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!

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!

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!

As an author and occasional housewife who loves to write, I appreciate beautiful table settings but don’t want to spend a fortune or take too much time on it. I would rather spend my time writing!

I have a number of books on my bookshelves that I refer to from time to time. One such little gem is COUNTRY CHIC TABLE SETTINGS by Susan E. Mickey, published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc, 2004. On nearly every page of the book, there are lovely photos of table settings and creative ideas for making the dining experience pleasurable. On one page, there is a photo of dainty vintage handkerchiefs adding texture to the table . I love vintage hankies and if you read my novel, AMELIA, you will discover how a delicate white handkerchief has many uses!

The “candlestick” napkin fold. My husband’s mother showed me how to do this one.

I am thrilled to announce the beautiful new cover for my novel, AMELIA. The cover was designed by Sarah Keturah, a graphic designer who works for a television network. Previously, Sarah worked on blockbuster movies. She also happens to be my youngest daughter. I feel so lucky!

From the novel, AMELIA…

1845 England

Typical of most English inns, the Raven featured a dark interior, lit by very few candles, dark wood paneling and a dark, wood-beamed ceiling. Walking in, Amelia felt the fireplace warming the room with its dancing golden flames.

Perhaps the Raven Inn was similar to this inn we saw while traveling through the Cotswolds, England

When Amelia traveled, the roses in England were in bloom.

A photo of red poppies taken when visiting Southern Europe some years ago

I love our golden poppies of Northern California, but sometimes I wish we could have the red poppies that grow abundantly in Southern Europe! I’m not sure if these are red poppies or just red flowers!

My husband and I spent four nights by the sea recently and it was just the little “get away” that we needed to feel refreshed, enabling our creative energy to flow once again.

During these “COVID” days, many of us spend far too much time inside our apartments, condos or homes.

But what can I do when I can’t get away to the sea? I wrote the poem, “Cottage by the Sea” with that question in mind.

Cottage by the Sea

Cottage by the sea

I long to go

clothed in mist and salty spray

where worries drift away

Cottage by the sea

sandy beach and rugged rock

I need to go

no heat or heavy thoughts

Tiny clapboard fortress

My cottage by the sea

An image in my mind

You shelter me