Presswork Publications Releases Historical GA Saga
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During the mid-1800s, coastal aristocracy found a seasonal retreat from the heat and disease that stalked their lowland communities – Habersham County, located in the rolling foothills of Appalachia. Here they built fanciful summer homes designed by Jarvis Van Buren, and their lives mingled with those of the natives. In weaving a story of love, friendship and intrigue that follows several fictional families, the trilogy brings the reader a story in the style of historical fiction masters, from the heartbreak of the Cherokee Removal to the battlefields of the War Between the States. The main character in Sautee Shadows is Mahala Franklin, a half-Cherokee young woman whose main desire in life is to uncover the truth about her father’s murder and his missing gold. She must also determine where she belongs: with the adoptive Sautee Valley family who raised her and with her Cherokee sweetheart, or by the side of her white inn-keeper grandmother and in the arms of fierce competitor and wealthy Savannah entrepreneur Jack Randall. “Often,” says author Denise Weimer of the novel, “the most surprising elements are things that really happened and people who really existed! The Georgia Gold Trilogy includes some unique facts I uncovered in my research, not only from books, but from first person accounts, including those of John Kollock’s ancestors. Mr. Kollock was very helpful in the process of historical editing, and I owe a lot of my inspiration to him.” Weimer holds a journalism degree with a history minor from Asbury University. Her articles about the Northeast Georgia area have appeared in Georgia magazine, Retire in Georgia, Georgia Backroads, Northeast Georgia Living and Georgia Mountain Laurel. She is also the author of romantic novella Redeeming Grace and children’s book Drummer Danny, which is also currently being released by Presswork. Drummer Danny follows the fictional account of Daniel Weaver, a thirteen-year-old boy who decides to join his father in the camp of the 5th Virginia in January 1863 after his mother dies. There he becomes a drummer boy, witnesses the revivals taking place and faces his fears about a bully from his past and the future threat of battle. Drummer Danny features educational teaching points about the time period and illustrative photography by Toccoa native Rebecca Haney. It retails at $12.95 through Presswork or Amazon.com. “Drummer Danny helps set the stage for Sautee Shadows,” says Weimer. “A lot of people have asked if the trilogy is connected to Redeeming Grace. It’s not, except that both reflect the history and character of my home state. I want the reader to feel like they’re taking a very realistic journey back in time right here in Georgia, starting with Sautee Shadows.” Jump-starting the release of this eagerly-awaited classic, Presswork is temporarily waiving its normal minimum order requirement for wholesalers and offering a free download of “The Sautee Shadows Companion” for individuals placing retail pre-orders from the Presswork web site at www.pressworkpublications.com. The “Companion” features a timeline of unique Georgia events, a family tree, a discussion of the culture and etiquette of the mid-1800s, and a sneak peek of an exciting chapter. Non-profit organizations ordering books also receive a special discount. Groups interested in scheduling Denise for a reading may contact publisher Jessica Handwork at publicity@pressworkpublications.com or 706-886-2665. A listing of upcoming readings, signings and special events will be posted on the Presswork web site. |
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