Please welcome Tamera to my blog today. Tamera is giving away a digital copy of her new book Resurrection of Hope. Be sure to read on down to find out how to enter.
Life
in 1920
By Tamera Lynn Kraft
My novella, Resurrection of Hope, is
set in the couple of years immediately following World War I, 1919-1920. America
had survived its first world war and an influenza pandemic that killed more
people than the war. Things were beginning to look up. This was a time of
transition in America and didn’t fit into the time periods we normally think
of. It wasn’t yet the flapper era although flappers had come on the scene, but
the early 1900s era of the Gibson Girls, long skirts, and Dough Boys was a
thing of the past. Here are some facts about normal life in 1920.
Modern
Conveniences:
Although modern conveniences like electric
lights, indoor plumbing, and running water were available in 1920, for the most
part, only those living in the city took advantage of them. Although during the
roaring 20’s, people moved from rural farms to suburbs and cities, in the
beginning of the decade, half of the
population still lived out in the country
on farms.
Most people in the city had
electricity, telephones, streetlights, sewage systems, and running water.
Throughout the decade, housewives were replacing their iceboxes for refrigerators
and some even had washing machines, vacuum sweepers, sewing machines, electric
mixers, toaster, and electric fans.
Automobiles:

Leisure Activities:
Movie theaters, radio, roller rinks,
bowling, and watching race car driving and baseball games became fun activities
every middle-class family could participate in. The invention of radio also
made it so the average family could listen to music or radio shows from their
own living room. Dance clubs opened where couples could dance the new dances to
jazz songs although the more conservative families considered them immoral. There
was also a dark side of entertainment with the speakeasies where illegal
drinking and gambling went on, but most people in the 1920s didn’t participate
in that.
Family Life:
Most families were traditional with
the father who was the bread-winner and the
mother who stayed at home and took
care of the family. Teenagers were non-existent. You were a child until you
became an adult. Younger teens spent time playing as children. Older teens were
expected to act like adults. Public schools were everywhere, and most students
graduated from high school for the first time in history although few went to
college. Dating was usually chaperoned, abstinence was expected, and young
adults would normally marry by the time they were twenty-one.Fashion:
The flapper era was starting to show
up in the cities in 1920. Most women were conservative and wore their skirts
below their knees which was scandalous five years earlier. The shift or chemise
dress with the lowered waistline became popular in 1916 and continued
throughout the 1920s. Most dresses were sleeveless, and women wore sweaters
over them on cold days.
Many women were starting to cut
their hair even in the rural areas. Older women and some farm wives still wore
long skirts and kept their hair long pinned up in a bun. Cloche hats that fit
tight around the face were becoming popular and went with the new short hair
styles. Make-up lines such as Max Factor started opening, and women in the city
wore make-up to look like the actresses on the silent movie screen.
The biggest change was ladies’
undergarments. Although the corsets didn’t disappear completely, one piece
camisoles and slips became the desired undergarments. Because of shorter
hemlines, silk hosiery was invented in 1920. It became the fashion for years
after that. Bras didn’t come out until 1922, so most women either wore modified
corsets or only wore a camisole.
To enter in the giveaway be sure to leave your email addy and tell us something you find interesting about the 1920's. If you are a feedburner follower be sure to let me know for an extra entry.
About Tamera:
Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 37 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren.
Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist and has written children’s church curriculum. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.
You can contact Tamera on her website at http://tameralynnkraft.net.
You can contact Tamera online at these sites.
Website: http://tameralynnkraft.net
Word Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/tameralynnkraft
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tamerakraft
Resurrection of Hope
By Tamera Lynn Kraft

She thought he was her knight in shining armor, but will a marriage of convenience prove her wrong?
After Vivian’s fiancĂ© dies in the Great War, she thinks her life is over. But Henry, her fiancĂ©’s best friend, comes to the rescue offering a marriage of convenience. He claims he promised his friend he would take care of her. She grows to love him, but she knows it will never work because he never shows any love for her.
Henry adores Vivian and has pledged to take care of her, but he won’t risk their friendship by letting her know. She’s still in love with the man who died in the Great War. He won’t risk heartache by revealing his true emotions.
Resurrection of Hope is available at these online stores:
Desert Breeze Publishing http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/resurrection-of-hope-epub/
Desert Breeze Publishing http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/resurrection-of-hope-epub/
Amazon Paperback https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-Hope-Tamera-Lynn-Kraft/dp/1682949427/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468418663&sr=8-1&keywords=resurrection+of+hope+kraft
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/resurrection-of-hope-tamera-lynn-kraft/1124083556?ean=2940156767311
All Romance eBooks https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-resurrectionofhope-2071717-162.html
Hi there! I love history and this story looks so interesting! What I like about these past eras is that society upheld moral principles, I wouldn't say that life was necessarily easier, but it seems to me that people had more tranquil lives, being a Christian was something to be looked up and not mocked as it usually happens these days.There was a sense of propriety and etiquette that is no longer here.:(
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your novel, I like these "unlikely romance" type of stories.:) My email is ddoru_05(at)yahoo(dot)com
God bless! :)
Thanks, Rose. I do agree that there was an acceptance of society morals and propriety that is lacking today.
DeleteI enjoyed reading this history, especially the fact that bras weren't invented till 1922. Not so sure that was a good thing. Haha Thank you for the chance. God bless!
ReplyDeleteleliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
I'm not really sure bras are a good thing either, Lucy, but they're better than corsets. LOL.
DeleteIt's always nice to read historical information along with historical fiction books. You gain so much knowledge while reading. Thank you for sharing and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Marilyn.
DeleteI very much enjoy the fashions of the 1920's. I wish the styles of that time period would come back today. Thank you for entering me in your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
You're welcome, Janet. I'm not sure I'm a fan of 1920s fashion. The straight lines and lowered waists don't go with my body type. But I do think they're pretty on other people.
DeleteGreat historical facts and I learned a thing or two about fashion back then. I don't know too much about the "flapper" era, but I know it was an up and coming era for women!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting post and book giveaway--marriage of convenience are among my favorite!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
I forgot to add that I am a feedburner follower too!! :-)
DeleteYou're welcome, Trixi.
DeleteThank you for this fascinating post! Thank you, Mr. Ford for making automobiles affordable for the AVERAGE family! They sure make traveling much easier.
ReplyDeleteI'm a feedburner follower psalm103and138 at gmail dot com
I agree, Caryl. Life would have been much different today if their had never been a Model T Ford.
DeleteI love the fashions from the '20's! They are very different than the previous century! bloglovin follower meredithfl at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI agree, Meredith. It really was a transitional time in fashion.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Caryl! You are our winner!
ReplyDeleteDebbie and Tamera, I am so excited to have won! Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete