Tuesday's Title - Exiles On The St. Johns

Two families, two younger brothers (one a spy, the other a sharpshooter)--ONE WAR. The sharpshooter fears seeing his brother in his gunsights. And the spy's activites may cause the loss of their home.

Title:  Exiles on the Saint Johns

Author:  Lydia Hawke 
Find Lydia on the web at www.lydiahawke.us/
 
Date of Release:  September 18, 2010
Genre:  Civil War Historical

 
Publisher: Global Authors Publications
Buy Links: Amazon


Blurb:

Northeast Florida seethes with hostilities during the War Between the States, pitting father against son and neighbor against neighbor. Confederate sharpshooter Jack Farrell returns home to recover from his wounds but faces conflict with his Unionist father and Yankee raiders. Martina Sanchez, a young Minorcan woman, struggles to hold onto her St. Augustine home despite threats of banishment by Union occupiers. She fears her younger brother's spying will bring more disaster into their lives. Union Lieutenant Richard Prescott pursues Martina ruthlessly, blackmailing her to achieve his ends. Her only help comes from the disreputable Jack Farrell, who appears to be just as dangerous as her tormentor.

Excerpts and reviews of both Exiles On The St. Johns and the sequel, Raiders On The St. Johns can be found at here.
 
Behind the Scenes: Thanks to the Florida Memory online project, Lydia discovered the Confederate pension records for her great, great grandfather. The research uncovered not only a discharge "on account of disability" but what was going on in St. Johns County at the time. Among the tales she worked into Exiles On The St. Johns was the live of St. Augustine. The town was under Federal control from March 1862 through the end of the war and was off limits to anyone who refused to take the Oath of Allegiance. 

Author Bio:

Lydia Filzen has written four award-winning Civil War novels under the name Lydia Hawke. EXILES ON THE SAINT JOHNS and RAIDERS ON THE SAINT JOHNS are set in Florida. FIRETRAIL and PERFECT DISGUISE, have been adapted into feature-length movies and are now available on DVD.

Lydia was born in St. Augustine and has lived in Florida all her life. She is an avid history buff and lurks about Civil War reenactments trolling for stories and great pictures. Also, she shows champion Collies in conformation and agility. She has also written a suspense novel set in the world of dog agility trials, SILENT WITNESS.

Find Lydia on the web at www.lydiahawke.us/