About the Book

Book: Rebel Light

Author: Marilyn Turk

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: 2018

She ran away from the war only to find herself in the middle of it. Who will protect her now?

It’s 1861, Florida has seceded from the Union, and residents of Pensacola evacuate inland to escape the impending war. But Kate McFarlane’s impulsive act of rebellion changes her life and that of many others in ways she never expected.
As a result, Kate finds herself with an eccentric aunt in an unfamiliar place. Lieutenant Clay Harris, a handsome Confederate officer, offers a chance for romance, but his actions make Kate question his character. When a hurricane brings an injured shipwrecked sailor from the Union blockade to her aunt’s house, Kate fights attraction to the man while hiding him from Clay. She’s determined to warn her sea captain father about the blockade, but needs someone to help her. Who can she trust – her ally or her enemy?

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About the Author

Award-winning author Marilyn Turk writes historical and contemporary novels laced with suspense and romance. She especially likes finding little-known historical tidbits to include in her books. In addition to fiction, Marilyn is a contributor to Guideposts’ Walking in Grace and other anthologies. She and her husband are lighthouse enthusiasts, have visited over 100 lighthouses, and served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine.

When not writing or visiting lighthouses, Marilyn enjoys reading, walking, kayaking, fishing, gardening and playing tennis. She also sings in the choir at her church and leads a women’s Bible study group.

She is a member of ACFW, Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers, AWSA, Word Weavers International and the United States Lighthouse Society.

More from Marilyn

When I moved to Florida, I “met” my first lighthouse in person, the Pensacola Lighthouse. I was hooked on lighthouses from then on. I’ve always been interested in Civil War history as well, since so much of it took place in the south where I live, and I’ve been curious about what it was like to live in Florida during the war. Research on the subject got my creative wheels turning, and the story of Rebel Light was born. The book takes place in the beginning of the Civil War in Florida and shows the effects it had on the people living in the area. I loved the story of Katherine, the only child of a seafaring father, as she matures after leaving her familiar home in Pensacola and finds herself in an unfamiliar place where she has to abandon the rigid societal  confines of her former life and become an asset to her hardy great aunt in Apalachicola.

These characters are like my good friends, and I love them and their personalities. In fact, I love them so much, I wrote a sequel to Katherine’s story, Revealing Light, and thus the whole series of the Coastal Lights Legacy was born.

Interview with Marilyn

How long does it take you to write a book?

From the start of research to the finished writing, about 9 months to a year.

What are your favorite books to read?

I love to read historical fiction, particularly the World War II era now. But I have also read a lot of Civil War era books.

How do you create your main characters?

 When I research the place and timeframe, I become familiar with what life was like at that time and place. I imagine myself living at that time and observing others, and my characters appear and introduce themselves to me. I have an image in mind, but I usually keep a Pinterest page for each book, so I research pictures that are from that era and find the ones that most resemble what I had in mind. I also research historical names for that era and choose the names that match my characters.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

 Finishing it. Sometimes I’m easily distracted.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I read, walk, play tennis, and kayak if the weather is suitable.

Do you base your characters on real people?

Sometimes. I observe how people around me act and use those characteristics in my characters, but sometimes I use real historical characters.

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

Of course. I go back to my research and see if there’s an incident or tidbit of information I can insert at that point.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Since I’m a pantser, I never know the details of the book until I write it. I follow the characters around and sometimes they do things I didn’t expect! And sometimes people walk on to the scene that I didn’t invite! I’m often surprised by the turn of events. That’s the fun part, and I also

think that’s the God part. He’s a lot more creative than I am, so when surprises happen, I know He put them there because I’m not as creative as He is!

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve written over 20 novels and novellas.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

My website, marilynturk.com, my Facebook page, my author page on Amazon.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I have a cozy mystery novella coming out in February, the first ever of that genre I’ve written. It’s called “The Missing Chapter,” and is in a collection called Secrets Between the Shelves.

Meanwhile, I’m working on another World War II novel called Whispers in the Tunnels.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 17

lakesidelivingsite, January 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

Pens Pages and Pulses, January 20

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 21

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 23

Betti Mace, January 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25

For Him and My Family, January 26

Holly’s Book Corner, January 27

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, January 28

Pause for Tales, January 29

Stories By Gina, January 30 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, January 30 (Guest Review from Melissa)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marilyn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54133