We stare out windows and see things that others don't even dream about. We can close our eyes and be transported to another time or place. We may even get anxious and out of breath when we're putting together a frightening scene or rescuing the helpless as only we can. This is one reason why I love writing for Love Inspired in all their lines. There is hope. Faith in action. And the kind of satisfying closure that I crave.
Curiosity drew me to explore Cherokee history before the "Trail of Tears," partly because one of the routes went right through the area where I now live. There are lots of reasons why that epic journey is often featured but I wanted to know what led up to it. When I found the true tale of the little boy who was caught in the clash between his Cherokee culture and Washington politics I was not only astounded, I was livid. How dare anybody do that to an innocent child? I had to help him. Save him! Give him a chance to live the happy, fulfilled life he deserved.
At the time my story takes place, the city of Washington had livestock roaming free and grazing on the mall. There were even water troughs provided for them there. Barges plied the Potomac and communication was by courier, letter or newspaper. There was one paper in the Cherokee language, The Cherokee Phoenix, and its editor was deeply involved in politics, too. So you see, I'm not dealing with the stereotypical Native American, at least not then. But put any man or woman in dire straits and send them fleeing into the wilderness and you will soon see beneath the veneer of civilization that we display so proudly.
As you may know I usually write for Love Inspired Suspense and love a good mystery. Couple that with the kind of background that takes your breath away and opens a whole new world that our ancestors trod and you have my take on historical fiction. I want to visit often and try to understand how we can be so alike and yet so different.
And I want to take you with me.
Val
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