Hello everyone! Today I am pleased to welcome back author Dean Pace-Frech to the blog. Dean is here to talk to us more about his release, A Place to Call Their Own. He has also brought a great giveaway to share. So please join me in giving him a big welcome!
Happy Earth Day!
Thanks so much to Joyfully Jay for having me as a guest once again! I chose Earth Day as an opportunity to share with you the story of one of my favorite early environmentalists, J. Sterling Morton, and how his life inspired me to write about some of the things Frank and Gregory do in A Place to Call Their Own.
J. Sterling Morton came to Nebraska in 1854, even before it was even organized as a territory. He built a four room structure on his meager 160 acre farm outside of Nebraska City, Nebraska, just twenty miles from where I grew up. That four room structure eventually became a fifty-two room mansion that today looks like the White House. He shared his love of the land not only with the people of the State of Nebraska, but also served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland from 1893 – 1897. Ever since I was a kid and looked at the progressive pictures of his house and how he added to it until it eventually became the mansion it is today, I’ve been obsessed with residential and commercial buildings and thinking about their probable transformations.
That’s why the research involved for my historical novels is so much fun for me. I shared in a panel discussion at RainbowCon last weekend, how much I love history and why this type of research doesn’t feel like work to me. Part of the research for A Place to Call Their Own included learning about these solutions used by the early pioneers on the unsettled prairie. In the same respect, Frank and Gregory work hard to turn meager claims into the successful farms battling weather and Native Americans among other things. They build a simple one room cabin that gets them through their first year on the prairie and, luckily, are able add a framed addition soon. All of this inspired by J. Sterling Morton and his home, Arbor Lodge.
Would the Mortons be rolling over in their graves if they knew their lives were the inspiration for a m/m romance novel? Maybe just because of the time in which they lived. But if they knew the impact that novel A Place to Call Their Own could have on a reader that a loving same-sex relationship can be normal for us in the 21st Century, they might be proud to inspire some of tasks that Frank and Gregory accomplish on the Kansas Prairie.
P.S. I am small part of the trend to return to a simpler way of life. I use a simple white vinegar and water solution for most of my cleaning. I use white vinegar as bleach and fabric softener. If my husband, Thomas, had his choice, we’d have a wind generator and live off the grid.
Are you doing anything special to celebrate/commemorate/honor Earth Day?
Blurb
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.
Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?
Buy Link: Amazon
About the Author
With inspiration from historical tourism sites, the love of reading, and a desire to write a novel, L. Dean Pace-Frech started crafting his debut novel, A Place to Call Their Own, in 2008. After four years of writing and polishing the manuscript, he submitted it for publication and Musa Publishing offered him a contract in early 2013. Disappear With Me is his second novel.
Dean lives in Kansas City, Missouri with his partner, Thomas, and their two cats. They are involved in their church and enjoy watching movies, outdoor activities in the warmer weather and spending time together with friends and family. In addition to writing, Dean enjoys reading and patio gardening.
Prior to novels, Dean did some technical writing in his career. He plans to write a sequel to both A Place to Call Their Own and Disappear with Me.
- Email: deanfrech@aol.com
- Blog: Dean’s Web Site
- Facebook: Dean Pace-Frech, Author page or send me a friend request Dean Pace-Frech.
- Twitter: @deanpacefrech
- Google+: +deanpacefrech
- Goodreads: L. Dean Pace-Frech
- Pinterest: Dean Pace-Frech
Giveaway
Dean has brought an electronic copy of to A Place to Call Their Own to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Sunday, April 27th at 11:59 pm EST.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Happy Earth Day! Great post. You are a new author for me, but your books are going on my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway as well!
Thanks for stopping by, Jen!
Nothing special to celebrate Earth Day. Too bad it’s not a holiday from work! Thanks for the giveaway.
LOL…Right KIm? Thanks for stopping by and entering!
Allways loved Cowboys! I would love to read this, so please count me in , thank you.
Thanks for stopping by Eve. I used to think I only liked historical cowboys, but I’ve read some great contemporary stuff lately. Thanks for stopping by!
Well, today’s the day I get the recycling ready anyway…
Woo Hoo! Kansas City doesn’t make it very easy for apartment dweller to recycle 🙁 Thanks for stopping by!
I too use vinegar as a cleaning agent as much as possible. I wasn’t aware it could be used as a fabric softener though, interesting.
Yes! I use it in both the bleach spot and the fabric softener spot. People tell me they like the smell of our laundry, it’s just fresh and clean. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m afraid I’m doing absolutely nothing out of the usual today. Kinda sad. I often find myself drawn to simpler lifestyles, but I’m also unsure enough, and sometimes plain lazy enough, that I haven’t really done anything about it.
LOL… your time will come…thanks so much for stopping by!
Please count me in. Thanks.
Thanks for stopping by Karl!
Nothing particularly special today, but in general we recycle, reuse, try to use eco-friendly products, drive a hybrid car etc. Thanks for the post and giveaway!
Good for you, Jen! I wished KC made it easier for apartment dwellers to recycle. Thanks for stopping by!
I used Earth Day for a theme today at school.
Very cool! Do you talk about Arbor Day? Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for having me today!
Happy earth day, Dean. The information you shared about J Sterling Morton and kudos on you strong research focus for your books.
Thanks, Jason…history nerd boy here…thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for doing this giveaway! I am so glad you friended me, I always find your posts and interviews interesting. Happy Earth Day!
It’s been great getting to know you, Heidi! Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Earth Day Dean! Great post.
Thanks, Kindle! I hope you made it home safe! Thanks for stopping by!
The story sounds good. Thanks for the opportunity of winning your book, Dean, since you are a new to me author. Earth Day should be celebrated daily, as I do. If more folks got used to recycle, turn off appliances that are not in use, turned off lights, etc. we could be fixing this planet a whole lot faster.
Happy (every day) Earth Day!
Great comments, Rush! You are so right. My husband would be happy if we lived in a little 500 sqft shack with a wind generator and I would love an electric car! Thanks for stopping by!
We started a few years ago…recycling like crazy, and have now succeeded in halving our electricity and gas bills. We have looked at solar panels too, but they are still too expensive for us. Looking forward to this book.
Janet that’s great…we are serious about looking into all that as well. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Earth Day! I’m not doing anything to celebrate Earth Day. I”m just doing my usual thing, trying to use environmental friendly cleaning solutions and recycling and what not.
Very cool, HB! It take everybody to do their part! Thanks for stopping by!
Did you know white vinegar also makes a great hair conditioner? I use it once a week to get rid of any build up in my hair.
Love the premise of the book. Please count me in.
I did not know that, but there are a million other uses for it. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Dean–I have a tankless hotwater heater and catch the water for heat up time and put it in my washer–it is amazing how much you save and you have unending hot water–wash clothes in cold water
Oh, yes, and a tankless water heater is definite on the wish list as well! Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Dean, I just wanted to take a moment & wish you a Happy Earth Month (LOL – Earth Day is SO important that it should be the full month). I think you’re an amazing person and it is pretty awesome to see you succeed at something you believe in and truly enjoy. Take care buddy & keep having an amazing life!
Thanks for finding me here, Lucinda! Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Earth Day! Some of us ole geezers remember the first one! Recently found about cleaning uses of plain old borax, too. Looking forward to your book.
Thanks for stopping by and the great comment!
I make most of my skin and hair products. No chemicals and they work great!
That’s great! I need to find some recipes and make some more of our own household products. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m bummed that I missed your panel at RainbowCon, but I’m glad I got to read this post. Thanks for sharing!
Awes, that’s sweet of you to say. Thanks for stopping by!
Awe, thanks! And thanks for stopping by!
I loved this book I couldn’t put it down. 5stars from me Dean.
Thanks, Theresa!
sounds like a great read
please count me in
Thanks for stopping by, Lee!