Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours

Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours

My newest release, Unmistakably Yours, is set in 1887, in Mountain Home, Colorado. Because this novel is set in town, where many characters interact with one another, and as the novel is full length (435 paperback pages), I had room for a richer, deeper plot, with more characters. I’ll do my best to not give away the story here, as “plot spoilers” are no fun. I’d rather let you discover the characters and the story as it unfolds.

(Though… I did give away a few secrets in a Character Spotlight recently published at A Baker’s Perspective when I shared Oscar Harris‘s back story. And the photograph I used for inspiration while writing his character.)

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Lead Characters:

Heroes and Heroines:

This was my first novel including two separate but a little bit connected romances. Per the book’s blurb (back cover content), it’s evident that Hank Murphy, who owns the new Grocery Emporium in Mountain Home will be our hero and Jane Vancoller, proprietress of the new Tea Room, the woman he’ll fall in love with. As the story told in Unmistakably Yours is primarily Hank’s and Jane’s, I’ll begin with them here.

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Hank and Jane:

I LOVE having a cover to work with while writing a book, rather than purchasing a book cover from the designer after the story has been written. Having the cover in advance of much of my writing process, made all the difference. You’ve seen Hank and Jane before, simply by glimpsing the cover.

Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours

Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Image of heroine Jane Mary Vancoller.

Jane Mary Vancoller, dark hair with auburn highlights and green-eyed (as determined by the cover art).

Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Image (from front cover) of Hank Murphy, hero.

Hank Murphy, dark brown hair, gray eyed (with a touch of green– yes, I zoomed all the way in to get a close look), overall-wearing, collar-eschewing, flat-cap preferring hero (Note how the image selected by the cover designer helped me with all this).

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Oscar and Ina:

Jessica Baker, at A Baker’s Perspective, published a character spotlight on Oscar Harris, complete with the picture that sparked my imagination. That post also touched on Ina Dimond, the woman who might not be perfect, but to Oscar, she’s the perfect woman for him.

Learn MUCH more about this second couple on A Baker’s Perspective. But in that article, I did promise to share more about Ina. So I won’t shortchange anyone here. (Given the notes I’ve received from readers, Oscar and Ina have proved popular!… more so, even, than Hank and Jane.)

Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours

Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Contemporary Headshot used as inspiration for hero Oscar Harris.

Contemporary headshot used as the inspiration for hero Oscar Harris, the secondary hero in Unmistakably Yours.

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When choosing an image for Ina Dimond, I knew, from having included her in an important secondary role in a previous novella, The Gunsmith’s Bride, who Ina is. I knew her heart, and a glimpse of her physical appearance. I’d already come to understand Ina well. I had to find just the right image. I stumbled across this true-to-history etching of Marie Calm (pseudonym) Marie Ruhland (1832-1887, a German author and feminist). I chose the picture because it’s era-appropriate and captures very much what I’d tried to cobble together mentally. [Be aware this is an almy.com stock photo and under copyright.]

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Copyrighted image (almy.com stock photo of Marie Ruhland) used as inspiration for the physical appearance and mode of dress for character Miss Ina Dimond.

Miss Ina Dimond (inspiration for). This true-to-history picture is an almy.com stock photo of Marie Ruhland.

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The facial features, imagined facial expressions, ear bobs (earrings), hair style, and perceived hair color, were all significant parts of Ina’s appearance. When I grasp a character’s individuality, it’s far more about who they are in their thoughts, hearts, and heads than what they look like… that’s why the pictures and photographs do so much good for me.

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Secondary Characters:

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If you’ve ever laughed at Disney’s clever scene with Gaston signing in his hunting lodge about how he consumes five dozen eggs every morning, but laughed at his sidekick who let Gaston pummel him… then you certainly know secondary characters can steal the show.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Secondary Characters often steal the show, as with Disney's Gaston and his sidekick.

Disney’s Gaston and his sidekick. Image, courtesy of Disney Fan Fiction

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I doubt my secondaries did that, but some of them did have a lot of screen time… and much of that occurred intentionally. Other times (that pesky Mrs. Ann Abbott, in all her self-importance), she showed up, asking– ah, no– telling me where she would stand and to point the camera at her.

Here she is, now. She’ll take her turn first, thank you very much.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast; Unmistakably Yours. Cabinet Card (19th century: 1887) illustrates the high fashion of the year; used to inspire the characteer of Mrs. Ann Abbott.

This cabinet card, spot-on for an 1887 photo shoot (or book) illustrates the high fashion of the year. And yes, Ann Abbott (the mayor’s wife) is one to dress in the most current styles.

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She insists her husband, the mayor, follow her in introductions. He is a very important man, and has other places to be than waiting in line. I can hear Ann’s voice rising now. See, I’ve misplaced the original and much larger image of Mayor Abbott to show you his high cheekbones and charming smile. All I can locate is the image within my Scrivener character file… and that’s just not good enough for Mrs. Abbott’s preferences. “Yes, ma’am,” I tell her. “I understand. I’ll continue searching for the original.”

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Thumbnail image from vintage newspaper, used as inspiration for character Archibald Abbott.

Thumbnail of Archibald Abbott (an etching published in Richmond Dispatch of Richmond, VA on August 1, 1886 (one year before Unmistakably Yours opens).

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Wait– Mrs. Abbott insists upon introducing their four-year-old daughter, Virginia Abbott. Miss Abbott doesn’t appear in this story (because children should be seen and not heard), but we know Miss Virginia Abbott from her role in The Marshal’s Surrender. Besides, the Abbotts hire quality people who look after the children, freeing their important parents to see to social occasions, work, and personal interests.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Cabinet Card used as inspiration for character Miss Virginia Abbott, age four.

Miss Virginia Abbott, age four.

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Immediate Family Members:

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Let’s start with widowed Hank’s first wife. Obviously this woman existed, as Hank is the father of a brood of boys we meet in the opening scenes. I needn’t say one word leaning leaning toward spoilers, and we all know the fact that there was a wife before contributes to the troubles in this story… one way or the other.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Vintage image used as inspiration for character of Hank's deceased wife.

This vintage image served as the ethereal visualization of Hank’s deceased wife, Dora Murphy.

Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Victorian cabinet card used to visualize the characters: Murphy Boys.

Victorian era cabinet card used to visualize (actually holding still, for once) the Murphy boys.

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Hank’s sons, who play a significant role in this story’s plot (though the book is still significantly a romance) are ages 8 (Austin), 6 (Russell), 4 (Clyde), and 2 (James “Jimmy”). If you’ve already read Unmistakably Yours, you’ll say, “Hey! No, way. The Murphy boys do not look like that.”

And I’d have to agree with you.

The image served to illustrate LATE 19th century clothing, though boys in 1887 did wear short pants. I’m not sure photography could capture those boys, in their lighter hair than here pictured, freedom to run and disinterest with proper clothing.

But still, the image worked as a general reminder of size and ages. And no, though the boys have stair-stepped ages (2, 4, 6, and 8), they do not have birthdays very near one another. Some are quite close to an upcoming birthday and some are not.

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Hank’s kid brother, Elias Murphy, became one of Hank’s “boys” when Elias’s mother died, leaving him an orphan. Elias is blond like his mother, and Hank is dark like his, but the brothers (okay, half-brothers) resemble each other strongly. In Unmistakably Yours, Elias is thirteen (in his fourteenth year). Elias grows up to be one of the sheriff’s deputized assistants in The Marshal’s Surrender as a young adult, so I couldn’t help but find the right image to capture Elias in that grown-up role.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Contemporary photo used as inspiration for young Elias Murphy, age 13, character in Unmistakably Yours (and others in series).

Young Elias Murphy, age 13. [600-06961047
© Uwe Umstötter
Model Release: Yes
Property Release: No
Close-up portrait of boy outdoors, smiling at camera, Germany]

 

 

Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Contemporary image used as inspiration for Elias Murphy (character) in his early twenties.

Elias Murphy, in his early twenties. (This is a stock photo sold at 123RF, and this image is a sample; I’m using it to inspire my creation of a fictional character.)

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Jane’s relatives are just as involved. Here’s Jane’s seventy-two year-old mother:

Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours

Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Portrait painted in 1887, borrowed as inspiration for 72-year-old Mary Vancoller (character).

Portrait painted in 1887. I borrowed the image as an inspiration for seventy-two year-old Mary Vancoller, Jane’s mother.

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Jane’s former fiancé plays a role, too. Here’s an era-appropriate cabinet card I labeled “Lawrence Riddle.” Isn’t he handsome?

Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours

Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Cabinet Card from Victorian era used as inspiration for character Lawrence Riddle, Jane's former fiancé.

Lawrence Riddle, Jane’s former fiancé.

 

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Other Significant Characters:

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Mrs. Carrie Gilbert, wife of the pastor, Kenneth Gilbert, plays more of a role (though very small) in Unmistakably Yours. They contribute a little more in This Noelle, and play small roles in various other series titles. Pastor Gilbert first makes an appearance in Courting Miss Cartwright in 1879 (first title, chronologically), when he filled Pastor Cartwright‘s vacancy. He continues to play a role (minor) in every book in the series, through the current final title in the timeline, The Drifter’s Proposal.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Vintage photo of bride, used as inspiration for Mrs. Carrie Gilbert, character, bride of Pastor Kenneth Gilbert.

Vintage photograph of bride in her wedding dress. Used as inspiration for Mrs. Carrie Gilbert, bride of Pastor Kenneth Gilbert.

Kristin Holt | Meet the Characters: Unmistakably Yours. Cabinet Card photo used as inspiration for character Pastor Kenneth Gilbert.

Pastor Kenneth Gilbert, who has played many minor roles throughout the Holidays in Mountain Home Series. Everything’s right but the hat. Gilbert is more of a dark bowler man.

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I was pleased to give Rocky and Felicity (Cartwright) Gideon cameo roles in Unmistakably Yours. Just little pieces, a few lines (like they had in The Gunsmith’s Bride), as this couple’s story in Courting Miss Cartwright still lingers with me. Don’t tell Mrs. Ann Abbott, but I quite prefer Mrs. Felicity Gideon‘s company.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Image of Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Gideon (from their own book cover).

Rocky Gideon and his wife, Mrs. Felicity (Cartwright) Gideon, from the cover of Courting Miss Cartwright.

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Quiet, unassuming Miss Harriet McCormick (whom you’ve met long before Unmistakably Yours, but she won’t remind you) thought she’d get by without an introduction. She’d rather quietly keep the Tea Room running smoothly. She needn’t be in the center of conversation.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Almy.com copyrighted image served as a point of inspiration for Miss Harriet McCormick, spinster.

This Alamy.com (copyrighted) image served as a point of inspiration for Miss Harriet MCormick (known by some as Spinster McCormick). Note the same stylish hairdo as worn by Miss Ina Dimond.

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One more female matron of Mountain Home, then I’ll leave my photographic inspiration for another time.

Remember Bab? Babette Terrell (with her husband Arch) lives next door to the Hudson family (the gunsmiths), where she and her husband were tending the garden (and a wet grandson) one day and met their new neighbor (George Hudson‘s conspicuous mail-order bride in The Gunsmith’s Bride).

Bab makes insecure (and obnoxious) Zylphia “Zee” Speare Hudson feel wonderful about herself, hence Bab becomes a dear friend of Zee’s.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Cabinet Card photo from 1880s, used as inspiration for character Babette Terrell.

Victorian photograph used for inspiration of character Babette “Bab” Terrell, next-door neighbor and friend of Zylphia Hudson.

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Speaking of Zee Hudson, we can’t leave her out. The woman can hold a grudge through the ages. Allow me to introduce Mrs. George Hudson (Zylphia). She won George’s heart through letters, and came to Mountain Home as his bride-to-be, and no matter what that Ina Dimond has to say, George W. Hudson always loved her, Zylphia. First, last, and always.

Plus– she has made the most wonderful mother-in-law to her new stepson.

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Kristin Holt | Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours. Victorian Cabinet Card photo used as inspiration for Mrs. Zlyphia "Zee" Speare Hudson.

Victorian cabinet card photograph, used as inspiration for Zylphia Speare Hudson, “Zee” to her closest friends.

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Related Blog Articles:

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Kristin Holt | The Victorian-American Mother-in-Law. Related to Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours.

Kristin Holt | Introducing Dr. Henry Merritt & Dr. Isabella Pattison, Leading Characters in Isabella's Calico Groom. Related to Meet the Cast: Unmistakably Yours.

Kristin Holt | Photograph of a Hero.

Kristin Holt | Photographic Inspiration.

Kristin Holt | Guest Post, Caryl McAdoo: I Love a Good Challenge.

Kristin Holt | Introducing the Real Sophia Amelia Sorensen, and her cookie jar.

Kristin Holt | The Ins and Outs of Naming Characters.

Kristin Holt | Frankly, My Dear: Creating Unforgettable Characters, by Melinda Curtis

Kristin Holt | Who Makes the Best Victorian Wives?

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Updated July 2022
Copyright © 2018 Kristin Holt LC