Travelers of the Gray Dawn by Paul Grimshaw

To say that Tommy Fuller has a major problem is a gross understatement! His day began with a challenging, as well as frightening, situation that was not destined to rapidly improve.

Tommy, Greg Jackson and Mike Phillips are all Civil War enthusiasts,  participating in a major reenactment event. Circumstances bring them together on a journey that transports them into the actual Battle of Gettysburg and into a time where they discover that the Civil War seems to have concluded very differently than their knowledge of history represents.

Embroiled in a situation where they are ultimately living as fugitives in this very different society, they must claw and scratch their way back to their own time and lives. Can they trust anyone to help?

I read this book with particular interest, as I have a old friend who is an expert on Civil War history and happens to be an active reenactor. He performs a one man show in which he dresses in uniform and tells his story of being in the Civil War, describes the physical conditions, the emotional conflicts, the governmental/moral issues of the time, and is so convincing in his performance, one would believe he had really been there in that capacity. Many historical society chapters invite him to speak, and I must say that hearing him is an intriguing experience. A room in his house has been effectively converted into a museum of Civil War memorabilia, and visiting him and his home is unforgettable.

Reading Travelers of the Gray Dawn is a similar experience. It is far more than a step back in time. It takes the division of the north and south states one step further and considers what life might have been like if the outcome of the war had been significantly different. The book is a combination of time travel, history, fiction, and science fiction with a touch of romance included for good measure.

Author Paul Grimshaw educates us about various aspects of the Civil War, while painting a vivid picture of the social implications of such a horrifically divided time in our nation’s history.  Reading the book caused me to pause and ask the question, “What lessons did we learn from the Civil War?” As much as I love friends and family from both the north and the south, I am very much aware that there are still people who harbor resentment toward “those Yankee northern aggressors.”  And there are northerners who still think of the southerners as unsophisticated “Rebels.” How much progress has been achieved in erasing the division and disrespect? Will these stereotypes ever be eliminated?

On another note, this book also sheds some light on what the eager reenactors really do on those battlefields--something that always sparked my curiosity. I could definitely visualize this story as a possibility for the big screen. I hope that Paul Grimshaw will let us know when the movie will be released and if we are invited to its debut!!

Book Description

What if...? What if the South had won the American Civil War? What might the world look like in 2013 if, in 1863, the Confederated States of America won the Civil War? These issues are considered in the action-adventure time-travel thriller "Travelers of the Gray Dawn." This fast moving, movie-like story has been said to be as if "Cold Mountain" meets "Back to the Future" with a little "National Treasure" thrown in for the "fun factor." Join three modern day Civil War reenactors who begin their morning at the 150th Anniversary reenactment of The Battle of Gettysburg, and accidentally stumble through time and space finding themselves in a world that seems familiar in some ways, but is very different in others. This novel, from freelance journalist Paul Grimshaw, takes aim as part cautionary tale, part mystery, and part cops & robbers with a love story at its heart.

A Mini-Interview with Paul Grimshaw

What prompted you to write the story? “I’ve always been a big Sci-Fi fan (too much Twilight Zone as a kid) and an American history buff.  When I saw my first Civil War reenactment in Franklin, TN 25 years ago, I had this crazy notion about a fun story involving time travel and the South winning the Civil War.”

How long did it take you to complete the project? “Who knows? I worked on it in fits and starts over the past 25 years, dropping for 10 years  at one point, picking it back up, stopping for 2 or 3 years, etc. But with the approach of the Sesquicentennial (150^th) of the Civil War approaching, I made a mad dash to finish in 2012, just before the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (2013).”

Are you currently working on Volume II? “Yes and no! I’ve decided on a prequel, and have the rough story idea mapped out in my head, but no actual words to paper (or computer screen) yet. But soon!  I should note that I have a new book deal almost wrapped up with Arcadia Publishing in Charleston. It will be a non-fiction Civil War history and photo archive project, released in 2015. Arcadia is huge – international, 9,000 titles in print, and they are the distribution partner that’s been selling my book at select Walmart stores.”

About the Author

Freelance journalist / musician Paul R. Grimshaw is a lifetime amateur historian, with distant ties, like many Americans, to the U.S. Civil War. Born in Syracuse, New York, Grimshaw has traveled extensively and lived for extended periods in Nashville, TN, Central Mo, and South Carolina, where he currently resides. His debut novel, Travelers of the Gray Dawn, combines his love of sci-fi and history to answer the "What if?" questions of a modern world, in the wake of a Confederate victory. Grimshaw is an active Civil War reenactor, participating in as many 150th Anniversary reenactments as his schedule will allow. He was a part of the historic 150th Gettysburg Reenactment in July, 2013, along with 15,000 reenactors and 100,000 spectators.

Paul Grimshaw

Visit his Amazon page at:  http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Gray-Dawn-Paul-Grimshaw-ebook/dp/B00DH3J8UK

For additional information visit:  

http://www.travelersofthegraydawn.com

AND   http://www.paulgrimshawmedia.com

PLEASE NOTE--Paul Grimshaw and Travelers of the Gray Dawn will be featured:

·       September 6, 2014 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Market Common, Myrtle Beach, SC

·       September 27, 2014 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Clock Tower Books, 105 Screven Street, Georgetown, SC

Stop by, visit the author, and purchase a copy that he will graciously sign!

I will be taking a summer break from blogging on this site, but will periodically feature some particularly interesting books. Check back for updates!

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect, From Italy with Love & Limoncello and Write Your Pet's Life Story in 7 Easy Steps!

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com

*****

The Autobiography of Fezziwig by Danny Kuhn

Some of the great advantages of being involved in a local author group (Beach Author Network) are meeting many amazing writers, reviewing their diverse works and being exposed to various books and genres that I might not ordinarily encounter if I were sticking strictly to my typical reading trends. I frequently find it an incredibly positive experience--hopping out of my comfort zone of typical literary proclivities, and I discovered that reading The Autobiography of Fezziwig was definitely one of those affirmative events.

Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol character, Fezziwig, this is the tale of a man who was initially stripped of his entire existence as he had once known it. His station in life becomes incrementally elevated through the most unlikely circumstances, events, individuals, Providence and hard work.

From the coffeehouses of London to the fledgling business deals of Charleston, South Carolina, Fezziwig is a man of integrity. He is fiercely loyal to his employer and deeply cares about the employees, treating them kindly and fairly, unlike the typical 18th Century employer and even many modern day company owners and managers.

There are references to Eliza Lucas Pinckney, a very real individual, who managed three plantations at age sixteen in the 1700’s and proved that indigo could be a viable South Carolina cash crop. Fezziwig's dealings with her reminded me of another book I recently read entitled A Woman Rice Planter by Elizabeth Allston Pringle, who found herself owning seven plantations after the Civil War and told of her struggles and attempts to survive and prosper in a southern society, dominated by the male population.

The Autobiography of Fezziwig tells us how 18th Century business was conducted in London and the colonies and how travel from England was fraught with danger from storms, illness, tainted food, villains, boredom, enemies of war, and loneliness.

Written in the first person point of view, this story guides the reader directly into the experiences, inner thoughts and reasoning of William Fezziwig and the details of his interaction with some rather influential and famous characters. It also emphasizes that the raging conflicts in England during this time were relative to tightly intertwined religion and politics.

Stepping back in time as one reads this book is a satisfyingly intriguing experience! It’s like a history lesson that actually entertains, informs and invites the reader into the heart and soul of William Fezziwig. Danny Kuhn has captured a great glimpse of the challenges of life and family during that era and uses Fezziwig’s thoughts, conversations and actions as vessels to educate the reader.

 

Book Description

Dickens gave us only a glimpse of Scrooge's first employer, as a jolly old man who loved Christmas. This is the whole life of Fezziwig, an English businessman during the cusp of the Industrial Revolution who travels to colonial Charleston, South Carolina promoting his warehouse trade. Along the way, he befriends a young man named Washington, and returns to spend time in the London coffeehouses with the likes of Dr. Johnson and Erasmus Darwin. Even those meetings pale compared to his adventures afield with the irrepressible Benjamin Franklin!

 "A true look at a remarkable time, so full of historical facts and characters as to be totally believable as autobiography. It reminds us of the astounding array of scientific, literary, and philosophical geniuses rubbing elbows in the eighteenth century London coffeehouses, and of the social and political unrest of the day. As Fezziwig says, 'The only thing that outlives us, as our legacy, is the good we do for others.' Mr. Dickens would be pleased!"

Link to Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/The-Autobiography-of-Fezziwig-ebook/dp/B00CA592ZW

In the words of Danny Kuhn

“The Autobiography of Fezziwig is my first novel, though I write a monthly column for a magazine back home (in West Virginia) and have had other periodical articles published. It takes a minor character from Dickens' A Christmas Carol and gives him a full life.  As a young man, he travels to the West Indies and Charles Town, SC  to further his warehouse trade, and, back in London, befriends an American agent there by the name of Benjamin Franklin. Along the way, he interacts with Samuel Johnson, Erasmus Darwin, Joseph Priestley, and many other famous characters to be found in eighteenth century London.”  

 

Danny Kuhn

About Danny Kuhn

Danny was raised in the coalfields of Southern West Virginia, earned degrees at Marshall and West Virginia Universities. His career has included being a social worker, high school science teacher, and Federal Probation Officer. In 2010, he retired as Deputy Chief United States Probation Officer in West Virginia and relocated to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he is a magazine columnist and training consultant for Favoritetrainers.com. Connect with Danny Kuhn on Facebook!

Come on back in a couple of weeks, and you'll see another book and author featured. I love to highlight authors and their works. There are so many of us out there who strive to share our efforts, but the competition to be seen by a world of eyeballs is staggering. Thank you so much for visiting today!

Lovingly,

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect and From Italy with Love & Limoncello.

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com