HILLSIDE NOTES by Lloyd Jeck reviewed by Elma Schemenauer

Born in 1931 and raised in British Columbia's Robson Valley on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, Lloyd Jeck has much to tell us about life in the early days in that area. For example, what did people do for fun? See his stories about skiing, curling, hiking, camping, mountain climbing, square-dancing, outdoor games, and more.

How did people make a living? Jeck's stories about logging, lumbering, making railway ties and telegraph poles, farming, maintaining roads, fire patrols, trapping, and hunting are vivid and informative.

A multi-published author, Jeck writes with honesty, careful attention to detail, humour, and a deep understanding of emotions and motivations—his own and those of other people. Among my favourite stories are "Mountain Goats," "Token of the Past," "1949 B.C. Road Maintenance," "Country School," "Bare-Bear Facts," and "Ladies—Pull up Your Socks." My favourite poems include "Tomorrow," "Who Am I?" and "Love Beyond the Water." The author's love and respect for his family, especially his late wife, Ev, shine through many selections in the book.

Hillside Notes is a 232-page paperback illustrated with a number of photographs, most of them historical. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SPyYS86urXUth7tK/ or https://majeckbooks.weebly.com/new-books.html

Writers' newsletter...plus what to do if Mom doesn't want you to publish your memoir

The Write Life monthly online newsletter helps writers hone their craft & encourages them to move forward with their writing. It sometimes includes tips on possible places to get published. The newsletter is written from a Christian worldview but includes much that's relevant to any writer. You can subscribe for FREE here. https://writelifeworkshops.com/the-write-life/ . 

I'm delighted to be featured in the Subscriber Spotlight of their November 2024 edition. 

Subscriber Spotlight Elma Schemenauer

I grew up in a Mennonite family, inspired by my relatives' stories. They told riveting tales about the "Old Country" (Russia), immigration to Canada, and early life in our farming community on the Saskatchewan prairie.   Years later, I wrote a memoir based on these stories and my own childhood experiences. I told my mother I planned to have it published.   "Oh no," she said, "you can't do that. There's too much private information in there."   "Okay," I replied, "I'll change all the names and have it happen in Montana."   "Oh, no," she said. "You can't do that. It happened here."   So, I used my memoir as a springboard for two novels, Consider the Sunflowers and Song for Susie Epp. If you'd like to know more, please visit my website. And if you've reached a roadblock in your writing career, take heart. Maybe there's a way around it.

Patricia Ochoa's review of Song for Susie Epp

Big thanks to Patricia Ochoa for this encouraging & perceptive review of my latest novel. She posted it on The BOOKLounge for Readers and Authors (Facebook group), also on Goodreads. 

Book Review

Title: Song for Susie Epp

Author: Elma Schemenauer

Genre: Christian/Women Fiction

#bookloungereviewteam

This book was a fantastic read. Sometimes with Christian fiction the hard topics which leads to difficult conversations are usually skirted about or completely ignored. Not so in Song for Susie Epps. It was refreshing to read a relatable version of marriage, family relationships, personal demons and how it was navigated. I was so heartbroken for Susie during her disillusionment but rooting for her through it all knowing she will be the better for it.

I loved Mrs. Elma Schemenauer writing style and settings. Will read more of her work as this was my first book by her.

Plot in trouble?

Is your plot in trouble? This article has interesting suggestions. https://janefriedman.com/5-plot-hacks-that-just-might-save-your-novel/

A taste of a 1974 country Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a taste of a 1974 country Thanksgiving from my novel Song for Susie Epp.

On Thanksgiving Sunday, bouquets of ripe wheat sat on the organ in the country Mennonite church near my mother-in-law's house. Baskets of home-grown carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and onions decorated the steps leading up to the pulpit.

Vases of white clematis sat on the windowsills. Their sweet aroma accompanied Simon and me and our children as we proceeded up the aisle to the pew where his mother sat.

My footsteps dragged. I was tired. I had suggested to Simon that we attend the Lutheran church in town; it was only ten minutes from our house. But his mother, Adeline, had insisted we come to her Mennonite church for Thanksgiving, Erntedankfest.

But Adeline. But Adeline. These words galloped through my mind as Simon, the girls, and I sat down with her. I felt like a show horse jumping over hurdle after hurdle, all of them marked But Adeline.

On the wall behind the pulpit hung a wooden cross, shiny with varnish. I focused on it, trying to see Adeline through Jesus' eyes. He died for both of us. He loved us both so we should love each other too. I prayed for the grace to comply.

Song for Susie Epp is a 264-page novel set in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. It features a Mennonite wallflower whose faith and confidence grow as she grapples with a bossy mother-in-law and a secret that could destroy her marriage. If you're interested, ask for it in a bookstore or library. Or order from Chapters Indigo, Amazon, or another online seller.

how to write a book review

Would you like to do an author--and potential readers--a big favour by writing a book review? Not sure how to do it? There are helpful guidelines here: https://www.bookbrowse.com/blogs/editor/index.cfm/2024/9/20/How-to-Write-a-Good-Book-Review-The-BookBrowse-Guide-for-Book-Reviewers

Book CHRONICLES OF A PARKY by Ryan Oevermann reviewed by Elma Schemenauer

I had the privilege of meeting Ryan when we participated in an author panel in beautiful Sun Peaks, British Columbia on September 7, 2024. He impressed me as a humble, hopeful, humorous, loving person. These qualities and more come through in this book. I enjoyed reading it. I learned a lot about Parkinson's and the day-to-day challenges of living with the condition. We all face challenges in life. The book inspired me to face mine in a more positive way. An especially helpful lesson I learned is to take better advantage of times when I'm "on" [feeling well, clever, energetic, etc.] and patiently ride out times when I'm "off."