Discovering connections

Several people have asked how Malarial Fevers came to be. Growing up I had assumed that the Bennetts were family friends. I didn't realize that we were related until after my father was in a nursing home and a letter came to him that my step-mother didn't know how to handle. This led to a reconnection with Carol Bennett Brand, my third cousin and the granddaughter of Harriet Sage Bennett. Carol knew about my writing and offered me all of her grandmother's letters, diaries and papers. She said it was her grandmother's wish to have her story told about life in Mozambique. The majority of the papers were written in pencil and proved challenging to transcribe. The collection of ticket stubs and other items were thrilling for me to work with because my doctoral dissertation began with the period when the Bennetts first arrived in Mozambique. I recognized the names of people who had written them letters so long ago as well as many of the issues that concerned them.
I sent a copy of the first draft of Malarial Fevers to Carol, but she died before the book was published.
Being the Advent season, I wish joy as you prepare for Christmas.
Jonna-Lynn

Book Emporium

This photo is from winter a couple years ago when the ice on the pond was quite thick. One chuck seemed to be shaped like a pine tree and I had to experiment with the shape to frame it between the doves.

Now to business, my books will be available at the Book Emporium of the Annual Zia Arts and Crafts Show in Albuquerque from November 21 through 23. The prices will be discounted at $10.00 for Malarial Fevers and $12.00 for Unspoken Farewell.

Wishing you the best Thanksgiving.

New projects

Having just returned from a trip to Pennsylvania where fall colors are still very rich, I'm sad to see that the season is nearly past in northern New Mexico, so I share this copper-colored maple tree with you.

Unless I'm without access to a computer, I hope to post at least a monthly note about my writing projects, their development and my progress toward getting them published. At the moment I'm polishing the last book of three that relate to Mozambique, Unpredictable Crossing. When I know its release date, I'll post it.

As I finalize this book, I think about shifting the location of some adventures to occur on cruise ships. You'll note on my website that Unpredictable Crossing takes place on board a ship in transit from Miami to Lisbon. At the moment, I am doing research for a second book that takes place aboard a ship on the inland passage to Alaska. I don't know if Amanda and Jeffrey will take this cruise.

There's another project that I've been wrestling with for the last couple years which involves northern New Mexico. It also has a global view as the story moves from the south China Sea region to the U.S. east coast and then New Mexico.

More news coming soon.

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