Drum Roll, Please!

-

Dear Readers,

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news - I've finally hit the "publish" button on the digital version of "His Greatest Regret"! After months of waiting, Richard Woolsey's story is ready for you to explore.

This has been a 20-year journey - countless hours of research, collaboration with my cousins, and even a DNA test to piece together Richard's fascinating life. The print version proof copy should arrive this week, and barring any issues, I'll be publishing that version too.

Richard Woolsey was quite the character - a smooth-talking man whose paper trail has always fascinated me. I won't sugar coat it - he was not a good father to his youngest child, though by all accounts, he was devoted to his first six children. It's one of the mysteries I've pondered throughout this project.

In "His Greatest Regret," you'll follow Richard's adventures across late 19th century America - from Indiana to Kansas, with mining expeditions in Washington Territory and New Mexico. He truly lived a life of adventure.

I'm already working on the sequel, "The Path Home," which will tell the story from William's perspective and explore more of his mother's life.

Both digital and print versions will be available on Amazon. I'll provide the links in next week's newsletter when they're officially released.

Thank you for your patience and support throughout this journey!

Amy Crooks


Please stop by this group for more amazing historical fiction reads here.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Weekly Newsletter: My 4 AM Writing Ritual

-
Image
  Beep. Beep. Beep. No, that's not my alarm clock—I rarely need one anymore. The persistent ache in my hip or back and my insistent bladder nudge me awake as the bedroom clock glows 4:02 AM. I surrender to the inevitable, sliding my feet to the floor and stretching away the stiffness. Outside, the world remains still and dark, but inside my mind, characters and plot lines already begin to stir. The coffee maker gurgles in the kitchen as I collect dog bowls, fill them up and let the dogs in for their morning meal. Steam rises from my mug, a simple pleasure that signals the start of my sacred hours. After grabbing my protein shake, I settle into my favorite spot by the bay window, laptop warming my legs. From this perch, I watch darkness slowly retreat from Switzer Mountain. The first birds appear at the feeder—chickadees today, flitting back and forth in the growing light. Yesterday's writing session for "His Greatest Regret" ended with my protagonist facing a difficul...
Read more

Newsletter: Gardening, Dogs & Cars

-
Image
  Growing, Restoring, and Writing Hello again, dear readers! It's time to step away from my writing desk and share another update with you all. Life has been busy, as always, but in the best possible way. Let me give you a peek into what’s been going on lately. The Garden’s Growing Strong The garden is coming along beautifully, and I’ve had a little help along the way. My husband helped me build the last box I needed in the greenhouse and install the greenhouse door. Now my tomato plants are safe from the deer who think they’re entitled to a bite (oh yes, those sneaky thieves!). My daughter and her friend pitched in and carried a shelf out to the greenhouse, where I’ve got flower seeds sprouting to add a pop of color to the yard this year. Every evening, after finishing up work, I head out to hand water and pull pesky weeds while listening to a good audiobook. It's my little moment of serenity in the middle of the chaos. Shop Time with My Favorite Mechanic When I’m not in the g...
Read more

Creating Historical Context for Your Novel's Characters: A Step-by-Step Guide

-
Image
  As a historical fiction writer, I've discovered that creating authentic, three-dimensional characters requires more than just developing their personalities and motivations. It demands placing them firmly within the historical context of their times. Today, I want to share my process for building a historically rich timeline that has transformed my approach to character development. Why Historical Context Matters Before diving into my process, let's consider why this work matters. Historical context isn't just window dressing—it's the foundation that shapes your characters' worldviews, decisions, and opportunities. When William George Woolsey was born in 1865, slavery had just been abolished. By the time he died in 1913, America had transformed from a post-Civil War agricultural society into an industrial powerhouse. These sweeping changes would have profoundly influenced his perspective and choices. My Step-by-Step Process Step 1: Gather Your Character's...
Read more