RETURNING TO HISTORY - Part 4

 Do you know how the Korean War began?

The inspiration for An Ozarks Homecoming began when I stood along side the road and watched the procession bringing CPL Donald Eugene Matney home to Seymour MO. I'd never seen support such as CPL Matney received on his journey. Even his Uncle commented in a presentation he gave at the Broomfield Veterans Museum in April of 2017 how the state of Missouri did his nephew (his wife's nephew) proud. 

From what I understand, nearly every overpass from St. Louis to Seymour had people lined up with flags and saluting as he passed below. I didn't realize at the time the importance of that motorcade, only that a serviceman was coming home. Here's a news clip from one of our local new stations KY3 (Springfield MO)

You only need to see the first 6 minutes or so.

By the time I'd driven the ninety minutes back home (I was on my way home from Springfield) I had a story idea in my head. My brain always goes to the 'What If... " when something catches my attention.

So, how did the Korean War begin?

Here's what I found from (historycrunch.com *) websight as well as (Wikipedia **)

The main reason the United States got involved in Korea was the purpose of doing everything possible to keep communism from spreading around world. *

United Nations Security Council Resolution 82 was a measure adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on June 25, 1950. The resolution demanded North Korea immediately end its invasion of South Korea **

The resolution called on the North to immediately halt its invasion and to move its troops back to the 38th parallel. Seen as a diplomatic victory for the United States, the resolution was completely ignored by North Korea. This brought the UN and the US to take further action, setting the state for massive international involvement and the expansion of the Korean War.

The Korean Conflict was not suppose to be an all-out war. We were to be a police action... at least that's what the government told our boys. 

In my research I learned so much about the Korean War and how our boys coming home failed to receive the welcome they should have. Very little is said about WW1. We hear about the economy boosts after WWII and what a political fiasco the Vietnam War was - the deplorable conditions for our soldiers, yet the Korean War truly has become 'the forgotten war'. After doing my research, I won't ever forget what our boys went through only to be treated as if their sacrifice didn't matter. 

The following video is actually in regards to a WWII veteran but I wanted to share - This Old Army Hat by Bill Anderson. 

We'll continue this next Wednesday...

All my best

~Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - The Doctor's Distracting Bride

Good morning, friends!

Already been a week and it's only Wednesday! Thankfully, I had a story to distract me.

AMAZON

BLURB:

Dr. Stephen Ambrose likes his world orderly. His medical instruments are labeled, his routines timed, and his patients cared for with quiet efficiency. What he never expected from Miss Mabel’s matchmaking service was a whirlwind bride who brings more laughter than silence and more peppermint lozenges than medical charts.

Della Tate has spent years volunteering in San Francisco’s free infirmary, learning every trick of nursing without ever earning a certificate. She’s cheerful, determined, and convinced that God has called her to help others, even if her new husband would prefer she sweep floors and keep quiet. But the people of Hickory Creek adore her, even as she turns Stephen’s carefully controlled life upside down.

When a mother and child nearly lose their lives in childbirth, the resulting controversy summons Stephen and Della before the Texas Medical Board. The hearing could cost him his license and her the chance to serve beside him. As uncertainty looms, both must decide whether love and faith are strong enough to withstand the weight of doubt—and whether God’s plan for them is larger than their fears.

With humor, heart, and a touch of Miss Mabel’s divine mischief, The Doctor’s Distracting Bride is a Christian Western romance about courage, calling, and discovering that sometimes God’s best prescriptions come wrapped in laughter and love.

They ask for quiet, obedient brides. Mabel sends them the ones with fire.

The Doctor's Distracting Bride is Book 6 in the Bride's of Miss Mabel's Registry.

London James has an interesting voice with her books. First off, Miss Mabel doesn't connect couples necessarily what they ask for. She has an innate ability to read between the lines to make the perfect match.

She also uses a unique trope. Rather than the 'Cinderella', 'Enemies to Lovers', etc, she uses stories from the Bible. For this one, she called on the Book of Ruth. Definitely a unique way to tell a contemporary (or in this case Historical romance) love story. I found her way of getting the couple's attention to their own predicament refreshing.

While she tells a great story, I did find a couple of editing issues, including an entire paragraph duplicated, one right after the other on a page. There were a couple minor editing issues as well. For the editing only, I'm giving a slightly lower quill rating this week. 

I'm giving The Doctor's Distracting Bride...

. 8

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - London James

 Good morning, friends!

I seem to be picking up Historical fiction lately. I had to work to find this author's information. The website listed on her Amazon author page is incorrect. I found the correct one by doing a Google search. How did we find information before Google? I'm hoping all the links below are correct. You will notice in her bio she writes under three different pen names, publishing everything under Long Valley Press.

Let's get to know London James:

Welcome to my humble abode on the interwebs! Who am I, you ask? Well, I'm a wordsmith who creates literary magic in my fuzzy pants while surrounded by my furry feline friends and beloved equine companions. I pen Sweet Historical Romance and Sweet Contemporary Romance under the pen name London James, while my alter ego, Angela Christina Archer, delves into Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Historical Romance.

Hailing from the wilds of Nevada, reading was never my top priority when I had horses to ride and shows to attend. But when I did find a quiet moment, I devoured the Saddle Club Series, Sweet Valley High, and the classics like Anne of Green Gables, The Box Car Children, and Little House on the Prairie. Writing always fascinated me, but it wasn't until 2009 that I finally took the plunge and started penning my debut novel.

When I'm not lost in the world of words, you'll find me on my ranch with my doting hubby, two beautiful daughters, and an assortment of farm animals. As a homeschooling mom, I keep busy from dawn till dusk, tending to my garden, baking up a storm, and ensuring my furry and feathered friends are happy and healthy. Though I've retired from showing horses, I still hit the trails with my trusty paint horse, Honky, and love teaching my daughter how to ride her handsome horse, Chubs.

I'll be back tomorrow with my review of The Doctor's Distracting Bride. In the meantime, please visit the links below to learn more about London James, her various pen names, and wide variety of books.

WEBSITE   LINKTR.EE   FACEBOOK    GOODREADS  

INSTAGRAM  TIKTOK   PINTEREST

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

 

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - The Wagon Master's Wife

 Good morning, friends!

First off, I apologize for posting the wrong book title in yesterday's spotlight post. I had copied the bio and info from when I featured Christine last month, failing to proof my post. 

Today, we are reviewing...

AMAZON

BLURB:

A runaway bride in hiding. A wagon master with rules. One wagon train journey could cost them everything—or lead them straight to love.

Amanda Crumb is desperate to escape. Trapped under her brother’s cruel thumb and facing a future she never chose, she’ll risk everything for a chance at freedom on the Colorado trail. When stern wagon master Charlie Holstead refuses to let her join his train, Amanda makes a reckless choice and hides in one of his wagons.

Charlie Holstead trusts order. Scarred by loss and determined never to marry again, the seasoned wagon master has one rule above all others: no unmarried women on his train. But when he discovers a fiery stowaway with nowhere else to turn, Charlie’s carefully laid plans begin to unravel. Protecting Amanda becomes far more dangerous than sending her away.

Even though Amanda is falling for Charlie’s steady strength, quiet faith, and the way he makes her feel safe for the first time in years, her brother’s threats and her own fears could destroy their fragile trust. And although Charlie is drawn to Amanda’s courage, tender heart, and fierce determination, the pain of his past and the risks of loving someone in danger keep him from claiming the future he wants.

Will Amanda and Charlie trust God—and each other—before the unforgiving frontier tears them apart?

One of the first things I noticed in the beginning of the book was the blurb, 'if you enjoy books by Karen Whitmere or Shanna Hatfield...'

I am a fan of both of those authors. Karen Whitmer ( Karen Whitmer-Gow/ Elizabeth Grayson) was a dear friend of my sister and I had the pleasure of getting to know her as well. Almost thirty years ago, I received a gift of embroidery scissors from Karen for one of her books. I can't remember the book now, but I cherish those little scissors. Sadly, Karen passed in 2025. I met Shanna at the last RT Convention in Dallas and have featured on the blog several times. 

With that information, and having reviewed The Farmer's Wife last month, I was not surprised to find this book just as enjoyable. 

Christine Sterling is one of the best novella authors I've read. She has the format down to a science. 'This is where we are, this is what's happening, this is where we find our happy-ever-after'.

I loved Amanda's determination to escape her brother and thwart his evil plan to use her as a bargaining chip in a high-stakes poker game. The fact he eluded to the fact the winner could do whatever they wanted with her was down right disgusting. However, Christine let this add to the characterization of why Amanda was desperate to get away, and why she chose Charles as her 'knight in shining armor'. 

Which brings me to Charlie Holstead. He may not be in the market for a bride, much to his mother's dismay, but when he hears Amanda's brother's evil plan he sets his reservations aside to save her. He has his own history with the man. He won't let history repeat itself.

How Christine brought the two together was perfect. Mind you, if I'd crawled out of a wagon to go relieve myself and walked into a 'tree with arms', I'm not sure I'd have the control Amanda possessed. One more little nugget of showing the heroine's strength.

Christine Sterling is masterful and I hope to read more of her books, including the rest in this series as well as the first one we featured last month. She writes tight, while leaving nothing out in any of her series'. I encourage you to go to her Amazon Author Page link below and begin a summer full of entertainment and enjoyment. If you don't have time to curl up with a larger book, her stories are perfect.

I'm giving The Wagon Master's Wife...

You'll find more about Christine Sterling by following any of the links below.

FACEBOOK  INSTAGRAM  GOODREADS    AUDIBLE

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

All my best!

~ Angela

RETURN TO HISTORY - Part 3

Until I began researching how to portray the subject of bringing home Lt. Daniel Sterlings remains home from the Korean War in A OZARKS HOMECOMING I didn't know anything about Mortuary Affairs.

I knew our service men and women came home but I didn't know anything about the process - what steps were taken to honor our fallen heroes and bring them home with the dignity they deserve.

Today, we reconize Funeral Directors and Morticians around the globe. I dated a Mortuary Affairs officer, (though I did not know that at the time. I think he still serves in that capacity - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, Darrold)

Footnote: Darrold passed away in 2025. He was looking forward to reading this story.

Death is something we all have to deal with at some/ multiple points in our our life. Take time today to thank your local mortician. They do so much to preserve the precious memories we have of our loved ones.

Thank you, David Lenz, Joe Gross and Darrold Davies

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Christine Sterling

 Good  morning, readers!

I have a repeat performance Author Spotlight tonight. Christine Sterling. I didn't realize until after I'd chosen this week's book and setting up blog posts that we were stepping into a book from a different series.

Here's a bit about Christine:

USA TODAY bestselling author Christine Sterling loves immersing her readers in the small towns she’s created. Her inspirational stories feature humor, redemption, and romance, with themes of friendship, forgiveness, and fighting for the love you want.

She’s the author of over eighty romances, including the reader favorites, First Families of Flat River, and The Flat River Matchmaker series. She loves to create tight-knit families with strong family values, and you’ll often find that her characters cross over in many of her stories. Her readers describe her characters as old friends and her settings as places they would love to visit.

An empty nester, she lives with her husband and a menagerie of animals on a Pennsylvania farm. When she’s not writing, she can be found, drinking tea, being judged by her cat, eating snacks or napping.

While waiting for the review of The Wagon Master's Wife, you can check out any of Christine's links below.

FACEBOOK  INSTAGRAM  GOODREADS    AUDIBLE

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

Good morning, friends!

The story is finally coming together, little by little. If you're writing, how is your project progressing?

All my best!

~ Angela