| | | | |

On The Road – Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore

Sunday, July 19 found us on the road again to promote the Michigan State University Press book HERE, Women Writing on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the Wayne State University Press book, THE WAY NORTH, Collected Upper Peninsula New Works, both books edited by Dr. Ronald Riekki. This time Neil and I drove to Munising, Michigan,…

| | |

Eastern European Research Trip – Romania!

So early in the morning, we bid farewell to our sweet little room on the Viking Ship Jarl. We board a bus and begin our trip through the countryside on the way to Romania’s capital city of Bucharest. One of our stops includes the Village Museum, with authentic dwellings from various areas of Romania. Have…

| | |

Eastern European Research Trip – Chef’s Farewell Dinner

Our bags are packed for an early departure in the morning from the Viking River Ship Jarl. To ease the sadness of good-byes, our last dinner on board is an adventure in itself, and especially delights the palate. (Or like we would say at home, Wow that’s good!) Here’s the menu: For my appetizer, I…

| | |

Eastern Europe Research Trip – The Research!

To me, the research for any novel seems like giant treasure hunt, and I’m energized by discovery. I love fleshing out a scene with small bits of information and visual imagery. To do that, I often rely on on-site photos. However, anyone who has seen my photos in this series can tell that photography is…

| | |

Eastern European Research Trip – Bulgaria

Our port city in Bulgaria is Vidin, and our tour today includes a visit to the Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress. On our way! (Photo from the bus window.) The red Rocks of Belogradshick were formed by weathering and erosion. They extend for more than 18 miles, are 650 feet high and about 1 mile wide….

| | | |

Eastern European Research Trip – Iron Gate

When Neil and I were making plans to visit Eastern Europe, one of the reasons we selected a river cruise was the opportunity to see the Iron Gate Gorge in Serbia. Many ancient peoples settled in the Gorge area. One of the sites, Lepenski Vir, dates back to 6500 B.C. Perfect “fodder” for my novel…

| | |

Eastern European Research Trip – Violins!

So…we’re in Belgrade, Serbia, and our tour today includes a walk around the Kalemegdan Fortress. The fortress dates back to the 1700s, but a fortified settlement has occupied this sameĀ  high bluff since 300 B.C. In one form or another, the fortress has seen at least 115 battles and was razed to the ground 44…