I took stories to Leavenworth – and brought back memories for you.

Just back from my Leavenworth talk—and I’ve got some fun photos to share!

This history-rich Kansas town has a special place in my heart—and in the life of Annie Anthony as told in my Dauntless Series. (Here’s Book One, Secrets to the Wind in case you’re looking for it.) All three books are rooted here, so every visit feels a bit like stepping into my own story world. I always come away with fresh inspiration and love connecting with residents who are just as passionate about their history as I am.

This time, the occasion was the joyful “Celebrating Women” Gala hosted by the Leavenworth County Historical Society last Friday (April 11, 2025). Around 150 guests gathered in the beautifully restored Riverfront Community Center—which once served as the women’s waiting room at the train depot. With its rich woodwork and elegant windows, it wasn’t hard to imagine my heroine, Annie Anthony, stepping off a train right into that space.

From Vineyard heiress to Kansas grit: bringing Annie to life

This trilogy I’m writing—now two-thirds complete—grew out of years of digging into not just the Anthony family, but the world they lived in: the people, events, and culture that shaped their choices. It all started back in 2012, after my first trip to Leavenworth lit a creative spark I couldn’t ignore.

Fast forward to today, and that spark has become a one-woman show where I put on the shoes (and hat!) of Annie Osborn Anthony. It’s the living, breathing result of that research—blending historical detail, emotion, and period costume to connect with audiences on both the head and the heart level. For example, here’s a post I wrote several years ago about the daughters that the Anthonys lost.

To set the stage, I open with a slide that reads, “I was born in 1844 on Martha’s Vineyard.” That simple line helps the audience enter into Annie Anthony’s timeframe, but that night it more than did its job. A ten-year-old boy who’d listened intently the whole time said to his mom: “She looked pretty good for a woman her age.” Apparently, he was convinced that I was the real Annie!

More to come

Another couple of gems from my trip? A visit to the Kansas state capitol to see the brand-new “Radical Women” mural—and the pleasure of meeting the artist herself, who took the stage before me that evening. I’ll share more about her beautiful painting in an upcoming post.

For now, enjoy these scenes from a memorable evening by the river!

P.S. If you missed my free new story featuring Susan B., Daniel, and Annie Anthony, you can get it here in this free historical collection.