I have been away from this blog for quite some time now for the simple reason I had been the primary caregiver of my now, late husband. I had no time or energy to write. Remembering that there is a time for everything — “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance”, a few months ago, I put on my dancing shoes and re-engaged in the world again. I resumed ballroom dancing, found new friends and new activities. I recently discovered tai chi and am finding it very enjoyable and emotionally healing. I am smiling, laughing and enjoying life once again. I think there is truth in the Buddhist philosophy that change in life is inevitable. But I’ve found that even unpleasant change can bring new opportunities for growth. I hope to get back to writing on the fourth novel I had started. In the meantime, I shall resume blogging between my tai chi lessons!
Coeur a la Creme
Coeur a la Creme is French for “Heart with Cream”. Some years ago, I made this delectable dessert for Valentines Day. Earlier, I had been lucky to find the odd-looking porcelain molds at an estate sale. I wasn’t sure why there were holes in the bottom of the cute little heart-shaped molds. When I got home, I researched on the internet and learned the molds were used for Coeur a la Creme. I found the recipe and couldn’t wait to try it on Valentines. Coeur a la Creme is basically, a no-bake cheesecake. You can find Coeur a la Creme recipes on the internet, so I won’t include a recipe here. You will need cheesecloth to line the bottom of your molds. Most recipes call for cream cheese, sour cream, powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract and salt. You can garnish the Coeur a la Creme with raspberry sauce or strawberry sauce. Happy Valentines Day!
My Little Sewing Machine
My readers may wonder why the young women in my novels sew and design fashions. Well…let me tell you. Sewing has been a big part of my life since I was ten. That’s when I received my first sewing machine! Unfortunately, the young Victorian lady in my first two novels had to sew by hand. I, on the other hand, had a wonderful little sewing machine to learn to sew on.
My little sewing machine was a Singer metal machine that operated by a turn wheel. The machine was about six inches tall by six inches wide and though it was designed as a toy, it worked nearly as well as any grown-up sewing machine. From spool holder to needle, each section of the machine was numbered, making it easy to guide the thread. It came with a clamp to stabilize it on any surface and it was easy enough to turn the hand wheel with my right hand while I guided the fabric with my left.
I still have that little sewing machine which stitches by a chain stitch and doesn’t require a bobbin. With the machine, I made many doll clothes when I was young. And, when I grew up and had children, I taught my youngest daughter, Sarah, to sew on this very same machine and she had fun creating all sorts of things, including doll clothes.
Unfortunately, the sewing machine needle eventually broke and I haven’t been able to find the correct replacement needle which is a little shorter than the machine needles in most machines. But I treasure the machine anyway, as it is a reminder of how thrilled I was when I created my first dolly’s dress!
The Little Black Dress
THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS – With New Year’s Eve approaching you may be wondering what you will wear to a holiday party. The Little Black Dress is the perfect choice. What, exactly, is it? Simply put, it is a black dress designed with simple lines.
Coco Chanel is often credited with introducing the iconic dress and it appeared in American Vogue in October, 1926. Since then, the timeless dress has made its appearance on some of my favorite actresses in classic movies: Lauren Bacall in To Have and To Have Not (1944), Rita Hayworth in Gilda (1946), Marilyn Monroe in The Asphalt Jungle (1950), Grace Kelly in Rear Window (1954), Elizabeth Taylor in Suddenly Last Summer (1959), and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961).
In my mystery novel, Gathering Secrets, Marie chooses a black sheath to wear for an evening out.
“As Marie slipped on the little black dress that she reserved for cocktail parties, she looked in the mirror at the hemline. She was glad hemlines were coming down again. They added elegance to any dress, but especially to a slim-fitting dress like this one.”
I have several classic black dresses in my closet that I’ve worn to cocktail parties, ballroom dancing and to an author’s night to read my poem, I Am My Mother (which appears in my novel, Amelia).
Unfortunately, with COVID still lurking around, my husband and I won’t be ballroom dancing this New Year’s Eve. So… I think I’ll put on my black velvet dress and waltz around with him in our living room! A girl’s gotta have fun–right?
Newest Novel–a romantic mystery
I am excited to announce the publication of my newest novel, a romantic mystery set in the early fifties in San Francisco and Carmel.
Housewife, Marie Stratton, feels grateful for her life. She has a loving marriage to Ed, a wealthy investment broker who provides her with everything she needs and wants, including a beautiful house on the cliffs above the bay in San Francisco.
But when Ed doesn’t arrive home from work on his birthday and has his office clerk deliver a disturbing note, Marie must follow his instructions to contact his attorney who will explain everything.
When Marie finds her perfect world has been turned upside-down, she seeks the help of Paul, her friend from childhood. Together, they embark on a quest to put together the missing pieces. But through it all, Marie soon discovers that the past has consequences for everyone.
With spellbinding plot twists and turns, compelling characters, haute couture fashion and cold war intrigue, Gathering Secrets is perfect for readers who enjoy historical cozy mysteries.
A Room with a View
My heroine, Amelia, had a room with a view even if it was from her attic bedroom window! When she looked out the tiny attic bedroom, she saw sheep grazing in neighboring pastures. I often long to get out of the suburbs and perhaps one of these days I will. Until then, I have lovely photos to remind me of pleasant days traveling through the countryside in England, Scotland and Ireland.
Right now, here in California, the fields are golden. Come Spring, they will be green again. In the meantime I satisfy my longing for green pastures by enjoying my potted flowers in my little patio.
Amelia’s Poems
I love to weave my interests into my writing. One of those interests is writing an occasional poem. In my novel, AMELIA, I included the poem, I Am My Mother, which first appeared in the Sacramento poetry anthology, Late Peaches in 2012.
Below, is a little poem that makes me smile. If you love gardening, you may enjoy this poem!
When I Need A Friend
When I need a friend
and no one’s around
I go to my garden
and play in the ground
I visit my friends
Johnny-jump up
and Sue
I never tire
There’s plenty to do
Black-eyed Susan
Daisy and John
keep me busy
all day long
Best Sellers in Kindle Store
Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know that my first novel, AMELIA, has a beautiful new cover! Yesterday, I decided to look on Amazon for my novel, AMELIA. I had to look twice when I saw my novel listed as #23 in Victorian Historical Romance (Kindle Store). Really? Can this be true? I clicked on Victorian Historical Romance (Kindle Store) and arrived at Amazon Best Sellers, Best Sellers in Victorian Historical Romance. I scrolled down the list of Top 100 Free and found my novel! I had to take a screen shot on my iPad just to confirm it was real and then I showed my husband and shed tears of joy.
I went to sleep wondering what rank my novel would be at in the morning only to awaken at 4:46 am for a drink of water. I couldn’t resist checking Amazon on my iPad and had to blink when I saw that my novel had jumped up to #16. I went back to bed and whispered to my husband the good news. When I woke up in the morning, it was still #16. I was thrilled beyond belief!
Unfortunately, in the early evening, it went down a bit to #21, then #22 and now it’s #27 at 10 pm. Am I disappointed that it’s coming down? Perhaps. But I have to remember several things. First, something Wayne Dyer said about his self-help books on best sellers lists–Don’t confuse the book ranking with the self. While I should feel honored to have to have my novel ranked in the top 100, it’s a ranking of a novel, not myself. (Even though a lot of personal effort went into it!)
The second thing I need to remember is this–Joys in life are sometimes fleeting. But it’s good to remember those joys even if they don’t last forever. I should remember how wonderful it felt when I saw my book at #16, even if it was only for a short time.
I have heard that a cover makes all the difference and after this experience, I can vouch for that. Sarah Keturah, my cover designer, currently works as a graphic designer for a television network and has previously worked on blockbuster movies. I am also proud to say she is my youngest daughter! I am a lucky mother and author to have a professional graphic designer as a daughter!
Canary Islands Papas Arrugadas con Mojo Verde (Wrinkled Potatoes with green sauce)
Much of what I put in my novels comes from my own experiences. When I visited the Canaries several years ago, I had the opportunity to dine on wrinkled potatoes — Papas Arrugadas — with green and red sauces (con verde and con rojo.) They were delicious! The green sauce is made with just the right combination of coriander, garlic, cumin, salt, olive oil and sherry vinegar. When I got home, I just had to try making them. They were good, but not nearly as good as the ones I had on the Canaries. But then, everything tastes better on vacation, doesn’t it?
In my novel, AMELIA, Papas Arrugadas are a topic of discussion. I won’t say any more– I don’t want to spoil it for you!
Author Page
Check out my author page on Amazon! Just search for Linda D. Fechter. You will find my two novels, AMELIA and THE CAPTAIN’S WIFE. As an occasional housewife who loves to write, I had a lot of fun writing about Amelia sewing for aunt Hester in the attic bedroom. During my homemaking years, I sewed baby clothes and dresses for my two girls. One year for Easter, I made matching blue gingham dresses for my two girls. I made one for myself, too, so that all three of us could match. Children grow up and now we three have fun talking about fashion. Life is grand!
Linda Fechter 