April | 2019 | Apollo's Raven

Introduction

It my pleasure to introduce Karen Ingalls, an award-winning author. I became interested in her as an author when her book, Davida, won the the 2017 New Apple Summer E-Book Awards: HISTORICAL FICTION. I was particularly intrigued with the image of Davida on the book cover and wanted to find out who she was. I further became acquainted with Karen when I was invited to join RWISA: Rave Writers – International Society of Authors, of which she is a distinguished member.

Karen Ingalls, Award-winning Author

Below is Karen Ingalls’ biography, author interview, and contact information. Be sure to check out her website and learn more about her as an author and her passion for health issues.

Biography

Karen Ingalls is an award-winning author of three published books, author of numerous articles on health, cancer, and wellness, and a public speaker. She is a retired RN, human behavior, and cancer survivor who writes about social issues, health topics, and historical topics. Her philosophy is to outshine any challenge; to grow and learn from it.

Author Interview

Would you provide an overview of books you have published?

My first published book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is about my journey with ovarian cancer. It emphasizes how anyone can adopt healthy ways to deal with any serious health challenge with such things as good nutrition, relaxation/imagery, and meditation/deep prayer, positive thinking, humor to name just a few.

Novy’s Son: The Selfish Genius is a novel about my father who was very intelligent, but lacked the ability to socialize except with women he was attracted to. He challenged social mores, all religious beliefs, and most educational rules and regulations. He did not know how to be a good and faithful husband, nor father, or grandfather.

My second novel is titled Davida: Model & Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. He was America’s premier sculptor in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s and though married, he fell in love with his model, Davida. This is the story of their 25-year love affair, birth of one child, their unconditional love, and his art.

What inspired you to write the biography, Davida, of your great-grandmother, Albertina Hultgren, who was the mistress of the American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

I was inspired to write Davida for the following reasons: one, they are my great-grandparents; two, no one ever talked about my grandfather’s heritage because of his shame of being a bastard; and three, after my grandfather died, I wanted to erase the bastard label and bring dignity and honor to his parent’s love affair.

Book Cover of Davida

How much research was involved in writing Davida? How did you go ABOUT researching the background for Davida?

There are many published books about Augustus Saint-Gaudens so it was relatively easy to do research about his art and who he was as a person. I have been to the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Historical Site two times in Cornish, New Hampshire. At one visit my father, sister, and I met with then the curator, John Dryfought. I have kept in correspondence with the current curator, Dr. Henry Duffy. We were also interviewed by Kathryn Greenthal, who was the curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Unfortunately, there is very little known about my great-grandmother, who changed her name to Davida Johnson Clark. She was born in Sweden and came to the U.S. as a young girl with her mother. Her birth name was either Albertina Hultgren or Hallgren. A cousin by marriage who lives in Sweden researched churches and official government sites in hopes of substantiating her birth name, date, and place. However, nothing definitive was found. Therefore, I created Davida’s childhood, her parents, beliefs, personality, and how she lived and died. I know she talked to me at times while I was asleep or deep in thought while writing. It was a spiritual experience.

Is there any sub-character in Davida that is your favorite? Explain why.

The sub-character is Uncle Louis Saint-Gaudens, who was an artist in his own right but struggled with depression and alcoholism. He was grateful for the financial, career, and health-wise help Augustus gave him. He loved my grandfather, who was named for him and he was more of a father to him than Augustus was. He had a sense of humor and a favorite story is him sitting on the top of the water tower causing quite a scandal.

How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected?

I was surprised, embarrassed, or shocked by some behaviors of the main character in Novy’s Son. I loved and knew my father about as well as anyone, but he said and did some outlandish things. He was a unique person I never understood until I read Robert Bly’s book Iron John. That is when I decided to write Novy’s Son knowing that there are many men who did not learn how to be fathers from their fathers, so the cycle continued. Perhaps all of these men have searched for happiness and self-worth through unhealthy and immoral actions.

Have you received reactions/feedback to your work that has surprised you? In what way?

I have received wonderful reviews on all three books, and I have been honored with several awards. Those people who have received support, reassurance, information, and hope from Outshine is the most meaningful award or recognition I could ever wish for.

Many women didn’t like the main character in Novy’s Son which is a normal reaction and means I accomplished what I intended. I was surprised by one review by an author who stated in a private message that he refused to finish this same book because the Kindle version was completely messed up. I offered to send a paperback copy, which he refused so his 3-star review remains though he wrote in his review: “Since my preferred genre is usually thrillers or suspense, the nature of this character portrait didn’t really grab me. However, the book is well written, and if this style of book is your cup of tea, you may find it to be a satisfying read.”

I have read many books that are not my preferred genre, but I gave a review based on how well it was written, edited, flowed, and the strength of the characters and plot.

What are the most important traits you look for in a friend?

I consider someone a friend who is honest, has a sense of humor, and is a good listener. I am blessed to have many friends who are always there for me.

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

One of my simple pleasures is playing games. I sometimes joke that I was born with a deck of cards in my hands. I find board and card games are great ways to socialize, keep your mind alert, and just have good old-fashioned fun.

What makes you laugh?

I love to laugh! When I am recovering from cancer surgeries or treatments, I surround myself with positive people and funny shows or movies. My favorite comedians are Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Laurel & Hardy, Ray Romano, Bill Murray, and Chevy Chase. Laughter lifts the most sorrowful mood, erases or eases fear, builds the immune system, and lowers blood pressure. Laughter is the best medicine. When I was a kid and went to the circus, the clowns were my favorite. My husband and sister make me laugh with their jokes or funny sayings.

You can contact Karen Ingalls and learn more about her books at:

Davida: Model & Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens by Karen Ingalls
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Davida by Karen Ingalls is a beautifully written love story based on the real-life model and mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a 19th century sculptor. As a young girl, Albertina Hultgren immigrates to the United States after the tragic death of her father, a woodsman. She misses her father’s fanciful stories about visiting the forests to gain insight from mystical creatures.

After adjusting to her new life in Hoboken, New Jersey, Albertina makes life-long friends and learns to speak English. At a Christmas party, where her mother and aunt have prepared the meal, she captures the attention of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. He impetuously lifts her chin and exclaims she has exquisite beauty and would like to do a sketch of her someday. Her mother reluctantly allows Albertina to pose in his studio after he convinces her that his intentions are honorable. As he creates his art, using Albertina as a model who is publicly known as Davida, they fall deeply in love and she becomes his mistress. She accepts the terms of their relationship, knowing the liaison could create a scandal that could jeopardize his career in a Victorian society. This is ultimately a love story about a woman who gives her unconditional devotion to an acclaimed sculptor and shares his passion for his artwork, regardless of her hardships and the stigma of giving birth to their son out of wedlock.

Author Ingalls’ prose is as eloquent as the artistry she projects in the story. Davida is depicted as the epitome of the Greek goddess, Diana, who finds solace and strength from nature to reach into her inner soul and to find her true self. The love story comes across as almost mythical because Davida sacrifices almost everything to make sure Augustus achieves the pinnacle of his true passion to create masterpieces. Davida is a heartfelt story that fills you with both joy and tears. The paperback is beautifully formatted and reflects the artistry in the story.

For those who believe in true love, Davida is a must read by Karen Ingalls, the only surviving great-grandchild from the union of Davida and Augustus. She fills in the minimal facts about their union with her own imagination of how a Swedish immigrant becomes the true love and mistress of an acclaimed artist.

View all my reviews

Apollo's Raven

Month: April 2019

PYTHIA AT DELPHI

Introduction

AUTHOR INTERVIEW KAREN INGALLS

Introduction

Biography

Author Interview

Book Review Davida by Karen Ingalls