froniga, that is wonderful! Your mother will be thrilled. I personally wouldn't be able to wait to give it to her -- but I have no patience -- and the coincidence of finding it for the same birthday as the character in the book; it was meant to be. What a great story.

froniga,

What a great story! I read all of the williamsburg series by Elswyth Thane and the first two in the series were my absolute favorites. I own a copy of all but the final one and have been searching for it for years. Thanks to your information, I'll be able to get itnow! :)

Good genes you have there, Froniga. And what a great idea! Best wishes to your mom.

Congratulations on your find! Your mother will be so touched. Happy birthday to her.

Many years ago I read all of Elswyth Thane books that I could find. This forum keeps reminding me of pleasures long forgotten.

Rosefolly

I have all that Thane series, too, and liked the first two the best. Happy birthday to your mother. I'm sure she will be thrilled with the book.

froniga, Happy birthday to your mother. How fortunate that she has lived to such a wonderful age, and is still anxious and able to read. If you live close to her, how great it might be to share the books with her by reading them aloud to her, even if she is capable of reading them on her own. My hubby and I have just lately begun the read-a-loud process (I do the reading!) and we love it.

I also read the Thane books years ago and loved them. I read them at about the same time John Jakes series of the same general era were popular and I really enjoyed the Thane books much more.

Thanks to you all for your comments and happy birthday wishes. Only nine days to go!
Rouan, I hope you are able to complete your set of the series.
What are the next books in the series? I remember one called Kissing Kin but can't recall any of the others.

Froniga, the Williamsburg novels are Dawn's Early Light, Yankee Stranger, Ever After, The Light Heart, Kissing Kin, This Was Tomorrow, Homing. They go through U.S. wars from the Revolution through WWII, with descendants from the original family in starring roles.

My books also list 12 other novels by Ms. Thane, but I have only read two of them from the library long ago.

I did this once. I found a record album with an old song my grandmother loved dearly but that was unavailable in Iceland (I got it from the USA) and transferred it over to a CD. Then, when the family was gathered together in a restaurant for her 75th birthday, I got the restaurant owner to put the CD on the stereo system. The look on her face when she heard the song was priceless, and she was so happy when we presented her with the CD.

It's a wonderful feeling to be able to fulfil someone's wish like this. Be sure to let us know how you mother reacts.

Today was the day. At first she saw that it was a book and was moderately pleased. Then when she saw the title she exclaimed, "YANKEE STRANGER! Where did you get that?" I showed her the first line and she went on and on about that. Really, she was just thrilled and said she was going to order them ALL! (I don't think she has figured up the cost of that.)
Carolyn, thanks for list of titles. The last two I had not heard of before. Maybe gradually we really can get them all.
Netla, that was a great gift you presented to your grandmother.
Rouan, did you finish your set of books?

You do know about abe.com, the used book site for ordering cheaply through the internet? You can find all sorts of bargains.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us. If I had more time and talent, I would turn it into a proper story and shop it around to magazines. I hope your mother is enjoying the book!

How wonderful that the story truly comes full circle! God bless!

froniga

I'm so glad she was pleased. No, I haven't gotten around to completing my set yet. I'm a procrastinator to the nth degree, unfortunately. I could never write my papers in college until the night before they were due and housework gets neglected until it absolutely needs to be done (when I can't stand the clutter, or visitors are due, whichever happens first). A good book in hand beats all, unless I must complete a task first. One of these days, though, I will surprise myself and just get around to ordering all the books I've been looking for. (and then I'll have to rearrange the bookshelves to put all the series together!)

netla, what a wonderful idea that was for your grandmother!