shall not be in a draft. On the Speaker's Circuit If you are like me, no matter how long you live in a state, there are still places to...
A Chance for The Jossing Affair
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 4097. Letter-writing. – Great care and attention should be devoted to epistolary correspondence, as nothing exhibits want of taste and judgment so much as a slovenly letter. Kindle Scout Campaign:The Jossing Affair...
Outlandish Ways with Dyes
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 279. Dyeing.- Occasionally, when colored articles of silk, wool, or cotton have been cleaned, their color requires to be made deeper; at other times, it may be desirable to change the color altogether, when that...
Catching Up
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 4191. Shopping.-- Never go shopping for amusement-- you rob the shopkeeper of his time and waste your own. Well, I Haven't Been Shopping It's been a crazy few months. Timber Rose came out in April about the time my...
A Different Mother’s Day
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 4183, The Mother at Home,-- by the quiet fireside at home, the true mother, in the midst of her children, is sowing as in the vases of the earth, the seeds of plants that shall some time give to Heaven the fragrance...
Timber Rose’s Historical Friends
What’s in Mrs. Hale’s Receipts for the Million 1857? 2669. If you introduce a friend, make him acquainted with the names of the chief persons present. But first present him to the lady of the house, and to the host. We’re having a party Did I say we’re having a party?...
Timber Rose is Out
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 2543. Pay unmistakable respect to ladies everywhere. Here's to Ladies Who Climbed Mountains in Skirts It's been over a year of workshopping and editing, rewriting and checking again, but Timber Rose is now out. It's...
After the Curtain Call
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857: 4051. The Voice.— In ordinary conversation, the modulation and proper management of the voice is a point worthy of the attention of young ladies; for a fine and melodious voice “Sweet as music on the water,” makes...
Novel to Reader’s Theater: A New Voice for Tree Soldier
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 4037. Reading aloud, speaking, and particularly singing, affords a healthful exercise; while wind-instruments are injurious. I Had a Dream Every author imagines his novel published and on the NY Times Best Seller...
Being Thankful
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 2516. The best men throughout all history, have been the most humble. Being Thankful I truly am grateful. Two and a half years after publishing my novel, Tree Soldier, wonderful things have been happening. The story...
Going Back
What's in Mrs. Hale Receipts for the Million 1857? 2497. It is sometimes objected to books upon etiquette that they cause those who consult them to act with mechanical restraint, and to show in society that they re governed by arbitrary rules, rather than by an...
Following in the Steps of History
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 378. To prevent Wounds from mortifying. – Sprinkle sugar on them. The Turks wash fresh wounds with wine, and sprinkle sugar on them. Obstinate ulcers may be cured with sugar dissolved in a strong decoction of walnut...
The Last Pack of Seeds
What's in Mrs. Hale's Reciepts for the Million 1857? 1116. #2. Kitchen-gardeners would in a few days lose their crops of melons if not immediately fumigated with tobacco-smoke, when attacked by the red spider; and it is useful to destroy the black flies on cucumbers...
A Little Celebration
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 2667. An invitation to a ball should be given at least a week beforehand. A Wee Bit of Excitement Okay, it's NOT a ball, but it is exciting. I've been awarded the Mayor's Arts Awards 2013. I'm in rich company. What...
Nana
What's in Mrs. Hale's Reciepts for the Million 1857? 4181. The Training of Daughters, Etc. Educate the mind, refine the taste, and exalt the character, by keeping the love of excellence, in all they do, before. Nana Today's my Nana's birthday. She was born on March 6,...
Slugs in the Garden
1056. To prevent Slugs from getting into Fruit Trees. – If the trees are standards, tie a coarse horse-hair rope about them two or three feet from the ground. If they are against the wall, nail a narrow slip of coarse horse-hair cloth against the wall, about half a...
Historical Blog Hop
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 4006. Rules to Govern Persons who Attempt to Rescue the Drowning – 1. In removing a body from the water, whether into a boat or drawing it along along by your own efforts always keep the face upward. Another Blog...
Writing on Fire
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 799. Neighbors and Spectators. – When a fire happens, let every respectable neighbor attend. Send instantly for engines, both of the parish and of the insurance companies, and the parish and other fire-escapes. Look...
Photo Friday
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 672. To mount Prints or Maps. – Upon a table, floor, or board, stretch a piece of calico or smooth canvas, by first fixing it with tacks along one side then straining it tightly with one hand, and driving the tacks...
Veterans Day 2012
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Million 1857? In which she repeats herself, but well worth repeating for our troops today. 309. Water-proof Boots.--I have had three pairs of boots for the last six years (no shoes) and I think I shall not require any more for the...
Finding Family History on a Battlefield
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million 1857? 378. To prevent Wounds from mortifying. – Sprinkle sugar on them. The Turks wash fresh wounds with wine, and sprinkle sugar on them. Obstinate ulcers may be cured with sugar dissolved in a strong decoction of walnut...
Food’s On: The Mess Hall & the CCC’s
What's in Mrs. Hale's Receipt for the Millions 1857? 1178. To smoke Hams and Fish on a small scale. -- Drive the ends out of an old hogshead or barrel; place this over a heap of sawdust of green hard wood, in which a bar of r ed -hot iron is buried; or take...