Stitching a Dream by Ellen Parker

TODAY'S GUEST: ELLEN PARKER

I'm so happy to welcome Ellen Parker back to Discover... Enjoy!

A Visit to the Bakery

In May of 1851, ten days after I arrived in the village of Elm Ridge, Illinois, I gathered my courage and set out for the Deutsch bakery on Walnut Street. I found the business easy enough, the location on a corner and the painted sign with a loaf of bread guided me to the front door.

My son, Joseph, limped beside me, his hand wrapped around three of my fingers. Sunlight highlighted his straight, copper-red hair—the only outward gift from his father. “Who are we going to see?”

Good question. The previous time I’d seen the man I hoped to find was in the autumn of 1845—mere hours before my brother forced the Deutsch baker to leave St. Louis. I glanced into my son’s wide, brown eyes. “A friend from a long time ago—before you were born.”

A moment later, I opened the shop door. Mouth-watering scents of sugar, nutmeg, and cherry enveloped the both of us. I was tempted to remain still, quiet, and savor the air. But my sense of purpose returned and after a quick assessment of the tall, middle-aged woman behind the counter holding an embroidery hoop and a blonde girl-flirting-with-womanhood in an apron, I found my voice. “Good afternoon.”

Both women turned friendly, curious gazes on me as I closed the shop door. “Is this the bakery of Mr. Bernard Keil?”

“Ja. Herr Keil is not here.” The older women set her embroidery aside. “I am Frau. Have you come to buy a treat for your son?”

 “My business is with your husband. Will he return soon?” A wife. I should not be surprised. I lifted my gaze toward the top of the wall and searched for enough Deutsch words to remain polite.

The older woman gripped the rim of the sales counter and leaned forward. “Who are you?”

“Yes, I suppose you have a right to know.” I released Joseph’s hand and smoothed my best dress’ green skirts. I can say this—I have whispered the words every night for weeks before I fall asleep. “Tell Bernard…tell Herr Keil…Polly Black from St. Louis recently arrived in Elm Ridge and works at Mrs. Clark’s dress shop.”

The baker’s wife paled to match fine muslin.

For one instant, I feared the woman would faint. However, the blonde woman grasped her elbow and steadied her.

“Frau Keil, are you ill?” Stepping forward, I glimpsed my son approaching the glass case of cookies and turnovers.

The baker’s wife shook her head, looked toward the floor, and gathered a deep breath.

“It is the surprise of the thing.” The older woman found her voice. “Herr Keil has spoken of you. I will tell my husband where you may be found.” She glanced toward the boy. “What is the name of your son?”

I reached out and touched Frau Keil’s hand. “Joseph—my son’s name is Joseph. I do not mean to cause you trouble.”

“Not trouble.”

What does she see as she inspects me? I checked my gown and bonnet before I left the dress shop. She will not find stains or tears. Does she see the foolish girt? Or the practical woman I pray I have become? One of my mother’s favorite sayings crept into my brain and lingered.

Reputation is a woman’s fragile cloak—she best keep it mended.

****

Blurb:

Prepare for consequences when you love your neighbor. 

In 1851, Polly Black arrives in Elm Ridge, Illinois with little more than her sewing skills, her young son, and the persona of a widow. To preserve her reputation, she needs to tread lightly when a recent widower, a powerful man who knows she never married, courts her. A new shop opens across the way, and the owner’s friendly face is a welcome sight for both Polly and her son. 

Born and raised in a Pennsylvania Deutsch community, Kurt Tafel moves to Illinois for adventure and an opportunity to run his own cobbler shop. He’s not an immigrant, but is he American enough to act on his feelings for the intelligent and pretty seamstress? 

Bio for Ellen Parker:

Raised in a household filled with books, it was natural that Ellen Parker grew into an avid reader. Writing is her second career and she enjoys spinning of story which appeals to multiple generations. She encourages her readers to share her work with mother or daughter – or both.

Ellen currently lives in St. Louis. When not guiding characters to “happily ever after” she’s apt to be reading, walking, or gardening. You can find her on the web at www.ellen-parker-writes.com. Or:   https://www.facebook.com/ellen.parker 

Links for Stitching a Dream: 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh 

Nook: https://bit.ly/3Ri8RNX 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4ec8PRB

 

Afternoon Tea in Elm Ridge—1851 Style by Ellen Parker (@eparkerwrites) #NewRelease #HistoricalRomance

MUSE MONDAY

Enjoy the guest post today with Ellen Parker as she takes us back to the middle of the nineteenth century.

The Deutsch immigrants in New Dreams are on their way to Elm Ridge, Illinois. I hope you enjoy this introduction to furnishings and customs of 1851.

 

After a flurry of greetings, Mrs. King leads us to the large kitchen at the rear of the house.

“I am so glad you came for tea.” Our hostess smiles.

I remove my shawl and drape it over a chair back. The table, covered with a white cloth, is set for three. The plates are blue-and-white, the cups dainty, and the saucers deep. A lidded sugar bowl and matching cream pitcher are in the center. 

“Please, take a seat. The water is almost at a boil.” Mrs. King adds tea leaves to the pot waiting on the corner cupboard. A moment later, she lifts the teakettle from the stove and adds steaming water. “Do you like cherries?”

“Yes, very much.” Geraldine, my mother-in-law, and I respond almost in unison.

Mrs. King sets the teapot on the table. A moment later, she opens a tin box on one of the deep shelves. “I went to Keil’s Bakery this morning. Do you trade with them?”

“Not often, Geraldine responds.

“I went for rye bread last week. The scents are always so enticing.”

“The baker’s wife called this a Kuchen. She said they make them with several different fruits—apple, plum, and apricot—in addition to cherry.”

“Please, Mrs. King, sit, relax, and enjoy afternoon tea. Tell us how you managed with the language at Keil’s Bakery.

Blurb:

America beckons with opportunity during the 1850’s.

 

Louisa Mueller, a baker’s daughter, arrives in Elm Ridge, Illinois with determination to learn English and work as a baker. Since the death of her sweetheart a year ago, she pushes aside thoughts of marriage. However, she’s intrigued by a fellow passenger who tells the most interesting stories.

 

Desperate for a fresh start, a young thief takes the name Hans Hoffmann when a look-alike passenger dies during the trans-Atlantic passage. Vowing to be an honest man in America, Hans discovers temptation wears many disguises. Will the pair be rewarded as they attempt their new dreams in a strange land? 

 

Excerpt:

 

Hans shook his head. He ignored the stifling air and stepped toward Louisa. “Welcome, Fraulein Mueller. Did you enjoy the lecture?”

“Ja. Danke.” She hid her hands in the folds of her skirt.

“May I be bold and ask you a question?” He waited for her slight nod. “Where are you going after we leave the ship in New Orleans?”

“I travel to join my cousin.” She moistened her lips and shifted her gaze to the floor.

Polite conversation is difficult. He searched for proper phrases among the crude remarks common in the cheap taverns he frequented. “I…I would like to become acquainted. May I speak with you again?” 

BIO:

Raised in a household filled with books, it was only natural that Ellen Parker grew into an avid reader. She turned to writing as a second career and enjoys spinning the type of story which appeals to multiple generations. She encourages her readers to share her work with mother or daughter – or both.

Ellen currently lives in St. Louis. When not guiding characters to “happily ever after” she’s apt to be reading, walking in the neighborhood, or tending her tiny garden. You can find her on the web at www.ellen-parker-writes.com and www.facebook.com/ellenparkerwrites. 

Ellen’s website: www.ellen-parker-writes.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellenparkerwrites

Buy links for New Dreams:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

Nook: http://bit.ly/3wR900t

The Game Authors Play...What If? by Ellen Parker #romance

MUSE MONDAY

Readers, please welcome Ellen Parker to Muse Monday on Discover... It's always fun to hear how an author works at putting that story into book form. 

What if…?

I’ve never taken an official poll -- but my guess is this is the most frequent game played by authors. I know I ask myself this question a dozen or more times a day. At least it seems that often when plotting a book, writing the first draft, and changing major items for the second draft.

At the very beginning of Morning Tryst, I had the meet cute between my protagonists, but not much else. Many games of “What if…” later, I wrote a two page, first-person, background for each of them. Lots of this pertained to family of origin and education. This document was paragraphs of little things the author needs to know, but the reader is only interested in portions or hints as the story unfolds.

What if…the state of Missouri hires one photographer to update materials on all the state parks and historic sites?

What if…the bartender is actually a millionaire?

What if…the protagonists hold opposite views of family?

What if…I can visit some of these places, explore the ground, and write the experience? 

 

The Blurb

During a San Francisco visit, photographer Serena Carter sights arresting potential in the hotel bartender and invites him to model. Later, in San Diego, they meet at a beach, and she discovers his personality as fascinating as the images her camera captures.

Self-made millionaire Zack Sans usually avoids cameras. He prefers the world of scientific laboratories and engineering students. But something intrigues him about the petite photographer.

When realistic Serena accepts an opportunity to photograph Missouri State Parks in all seasons, she expects the budding friendship to die. Will Zack’s ties to Missouri overcome cyberstalking, a wildlife encounter, and opposite views of family?

Excerpt

Gently setting the pitcher on the bar, Serena pressed her hands flat against the smooth, cool surface to conceal their sudden tremble. “Our table…we need…a refill. Drinks and supreme chicken nacho platter.” She lowered her gaze from gray eyes behind wire-framed glasses past a clean-shaven chin to rest on a black-and-gold nametag. An instant later, she shifted her line of sight to his neck and confirmed her earlier glimpses. In the next blink, she widened her view. Lingering her gaze on his face for the next few seconds, she classified the radiating character marks around his eyes as more age than smile. Fifty? If correct, he was near to her own fifty-two years. Hiding a sigh, she broke the silence. “We have a tab.”

He reached for the dirty pitcher and glanced over her shoulder. “Table twenty, the one in the corner— with four thirsty ladies?”

“Affirmative. We’re celebrating.” She questioned her use of the word the instant it left her lips. Reminiscing. After a day filled with the memorial service and the commitment ceremony, the four remaining best buddies shared drinks, food, and conversation. During recent minutes, the topics shifted from fond memories to current circumstances with a sprinkle of future plans.

“Anything else?” He tapped the order on a touch screen and lifted a cocktail shaker.

Slipping one hand into a pocket, she fingered a business card and waited for him to face her again. “I want to shoot you, Zack.”

Buy links for Morning Tryst:

AMAZON

NOOK

BIO

Raised in a household filled with books, it was only natural that Ellen Parker grew into an avid reader. She turned to writing as a second career and enjoys spinning the type of story which appeals to multiple generations. She encourages her readers to share her work with mother or daughter – or both.

Ellen currently lives in St. Louis. When not guiding characters to “happily ever after” she’s apt to be reading, walking in the neighborhood, or tending her tiny garden. 

Find Ellen on her website: www.ellen-parker-writes.com

Facebook: (20+) Ellen Parker | Facebook

Twitter: (20) Ellen Parker (@eparkerwrites) / Twitter