Thousand Islands Searchlight Boat Tours
Though I haven’t had the privilege of experiencing a searchlight tour, my fascination with them brought me to include an important searchlight boat tour scene in my latest story, A Summer at Thousand Island House.
But what are they? In essence, a searchlight boat tour takes passengers on an evening tour through the Thousand Islands. In the darkness of night, the boat creeps along the channels and shines a searchlight on interesting things they come across.
I can imagine it’s a mixture of excitement, fear, and a bit creepy, and my characters experience all of these. The Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River was known for such a thrill, from the late 1800s until today.
Here’s a little taste of a searchlight tour:
The setting sun glowed a dramatic orange as Liam escorted Addi onto the gleaming white St. Lawrence steamer, along with several hundred other passengers. He led her to the bow’s upper deck railing, facing west. A large flag fluttered in the gentle breeze on its bow, another on a tall mast near the wheelhouse, four smaller flags midship, and an enormous US flag hung on the stern.
Midship, a trio played a haunting tune on a harp and two violins, echoing down the hallway and dancing on the water, creating a most pleasant beginning to what he hoped would be a magical evening.
Addi leaned on the railing, closed her eyes, and smiled. “Isn’t the music wonderful? It sounds like a sunset.”
As if she’d forgotten something, her eyes popped open just as the orange ball exploded into reds and yellows, and then burst into the prettiest purples and lavenders Liam had ever seen. She gasped and spread her arms as if she were a bird taking flight, almost smacking him in the face. She didn’t even notice, so absorbed in the moment.
He loved that.
“Oh, Liam, I’ve never seen such a dramatic, beautiful, wonderful sunset. Can you imagine what heaven must be like if it’s this lovely here on earth?”
He studied her angelic face, aflame with the colors of the sunset. “I cannot. But just now, your loveliness comes the closest to an angelic being as I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh Liam, you say the sweetest things.” She peeked out of the corners of her eyes, barely turning her head.
“Miss, I only speak the truth.” He pasted his hand on his chest as if offended.
The captain stepped out of the wheelhouse and onto the deck. The crowd quieted. In a booming voice, he addressed his passengers. “Ladies and gentlemen. If you think that sunset was lovely, that’s just the prelude. Our one-million candlepower searchlight with its forty-eight-inch parabolic mirror will take us on a unique and magical tour of the islands. In the dark, starry night, you’ll see the Thousand Islands like you’ve never seen them before. We’ll navigate through narrow channels and around islands. We may even see a muskie, happily popping its head out of the water to bid you good evening. Now, enjoy the refreshments, the music, and the magic of our Thousand Islands Searchlight Tour.”
The crowd clapped and cheered, and the familiar whistle, whose distinctive chime note could be heard whenever it left the dock, sounded loud and clear.
Liam chuckled. “You’ll hear those hisses of steam from the whistle throughout the evening. One blast signals something is dead ahead, two is for starboard, and three is for port. They sound it when they spot buoys and other official markers, when they see private markers, or when something else might prove a danger. Navigating the river in the day is tricky enough. Night navigation must be done with the utmost care.”
“Is it safe?” Addi’s eyes flashed with fear.
He took her hand in his. “I wouldn’t bring you if it wasn’t. Fear not. This crew has been navigating these waters, day and night, for years.”
To read the rest of the story, pick up a copy of A Summer at Thousand Island House.
Meet author Kathleen Denly
Kathleen Denly writes historical romance to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.
Tell us about your newest book.
Murmur in the Mud Caves is Book 4 in my Chaparral Hearts series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Here is the official description: He came to cook for ranch hands, not three single women. Gideon Swift, a visually impaired Civil War Veteran, responds to an ad for a ranch cook in the Southern California desert mountains. He wants nothing more than to forget his past and stay in the kitchen where he can do no harm. But when he arrives to find his employer murdered, the ranch turned to ashes, and three young women struggling to survive in the unforgiving Borrego Desert, he must decide whether his presence protects them or places them in greater danger.
Bridget “Biddie” Davidson finally receives word from her older sister who disappeared with their brother and pa eighteen years prior, but the news is not good. Determined to help her family, Biddie sets out for a remote desert ranch with her adopted father and best friend. Nothing she finds there is as she expected, including the man who came to cook for the shambles of a ranch. When tragedy strikes, the danger threatens not only her plans to help her sister, but her own dreams for the future—with the man who’s stolen her heart.
What inspired you to write Murmur in the Mud Caves?
The heroine, Biddie, is the grown adopted daughter of Henry and Cecilia Davidson, two characters that appear in every book in this series. As an adoptive parent, the idea of exploring her situation and the emotions which might go with it appealed to me.
The hero, has wounds from his time in the Civil War which have left him without peripheral vision in one eye. He also suffers from frequent and severe ocular migraines that often leave him incapacitated and have lead to dangerous situations. I wanted to explore what it might be like for a man raised to believe that true men were physically strong and able to perform certain tasks, to suddenly be unable to fulfill that role. Despite not being a cowboy of any kind, myself, I resonate with the idea of mistakenly defining my self-worth through my accomplishments and what I can do for others instead of how the Lord defines my true value.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
A visually impaired Civil War Veteran sets out to cook for ranch hands, not three single women living alone in the desert. When he can’t convince them to return to the safety of civilization, his heart isn’t the only thing in danger.
What genre do you focus on?
I focus on historical romance because I enjoy finding lesser-known historical events, people, and details, and sharing them with people through the art of storytelling.
Why do you write?
I write to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers to a better understanding of God and how He sees us. I believe we are surrounded by worldly pressures to see ourselves in ways that are contrary to how God sees us. It is my hope that my stories will help give a weary mind rest, encourage a discouraged child of God, and use God’s Truth to push back on the negative and distorted ideas the world would have us believe.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Bridget Baker is my heroine, but she is known as Biddie throughout the story because that is what her birth mother called her. I chose her name because of the cultural influences I imagined her parents would have experienced before she was born. Her last name is the last name of my virtual assistant, Jessica Baker, without whom I cannot imagine making it through this writing life. It also happens that her last name fits the cultural background of Biddie’s family. I don’t go into it in the book, but in my imagination, Biddie’s family has its roots in London, England, and by then many Irish would have migrated to that city, which is where the name Bridget and the nickname Biddie might have been encountered.
The name of my hero, Gideon Swift, came from the Bible, historical census records, and a vote by members of my Facebook readers group, the Armchair Adventure Krew.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
Because I am also a homeschooling mom of four, my schedule often changes along with the developmental needs of my children. Most recently, I have established the pattern of writing in the morning when my brain is clearest, then teaching in the afternoon.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The amount of time spent on a computer. I suffered a life-altering repetitive strain injury last year as a result of not respecting my body’s needs.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Hearing from readers how my stories have impacted them. Whether it is just that a specific quote spoke to them or made them laugh, or it’s that a character’s journey caused the reader to contemplate their own views, I always treasure hearing from readers. It’s part of what keeps me going on the hard days.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
If I had to be a food, I would choose to be an apple, because you can bake it, boil it, crush it, slice it, dice it, or even juice it, and it stills serves its purpose and retains its value.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I have learned to compare myself to other writers less and to question anything someone says I “should” be doing. Just because something works for someone else, doesn’t mean it is best for me.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have currently published 4 full length novels and 2 novellas as part of my Chaparral Hearts series. There are other books I have written which are yet unpublished. We will see what God plans for them.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Book 5 in the Chaparral Hearts series, Shoot at the Sunset. There will be a total of six full length novels in this series.
Website: www.KathleenDenly.com
Link to book: https://kathleendenly.com/murmur-in-the-mud-caves/
Social media links:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathleen-denly
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KathleenDenly.author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleendenly/
Meet author Tara Taffera
Tara Taffera is an avid reader who writes contemporary Christian romance enveloped in God’s grace and love. Book two and three in her series, Love Unfailing, and Love Reunited, won the silver medal in the 2022 and 2023 Illumination Book Awards in the romance category. She lives in Virginia with her husband of more than twenty-five years. He is one of her biggest cheerleaders, along with her three daughters.
Tell us about your newest book.
Emily aches for a place to belong. Her fiancé left after discovering she couldn’t offer him the perfect life, a secret she holds close. She isn’t looking for a new man nor does she expect the electricity that crackles at a first meeting in front of a church bulletin board.
Jacob closed himself off when his wife left him, demanding perfection he couldn’t provide. And now, Jacob finds it impossible to stay away from Emily and her bright light that shines into his damaged heart. Still, he hides behind their nine-year age difference, fearing Emily will leave when she learns of his inability to give her a family.
While preparing for a mission trip to Guatemala, Jacob and Emily’s relationship blooms, and they gain a glimpse of the happiness they always craved. But when Jacob’s fears take hold, will he retreat, leaving them both tattered and torn?
What inspired you to write Stay?
I gained the idea for this group from a member of my writers group. She talked about how hard it is as a thirty something single woman to find a place in the church. That sparked this book idea and even served as the opening scene. She even served as a pre-reader for the book and gave me great suggestions along the way.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Stay is the story of Emily and Jacob, two wounded souls with secrets and fears keeping them apart, though they are drawn to each other from the moment they met.
What genre do you focus on?
I write contemporary romance as it’s my favorite genre to read. And I love getting ideas from everyday life.
Why do you write?
I love writing fiction, and the more books I write, the more I love it. I especially enjoy talking to people who have read all my books and notice my growth as a writer—that really makes me smile and gives me a sense of accomplishment as I think all of us should strive to always get better.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Emily is the main character. She is 31, and I think I chose her name based on popular names the year she was born.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I have a full-time job so most of my writing gets done on the weekends and early morning before work. I’m not a night time writer—I never have brain power left.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The marketing is the hardest part just because there are so many things you could be doing and it’s hard to figure out what to focus on. I think I am getting better at that as I go. But it’s difficult to find time for writing and marketing. It seems one of those always suffers.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Hearing from people I don’t know who love my books.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
I published my first book at 47. It’s never too late to go after your dreams!
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I get better with every single book. I think reading great authors is a big part of helping authors grow. When you read a sentence that comes alive it makes you want to strive for that.
What is your favorite pastime?
It’s hard to find time for things other than writing and working. But in my free time I spend it with my husband and daughters.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes I have a complete Series, A Divine Love, with three books.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing a book called The Christmas Quest to come out in October and this is the most excited I have ever been about a book. I am excited every day I sit down and write. I haven’t hit writers block yet (knock on wood), and I’m halfway done.
Website: www.tarataffera.com
Link to book: bit.ly/3lu2t9j
Social media links:
Meet author Aminata Coote
Aminata Coote fell in love with books as a child. She writes stories that point to a God bigger than our failings, who walks with us through our trials. She is also the author of several Bible studies and devotionals for women. Aminata lives in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with her husband and son.
Tell us about your newest book.
His Perfect Family is a contemporary marriage of convenience romance. Theo and Gaby marry to protect her son from his grandparents’ custody suit. But Theo and Gaby have a shared past–seven years earlier, they’d met and, if things had turned out how they’d hoped, they would have gotten married. Now they must navigate all those old feelings with their present challenges.
What inspired you to write His Perfect Family?
His Perfect Family is book two in my Orange Valley series which was inspired by the idea of a blue-haired girl (Brianna) falling in love with a pastor. Gabrielle is Brianna’s best friend and Theo is her brother. I thought it would be fun to write a story with the best friend’s brother trope, especially if the couple had a secret past they’d never shared with anyone.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Second chances, forced proximity, and a marriage of convenience. What more could you want?
Why do you write?
As a teenager, I loved reading. I was into Sweet Dreams, Sweet Valley High, Harlequin, Mills & Boon…when I became a Christian, I didn’t have access to any books that showed Christians living and thriving in their faith. They existed, but in my country, I didn’t have access to them–wasn’t even aware of any Christian fiction authors other than Grace Livingston Hill. I write because I want to provide stories for that person who may be new to their faith and wants to read books about people like them–imperfect people who learn how to exercise their faith every day they remain connected to Christ. They may stumble sometimes, but they keep getting up. They keep trying and pressing forward. Or maybe they’ve been in the faith for a while, but they need encouragement and examples of what it may look like to walk with God. These are the people I hope to reach.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Great question. When I wrote His Perfect Match which is book one in the series, Gabrielle Wright-Wallace was Elisa Donaldson. She was a minor character who worked with Brianna and they weren’t close. As I started thinking about book two, I thought about what tropes I wanted to include and the best friend brother came to mind. I decided I didn’t like the name Elisa for this character, and the name Gabrielle is one I’ve always liked.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I work full-time so writing happens around my day job. Usually, I set a word count goal of 50 thousand words and a deadline by which I want to complete it. This varies as I use challenges to motivate myself. In most cases, I give myself a month to complete the first draft. Once I have the goal, I put everything in the Reedsy Book Editor which tells me how many words I need to write each day to meet my target. Then I write. I typically write for 2-3 hours in the evening after work and several hours on the weekend.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The marketing and promotion. I struggle to talk about my books and because so much of the marketing and promotion I do cannot be quantified, I’m not sure how effective it is.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Making up stories. The characters become so real to me. Also, because I’m mostly a pantser, writing is almost like reading because the characters do things that surprise me.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
For years, I was a writer who didn’t write. Now, I’ve learned how to finish a book. Even if it’s not very good, I get it done. That’s what the editing is for–to polish and improve until you have a story you can be proud of.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading. I know it sounds cliché but I love reading.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My Orange Valley series has two published books:
His Perfect Wife (full-length prequel)
His Perfect Match (book one)
His Perfect Family releases on May 26, 2023, and is now available for pre-order. The last book in the series, His Perfect Choice, releases on August 25, 2023.
I also have a series of devotionals and Bible studies for women, including God Sees You: 21 Devotions for the Woman Who Feels Invisible that published on March 31, 2023.
What are you working on now?
My focus at the moment is to get His Perfect Family and His Perfect Choice ready for publication. Once that’s done, I hope to start work on my next series which will be a spin-off from the Orange Valley books.
Website: https://aminatacoote.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/His-Perfect-Family-Contemporary-Convenience-ebook/dp/B0BYQDZS3T/
Social media links:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AminataCoote
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aminatacoote/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AminataCoote
BookBub https://tinyurl.com/AminataCooteBookBub
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17239871.Aminata_Coote
Meet author Lisa M. Prysock
Lisa M. Prysock is a USAT bestselling, award-winning Author of Christian Historical Romance and Christian Contemporary Romance fiction. She resides in beautiful Kentucky with her husband of twenty-five years. Empty nesters, they are slowly reclaiming the house after raising five children. They share their home with a Boston terrier mix named Bailey. Lisa loves all things books, touring historical homes, espadrilles, swimming, and walking. She refuels with coffee, tea, sketching, cross stitch, crochet, sewing, and writing.
Tell us about your newest book.
A Summer at Sagamore is a Gilded Age Christian Romance with mystery, intrigue, and delightful characters I can’t wait for readers to meet. The story centers around Jack and Abby and takes place on Green Island in the Adirondacks, upstate New York.
What inspired you to write A Summer at Sagamore?
I love writing historical books, Susan, but the opulence and progress of the Gilded Age is among my favorite time periods to write.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Abby arrives at the Sagamore Resort with her cousin, sister, and grandmother to enjoy the season of summer and write to her heart’s content using her typewriter. However, her sister and cousin are eager for her to play along and choose a beau to adore from afar as they have in summers past, but Abby doesn’t expect so much mischief and mayhem to be afoot at Sagamore, much less to find a handsome stranger so captivating.
Why do you write?
I write to share my faith in Jesus with the world. I’d like others to know about the greatness of God, the one who I delight in, the one who rescues, redeems, and saves me.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
My schedule can get a little crazy when I’m writing a book. It’s not unusual for me to work nights to finish a manuscript. I may even pull a few all-nighters to make a deadline.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part of being an author is juggling the marketing when I’d like to be writing. I’d like to spend more time writing, but the truth is, even when traditionally published, authors need to spend an adequate amount of time strategizing on building sales, setting up advertising, and implementing ways to spread the word about their books. It’s also hard to find balance as an author. I have so many ideas and stories I want to write, but it’s important to take time to nurture relationships, tend daily and weekly responsibilities, and refuel too.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I love working from home and being able to share my faith in a creative way. I also love the amazing support readers give me. It’s so encouraging.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
One unusual thing about me is I sometimes see brief scenes for my books play out in my mind like a movie. This makes it easier for me to write the scenes because I can picture some elements, characters, events, and settings for the book.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
Oh, my goodness! I’ve grown so much. I’m continually learning how to improve as a writer. I don’t think we ever stop growing in this industry. I tend to go through phases, like the “too many commas” phase, “too many exclamation points” phase, and so on. We learn from our mistakes, but it’s good to also laugh at ourselves and move forward. I try not to take any criticism to heart because there’s always someone out there who won’t like your work, but many readers will love your work.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Thanks for asking about this, Susan. I’ve been writing since 2011 and have about fifty titles at present. Readers can find my books at my website, https://www.LisaPrysock.com. There’s a carousel on the home page and they can scroll through and see all of my book covers. If they see some they’d like to purchase, they can click on the cover to find it Amazon. A few of my books are found at many retailers and many are exclusive to Amazon, but A Summer at Sagamore is currently offered at many retailers.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing Book 2 in my new King’s Crossing series, following the release of Book 1, The Gardener’s Daughter. It’s more Gilded Age romance but with a royal romance twist and takes place on a fictional set of islands. Readers tell me they love the fictional elements in Book 1. I wasn’t sure if they’d like it or not, so I’m elated to hear this feedback.
Website: https://www.LisaPrysock.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS71PDWG
Other Retailers: https://books2read.com/u/bPNZQz
Social media links:
Connect with Lisa everywhere–:
https://www.facebook.com/LisaMPrysock
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00J6MBC64
(Lisa’s page at Amazon Author Central.)
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-m-prysock
https://www.facebook.com/groups/500592113747995/
(Lisa’s Facebook Reader & Friends group.)
https://www.instagram.com/lisaprysock
meet author Ava Pennington
Ava Pennington is an author, speaker, freelance editor, and certified writing and speaking coach. She teaches a weekly Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class. Ava received an Adult Bible Studies certificate from Moody Bible Institute and is trained as a Precepts Ministries instructor. She is the author of Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully, and has contributed to numerous magazines and anthologies.
Tell us about your newest book.
Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully (Revell Books, 2022) is a hard cover gift book devotional. Every name and attribute of God reveals something about His character and His ways. This devotional explores each of 60 names and attributes of God from 3 individual perspectives: who God is, how this name or attribute changes us, and how it changes our relationships.
What inspired you to write Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully?
I’ve always been curious about the many names of God in the Bible. Some were familiar, such as Yahweh Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. But others were confusing, like Yahweh Nissi, The Lord My Banner. And then there were names that sounded frightening, such as when God referred to Himself as a Consuming Fire. The bottom line is that I wanted to learn what God said about Himself and why He chose these particular descriptions. Since I belonged to Him, it was important to me to understand who I belong to!
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Every name God calls Himself and every name His people have called Him holds clues to who He is, how He relates to His children, and the promises He has made—and kept. Reflections on the Names of Godoffers you a wonderful opportunity to spend time each day getting to know God more intimately by exploring His names and attributes. These life-changing devotions will help you discover something new about who God is, who you are, and how you relate to others.
What genre do you focus on?
My writing focuses mostly on several sub genres of nonfiction. I write devotions, Christian living articles, and books for the Christian market. I also write inspirational personal experience stories for general market books and have been published in 29 volumes of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Why do you write?
I’m excited at the things I’m learning from God’s Word. My ministry is summarized by the phrase, “Applying truth to deepen faith.” In a world where truth is considered relative, now more than ever it’s critical to apply the truths in God’s Word to our lives. But writing from a biblical worldview doesn’t need to be preachy. Rather, I write from the perspective of one traveler sharing her journey with fellow travelers on the same road of life.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
The best part is the feedback from readers. An email or snail-mail note telling me how God used a devotion, book, or article to minister to them means so much. That feedback encourages me to persevere during the dry times.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
I once stopped a pickpocket on the streets of New York City. Walking through the financial district during my lunch hour, I noticed a man following close behind a woman ahead of me. He dipped his hand into her coat pocket and pulled out her wallet. I shouted an alarm, she turned and he was caught with it in his hand. He handed the wallet to her and said she had dropped it. Then he disappeared into the crowd. This all happened in the span of a few seconds. I eventually wrote up the event for a story that was published in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’ve learned to be more vulnerable, writing with greater transparency and authenticity. This happened gradually as I learned to let down my guard to share the lessons God taught me so others wouldn’t have to learn the way I did: the hard way!
What is your favorite pastime?
I enjoy gardening, reading, and playing with my nine-year-old boxer. She behaves more like a nine-month-old puppy and is way too smart for my own good! I’ve written about a few of her antics for Chicken Soup for the Soul books, too!
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a manuscript about the fruit of the Spirit. For those who would like to keep up with the progress of this book, I invite you to subscribe to my e-newsletter through my website: www.AvaPennington.com.
Links:
Website: www.AvaPennington.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Names-God-Devotions-Fully/dp/080074098X
Social media links: