I'm an LDS wife, mother, grandmotrher and author who lives in central Maryland where my husband and I raised our four children. I'm the author of three published works, (UNSPOKEN, 2005, a family drama; DARK SKY AT DAWN, 2007, and TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, 2009, books one and two of my Free Men and Dreamers series), with my fourth novel, DAWN'S...
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I'm an LDS wife, mother, grandmotrher and author who lives in central Maryland where my husband and I raised our four children. I'm the author of three published works, (UNSPOKEN, 2005, a family drama; DARK SKY AT DAWN, 2007, and TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, 2009, books one and two of my Free Men and Dreamers series), with my fourth novel, DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT) due out in October of 2009.
Like DARK SKY AT DAWN and TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT weaves rich, compex characters and storylines through the beautiful American history surrounding the War of 1812. This period intrigues me. It's a surprisiingly overlooked or forgotten period that was crucial to America's emergence as a united nation rather than a with loose confederation of states. During this time our government was nearing backruptcy, trade was being suppressed, and some of our states were considering seccession. Even the integrity of our citizenship was being tried as 4000 Americans were kidnapped or "impressed" into British military service against their will. After war was declared our citizens, not just our military units, were under constant fear of attack, our capiital was sacked and burned, and our Constitution was sorely tested for the first time.
It was a time of moral tug-of-war. The about-face with Britian, begun in 1776, was not a clean break. Class distinctions still plagued us. Many continued to wield their former ties to Euorpean nobility like a social sword, creating the gentry and the rustics with a wide social abyss separating the two. And worst of all, I find it fascinating that while we were struggling to maintain our own liberty, we were still denying it to others.
The spiritual underpinings of our people were weak at best. A religious vacuum created by the break with kings--the sovereigns over governments and the churches, and the recognized spiritual conduits to heaven-still left Americans struggling over the monumental question--'How does man communicate with God now?" This question gave rise to the religious reformation of the early nineteenth century from which sprang the hell-fire and brimstone, pulpit pounding preachers of New England's "burned-out district" and individual religious seekers like Joseph Smith. The religious fervor was further intensified by westward expansion and the fear ministers had that families would lose their souls if they ventured beyond the reach of churches, mingling with "god-less savages".
Consider also the outcome of this period: The Constitution held, the government and the presidency survived a crippling attack, the first American icon emerged--the American flag--heralded by its people in a way no other nation regards their flag. The west continued to expand, commerce multiplied, churches sprang up. It wasn't a perfect society, but the foundation of government laid by the Founders had held, and would prevail.
This is why I love this time period. I hope you will join me on the journey to explore it through the perspective of five fictional families whose adventures weave through this great American history.
It's a compelling adventure.
DARK SKY AT DAWN, 2007
TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, 2008
DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, due October 2009
You'll see them on my shelf. Feel free to ask me questions about the series. I love to talk about the books. My web site is at www.laurielclewis.com.
Thanks!
Laurie LC Lewis
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