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Tag Archives: Author Cathy Elliott

The Writer’s Garden–The Accidental Gardener by Cathy Elliott

27 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by Catherine Castle in A Writer's Garden, garden blog series

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott, A Writer's Garden, Author Catherine Castle's gardening blog, Author Cathy Elliott, cozy mystery A Stitch in Crime, garden devotional about roses, roses, The Accidental Gardener

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing gardens—aka their books.

Today’s guest is Cathy Elliott who will be sharing some pictures and stories about her roses and a garden devotional thought. Welcome, Cathy!

 

The Accidental Gardener

By Cathy Elliott

C.Elliott.Red Roses Ground Cover

My mother loved roses more than any other flower. An elegant bouquet received from my dad or the sight of rose bushes along the roadside, laden with blooms, sent her into a state of bliss. Lush roses cut from the garden often decorated our home, casting a sweet aroma to every corner.

Along the way, I caught her love of roses and carried it into my own sphere. While Mother loved deep red, I preferred a softer shade of yellow. Edged with a blush of pink.

Years ago, I was surprised to learn the house I purchased had both Mother’s and my favorite roses in place. A red, climbing rose embraced the Ash tree in my front yard. The bush reached high and bloomed profusely all summer long, its branches covered with lacy blossoms opening wide, displaying pom-pom-yellow centers.

C.Elliott.Red Climbing Roses

Though the red climber exploded with color, I preferred a floribunda rose bush tucked against the house. As if dipped in pink paint, the yellow blossoms turned almost to salmon. With a little research, I came to know it as a Peace rose. The combination of color and calling – peace – made me love it best.

C.Elliott.Pink PEACE Rosebud

Rose-puttering is a great pleasure in the spring. I give both bushes all the attention they deserve: watering, fertilizing, dead-heading flowers past their glory, and spraying the leaves with soapy water I mix myself so aphids will not dare settle in.

But when the punishing summer heat assaults our valley, I no longer want to go outside and pamper my posies. Not in the morning, not in the evening. My watering turns sporadic…until I barely remember. Yet the roses survive and bravely try to flower on, with little help from the gardener to whom they are entrusted.

When the brutal summer ends, I venture out and apologize to my reliable roses. They say nothing. They are too tired to emit their fragrance anymore. Attending to them then is futile. But I do my best. This time I’m sure they won’t come back in the spring. It is my fault. It is what I deserve.

But their roots are deep and they do return, steadfast in spite of my absence when they need me most. Spring after spring, the roses burst forth, anxious to grace my yard with their splendor. When I see this miracle, I’m reminded of the faithfulness of God. Always loving, always providing, always keeping His promises, surrounding me with His beauty, steadfast in all things, though I do not deserve it.

And I give thanks….

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You have established the earth, and it stands fast.    Psalms 119:90 ESV

About the Writer/Gardener:

Cathy Elliott enjoys touring beautiful gardens, created and maintained by others. But her current interest is planning and producing mini-container-gardens. And adding ideas to her Pinterest boards on the subject. She’s also a cozy mystery author with plot-twisting works including: A Vase of Mistaken Identity, Medals in the Attic, and A Stitch in Crime. She’s a contributing author to Guidepost’s recently released devotional, Every Day with Jesus and the upcoming, All God’s Creatures.

Social Media Link – Visit Cathy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathyelliottbooks

A Stitch in Crime

by Cathy Elliott 

Assault, larceny, anonymous threats. Who knew quilt shows could be this dangerous?

Check out A Stitch in Crime on Amazon:

 

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A Stitch In Crime with Cathy Elliott on Wednesday Writers

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by Catherine Castle in books, Guest Authors, Wednesday Writers, writing

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

A Stitch in Crime, Author Cathy Elliott, books about quilts, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Civil War Quilts, cozy mystery, Cozy research

Welcome everyone! Today’s guest on Wednesday Writers is cozy mystery Cathy Elliott, who just happens to share a passion of mine—quilting! Cathy’s going to talk a bit about the research process she used for her cozy mystery A Stitch in Crime. Welcome, Cathy!

A Stitch in Crime_cover

 

A Little Cozy Research

A crime has been committed – most often a murder – and the puzzle must be solved. The police get involved and clues are gathered. But how does the writer lend authenticity to the mystery?

That depends on what kind of mystery one writes. I write character-driven cozy mysteries with a setting that can also be a sort of character. My book features an amateur sleuth from a small, surviving Gold Rush town called Larkindale. When I set up the town, I studied the area where it is placed and wrote a history to match the time it was established. There is a town founder, a mayor, and stores named and built in Old Town. With those facts in my files, I could now write a parallel book or series set in 1850s Larkindale. But I digress….

Since my protagonist, Thea James, runs the family business, James & Co. Antiques & Collectibles, I did extensive research about the antique world, often noting descriptions, ages, and places of origin of the merchandise sold in the store. Thea needed to share accurate information with her customers. And I wanted her world to feel real.

After perusing a book about Civil War quilts and the Underground Railroad, I learned how messages were passed along through quilts. Then I created the fictional Larkin’s Treasure, a crazy quilt with the secret of great riches covertly stitched into the fabric.

In my cozy, A Stitch in Crime, Larkin’s Treasure was highlighted in Larkindale’s First Annual Blocks on the Walk Quilt Show. Sure, I’d figured out the secret to the quilt, but I had to do extensive digging to understand how to orchestrate a quilt show. Interviews with the event’s chairperson and on-the-job training at a real show gave me lots of fodder to help make it authentic for the reader. And since a major Gold Rush display opened in the book’s museum during my quilt show, I needed to know what to put in the cases, reflecting the forty-niner days of old. More research.

Gram, Elspeth James, was one of my favorite characters in Thea’s world. English born, she came to America after World War II as a British War bride. What a joy for this anglophile to delve into the history of these adventurous women so our dear, bumbling Gram appeared a bona fide Brit bride. Complete with her habit of wearing big hats in deference to the Queen.

Research is a delight to my heart. And fortunately, the author must investigate some situations before the novel’s sleuth ever attempts to crack the case.

Lucky me, I say.

A Stitch In Crime

 

Thea James thought working as co-chair for Larkindale’s first quilt show extravaganza would be a natural extension of her antique business. But while organizing the busy week’s premiere events would make anyone frayed, she doesn’t expect a complete unraveling!    At the opening soirée, local matriarch Mary-Alice Wentworth is knocked unconscious and robbed of her diamond brooch. Soon a rare quilt—the main attraction and a rumored key to great riches—goes missing. Those who signed up to help Thea are strangely no help at all. What more could possibly happen?

Amid a cast of colorful characters and a tight schedule of garden galas, tea parties, and televised socials, everything is falling apart at the seams – and nothing is quite what it seems. Can Thea sew everything back together?

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

“…Fans of inspirational fiction will enjoy the funny, feel-good whodunit.” Publishers Weekly Review

“…There is mystery and laughter, and Elliott’s characters are strong, confident and determined to make their mark….Fans will want to add this gem to their keeper shelf.” RT 4-Star Review

Links for Purchase…Also available on Audible.com (talking book) & in Lg Print.

  • Amazon
  • Barnes and Noble
  • BAM! (Books-A-Million)
  • Cokesbury – You can read a sample chapter on site!
  • Christian Supply
  • Parable

 

About the Author:

 Mug Shot- Cathy ElliottCathy Elliott is a full-time writer in northern California whose cozy mysteries reflect her personal interests from quilting and antique collecting to playing her fiddle with friends. She also leads music at church and enjoys time with her grandchildren. Cathy’s previous plot-twisting works include A Vase of Mistaken Identity and Medals in the Attic.

 

You can find Cathy on:

 

  • Website and Occasional Blog
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook – Author Cathy Elliott cathyelliottbooks.com

 Want to read about Cathy’s quilts? Click here

 

 

 

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