AUTHOR'S NOTE

Travel With Me To Norway!   "I write about special historic places in each of my Chloe Ellefson Mysteries, and nothing makes me happier than sharing them with readers.  Well, guess what? I’ve teamed up with the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society to offer a trip to Southern Norway—the land of Chloe’s ancestors!" more>> Posted May 17, 2020 on the Sites And Stories blog. Exciting Annoucement Coming Soon!   "You asked for it. I listened. Intrigued? I’ve partnered with the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society on a very special project. It might be just the thing to keep you dreaming of brighter days! Watch for a big announcement here on May 17—we think Syttende Mai is the perfect day to share the news!" Posted May 11, 2020. "Dear favorite author"   Kathleen recently received this message from B. Hasler, a devoted fan of her award-winning Chloe Ellefson mystery series. "Dear favorite author. Your books kept me company not only during my surgery recovery in Jan and Feb but throughout this safer at home directive. Thank you for providing many hours of pleasurable reading and envisioning future historical themed trips around Wisconsin. I see my state, my antiques, and family heritage through new eyes. Thanks and God bless. PS I've now read all the books in the series. Can't wait for the next one but understand how much work goes into it. Posted May 10, 2020. Save The NEW Date!   "Due to the pandemic, my friends at the Belgian Heritage Center and I have decided to postpone the special Chloe tour scheduled for this summer. The NEW date is Saturday, July 10, 2021. The tour plan outlined below remains the same. We all need things to look forward to, right?" more>> Posted May 9, 2020. Chloe "Shelter and Soar" Giveaway - Winners!   Congratulations to the winners of Kathleen's Chloe Ellefson mystery book giveaway: Kathy Geisler Blaszczak, Claudia Daniel, and John Sutton. Each will receive an author signed and personalized, trade paperback of the tenth and newest Chloe mystery, Fiddling With Fate. The winners should immediately contact Kathleen with their signing, personalization, and postal mailing information by clicking HERE. Posted May 7, 2020. Chloe "Shelter and Soar" Giveaway   It’s time for another Giveaway! This time, in celebration of completing my Hardanger Lullaby video, Mr. Ernst and I decided to offer three signed and personalized copies of the 10th and newest Chloe Ellefson Mystery, Fiddling With Fate. The Giveaway starts now! To enter, leave a comment on my Facebook Author page or my Sites and Stories blog before 11:59 PM (Central US time), Wednesday, May 6, 2020. One entry per person, please. The three winners, selected randomly from all entries on both of the above sites, will be announced online the following day. Good luck! Posted May 5, 2020. 175 Days in Top 1%   Pre- and post-release purchases of Fiddling With Fate trade paperbacks have resulted in it being ranked in the Top 1% of all US Print Book Sales—out of over 8 million titles tracked—for a running total of one hundred seventy-five days. (Data source: NPD BookScan.) Kindle and other eBook versions of Fiddling are also doing well. Posted May 5, 2020. Hardanger Lullaby   Kathleen just released a new video, based on sights and sounds she and Mr. Ernst captured in the beautiful Hardanger region of Norway while researching Fiddling With Fate, her tenth Chloe Ellefson mystery. Hardanger Lullaby features the song Vøtranotte (The Winter's Night). Hardanger mothers have lulled their children to sleep with this song for hundreds of years. This special song, and the centuries old farmhouse it was recorded in, inspired a scene in Fiddling With Fate. Now from the safety of your home you can enjoy the Hardanger sights and sounds that Chloe and Roelke experienced. Watch by clicking HERE. Posted April 29, 2020. 265 days in Top 1%   Sales of Kathleen's American Girl book Facing the Enemy: A Caroline Classic Volume 2 have now ranked it in the Top 1% of all US Print Book Sales—out of over 8 million titles tracked—for a running total of two hundred sixty-five days. (Data source: NPD BookScan.) Everyone has been anxiously waiting for the supply boat, but just as it's finally coming into view, Caroline realizes the ship is at risk. What can she do make sure the supplies arrive safely? Then, while helping on her uncle's farm, Caroline bravely keeps watch for a thief who has been stealing vegetables, and discovers that someone else needs her help. But when will she get to go home to Sackets Harbor? Facing the Enemy is available for the Kindle and other eBook readers. For details about where it can be acquired online, click HERE. Posted April 24, 2020. Caroline "Shelter and Soar" Giveaway - Winners!   Congratulations to the winners of my Caroline American Girl giveaway: Shauna Zehr Dupee, Molly McKnight, and Marge Michulsky. Each winner will receive free, author signed and personalized, softcover printed copies of Captain of the Ship and Facing the Enemy, which contain the original six Caroline stories I wrote. Each winner should immediately contact me with their signing, personalization, and postal mailing information by clicking HERE. Posted April 23, 2020. Caroline "Shelter and Soar" Giveaway   It's the second Shelter and Soar Giveaway! This one's for those with young readers at home. Three winners will get signed and personalized, softcover copies of Captain of the Ship and Facing the Enemy, which contain the original six Caroline American Girl books I wrote. The Giveaway starts now! To enter, leave a comment on my Facebook Author page or my Sites And Stories blog by 11:59 PM (Central US time), this Wednesday, April 22, 2020.  Winners will be announced the next day. Good luck! Posted April 21, 2020. "Fantastisk!"   This week's favorite reader review of Fiddling With Fate, the tenth and newest Chloe Ellefson mystery, is by Mrs. Johnson on Goodreads. "Chloe and Roelke’s adventure in Norway is a page-turner, like the rest of the series. The setting is equally a star, and history fans will love the glimpse into Norway’s past. Play some fiddle tunes in the background, and enjoy." Posted April 19, 2020. 175 days in Top 1%   Sales of Kathleen's American Girl Felicity Gunpowder and Tea Cakes adventure have resulted in it now being ranked in the Top 1% of all US Print Book Sales—out of over 8 million titles tracked—for a running total of one hundred seventy-five days. (Data source: NPD BookScan.) What if a modern girl suddenly found herself in Felicity Merriman's world during the American Revolution? Together, she and Felicity could hang out at her fathers store, sip tea at the Governor's Place, or get caught up in the thrilling Gunpowder Incident! Gunpowder is available for the Kindle and other eBook readers. For details about where it can be acquired online, click HERE. Posted April 16, 2020. "...for anyone traveling to Norway."   This week's favorite reader review of the newest Chloe mystery, Fiddling With Fate, was emailed to Kathleen by Lin Hanson in Arizona. "I just wanted to let you know that I just finished "Fiddling with Fate" and it was wonderful! My only regret is that you didn't have it finished in 2018 when we went to Norway. Your book made it all come alive. The culture, the types of dress, food, and scenery - WOW! Now I want to return to Norway and do it all again. I would definitely recommend reading "Fiddling with Fate" for anyone traveling to Norway." Posted April 12, 2020. Chloe "Shelter and Soar" Giveaway - Winners!   Congratulations to the winners of Kathleen's Chloe Ellefson mysteries giveaway: Lisa Czarniak, Dianne Mossor, and Sue Wood. Each winner will receive a free, author signed and personalized, trade paperback of the Chloe Ellefson mystery of their choice. Each winner should immediately contact Kathleen with their signing, personalization, and postal mailing information by clicking HERE. Posted April 9, 2020. Chloe "Shelter and Soar" Giveaway   "This is not the spring that any of us imagined, and I fervently hope that you and yours are well. Mr. Ernst and I are fine, and grateful for the books that allow us to roam the world from home.  We hope you can do the same. To help put books in readers’ hands, we’re happy to announce the first “Shelter and Soar” Giveaway. Three readers will get to travel with Chloe and Roelke, while staying safe at home. Each winner will receive a signed and personalized copy of the Chloe Ellefson trade paperback of their choice." The Giveaway starts now! To enter, leave a comment on my Facebook Author page or my Sites and Stories blog before 11:59 PM (Central US time), Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The three winners, selected randomly from all entries on both of the above sites, will be announced there on Thursday the 9th. Good luck! Posted April 7, 2020 on the Sites And Stories blog. "I love these books!"   This week's favorite reader review of the newest Chloe Ellefson mystery, was posted on Kathleen's Facebook Author page by Christine Ruud. "I love these books! I think Fiddling with Fate is my favorite because it took me to Norway." Posted April 5, 2020. The Utne Hotel   "Not many businesses claim a lineage dating back almost 300 years. The Utne Hotel, which can, is known as Norway’s oldest continuously-operating hotel. In 1722 Peder Larsson Børsem was given a license to run a guesthouse in the village of Utne. The village was home to the district court, which kept travelers coming and going. A post office was established in 1826, and steamship travel in 1861. Explorers were followed by tourists. Women have provided much of the Utne Hotel’s hospitality over the years. From 1830 until 1900, Torbjørg Johannesdotter Utne was responsible for keeping the inn running. “Mother Utne,” as she was known, became legendary for making..." more>> Posted March 31, 2020 on the Sites And Stories blog. 180 days in Top 1%   Trade paperback sales of Chloe Ellefson mystery #8, Mining For Justice, have resulted in it now being ranked in the Top 1% of all US Print Book Sales—out of over 8 million titles tracked—for a running total of one hundred eighty days. (Data source: NPD BookScan.) Chloe Ellefson is excited to be learning about Wisconsin's early Cornish immigrants and mining history while on temporary assignment at Pendarvis, a historic site in charming Mineral Point. But when her boyfriend, police officer Roelke McKenna, discovers long-buried human remains in the root cellar of an old Cornish cottage, Chloe reluctantly agrees to mine the local historical records for answers. She soon finds herself in the center of a heated and deadly controversy that threatens to close Pendarvis. While struggling to help the historic site stay open, Chloe must unearth dark secrets, past and present . . . before a killer comes to bury her. Mining For Justice is also available for the Kindle and other eBook readers. For details about where this mystery can be purchased online, click HERE. Posted March 30, 2020. "...the best of all."   This week's favorite reader review of the newest Chloe Ellefson mystery, was posted on Kathleen's Facebook Author page by Dianne Martingano. "The Lacemaker’s Secret was a pleasure to read, but Fiddling with Fate was the best of all. God Bless you for your well-researched and wholesome stories. Please continue writing." Posted March 29, 2020. Save The Date!   "I’ve been dithering about whether to announce the Chloe tour scheduled for this summer. In the spirit of optimism…here you go. The 9th Chloe Ellefson Mystery, The Lacemaker’s Secret, takes place in northeast Wisconsin where early Belgian immigrants made their homes. When readers asked for a special book-themed tour of the area, I turned to my friends at the Belgian Heritage Center in Brussels, WI. We’ve planned a very special excursion for readers on Saturday, July 11, 2020. I hope you’ll join Mr. Ernst and me as we explore featured locations and learn about the inspiring history of one of Wisconsin’s lesser-known ethnic groups. Activities will include..." more>> Posted March 22, 2020 on the Sites And Stories blog. National Award Ceremony - Postponed   Earlier this year the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced that it was honoring Kathleen for "outstanding achievement in her artistic field" with their American Heritage Women in the Arts Recognition Award for Literature. The National DAR President was to present the award to Kathleen on April 16, 2020, during the Wisconsin DAR Society's Conference in Green Bay. The conference, and the award ceremony, have now been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New arrangments will be announced later. Posted March 18, 2020. Special Message from Kathleen   Mr. Ernst and I are in good health, and we sincerely hope you and yours are too. May we all be so blessed, and remain so. Like some, we are over age sixty, with underlying health issues that put us in the CDC's "high risk" category for COVID-19. As such, we have been advised to avoid all group gatherings. We had already decided we did not wish to risk the health of any of our dear reader-friends by doing programs that might encourage them to gather in group events. Out of an abundance of caution, and guided by the latest CDC directives, Mr. Ernst and I have begun withdrawing from our upcoming public and private presentations. We do this with sadness and regret, but with the hope that circumstances will soon allow us to reschedule and resume doing programs. To that end, I am still adding events for later this year. Posted March 15, 2020. April Meeting - Cancelled Due to Pandemic   The Metropolitan Woman’s Club of Madison, Wisconsin has cancelled its April 24th luncheon due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Kathleen had been invited to speak to their meeting about her experiences researching and writing her now thirty-eight published books, which include works of fiction and non-fiction for adults and young readers. Her richly illustrated presentation was to include a special focus on Kathleen's now ten-book Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mystery series, which had been requested by the club's many fans of the series. Posted March 13, 2020. Kroting   "For centuries, Norwegian farmhouses had open fireplaces. A raised hearth was built in the center of the floor, with a smoke hole in the roof above. These “smoke houses” with a central hearth and/or corner fireplace were common along the western coast. Kroting was a simple way of decorating a house with smoke-stained logs and few or no windows. In Fiddling With Fate, the 10th Chloe Ellefson Mystery, Chloe senses why it was important...." more>> Posted March 12, 2020 on the Sites And Stories blog. Chloe Ellefson Program - Cancelled Due to Pandemic   The following is a special message from Kathleen Ernst about the Chloe Ellefson program she was scheduled to present this Sunday, March 15, 2020, for the Wisconsin State Rosemaling Association spring meeting, at the Fire Station in Stoughton, WI. "Out of an abundance of caution, and guided by the latest CDC directives regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Ernst and I have, with great reluctance and regret, decided to cancel this specific program. Scott and I had a grand time when we visited this rosemaling meeting a few years ago, and I love spending time with rosemalers, so this is very disappointing. Please contact the State Rosemaling Association directly to learn whether there may be any additional changes relating to their spring meeting. Decisions about Kathleen's other scheduled programs will be made later, in conjunction with event sponsors, based on the then current status of the pandemic and CDC guidance. Posted March 11, 2020. Chloe's Coming to Decorah - Advance Notice   Attention mystery readers in Northeast Iowa and Southeast Minnesota!  Bestselling author Kathleen Ernst has been invited to present her richly illustrated program about the award-winning Chloe Ellefson Mystery series at the Decorah Public Library—and you are invited. The program begins at 7:15 PM, Monday, April 27th. Admission is free and open to the public, thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Decorah Public Library and Dragonfly Books. Posted March 11, 2020. "I am in Chloe Droughtsville-land..."   This week's favorite reader review of Fiddling With Fate, the newest Chloe mystery, was posted by Laura Lareson on Kathleen's blog. "I am in Chloe Droughtsville-land, so waiting for book 11. ...More of my friends have finished the 10th book, with all of us in agreement, it is your best one yet." Posted March 8, 2020. Writing Workshop   The Vesterheim Folk Art School in Decorah, Iowa, has once again invited Kathleen to present her popular Exploring Your Heritage—A Writing Sampler Weekend. Cherished family stories can be preserved in many ways. This workshop will introduce you to several types of writing, including poetry, memoir, fiction, and creative nonfiction. You will enjoy a variety of short writing activities designed to help capture memories or explore what interests you most about your unique family, ethnic group, or community heritage. Inspired by Vesterheim’s rich collections and whatever personal memories or heirlooms you wish to explore, you will leave with drafts of several poems, character sketches, essays, and short stories. The weekend's activities begin Friday evening, April 24th, and run through late afternoon Sunday the 26th. Prior registration and payment of a fee is required. The number of people who can participate is strictly limited in order to provide a quality experience for each person. To register and pay, please click HERE. PLEASE NOTE: Kathleen's workshop has filled up. There is a waiting list. For details contact the Vesterheim Folk School at (563) 382-9681. Posted March 5, 2020. "Very Compelling Story"
		This week's favorite reader review of Fiddling With Fate, the tenth and newest Chloe Ellefson mystery, was posted on Amazon by R E D. "My father immigrated from Norway in 1920 so all things Norwegian interest me. When I was in high school we had a pastor who was very against dancing and this story helped explain where he was coming from. I am in my 80s now and have read all of Ms. Ernst's [Chloe] books. I hope there will be more adventures." Posted March 1, 2020.

Author Program - Advance Notice

Kathleen will share her experiences researching and writing her now thirty-eight published books. These include works of fiction and non-fiction created for adults and young readers. Her richly illustrated presentation will include a special focus on Kathleen's now ten-book Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mystery series. Afterwards Kathleen will answer audience questions and sign books, copies of which will be available for purchase.

The MWC was formed in 1971 by a group of women who joined together to encourage the social, cultural and intellectual fulfillment of the individual member. The club is dedicated to the acceptance of civic responsibilities as they relate to the needs of the community.

PLEASE NOTE:  Kathleen's talk is open to MWC members only.

Posted February 27, 2020.

"Thank you for many hours of enjoyment."

Thank you for many hours of enjoyment."

Posted February 23, 2020.

Kindle and other eBook versions of Fiddling are also doing well.

Posted January 6, 2020.

"Not so with Fiddling With Fate."

Posted January 5, 2020.

National Recognition Award

Kathleen was nominated for this national award by the Wisconsin Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (WSDAR). State Regent Brenda T. Majewski explained why they proposed her for this recognition.

"Education, historic preservation, and patriotism are the missions of the DAR. Literacy, American history, and classroom participation fall under our service projects. [Kathleen's] books fall easily into these categories, particularly the research that goes into the back stories of the Chloe Ellefson series."

National DAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren will present the award to Kathleen at an afternoon reception in her honor, to be held April 16, 2020, during the WSDAR Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Green Bay, WI.

The DAR was founded in 1890 and has 185,000 members, including 1,500 in Wisconsin. This non-profit, non-political, volunteer women's service organization is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and educating America's children.

Posted January 1, 2020.