Welcome to Whispering Woods Friday. Those of you who are reading my newly released book, Whispering Woods, will find a post on Fridays about the book, characters, setting, insights into writing, and all things interesting about The Grand Lady Victorian Mansion.
The idea for the book began about two years ago. I was “between books” so to speak, having finished the things I set out to write on my literary journey. I was watching Cedar Cove, the popular show written by Macomber, fascinated with the characters and thought, “I’ve never tried to write something like that. Sounds like fun!” So I did.
I have become fascinated with the setting in Whispering Woods, and in the sequel which I am now writing,to be called Winter Wonderland, I’m inviting staff and guests to interact. Someone asked me if it is a romance. My answer was that it is not into the twists and turns of relationships, unrequited love, etc., but there is romance in it! In other words, it is not the “soap-opera” thing that Cedar Cove often portrays, but rather is a story of God’s grace to the individuals I’ve created. There are no crisis relationships yet. That doesn’t mean there won’t be in the future, just sayin’, but there are romantic relationships, and definitely heterosexual marriage is a strong component.
The second book in the series will include two new features not included in Whispering Woods. One is a series of journals by Jean, the “glue” character who keeps everything together. She is the nanny who raised Cathy, also known as CeCe, the wife and mom of the story. Now Jean is nanny to Michael and Kelsey, the Baxter couple’s two adorable children, and about to become their step-grandmother by marrying Cathy’s father, Ben Goddard. That’s a whole new story. Another new feature is a recipe collection.
I’ve always wanted to own a Victorian mansion. I almost did once. My husband and I almost bought one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa about twenty years ago. Had we seen it earlier in our marriage, we probably would have taken a stab at it. I still remember it fondly as “what could have been!” It, like the one I’ve imagined in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, had a grand foyer, a sweeping staircase, beautiful wood-carved moldings and details, a sweeping front porch, beautifully appointed large rooms, and lots of stained and leaded glass windows.
I took piano lessons as a child in just such a home, and still see the wisteria and hanging baskets of ferns on the front porch in my vivid memory. So, it was natural that this Whispering Woods mansion be just that kind of place. However, any mansion of this type deserves the right setting. The one in Cedar Rapids was in a rapidly deteriorating urban setting, with an alley way in the back, no space, and lots of traffic. No, thank you.
The Grand Lady Inn sits on 160 acres, with a long driveway to introduce its splendor gradually, an organic farm next door, an equestrian area, an event barn where wonderful weddings and events will occur, a ski lift and three slopes, a campground and beautiful sparkling lakes, and lots of wildlife and varieties of trees, landscaping and wildflowers.
On Fridays for the foreseeable future, my blog will update you, the reader, on the culture of Whispering Woods. Enjoy the visits. Betty Whitaker Jackson
BUY MY BOOK: Whispering Woods is available in paperback from me, for locals, signed for $25.00, also on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, both in paperback and ebook formats, and from LifeRich Publishing.com. I invite you to leave comments on any/all of the three websites, give it a five-star rating, and read my other books.
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