By the Sea: Julie Klassen’s “The Sisters of Sea View”

When tragedy suddenly strikes the Summers family, they have no choice but adapt to the situation. They have lost a beloved husband and father. Now Mrs. Summers and her four daughters (Sarah, Emily, Viola, and Georgiana) face the cruel reality of penury. What are five genteel females to do? Help comes in the form of Miss Fran Stirling, a former lady’s maid who once served Mrs. Summers. She suggests that the Summers’s women let out the rooms of Sea View, the great house where they live in Sidmouth. The unwell Mrs. Summers and her daughter Viola initially balk at the idea, finding it to be beneath their dignity.

Hope: A Lenten Meditation

When I attended the Ash Wednesday service yesterday, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. When most people think of Ash Wednesday, they are likely to think of seriousness or formality. It is a day that kicks off an entire season of introspection, sacrifice, and prayer. It is a time where we consider what sins we committed or …

Alternate Endings: Marie Thérèse Remembers

In this post, we are going to explore the inspiration behind my short story, Marie Thérèse Remembers from the Alternate Endings anthology. This was an anthology that was created by eight authors and is presented by the Historical Writers Forum. This is my first foray into the world of publishing. It has been quite a journey! For the people that know me, …

Who Was Marie-Thérèse?

Greetings! In this post we are going to talk about my upcoming short story: “Marie-Thérèse Remembers.” We are also going to explore who Marie-Thérèse of France was. We know so much about her ill-fated parents, King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. Marie-Thérèse experienced all manner of torments during the Reign of Terror and she was the only member of …

The Oxbow by Thomas Cole

How it All Started

You can say that I live with my one foot in the modern world and my other foot in the past. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. It was 2012 and I was attending a Catholic university. One of the requirements for graduation was to complete some service learning. The point was to dedicate your time and …