Groundhogs and Giveaways – October’s Updates

Happy October, readers!

What’s in this Edition:

• How much wood could a woodchuck chuck? – Our backyard visitor
• What’s New – Updates on Astonished
• Author Spotlight + Giveaway – Meet historical fiction author, Angelina Salvaggio
• Upcoming Events – Where to find my books in person
• Releasing in October – Other authors’ new releases I’m most excited about

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?

This past week, we had a new visitor to our yard, Mr. Groundhog! (Or Mr. Woodchuck, depending on your preference.) One of my favorite things about our house is backing up to trees, which means lots of animal activity year round. We’ve seen the usual suburban friends: rabbit, squirrel, songbird, racoon, and then the more exotic ones: hawk, owl, opossum, skink, and fox. This is the first time we’ve seen a groundhog though. He thoroughly gorged himself on acorns before waddling away.

Writing Updates

I’m pleased to say that I’m 25% done with drafting Astonished. It’s always fun to see where the story takes itself after completing the initial outline and research, and this one is definitely going to some unique places.

More in depth character overviews are forthcoming, but for a taste, here’s the current first line where we meet each of our two point-of-view characters, Avila and Matthias.

• Avila Kohlfeld had spent most of her life in the shadow of Hawthorn Asylum.
• Matthias Ward knew he was stupid. He’d been told so his whole life.

Those two lines sum up the main theme for each of these characters and the challenge they’ll be forced to face head on. The question is, will they have the strength to overcome everything that stands in their way?

Meet Historical Fiction Author, Angelina Salvaggio

This month, I’m thrilled to feature a giveaway from fellow Missouri author and Catholic Writers Guild Member, Angelina Salvaggio, for her novel Secret Dwellings. This stunning and heartfelt debut novel of the Protestant Reformation captured me right from the start, and I’m eagerly anticipating the release of book 2, Priest of the Masquerade, next year.

What It’s About

The fires of the Protestant Reformation were ablaze; it was a dangerous time to be a Catholic and hiding priests. Especially when a Protestant Lord tasked with hunting them seeks your hand in marriage. Despite the threat of torture and execution, siblings Isabel and Jonathon Dawson do all they can to protect their beloved priests. Their father had shown them his many ways of evading detection, yet nothing could have prepared them for the events that followed his death. Amidst intrigue, escapades, romance, danger, and blackmail, Isabel’s faith is tested in more ways than she ever thought possible.

My Review

While there are many fictional books about Elizabethan England and the Protestant Reformation, outside of Thomas More’s famous stand against Henry VIII, there are far fewer books about the Catholic persecution and martyrdom during this time. Those that do exist, I feel usually describe the experience as Protestant vs Catholic, an us vs them approach, rather than a time that was no doubt filled with mixed opinions. Similar to the many non-Jews who were against Jewish persecution during WWII, Angelina Salvaggio provides a story that shows how, despite religious differences, there were many Protestants who opposed Elizabeth I’s unjust policies and were willing to risk their lives to help their fellow Christians. She paints convincing pictures of all the characters from our lead Isabel’s internal conflicts of loyalty and love, to Jon’s courage to hide priests within their home, to Daniel’s unwavering faith even in the face of death, and even to a surprising sympathy toward Lord Drake’s two-faced villainy that had me hoping for his conversion. This was a novel that made me truly consider how martyrdom often happens under the guise of criminality, even in our world today. There were many scenes that had me asking, if this happened to me, how would I respond? How far would my courage take me?
On a lighter note, the author has a knack for adding wit and sarcasm to her dialogue that provided a breath of humor in between all the heaviness.

About the Author

Hi, readers! I’m Angelina Salvaggio, a Catholic wife, mom, chronic illness fighter, and have been writing for most of my life. I am a self-proclaimed nerd who loves history, movies, reading, and going to Comic Cons. I also love Adoration, Mass, chasing sunsets, traveling, and chocolate. Preferably paired with peanut butter.

Originally from New England, I moved to the Midwest at eighteen and soon after, met and married the love of my life, Daniel. We have two amazing sons, and a cute little fluffy dog. When home, I am routinely getting my butt kicked in Monopoly, dodging Nerf bullets or stray Lego bricks, cooking up a favorite recipe, and writing. My favorite moments are spent with my family and friends; I am extremely blessed in that way.

I have always loved period romances and reading about various saints. St. Edmund Campion lit a fire in my soul and thanks to him, Jane Austin, and Charlotte Brontë, a thirty year long dream has come to life in Secret Dwellings. Make sure to visit my website and sign up for my newsletter to receive the latest updates on my writing.

Giveaway

Angelina is offering a chance to win one (1) signed paperback copy of Secret Dwellings at the link below. Giveaway runs through October 17, 2025. Thanks, Angelina!

Enter the Giveaway.

Upcoming Events

Craft Fair season is upon us! Here’s where to find me over the next few months. I’ll be attending all of these events with historical fantasy author, Susan Laspe. Stop by to purchase our books, get books you already own signed, or just to say hi.

• St. Joseph Catholic School Craft Fair – October 11, 2025 – Cottleville, MO
• Elks Lodge Craft Fair – October 19, 2025 – O’Fallon, MO
• Read, Write, Rendezvous Readers Retreat – November 7-8, 2025 – St. Louis, MO (I will be attending this multi-author event as a reader attendee, not an author attendee. Advance tickets required.)
• O’Fallon Tree Lighting and Holiday Market – November 19, 2025 – O’Fallon, MO
• Francis Howell High School Band Craft Fair – December 6, 2025 – Weldon Springs, MO

Releasing in October

Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:

1. Every Life Treasured by Jennifer Q. Hunt, Hannah Hood Lucero, and Aubrey Reiss Taylor – three pro-life novellas by three wonderful authors
2. Whispers of Her Worth by Tanya E. Williams – Inside gilded hotel walls, two sisters grapple with questions of love and ambition to determine what a woman is truly worth. I was a beta reader for this one. Read my review here.
3. About Last Christmas by Rachel Scott McDaniel – She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both need a Christmas Miracle.
4. Battle Charged by Hannah Hood Lucero – A body builder and an army medic find themselves in a blossoming romance, but dark forces close in, threatening to rip them apart. Will the truths kept silent too long be revealed before it’s too late?
5. Love by Design by Maddie Evans – a marriage of convenience brings together a crafty designer and her childhood friend. This is the third book in the series. Read my review of book 1 here.

Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.

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Until next month, happy reading!

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Kelsey

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