Cherie Dargan, Author

The Promise, Book Three of Grandmother's Treasures takes place during the Great war, beginning in 1917 when America entered the war.

"It's a little history, a little mystery, and faith, hope, and love."

Book Three, The Promise, is out!

Historical Fiction with dual timelines & narrators.

Newlyweds David and Gracie set out to drive across country in one of her uncle's RVs. They want to retrace her ancestor's travels with the Iowa 24th Regiment during the American Civil War. They're going to have adventures along the way, encounter some interesting people, and grow even closer. At their first overnight stop, in St. Louis, her cousin Angela and husband Judd bring them some authentic BBQ and an antique hope chest. It has a hidden compartment where they discovered a red and white double wedding ring quilt and a bundle of love letters sent during the Great War, or what we call WWI. It belonged to Grandma Mary, whose 1920s 'flapper wedding dress' Gracie wore to the courthouse. Having heard about Gracie and David's investigative skills, Angela and Judd want answers about the hope chest and its contents. Can they figure out why Grandma Mary hid things in the secret compartment? Why does the quilt look like it was never used?

The second story takes place right before America entered the Great War. It's 1917 and the war in Europe has been raging for three years. High school senior Mary Carlson is in love with classmate Charlie O'Connor and wants to graduate and get married. Then President Wilson declares war and they get engaged right before Charlie leaves for the Army's training, along with his big brother Liam and Mary's older brother Bruce. Mary is the second narrator.

The Promise was just released in late August 2024 by WordCrafts Press.

Book Three grew out of wanting to explore the early 1900s in Iowa and trace the impact of the Great War on the cities and farms of our state.

I was also fascinated with the history of the 19th Amendment and the origins of the League of Women Voters. I learned about the horrors of trench warfare and the bravery of our troops, including the Buffalo Soldiers, American Black soldiers fighting in France who were celebrated for their tenacity.

I was amazed by all I learned about the impact of the war on those at home, and the tremendous efforts required to not only feed and equip our soldiers, but help feed a starving Europe. While it was voluntary, there was a real need to get Americans to help feed themselves with backyard gardens, and even raise chickens, and we did it!

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I worked on this website two years ago, and then I got excited about Substack as an author newsletter/blog.

https://cheriedargan.substack.com/

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News and updates for 2024

As an author, I'm faced with a hard choice--should I be on my computer emailing libraries to arrange for the next book talk, working on the next novel, or updating my website or Substack? I focused on getting Books Two (The Legacy) and Three (The Promise) published. So now I have a trilogy of stories to promote.

So, please pardon the fact that I didn't update this website for the past year. But I did hold fourteen events, including the Hearst Center for the Arts, Western Home's Craft Fair, several libraries, The Market, T. J.'s Christian Book Store, and The Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference.

I also had several interviews. John Busbee interviewed me for Grandmother's Treasures, Book Two, The Legacy. January 12, 2024.

The interview aired on his show, The Culture Buzz.

Events posted on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CherieDarganAuthor/

The Cedar Falls Christian Writers Workshop at the Riverview Campgrounds, Cedar Falls. If you're a writer, check it out next year! It was held June 6, 7, & 8, 2024 with keynote speaker Susie Finkbeiner. www.cfcwc.org

Pictures from this year's conference, which was wonderful! I got to meet my illustrator, Patricia Tiffany Morris. I enjoyed chatting with her, catching up with others, and making a few new friends.

Images from the Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference 2024

Above, Left--I met my illustrator, Patricia Tiffany Morris, for the first time face to face! We worked by Zoom for the past two years.

Middle--my table at the conference with first two novels on display. Right top -- me with David LaBelle, one of our speakers, and a skilled photographer, novelist, and speaker.

Below, Left -- my friend and former student, Sheri Smith Shonk, another novelist with Robyn Mulder, an old friend from the conference who moved to South Dakota several years ago. Robyn is a writer, editor, blogger, and speaker. It was wonderful to reconnect!

Middle -- here I am with two former Hawkeye Community College students, David and Sheri. I just finished Sheri's fourth book, Walk With Me: Houses of Hope Book, and recommend her series!

Right -- Mary Portzen is the co-coordinator for the Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference, and a good friend. She and Nick now live in Cedar Falls.

Below -- I saw this t-shirt and had to have it! "Careful or You'll End up in my Novel"