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Lighthouses have long been the symbol of salvation,
warning sailors away from dangerous rocks and shallow waters.
warning sailors away from dangerous rocks and shallow waters.
Along the Great Lakes, America’s inland seas, lighthouses played a vital role in the growth of the nation. They shepherded settlers traveling by water to places that had no roads. These beacons of light required constant tending even in remote and often dangerous places. Brave men and women battled the elements and loneliness to keep the lights shining. Their sacrifice kept goods and immigrants moving. Seven romances set between 1883 and 1911 bring hope to these lonely keepers and love to weary hearts
ISBN-13: 978-1683227694
Interview
We’re welcoming the Island Aunties from Anna’s Tower, part of
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection.
They have agreed to sit down and answer a few of our questions today.
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection.
They have agreed to sit down and answer a few of our questions today.
Auntie Laurie and Auntie Gretchen, tell us a little about yourselves, your family, and friends.
Auntie Gretchen: That’s easy; we’ve outlived all our family and friends.
Auntie Laurie: Now, sister, that’s not true. Jim Wilson has been a dear friend who took us in to live at the lighthouse. And you know we have some nieces and nephews, oh goodness, no doubt great nieces and nephews by now. Our brother, he was much younger than us you know, had a couple of boys and a girl the last time we heard from him back in … was it 1863, sister?
Auntie Gretchen: Not that we’ll ever see a one of them. Packed off to greener pastures the way all young people do these days. Gone. Just like that.
Auntie Laurie: Well, dear, there was a war going on.
Auntie Gretchen: Pffft.
Auntie Gretchen: That’s easy; we’ve outlived all our family and friends.
Auntie Laurie: Now, sister, that’s not true. Jim Wilson has been a dear friend who took us in to live at the lighthouse. And you know we have some nieces and nephews, oh goodness, no doubt great nieces and nephews by now. Our brother, he was much younger than us you know, had a couple of boys and a girl the last time we heard from him back in … was it 1863, sister?
Auntie Gretchen: Not that we’ll ever see a one of them. Packed off to greener pastures the way all young people do these days. Gone. Just like that.
Auntie Laurie: Well, dear, there was a war going on.
Auntie Gretchen: Pffft.
Let’s move on. What is the one thing you just can’t do without?
Auntie Laurie: Fresh air and sunshine. Doesn’t that just pick your spirits up? I so look forward to spring when everything comes into bloom again.
Auntie Gretchen: Something for my hands to do. Nothing worse than sitting in a chair with idle hands.
Auntie Laurie: Unless you’re napping.
Auntie Gretchen: I don’t nap in my chair.
Auntie Laurie: Well, dear, then you snore while awake.
Auntie Gretchen: I don’t snore. Never have. Never will.
Auntie Laurie: Fresh air and sunshine. Doesn’t that just pick your spirits up? I so look forward to spring when everything comes into bloom again.
Auntie Gretchen: Something for my hands to do. Nothing worse than sitting in a chair with idle hands.
Auntie Laurie: Unless you’re napping.
Auntie Gretchen: I don’t nap in my chair.
Auntie Laurie: Well, dear, then you snore while awake.
Auntie Gretchen: I don’t snore. Never have. Never will.
| Ladies, why don’t you tell us what you fear the most? Auntie Laurie: *shudders visibly* Spiders. I know I shouldn’t let them worry me, but just the thought-- Auntie Gretchen: She’s always been afraid of spiders. What’s much more worrisome is a nasty shipwreck off our island. Auntie Laurie: She’s right, I should have said that. Auntie Gretchen: Pulling sailors out of the water, some alive, some not. Trying to patch up the ones that are still breathing. Wondering if any are still out there. Auntie Laurie: Yes, that is always frightening. Sometimes, if the storm isn’t too loud, you can hear the cries of the men in the water. It’s awful. Just awful. |  |
That does sound dreadful so let’s move on. Tell us, what are your greatest strengths and your greatest flaws?
*The two women look at each other briefly*
Auntie Laurie: I think it might be a good idea to just skip that question.
Auntie Gretchen: Pffft.
*The two women look at each other briefly*
Auntie Laurie: I think it might be a good idea to just skip that question.
Auntie Gretchen: Pffft.
That’s fine, then let me ask this, if you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
Auntie Gretchen: I’d like to have traveled to Russian and seen the land our parents came from.
Auntie Laurie: But you get seasick just sailing to the mainland, how would you have crossed the ocean?
Auntie Gretchen: She asked what I’d like to change.
Auntie Laurie: Then you should have said you’d like to not get seasick.
Auntie Gretchen: *opens her mouth*
Auntie Laurie: But I’ll answer now, I would have liked to get married.
Auntie Gretchen: WHAT?!
Auntie Laurie: It would have been nice to have children and grandchildren.
Auntie Gretchen: Pffft.
Auntie Gretchen: I’d like to have traveled to Russian and seen the land our parents came from.
Auntie Laurie: But you get seasick just sailing to the mainland, how would you have crossed the ocean?
Auntie Gretchen: She asked what I’d like to change.
Auntie Laurie: Then you should have said you’d like to not get seasick.
Auntie Gretchen: *opens her mouth*
Auntie Laurie: But I’ll answer now, I would have liked to get married.
Auntie Gretchen: WHAT?!
Auntie Laurie: It would have been nice to have children and grandchildren.
Auntie Gretchen: Pffft.
Okay, ladies, what do you hope that people will learn from your story?
Auntie Laurie: That people shouldn’t be judged by where they come from.
Auntie Gretchen: And young people ought to listen to their elders. If Anna would have listened to me in the first place we could have avoided--
Auntie Laurie: Sister, don’t give away the ending.
Auntie Gretchen: Oh. Right.
Auntie Laurie: That people shouldn’t be judged by where they come from.
Auntie Gretchen: And young people ought to listen to their elders. If Anna would have listened to me in the first place we could have avoided--
Auntie Laurie: Sister, don’t give away the ending.
Auntie Gretchen: Oh. Right.
What is the most important thing to you?
Auntie Laurie: My sister.
Auntie Gretchen: I suppose I better say by my sister too.
Auntie Laurie: My sister.
Auntie Gretchen: I suppose I better say by my sister too.
Thank you, ladies, for talking to us today. If people want to learn more about you and Anna’s Tower,
they can find The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection at bookstores and on Amazon.
they can find The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection at bookstores and on Amazon.
 Pegg Thomas | Pegg Thomas lives on a hobby farm in Northern Michigan with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. They raise sheep and chickens, keep a few barn cats, and Murphy the spoiled rotten dog. A life-long history geek, she writes “History with a Touch of Humor.” Pegg is published in the Barbour historical romance collections. Pegg also works as Managing Editor of Smitten Historical Romance, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. When not working or writing, Pegg can be found in her barn, her garden, her kitchen, or sitting at her spinning wheel creating yarn to turn into her signature wool shawls. |
