A Cure for the Wintertime Blues?

I commented to someone last week that I’ve been feeling sad and alone these last few weeks even though I’ve been surrounded by people and busier than busy at the Blue Belle and church. I blamed it on the wintertime blues. We’ve rarely seen the sun since returning home from Arizona (how thankful am I for that brief break from winter!)

While friends on Facebook are posting pictures of the first blooms of spring, our snow keeps piling up and up and up. I think there’s almost a foot on the ground already, and another 3-5 inches are expected today.

That’s when a friend said to me, “Don’t you always feel this way when you finish a book?” Sigh. She was right. I finished my rough draft of PLUM TART IRIS and wrote The End exactly two weeks ago. I’ve been feeling lost ever since.

One of the many joys of writing novels, and hopefully reading them, is that the worlds we escape to, in this case, the Czech Republic, feel real. The characters become our friends, and sometimes, even more. If you’ve ever fallen in love with a character, you know the feeling – but fun as a fictional crush may be, it’s not just about “love.”

When we write or read a good book, we explore new worlds, learn invigorating new truths, think about things that would otherwise never have entered our minds, and have the type of honest conversations that we rarely have in our real lives. In many ways, book relationships can feel more real than the ones that fill our everyday lives.

As a writer, I bare my soul via the characters in my books, spend hours researching other cultures and historical backdrops, and conjure up visions of lush landscapes and tucked away, intimate corners of places we have visited on our vacations. It’s exhausting and exhilarating. The moments – days, weeks and months – I spend in the fictional worlds I create in my books are so dear to me that I often feel that I could stay there, in those places, with the people I have grown to love, forever.

It’s no wonder I feel lonely now that I’ve written The End, closed the door, and started the process of moving on. I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m trying to catch up on some projects neglected while I was immersed in my novel, catch up on my reading, and even talk to some real people who haven’t heard from me in awhile, but there’s still something missing – namely Iris and Mikulas! So, what now?

I could immediately begin another book, but I’ve still got edits to do, a cover to design, formatting and promotional materials to build, and a release party to plan for PLUM TART IRIS. Besides, I’m already feeling a little schizophrenic, planning Irish-themed festivities in honor of  SEASIDE DAISY, my current release, for Saint Patrick’s Day, editing and marketing PLUM TART IRIS, my Czechia mystery, while simultaneously planning a trip to Scotland. And of course, I have to devote at least some of my time to Iowa and Minnesota family, friends, and business pursuits.

So what’s the solution? I’m not sure what to do about my dilemma, but I’ve been told that it’s great fun to binge read my Wildflowers of Scotland novels, one after the other, while the characters and details from the previous book are still familiar and fresh in your mind. If you fall in love with a fictional hero or heroine, it’s all good, because you’re bound to see them in the next book, and the next, and the next. The same holds true with NIGHT and DAY, and the sequel DAYBREAK. Many have told me they’ve gone back and reread one and then immediately gone on to the other. Those who originally read my Maple Valley trilogy had to wait a whole year between STORMY WEATHER, WATERLILY, and MERRY GO ROUND – now, you can see the story unwind through Rachael, Michelle, and Tracy’s lives all in one setting. 

So, if you have the wintertime blues, there’s nothing like “good book immersion therapy.” The experience can carry you through to spring. Make a new friend, travel to a far off country, learn to dance or quilt or make teatime delicacies. Be inspired. Be my guest! All you have to do is open the door and take the first step. 

Scotland x 4

The tickets are bought, the Airbnbs have been booked. We’re going back to Scotland for three weeks in May and June!

At least one person has already made the comment, “Again?”, so I’ll explain our reasoning. The answer is, while we loved exploring a new country and seeing new sights when we went to the Czech Republic last summer, we found it exhausting and much more strenuous to vacation on completely unfamiliar turf while dealing with a foreign language in a place where it was rare to find someone who spoke English.

Our Czechia trip took far more research and planning than usual, and we struggled to get oriented and figure out the lay of the land. It wasn’t unpleasant – we saw some absolutely amazing sights, and I love the story that came out of the experience (PLUM TART IRIS, coming summer of 2020), but it wasn’t as relaxing or fun as going “home” to Scotland. (This will be our 4th trip and our 10th, 11th, and 12th weeks in country.)  Maybe one day, we’ll still morph into one of those couples who goes to the same cabin (stone cottage?) on the same lake (or should I say loch?) in the same state (country?) every single summer. Stranger things have happened!

In our defense, Scotland has so many things to see, and such variety! From highland castles to seaside villages, remote islands to bustling towns and quaint country hideaways, each and every place we’ve visited has been full of charm. The things to do and see are basically limitless. Each time we go, we make sure to include a new island or region in our itinerary as well as some old favorites that bear repeating.

Both of us had enough frequent flier miles to get a “free” overseas ticket, so long story short, we have a lot of connections and we’re flying into Edinburgh instead of Glasgow. But our only expenses were taxes and airport fees, so we can’t complain. We leave on May 18th.

For the first three nights, we’re staying in a stone cottage on a small farm with a stream running through the garden near Humbie, southeast of Edinburgh.  From there, we can explore previously unseen gardens, beaches, manor houses and abbeys in the Borderlands.

We’ll spend our next 3 days in the same renovated barn we stayed in two years ago when we were in Aberfeldy, one of our favorite places in all the world.

I’ve already made reservations for a return visit to the famed Peat Inn, near St. Andrews, where we’ll enjoy lunch to break up our drive to the highlands.

While in Aberfeldy, we’ll see the Atholl Highlanders and bagpipers marching in review and the Highland Games at Blair Atholl Castle for the third time. Love it!

Then, it’s back to Dornie, home of Eilean Donan Castle (where SHY VIOLET and SWEET WILLIAM are set), for two nights. Loch Carron (where GOLDEN ROD is set) is an easy side trip from Dornie.

Need I say more?

Dinner at the Lochcarron Bistro, and a visit to Balnacra Pottery at the Smithy and Carron Pottery, Craft Shop & Gallery are on the list as well – maybe even Lochcarron Weavers – all great enticements.

We’ll be spending one night in Portree, on the Isle of Skye before heading out on the ferry to a part of the Outer Hebrides Islands that we’ve never seen before – North and South Uist.

I’ve been following a photographer on Instagram who posts photos of the sunsets on the Uists and I can’t wait to experience the magic. This photo of Loch Bee was taken from the bedroom window of Na h-Eileanan an Iar Bungalow where we’ll be staying for 4 nights.

From South Uist, we’ll be taking a rather complicated jaunt on a couple of ferries to get to Tobermory, Isle of Mull (where BLUE BELLE is set.) Hopefully the seas will be calm that day!

I’ve already made sure that Cafe Fish, where we ate 13 years ago on the harbor, is still open. They are, and my only problem now is what to order – the Haddock Mornay rolled haddock fillet stuffed with baby spinach and herbed mushrooms, and topped with a Mull cheddar sauce or the Café Fish Pie salmon, smoked haddock, fresh haddock and queenies in a creamy sauce topped with crushed potato  and cheese. I had the fish pie last time and loved it, but I had Haddock Mornay in 2016 on the Isle of Arran and it was wonderful, too. My usual solution to this dilemma is to see if my nice husband will order one while I order the other, but every so often, he won’t cooperate… we’ll see… Maybe if he gets to play golf one day while we’re on Mull?

Our third night on the Isle of Mull, we’ll be staying on the other side of the island, the Ross of Mull in Fionnphort, where we’ll be catching the foot ferry to the Isle of Iona, one of the oldest Christian religious centers in Western Europe. We hope to visit Duart and Torosay Castles on out way back to catch another ferry to the mainland. With that last jaunt to Oban, our island-hopping will be complete and it’s off to the Highlands again.

We’ll be spending one night at Keltneyburn to break up our drive. It’s near Fortingall, a picturesque little town we’ve been to before.

Our farm stay reservation in Aberdeenshire will be our home for the next two nights so we can attend the Taste of Grampian, a food and drink show near Inverurie with over 200 exhibitors – including our favorite food vendor, Kilted Fudge. Their Clootie Dumpling Fudge is the best!  I’m sure I’ll be able to enjoy some Haggis, tatties (potatoes) and neeps (turnips) as well.

Aberdeenshire is castle country, and we hope to see one or two that we missed last time we were there. I love castle gardens and hope to enjoy a bit of color. The bluebells, wisteria, and rhododendrons should still be in bloom in the highlands and the roses just beginning to bloom.

 

We’ll be circling back to Crail, another favorite spot, for our second to last night in Scotland. This is the sea view from the garden where we’re staying. Crail is along the east coast, a traditional Neuk village just a wee bit from Edinburgh. I’m glad we’ll be able to stay by the sea once more before we head home – and of course, I’ll need to visit Crail Pottery again.

On June 9th, we’ll fly home to Iowa. I’ve been asked if this trip to Scotland means there will be another Wildflowers of Scotland novel. As of now, I have no ideas, but then, the whole point of traveling is to expand your mind and find inspiration in the things you see, experience, and learn. So, we’ll see!

We appreciate your prayers for a safe and relaxing journey.

(Please note that while most of these photos were taken by me, there are a few (3) that I did not take because they are of places I have not yet visited.)

 

 

 

Why Goldenrod (Or Golden Rod) is as Good as Gold…

No this isn’t an advertisement for essential oils – but when I received an email from Young Living about Goldenrod, I couldn’t help but make some comparisons with my book Golden Rod. Their article opened with, “A bag of gold bullion or a bottle of Goldenrod? You’d think the decision would be an easy one, but fans of the oil would disagree…”  Words like, “priceless, hands-down one of our most popular oils, worth the wait, loved by men and women alike for its grassy, bittersweet aroma and long list of benefits, from elevating your skin care routine to amping up a romantic vibe,” made me think of my Golden Rod.

From a 5 star review of Golden Rod on Amazon: 

As a fan of Outlander and, well, men in kilts in general, I was eager to crack the virtual spine of this Scotland based contemporary romance. Our heroine, Katelyn O’Neal, has found herself by way of inheritance, the proud owner of a real life Scottish castle. Perfect, since she needs a ton of money and fast, in order to pay for an experimental cancer treatment that will save her twelve-year-old niece’s life. All she has to do is fly to Scotland, make a few arrangements, and be on her way. Not even the charms of Golden-Haired, Most Fair, Prince Rod of Lachlan, or Rod MacKenzie as he’s known in social circles, will sway her from her goals.

However, a pair of ghosts are hanging around, having been cursed to haunt the halls of Lachlan until a first born MacKenzie male inherits the castle. After 500 years, they’re tired of waiting, and with the sale of the castle pending, they must use drastic measures to see that their curse be broken.

This story was full of well-developed characters and spectral shenanigans that had me cheering and boo-hissing at all the appropriate moments. One of those rare books that kept me up way past my bed time. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

What is Goldenrod essential oil used for? Excerpts from the following list from YL draws more parallels  between their Goldenrod and my Golden Rod to mind:

1. Brighten your outlook. Add some positivity to your day with the scent of Goldenrod to sweeten extra-special moments.

2. Deepen your massage. Soak in the relaxing scent and reconnect with your partner by giving each other a massage for a romantic night in.

3. Make bedtime the best time. Enjoy its earthy aroma as you drift off to dreamland.

4. Go for the bold. Use Goldenrod to create a pleasant, masculine scent for men for a calming personal fragrance.

5. Make a great first impression. Nervous about meeting someone new? Let the relaxing aroma help calm those first-date jitters. 

6. Drench your skin in hydration. Add a drop to your moisturizer for smoother, irresistibly touchable skin.

7. Cuddle up with your true love. Create a cozy night in with the unifying blend of Goldenrod. Planning a romantic getaway? Combine your natural charm with Goldenrod for a truly memorable weekend.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, here’s another review of Golden Rod:

Wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Sherrie Hansen. I found it to be a sweet comical romance. What started out as an untimely and unwanted involvement between strangers blossomed into an unforgettable journey and romance… I loved the way that Scottish lore and legend was crafted into this modern day romance. I loved the way that the history of the Scots and the culture from Scotland was crafted into this story.

Hansen did a fantastic job making the words fly off the page. The world she created came to life and felt real, as if I was really there with the characters, seeing, feeling, and wanting everything they did. Bravo!

I think this reviewer captured the essence of Golden Rod, too:

A Legend Relived through Modern Day Romance:  A wonderful retelling of a Scottish legend through romance. The storytelling is beautiful and describes the beauty of Scotland in a way that will make you contemplate checking tickets for visiting the enchanting country. Through the story of Katelyn and Rod the author shows the fears and struggles we face daily. Katelyn as a character shows our aspect in the modern world, detached, cold and self centered at times. Preoccupied with her own problems she is not aware of anything around her or how her actions affect others. On the other hand through Rod we see the honorable, compassionate side of us. His love for Scotland is something that brings the realistic aspect in the story. His pride in his heritage and the land he calls home is something we can easily understand and with every right. His personality and love melt the walls Katelyn has built around her heart. I was truly impressed with the story and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books from this author.

 

And one more of my favorites – a review from the UK:

Heavenly Tale – This was such an enjoyable book to read as my fascination and love of Scotland is parallel to the authors. I am intrigued by castles and the folklore concerning ghosts, and this story had everything – passion, romance, and history – entwined with the beauty of the atmospheric lochs and mountains. The ghosts were particularly likeable – in every sense possible; be prepared for a little flutter. Brilliantly paced, expertly written.

With that, I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions – is Golden Rod right for you? If you haven’t already read it, I hope you’ll give it a try and see if you enjoy the essence of Golden Rod. If you have, I’d love to hear your thoughts!