Thankful

 

Before everyone goes over the river and through the woods tomorrow, I wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and say thank you for supporting my writing and books over the past 20 years.

And while we're on the subject of Thanksgiving, and since I'm preparing for the release of my new Prometheus book, "The Pig War and the Pelican Girls: 21 Extraordinary Tales of American History," there is one story that didn't make it into the book - the story of Franksgiving.

Ever hear of "Franksgiving"? In 1939 and 1940, President Roosevelt believed that moving Thanksgiving from the traditional fourth Saturday of November to the third would boost the economy, giving Christmas shoppers an extra week to buy their gifts. The move caused much confusion and protest, especially with college football teams that had to reschedule their normal end-of-season games. The name "Franksgiving" was coined by Atlantic City, NJ mayor Charles D. White, a riff on "Frankenstein." In 1941, Congress passed a resolution that was signed by Roosevelt officially making the fourth Thursday of November Thanksgiving. The move by FDR was immortalized with a short cartoon in the Bing Crosby holiday movie, "Holiday Inn."

You can read more about "Franksgiving" HERE. And here's the clip from Holiday Inn. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Book Signing Alert

 

This just in - I'll be signing books during the Chapter Crafters Holiday Market at the Mobile Public Library West Regional Branch from 10am to 1pm along with a passel of other great local and regional authors. It will be a great time to pick up that last minute Christmas gift for the reader in your life, or yourself.

Going to Press

 

I just received the final cover design for my new book, "The Pig War and Pelican Girls" and I couldn't be more pleased with it. I think the bright colors and graphics will make it stand out on book shelves. And with that, that's a wrap. The book heads to printing. Pre-sale orders ship in February, the book hits bookstores in April.

Weddings in World War II

 

Good Monday morning, FB friends. It was a gloomy, rainy Sunday yesterday and looks like the rain is carrying over into Monday, perfect writing weather (I don't feel so bad about not doing any chores around the house). Made some great progress on my new History Press book, "Notable Women of Alabama," and while I wait for replies to my proposals for my mystery, "Dead Air," I started work on the sequel.

As I mentioned, Dead Air is set in a Gulf Coast radio station in the 1940s. Our sleuths are a couple of the station employees who attempt to solve a tricky murder at the station. I completed my beat board for the sequel (went through many sticky notes until I got it just right), wrote up biographies for new characters that will join our sleuths, and learned a lot about weddings in the 1940s.

One thing that puzzled me is what did they do for a wedding cake in 1943 since sugar was being rationed. Well, I found out there were many recipes that used little or no sugar. I've posted two below. Red Velvet cake was one of the most popular of the day. To get the red color, they used crushed beets. Wonder what that tastes like?

   

Also, fabric was being rationed. Many women simply wore their normal everyday attire. Some were lucky enough to obtain used and discarded parachutes to stitch together their own unique dress.

Guess I need to come back to the present now and continue writing. Until next time...