Author Spotlight: Carol Nickles

My childhood neighborhood did not lack for pets to be costumed and paraded, nor hand-me-down musical instruments, nor closets full of older sister prom dresses to be utilized as a pop-up theatre. What we lacked was a playwright. Soon, I was spinning tales of Tarzan in Africa, and movie actresses competing for stage time. Sandy, Marsha Gray’s aging Cocker Spaniel, was cast as a king of the jungle, and Patty’s mother’s college ukulele conjured up a 1950s version of “But don’t bring Lulu.”  All the aunties on the drive laid down their dimes for a ticket and provided enthusiastic applause, just the inspiration to continue my writing journey.

The catalyst to my writing journey was the loss of Gretchen. She was my confidante, my comfort, an enthralling source of mystery, and the first doll I can remember. At the end of a day turning into night at my Aunt Jane’s cottage, Gretchen was missing. Frantic searches by flashlight led our family around ghostly birch trees, boat trailers, and finally to the frothy breaking Lake Huron waves on the wet sand beach. Gretchen, according to family lore, was swallowed by the lake. I poured my sadness into pre-kindergarten words and pictures. Gretchen’s story was the first of my writings inspired by grief. Twenty years ago, my husband died. Again, I lost a confidante, a comfort, my cheerleader who encouraged me to write. Following Gerry’s death, I pulled out a dusty box of handwritten notes and newspaper clippings labeled Great Thumb Fire of 1881. I made a silent pledge to craft a novel or have a ceremonial beach fire with the box’s contents. The fire that resulted is in the title: Thumb Fire Desire – my debut novel.

I am the sixth generation of a German textile aficionado family.  In 1881, my great-great-great-grandfather founded Yale Woolen Mill—the longest-lasting of Michigan’s once twenty-nine woolen mills.  I earned a Master’s degree in Historic Clothing & Textiles at Michigan State University.  My thesis is a narrative of the Yale Woolen Mill. Hence, I have become the family historian. I love writing historical narrative with romantic elements.

Carol’s works…

A History of the Yale Woolen Mill, Yale, Michigan 1881-1963, Thesis for the Degree of M.A., Michigan State UniversityÂ

Thumb Fire Desire, 2022, The Wild Rose Press

Beards, Brunscrackers, and Snowflake Kisses, 2022, Novella, part of The Wild Rose Press Christmas Cookies Series

Past Preserve Us, 2025 (a duology with Thumb Fire Desire) The Wild Rose Press

One of Carol’s favourite scenes from Past Preserve Us…

   The Historic Textiles Collection at Great Lakes University was housed in an area equivalent in size to a mom-and-pop bookshop and paneled in musky-redolent, moth-repellant cedar. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets stored hanging garments and boxed accessories. In addition, glass-fronted cabinets contained textile tools, manuscripts, catalogs, and fashion magazines.

   Jeannie paused in front of an open cabinet. A silk jacquard vest dating back to the 1700s and likely worn by a French nobleman hung on a padded hanger. Was the owner spared the guillotine? Jeannie shivered.Â

   A bank of western-exposure windows allowed the only natural light in the room. Jeannie dropped her briefcase alongside a scarred oak desk below the casements and sat in a sturdy Windsor chair. She had insisted on bringing the family heirloom, regardless of the university promising comfortable seating furniture. Jeannie stroked the silky-smooth wraparound arm and settled her butt into the carved-out saddle seat. If only this chair could talk.Thanks to Grandmother’s passion for family lore, Jeannie knew a bit of what this family keepsake had endured. Crafted in 1880 from red maple by Polish immigrant and skilled master cooper, George Worchok, the chair survived the Great Thumb Fire of 1881, Michigan’s most devastating natural disaster.Â

Purchase Author Carol Nickles’ books here:

carolnickles.com

https://wildrosepress.com

https://bookshop.org

https://amazon.com