Major Fraser's

It’s close to the time when Major Fraser’s is released upon the world. So a sneak preview is in order. The story begins in Olde England, back in the 1600s when life was enormously different than we know it today. It slides into West Jersey focusing on Bordentown. Colonial times move into the Revolutionary War period when our Scottish import, Major Fraser, enters the picture. Our Bordentown superstars become involved. The Major gets transferred to the south, mainly South Carolina. In between his fighting the Rebels (yes, he fought aggressively for the Brits) he falls in love with a gracious, young southern belle. The war ends, our story in Bordentown blossoms, then moves with our characters to France, to Italy and back to England again.

Time moves on, so our tale moves forward, back to Bordentown again where it all wraps up rather happily.

Battle of the Waxhaws

This past weekend I attended a seminar in Lancaster, South Carolina on the debate of the Battle of the Waxhaws also known as Buford’s Defeat/Massacre/Battleground. A “massacre or not” was the question. That question raised passionate responses from opposing thoughts and beliefs at the conference. But the passion that resulted from this battle back during the Revolutionary War brought many Patriots off the fence and into uniform. It also tagged Lt.Col. Banastre Tarleton with the nickname ‘Bloody Ban’ that he carried the rest of his life.

Aside from all the information I learned, it was great to discuss the Revolutionary War with like-minded people at the Friday night Reception. It isn’t easy to find to folks discuss the eighteenth century on an everyday basis. I also came away with a packet jammed full of relevant reading/research material and, of course, a few more signed books to add to my constantly growing collection. I also drooled over the beautiful art work available for purchasing. Alas, sometimes one has to choose………. Many thanks to the folks at the Andrew Jackson State Park for this interesting day. I'll be returning to the area for some more exploring.

Quail Ridge Book Signing

One of the first things I noticed after settling into my new home were the notices in the N & O newspaper for the Quail Ridge Bookstore Guest Author appearances. It took awhile but I finally made it!

On Wednesday I drove an hour and a half to this last independent new book store in Raleigh to see Charles F. Price, author of “Nor the Battle to the Strong.” Stopping at Whole Foods located a couple doors up from the bookstore was a delightful idea for a bowl of great Beef Cabbage Soup coupled with Jalapeno Cornbread.

Allowing myself time to browse before the author arrived, I found lots of books stocked by North Carolina authors covering all sorts of subjects. The schedule of events shows author appearances and book signings several times a week, some nights have more than one writer featured. They do a fine job of promoting North Carolina writers!

“Nor the Battle to the Strong” brought me here because it’s about the Revolutionary War fought in the South. The points of view are from Rhode Island-born, Quaker-raised- General Nathaniel Greene and Scottish enlistee, run-a-way-indentured James Johnson. I’m just finishing up a manuscript that covers this same area but from the British point of view of Major Thomas Fraser of Bordentown fame. Naturally I just had-to-have this book and having it signed by the author is a bonus worth the trip to unfamiliar territory!
Check out their website at: www.quailridgebooks.com