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Next Event!
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
2:00 to 3:00pm
Hamilton East Public Library
1 Library Plaza, Noblesville, Indiana
Paging Through Time
A Historical Fiction Book Club
Paulette will be presenting her book for discussion (both live at the Library, and by Zoom video call).
Please register to receive the Zoom meeting invitation or to reserve a spot at the Library.
Note: Registration opens Dec 24, 2025
I Love Book Clubs!
Please let me know if you want me
to visit your book club.
Not Just a Homemaker
The Extraordinary Life of Sheila MacGregor
Not Just A Homemaker is historical fiction.
Misinformation on an Indiana park sign and a terse obituary motivate Meg, a persistent librarian, to uncover the little-known story of an extraordinary Scottish woman named Sheila, whose legacy is the creation of MacGregor Park near Indianapolis.
While Sheila MacGregor is recovering from wartime trauma and Meg Livingstone is fleeing from an abusive situation, both survive challenges with help from best friends. A century separates them, yet each finds solace in the same woodland farmhouse where they resolve to treasure their hard-won independence.
What My Readers Say
It’s rare that a book makes me want to go explore the characters’ surroundings, but that’s exactly what Not Just a Homemaker: The Extraordinary Life of Sheila MacGregor has done! I was fascinated from the start and wanted to know more as I went along. I’m fortunate to live near the book’s setting and look forward to exploring MacGregor Park soon. This is thoughtful, delightful historical fiction.
Amy Shankland
Author
A captivating debut novel in which a librarian is inspired to uncover the truth about the extraordinary life of Sheila MacGregor. I found myself rooting for both Sheila and librarian Meg.
Lucy Arlington
NY Times Best Selling Author
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel with its two timelines… It kept my interest as I followed the current-day narrator in 2014-2015 as she sought to figure out the true story of the life of Sheila MacGregor, born in Scotland before WWI, and how she came to live in the United States, and what her life was like. The two timelines came together nicely and incorporated themes of friendship, love of nature, and making the best of one’s circumstances. Residents of Indianapolis and Hamilton County will recognize some of the locations in the book, which makes it even more interesting and may inspire you to make a trip to see the actual MacGregor Park!
Carol J. Michel
Author
A remarkable woman reclaims her place. In Paulette’ s affectionate debut, the story of Sheila MacGregor is doled out with candor and care, on a journey across three continents and into our hearts. Rigorously researched and skillfully told, Not Just a Homemaker is rich with local history and genealogical allure. Read this if you like your historical fiction with a strong sense of place and an everywoman’s zeal. Bravo Sheila and bravo Paulette!
Noah Weckwerth
Librarian