Stacy Henrie, Author Blog

Anyone else counting down the months until Downton Abbey Season 4 starts? I wonder if there’s ever been a show more anticipated here in the US than this one!

In the meantime, my hubby and I found this hilarious show on Netflix called Monarch of the Glen. It’s set in Scotland in the early 2000’s and follows the lives of Archie McDonald, his family, staff and friends in the town of Glenbogle where Archie is “laird” of Genbogle House.

We finished Season 1 and started into the second season, and we’re constantly cracking up as we watch this show. The conflict, especially for Archie, is so well done. The guy can’t seem to get a break from trying to pull the estate out of ruin, deal with his crazy parents, and figure out which of the local girls he likes in return. It’s like the contemporary, Scottish version of Downton Abbey! 🙂

The show reminds me a lot of our trip to Scotland and England. It’s fun to hear that accent again, and while the town and house are set very far north in Scotland, it looks a lot like the town and castle of Inveraray that we saw in the Western Highlands.

Have you heard of Monarch of the Glen? What shows are you watching lately? Are you anticipating Season 4 of Downton Abbey, too?

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One of my quests while in England was to tour an estate house. The hero of Book #3, in my WWI trilogy, is the son of a baronet and lives in one of these centuries-old, country houses. We tried touring a couple of them, but it was either the wrong day or time to get in on an actual tour. Then I learned that a number of these great houses were doing an exhibition on living in a country house during times of war. So we decided to visit the one closest to us – Kiplin Hall.

The war displays were really interesting. Several members of the family served in WWI. During WWII, Royal Air Force officers lived in the house, which was also used for storing and supplying ammunition and bombs to nearby airfields. Several of the rooms used by the RAF have been left exactly as they were back then.

The grounds were also lovely with lots of lawn, a walled garden and a lake out back. And the sweet English ladies who oversee the tours were as delightful as the house itself!

We talked to them about my book and they gave me some great pointers on writing a story set in England. For example, they told me that no one asks if you want a cup of tea over there; they simply say, “I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.” And everyone in England talks about the weather. It was well worth the drive and time to see this gem – and find my hero a proper English country house for a home. 🙂

What do you think of English country houses? Would you rather live in one of them or a brand-new house/apartment? 

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One of the coolest castles we saw in England this spring was Brougham (pronounced “broom”) Castle in Cumbria. Not only does it have well-preserved ruins and stairs leading all the way to the third floor, but I love the story behind this castle.

Unlike other females at the time, Lady Anne Clifford was supposed to inherit her father’s properties, including Brougham Castle, upon his death. However, they went to an uncle instead. So Lady Anne spent years getting back the Clifford properties and restoring them. She actually died in Brougham Castle in 1676, in the same room her father was born in.

This castle is going to be featured in a couple of scenes in Book #3 of my WWI trilogy – and may involve an aeroplane ride and a kiss or two. 😉

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I don’t know if I’ve mentioned my fear of heights on here, but it’s bad. I don’t ever plan on going to the top of the Space Needle or the Sears Tower. And drives through the mountains with steep cliffs and that itty-bitty guard rail make me physically cringe.

But I took another step toward ignoring and conquering that fear! Last night, with a bunch of youth from my church, I went rappelling. And not just a short rappell. No, this was down a 100 foot cliff face.

Was it scary? Yes, especially at the beginning when you have to climb over the cliff ledge. But I didn’t look down at all. And when I got to the bottom, my hands trembling from gripping the rope so tight, it was the coolest, adrenline-rush feeling to know I DID IT.

What have you done to conquer your fears lately? Have you ever been rappelling?

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The Lake District, in northwest England, is located in the part of the country known as Cumbria. This area of England is home to famous authors such as Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. And while some things you’ll find there are universal to all of Britain, there are some things that are uniquely Cumbrian!

You known you’re in Cumbria when:

1. You see views like these

2. The (two-lane) roads look like this

3. You hear words like “fell” (which means mountain) or “beck” (which means stream)

4. You have the opportunity to hike this

and see this

5. The fences look like this

6. People think you’re crazy for not bringing your “wellies” (rubber boots)

7. A couple centuries ago, you were fighting off Scottish raiders from invading these

8. Full dark doesn’t come until 10:30 p.m. in the spring/summer, and by 4:45 in the morning, it looks like this

9. You fall in love with the Lake District and its people!

Have you heard of England’s Lake District before? Does it look like a place you might like to visit?

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Those who’ve read my blog for some time know I’m a Downton Abbey fan! So when I learned one of the homes they used for filming was a mere three-hour drive from our place in England, I HAD to go. Thankfully my husband and kids didn’t mind.

Those who’ve seen the finale of Downton Abbey Season 3 will recognize this castle! Inveraray Castle was used as the Grantham’s Scottish retreat. It’s located in the Western Highlands of Scotland, northwest of Glasgow.

For those who’ve seen that famous episode and those who haven’t (I promise no spoilers!), here’s a picture tour of Downton Abbey at Inveraray Castle.

The Grantham family enters the castle from this set of stairs (behind me in the picture). In reality, this is the garden entrance, with the castle’s main entrance on the either side.

Remember this amazing weapons-decorated hall the Granthams walk through? It’s incredible – three stories high and featuring all sorts of swords, muskets, battle axes, etc.

The dining room is another part of the interior that was used in this episode. Remember the bag-piper who comes in and walks around the table? Here it is.

These cool-looking arches are the spot where Mr. Bates and Anna stumble on Rose smoking a cigarette, before her mother leans over the balcony above and tells Rose to come inside.

The gardens were also used in this episode for a stroll and talk between the Dowager (Maggie Smith) and Rose’s mother.

This spot on the nearby river looks very much like the one where Matthew and Edith’s editor go fishing.

Here’s the river from the opposite side, looking toward the cool, stone bridge.

While not in the show, the woods near Inveraray Castle are stunning! The bluebells were in bloom and the forest, with all its moss-covered trees, was absolutely gorgeous.

While it wasn’t Highclere Castle near London (which is the Downton Abbey home in the show), Inveraray Castle was amazing – and so worth the trip!

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Last week we returned from a three-week trip in England. Yep, my husband and kids accompanied me on my research jaunt across the Pond. While it was a little crazy at times, with three kids in tow, it was so worth going as a family and seeing all that we did, together.

We stayed in the northwest part of England, in the Lake District, so I could soak up the sights and culture for my book. But we drove all over – logging almost 2700 miles in our car!

One day we went searching for a narrow valley surrounded by mountains, to fit the setting in my head. We would pull over frequently to take pictures of the countryside. One such time, we pulled over, but unfortunately, some trees blocked our view of the valley. So my husband climbed out and headed into the muddy, poopy sheep pasture next to us to get a better shot.

As we waited in the car for him, I had an epiphany. He’d been willing to sacrifice convenience and his shoes because he loves me and wanted me to have a good picture for my research. To me, that’s true romance!

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What It’s About:
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can’t bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

My Thoughts:
Most of you already know I’m a big fan of Karen Witemeyer’s books! I’ve read every book she’s written. And I think I’d have to say this one is probably my favorite.

I loved both Travis and Meredith – they were both very likable and a great match for each others’ strengths and weaknesses. I really liked the premise of the book – it’s a unique, fresh twist on the “marriage of convenience” plot line. I liked that Travis and Meredith met years earlier and she’s pictured him as her “hero” ever since. Their story – like all of Witemeyer’s – had the right amount of adventure, humor and romance to make it a fast, thoroughly enjoyable read. I also liked how all of the Archer brothers had distinct personalities. Witemeyer’s next book comes out June 1st and it follows one of Travis’ brothers, which I’m also very excited to read!

Find it here on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

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What It’s About:
Priscilla White knows she’ll never be a wife or mother and feels God’s call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God’s leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

My Thoughts:
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Jody Hedlund’s books and I’m glad to say I wasn’t disappointed with this one. This is the first of her books I’ve read. I very much enjoyed Hedlund’s writing style, which is beautiful and vivid. I love “marriage of convenience” stories, and this one was very enjoyable. Great chemistry between Priscilla and Eli, and I appreciated how the story didn’t overly-romanticize their arduous journey West but captured the difficulty. I liked the time period (early 1800’s) and getting a real idea of what life was like in America then.A must read!

Find it here on Amazonand Barnes and Noble.

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As most of you know, I recently finished writing Book #2 of my WWI trilogy. The setting for this story is a hospital in France during the Great War. With this setting, the word b-l-o-o-d inevitably came up.

Problem is, I can’t see, read, talk or even listen to stories involving blood without getting squeamish. To illustrate just how bad it is, a few weeks ago I attempted reading a Magic School Bus book to one of my kids. One of the students in the story had a cut and the class shrank in size, as they do, and went to explore her veins. I made it only a few pages before I had to stop reading the book altogether. It was making me sick just reading the scientific information about veins out loud!

Needless to say, it was a big feat for me to even describe blood in my book. There’s a scene where the heroine cuts her hand with a pair of scissors, and boy did it take great courage to “write” about even a little blood. Maybe I’m getting better, because a later scene with some references to blood weren’t as tough to write.

Then again, this whole post has me squirming over the topic! 🙂

Are you as squeamish as me?

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