The Violet books - at least two of them - are set in Toronto and cottage country north of that city in the first decade of the last century. They are very much historical fiction, but based on real people. 

Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon, I have had several positive reviews from people who would not have any particular interest in Toronto or its musical history. Readers in South Africa, India, Ireland, England, the USA and Australia have said very nice things about The Violet Trilogy.  One English reader called Imagining Violet Married "a gem of a book". 

One of the challenges of self-publishing is that you do all the marketing yourself. I have been trying everything I can think of to sell the book to Toronto. No, I didn't expect the Globe and Mail to give me a review, but I had assumed that Toronto media would be interested in historical fiction set in that city. I had expected to be able to reach  music students, classical music fans, members of music clubs and so on. Yet I am having zero success cracking that market.

Living on the west coast of Canada, makes it more difficult, but I hoped I would see a little more enthusiasm from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and its many departments. I thought that the first book, the story of Violet's student life in Leipzig, might appeal to members of the TSO youth orchestra. I thought that people who volunteer for the TSO might find a palatable history of the orchestra enjoyable. The archivist at the TSO has kindly responded, indicating he intends to purchase, but I guess he's been too busy so far. 

I'd be grateful for any ideas anyone has to offer. 

 

A Review of Imagine Violet Blooming 

This is the third, and final, book in the Imagine Violet series and equally as enjoyable as the previous two.

Violet and Frank’s lives continue with Frank growing and expanding the orchestra in Toronto under the guidance of Mr Cox. As the conductor of the orchestra and an “in demand” music tutor, he is always busy and rarely at home. Violet also continues in her traditional role as the mother of five lively children and the wife of a well-known conductor. The family have their annual holiday in Muskoka and their cottage on the island is improved with a boat house and a new boat. The descriptions of the encroachment of civilization on this rural and peaceful place are interesting and quite poignant.

Violet grows as a person and experiences the death of her father. Dealing with grief is difficult and she must also keep her mother and sister’s spirits buoyed up, which she does quite successfully. Learning to manage her household staff continues to be a challenge for Violet, but she becomes better and identifying what she needs and a domestic helper who will suit her family as the series progresses. The family moves into a lovely new home which is big enough for their growing family and the older boys, particularly Teddy, excel at school and are great helpers at home.

The series has an unexpected ending, but it is appropriate and well handled; a good finish to a relaxed and peaceful read. These books make me think of taking a boat ride on a calm lake on a warm summer’s day. Each book is a slow-moving and pleasant meander through the life of Violet and each book leads on successfully from the next.

I am rather sad that the series is finished with this book and their will be no more escapades about Violet.

Robbie Cheadle, Johannesburg, South Africa

Robbie Cheadle has published nine books for children and one poetry book. She has branched into writing for adults and young adults and, in order to clearly separate her children's books from her adult books, is writing for older readers under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle.

 Imagine Violet Blooming is now for sale! 

$20 plus $5.75 for postage in Canada or $10. US. 

There's an order form on this site and PayPal is available there.  It's also for sale on Amazon. 

Here are a couple of friendly reviews from fellow Goodreads Authors:

The final installment in the Violet trilogy, “Imagine Violet Blooming” continues Mary Hughes’ historical reimagining of her grandmother’s life, inspired by notes left in her Bible. The story began with Violet as a teenager studying violin, before detailing her relationship with her husband Frank and their journey to Canada in the second volume. In “Imagine Violet Blooming,” Violet is in her thirties, her husband is working as the conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and their family continues to grow. The narrative is expressed through letters to loved ones, and while the audience for intensely researched historical fiction might be small, the level of craft here is admirable. There are moments, especially at the end, where the author could’ve been forgiven for breaking the rules she established for Violet’s story, but I’ll give her credit for staying true to her vision for the series. 

        Gene Kendall, author of "Black Hat Blues"  

and

This is the third, and final, book in the Imagine Violet series and equally as enjoyable as the previous two.

Violet and Frank’s lives continue with Frank growing and expanding the orchestra in Toronto under the guidance of Mr Cox. As the conductor of the orchestra and an “in demand” music tutor, he is always busy and rarely at home. Violet also continues in her traditional role as the mother of five lively children and the wife of a well-known conductor. The family have their annual holiday in Muskoka and their cottage on the island is improved with a boat house and a new boat. The descriptions of the encroachment of civilization on this rural and peaceful place are interesting and quite poignant.

Violet grows as a person and experiences the death of her father. Dealing with grief is difficult and she must also keep her mother and sister’s spirits buoyed up, which she does quite successfully. Learning to manage her household staff continues to be a challenge for Violet, but she becomes better and identifying what she needs and a domestic helper who will suit her family as the series progresses. The family moves into a lovely new home which is big enough for their growing family and the older boys, particularly Teddy, excel at school and are great helpers at home.

The series has an unexpected ending, but it is appropriate and well handled; a good finish to a relaxed and peaceful read. These books make me think of taking a boat ride on a calm lake on a warm summer’s day. Each book is a slow-moving and pleasant meander through the life of Violet and each book leads on successfully from the previous one. 

I am rather sad that the series is finished with this book.

          Robbie Cheadle, South African based author of numerous children's books 

Imagine Violet Blooming

 The third and final volume of The Violet Trilogy -- Imagine Violet Blooming -- is off to the press today. Thanks to Mark Hand, once again, for creating this lovely cover. The book will be available for sale shortly after Canadian Thanksgiving (October 12) 

 

Review prompts memories

Robbie Cheadle, a writing colleague I "met" through Goodreads commented recently on how interesting it was to read about how pregnant ladies had to behave in late Victorian times. She was reviewing "Imagining Violet Married".

There were very strict societal rules at that time and ladies simply did not appear in public in 1899 after the second trimester. It started me thinking about how things had changed -- or hadn't -- by the more liberal 1960s.

In 1968, I was working at a large private TV station in Toronto as a program organizer on a game show. The women in the next office were producing an afternoon talk show, the "Carole Taylor Show". And yes, that's the same Carole Taylor who later in life was BC's Minister of Finance. Carole's program organizer was pregnant, and at about her 7th month, she was told in no uncertain terms that she should no longer come to work. To her utter astonishment, she was told that the presence of a visibly pregnant woman was not acceptable in a TV studio. We were shocked and furious.

Two years later I had another TV gig as production assistant on a debate show called "Under Attack". My producer, the late John Kastner, was more open-minded and when I became visibly pregnant there were no repercussions. My first baby was due 3 weeks after our production ended so I didn't foresee a problem. Our last taping session was in Ottawa on Wednesday the 25th of February and our guest was Pierre Elliott Trudeau! I had to get permission from my doctor to fly to Ottawa that week, but otherwise, no problem. Trudeaumania was in full force and it was exciting to meet the man close up, albeit shrouded as I was in a tent-like dress. We pregnant ladies were still making some effort to hide our bulk. We taped the show on Wednesday night and flew back to Toronto on Thursday morning. Friday was to be our last day, our post-production clean-up day.

But I didn't make it. Overnight Thursday night I had cramps, then severe cramps. Thinking it was false labour I phoned the office around 8.30 and said I'd be late for work. But I never did get to the office that day and was lucky to get to the hospital in time. My first born arrived at 11:02 Friday morning.

A message from Paul Hahn's granddaughter

Paul Hahn was a distinguished 'cellist and a good friend of Violet and Frank Welsman's. His granddaughter Alex Hahn, sent me this kind note this morning. Paul Hahn established his piano company in 1913, the company that Alex Hahn now owns and operates.

Mary, 

I got a chance to read the book this weekend.  I was up at our family cottage on Lake Temagami, the perfect surrounding to appreciate the story you told.  

What a treat, I feel like I was back in time… I think I mentioned I never got to meet my grandfather, and really know very little about him.  My imagination has gone wild thinking about his friendships and the contributions all those musicians made at the turn of the last century.

Trying to imagine the amount to research you put into this book. Congratulations! I will pass the book onto my sisters, as I know they will get a kick out of reading it.  What will book three be called?

Take care,

Alex

Alex Hahn | Owner/ Operator | Paul Hahn & Co. | 1058 Yonge St | Toronto, ON M4W 2L4 | 416.922.3122 x224 | paulhahn.com

https://www.facebook.com/PaulHahnAndCompany/
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Imagining Violet Married now in a Kindle edition

I am pleased to announce the publication of the Kindle edition of Imagining Violet Married (Part Two of The Violet Trilogy). It's available at Amazon.ca for $3.99 as well as Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Imagining Violet Married continues Violet's story as she and her new husband, Frank Welsman, embark on married life at the turn of the 20th century. Like Part One, the story begins with a journey, their voyage from Liverpool to Canada. Then Violet writes to friends and family about the challenges of living with her in-laws, her first pregnancy and the growth of Frank's career as a concert pianist. During these years, the family spends summers on an island in Muskoka. It's gentle domestic drama with elements of social history within the context of Toronto's development as a musical centre in North America.

One reviewer, wrote that "the author has succeeded in creating a wonderful glimpse into the world of polite society in turn-of-the-century Toronto. If you're the type of reader who enjoys history and likes to be immersed in the past, this may be the book for you. The story is drama-free and does not follow the typical conflict/resolution format."

Written as a series of letters to friends and family, the book is also available as a paperback for $20 plus $5 postage from Amazon or from the author's website: https://imaginingviolet.blogspot.com

A Review of Part Two - Imagining Violet Married

First off, this is not a book for everyone. So why the five-star rating? Because I believe the author has succeeded in creating a wonderful glimpse into the world of polite society in turn-of-the-century Toronto. If you’re the type of reader who enjoys history and likes to be immersed in the past, this may be the book for you. The story is drama-free and does not follow the typical conflict/resolution format. Instead, it’s written as a collection of letters penned by Violet, a young wife who goes about setting up her new life in a country that is foreign to her.

Some of the events she writes about may seem ordinary at first glance (buying a new house, her husband’s budding career, building a vacation home, having children), but it’s a credit to the writer that the book still held my interest to the end. Violet is a well-rounded and carefully thought out character - her letters excel at taking everyday events and making them memorable. This would be an ideal book to read over the course of a relaxing weekend.

Thomas O 

Frank Welsman, Canadian Conductor - Revised!

My very first book,published 2006,  was "Frank Welsman, Canadian Conductor", which was a revisionist approach to the history of the  Toronto Symphony Orchestra. As a result of my research for The Violet Trilogy, I have made some changes to "Frank Welsman" and I have converted it into an e-book, now available at Amazon.com. Click on the link for more:

https://www.amazon.com/FRANK-WELSMAN-CANADIAN-CONDUCTOR-biography-ebook/dp/B084319J95/ref=sr_1_1

Available in Toronto music store now!

I am very pleased to announce that the venerable music store, Remenyi House of Music , at 210 Bloor Street West, Toronto, is carrying both of my Violet books, Imagining Violet and Imagining Violet Married. Save the cost of shipping, and check out the Remenyi House of Music. Of course they are still available via Amazon or directly from the order form on this site.