Continuing and finishing the “interview” started last week, sharing about my 2017 historical fiction novel, Lighthouse Loyalty, as we wrap up this series of author’s notes. I hope you’ll chime in with your own opinions about the book or your own writing in the comments!
Now, let’s finish this “interview”… Continue reading
Just for fun, I decided to answer a series of author interview questions about my 2017 historical fiction novel, Lighthouse Loyalty, as we wrap up this series of author’s notes. I hope you’ll chime in with your own opinions about the book or your own writing in the comments!
I’ll answer 10 questions this week and 10 more next week. Let’s see about this “interview”… Continue reading
I did some of my research for Lighthouse Loyalty at Cabrillo National Monument, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and with a National Park historian. Recently, I’ve been volunteering at Cabrillo National Monument as a way to “pay it back” and “pay it forward.” (And it’s totally awesome to help with interpretation at a historic lighthouse!)
I’ve rounded up ten places you won’t want to miss if you visit this National Park in San Diego, California. Be sure to visit the park’s website to check for special events and advisories and if an area mentioned in this post is closed, please be sensible and don’t try to enter! (That’s speaking as a volunteer who watches out for visitor safety…) I’ve tried to arrange these locations in an order that makes sense if you headed directly to the lighthouse to start exploring, but don’t neglect the visitor center to get a map!
Happy Exploring… Continue reading
As I worked on research for Lighthouse Loyalty, I was surprised to find Civil War veterans taking jobs at lighthouse keepers. In many ways, lightkeeping could have been a perfect job for a Union veteran, even if he had been injured during the war. It’s another unique tie between maritime history and the Civil War.
Here are eight things to consider about lighthouses and veteran lighthouse keepers after 1865 and how I was able to incorporate some of the details into the historical novel: Continue reading
Unless you live near them, the Great Lakes probably aren’t on your mind. That’s unfortunate because these huge bodies of water in the north eastern part of the United States – along the Canadian border – have been the scenes of many historic moments in American History.
There’s an idea that the American Civil War wasn’t fought in the North. And – generally speaking – that’s mostly true. However, there were plenty of riots, local disturbances, sabotage attempts, and other violent issues in the “Union” states. And Confederates caused disturbances around the Great Lakes.
Today – to provide some historical back-up to some plot points in Lighthouse Loyalty – we’ve rounded up ten basic things you should know about the Civil War on the Great Lakes. Continue reading
“Father, what was the battle? And who won it?” I asked as stood inside, looking out at the sea.
“Which battle? And are you talking about the recent war or a different one?”
“I can’t say it, but I can spell it. The battle at S-p-o-t-s-y-l-v-a-n-i-a Court House. It was in 1864.”
“That must’ve been one of Grant’s battles. I think it was a Union victory. What has you so interested in the war, daughter?” (Excerpt from Lighthouse Loyalty, Chapter 3)
This historical novel is set in 1867 and has ties to the Civil War throughout important points in the plot. In Chapter 3, young Susan Rose Arnold has been reading articles in old newspapers and sees an account of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House; realizing that she knows little about the recent war, she decides to ask her Father about it, opening the discussion by mentioning the reported battle.
If you’ve been curious for details, here are 10 things you should know about about the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House: Continue reading
Gazette665 