Kelsey J. Lawrence, Author

Kelsey J. Lawrence, Author From breaking news & boardrooms to the big skies of 1910s Montana. In revisions on my first novel: a dual timeline historical fiction saga set in NW Montana.

Emmy & Murrow-winning journo, corp comms pro, painter & sketcher of the natural world.

My friend, Brooke, and I enjoyed a mom’s night out and met Elin Hilderbrand on the historic Oxford Square last night.She...
09/22/2026

My friend, Brooke, and I enjoyed a mom’s night out and met Elin Hilderbrand on the historic Oxford Square last night.

She was signing her latest release, The Thoroughbreds, which she co-wrote with her daughter Shelby Cunningham. Her tour stops are all planned for college towns, and she is encouraging a corresponding color scheme for each! Last night we were encouraged (not required) to wear navy, and we were happy to oblige. Seeing so many women—all dressed in navy—enjoying nights out together created a sort of book club sisterhood on the Square. It was an amazing energy.

Last week, I posted about Oxford being a town that truly celebrates its literary legacy. The town square alone has three different bookstores! Give me any excuse to visit, and I’ll be there. If it’s a book signing with a favorite author, even better!

If you haven’t read any of Hilderbrand’s books yet, you’ve probably seen or at least heard of one of TV series adaptations: The Perfect Couple and The Five Star Weekend. She’s most known for her Nantucket summer book series, which are the books I’ve most enjoyed (and do not need to be read in any particular order).

If you’d like to dip a toe in, I highly recommend The Hotel Nantucket. It’s my fave.

After the book signing, Brooke and I ponied up to the bar at City Grocery to have dinner (we were kid free, after all). We met a lovely new friend, Laura, who we talked to for hours! So nice to meet you, Laura! Excited to see you next time you’re in Oxford!

09/10/2026

Just wasting time before I dive back into the manuscript. 😊

Every once in a while I find an excuse to get dressed up! And I can’t resist the urge to take a picture in front of an o...
09/08/2026

Every once in a while I find an excuse to get dressed up! And I can’t resist the urge to take a picture in front of an old bookcase…even if it’s fake. 🥴

We celebrated the start of the college football season in Nashville with my in-laws, baking in the 96 degree heat as Ole Miss took on Louisville. But first, we enjoyed an evening out at a speakeasy-style magic dinner theater that took us back in time.

Of course, I was drawn into the historic artifacts on display. A playing card from 1490!

And real props once used by Harry Houdini. For some reason, I didn’t expect them to be so—what’s the word—cheesy. 🤣

09/04/2026

I’m writing a book. Historical fiction, in case you’re wondering. 😊 It’s a dream I’ve had my entire life, but one I never prioritized until two years ago, when my son turned 2 and I realized I had everything I had ever wanted, but something still felt like it was missing.�
That’s when I looked at him and thought, “I’m going to raise him to chase his dreams. I’m going to tell him he can be anything he wants to be. So why was it taking me so long to believe that for myself?”�
So here I am. Almost finished writing my first book! And it’s been more fun and fulfilling than I could’ve ever imagined. And I hope this shows him, by example, that he can do anything he wants to do. That he can be anything he wants to be.�
In the end, I know the greatest work of my life will be my son. This book I’m writing in the in-between will be a close second. 🙃
�What’s your close second?

•••

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Kelsey, a boy mom, aspiring historical fiction author, and woman chasing a lifelong dream in my 40s. If you love books, the great outdoors, no filters, Montana, and the occasional honest overshare, you’re in the right place.

09/03/2026

This reel may appear totally off brand, and I don’t care. I’m sick of the summer heat, and a few days ago I announced that the moment the calendar turned to September, I’d be calling it fall. So here we are! For me, fall means atmospheric, moody, gothic, witchy, horror historical fiction. I have never been more ready.

A few days ago I asked for recommendations because I needed at least two more books to add to my fall TBR, and you all delivered! Huge thanks to Alexis G. Campbell, Kylie Clark, Rachel Everley • Writer-in-Progress, Kelley 🕉, The Telltale Book Club, and Nic Harris for your recs! These books are on my short list, but I received more recommendations than I could fit here, and every single one was right up my alley.

* A Time of Witches — Madeline Martin
* Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil — V.E. Schwab
* The Witches of Cambridge — Alice Hoffman
* Witchcraft for Wayward Girls — Grady Hendrix
* The Missing Pages — Alyson Richman

Last night I woke up at 1:30 a.m. with the most unhinged idea to create my own rendition of The Exorcist’s “spider-walk” scene to announce what I ended up choosing. I don’t know how it came over me, but for some reason when ideas come to me in dreams, they always seem like the best and most logical ideas in that moment. I’m not sure this is that, but it was fun to create nonetheless.

To everyone who sent a recommendation… thank you, genuinely. I will get to every single one eventually. My reading time has slowed significantly now that my son takes personal offense when I open a book, but I won’t be giving up. My spooky season starts now.

•••

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Kelsey, a boy mom, aspiring historical fiction author, and woman chasing a lifelong dream in my 40s. If you love books, the great outdoors, no filters, Montana, and the occasional honest overshare, you’re in the right place.

09/02/2026

Our girl, Dolly, offers an important distinction between dreams and wishes. And I’m proud to say I’m a dreamer. ❤️

•••

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Kelsey, a boy mom, aspiring historical fiction author, and woman chasing a lifelong dream in my 40s. If you love books, the great outdoors, no filters, Montana, and the occasional honest overshare, you’re in the right place.

Is this too much to ask? 🤣
08/31/2026

Is this too much to ask? 🤣

08/27/2026

An audiobook narrator can make or break the story you’re listening to, regardless of how great the writing is. Trust me, I wish this wasn’t the case!

Want my top 10 favorite male and female narrators (20 total)? Comment NARRATOR and I’ll send you my full list!

•••

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Kelsey, a boy mom, aspiring historical fiction author, and woman chasing a lifelong dream in my 40s. If you love books, the great outdoors, no filters, Montana, and the occasional honest overshare, you’re in the right place.

Caroline Hewitt has narrated Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau, The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg, and co-narrated Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams with #3 on this list. Keep swiping!

Julia Whelan has narrated The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, a number of hits by Kristin Hannah and is even an author herself.

Helen Laser has narrated The Wedding People by Alison Espach, Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams, and Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino.

Jon Lindstrom narrated Dark Matter and Recursion by Blake Crouch, and Home Before Dark by Riley Sager.

Scott Brick narrated The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy, and Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton.

You might recognize his face before you place his voice, but James Norton narrated The Midnight Train by Matt Haig and It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell.

I’ve created a list of my 10 favorite female narrators and my 10 favorite male narrators! Comment NARRATOR to see my lists and find your next great listen.

08/26/2026

📖 Book: The Miniaturist’s Assistant by Katherine Scott Crawford
📚 Genre: Historical Fiction - Timeslip
🗓️ Published: May 13, 2025
🎧 Format read: Physical book
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

My first introduction to this book was made when I visited the cutest little book shop in Dandridge, Tennessee called The Unkind Raven. It was on display right by the cash register, and the beautiful cover caught my attention as soon as I walked in. After reading the summary, I knew it was going to be right up my alley. However, in an attempt at demonstrating some self control, I promised myself I’d buy it as a reward if I could make a dent in the number of books already on my shelf waiting to be read.

A few days later, I got an email from my public library that the author, Katherine Scott Crawford, was going to be in town talking about her book and signing copies. I was devastated when I saw the date and realized I had a conflict. However, I followed Katherine on social media because I saw this second introduction as a sign from the universe that I did, indeed, need to read this book.

Let me just say that the time I spent in anticipation before I read this book was worth it in the build up and sheer joy it brought me. 

I loved the “will they/won’t they” storyline between the protagonist, Gamble Vance, and her best friend, Tolliver. Their potential love story ends up hanging in the balance when Gamble follows a woman in an alleyway and ends up traveling back in time to 1804 Charleston, where she meets the celebrated miniature portraitist, Daniel Petigru, whose work she is tasked with restoring at a museum in her present day. 

Speaking of Charleston, I’ve never been! The details and history of the city as described in the book have me wanting to visit so badly that we’ll probably be booking a trip there one of these days. When we do, I’ll certainly be re-reading this book in an attempt to fully immerse myself in it. 

Add The Miniaturist’s Assistant by Katherine Scott Crawford to your TBR! Consider this your sign from the universe. Don’t wait for a second or a third. Trust me.

08/25/2026

We’ve been getting books in the mail every month since the day my son was born. And I know the same can be said for millions of others. That alone is quite the legacy.

Thank you, Dolly. ❤️

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Collierville, TN
38017

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