FROM EVIL WITCH TO HOLIDAY TRADITION by Marisa Masterson

 

Like many others, I enjoy specific Christmas traditions. I bake cookies, decorate the tree, and even send a few cards.

One thing I've never attempted at Christmas is to make a gingerbread house. Not ever. How about you?

As I considered this great gap in my Christmas celebrating abilities--I know I am not nearly artistic enough to make one--it got me to wondering. Did people in the nineteenth century or even earlier really make decorated houses out of gingerbread?

Turns out the answer is yes. But only because of an evil witch.

In 1812, Hansel and Gretel was published as a story in Germany. The evil witch's house inspired German bakers to create small decorated houses. Not from gingerbread, though. They used spiced honey biscuits called lebkuchen.

Whether it's from lebkuchen or gingerbread, I don't think I'll be making a gingerbread house in the future. It's just one thing I'll leave for someone else while I stick with no-bake cookies.

From my house to yours...

If you're looking for a fun Christmas romance, please consider Detective to the Rescue. From Wisconsin to Missouri, this young Pinkerton agent is desperate to find a missing woman and prove that she has what it takes to be a detective. Who knew it would involve a fake husband who becomes suddenly very real!

EXCERPT

By nightfall, the dim lights of Henchville beckoned on the horizon. Surprisingly, Rushton wasn’t as far from Thad’s home as she’d imagined. They’d spent one night on the stage, but the horses traveled faster than that vehicle and returned them to Thad and Charity’s starting point in less time.

Riding into town, the three travelers passed a small, brick church. Snow flurries danced in the air and candles glowed in each of the church’s windows. The Christmas Eve service had started.

Organ music drifted to them. Silent night, holy night. Voices now joined the organ, drawing a wistful feeling from Charity. This was her first Christmas Eve as a believer, and how she wished she could spend it in that church.

Thad’s baritone joined the congregation as they rode past. Charity gladly joined him. She’d learned the song years before. The words hadn’t meant anything to her, at least nothing more than an old story or legend. This year, she treasured the sacrifice Christ made to become a man and bring her grace.

Grace and freedom, like Helga experienced today. Charity watched the expressions that woman struggled with as Thad and she sang of heavenly peace and knew at dawn she’d resigned herself to more bondage. Suddenly, she was free. Charity had some idea of her feelings since she had also been kidnapped once. She’d been spared the torments and abuse that Helga suffered. There was no way she could fully understand the look of pain on that woman’s face.

REVIEW OF THE PINKS

Today, I’m filling in for Celia Yeary, who is recuperating from back surgery.

Alan Pinkerton (left) with
President Lincoln

Those of us who love history are familiar with the story of Alan Pinkerton and the Pinkerton National Detective Agency—which led the way to the United States Secret Service. Pinkerton agents were respected by citizens and feared by criminals. In THE PINKS, Chris Enss adds to the knowledge of Pinkerton agents by writing about the women agents and spies.

Kate Warne

Kate Warne was the first woman detective in the United States. I had heard of her and that she also acted as a spy during the Civil War. Kate also dressed as a Union soldier and saved President Lincoln's life.

Angus Macfadyen as Allan Pinkerton,
Martha MacIsaac as Kate Warne, and
Jacob Blair as William Pinkerton

There was even a television series in which she and Alan Pinkerton’s son William were the main characters. Kate had sister agents, and I was not familiar with their names.

Chris Enss is the author of many books about women in the United States, especially in the West. I have several of her books. Her HEARTS WEST tells the story of true mail-order brides, successes and failures.

THE PINKS is a book both readers and authors will find useful and interesting. I recommend it highly.