Beneath a Camperdown Elm received AWSA Golden Scroll Award, 2020 Best Western Novel, First Place Winner
1991 Facts – Fiction Begins with Truth by Janet Chester Bly
The Trails of Reba Cahill western romance mystery series centers on fictional characters, imagined plot lines, and made-up scenes. However, 1991 facts from the real world grounded the story.
I needed to know as many 1991 facts as possible that might impact my newest fiction series characters in small and big ways. My newest novel, Beneath A Campderown Elm, Book 3, happens in both fictional and real towns on the Idaho high mountain Camas Prairie in the summer of 1991. So, I studied the events of that time period.
A tricky thing for any fiction writer—doing the right amount of research, but keeping focused on the story, not all the details you learned.
1991 Facts World Scene
The year before, in 1990, centered around much of the Soviet Communist Party giving up its monopoly of power since the coming down of the Berlin Wall. The Cold War ended. Germany reunited. 1991 facts include that the Soviet Union tumbled.
One of my minor characters in the series is Russian. I kept trying to sneak in these politics through him. I felt it most fascinating as a backdrop to what’s happening in the present day. However, I almost overdid it. Finally, after early reader and editor comments, all the fascinating pages of data edited down to a brief mention of Mikhail Gorbachev, glasnost, and perestroika.
Other 1991 facts fit into conversations and scenes. The spotted owl on the endangered species list. The Hubble Telescope in orbit with its original blurred photos. Alluding to the unusual sunsets caused by volcano eruptions such as Mt. Pinatubo. The shocking separation of fairytale couple Prince Charles and Princess Diana. And actress Elizabeth Taylor’s eighth wedding.
1991 Music & Weather
Researching 1991 facts also revealed tidbits like music of the time, nights of full moons, and weather patterns. I knew the rainy, windy, and hottest days, as well as cold and dry spells. And I could provide comments on movies such as Silence of the Lambs, Thelma and Louise, Joe Versus the Volcano, and an oldie from the past, The Misfits starring Marilyn Monroe with an aging Clark Gable.
A major event out of 1991 facts evolved from one of the first televised wars that captivated the nation. Elliot Laws, a Nez Perce tribal character, returned to the fictional town of Road’s End, Idaho after duty in the Desert Storm operation of the Gulf War. A frequent frustration spouted by many Americans at the time echoed through one character. He confronted the hapless soldier, “Why didn’t you take down Saddam Hussein while you could?”
Inspired by an elderly character’s unusual trip in his Ford Model T, Elliot and his grandfather determine to do a Summer 1991 pilgrimage together. They go horseback along the Nez Perce battle trail of their real-life ancestor Chief Joseph. Elliot remarked, “I’m recovering from one war by a memorial journey along the trails of another.”
Beneath A Camperdown Elm Novel
In Beneath a Camperdown Elm, three generations of women take their own separate journeys of the heart. Meanwhile, a possible mystery and curse on their family lurks under an old Scottish elm. The 1991 facts research for that actual mutant tree’s beginnings took me on a research quest—to Dundee, Scotland. One of the perks of being a writer.
Copyright 2019 Janet Chester Bly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beneath a Camperdown Elm, Book #3, Trails of Reba Cahill Series
I’m Janet Chester Bly, a city girl with a country heart. I don’t corral horses or even mow my own lawn. I’m no womba woman. But I followed my husband, award-winning western author Stephen Bly, to the Idaho mountain top village of Winchester, to write books and minister to a small village church. When I lost him, I stayed for ten years, to rake lots of Ponderosa pine needles and cones, and survive the long winter snows, one blizzard at a time. Now, I live in the Lewiston, Idaho valley. I’m closer to my three sons and their families. And I still manage our books at BlyBooks.com.
CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/BlyBooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetchesterbly/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlyBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janetcbly/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/269265.Janet_Chester_Bly
Beneath a Camperdown Elm, Book 3, Trails of Reba Cahill Series, Contemporary Western Romance with a Zing of Mystery — SAMPLE CHAPTERS, Paperback & EBook available Here Sample Chapters Etc
~~Wind in the Wires, Book 1, Trails of Reba Cahill Series Contemporary Western Mystery with a Touch of Romance. Leave comment below for drawing for paperback copy.
~~Down Squash Blossom Road, Book 2, Trails of Reba Cahill Series, 5 FREE SAMPLE CHAPTERS for each Book 1&2, Paperback, EBook, & Audio, find them here FREE SAMPLE CHAPTERS
~~And here’s the story of my three sons and I finishing Stephen Bly’s last novel, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot FINISHING DAD’S NOVEL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Following Jesus Paperback
Following Jesus paperback now available by award-winning western author Stephen Bly FOLLOWING JESUS
Welcome to you all! Let me know if your comment didn’t go through. Email me at janet@blybooks.com and I’ll enter you in the drawing. My server working on the problem and think it’s fixed now. Blessings, Janet Chester Bly
I love these scavenger hunts and reading about the books and authors.
Susette: It’s fun as an author to be part of one too! Blessings, Janet
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt. I am really enjoying learning more about some wonderful authors. I am looking forward to reading some of you and your husband’s books!
Love your books
I loved 1991. That is the year I met and married my husband. We have been together for 28 years now. Can’t wait to read your work.
Suzannah: Wow! How cool is that? Congrats to you and your hubby. 1991 is the year I first began writing this series. Took me many years to finally get it published! Blessings, Janet
Beneath a Camperdown Elm sounds fascinating! I’ll have to check it out through my local library.
Elizabeth: Many of our books are in the public library system. If not of the shelves of your local library, I’m sure you can ask for any of them. Blessings, Janet
I love it when all you authors get together for these Scavenger Hunts and it gives us readers a chance of winning some awesome prizes, so thank you!
Stephanie: It’s great for all of us authors too in so many ways! Blessings, Janet
What great sounding book!
Sounds great!!! Thank you!
I love a good scavenger hunt I learn about new authors and books.
Awww 1991 will forever hold a special place for me as my first daughter/child was born that year! I know I’ll need to get her your book for Christmas… or maybe her birthday!
Mimi: What a special year for you! Hope she enjoys the book or the whole series! Blessings, Janet
Such a fun scavenger hunt.
These scavenger hunts are so much fun! I love meeting new authors!
These hunts are so much fun! I am finding new authors! Janet, I loved Beneath a Camperdown Elm!
Jan: So glad to know you’ve already read and enjoyed my book! Blessings, Janet
I love these scavenger hunts! Your book sounds interesting Janet. I can’t hardly remember 1991, but I do remember watching the news when the Berlin wall came down. I was 21 and carefree…lol!
Trixi: My main character, Reba Mae Cahill, is 25-years-old in 1991. She’s not really carefree though. 🙂 Lots of trials and troubles. Blessings, Janet
It isnso fun to hear about new books and authors! Thanks!
I love doing scavenger hunts because I learn many interesting things about the authors.
You are a new author for me. Exciting.
Kim: Exciting for me too! Blessings, Janet Chester Bly
Love these scavenger hunts and meeting new authors as well as visiting with old favorites!
Love the yearly scavenger hunt!
This is so fun! You’re a new-to-me author and I’m so glad to be introduced because of this hunt!
I’ve enjoyed meeting you and your books!
I just love the title and cover of your featured book! And it is so neat that you were able to go to Scotland!
Sarah: Yes, such a privilege to travel to this fascinating country! Blessings, Janet
I haven’t read any of your books yet but now they are going on my TBR pile too. I love these scavenger hunts where I always find a bunch of new books to read.
Lisa: Love making it to someone’s TBR pile! 🙂 Blessings, Janet
I love your books and continue to be a big fan of your late husband as well. I really enjoy these scavenger hunts and appreciate so much you all taking time our of your busy schedules to participate!! Thanks you!!!
Margie: Thanks so much for your comments! Greatly appreciated! Blessings, Janet
This is my first Scavenger Hunt and I am enjoying it a lot and learning about all the authors which is fun.
I enjoy this scavenger hunt. I’m finding new books and authors. Thank you for the opportunity.
I enjoy the scavenger hunt and meeting new authors and their books!
This is so much fun!
I enjoy finding new authors and books on these scavenger hunts.
Love scavenger hunts but really love these. You get to learn about authors – new and known – as well as about some amazing books along the way.
I love these scavenger hunts. I always find new authors and books to try.
Love finding out about new authors! 🙂
I don’t think I have read any of your books yet but I have read your husbands! I still chuckle when “my mama’s purdy” comes to mind!
Fritzie: That gave me a chuckle too! Thanks for the memory! Blessings, Janet
I enjoy reading about all these books and authors during the scavenger hunts. Thank you for your part!
Even though I never win, I still love learning about all the authors and their books.
ilove doing giveaway and then i love the gift the authors have
I love these scavenger hunts. Finding new authors and books, plus a chance to win many amazing prizes. Thank you!
I enjoyed many of your husband’s books. Thanks for participating in the hunt.
I’m enjoying this hunt!
I love discovering new-to-me authors through the scavenger hunt. So excited to add yours to my TBR!
By the way, I am really glad you participated. I read a series of books years ago by your husband – The Austin-Stoner Files – and suddenly thought of them the other day, and wanted to read them again. I had a different author in mind though, and couldn’t remember the titles of the books or series name. For some reason after visiting your page here, it hit me that your husband may have been the author. I pulled up his books and sure enough, there they were. Ordered them on eBay and looking forward to reading them again.
Greetings, Mark: That series has gone out of print and am hoping sometime next year to get them re-released. Stephen so enjoyed those stories himself! Some of his favorite contemporary characters. Blessings, Janet
You would be a new ro me author and your books sound quite interesting.
I’m just hopping along , the Scavenger Hunt.
I love these scavenger hunts – they’re such a great way to learn more about my favorite authors and meet some new ones. I look forward to checking out your books! 🙂
Thank you so much! I love these scavenger hunts – I learn about so many new authors!
I have not read any of your books, Janet, but I have read several of Stephen’s. I am librarian at my church and recently introduced some patrons to his books. I look forward to reading your books as well. I am enjoying this scavenger hunt. Thanks for the opportunity to become acquainted with your work.
Sue: So glad to hear you’re a church librarian and are still introducing reader’s to Stephen’s books. Warms my heart. Blessings, Janet
I look forward to the scavenger hunt every year. It’s a great way to learn about new books and authors. So fun!
The scavenger hunt is so fun I get to find some new authors and see what some of my favorite authors are writing and up too. Thanks for the chance.
Tigheran42atgmaildotcom
I’ve enjoyed several Stephen Bly books but didn’t know you helped write some of them. Looking forward to reading some of yours.
Ola: So glad to hear you’ve read some of Stephen’s books! Blessings, Janet
Hi, I was wondering for your paperback giveaway, is this US only, or is Canada okay?
Some authors have stated US only, which is very much appreciated even if I can’t enter. 🙂
Emmaline: Thanks for bringing this up. I forgot to mention that this is USA only. Sorry! But you can download now any of the free sample chapters through the links provided above. Blessings, Janet
Hi!
I have grown up reading Stephan Bly books.:)
I loved the Nathan T riggings series & The Austin Stoner files and Fox Island just to name a couple.
When I was in grade school, I wrote your husband a letter and he wrote me the nicest letter back. I still have it in my author book.
I was sad to hear of his passing. He will be missed.
Your latest series sounds good. I am excited to read it!
Wishing you the best day!
Becca: So glad we’ve connected again. My hubby loved writing to his readers and hearing what they liked best about his stories and characters. Blessings, Janet
1991—— I had been married ten years. My daughter was nine that November and my son turned three that March. My how time does fly!
I’ve participated in several of these scavenger hunts, never won anything, but they are always fun and informative.
Thank you so much for the opportunity. ❤️
I’m sorry for the loss of your husband. I see you inherit his love for books and the snowy days must make for good writing moments.
Jessica: Thank you for your kind note. Yes, the long, snowy days have provided much opportunity for the writing of many books! Blessings, Janet
❤️
Sounds like some great books.
Thank you for this chance to win! I have never read any of your books before but I will definitely put them on my TBR list! ☺
Katelynn: Love being on TBR lists! Blessings, Janet
Thank you for the opportunity! Always grateful to be introduced to new-to-me authors. Look forward to reading your books!
this is fun! Thanks for being a part of this “hunt”!
This scavenger hunt is a fun way to meet new to me authors. I don’t think I have read one of your books yet but I would like to. Thanks for the chance to win one.
This hunt is so much fun!
Thanks for joining the Scavenger Hunt. So far I have not had the chance to read any of your books – perhaps I will win one! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Betti: That would be great! Meanwhile, don’t forget you can get free sample chapters from all three of my Trails of Reba Cahill Series. See links above … Blessings, Janet
I love when the scavenger hunt brings me to the site of an author I’ve not had the opportunity to read before. I will be looking you up at our local library soon.
Rebecca: Most of our books are in the library system. You can also ask for them to be ordered. Blessings, Janet
Thank you! Looking forward to reading your books!
These scavenger hunts are fun & your books are great! Thanks!
I always enjoy this scavenger hunt as a way to learn about new authors, and yes, you are one of those for me this time! Thanks for being in the giveaway!
I have read many of your husband’s books but it’s been several years!
Joan: There are several newer ones, including Throw The Devil Off The Train, the last novel he completed, and Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot, which I and my three sons finished for him. You can find them here: https://www.blybooks.com/genre/historical-western-novel/ Blessings, Janet
I love the inclusion of true historical events woven throughout a fiction story! 🙂
CutePolarBear
Thank you for participating in this scavenger hunt. I always enjoy meeting new authors, or getting reacquainted with them–as I remember reading one the Crystal Blake books when I was a kid…I don’t when I read it the first time but one of the times may have been in 1991. That was the year I was in 7th grade with all its ups and downs.
That book is still on my bookshelf waiting for my niece to be ready for it.
I’m glad to add you once again to me “look for” authors.
Linda: Thanks for your note! Am hoping to re-release the Crystal Blake Series sometime this next year … Blessings, Janet
Thank you for the chance to win! Your husband was my very favorite author when I was growing up, and I still love it when I have time to reread those stories. He helped shape my love of reading!
Greetings, Erin: So appreciate your comments. Very glad to hear of your enjoyment of my husband’s stories! Blessings, Janet
This hunt is really fun!
It is truly fun to read about authors lives and how they come up with stories. It’s fun to participate in this scavenger hunt.
Thank you so much for being a part of the scavenger hunt! I love finding new to me authors with so many stories to tell!
I have never read of your books but they look really good. I will be sure to add some to my to be read list. Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt.
Hannah: Thanks much for adding any of our books on your Read List. Would be most honored! Blessings, Janet
Thank you for the chance
This is a fun scavenger hunt!
And it’s fun to hear of another fellow Idahoan-I’m born and raised in this state and haven’t left 🙂
Terressa: I’m in north-central Idaho on top a mountain at 4,200 ft. elevation, surrounded by the Nezperce Indian Reservation. Still a newcomer after 30 years. 🙂 Blessings, Janet
I always look forward to these Scavenger Hunts! Thank you for taking part and sharing 1991 facts with us!
Very sorry on passing of your hubby. This is the first time learning of either of you as authors. I LOVE these Scavenger Hunts! I look forward to becoming a reader of your books. Also Thank You for sharing 1991 facts! I remember most of them! God Bless
Michele: Thanks so much for all your comments! Blessings, Janet
This scavenger hunt is so neat!
Thanks for the fun! I look forward to the scavenger hunts every year and finding new authors.
The last year or so I’ve written some very short juvenile historical fiction stories, so hearing about how you tried to integrate the 1991 facts you had researched was really interesting to read! Thanks for sharing
Michelle: Glad I could give some inspiration on your own writing projects! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet
I love checking out new authors and new books, new to me b books…. Would love to win these books
I found you while on the “Hunt” and Idaho is the place to be 🙂
Amber: Yes, I sure agree! Blessings, Janet
I haven’t yet read a book written by Janet Chester Bly, but I have had the opportunity to read many by Stephen Bly. He was definitely my first favorite western historical fiction author although I enjoyed other series by him as well. My absolutely favorite series by him is the Belles of Lordsburg.
Rachael: Wow, so glad you shared about your enjoyment of Stephen’s books. He so enjoyed writing the Belles of Lordsburg series and visiting New Mexico while doing some of the writing. Blessings, Janet
Your books sound interesting. I grew up in Idaho and like western outdoor stories
This is a fun scavenger hunt and I enjoyed reading about 1991
It’s cool thinking about the different historical events and people you can put in fictional stories. Those facts make a story seem more real. Thinking about Idaho and the 90s brings back memories–I lived there from 1992-1994. I also visited Idaho recently and saw some places I’d never seen before, which was cool.
Sabrina: Interesting you lived here in Idaho about the time my stories take place! Blessings, Janet
I enjoy the scavenger hunts. This one has been so fun, plus I learn more information about the authors and their books.
I really like the Scavenger Hunts. It is fun to learn about the authors and their books. Thanks for being part of it.
I often wonder how 2 authors collaborate on one book and do they ever argue about the direction the story is taking …
BTW, I love scavenger hunts 😊
Sheila: Of all the books my hubby and I worked on together, only recall once a disagreement about story direction–and that was how a story ended. Finally, we deferred to hubby’s decision, but I always felt my way was better! 🙂 Pretty good that only happened once though, don’t you think? Blessings, Janet
I love reading Christian fiction and learn so much about the authors from the hunt. Thank you.
It is so wonderful to “meet” you. This is my first scavenger hunt. It won’t be my last!
Marie: Nice to meet you too! Blessings, Janet
This is so fun! Thank you!
This looks great.
I like these scavenger hunts but I’ve never won anything from them.
Interesting idea for a story! Thank you for the chance.
I love reading Historical Western books and have 3 or 4 Bly books. I like this Scavenger Hunt because I have met new authors and learned about new books.
Brenda: Glad to hear you have some Bly books already and got to be part of this Scavenger Hunt! Blessings, Janet
This scavenger hunt is so much fun. So many new to me authors with very interesting books. Thanks for the chance!
I have not read any of your books or your late husband’s books so i can not comment about that, but i can thank you for giving us this chance to win one of your book thru this scavenger hunt….Sure hope i win cuz i would love to read your books.
Barbara: Thanks for entering! Blessings, Janet
You are new to me as an author, but I definitely want to read your latest. Thank you for the chance.
Your books sound very interesting. Thanks for participating!
Thank you for participating. These scavenger hunts are something I always look forward to!
I’m thankful for the authors’ commitment to research, and for this Scavenger Hunts since they allow us readers to discover new authors. Thanks for the chance!
WINNERS of our Scavenger Hunt Grand Prizes:
#1 Lisa Hudson
#2 Kathryn Bochman
#3 Heather Olsen
#4 Jan D.
#5 “DR” of New Zealand
And thanks to all the rest who took part. We so appreciated your involvement! I will be directly connecting with the winners of my bonus prizes over the next few days!
Blessings, Janet Chester Bly