A Day in the Life of Mrs. Pappas

Posted by abakersp in A Day in the Life / 1 Comment

 

Hello reader friends! Today you are in for a treat. Author Angie Dicken is giving us a glimpse of a secondary character from her book My Heart Belongs in Castle, Utah: Leanna’s Choice! First, let’s learn more about this book (which by the way, if you haven’t read then you need to, I loved it!)

 

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice by [Dicken, Angie]
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Journey now to Castle Gate, Utah of 1910 where…
Forbidden Love Tries to Survive Old World Expectations

Schoolteacher Leanna McKee plans on leaving the coal mining town of Castle Gate, Utah, and never looking back. Good riddance to coal dust, rugged men, and the fatal mine that took her husband’s life.

Until the widow meets a widower who awakens her heart…and she finds herself inexplicably falling for miner Alex Pappas which stirs up a whole heap of trouble.

Alex’s Greek parents have arranged a more traditional match for him.  When the schoolteacher’s association with the Greek family begins to anger the American miners, they threaten Alex and his family. Leanna has received an offer to teach elsewhere and feels she has no choice but to leave Castle Gate. . .though she will be leaving her heart behind.

 

 

 

A Day in the Life of Mrs. Papas!

 

*** Note from the author ***  It has been a wonderful year of debuting as an author! This month officially marks that year, and I feel like I have this added family living and breathing on the shelves. I want to share with you one of my most loved characters (according to readers, and myself), Mrs. Pappas from My Heart Belongs In Castle Gate, Utah. She’s the mother of my hero, and I’ve incorporated some of my own grandmother’s qualities in this little Greek woman.  This is a rare glimpse into her perspective (um, maybe the only)!

 

It is early, the sun is crawling upward, and I sit in my kitchen, sipping the strong coffee of my homeland. I reach for some Koulourakia. I smile, whispering a small blessing and crossing myself three times. Every time I make this sweet dough, braid it, and bake it, I think of my boys. Alex and Yanni. They loved dunking these cookies in my coffee when they were small.

 

I blink back tears, thinking on how much they’ve grown.

 

As I get ready for the day, I make a list of items I need to gather from the Castle Gate store. Oh, how I love to cook for all these Greek men so far from their mamas. Keftethes and Pastichio are on the menu today.

 

I put my black scarf on my head and tie it in a knot under my chin, and step into the crisp mountain air of Castle Gate. It is nothing like my village back in Greece. But, with my family here, it is home. The day ahead will be one of cooking, and talking with my family and the miners. I should learn more English. Perhaps, I will coax that Leanna to come sit with us at dinner. She is all skin and bones. That blonde beauty needs some meat, and I need some words. I smile to myself. Yes, I will fatten her up, and she will teach me English.

 

I think she gets the better deal in that. My mama’s recipes are the best. May her memory be eternal. I cross myself, and turn toward our restaurant.

 

It will be another productive day in Castle Gate.

 

 

About the Author

Angie Dicken

 

Angie Dicken is a mom of four children and lives in the Midwest with her Texas Aggie sweetheart. An ACFW member since 2010, she writes historical, historical romance, and dabbles in contemporary romance. She blogs about her writing ventures on The Writer’s Alley with some of her best friends, the Alley Cats. Besides writing, she enjoys exploring eclectic new restaurants and chatting about all things motherhood, historical, and British over a rich cup of coffee. Sign up for Angie’s newsletter on www.angiedicken.com.

 

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