Pavanes, Italian Songs & Yankee Doodle

My most recent novel, released on the 15th of August, Pavane for Miss Marcher, is set in the post American Civil War era in a small Maine village. Throughout the novel, my love of music and singing forms the connecting tissue between the heroine, Cathryn Marcher, her students and her antagonists as well as the hero, Rupert Smith. 

My love of music has played a significant part of my personal life as well. When I moved to Wales many years ago, I married into a musical family. Although I had taken a few years of piano lessons as a child, my lack of musical knowledge undermined my efforts to assimilate into a country known as a nation of musicians. I had sung solos and performed in musicals as a young woman but those experiences were inadequate in my own estimation to win the hearts of my in-laws.

My husband is a professional musician! How was I to measure up in comparison? 

Pavane for Miss Marcher is, in a way, a tribute to music and to the American contribution to the rich heritage of world music. The novel is also about healing and reconciliation between enemies, as well as strategic retreats in the face of overwhelming odds. And is a tribute to the strength of the American spirit, the will of a nation to overcome its differences and threats to its survival.

1871. The war has been over for six years but Rupe Smith still fights his demons. Ten years have passed since he left his Maine village. His Wyoming ranch is the one place he wants to be and the last place he can be. There is no escape from the guilt of his parents’ grief or his longing for the girl whose one letter kept him alive, without knowing she is beyond his reach, married and raising a family.
 Cathryn Marcher is not the giddy, giggling girl with high ideals she was before the war. The woman who waited for Rupert Smith’s safe return has no doubt she isn’t the reason he has finally come home. The haunted expression on his handsome face reminds her of the outcome, the horror and suffering of war she saw close at hand, all those years ago, in the faces of soldiers she nursed in Boston.
 Captain Smith and Miss Marcher share a love of music but Cathryn must hide her disappointment when Rupert chooses to sing in harmony with the widow, Mrs. Miller, whom the residents of Oslo Hill believe will be his bride.
 Susan Miller's disdain for her voice teacher, her rival for Rupert's love, is matched by Colonel Jericho Colson's loathing for his fellow Union Army officer, his rival for Cathryn's heart.

Years ago, as a Christmas gift, my husband arranged for me to have singing lessons for six weeks. The gift became "the gift that kept on giving" for nearly ten years! That experience, besides giving me the confidence to perform as a solo soprano on St. David's Day before a Welsh audience and join several semi-professional choirs, also gave me the knowledge to write this book. 

9 Things To Do on 4th of July

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by Victoria M. Johnson

1. Remember why we celebrate the day.

The holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  With this document, the thirteen colonies declared their independence from England.

2. Read Patriotic Words.

Last year I wrote a post about the gripping words that gives us goose bumps or brings us to tears.  You can read the post, Talk Patriotism To Me, at this link:  Patriotism post.

3. Watch an Amazing Video.

This powerful 4-minute video about the Declaration of Independence inspires and informs.  From the History website: 4th of July Video  

4. Attend a parade.

One of the few opportunities to hear live patriotic music is at 4th of July parades.  Plus you get to enjoy the many patriotic festivities, historic reenactments, and whatever else your local parade offers.  

5. Gather with family and friends.

Enjoy a picnic or barbecue with friends and loved ones.  Not only should we appreciate this great nation, but our loved ones, too.  The holiday provides a reason to spend relaxing time together.

6. Eat Great Foods.

What's a holiday without special recipes?  Some families go all out with red, white, and blue everything.  Others stick to traditional 4th of July eats.

7. View fireworks.

Firework displays are a fun way to wind down the day.  Back in the day, children could light their own fireworks out on the sidewalks of their homes.  Now they are limited to stadiums and other public venues.

8. See a Good Patriotic Movie.

Whatever genre you prefer--romance, thriller, western, drama, horror, science fiction, classic, or comedy--there is a patriotic movie for you.  I have too many favorites to list here.  Do you have a favorite?  Let us know in the comments.

9. Cuddle Up With a Good Patriotic Book.

Whatever age group of the reader, there is a wide selection of patriotic books to choose from.  Referrals from friends work well.  So, if you have a favorite, share the title with us in the comments below.

Hoping you and yours have a fabulous 4th of July!

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Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma.  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride and a novella, Hot Hawaiian Christmas. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.

Talk Patriotism To Me

by Victoria M. Johnson

I am wildly patriotic and I always enjoy meeting others who are, too.  Upon discovering our commonality, we'll exchange stories of how this brings us to tears or that fills us with jubilation.  Quite often it's the same things that affect us so deeply and instigates powerful emotions.  Those things are words.  Not just any words, but patriotic words.  

photo by Neringa Bryant

Where are these words?

They're in patriotic speeches, national monuments, historic documents, museum exhibits, TV commercials, movies, books, poems, and in songs.  Basically, they're everywhere.  I can be having a perfectly perfect time at an event and hear the National Anthem and get all choked up.  I know to bring tissue to visit national monuments.  Seeing and reading the actual Declaration of Independence in the National Archives or the words in Emma Lazarus' sonnet at the base of the Statue of Liberty and I'm a mess.  I believe in those words.

What are those words?

At the Lincoln Memorial, I was in awe of the compelling words all over the interior, including:

" Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."  These words fire me up.  They give me goosebumps.

In the movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets (I loved both films and can't wait to see the third) the lead characters and story are as patriotic as they come:

Ben Gates: "...And because you're the President of the United States, sir. Whether by innate character or the oath you took to defend the Constitution or the weight of history that falls upon you, I believe you to be an honorable man, sir."

US President: "Gates, people don't believe that stuff anymore."

Ben Gates: "They want to believe it."

Oh, we do, we do!  Patriotic dialogue is sure to put a lump in my throat.  Is anyone else out there moved by hearing the real President give his inaugural speech and annual address to the nation?  Anyone need a hanky upon hearing The Star Spangled Banner while watching the Olympics?  You know what?  Patriotism is a turn-on.  Whatever country you call home, I hope you love it, appreciate it, and help care for it.

Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride and a novella, Hot Hawaiian Christmas. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.