Mysterious old homes, shrouded mountains and valleys hidden between misty ridges; the lure of Eastern Woodland Indians and Scots-Irish settlers in colonial American…this is what I know, what I love. But I spread out from my Virginia home base to journey into the Carolinas at the height of the Revolution. Enemy of the King God on Trial ipod is my version of The Patriot. Zathura: A Space Adventure divx
buy Pueblo Pluto Step into the graceful parlor of Pleasant Grove, an eighteenth century Georgian plantation built high on the bluff above the Santee River. Admire the elegant lines of this gracious brick home and its exquisite décor. Stroll out into the expansive garden between fragrant borders of lavender and rosemary. Bask beneath the moss-hung branches of an enormous live oak, then saunter back indoors to dress for a candlelight dinner in the sumptuous dining room. But don’t plan on a lengthy stay, you’re about to be snatched away for a wild ride into Carolina backcountry.
Pleasant Grove, the home featured in Enemy of the King, was drawn from Drayton Hall, the oldest preserved plantation in America that’s open to the public, located outside of Charleston, SC: http://www.draytonhall.org/
I also incorporated elements of my Virginia ancestral home, circa 1816, located outside the historic town of Staunton. Called Chapel Hill, this Georgian style brick house has been in the family for going on eight generations. The old kitchen, or summer kitchen, a separate building from the main house, is no longer standing but I remember it from my childhood. The smokehouse, stable and some other outbuildings still remain. The house itself is filled with a wonderful collection of heirlooms.
The ‘snake thing’ in Chapter One of Enemy of the King is drawn from an incident that happened to me at Chapel Hill when I was a girl. Back in my contest circuit days, more than one judge told me a snake couldn’t possibly get into a house and wind around the antlers of a buck mounted up on the wall. They can and one did; a rather horrifying discovery for a child to make in the wee hours on her way to the bathroom. And then there’s the fact that I always suspected the house was haunted…not sure by whom.
Blurb for Enemy of the King:
1780, South Carolina: While Loyalist Meriwether Steele recovers from illness in the stately home of her beloved guardian, Jeremiah Jordan, she senses the haunting presence of his late wife. When she learns that Jeremiah is a Patriot spy and shoots Captain Vaughan, the British officer sent to arrest him, she is caught up on a wild ride into Carolina back country, pursued both by the impassioned captain and the vindictive ghost. Will she remain loyal to her king and Tory twin brother or risk a traitor’s death fighting for Jeremiah? If Captain Vaughan snatches her away, he won’t give her a choice.
The
year is 1780, one of the bloodiest of the American Revolution. The entire Southern garrison has been captured and Lord Cornwallis is marching his forces deep into South Carolina. ‘Bloody Ban’ Lieutenant Major Banestre Tarleton and his infamous Legion are sweeping through the countryside. Revenge is the order of the day on both sides and rugged bands of militia are all that stand between crown forces and utter defeat.
Thanks so much for visiting today, Beth! I love the old house, but the snake thing gives me cold chills. LOL Enemy of the King sounds like an awesome read. Congrats on your release!!!
Beth, What a beautiful setting and an intriguing story.
Thanks so much. That snake thing was very creepy.
Even though it turned out to be a harmless blacksnake.
Thanks for your enthusiasm for my book and this time period.
Beth, I love your writing. It’s fantastic.