Thanks so much for visiting me in my cyber home. In true Victorian fashion, I welcome you to the parlor, the place where Victorians entertained their callers. Please, take a seat on the settee, or if you prefer an armless lady’s chair to keep your skirts from getting mussed, I have several to choose from.
Can I interest you in a cup of tea? My favorite flavor is mint, but I have a number of other choices. Just tell me what you’d like, and I’ll have my kitchen staff secure it. If you’d prefer a cool drink, I’ve had my cook prepare some fresh-squeezed lemonade.
While you sip, I’ll tell you a little about me. I write what I love to read: inspirational historical romances with dashing heroes and determined heroines, all of whom embody the spirit and resourcefulness of those who settled the far western United States. My debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, set in the heart of the Gold Country where I live, was released on July 1st, 2012.
When my fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of that newfangled laptop of mine, I enjoy strolling past stately Victorian houses in my historic town, burying my nose in reference books as I unearth interesting facts to include in my stories, and interacting with other romance readers. My favorite places to visit are my fictional worlds, the Coach factory outlet store, and Taco Bell.
But enough about me. I’m eager to get to know you. Please introduce yourself in the comments. For starters, I’d love to know what you enjoy reading, what things you find romantic, and which movie or TV show set in the Victorian era (1837-1901) is your favorite. I’ve listed some of my favorite period shows here. Perhaps yours is one of them.
Great site! Was just wondering where the tea you’re drinking came from?
Oh, my! My first caller is a gentleman. What a pleasant surprise. Welcome, Mr. Mussell.
The tea I drink is an American blend. I know there are those who prefer something shipped from the Old Country, but my tea of choice is Mint Medley from Bigelow.
Do you drink tea, Mr. Mussell? With your penchant for all things Japanese, I would imagine you’d like one of their blends. If so, I’d be happy to ask my staff to secure your favorite.
Yes, I do prefer green tea from Japan or else a Chinese blend. Thank you for asking.
Keli!
It’s beautiful! What a lovely, lovely move. And I’m watching the minutes FLY by on your countdown! Woo-hoo! I’m so excited for you.
I continue to pray that all goes smoothly for you – as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:40 “done properly and in an orderly manner.” Now if that isn’t spoken in the finest of Victorian speech, I don’t know what is! Do you think Paul ever wore a jabot?
Becky,
Thanks for the well-wishes and the wise words of Paul, which do sound decidedly Victorian.
What a charming parlor, and a gracious home.
I am so pleased to pay a call and offer housewarming wishes. An old tradition, (not sure if it’s Victorian)is to bring a loaf of bread and a container of salt to a new house. Bread, so that the house may never know hunger, and salt, that life may always have flavor. So may your writing be–satisfying the hunger of seekers with the bread of life, and the salt of the Earth. Blessings, Keli.
♥ Kathy Maher
Kathy,
Thanks for that lovely blessing. I recall seeing something like it on It’s a Wonderful Life, and I thought it so special then. To have someone offer it to me is special indeed.
Aw, your parlor is so cute! What a great idea. It’s perfect for you and your site.
I love reading a mixture. Mostly inspirational, and within that genre, I like romance, historicals, contemporary, suspense, women’s fiction…my taste really runs the gamut!
I think anything my husband does in love is romantic.
And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Anne of Green Gables. One of my favorite book series and movies. And I just watched The Young Victoria last week. It’s so good!
Lindsay,
What a pleasure it is to have you come calling. You’re such a gem.
What diverse reading habits you have, a sign of an open mind, to be sure. And aren’t the romantic gestures of our gentleman the stuff dreams are made of?
Ah, yes, dear precocious, irrepressible Anne is so entertaining. And The Young Victoria stirs my heart so that I must keep my fan at the ready. The fact that Victoria and Albert’s story is real makes it especially appealing. I love watching their relationship blossom, as I’m sure you do.
Keli, your site is as delightful as you are. Absolutely wonderful and I look forward to spending time here with you and your friends.
I love historicals from anywhere or most times. My stories are in the gold rush era, but love those Highlands, too.
My dear Paisley,
What a pleasure it is to have you pay me a visit. Tell me, are those your beloved grandmother’s kid gloves you’re carrying, the ones I’ve heard so much about? They’re simply lovely, just like you.
Oh the joys of telling tales of days gone by. And you do it so well that your first contract was for five books. I’ve had the pleasure of reading portions of your work and know your readers are in for a treat.
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! This is an amazing site and I’ve only just started perusing. Can’t wait to continue.
You know – I’m not much of a historical reader, but your site sure makes me want to dive into one!
Katie, Katie, Katie!
I’m delighted you like my site, although I confess that doesn’t surprise me. Lest I sound swell-headed, let me hasten to explain. I was so impressed with your cyber home that I, um, well… Oh, dear me. There’s no delicate way to say this. I copied many of the things you did. In my favor, do bear in mind that imitation is a compliment of the highest order.
Oh, I do hope to persuade you to give historicals a try. There are many authors whose work I recommend. Just stop by the Library to see some of them.
Keli! What a lovely web site! Can’t wait to read your books!
Thanks, Keli. I hope you enjoy reading Miles and Ellie’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Love this! It’s fantastic, just like you, Keli!
I do declare, Connie. If you go one like that, my friend, you’ll make me blush.
What a lovely home you have. And it fits so perfectly into your genre.
My favorite genre in Christian fiction is romantic suspense just because there doesn’t seem to be a romantic mystery genre. I’m beginning to inhale historicals, and I enjoy straight romance from time to time. As far as Victorian movies or shows, I’m partial to the old-style Sherlock Holmes and a new series called Murdoch Mysteries. Did I mention that I like mysteries?
Marji,
I love a good whodunnit. And Murdoch? Deep sigh! I love that show. Gwynly and I discovered it recently and watched seasons one through three straight through. I can’t wait until Netflix starts sending us season four. We were left hanging after watching the last episode of season three this very evening. Poor Murdoch. Poor Julia.
Keli,
What a great site!! Now I love tea myself, so if you don’t mind, I’ll take some Mint Medley if you have it. Decaf, you know, for this time of the night.
Keep up the good work.
Julie,
Mint Medley? I have plenty, for you see, it’s my favorite. Here you are. A piping hot cup, with sugar and cream on the tray if you use them. Enjoy!
Mrs. Gwyn, how kind of you to receive me today. Your parlor is divine, as is your entire Cyber home. I feel honored to be a guest and I’ve donned my best afternoon gown, corset and all. I would love some white tea, if you have it and, if not, the lemonade sounds delicious.
I can’t wait to delve into your site a little more! I’m so excited for you and all the adventures yet to come. For me, I love historical fiction and romance. I must confess, I’ve only read a handful of contemporary novels and they just don’t have the romance and lure of a by-gone era.
I do hope you’ll allow me to call on you again in the near future. You’re home is always a delightful stopping place on my tri-weekly blog hops. I fell honored and blessed by your hospitality and charm. Good day, Mrs. Gwyn.
Mrs. Meyer, the pleasure is all mine. You’re looking very fine, my dear. That gown suits you. The style. The color. So elegant and tasteful. Do make yourself comfortable while I pour your tea–white, of course, just the kind you like.
It’s nice to see that you’re a fan of historicals, too. Like you, I appreciate the richness and romance of yesteryear.
By all means, do come back again. You’re welcome here anytime, Mrs. Meyer. And I’ll be sure to come calling at your cyber home as well. I do so enjoy our visits.
Thank you for inviting me into your parlor for a cup of tea – I, too, enjoy mint tea, with a touch of honey. I love reading historical novels, particularly those set in the west as that part of the country was being discovered, so I am thrilled to have found a new author in that genre! My favorite movies in the Victorian era are some of your favorites too (like Sarah, plain and tall, and the Love somes softly series) – I find many of the movies on the Hallmark Channel work for me. I look forward to visiting your parlor often!
Kim,
Mint tea it is, with all the honey you’d like. It sounds like we have similar tastes in books and movies. I own all the Sarah, Plain and Tall movies and all the Love Comes Softly ones, except for the two prequels. They’re sooo good.
Keli,
What a wonderful site. I love all the places to go and things to see. It is a BEAUTIFUL site also! I will be back from time to time and view things.
Gloria,
Thank you for visiting. It’s a pleasure to have you here. Feel free to come calling again. I’d love to see you.
Well good afternoon Miss Keli. It is a pleasure to be entertained in your parlor this lovely day.
My favorite movie is Gone With the Wind. I so love a spunky heroine and no nonsense dashing hero.
Looking forward to calling on you often.
Patricia Rickrde
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Patricia,
The pleasure is all mine. I count it a privilege to have you pay me a call.
I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I can’t remember watching Gone With the Wind. I think I did once many years ago when all my wrinkles were on my clothing and not a one on my face, but I can’t remember much about it. I’m going to add it to my Netflix queue and refresh my memory.
I am so glad that I paid you a visit today! Looks like I have found another new author to look into!
My favorite ever book is Anne of Green Gables. It’s the one that made me want to be a writer myself and helped me to broaden the scope of my own imagination. But I like to read so many different types of books. Mostly, I read inspirational books. I jump between contemporary and historical. Right now, I am reading an Amish novel–an interesting blend of the contemporary and historical!
Good luck with your book. I look forward to reading it.
Lynn
Lynn,
I appreciate you taking time out of your day to pay me a visit.
Anne of Green Gables is a great book and a great movie. I love precocious, irrepressible Anne. And Gilbert Blythe? Sigh!
Keli,
I love your site! (And your Victorian gown)! I’m a little behind you in the Regency era, but my Victorian living room and Christmas tree are right there with you.
Congratulations on your book release, can’t wait to see it!
In Him,
Mary
Thanks for visiting, Mary. The Regency Era is a delightful period, too. My critique partner writes Regency romance, so I get a taste of it when I read for her. I daresay, things were far less restrictive for people in Regency times then than they were for the Victorians.
Miss Keli, I’d love to have tea in your parlor. Jasmine for me, please. Perhaps you’ll join me for tea in my parlor one day soon. It’s been dubbed a tea room by friends because of the table with teacups and saucers and the box of tea setting upon it. The home my husband and I had built around ten years ago is what we call a country Victorian. I love sitting on the front porch and the wether today is perfect.
I enjoy a variety of books, from historical, to mystery and suspensce, as well as romance, and as you well know, I too am a writer. You are worlds ahead of me though.
It’s been lovely sitting with you here! You’ve done well, my friend.
Have a blessed rest of the day.
Danie Marie
Thanks so much for paying me a call, Danie. I’d like very much to see your “tea room.” It sounds lovely, as does your country Victorian home. I can just imagine you ensconced on your front porch dreaming up story ideas.
Hello again, I didnt see the parlor when stopping by before it is delightful and you have such wonderful guest, all so proper and genteel. I love the way you have fixed your blog-mine is not so elaborite. I am a senior from Ga but grew up in Ky my first 18 years. I love to read Historical and inspirational books and when I get the two combined it is even better. thanks I drink green tea for healh reasons and our garden is overflowing just now, have brought you a few nice plump tomatoes.
see ya next visit..til then God Bless.
Thanks for visiting, Paula! Do forgive my tardy reply. My book released last month and my plate overflowed with blessings.
I hope you are enjoying your senior year. What a special time in life that is.
How nice of you to bring some garden-fresh tomatoes. They are delicious. Or should I say were, since they are no more? =)
Hi Keli,
Thanks for the most gracious welcome to your home. I am glad that I have found your place and will visit again.
I teach high school English so LOVE to read. I tend to enjoy reading several different genres and styles as I am always trying to find books not only for myself but also for my students to read. It really bothers me how reluctant most teenagers are towards reading.
I checkout out your list of movies and must say that there are several that I have enjoyed as books, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Love Comes Softly, Sarah Plain and Tall and Phantom of the Opera. I get really upset when I then watch the movie version of these books because the director and screen writer have taken them so far away from the original story line in the books (Love Comes Softly Series is a great example of this)
Oh, I would love a glass of Ice Cold Lemonade instead of tea if that would be okay.
Colleen, what a delight it is to have you stop by. I do apologize for my belated response. My book released last month, and things took off with the speed of a runaway locomotive.
Here’s your beverage. It’s been quite hot here in the Sierra Foothills lately, with several days of triple digit temperatures in a row. Nothing hits the spot at such a time as a cool glass of lemonade, does it?
How much fun you must have teaching English. Is your new school year underway? My husband is a high school chemistry teacher, and his students returned last week.
It sounds like we have similar tastes in stories. Little Women is one of my all-time favorites. I have a tear-stained copy of the book that I bought with allowance money when I was twelve. I had such fun introducing my daughter to it when she was young. She loves it as much as I do.
Have a great school year.
Hi there Keli,
I love to read good Historical Fiction books and I think this new book of yours, “A Bride Opens Ship in El Dorado, California” is going to be good. I read books and then give reviews on them. I am definitely going to read this book whether I get it free or not.
My favorite books are: Little Women, Love Comes Softly (that was a great series). A number of other ones also. I also loved the Little House shows when they were on tv.
Check out my website. Mine is not too fancy like yours is.
Debbie
http://www.deb4reading.blogspot.com
Debbie, thanks for paying me a visit. I apologize for being so slow to respond. The past few weeks were busy ones since my book just released.
Thank you for the kind words about my story. I hope you enjoy it.
Our tastes in books are quite similar. I love Little Women and the Little House books and enjoyed watching the the Love Comes Softly movies. Such wonderful stories, all of them.
Thanks for the invitation to visit your blog. I took a look and left you a comment or two.
What a fun little place, your parlor!
My favorite thing to read is a heartwarming inspirational romance. Like your book, which is on my to-read list. And I just adore Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman.
Thanks for coming to call, Rachelle. It’s a pleasure to have you visit. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. I fell a bit behind due to my book release last month.
I enjoyed Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. That was a good series.
I hope you’ve been enjoying your summer.
Hi Keli, Thanks for the invitation to your parlor!
Everything looks lovely. My, you must be enjoying meeting your guests!
Thanks for the comfy seat and the cool drink. I too like romance in a story, and faith is also important, as well as a captivating storyline and a happy ending.
Looking foward to spending more time here!
Thanks for paying me a visit, Ganise, and thanks for the kind words about my cyber home. I do love it so and am thrilled with the work my web designer did.
I hope you’ve been having a good summer and have had time to savor some stories. I’ve not been able to read as many as I’d like. If only I didn’t have to sleep. =)
Hi Keli, thanks for inviting me over.
I recently retired after a long career as a newspaper reporter and editor, so I appreciate someone who can tell a good story.
Your book sounds interesting. I think it’s so cool that you like writing about this period of history. I love watching Westerns.
“Hombre,” starring Paul Newman, is my favorite. Have you seen it? The screenplay features one classic line after another, blurted out in grand style by colorful characters. I can’t emphasize enough how WONDERFUL it is! Absolutely the best Western ever made!
Paul Newman is brilliant as usual, Richard Boone is terrific as the bad guy, and Diane Cilento gives a wonderful performance as the female protagonist.
The old Disney classic “Old Yeller” is another one of my faves. I saw it in the local movie theater when I was a kid, and I still watch it every now and then because it’s such a heartwarming story. Who could ever forget the “best doggone dog in the West?”
More recently (1973, LOL), I liked “Pioneer Woman.”
Matt, it’s a rare treat to receive a gentleman caller. Thank you for stopping by.
What an exciting career you must have had. While my degree is in mass communication/print journalism, I never worked for a newspaper. I did work as an assistant editor at a textbook publishing company, so I know the thrill of rushing to meet deadlines, dealing with last-minute changes, and seeing the finished products arrive.
I haven’t watched Hombre, but I’ll have to add it to my Netflix queue. Sounds like it’s a winner.