Marilyn Holdsworth's Blog
November 21, 2014
2014 Holiday Giveaway
Now running: WIN a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate, a signed hardcover book of Making Wishes, a SURPRISE gift, or a kindle book of Making Wishes. Come to my blog:
http://marilynholdsworth.com/holiday-...
http://marilynholdsworth.com/holiday-...
June 14, 2014
Summer Splash Hop
Don't miss Summer Splash Blog Hop. Lots of great prizes and best-selling authors. Now to June 16.
http://marilynholdsworth.com/summer-s...
http://marilynholdsworth.com/summer-s...
March 13, 2014
Giveaway
GIVING 6 copies of thought provoking Making Wishes (1 hardcover) to celebrate my new website, from NOW to Mar 31 http://marilynholdsworth.com/2014/02/...
March 1, 2014
Giveaway
I'm giving 6 copies of Making Wishes (1 hardcover) in celebration of my Website, from NOW to 3/31/14. At link: http://tinyurl.com/ma2loqb
February 19, 2014
Author Fair
The Pasadena Central Library on Walnut Street is having an Author Fair on Saturday, February 22nd from 10:00 AM to 12 noon. I’m one of their featured authors. Come on by, I’d love to see you!
October 27, 2013
Interview with Marilyn
The Beautiful American by Marilyn Holdsworth: Interview and Excerpt
Hello Marilyn. Thank you for visiting my blogand agreeing to answer a few of my questions. Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
My main character in Making Wishes is Elloree Randall, a young creative woman faced with making some life changing choices. She is torn between her love for her work and her devotion to her son.
Does travel play in the writing of your books?
Yes. I can visualize in my mind the settings I am creating for my characters much better if I have been there or to a similar place. For my books to be realistic it is very important I choose settings that not only suit the characters and plot but most importantly are places I know and feel comfortable writing about.
Where do you research for your books?
I read books, newspaper and magazine articles related to my subject. I look up material on the computer and I travel to locations that I'm writing about or to similar places. I also observe and talk to people.
What does your significant other and family think of your writing career?
My whole family is very supportive of my writing, especially my husband.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to write stories.
What are you passionate about these days?
I am very interested in saving the American mustangs and preventing animal abuse especially cruelty to horses. That's why I wrote my first book, Pegasus.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I like to take my dog for walks in the park. I also love to listen to classical music. And for me walking on the beach at sunrise or sunset is the ultimate relaxation.
Describe what it’s like to be an author in three words.
Very hard work!
Do you have a favorite quote, quip, or saying? What is it?
Yes. William Shakespeare: "There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so." I am a firm believer that attitude and how you look at things makes all the difference.
Abby Long is thrilled when she offers the winning bid for an antique desk at an auction. With its intricately inlaid woods and elegant style, the desk is perfect for Abby; it is the gift she promised herself to finally celebrate her thriving antique business. She has no idea that the antique desk holds a secret that will lead her on a fascinating, life-changing journey back in time. When Abby discovers a hidden diary stuffed inside a secret compartment in the desk, she can hardly wait to read the spidery, faded script. As she carefully turns the tattered pages, she reads the captivating story of two remarkable women from opposite backgrounds who somehow manage to form an unforgettable bond against the backdrop of a fledgling America struggling to find its place in the world. Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, the wife of James Monroe, and Jasmine, a young slave girl, develop an extraordinary relationship as they are united by pivotal historic events, political intrigues, and personal tragedies. From a bucolic Virginia plantation to the bloodied, starving streets of post-revolutionary Paris, this powerful tale follows the lives of two courageous women from the past as they quietly influence-and inspire-a woman of today's world.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Video Trailer of The Beautiful American: http://youtu.be/hfeEausxwMY
The Journey, 1794
For all of us at Ashlawn, the next weeks were spent readying for the Monroes departure to France. Master James rode out at dawn’s first light with Mister Latimer, instructing him about the crops, the gristmills, and the slaves—a never-ending list of reminders for continuing the proper management of the land.
In the kitchen, Esmerelda huffed through her duties, clattering her pots with a dour expression, mopping her brow as she fanned the cook fire. “Dey be no way dis place gwan run widout de masser and de missus,” she grumbled to me as she sourly went about her daily chores. Her gloomy mood prevailed until one afternoon Mistress Elizabeth found her shuffling around the pantry muttering discontentedly.
“Esmerelda,” she called, “whatever is the matter?”
“Ain’t nothin’ gwan be right; das fo’ sho,” the old black woman moaned, banging a kettle down onto the hearth’s hot bricks.
“Why, Esmerelda, Mr. Monroe and I are counting on you to manage the house while we are gone. There will be much cooking to do when the crops come in. The extra field hands Mr. Latimer will need will have to be fed; Lottie and Jeb will need your help managing our own slaves, too. And, of course, you’ll have to see to Mr. Jefferson when he comes over to Ashlawn to check on things for us.”
For the first time in a week, Esmerelda’s broad, flat face broke into a wide, gap-toothed grin. She shook the flour from her apron and smoothed it down. “Dat be de truf? Dis chile gwan be de one does all dat? Seein’ to Masser Jefferson when he come?”
Elizabeth smiled. “We’re depending on you to keep things going here at Ashlawn, Esmerelda.”
“I’s gwan do my bes’; das fo’ sho. Youse can count on dis chile. Ifin Masser Jefferson come, I be fixin’ ’im some of dat sweet potato pie he done say he like,” she said, beaming.
“Good, then that’s settled.” Elizabeth turned to leave. She hesitated in the doorway, catching sight of me shucking corn on the back porch. “Jasmine, when you finish that, would you come into the parlor, please?”
I looked up startled, “Yasum. I’s almost done now. I be comin’ right away.”
Elizabeth was seated before the fireplace, sipping tea. Her bottle-green silk skirts were spread around her on the settee, her soft dark hair swept back from her delicate face, secured by two carved combs. She set her bone china teacup on the table in front of her and smiled up at me. “Come in, Jasmine. I wanted to talk to you this afternoon.” She regarded me silently for a moment, and I ran my hands down my calico dress nervously, waiting for her to continue.
“Mr. Monroe and I have been so pleased with your work, your help with Eliza. She’s very fond of you, responds well to you, you know,” she observed.
“Miss Eliza be special to me, too,” I offered, waiting when she grew silent again.
“Mr. Monroe has accepted a post to France, Jasmine, and Eliza and I are going to accompany him,” she finished.
I nodded, remembering Esmerelda’s reaction to the news, and I wondered what she would tell me now. Was I to be sent away, back to the Prosser plantation? Visions of bullwhips and Gab filled my mind and I am sure my fear shown in my eyes. I felt my knees begin to shake as I waited for her next words.
“Mr. Monroe and I have decided to take Polly and Michael with us.” She hesitated and then smiled. “And you, Jasmine, will go, too with us to France.”
I gasped, my hand flew to my mouth, and I stammered, “France. Youse be takin’ me to France.”
As a novelist, I draw on many real life experiences to provide background for my books. After completing studies in Literature and History at Occidental College, I became a staffwriter on a travel magazine, and throughout my career I have traveled extensively all over the world.
Because I love horses, I owned and trained them. I support horse rescue and wild mustang preservation. Based on my experience with horses and my research on abuse issues, I wrote Pegasus.
As a descendant of James Monroe, I did extensive research at the James Monroe Museum in Virginia about him and his wife Elizabeth Kortright Monroe. I also visited their home, Ashlawn/Highland in Albemarle County. This resulted in my novel, The Beautiful American.
Making Wishes, was based partly on my experiences as creator, owner and operator of a greeting card company.
My books are published by AuthorHouse and sold worldwide by Amazon, Barnes&Noble and major bookstores as hardcover, paperback or ebooks. Check them out by clicking on one of the names at the top of the page.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Posted by Laurie Jenkins at 12:04 AM
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Hello Marilyn. Thank you for visiting my blogand agreeing to answer a few of my questions. Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
My main character in Making Wishes is Elloree Randall, a young creative woman faced with making some life changing choices. She is torn between her love for her work and her devotion to her son.
Does travel play in the writing of your books?
Yes. I can visualize in my mind the settings I am creating for my characters much better if I have been there or to a similar place. For my books to be realistic it is very important I choose settings that not only suit the characters and plot but most importantly are places I know and feel comfortable writing about.
Where do you research for your books?
I read books, newspaper and magazine articles related to my subject. I look up material on the computer and I travel to locations that I'm writing about or to similar places. I also observe and talk to people.
What does your significant other and family think of your writing career?
My whole family is very supportive of my writing, especially my husband.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to write stories.
What are you passionate about these days?
I am very interested in saving the American mustangs and preventing animal abuse especially cruelty to horses. That's why I wrote my first book, Pegasus.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I like to take my dog for walks in the park. I also love to listen to classical music. And for me walking on the beach at sunrise or sunset is the ultimate relaxation.
Describe what it’s like to be an author in three words.
Very hard work!
Do you have a favorite quote, quip, or saying? What is it?
Yes. William Shakespeare: "There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so." I am a firm believer that attitude and how you look at things makes all the difference.
Abby Long is thrilled when she offers the winning bid for an antique desk at an auction. With its intricately inlaid woods and elegant style, the desk is perfect for Abby; it is the gift she promised herself to finally celebrate her thriving antique business. She has no idea that the antique desk holds a secret that will lead her on a fascinating, life-changing journey back in time. When Abby discovers a hidden diary stuffed inside a secret compartment in the desk, she can hardly wait to read the spidery, faded script. As she carefully turns the tattered pages, she reads the captivating story of two remarkable women from opposite backgrounds who somehow manage to form an unforgettable bond against the backdrop of a fledgling America struggling to find its place in the world. Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, the wife of James Monroe, and Jasmine, a young slave girl, develop an extraordinary relationship as they are united by pivotal historic events, political intrigues, and personal tragedies. From a bucolic Virginia plantation to the bloodied, starving streets of post-revolutionary Paris, this powerful tale follows the lives of two courageous women from the past as they quietly influence-and inspire-a woman of today's world.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Video Trailer of The Beautiful American: http://youtu.be/hfeEausxwMY
The Journey, 1794
For all of us at Ashlawn, the next weeks were spent readying for the Monroes departure to France. Master James rode out at dawn’s first light with Mister Latimer, instructing him about the crops, the gristmills, and the slaves—a never-ending list of reminders for continuing the proper management of the land.
In the kitchen, Esmerelda huffed through her duties, clattering her pots with a dour expression, mopping her brow as she fanned the cook fire. “Dey be no way dis place gwan run widout de masser and de missus,” she grumbled to me as she sourly went about her daily chores. Her gloomy mood prevailed until one afternoon Mistress Elizabeth found her shuffling around the pantry muttering discontentedly.
“Esmerelda,” she called, “whatever is the matter?”
“Ain’t nothin’ gwan be right; das fo’ sho,” the old black woman moaned, banging a kettle down onto the hearth’s hot bricks.
“Why, Esmerelda, Mr. Monroe and I are counting on you to manage the house while we are gone. There will be much cooking to do when the crops come in. The extra field hands Mr. Latimer will need will have to be fed; Lottie and Jeb will need your help managing our own slaves, too. And, of course, you’ll have to see to Mr. Jefferson when he comes over to Ashlawn to check on things for us.”
For the first time in a week, Esmerelda’s broad, flat face broke into a wide, gap-toothed grin. She shook the flour from her apron and smoothed it down. “Dat be de truf? Dis chile gwan be de one does all dat? Seein’ to Masser Jefferson when he come?”
Elizabeth smiled. “We’re depending on you to keep things going here at Ashlawn, Esmerelda.”
“I’s gwan do my bes’; das fo’ sho. Youse can count on dis chile. Ifin Masser Jefferson come, I be fixin’ ’im some of dat sweet potato pie he done say he like,” she said, beaming.
“Good, then that’s settled.” Elizabeth turned to leave. She hesitated in the doorway, catching sight of me shucking corn on the back porch. “Jasmine, when you finish that, would you come into the parlor, please?”
I looked up startled, “Yasum. I’s almost done now. I be comin’ right away.”
Elizabeth was seated before the fireplace, sipping tea. Her bottle-green silk skirts were spread around her on the settee, her soft dark hair swept back from her delicate face, secured by two carved combs. She set her bone china teacup on the table in front of her and smiled up at me. “Come in, Jasmine. I wanted to talk to you this afternoon.” She regarded me silently for a moment, and I ran my hands down my calico dress nervously, waiting for her to continue.
“Mr. Monroe and I have been so pleased with your work, your help with Eliza. She’s very fond of you, responds well to you, you know,” she observed.
“Miss Eliza be special to me, too,” I offered, waiting when she grew silent again.
“Mr. Monroe has accepted a post to France, Jasmine, and Eliza and I are going to accompany him,” she finished.
I nodded, remembering Esmerelda’s reaction to the news, and I wondered what she would tell me now. Was I to be sent away, back to the Prosser plantation? Visions of bullwhips and Gab filled my mind and I am sure my fear shown in my eyes. I felt my knees begin to shake as I waited for her next words.
“Mr. Monroe and I have decided to take Polly and Michael with us.” She hesitated and then smiled. “And you, Jasmine, will go, too with us to France.”
I gasped, my hand flew to my mouth, and I stammered, “France. Youse be takin’ me to France.”
As a novelist, I draw on many real life experiences to provide background for my books. After completing studies in Literature and History at Occidental College, I became a staffwriter on a travel magazine, and throughout my career I have traveled extensively all over the world.
Because I love horses, I owned and trained them. I support horse rescue and wild mustang preservation. Based on my experience with horses and my research on abuse issues, I wrote Pegasus.
As a descendant of James Monroe, I did extensive research at the James Monroe Museum in Virginia about him and his wife Elizabeth Kortright Monroe. I also visited their home, Ashlawn/Highland in Albemarle County. This resulted in my novel, The Beautiful American.
Making Wishes, was based partly on my experiences as creator, owner and operator of a greeting card company.
My books are published by AuthorHouse and sold worldwide by Amazon, Barnes&Noble and major bookstores as hardcover, paperback or ebooks. Check them out by clicking on one of the names at the top of the page.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Posted by Laurie Jenkins at 12:04 AM
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Reactions:
No comments:
Post a Comment
September 27, 2013
Choosing a setting for your book
Marilyn Holdsworth – Why choosing your setting is important
The settings in a book are important to the overall tone of the book. The action and the characters are affected by their surroundings. I have found to capture the true feel of a particular place it is most helpful to have been there myself. I have traveled to many different areas when writing my books. When I was working on my first book, Pegasus, I visited many locations in California. Also in Austria, I took a trip on the Danube and visited the Spanish Riding School. All those experiences helped me to write realistically about the settings of my story.
When I was working on The Beautiful American I visited James Monroe’s home, Ashlawn in Virginia and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. I also toured all throughout Albemarle county to get the feeling of the area I was writing about in the book and the settings I was creating for my characters. I have been to Paris many times and to the Louvre which was extremely helpful in writing the parts of the book set in post- revolutionary France.
In Making Wishes my main character lives in the Los Angeles area but travels to New York and London. Having visited both New York and London many times helped me create realistic settings for that book. And since I live in California, Los Angeles is a familiar area to me.
I can visualize in my mind the settings I am creating for my characters much better if I have been there. For my books to be realistic it is very important I choose settings that not only suit the characters and plot but most importantly are places I know and feel comfortable writing about.
Connect with Marilyn Holdsworth on Facebook & Twitter
Blog http://MarilynHoldsworth.wordpress.com/
The settings in a book are important to the overall tone of the book. The action and the characters are affected by their surroundings. I have found to capture the true feel of a particular place it is most helpful to have been there myself. I have traveled to many different areas when writing my books. When I was working on my first book, Pegasus, I visited many locations in California. Also in Austria, I took a trip on the Danube and visited the Spanish Riding School. All those experiences helped me to write realistically about the settings of my story.
When I was working on The Beautiful American I visited James Monroe’s home, Ashlawn in Virginia and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. I also toured all throughout Albemarle county to get the feeling of the area I was writing about in the book and the settings I was creating for my characters. I have been to Paris many times and to the Louvre which was extremely helpful in writing the parts of the book set in post- revolutionary France.
In Making Wishes my main character lives in the Los Angeles area but travels to New York and London. Having visited both New York and London many times helped me create realistic settings for that book. And since I live in California, Los Angeles is a familiar area to me.
I can visualize in my mind the settings I am creating for my characters much better if I have been there. For my books to be realistic it is very important I choose settings that not only suit the characters and plot but most importantly are places I know and feel comfortable writing about.
Connect with Marilyn Holdsworth on Facebook & Twitter
Blog http://MarilynHoldsworth.wordpress.com/
September 26, 2013
Happiness
Happiness
I hear the thud of hoofs and see sparks fly
From shattered stones as Happiness rattles by.
Two black horses champ their bits,
Jerking reins gone slack
On foam-flecked backs.
On into the darkest night they race
Never slowing their reckless pace.
The driverless steeds gather speed,
The carriage sways and swings at every stride.
And that's for me I whisper in my dream,
Such a carriage and such a team.
Never following day's marked path,
Never fearing night's fierce wrath,
Careening, clattering on and on
Endlessly racing to catch the dawn.
I hear the thud of hoofs and see sparks fly
From shattered stones as Happiness rattles by.
Two black horses champ their bits,
Jerking reins gone slack
On foam-flecked backs.
On into the darkest night they race
Never slowing their reckless pace.
The driverless steeds gather speed,
The carriage sways and swings at every stride.
And that's for me I whisper in my dream,
Such a carriage and such a team.
Never following day's marked path,
Never fearing night's fierce wrath,
Careening, clattering on and on
Endlessly racing to catch the dawn.
Why Book Covers Are Important
Book covers are very important because they are the first thing your potential reader sees. A good cover must have an enticing appeal to draw the reader to it. An attractive cover design immediately rouses the reader's curiosity in the book's content. And there is a much greater chance they will want to buy it. The old addage "you can't tell a book by its cover" may be true but the book cover is still most important in generating sales. Eye catching color and an alluring design that harmonizes with the book's title will be much more likely to capture the reader's interest. Also, the use of an endorsement of the book by a well known person or periodical can add to the impact of the cover. A few praising words or lines for the book can draw the possible reader to it. A book with a pleasing color design and intriguing title is much more likely to sell than one without. People do tend to buy what they see. A book's cover is the first thing they see and will remember. First impressions are lasting.
September 25, 2013
My Blog Schedule for Making Wishes
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Women’s fiction
Rating – PG-13
More details about the author & the book
Connect with Marilyn Holdsworth on Facebook & Twitter
Blog http://MarilynHoldsworth.wordpress.com/
Book Review Status
- Currently reading - 15 bloggers – 10% to 20%
- Reviews posted - 0 reviews to Amazon and / or GoodReads
- Pending Reviews - 10
(*) signifies book club review which will be posted by the end of the tour. Please refer to starter kit item #8.
Book Tour Schedule (Fantastic Four)
24th September – Book Feature at Peace from Pieces
25th September – Guest Post at Mommy Adventures
26th September – Author Interview at Bunny’s Review
27th September - Guest Post at High Class Books
28th September – Author Interview at Book Professor
29th September - Twitter View with OB Book Tours
30th September - Twitter Blast with OB Book Tours
1st October - Guest Post & Book Feature at Paws on Books
8th October – Excerpt at Keeping Sane With Books
15th October – OB Go – How To
22nd October – Author Interview at Top Shelf Books
29th October – Excerpt at Next Big Book Thing
5th November – (*1)Book Review & Author Interview at eInk Reviews
12th November - Guest Post at Just My Opinion
19th November – (*2)Book Review & Guest Post at Aspiring Books
26th November - Excerpt at UK Book Club
3rd December – (*3)Book Review & Author Interview at Gentleman Reads
10th December – (*4)Book Review at Author’s Going Places
17th December – (*5)Book Review & Guest Post at Zoo of Books
24th December – Listing at OB Bookstore
Genre - Women’s fiction
Rating – PG-13
More details about the author & the book
Connect with Marilyn Holdsworth on Facebook & Twitter
Blog http://MarilynHoldsworth.wordpress.com/
Book Review Status
- Currently reading - 15 bloggers – 10% to 20%
- Reviews posted - 0 reviews to Amazon and / or GoodReads
- Pending Reviews - 10
(*) signifies book club review which will be posted by the end of the tour. Please refer to starter kit item #8.
Book Tour Schedule (Fantastic Four)
24th September – Book Feature at Peace from Pieces
25th September – Guest Post at Mommy Adventures
26th September – Author Interview at Bunny’s Review
27th September - Guest Post at High Class Books
28th September – Author Interview at Book Professor
29th September - Twitter View with OB Book Tours
30th September - Twitter Blast with OB Book Tours
1st October - Guest Post & Book Feature at Paws on Books
8th October – Excerpt at Keeping Sane With Books
15th October – OB Go – How To
22nd October – Author Interview at Top Shelf Books
29th October – Excerpt at Next Big Book Thing
5th November – (*1)Book Review & Author Interview at eInk Reviews
12th November - Guest Post at Just My Opinion
19th November – (*2)Book Review & Guest Post at Aspiring Books
26th November - Excerpt at UK Book Club
3rd December – (*3)Book Review & Author Interview at Gentleman Reads
10th December – (*4)Book Review at Author’s Going Places
17th December – (*5)Book Review & Guest Post at Zoo of Books
24th December – Listing at OB Bookstore
