Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Forbidden - Just Released

After publishing five nonfiction books, I had the yearning to write a novel. Ninety-eight thousand words later, the novel is complete, and on the shelves in bookstores. I'm already working on the sequel.

Set in England and Scotland during the mid 1600s, the story is fast paced, dark and edgy in places. It is loosely based on an intriguing Scottish legend that I remember well from my childhood growing up in England. Most believed the legend to be true, including my grandmother who would fearfully whisper the names of the wicked individuals. As an adult, I researched the story and realized there may be some truth to the legend. Indeed, the BBC did a documentary about it and tried to find the subterranean cave that is a key part of the story.

Synopsis

As a child, Catherine MacDonald was left at a priory by her mother who never returns to claim her. As an adult, Catherine becomes a nun, but a chance meeting at Hadleigh Castle with the Earl of Essex and a strange young girl, changes Catherine's life forever. She is determined to find her mother, and sets off for Scotland. During her journey, she sees the injustices of life outside the cloistered priory; the downtrodden and the poor, those afflicted with leprosy and the plague. She witnesses the desperation a woman feels when she has no man to support her, and realizes that one mistake can change a woman's life forever – perhaps a woman just like her mother.

At the conclusion, Catherine learns the bitter truth about her mother’s life. She is devastated by the discovery, and wonders how she will ever overcome the horrifying legacy.

Woven into the story are actual historical events and people such as Lawrence Washington, great-great-grandfather of President George Washington, the Sherman family in the County of Essex and Reverend Mompesson in Eyam, Derbyshire.

ISBN 978-1-935605-34-8.

For more information please go to: http://www.evwallace.com/

Author and Artist

Audrey Ledgerwood (left) and Elizabeth Wallace

Having just finished my first novel, Forbidden, I was wondering what image would be used for the front cover. Since I belong to an art class, I had an idea. I asked the publisher if he would consider reviewing paintings from my group. Once I had his agreement, I gave everyone a synopsis, some general ideas, location, setting, time of year, etc. and off they went to work. Two weeks later, I had a little collection of paintings that I scanned and submitted to the publisher. I think everyone was pleased when he chose Audrey Ledgerwood’s illustration. According to the publisher, “We think Audrey’s illustration best represents the story…”

Audrey Ledgerwood is a local artist and illustrator. She currently lives in Aurora, Colorado, with her husband. She loves to paint, play bocce ball, and enjoys playing bridge.

The Space Needle - Seattle

Finally, on the fifth day of our journey from Denver to Washington, we reached Seattle. This photograph was taken at our son’s place of business. Although I have seen the image of the Space Needle in documentaries and movies over the years, I have always wanted to see it for myself.

The Space Needle looms majestically above the Seattle skyline. Built for the 1962 World Fair, it reaches 605 feet into the air and weighs a monstrous 9,500 tons. Millions of people have visited the site which is thought to be one of the most recognized landmarks in the USA. At the top there is a nice place to eat, drink and observe the fantastic panoramic views of the Seattle skyline. On the lower level, there is a well stocked gift shop for books and souvenirs. It was a wonderful visit. The staff could not have been nicer or friendlier.
For more information: http://www.spaceneedle.com/

Along the Way - Beachtown Coffee

As we continued our journey from Denver to Seattle, we stopped often for coffee and snacks. Once such place was the Beachtown Coffee shop in Lincoln City, Oregon. The owners really made us feel welcome during our short visit, and told us about the area and the people. As we were chatting, the owner did a little decoration on my cup of coffee. She did such a good job, I couldn't help but take a photo.

Inside the shop are gifts and souvenirs, delicious pastries and smoothies. It was a great place to stop.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse - Oregon

There are so many wonderful lighthouses along the Oregon coastline, that it would be difficult to mention them all. However, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, in my opinion, is one of the more spectacular of the bunch. It is one of the most frequently visited lighthouses in the area and well worth the visit. Volunteers boast the lighthouse can be seen from 19 miles out to sea, and stands a lofty 162 feet above sea level.

The flashing beacon of light guiding fishermen away from the perilous shoreline was first lit on August 20th, 1873, but it was not built without controversy. Two boats perished as they tried to deliver supplies during the construction of the lighthouse. Some people say the lighthouses along the coastline are haunted, while others dispute the urban legend.

For more information on Oregon Lighthouses, go to:
http://www.nwcoast.com/lighthouses/oregon/yaquinahead.asp