Read On for a Chance to Win the Ebook Version of Illusions

The setting of a novel is more important than you might think. I’ve read stories set in exotic locales, quaint country sides, and unique time periods (The Seamstress by Allison Pittman has all three). And though I’ve done some traveling in my life, when it came time to choose a setting for my Apple Hill Series, sentiment played a key role.

The older I get, the more important childhood memories become, especially as they fade. The world is a crazy place, and if I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ and know how the story ends, I’d be plagued by anxiety. Were those long-ago days simpler and more innocent, or was I just unaware of the political, financial and spiritual strife my parents most likely experienced?

But I don’t want to go there today. I’d rather focus on the sentimentality of the setting for my three-book series. Illusions was released last Tuesday (continue reading and see how you can win the ebook version), and the third novel, Providence, will be released next April. There will also be two Apple Hill novellas coming out.

So, why Placerville, California? And why call it the Apple Hill Series when my characters don’t actually spend any time in the Apple Hill area? First off, you need to know that Apple Hill Farms started as a small co-op of family-run apple orchards. When I was a kid, there were about fifteen or sixteen farms, and it was very low-key. My favorite was Kids, Inc., only because it was run by the owners’ children. I thought that was pretty cool. Today, there are over 50 farms, and it’s a total tourist destination from October until Christmas.

I didn’t grow up in Placerville, but my grandparents retired on fourteen acres just off of Apple Hill Drive (see the connection?) when I was about ten. My four siblings and I spent many summer days picking blackberries, playing in the “fern forest” and walking the dirt road to hang out with the hippie neighbors—Debbie and Mike. There was a year-round creek that ran through my grandparents’ property where my brother taught me to fish. He promised me he’d give me $20 when I caught my first one. Ten minutes later, as I pulled in a beautiful trout, he reneged, which didn’t bother me in the least. I had my first fish, which was enough. Besides, where was a twelve-year-old boy going to get $20? I knew it was a line the moment he fed it to me.

Summers were long and lazy, and Grandpa always made them special. He’d let us ride his little tractor-mower, which was a big deal back then. He’d take us with him in Old Blue (his International truck) to pick up horse manure for his garden, which was quite the adventure. Living in a Bay Area suburb, we didn’t see many horses up close and personal. My grandparents grew their own vegetables, so the manure was important, and Grandpa was the first composter I knew. Grandma had the most amazing strawberry patch and also grew huge, abundant blueberries. Life didn’t get much better.

Holidays were also a special treat. The food was fresh, plentiful, and homemade. Grandma made cakes from scratch (no Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker for her), as well as her own candy. Everything just tasted better there, even though my mom was a wonderful cook in her own right.

But the most memorable part of those days was gathering around Grandpa’s piano while he played. Before retiring to Placerville, he worked for the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California. Weekends, he was the piano man for the Pleasanton Hotel, so he was a true professional. The most amazing thing to me, though, was that he never learned how to read music. He’d hear something once, and he could just play it! So, we’d gather around him and yell out requests like Alley Cat and Mack the Knife.

I could write a book about my grandfather—and someday, I just might. Maybe those memories are more precious because my family is dwindling. My grandfather passed away in 2008, six months past his 100^th birthday. My mother passed away before him and my brother and father just after him. But those memories will live on until the day I can reminisce with them in heaven. Maybe even relive them.

I’d love to hear about one of your favorite childhood memories. In celebration of the release of Illusions, I’m going to give away the ebook version. Leave a comment below the blog post on my website, and I will randomly choose one winner.

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