Advent Day 7 - Returning to My Childhood Home through Stories ~ Gabrielle Meyer

When I was a little girl, my dad was the caretaker for a nine-acre estate on the banks of the Mississippi River. My family lived above the carriage house at the bottom of the hill and the two mansions (you read that right, there are two historic mansions on the property) were at the top. The entire bottom of the hill was our play area and we spent countless hours making memories there. For several years in a row, my parents hosted a large New Year’s Eve party and for days in advance, my dad sprayed water on one part of the hill to make it icy. When you jumped onto a rubber inner-tube, you practically flew down that hill! My dad had to put several hay bales at the bottom to stop the tubers, so they wouldn’t slide onto the frozen Mississippi River.

One of the beautiful mansions at Linden Hill

 



There was also a small pond behind our house, which my dad would clear of snow so we could ice skate, and there was plenty of yard for the children to make snow forts and have snowball fights. At some point in history, the bottom of the carriage house was turned into a large heated garage. My parents would clean it to near sparkling and then set up the chairs and tables there. I remember pouring hot chocolate and hot cider into Styrofoam cups and then walking outside to see all the steam rise into the cold night air. It was truly a magical place to grow up, and I have so many wonderful memories of holidays spent there.

The homes were originally built by lumber barons who came to our town on the banks of the Mississippi River in the early 1890s. The last family member passed away in 1989 (the year we moved out) and the estate was donated to the city. It is now operated as a conference and retreat center. Every time I return there, it’s as if I’m cast back to my childhood. I live just down the river from the estate and I take my four children there often to reminisce. I also host a large writer’s retreat there each summer and attend several events there throughout the year. I’m so thankful I can return to my childhood home whenever I like.

The Meyer children at the Linden Hill Estate

I’ve also used the estate as a setting for both historical and contemporary stories. My newest story (and my first contemporary novel) releases in February 2020 from Love Inspired. The story, A Mother’s Secret, is set at the fictional Bee Tree Hill, which is inspired by the estate. In the story, there is only one mansion, instead of two, but everything else is the same. I loved writing this story and I cannot wait for it to release! It was like returning home as I wrote it. 

Enter to win a copy of this yet-to-be-released
title today!

I’d love to give away an advanced copy of A Mother’s Secret to one person who comments on this post. (US only - International winner will receive ebook only.) {Winner to be announced in the 12/15/19 Weekend Edition)

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and loves to write fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. Learn more about Gabrielle and her historical, contemporary, and cozy mystery stories by visiting her at www.gabriellemeyer.com or www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer.

a Rafflecopter giveaway