Jacqui Nelson’s North of the Border with guest Kat Flannery

Who’s next on my North of the Border guest blog series? Today we have Kat Flannery, author of the Branded Trilogy!

Where does Kat get her inspiration? How is Canada part of her inspiration? Read on and see...

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I’ve been asked many times where I get my inspiration for my novels, and aside from people and my own experiences I use research to purge the passion from my soul. As a writer of historical romance, I am often found reading through books at the library or online. With each one of my books, I’ve taken history from my own country and placed the tidbits of information I’ve learned into my character’s lives. 

In the Branded Trilogy, I wanted to bring the reader into the lives of the Indigenous people, and in doing so I had to do a lot of research. It is true the second two books of the trilogy take place in Jamestown, but the first one, Lakota Honor takes place in Colorado. I took what I knew of the native culture here in Canada and the United States and applied it to the characters I wrote. 

While researching I came across some pretty fascinating things, and I cannot use all of them in the stories I write, but the one thing I admired the most about the Indigenous People was the respect and admiration they had for the land on which they lived. They utilized everything they came into contact with, whether it be plants and herbs for healing elements, or the bones, fur and marrow of the buffalo, elk and other animals they hunted. This also rang true with trees. I chose six trees that grow in Canada, and some of which I have written about within my books, in which the Indigenous used. 

Slippery Elm

The inner bark was dried and pounded into a powdery substance and used to help stomach aches, ulcers, gout, arthritis and sore throats. Also used as a mouthwash for canker sores, and toothaches. When boiled and poured onto a cloth, the Slippery Elm makes the perfect poultice for cuts, burns, ulcers, and other skin wounds. In a pinch mix warm water and the powdery-bark to create a paste and place directly on the infected area.

White Pine 

The pine sap was used as a poultice for chest congestion or applied directly to the skin to pull out splinters, drain abscesses or boils. The pine needles and small shoots were crushed and used to treat colds, coughs and throat ailments. 

White Willow

Holds the most potent of Salicin within its bark. Used to treat fevers, headaches and any pain. Later this was founded by a German chemist by the name of Bayer, and later made into Aspirin. 

Juniper 

When berries were ripe near the end of summer, the Indigenous would eat them to treat urinary, bladder and kidney infections. 

Poplar Tree

The buds of a Poplar tree came in handy after they were ground down and placed into a poultice to soothe headaches and muscle pains. This was not to be ingested as the poplar was only good for external ailments. 

Maple tree, this being my favourite. 

The wood from the Maple was used to make tools and furniture, but there was something else this tree was hiding, and it was the sweet sticky sap inside. The Indigenous peoples were the first to find it and later would use the syrup to trade as a source of sugar for the white people. Each year before the Maple Moon, the Creator would fill the trees with the delicious sap. The task of extraditing the sap from the tree was a long process and took many people.  

Hundreds of birchbark containers were made and the process of hammering small wooden poles into the tree, roughly three feet from the ground took great skill.

The birchbark containers would hang from the wooden tubes catching the sap. Once the containers were full hot rocks, heated in the fire were placed inside to thicken the sap into a syrup. The syrup was used to flavour meat, and other foods, and when poured over snow made a great treat! 

Thank you for having me on your blog! 

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KAT'S GIVEAWAY

I will be giving away a signed copy of Lakota Honor to one winner!

Ivy, book 3 in The Montgomery Sisters is on sale for 0.99!

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Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. A member of the National Romance Writers of America (RWA), and other writing groups. Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. She volunteers her time teaching writing classes and giving back to the community. She has been asked to be one of five guest authors to When Words Collide 2019, Writers Retreat and Conference, where she will teach, sign books, and help other aspiring authors.

Kat has been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career and continues to write for blogs and online magazines. A bestselling author, Kat BRANDED TRILOGY is her award-winning series. With seven books published, Kat continues to produce up to two novels a year. 

Creativity is in all aspects of Kat’s career. She co-owned Prairie Dog Publishing from 2008-2013 where she published anthologies giving proceeds to local charities. She does Social Media and Marketing for her own career and businesses, writing ads, and other content. Kat is the CEO and owner of Picco Press where she writes, publishes, markets and mentors’ other authors. 

Visit Kat at: www.katflannerybooks.com

Find her on Facebook: Kat Flannery, author

Follow her on Twitter: @KatFlannery1

Get Kat’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cQmCzL

~ All pictures (except for the 1st) are supplied by today’s guest with their assurance of usage rights.