“Ice Blue” plots revenge from her prison cell, while the “shadow men” from Books One and Two join forces in a blockbuster criminal event that impacts Northern Michigan. If that isn’t enough, Tawny finds herself torn between the two men in her life. Several new interesting characters emerge and life changes for Tawny’s mother. As an author, I feel very close to my characters and empathize greatly with our heroine’s tough choices. Life is jagged and uncertain and sometimes our hearts must break.
Wonder why there haven’t been many postings lately?
Well, besides breaking to enjoy the last days of summer in the UP, I’ve been wrapping
up Book Two of the Mackinac Trilogy. “Witnessed – Measures of Love” is
now in final edit and should be available soon. Here is a sneak peek at the cover art.
If you’d like to see the beginnings of the cover for Book Three, let me know.
I don’t have the model shots yet to Photo Shop into it, but the background shot
and title and sub-title are ready. Oh yes, and I have to finish writing the book.
Seven chapters so far and, as you know, I like to write while flying to distract me from
the fact that I am in a little metal capsule high above the clouds, trusting pilots I know nothing about.
And I am flying soon! Always great to write when fear is present and emotions are high.
Adds that extra verve to the novel!
This past August the inaugural Grand Garden Show was held on Mackinac Island. It featured expert gardening presentations, private garden tours, and cocktail celebrations. Proven Winners flower company and the Grand Hotel sponsored the event. Was it because of the tour or the extraordinary climate of the island that the gardens this August looked particularly gorgeous? Tawny’s grandmother is a master gardener and Chief always remembers to compliment her gardens. But in Book Two – one character’s reaction exposes his true personality.
West Bluff Garden
This West Bluff home is built in the Steamboat Style.
Dazzling Display!
On the author’s deck in the UP.
This is located right near the hummingbird feeder.
And, this weekend, the female, who is dominating the feeder and fighting off all interlopers,
decided it was easier to guard it from the nearby flowers. See her?
This and the next shot were taken through a screened window.
She loved sitting on that tender tendril, even in the wind!
Just had to add the latest boat we saw this past weekend docked at St. Ignace.
This belongs to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In the last post we wondered which of the protective services had the fastest boat.
Take a look at these on the stern.
This boat will be very important to the story in Book Three
of the Mackinac Trilogy.
In “Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine” several types of law enforcement boats
play a role in the search and rescue of Tawny.
While in the Straits area last week I photographed a few of them.
Take a look at the powerful engines mounted on the sterns of these vessels
and you can understand how they can reach such amazing speeds.
.
This craft is manned by Michigan Conservation Officers.
The above shots were taken at the St. Ignace Harbor. In the novel,”Chief” hitches a ride
from there on one of these boats. The law enforcement agencies in the Straits
work well together.
Last, but certainly not least, the U.S. Coast Guard boat temporarily docked at
Mackinac Island Harbor. I had to quickly capture this shot on a cell phone
before they sped off again.
Wouldn’t it be great to see these three boats in a race across the Straits?
Yes, the book signing at the Island Book Store was a great success. All copies were autographed and sold. Many thanks to Mary Jane and Tammy for making it such a fun experience. I found that people who enjoy northern Michigan treasure fictional stories that take place there. The adventurous, dramatic storyline appealed to young and old.
Thank you to my readers and all those who stopped by at the signing.
See islandbookstore.com to buy from Mary Jane. Or call the store at (906) 847-6202
One of the problems of enjoying a nice long vacation up north is that this blog gets neglected. However, I did take many new photos and promise to post some soon.
Great news! The Island Book Store on Mackinac Island not only carries “Delivered – The Cross of Lorraine,” they have also scheduled a book signing!
I will be at the book store on Main Street, Saturday, August 3rd from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This is such great news because my dream is to have people who know and love the island enjoy the story of Tawny and Takoda.
Grand Hotel
Every day seems like the 4th of July at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel.
A line of flags stand at attention along the “longest porch in the world.”
The total length is 660 feet (200 m).
The patriotic theme is enhanced with bright red geraniums punctuating the glistening
white colors of the hotel, porch chairs, flower boxes and railings.
When it came to designing the cover of Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine there was no question.
The Grand Hotel HAD to be on the cover!
Lining up the Round Island Lighthouse with the Grand required
boating out to a good vantage point and trying not to bounce the camera
while ferry waves tossed the bow rider in choppy waters.
Tawny’s favorite – the Star Line ferry – happened to cruise by during the photo shoot.
The secret to taking these shots on a rocking boat? Experienced sea legs and
setting the camera for “action shots.”
The June 27th edition of the weekly St. Ignace News featured
Discovered – the Cross of Lorraine.
If you double click on the image below,
You just might be able to read it.
The reporter did a nice job. Hope the potential audience saw it!
When entering the Mackinac Island’s harbor, visitors are immediately drawn to the historic
barns on the Arnold Dock. Iconic reminders of Mackinac’s rich past, the barns are very
much in use today. Invariably, at least one horse drawn wagon will be pulled up along side,
as merchandise is loaded or unloaded.
In the novel Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine, Takoda’s workshop is located
in a historic barn out on the old Coal Dock.
The Grand Hotel, Ft. Mackinac and the Arnold Dock are probably the most prominent
and priceless structures on the island and we’re fortunate that they are well-preserved
and cared for by their owners and protected by the City of Mackinac.
While reading “Discovered – the Cross of Lorraine” some fans have had
difficulty picturing the coal dock where Takoda has his workshop. The above photo
focuses on the Arnold Dock below Fort Mackinac. The coal dock is to the left, just out of sight.
This winter shot was taken from the Arnold Dock – looking toward the Coal Dock.
Of course it is all fiction, but this was an ideal spot for Takoda’s boat restoration
business since it is isolated, near the hardware store and wonderful boats
have actually been restored there.
In 2005, extensive restoration of the Coal Dock began. Built before 1910, possibly as early
as 1860, the Coal Dock was aptly named, since coal used by residents was unloaded there
as well as hay, firewood and barreled fish. It was owned by the Arnold Line system for more
than 100 years, but before that belonged to Captain James Bennett and was known as
Bennett’s Wharf.
It is one of the most attractive sites on the waterfront and deserves preservation so that all visitors
throughout the coming years can enjoy seeing such a beautiful remnant of Mackinac’s past.
The stern of one of the gorgeous wooden boats handcrafted at the Coal Dock barn.
Photos of the Arnold Dock will be featured in the next posting.
You can’t truly experience Northern Michigan without crossing the “Gateway to the Upper
Peninsula” – the Mackinac Bridge, and visitors to Mackinac Island miss out
if they don’t visit St. Ignace and enjoy this historic town’s natural harbor.
For centuries, Native Americans, French, British and, of course, our own citizens have enjoyed the beauty of St. Ignace’s natural harbor of refuge. After crossing the bridge, visitors turn east toward town. The road makes a curve to the left and goes downhill, opening to the most amazing vista ahead – the aquamarine waters of Lake Huron, wrapped on three sides by a pristine harbor – St. Ignace. Chief’s office looks out on the bay and he often hitches a ride to the island on the Coast Guard boats or the local ferries.
A Star Line Ferry skims by the St. Ignace Marina
The Mackinac Bridge provides a marvelous panorama of the Straits of Mackinac and lakes Michigan
and Huron. Freighters are often seen passing underneath and Mackinac Island gleams to the east.
Romance permeates Mackinac Island.
Part of the allure is the architecture both large and small – especially
the intricate and intimate structures scattered throughout the landscape and
enhanced with floral displays.
This privately owned “pergola” sits in a field of blossoming ground cover in the woods
in the Annex behind the West Bluff. Todd, Tawny’s friend who is desperately in love with her,
lives in the annex with his parents.
Commercial establishments add embellished structures to enhance their properties.
This intriguing arch beckons visitors to the Grand Hotel’s Jockey Club restaurant.
The outdoor seating there provides dramatic views of the golf course and the Straits of Mackinac.
Visitors to the island need to explore beyond Main Street. This gateway leads to a popular bed and
breakfast located on Market Street. Guests at the Metivier Inn love to sit on the porch
or in the Adirondack lawn chairs to relax and socialize.
In Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine, the main characters are often travelling
back and forth to Mackinac Island on the Star Line ferries.
A chapter in Book Two, Witnessed – Measures of Love (to be published in late summer)
explains a little about this ferry line’s fascinating boats.
Here’s a preview of the text:
“The ferry was pretty empty since the high tourist season begins Memorial Day weekend. Tawny and Takoda had the top deck to themselves. They waved hello to the captain and sat near the bow, close to the side rails, and looked on as the practiced crew flung the lines off the dock pilings.
The captain gunned the engines and quickly swung the boat around to face their destination, Mackinac Island. After they gained speed, he turned on the hydro pump that sucks up lake water, then shoots it out at the stern in a large plume of water.
Star Line is known for those towering “rooster tails.” Children and adults are all amused by the playful effect of the towering sprays.”
If you’re lucky enough to have “Scut” crewing (as seen on bow)
you’ll have great entertainment. This energetic wonder adds excitement to
the trip from St. Ignace to Mackinac and always gets folks laughing on the way back.
When Tawny and Takoda paddled their kayaks on the north side of the island,
they passed by Arch Rock.
The dramatic limestone formation, Arch Rock, has a huge fan club.
And why not? It’s size and beauty are intriguing and so is the view of the lake, 145 feet below.
There is an ancient legend that the arch was formed by the tears of a young Indian
woman who fell in love with a native “sky person”
and was forced by her father to stand upon a large rock until she
promised never to see her true love again. Her tears slowly melted
the rock and formed an arch. Ultimately, her “sky love’ came and
took her up to the stars to live in eternal happiness.
This sturdy team of work horses from Mackinac Island Carriage Tours takes a break
in front of Arch Rock. They just pulled a wagon full
of tourists up the hill and don’t look as exhausted as the people
who biked or walked there.
Another team arrives. Their handlers say that when the horses
arrive on the island in spring, they can’t wait to get to work. They truly get bored
with relaxing all winter and want to expend that energy.
Carriages like this, with the fringe on top, line up in front of Fort Mackinac,
waiting to take tourists for a spin around the island. The drivers have
great tales to tell, but it’s the horses that people never forget.
Spent too many days enjoying Mackinac this past Memorial weekend
and didn’t post on blog. There are many new photos to share, however.
Spring flowers are resplendent throughout the island.
Some planted – others put down roots on their own.
The Grand Hotel greenhouse is filled with geraniums ready for planting.
Tons of flowers are tucked behind the Grand Hotel’s greenhouse.
Soon they’ll grace the hotel’s many gardens. With such an
ideal climate, they’ll quadruple in size in a matter of weeks.
Island visitors can enjoy the walking paths tucked into the woods near the
Grand Hotel’s swimming pool. Beautiful in all seasons, but best in springtime.
Tawny’s grandmother, Mrs. Randolph, takes pride in her gardens. Chief’s trained eyes
notice everything and, even under the stress of the investigation, he makes a point to compliment her.
What is Mackinac Island Like in Winter?
That was one of the questions asked last week when a winter scene
from “Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine” was mentioned.
The answer? Very different.
Yes, motorized vehicles, snowmobiles that is, are allowed.
But bikes are used too, as long as possible.
With the awnings, flags, signage and colorful storefronts gone,
the streets look quite bare.
But the peaceful blanket of snow makes the island even more beautiful.
Especially when contrasted with the brilliant blue skies and stormy lake waters.
If you haven’t seen the video, “The Ice Bridge – Mackinac Island’s Hidden Season,” you should.
Available at the Island Book Store on Mackinac. It is stunning.
Tawny’s grandparents’, the Randolphs, like many others on the island,
first lived there as summer residents. They purchased a small
Victorian cottage down a quiet village lane such as pictured above.
The family enjoyed weekends and summer vacations there,
while their real home was in St. Ignace, where their son, Roy,
Tawny’s father, attended school.
But after Mr. Randolph retired, he winterized the
cottage and created a beautiful year-round home.
Tawny always loved visiting them and when her mother was
temporarily transferred to Germany, Tawny was thrilled to move in.
Of course that meant she had to attend the small high school on
the island. Little did she know how what an amazing and, sadly,
threatening future she faced.
And so the story begins…..
When the Tawny’s grandparents, the Randolphs, were young, they had to cross the Straits
of Mackinac by car ferry. That’s because the Mackinac Bridge
didn’t open to traffic till 1957.
The bridge will play a major role in Book Three of the Trilogy. Unfortunately,
the events that take place there will not resemble the peaceful scene above.
The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world, if you
measure between cable anchorages.
The total length is five miles, though it doesn’t seem that far when you drive across.
The folks who walk across it on the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk
probably feel a little differently about the length.
You can learn a lot more about the bridge at:
When Tawny was younger, she kept her horse, Tamarack, behind her grandparent’s home
on Mackinac Island. But when her father was killed in Afghanistan,
life took a sudden turn and her world began to fall apart.
As she and her mother began to heal and rebuild their lives,
Tawny eventually returned to riding. Since horses and bicycles are the principle
means of transportation on the island, many residents keep horses in corrals behind their homes.
There are several well-maintained stables on the island. Visitors can rent horses there.
Mackinac Postings 