February 2024
Hi, All!
February in the Chicagoland area is typically blustery, but this year has been surprisingly mild, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Though the warmer temps definitely have me enjoying winter more than usual, it still doesn’t stop me from planning a spring vacation. Crater Lake in Southern Oregon is one of my favorite places to vacation. The deepest lake in America, with magnificent views and crystal clear water, is one of those places I could never tire of seeing. Where is your favorite place to visit?
What's On My Desk
Photographs, books, and lots of notes. The sequel to Pompey Hollow Road is underway. I’ve collected many photos of different towns in upstate New York from my research trip out east, old photographs, pages of notes, and one very stuffed binder. Oh, how to begin?
Here are some photos from my Pompey Hollow Road research.
This old barn is located on the property of the salt-box home on Pompey Hollow Road.
This is the land behind the house on Pompey Hollow Road. Acres and acres of trees are still owned by the homeowner today.
I took this photo in Syracuse, New York. Charlotte and Rosalie send letters back and forth from Syracuse and Alexandria, often with clippings from newspapers such as the Gazette, North Star, and the penny paper.
Organizing my thoughts and jotting them on paper can be the most challenging aspect of writing, especially when starting a novel. But the best part is knowing that once I get started, and the novel begins to take shape and characters come to life, there will be no stopping me.
Not even Bo can stop me… once I get started anyway.
All But One, the third book in the Fifth Floor trilogy, is being produced into an audiobook. Narrator Kristen Jones continues the trilogy with her incredible voice portrayal of the characters. She is about halfway through the book. I’m excited for its release next month.
What I'm Reading Now
I love book recommendations— here are a couple I'm reading now.
Don’t Close Your Eyes
by P S Cunliffe
Just the Nicest Couple
by Mary Kubica
Books On My Nightstand
These are the next reads in my queue.
The Rachel Incident
by Caroline O’Donoghue
Stillhouse Lake
by Rachel Caine
From the Dog's POV
This writing thing has my human preoccupied!
Ok, so I’m not much of a barker unless trouble is near, like delivery trucks and suspicious cars creeping by too slowly in front of my house or this giant wolfhound in the neighborhood strutting down the street like he owns the place. When I barked at these suspicious activities, I noticed that my human got up from her writing and came to investigate with me. She stares out the window while crouching at my side, rubs my neck, and asks me what I see. I look to the left, and then she looks to the left. And then to the right. It keeps my human beside me, petting my head and scratching my back, telling me I’m a good boy.
Keeping an eye out for that Wolfhound.
This is where I got brilliant. If I bark, my human will get up from the floor and come to me. I figured it was a good thing. What is she doing on the floor anyway, with notepads, papers, and photos piled up around her? She says she’s starting another book. It’s probably going to be about me. Anyway, I took to barking at nothing in particular because I figured my human could stretch and then come over for a cuddle from me. It’s for her own good, right? Anyone concentrating that hard needs a break. And let’s face it, I’m as good as it gets.
Good Vibes
Good things are happening. Pompey Hollow Road was released on audio last month. Tim Tidball narrated it beautifully.
You can listen to a free sample when you click on the button below. It’s also available on Kindle and paperback.
Thank you so much for your honest reviews. They mean so much to me. Here’s what book lovers are saying about my books:
Pompey Hollow Road
FIVE STARS
”This is a historical fiction I would highly recommend. The story follows the lives of friends, one a slave, the other a plantation owner's daughter. There are many different emotions from happiness to heartbreak. I found myself in tears more than once.
I had to keep listening to see where the story would end. This author is amazing!”
The Fifth Floor Trilogy
A MUST READ SERIES
“Julie Oleszek is a master at voicing the mind of a young woman in crisis. Her writing is incredible-I’ve read this whole series. The books just keep getting better and better.”
Would you like to leave a review of one of my books? You can even do it anonymously.
