I’M RUNNING A GIVEAWAY OF MY NEW NOVEL! SEE BELOW.

Today is my book birthday! After years of writing, revising, and editing, I’m thrilled to finally be able to share this story. Please indulge me–just a bit.

I’ve shared some endorsements with you from a variety of people who weren’t necessarily familiar with L. Frank Baum before reading the manuscript. Today’s comments come from readers who were already fans of Baum and Oz.

Comment below for a chance to win a paperback of A Hundred Magical Reasons.

Teaser for A Hundred Magical Reasons . . .

This split-time historical fiction encompasses:

• A child’s unlikely friendship with The Wizard of Oz author, L Frank Baum, & his influence across 4 generations
• A young woman following a risky dream
• An old woman haunted by regret as she reveals her past

Jane Albright’s entire endorsement:

“Laura DeNooyer blends original characters with the real-life author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in a wonderful novel of her own. While the relationship DeNooyer’s Janie has with L. Frank Baum is fiction, Baum’s character rings true—her research accurately capturing the details of his life. But this isn’t about him; his influence on a child becomes the catalyst in a family drama that unfolds across generations. I was pulled into the lives of Carrie and Janie, hoping each would find her fairytale ending. By the close of the book I not only wanted a sequel, I wanted a companion cookbook and a soundtrack!”  

~~ Jane Albright, former president of the International Wizard of Oz Club

Blurb for A Hundred Magical Reasons

Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight. 

This disgruntled town recluse has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.

Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.

In 1980, during the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.

As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.

In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?

Leah’s full review:

As a long-time reader of the ‘Oz’ books, it was a joy to read Laura DeNooyer’s book A Hundred Magical Reasons. While much of my interest was focused on Mr. Baum and the Baum family, I also enjoyed the setting of the book—as a native of southwest Michigan myself, reading about the setting in Holland, Michigan (and the mention of things like the rivalry between Hope College and Calvin College!) added an extra layer of enjoyment. 

But as for the focus on Baum and the Oz books–it is not often that I’ve read a book that is as true-to-life as this one. Naturally, the conversations are fictional and there are fictional characters interacting with the Baums, but those interactions ring true to what I know about L. Frank Baum’s personality as well as those of his wife, Maud, and their sons. Quite frankly (if you’ll forgive the pun), the descriptions made me want to spend a summer on the shores of Lake Macatawa with the Baums! 

For anyone with a passing knowledge of the Oz books, the descriptions in this book will bring you great joy. For the collectors among us, I’m sure reading about a signed first edition brings an extra frisson of joy, and for all of us, reading about a little girl whose life is changed by the Oz books absolutely rings true. 

There is much to recommend this book, but if I could recommend it only on the strength of its Oz connection and how it brought L. Frank Baum to life? Just for that, it’s worth it for the Oz fans, and the rest of the story is a delightful bonus. 

~~ Leah Barber, Oz Club member

Chris Kaiser is one of the few men who have read this story–proving that men can enjoy this story too!

In 2019, I wrote a short story adapted from my novel chapters. L. Frank Baum’s great-granddaughter, Gita Dorothy Morena, commented on it:

“Your story kept my attention from the moment I started reading.
You did such an excellent job of bringing Baum to life
and weaving in the facts of his life.
Your first place acknowledgement is well deserved.”

If you like historical fiction and character-driven stories—with a touch of romance—this novel fits the bill. If you like fairy tales, that’s another bonus.

If you’re a fan of Wicked, the musical or the movie, you’ll get a chance to see where all the Oz hoopla originated–with the inimitable L. Frank Baum.

If you’re a Baum fan, you’ll get the feel of what it was like to be with him. 

If you’re unfamiliar with Baum, you’re in for a treat, for you’ll have the pleasure of getting to know him.

Read more and watch the book trailer on my website here.

You can purchase the book on Amazon here.

Comment below for a chance to win a paperback of A Hundred Magical Reasons.

Join me for some Q & A!

Questions about A Hundred Magical Reasons

What was your inspiration for writing this story? What’s your personal connection to the setting or situation?

Laura: After reading a biography of Baum in 2014, I was smitten. He was a family man with unstoppable imagination. I loved his humor, his understanding of children, his respect for women, and his ability to bounce back from failure. 

Fun fact: The Baum family summered at the same lake where my family vacations annually—though we were at the opposite end of Lake Macatawa and a century later. But somehow this made me feel an extra connection to Baum.

On top of that, I’d always wanted to write a turn-of-the-century novel. Learning about Baum’s life during that time period gave me the perfect subject matter.

Additionally, I grew up in southwest Michigan not far from the setting of this story. The Dutch who immigrated there in the 1800s are still a prominent influence. I have Dutch roots myself. 

What are the challenges of writing about a real person in a fictionalized tale? Which historical parameters were imposed on you? Where did you have to fill in the gaps with your imagination?

Laura: Having read biographical fiction that alters important facts, I decided early on that I wanted to be as true to Baum’s character, family, and career as possible. Michael Patrick Hearn, the renown Oz/Baum scholar—along with his book The Annotated Wizard of Oz—was a great resource for me. And numerous other books too.

I fashioned much of the story’s events around Baum’s life landmarks, the ups and downs of his career. My protagonist Janie takes on challenges inspired by some of Baum’s career choices.

The main thing I had to fill in with my imagination was dialog, and determining how Baum would choose to spend his time with a young girl who visited the Baum cottage yearly. How would he draw out her imagination? Which activities would he capitalize on? What was life like around the dinner table at the Baum household? We know a bit about that from biographies, but I had the chance to show who Baum is through the eyes of a fictional character who visits from year to year. 

How did you develop your heroines Carrie (1980) and Janie (early 1900s—AKA Mrs. Gordon in 1980)? Did they hijack the story or did you have full rein? 

Laura: I knew what young Janie was like—bright and imaginative, despite the harsh parents she grew up with. I also knew Mrs. Gordon’s personality at age 88: critical and cynical. The problem was figuring out how she turned into such a bitter woman even with her wonderful Aunt Sophie and whimsical Mr. Baum always encouraging her. 

As for Carrie in 1980, though I wanted her life to have some parallels to Mrs. Gordon’s, it took some time to decide what her specific challenges and goals were. Carrie’s parents want her to use her college degree to be a teacher and to marry Brian, an upstanding young man in their estimation. But Carrie wants to buy and run a cafe—a literary-themed cafe—so she barrels ahead with her own plans but hopes to eventually win their approval, on her own terms. She has been working in restaurants all through college and knows the gig. She’s also been dating Brian for six years and he’s about ready to pop the question. Then she meets Dirk . . .

While Janie and Carrie were teachable and bent to my will, opinionated Mrs. Gordon definitely hijacked the story.

What would Carrie and Mrs. Gordon say about YOU? What do you think Mr. Baum would say about how you portrayed him?

Laura: Mrs. Gordon would initially say I have a lot of nerve trying to write her story, and who do I think I am? Then she’d soften and bake me a batch of blueberry cream cheese muffins (AKA Munchkin Delights) as her way of thanking me.

Carrie and I would be good friends. There’s a lot of myself in her. We both grew up in southwest Michigan. We even went to the same college and had the same major! But frankly, she’s a much better cook and baker than I am. I actually pursued a teaching career while she avoided one. But even so, we would enjoy hanging out together. I would find excuses for her to bake and share the wealth.

Mr. Baum would light a cigar to honor my priority in getting the facts straight about him and Maud–plus their four sons. Though he might not appreciate my sharing his vices with the world, he would applaud my imaginative story.

What are the challenges of creating a split-time novel? How do you overcome them?

Laura: When I first started writing this story, I’d only read two or three split-time novels. So I felt like I was winging it. But I knew I wanted this story told in two timelines so I just barreled forward.

I used a lot of index cards with the individual scenes/chapters written on them so that I could lay them out and experiment with the order and integration of the timelines.  I also started reading more dual timeline novels.

Later on, after I’d finish a few drafts, I found Melanie Dobson’s and Morgan Tarpley Smith’s book, A Split in Time. It’s a great book on the craft of writing split-time (AKA dual timeline and time-slip) novels.

How do you want this story to resonate with readers?

Laura: I’m a firm believer in the notion that everybody is creative since we’re made in the Creator’s image. I hope this story inspires readers to go out and find ways to use their own imagination.

But many themes run through my novel. They include following your passion, wearing masks vs. being yourself, the role of stories and fairy tales in our lives, and conquering fear with brains, heart, and courage.

With 14 thought-provoking questions at the end, A Hundred Magical Reasons would make a great book club book.  I hope this book raises questions and produces some pondering.

What’s the most unusual thing you had to do, learn, or research to create this story?

Laura: Whenever our family vacationed at Lake Macatawa for the week, I took an afternoon to visit the former Macatawa Resort where the Baums spent their summers. I went on the days that Big Red, the Lighthouse, was open to the public. I walked along the beach and a bit through the walkways among the cottages to get a feel for the place. 

Then in 2019, a sign announced that only resort guests were allowed on that beach anymore. With a streak of rebellion, I walked along the beach anyhow, constantly looking over my shoulder. 

Being paranoid, I was sure someone would find me and kick me off the property or haul me off to jail for trespassing. I started planning my getaway which would include diving into the water near the marina and swimming the six miles to our cottage at the other end of the lake! 

Okay, that sounds far-fetched, but that’s where my imagination takes me sometimes–for better or for worse. That was the last time I ever visited the now off-limits area. In June 2023, my friend Rita and I kayaked instead–for a sailor’s point of view. We paddled from Lake Macatawa through the channel into Lake Michigan to view Big Red and the former Macatawa Resort shoreline.

Comment below for a chance to win a paperback of A Hundred Magical Reasons.

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If you read the book, would you consider posting an honest review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, GoodReads, and BookBub? 

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This digital rendering, based on a photo of Mr. Baum, was made by my daughter Audrey. See more of her works at her Punch Portraits Etsy shop.

Meanwhile, do you have any favorite childhood memories of Baum’s original Oz books OR The Wizard of Oz MGM movie? Answer in the comments below.

Comment below for a chance to win a paperback of A Hundred Magical Reasons.

Ever reading,

Laura

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