Research in St. Charles for The Quilted Heart Novellas

Local author Mona Hodgson discusses her newest novels.

Author Sets Historic Novellas in St. Charles

Series of three historic romance novellas are set in post-Civil War St. Charles.

An historic fiction writer, Mona Hodgson was inspired 13 years ago when she visited St. Charles.  Hodgson, who is from Arizona, was taken with the charm of the cobblestone streets, the proximity to the river, the historic buildings.  "At the time I was writing children's books and I hadn't been published yet, but I knew it would make a great setting for a story," she said.  This year, she'll publish three novellas set in St. Charles in 1865. The first book, Dandelions on the Wind, is available for download as an e-book now. The other two will be out April 2 and May 21.  The books will be released as a hard print collection in early 2014. A launch party will be held in St. Charles at that point, Hodgson said.  "The Quilted Heart" series …

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Mona Hodgson

2:23 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013

Hi L.J.! Good to hear for you. Yes, three novellas set in wonderful St. Charles. Then a novel that launches from there as well. Happy Reading! :)   more ›

Dave and Janis Murray Talk Weather, Read Children's Book

Weatherman will speak at Kathryn Linnemann Library Branch on May 12.

Weatherman Dave Murray and writer Janis Murray will talk about their children's book from 10-11:30 a.m. May 12 at Kathryn Linnemann Library.  Dave Murray, chief meteorologist for FOX2 in St. Louis, co-wrote the children's book "Graham and Jet Get Wet: The Wonders of Weather" with his wife Janis Murray, a former CNN correspondant.  Dave Murray said in a YouTube trailer for the book that he had parents contact him for years wondering the best way to calm their children's fears about thunderstorms. They realized schools and parents need a book to explain how weather works. Janis Murray wrote the text, while Dave Murray contributed the science.  In the story, a little boy named Graham experiences a hail storm and huddles in the bathroom until …

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Local Authors Sign Stories Published in Chicken Soup for the Soul Books

Main Street Books hosted a book signing for authors.

T'Mara Goodsell wrote about the holidays. Linda O'Connell wrote about a moment as a grandmother. Theresa Sanders and Becky Povich each shared a story about a life-changing moment.  All four local authors had their stories published in editions of Chicken Soup For the Soul. The authors signed copies of the books Dec. 11 at Main Street Books in St. Charles.  Each of the four authors has been published more than once in the Chicken Soup books. T'Mara Goodsell, who also writes under the name of T. Powell Pryce, was signing her third published piece, "Bad Tidings to You," -- a story about holiday gifts in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters, which has stories of wacky, yet loveable relatives, funny foibles and holiday meltdowns. "It's …

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