K. P. Vorenberg

Those Dangerous Gibson Girls!

2011-11-14T14:57:00.001-08:00

I received the most fascinating piece of Victorian trivia in my email box a few days ago from Melissa Rolston of the Victorian Trading Company :

Few would regard such ornamental accoutrements that pierced lavish bonnets as a liability. But scouring through past events it was obvious that Gibson Girls everywhere were armed and dangerous. I attended an antique show last week anxious to hear further tales from the sellers of all things old. One gentleman ceremoniously extracted a Victorian hatpin from his jeweler's case. The heirloom was encrusted with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires and cast in the form of a sword with a filigree sheath. He shared with me the theory that this sacred artifact was utilized as a self-defense weapon.

The intrigue of this practice prompted me to delve deeper into the subject. It appears that the suffragette movement denounced the Victorian fashion trend of ribbons tied under the chin to be naive and submissive. Edwardian women opted for a more practical approach to securing their magnificent headpieces against an unannounced gust. A controversial event that occurred in 1908 launched bans on the sharp jewelry. It was recorded that an insecure English judge demanded that women on trial remove their hats in fear of weapons in his courtroom. Soon thereafter it was mandated that any woman piercing her bonnet with a hatpin required a license should her pin extend 9". Many ladies were forced to have their pins cut down in order to sport them in public, frequently wearing them as "stick pins" upon their bodices . . . .

The term "pin money" hails from the English Parliament's restriction on the popular hatpin imports from France in the early 1800s. The British were alarmed by the effect of the highly-sought Parisian jewelry had on the balance of their trade and thereby restricted the sale of the pins to be only Janauary 1st and 2nd. Englishwomen saved all year for this frenzied splurge known as "January Sales".

Who would have thought of our Lily as being "armed and dangerous" over an ornamental hatpin?

Of cabbages and kings . . . .

2011-08-29T01:02:00.001-07:00

For some strange reason, that stanza from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass always pops into my head whenever I am doing research. Perhaps it is because I begin looking for one thing, which in turn leads to looking at something else, and then again at yet something totally unrelated. Or, so it would seem.

The 1890's were a time of transition. The early 1900's was a time of lightning-fast changes. And all of this was much more evident in a place like the Territory of New Mexico than one could imagine. Especially in southern New Mexico.

Anyway, I digress. My adventure in researching this afternoon and evening led to more than a few fascinating discoveries.

Did you know that the lowly file folder has been around for over 130 years? Go to the Early Office Museum and look at the 1876 Centennial Expo page.

Did you know that during the 1890's Americans went bananas for board games? Go to this charming website and discover how many games we play today were being played then.

Do you know who wrote the bible of card games? Go to this link and read all about it.

I'll say it again -- research is fun!

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid et al . . . .

2011-08-17T01:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, one of my favorite old movies -- who could forget the rascally Paul Newman and Robert Redford playing those roles with such panache? Imagine how much fun I had yesterday when this news article appeared online.

There I was in the middle of doing some heavy research for the exact time period that those infamous outlaws roamed the West. Not that the pair ever made their way to the part of New Mexico that was involved in my research, but it was a great reminder of the sweeping changes that were occurring at that time.

Another fascinating article popped up, this one written by Delbert Trew for an Amarillo, Texas newspaper. He offered more than a few thoughts about living in the Old West, many of which rang so true for the setting of TIERRA RED.

In quoting Louis L'Amour, he wrote: "When a man or woman came West, their past became an unknown and their present became an open book. They soon became known by their actions or lack of. No one cared who your father was or what you had done. The only things that mattered were that you were honest, had courage, and that you did your job."

Hmm, sounds a bit like some of the characters in TIERRA RED, doesn't it?

Rancher Trew also wrote: "To bring the Old West into true focus, not many realize that Santa Fe, New Mexico was ten years old when people landed at Plymouth Rock. While the new folks back East were trying to clear timber, plant crops and win their independence, the Old West was being explored, being stocked with horses and cattle, learning to cope with little water, vast prairies, and the fact that no one cared if they were independent or not."

You can read the rest of Trew's article here

Doing research is not all work -- it can be a lot of fun!

Past Times Books Author Interview

2011-08-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Shortly after I was invited to participate in the Past Times Books web site, the eternally scary word "interview" arose. Who, me? Yep -- there was no getting out of it.

This interview turned out to be a delightful experience, mainly because the interviewer had a wonderful sense of humor. So, if you want to know more about me and TIERRA RED, just follow the internet road to http://www.pasttimesbooks.com/?page_id=1301

While you are there, you just might want to peruse the catalog of books and authors for some great reading.

TIERRA RED + BOOK LOVER'S DAY . . . .

2011-07-12T19:22:00.000-07:00

It's becoming a habit. Albeit a good one, though. For the second year in a row, we will be privileged to have a book signing at COAS Bookstore in the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces, New Mexico very close to the national holiday.

What national holiday, you well may ask? BOOK LOVER'S DAY! Every August 9th is Book Lover's Day. Don't feel bad -- most bookstore owners and librarians don't know about this holiday either. But we do!

So, once again, we will be visiting this wonderful bookstore which just happens to be located in the heart of the original plat of land that became the town of Las Cruces in 1849. It is here that Lily's story begins in 1898.

Come to COAS Bookstore on Friday evening, August 5th from 5to 7pm. I will have a big supply of National Book Lover's Day bookmarks on hand . . . .

Exciting News!

2011-06-24T01:19:00.000-07:00

Tierra Red has been invited to participate in a new web site, Past Times Books, which launched this evening. This web site is devoted to historical fiction and covers a wide variety of time periods. Tierra Red is represented in the 19th Century category.

The invitation began with a wonderful reader comment:

"I've been reading Tierra Red and am quite enjoying the ride. You've done a deft job of combining a plucky protagonist with plenty of action and suspense in a vivid atmosphere unique to New Mexico . . . ."

I am so delighted to be a part of this effort. When you visit the web site be sure to sign up for the newsletter so that you can be apprised of new additions to the catalog. If you love reading historical fiction (and I know you do), this web site promises to bring new authors into your life.

Happy reading!

Historical Fiction is alive and well . . . .

2011-06-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest pleasures I experience at book signings is discovering how many people love to read historical fiction. Another is the lively discussions these readers engage me in -- they often inadvertently add to my research with wonderful details and occurrences. To say we have a great time is putting it mildly!

I am also quite impressed with the number of twenty-somethings who also have a passion for historical fiction. Perhaps because we are a university town there are more readers of this type, but it is still heartening to find so many of them. Especially when they linger a while and open discussion on a particular topic.

My husband and I used to think that the great number of history buffs we have encountered was more peculiar to our living in the Southwest, but I have found that many of the newcomers from both coasts, the Midwest, and the north are just as fond of reading historical fiction as those of us from New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.

And nothing makes the heart sing more than hearing someone say: "I like your writing style . . . ."

Good things . . . .

2011-06-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

Received a wonderful email from a reader last night: "I saw the column on your book in New Mexico Magazine and it sounded so great I finally bought a copy. It has been such a good read and I will be sad when I finish it . . . . thanks again for such a delightful read -- I can see the places in my mind so vividly."

Nice thoughts to sleep on, right?

Tierra Red will be attending the 3rd Annual Healthy Woman's Anniversary Celebration event on June 9th at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I will be signing books from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Tierra Red booth.

Come by and visit with me . . . .

Aargh!

2011-03-29T00:51:00.001-07:00

For some strange reason, Blogger insists on producing my last post as one continuous paragraph! Sometimes all this wondermous technology can leave one simply scratching their head . . . .

Research of sorts . . . .

2011-03-29T00:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, a former classmate emailed me a file of photos taken in the early 1900's of our hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. He doesn't know that I spend a lot of time in my head back in that time period, not in Cleveland but in the Territory of New Mexico. The photos were of extraordinary quality and the details were mesmerizing: the hairstyles, facial expressions, and clothing; the mixture of horse-drawn vehicles and autos on the streets; the buildings -- some already old and others in progress; the hustle and bustle of people going about their business on foot. Since Cleveland is situated on Lake Erie there were many photos of people at the beaches and people boarding excursion boats. The details were delightful! When I look at photos taken during the same time period in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the people and streets look much the same with some exceptions: the streets are not paved and are dusty with more horse-drawn carriages and wagons and an occasional auto; there are no factories or tall buildings with awnings at nearly every window which contrasts with the abundance of adobe structures and the occasional brick or wood one or two-story building; and, of course, no lakefront but lots of desert sand! But the people are much the same as their eastern counterparts, with the occasional difference in headwear or footwear. And, of course, the slower pace of life is clearly evident, too. Viewing these photos brought me full circle from the origins of my own past into the origins of my writing here in the west. The women in those photos were dressed similarly to Lily and the other women in Tierra Red, women who lived far, far away from the "civilized" society of our country. I am sure their daily worries and duties were similar as well. Thank you, Dan, for that photo file! It definitely made my day, one that was filled with yet more research and writing (yes, that sequel is in progress) . . . .

Tierra Red + Valentine's Day . . .

2011-01-27T01:26:00.000-08:00

(photo taken at High Sierra in Ruidoso, NM)

. . . make a terrific pair! If your valentine loves to read, Tierra Red promises a great mystery with a wonderful romance plus lots of suspenseful action. Lily and Roman may exist in a turn-of-the-century story but their tale is timeless.

I will be at Hastings Books & Video, 2350 E. Lohman Avenue, in Las Cruces on February 5th from 1:00 to 3:00pm and would enjoy personalizing a copy of Tierra Red for your valentine.

See you there!

TIERRA RED goes to Ruidoso, New Mexico --

2010-11-17T15:44:00.000-08:00

-- in a BIG way!

We have four -- yes, you read that correctly -- FOUR book signings scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend in Ruidoso, New Mexico:

November 27th

Pinecliff Resort, 401 Hwy. 70W -- 10am to 11am
Books Etcetera, 2340 Sudderth Drive -- 1pm to 3pm

November 28th

Crown Point Condominiums, 220 Crown Drive -- 10am to Noon
High Sierra Condos, 504 Excalibur -- 1pm to 3pm

If you have always wanted to visit this beautiful mountain community, Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to do so. Holiday spirit abounds, the ski area opens, and thousands of visitors come to shop and play. Ruidoso is charming to visit any time of the year but the holidays seem to enhance the experience.

Come visit with me at any one of these venues!

Sad State of Affairs . . . .

2010-11-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

I don't write books for children. However, I do work through my Kiwanis Club to bring books to children. All of our fund-raising efforts for the past ten years have been geared toward buying books for school libraries in our community.

A friend on the west coast reported this evening that she witnessed a well-known author of children's books turn away a child who could not afford one of her books at a book-signing event today. The child only wanted her autograph on a slip of paper. And the author refused to do that for her.

How has it come to this? Do we, as authors, want to encourage children to love reading or are we in this just for the sales?

I wish I had been there. That little girl would not have gone away disappointed and empty-handed if I could have done something about the situation. And I wish I could buy that book for her . . . .

A Special Day . . . .

2010-09-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

Took a break today from doing research for the sequel and attended a wonderful function sponsored by The Friends of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library here in Las Cruces. This was the 27th annual Authors Luncheon which was held at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. Tierra Red had been submitted for this competition last February.

Although Tierra Red did not win this competition, I felt quite honored to have competed with the winner, NMSU Professor Jon Hunner, and so many other great local authors including Robert Boswell and Bob Sanchez.

Tables were provided for book sales and signing by the library committee and we happily met with so many lovely patrons eager to buy and read Tierra Red. Thank you -- all of you -- for making my day!!!

To the past and back . . .

2010-09-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

Over the Labor Day weekend, we traveled up to northeastern New Mexico and the locations of portions of Tierra Red. We have done this many times before, but on the spur of the moment we took a drive up a back road behind the Montezuma Castle and into Gallinas Canyon.

Jim had an ulterior motive for selecting this route as he wanted to check out the old "ice pond" area in the Gallinas River -- his mother had told him stories of the times she went skating on that pond as a child. This pond was not only used for recreational purposes but really was the source of blocks of ice that were cut for use at the Montezuma Castle resort back in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

While we were in the canyon I was pleasantly surprised to discover this bluff above the pond area. Anyone who has read Tierra Red will be familiar with the setting of Guy Boardman's Willow Creek Ranch and how strongly he stated that everything echoed off the bluff at the rear of the ranch. Let me tell you, he was right! Although Willow Creek Ranch was fiction, every dog's bark and every vehicle that drove through Gallinas Canyon last Sunday did indeed echo off this bluff. You would have enjoyed seeing the huge grin on my face knowing that I described it correctly.

Montezuma Castle is always a stunning sight to behold, even after all these years. The United World College dwells there now and keeps the Castle in wonderful repair. Imagine, over one hundred years later and the Castle still seems magical when one drives around the curve of a road and it suddenly appears in the middle of the forest. Just as captivating as it was the afternoon that Lily and Roman fell in love . . . .

Back in Las Vegas we were pleased to find that the facade of both the Plaza Hotel and the Ilfeld Building next door have been masterfully restored. In fact, the Plaza Hotel ownership bought the Ilfeld Building and made a lovely ballroom on the first floor, then expanded it's room count by adding more hotel rooms on the upper two floors. I rather think Lily would have approved of this arrangement heartily.

So, you may well ask, just where did all those cars come from and where are the horses and carriages? Can't tell that I am working once again in 1900 . . . .

Wonderful Morning at COAS

2010-08-07T15:35:00.000-07:00

A BIG thank you to all the enthusiastic readers who came to COAS Bookstore this morning and early afternoon! It was wonderful to discuss historical points regarding the two major locations in TIERRA RED -- Las Cruces and Las Vegas, New Mexico.

And a big hug to all the great folks who work at COAS Bookstore -- always feels like coming home whenever I am there.

Tomorrow's the Day!

2010-08-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

Be sure to drop by COAS Bookstore in the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces, New Mexico tomorrow morning between 10am and 12noon. Pick up your copy of TIERRA RED and see if you can solve the puzzle of this historical suspense novel before the end . . . .

TIERRA RED -- Clues to the puzzle

2010-08-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

As I began typing today's date, it occurred to me that one of the most significant events in Tierra Red took place on August 4, 1899. An important clue to the puzzle surrounding the land grant scheme at the heart of this mystery is contained within Chapter Forty-Four, the chapter which reveals a glimpse into the psyche of Serena Vargas y de la Ordono de Ortega -- a major character in solving Tierra Red's crimes.

The chapter begins here . . . .

Wrapped in a thick wool shawl, Serena spent the better part of the night pacing the high-walled garden of her hacienda. Images and thoughts continued to swirl lazily through her mind as the dawn's first light filled the sky. Long after her personal maid, Maria, found her there and scurried to bring hot coffee, Serena lingered watching the day unfold. She ached for her old maja -- the gypsy in Seville who had mentored her in tapping into the unusual extrasensory skills she possessed -- for she was mystified by the sensations that had assailed her in Lily's sitting room.

The sun rose higher in the eastern sky and the perfume of morning blooms began to flood the garden. With their scent came the memories of the dreaded wedding day seventeen years ago.

Headstrong and beautiful, Serena stood in her wedding finery on the morning of her fifteenth birthday, demanding explanations from her mother. Though she had known since shortly after her thirteenth birthday that this day would come, she was filled with anger and fear.

"Mama! How does anyone expect me to be happy? He is an old man! He will be taking me so far away from everything I have ever known and loved."

Serafina Vargas y Ordono's eyes misted with tears at her daughter's outburst. She continued to fuss with the white lace mantilla covering Serena's black hair. If she tried to speak, she knew many tears would come spilling forth.

"Mama -- please tell me why must I do this today?"

"Ah, my wild one -- if it were up to me, I would keep you by my side forever," sniffled Serafina as tears rolled down her cheeks. "But you have been promised to Don Ortega since the day you were born."

"Why? Am I some pet to be given away? How can my father have such control over my life? What right does he --" Before Serena could finish her sentence the door of the church rectory was flung open.

Her father's bulky frame filled the doorway as his black eyes swiftly took in the room. His stern expression stifled any thought of disobedience from both mother and daughter. Senor Vargas stepped forward to his daughter and shoved a velvet jewel case into her hand.

. . . . and, if you continue reading on p. 198 through the rest of the chapter you will have found a tantalizing clue to solving the puzzle of TIERRA RED.

See you at COAS Bookstore on Saturday, August 7th from 10am to 12noon . . . .

Tierra Red Discussion Topic

2010-07-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

I had an interesting experience while being interviewed on a radio show last summer: the moderator did not know what a Gibson Girl was. After I explained to him that she was the iconic symbol of independent and spirited young women in the late 19th century, he wondered aloud how my main character would have gotten along with the women who lived in the small town of Las Cruces in 1898 -- would she have been too progressive for them?

Whatdya think -- weren't the women of both Anglo and Hispanic heritage who coexisted in the Territory of New Mexico at that time progressive, too?

TIERRA RED Book Signing Date

2010-07-12T23:17:00.000-07:00

Come visit with me at COAS Bookstore in the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces, New Mexico on August 7th from 10am until 12noon.

This wonderful bookstore is located in the heart of the setting where this historical suspense novel begins.

See you there!

TIERRA RED Review . . .

2010-06-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

Received the judge's commentary sheet for the Writer's Digest 17th Annual International Self-Published Book awards several months ago, just as we were leaving for a wonderful graduation celebration on the other side of the country. That event was followed by another equally wonderful graduation and the family's "May/June birthday season".

It's a bit late in reporting, but here is the judge's review of TIERRA RED:

"This historical suspense novel, TIERRA RED, by K. P. Vorenberg, paints a vivid picture of the early New Mexico Territory. Vorenberg's meticulously-researched plot revolves around a Gibson Girl, which was a great hook. The author's writing style is clear and easily understood, with natural-sounding dialogue. The characters feel very real and true to the time. The book's attractive packaging, including eye-catching cover graphics, gives a bold indication of what the coming story is about. The writing is skillful and the sentence structure varied nicely. The story concept is compelling and includes just enough suspense to keep the reader avidly turning pages.

. . . readers who enjoy well-researched historical fiction mixed with a dash of mystery and romance will very much enjoy TIERRA RED."

Many thanks to Writer's Digest and this anonymous judge for their kind words.

Recognition for Tierra Red

2010-04-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

The Armand Hammer United World College near Las Vegas, New Mexico gave a wonderful mention to Tierra Red in it's Spring, 2010 edition.

In a column entitled "Already Famous", the following was listed:

Novels with scenes in the Montezuma Castle and nearby Las Vegas, New Mexico:

Child of a Rainless Year

Cottonwood Saints

Hermit's Peak

The Night Journal

Tierra Red

Many thanks to both the college and Linda King for bringing this recognition to our attention!

Even Lions are reading Tierra Red!

2010-02-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am an inveterate night owl. Guess who gave a Tierra Red presentation at 7AM THIS MORNING?

The Sunrise Lions Club of Las Cruces invited me to speak at their weekly breakfast meeting -- wonderful group which now has a lot of people reading Tierra Red!

Tierra Red Kindle Version

2010-02-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

Great news for all our Kindle fans -- Tierra Red went live in Kindle format on Amazon.com last night!

We will continue to bring ebooks on CD to all our book signings, too. And we are hopelessly huge sticks-in-the-mud 'cause we still love to hold a hard copy in our hands to read . . . .

Tierra Red is being read in Prescott!

2010-01-18T13:10:00.001-08:00

Wow -- we had a marvelous time in Prescott, Arizona this past weekend! Many, many thanks to all the wonderful folks we had the good fortune to meet and, especially, to those fabulous readers who happily purchased copies of Tierra Red.

As promised, a Kindle version of Tierra Red is in the works for those of you who prefer to "hold" their reading material in that manner.

The Prescott Resort and Conference Center is a beautiful venue in a most special historic place. We will treasure greatly the time we spent in Prescott . . . .

Tierra Red 'On the Road Again' . . .

2010-01-12T22:51:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season behind us, we start anew with book signing dates in 2010. Our first stop this year will be the Kiwanis Midwinter Conference at the Prescott Resort Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona. Our table will be open from noon until 6pm on Friday, January 15th and from 8am until 5pm on January 16th.

We would love to see you there . . .

New Mexico Magazine Review

2009-10-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to Ashley Biggers of New Mexico Magazine! Her wonderful review of Tierra Red appears in the November, 2009 issue -- the photo of the cover at the right will take you directly to the magazine's website and the review.

Tierra Red Book Signing Date

2009-09-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

Yep, we have another one this week in one of my favorite locations in New Mexico -- Ruidoso. An early portion of Tierra Red takes place on the western slopes of Sierra Blanca Mountain. Ruidoso is on the eastern side in one of the prettiest valleys in the whole world.

Come join me at Atticus Books & Tea House from 2-5pm!

Big Thank You to Tome on the Range!

2009-09-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was a wonderful experience -- the book signing in Las Vegas, NM was a smashing success! We had a lively crowd which made for a great discussion time.

This bookstore is a must-see if you are ever in northern New Mexico!

Tierra Red Book Signing Date

2009-08-31T21:40:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for our visit to northern New Mexico this weekend. Our next book signing is scheduled for September 5th at Tome on the Range Bookstore on the plaza in Las Vegas, NM from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Hope to see you there!

This is an especially exciting book signing since most of Tierra Red takes place in and around the Las Vegas community.

Hastings Book Signing on June 20th

2009-06-25T00:44:00.000-07:00

Can you tell just how much fun we had at this book signing the day before Father's Day? Hastings Books in Las Cruces was a very, very busy place!

I hope all those fathers who received a copy of my book enjoy the read . . . .

Tierra Red Book Signing News

2009-06-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Our first book signing was a lot of fun. COAS Books certainly knows how to make a body feel at home. In a few days, Hastings Books in Las Cruces will be hosting a similar event for Tierra Red.

We are in the process of establishing the schedule for this summer. Latest news is that we will definitely be at Tome on the Range Bookstore in Las Vegas, New Mexico on Labor Day weekend. As soon as the date has been established for Atticus Books & Tea House in Ruidoso, it will be published here, too.

Haven't meant to be so neglectful of posting historical points for Tierra Red. Look for a few new posts this weekend.

Tierra Red Book Signing Dates

2009-06-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

Now that my federal court jury duty time has come to an end, we finally have the opportunity to do our first book signings for Tierra Red. The wonderful folks at the following bookstores have set up the following for June:

Saturday, June 13th -- 10am at COAS Books, Downtown Mall, Las Cruces, NM

Saturday, June 20th -- 12noon at Hastings Books, 2350 Lohman, Las Cruces, NM

The cast of characters and I are looking forward to meeting all of you!

Tierra Red Historical Point: White Sands Desert

2009-04-11T00:29:00.001-07:00

The largest pure gypsum dune field in the world is located at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. The dunes cover an area of 275 square miles, 115 square miles of which are located within the White Sands National Monument. President Herbert Hoover proclaimed and established the monument in January, 1933.

Lily's harrowing escape from the catastrophic events that occur in Part One of Tierra Red culminates in her being stranded in these dunes. It is here that she discovers the treachery behind her arrival in the Territory of New Mexico.

I found a wonderful old legend concerning the White Sands Desert on the National Park Service website -- a ghost story!

The Legend of Pavla Blanca

To the Indians of central New Mexico, one of the most enduring legends is that of Pavla Blanca, the ghost of the Great White Sands. Hidden behind the swirling eddies of the spectral white dunes, her tragic story provides one of the most fascinating tales of the Southwest.

In early 1540, a valiant, young Spanish conquistador, Hernando de Luna, left his lovely betrothed, Manuela, in Mexico City to accompany the famed explorer, Francisco Coronado. Searching the uncharted lands in present day Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas, Coronado followed every Indian clue, every tale, looking for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola and Gran Quivira, where the houses were said to be studded with gold and the streets were afire with jewels.

Ambushed by the fierce, proud warrior Apaches on the edge of the Great White Sands, the Spanish battled for their life. Exhausted and beaten, the survivors fled southwest to Mexico City. It is said that Hernando de Luna was mortally wounded and perished somewhere in the ever-shifting white sands. Setting out to seek her betrothed somewhere north of what is now El Paso, Texas, the lovely Manuela was never seen again. It is said that the ghost of this beautiful Spanish maiden haunts the dunes of the Great White Sands. She comes nightly in her flowing, white wedding gown to seek her lover, lost and buried beneath the eternal dunes. Some say the ghostly figure usually appears as the evening breezes sweep and dip over the stark white dunes, just after sunset.

The moderns have it that Pavla Blanca is caused by a prevailing wind sweeping over the hushed and lonely desert in the evening, whipping wraith-like eddies of dust. But the Indians say it is the ghost of Manuela, still eternally seeking her lover.

Fact or fiction, those with imagination, strolling in the silent shimmering dunes after a fiery sunset may be fortunate enough to witness for themselves the unusual sight. Thus, this legend persists for some, even to this day. This is Pavla Blanca.

Tierra Red Historical Point: Stagecoach Travel

2009-04-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

Although much romanticized by Hollywood, actual stagecoach travel was far from glamorous. These snippets from the archives of the San Diego Historical Society depict the true story:

The inconveniences of our modern modes of travel are nothing compared to what passengers in the 1800's endured when traveling on bad roads in harsh weather which often made the stage coach run an exciting experience. The San Diego Union reported a typical incident in February, 1883:

"Frank Frary, who drove the Julian stage in last evening, says that when he started yesterday morning the wind was blowing a perfect hurricane from the east and northeast. The stage swayed so violently in the gale, that fearful that it would capsize, he and the two passengers piled two or three hundred pounds of rocks into the vehicle as ballast, which they carried until the grade had been passed."

Katie Leng offered insight to our modern world about stagecoach travel in a 1972 interview for the San Diego Historical Society. Leng, whose uncle ran Foster's Station, recalled the stages were:

" . . . miserable things to ride in. Let me say that the stage coaches galloping along in the Western movies always upset me, because it wasn't that way at all. The horses were trotted, with frequent breathers. Also, there was only one man on the box, and I never knew of any of them being armed. They wore any sort of clothing they wanted to, nothing flamboyant. We never had a hold-up. The only real tragedy I ever heard of was once, before my time, a driver was leading his team across a usually dry wash and was caught by a flash flood and drowned."

Tierra Red Historical Point: Las Cruces

2009-04-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

Tierra Red takes place during the years 1898-1900 in the Territory of New Mexico, featuring the Las Cruces, Las Vegas, and White Oaks areas.

Las Cruces has two historic districts: the Alameda-Depot District and the Mesquite District. Both districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The major streets of town were those running north-south, perhaps because the route of travel and commerce (Camino Real or Chihuahua Trail) ran in that direction. These streets were wider than the cross streets and were named Water (it fronted the irrigation ditch), Main (the business street), Church (location of the Catholic church and its plaza), Campo (for the camposanto or cemetary, Mesquite (for the desert shrub that covers the hills), and Tornillo (at the back of town, not named in the original platting.

Las Cruces was platted in 1849 on the hills south of several graves that served as a landmark for travelers, marking a crossroad and a place to cross the Rio Grande. The area became known as El Pueblo del Jardin de Las Cruces (City of the Garden of Crosses).

History tells us that a U. S. Army Lt. laid out the town in 1849 using nothing more than a rawhide rope with which he marked off the city's new streets. The heads of families took turns drawing a chance from a hat to determine which property they would own.

Lily's story begins in 1898 in this community, nearly fifty years later.

Book Club Discussion Guides

2009-03-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

We have received numerous requests for a discussion guide for Tierra Red. This guide will be posted later this week and I will try to set up a button link for a downloadable copy for printing in the right-hand column of this blog.

In the meantime, our heartfelt thanks to all those who have ordered the book so far and their lovely congratulatory wishes.

The next Historical Point will be posted in a few days . . . .

TIERRA RED is now published . . .

2009-03-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

To say it has been an exciting six days since Tierra Red was published last Wednesday is not the half of it! Waiting for my author's copies to arrive has been excruciating . . . .

When you roll your mouse over Lily's face now, you will find that it links to an author's webpage with further links to Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and an ebook format.

Each week I will begin posting character studies and more historical points from Tierra Red. There is such a wealth of historical information surrounding this story that we will run out of weeks before all of it can be told.

Stay tuned for some fun contests, too . . . .

Tierra Red Historical Point: Land Grants

2009-03-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

(1895 U.S. Atlas - Territory of New Mexico Map)

The mystery at the heart of Tierra Red involves stolen land grants. Remarkably, this issue is still a deep controversy in the state of New Mexico today. As recently as 1999, Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico introduced legislation in the United States Senate to initiate renewed investigation and restitution for hundreds of ignored claims.

To gain a better understanding of how the issue of land grants affected the forming of the Territory of New Mexico, the following excerpt from the Historical Atlas of New Mexico by Warren A. Beck and Ynez D. Haase (1969) offers some insight.

The United States adopted the rectangular system of public land surveys in 1785. The system was based on the manner in which old town grants had been made in early Massachusetts. The new rectangular plan was intended to make settlers take all of the land instead of the choice parcels only, to provide an orderly method of recording land titles, and to describe titles in such a way that duplication would be avoided.

When the United States acquired the Southwest in the Mexican Cession of 1849, it inherited a very confused system of land tenure, which was at its worst in New Mexico. In the two and one-half centuries of Hispanic occupation, land was acquired most informally. In fact, the Hispanic manner of granting land title was anything but an exact science. Many landholders did not even possess the legal documents required to prove their ownership. Others had titles which described their holdings in such vague fashion it was impossible to define boundaries. It was common to use streams, hills, rock, or even trees to mark land division. Then, too, frequent transfers of titles or subdivisions were not properly recorded.

Under the peace treaty with Mexico in 1848 the United States government assumed the responsibility for certifying land titles which had existed previous to that date. In order to determine the extent and legality of these holdings, both public and private, which had been acquired under Spanish and Mexican rule, a control point had to be established which would permit land surveys that would be meaningful under the surveying system of the United States.

This control point was established in April, 1855, by John W. Garretson. He fixed the Initial Point on an isolated hill on the west bank of the Rio Grande not far from the Mexican village of La Joyita in Socorro County. From this point he ran the Principal Meridian of New Mexico south to the International Boundary and north 96 miles. The Base Line was run 21.5 miles west and 24 miles east of the Initial Point. A Guide Meridian and five Correction Lines were then run out. After this, an orderly program of cadastral or property boundary surveys were made.

Most of the early township surveys were made on grant lands in an effort to help establish proper title. Unfortunately, the court operated much more slowly than did the surveyors, and it took years in many cases to prove legal ownership.

Tierra Red Historical Point: 1895 U. S. Atlas

2009-02-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

Pam Rietsch at http://www.memoriallibrary.com/ has spent years creating jpgs of every page of this antique atlas. I discovered her website nearly ten years ago while doing research for Tierra Red.

The composite map shown above is from the Part One divider page in Tierra Red. Since Pam has created jpgs of each individual county of the Territory of New Mexico, I used segments of three jpgs to create an image which shows the incredible distance Lily traveled during and following the catastrophic event that occurs in Part One.

Anyone who has traveled through New Mexico in modern times understands the enormous size of this state which covers 121,666 square miles, making it the fifth-largest state in the Union.

But this segment of Lily's journey is only the beginning . . . .

2009-01-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

Awesome!

Dover Publications has graciously given the okay to use this gorgeous image in TIERRA RED.

I am so excited -- this piece of clip art sat next to my computer through all the years of writing and editing this novel.

She has become the only representation of Lily, the heroine, in my mind. I just wish Charles Dana Gibson was still alive so I could personally thank him!

2009-01-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

Exciting news for TIERRA RED is coming soon!

2007-09-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

2007 All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition -- Short Story

(Opening paragraph was mandated by the competition)

The Forbidden Quest

Blues, whites, fiery reds and yellows -- overtaking the sky from dusk 'til dawn -- fascinate me, whether in my dreams, or longings for that something more, whirling nebulas, mysterious planets and stars I barely see -- my Beaded Art Doll, my celestial reflection, I name you . . .

Galilea.

She stood on the rim of the Yshtan Crater as each moonrise left the horizon, waiting for the ninth moon to appear. She prayed that the astral winds would be favorable. It was the eve of the Prime Solstice, the only night possible to view her sacred object, and her telescope stood ready at her side.

When the ninth pale moon broached the horizon, Galilea's heart quickened. She placed a hand on her chest and took a deep breath. Everything depended now on the astral winds. Her theory would be scoffed at once again if she could not produce evidence of her find. Her very existence would be threatened if she failed in this endeavor, for the Kaeloan Council had forbidden her to search the universe for an object that could not possibly exist.

As the ninth moon reached its zenith, a cold wind began to flow around her. Galilea shivered, more in anticipation than from the chill. Patiently, she watched as the veils of cosmic debris lifeted and afforded a pristine view of the universe that lay beyond her own star. The astral winds seemed stronger tonight and she was nearly overcome with the breathtaking sight that unfolded above her.

Galilea focused her telescope on a distant galaxy, searching for the rare blue planet that she must prove existed. She had armed the telescope with a special device meant to gather that proof and she tempered her eagerness to trigger it until the exact moment the planet came into view. When she located the star at the core of the galaxy, Galilea began a slow sweep of the millions of objects swirling around it. Though many of these objects were much larger than the one she sought, none of them exhibited the qualities necessary for life to exist.

At last, she found the blue planet. Galilea steadied the telescope and prepared to trigger the device attached to it. Behind her, she heard threatening voices and shouts above the din of the terrestrial vehicles climbing the road to the rim of the crater. The Kaeloan Council began to storm the rim.

Galilea stood fast and defiantly took another sighting through the telescope. Confidant that the blue planet was still in its sight, she fired a beam directly at it. The beam captured the blue planet and returned a holographic image of it to her outstretched hand. As the blue planet turned on its axis, white clouds swirled across the poles and the outlines of land masses and blue oceans. The planet's atmosphere shimmered in the palm of Galilea's hand.

The members of the Kaeloan Coucil gasped in recognition of what Galilea had done. She had proven that another planet existed where life was a real possibility. Although they had searched the universe for thousands of years, no other planet had been found with such characteristics. They had given up hope of ever finding life on another planet.

Galilea was a woman of vision and persistence. She was not daunted by narrow thinking or threats. She refused to believe that life could not exist somewhere else out in the vast reaches of the universe. She smiled as she watched the holographic image turning in her hand, and mused what name to give this wondrous orb.

*****

Galileo Galilei was a man of vision and curiosity, so much so that he nearly gave his life to explore the unknown universe. He was forbidden to publish his findings and threatened with death while living in an age which was dominated by austere philosophies. Although his telescope was barely adequate, what he did manage to see beyond the atmosphere of our planet Earth convinced him that the heavens held boundless mysteries to explore and that our planet was but a mere inhabitant of a greater space than one could imagine. He was the first astronomer to study the sun and map the sunspots he saw moving across the sun's surface, observe the moon's craters and Jupiter's satellites.

Who, today, could view the magnificent Hubble photos of the universe without feeling overwhelmed with curiosity and wonder? Who could not be in awe of the photos of millions of stars moving in mysterious configurations deep in the vast blackness of the universe? Galileo would have been thrilled to witness all the recent discoveries made through these photos.

Galilea is a tribute to Galileo, her head adorned with the golden radiance of our Sun. The upper portion of the front of her gown displays one of the most recent stunning astronomical discoveries, the hot star MWC922 -- the Cosmic Red Square -- a distant bipolar nebula exploding in near perfect symmetry in the constellation Serpens. The three major stars of the Hunter's belt in the Deep Orion Field of the Orion constellation adorn the lower portion of the front of her gown, Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka -- brilliant blue supergiant stars that mark the night sky from late August through mid-January. The Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, fills the backside of her gown. It is one of the most conspicuous objects in the night sky that is among the first to be marveled at when we are children. The faintest star in this cluster is still 40 times brighter than our own sun. The brightest star in this cluster, Alcyone, is 1000 times more luminous! Cosmic debris such as the veils that Galilea's astral winds disburse can be seen in the vicinity of the Pleiades -- clouds of minute grains of interstellar dust.

This doll is also a tribute to the men in my life who have fostered and shared a love for exploring the night sky and universe around us. My father who patiently taught all of his children about the wonders of the night sky. He died many years before the Hubble telescope was launched but he would have become as much of a Hubble photo junkie as I have become, excited beyond measure by each new discovery and enchanted by all of the discoveries. He would have been in awe of the vast numbers and shapes of galaxies that have been documented to date as indeed I am. And my dear husband, who lovingly indulges me with every Hubble photo book that is published, reads every email link to yet another Hubble discovery that I send to him, gifts me with the annual Hubble photo calendar -- and who humors my childish delight over each new Hubble photo.

Galilea prompted me to think of many things while she was being created. She evoked memories of nights spent in star dreaming and days filled with yearning to know more about the universe. She also kept whispering lines to me from one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost:

Earth's the right place for love: I don't know where it's likely to go better.

2007-06-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

Tierra Red is on its way to the 2007 Hillerman Mystery Competition.

After living with this manuscript for seven years, it feels almost like sending our youngest daughter off to graduate school three years ago. A mixed bag of emotions -- excitement, anticipation, and hopefulness -- and a little bit of anxiety today. Tierra Red has become every bit as much a child of mine as our real-life six children.

November 1st seems so far away right now . . .