Spotlight on Barbara Greig, author of Discovery

 

Discovery: An epic tale of love, loss, and courage.When Elizabeth Gharsia’s headstrong nephew, Gabriel, joins Samuel Champlain’s 1608 expedition to establish a settlement at Quebec, he soon becomes embroiled in a complicated tribal conflict. As months turn into years, Gabriel appears lost to his family.

Meanwhile at home in France the death of her father, Luis, adds to Elizabeth’s anguish. Devastated by her loss, she struggles to make sense of his final words. Could her mother’s journals, found hidden among Luis’s possessions, provide the key to the mystery?

The arrival of Pedro Torres disrupts Elizabeth’s world even further. Rescued from starvation on the streets of Marseille by her brother, Pedro is a victim of the brutal expulsion of his people from Spain. Initially antagonistic, will Elizabeth come to appreciate Pedro’s qualities and to understand the complexity of her family?

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Fun Facts 

 Barbara Greig 

(Stuff you may or may not already know!)

Please read on if you’d like to find out about the significance of the photo!

The first book I can remember reading is Grey Rabbit Finds A Shoe by Alison Uttley. There are two reasons for this. The first is where I was when I read it at the age of seven. I had accidently locked myself in the toilet and it was some time before I was rescued. Nobody had a ladder long enough to reach the upper storey until my mother ran to the coastguard station opposite our house. She slid Grey Rabbit Finds A Shoe under the door to keep me occupied while she was away. Luckily, the gap was just large enough. Eventually, the coastguard’s son gallantly climbed up the station’s ladder, struggled through the small window, and opened the door for me. I did not realise how this incident had become family lore until fairly recently. For my last big ‘0’ birthday I hosted a family party with strict instructions that there were to be no presents. To my surprise, one of my cousins arrived with a neatly wrapped package. It was my copy of Grey Rabbit Finds A Shoe. Apparently, I had passed it on to him as a child and he had kept it, giving me the second reason why I’ll always remember the book.

Fancy dress parties can create some serious planning and hiring unless you have something in your wardrobe. I have in my proud possession a Star Trek uniform as worn by Lieutenant Uhuru in the original series, bought from the Star Trek Experience gift shop in the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas. Some years ago we went as a family and found the simulation so realistic that we were all very relieved when Captain Janeway rescued us from the Borg. Having lunch served by two handsome Klingons made my teenage daughter’s day.

When I went to Vermont to research for Discovery I fell in love. He is warm and cuddly and the colour of honey. Yes, he is an Authentic Vermont Teddy Bear. I know I’m a grown woman but I couldn’t resist him. To help assuage my self-indulgence I bought a second bear for my goddaughter’s new baby. Two teddy bears really do bulk out your suitcase for the return flight!

I achieved late in life (in my fifties) a long-held ambition – I am a member of a dance group. This is remarkable to me as my ballet teacher told me, as a child, that I was more suited to the rugby field than the dance studio. I admit I did love to race around. Wanting a challenge, I went along to a Middle Eastern and Tribal Dance class where everyone was a total stranger. I nearly turned tail but I didn’t and it is one of the best things I have ever done. The exercise, the music, and the camaraderie are uplifting. We meet up with other dance groups, visit residential homes for the elderly, and generally have a joyous time. It is also a brilliant antidote to long stretches of sitting and writing.

While researching my next novel set in Shetland I visited the Family History Society. It was our first day in Lerwick and I was tired from the journey but my husband, Mike, persuaded me to go that afternoon. Reluctantly, I went rather than wait until after the weekend. What a good decision it proved to be! As I signed the visitor book, jotting down my family name, I noticed that two other people had been researching the same name that day. One was from New Zealand and the other from the south of England, both unknown to me. We made contact that evening – they were my fourth cousins. What a coincidence! It made me believe in them! Both of them were leaving for home the following day. One of my cousins has been a great help with my research.

I’ll finish with a photo entitled ‘Windswept research in Shetland’ which beautifully captures the atmosphere.

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Barbara Greig

Barbara Greig was born in Sunderland and lived in Roker until her family moved to Teesdale. An avid reader, she also discovered the joy of history at an early age. A last-minute change of heart, in the sixth form, caused her to alter her university application form. Instead of English, Barbara read Modern and Ancient History at Sheffield University. It was a decision she never regretted. 

Barbara worked for twenty years in sixth form colleges, teaching History and Classical Civilisation. Eventually, although enjoying a role in management, she found there was less time for teaching and historical study. A change of focus was required. With her children having flown the nest, she was able to pursue her love of writing and story-telling. She has a passion for hiking and dancing, the perfect antidotes to long hours of historical research and writing, as well as for travel, and wherever possible, she walks in the footsteps of her characters. 

Discovery is Barbara’s second novel. Her debut novel Secret Lives was published in 2016 (Sacristy Press).

 Connect with Barbara 

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Book Spotlight and Excerpt: Discovery, The Orphan Train Saga, Book 1 by Sherry A. Burton

 

While most use their summer breaks for pleasure, third grade teacher Cindy Moore is using her summer vacation to tie up some loose ends concerning her grandmother’s estate. When Cindy enters the storage unit that holds her grandmother’s belongings, she is merely looking for items she can sell to recoup some of the rental fees she’s spent paying for the unit.

Instead, what she finds are secrets her grandmother has taken to the grave with her. The more Cindy uncovers, the more she wants to know. Why was her grandmother abandoned by her own mother? Why hadn’t she told Cindy she’d lived in an orphanage? And how come her grandmother never mentioned she’d made history as one of the children who rode the Orphan Trains?

Join Cindy as she uncovers her grandmother’s hidden past and discovers the life that stole her grandmother’s love.

 Excerpt

Helen motioned towards the doll. “I bought her last week when I learned the train would be coming. I hope you like her.”

Mileta felt another stab in the heart. It would only be a matter of time before they realized she was too big to play with dolls. “She is lovely.”

 “You have had a long few days. I will draw you a bath, and you can soak in the tub.” Helen left the room, leaving the door open.

Mileta reached up and removed the bow from her hair and let her fingers glide through the length of her locks. She felt her lips quiver, took a deep breath, and went in search of Helen.

The washroom was two doors down the hall. Light blue tile ran through the room with a line of black separating the room midway across the wall. Helen sat on the edge of a large bathtub, her fingers floating under the water as it flowed from the spigot. She looked up when Mileta entered.

“The water is a little touchy. You have to keep a close eye on it, or it will get too hot and burn you. You can use the pink towel on the holder; it should be easy for you to remember, as it matches your room.”

Mileta nodded. It was the best she could do under the circumstances.

“There is soap in the dish. Make sure to wash your hair. Take your time and get clean. You can wear the same clothes for now. I am going to start supper. John will want to eat soon.” Helen turned the knobs to stop the water, then wiped her fingers with one of the other towels. She returned the towel to the hook, smoothing the creases.

The second Helen left the room, Mileta sank into the tub and burst into tears, all hopes she had of staying dashed.

***

“Mildred, you have barely touched your supper. Is it not to your liking?” John asked.

Mileta looked at the plate in front of her. A scoop of mashed potatoes smothered in brown gravy, glazed carrots, and a thin slice of perfectly cooked roast beef sat mostly untouched. She had not had such offerings since she’d left her home in Poland. That was the issue. If she were going back to the asylum, she’d rather not get used to such delicacies. “Oh, yes, sir, this is much to my liking.”

“Eat up, then. You will not get food like this tomorrow,” John encouraged.

Mileta felt the tears coming but could do nothing to stop them. As they spilled from her eyes, she sprang from her chair and raced to the room at the top of the stairs. She had her suitcase in her hand moments later when John and Helen entered the room.

Mileta pushed her chin out and swallowed hard. “I am ready to go back now.”

Helen waited in the doorway as John approached and sat on the edge of the bed. “What is this all about, Mildred? I thought you like it here.”

Mileta swallowed once more. “I do, but since you are going to send me back, I would much prefer to return today.”

John exchanged glances with Helen, who shrugged her confusion.

John addressed her once more. “What makes you think we are going to send you back?”

“Clearly, you were hoping to get a baby.”

“Why would you say that?” John asked.

Mileta nodded towards the doll.

John let out a breath. “It is just a doll, Mildred. All little girls like to play with dolls.”

Mileta stared at him.

“Have you never played with dolls, Mildred?” This time, it was Helen who spoke.

“Not that I can remember.” Mileta was surprised to see tears pool in Helen’s eyes. “Why does that make you sad, when you want me to go away?”

Helen dropped to her knees. “Mildred, what have I done to make you think I don’t want you?”

“You called him John instead of my father.”

“What?”

“When you picked me, you said you would teach me to cook. Then after you found I am a burden, you said you were going to cook supper by yourself, and you said John would want to eat.”

Helen smiled through her tears. “Oh, Mildred, this was all a misunderstanding. I called him John because that is what I am used to calling him. And I did not ask you to help me cook because I thought you would be too tired.”

“Then why did you not cut my hair?” Mileta asked through fresh tears.

Helen’s eyebrows knit together. “Why would I cut your beautiful hair?”

“Because that is what people do when you are going to stay. When my mother took me to the asylum that day, they made me take a bath. Before the bath, the woman cut my hair. Mary told me they always do that when you are going to stay.”

Helen wiped at her tears. “Mildred, I need to be honest with you. Remember I told you about the baby we had that died?”

Mileta nodded her head.

“Well, her name was Mildred. She would have been the same age as you. I like to think she would have even looked like you. That is why we picked you and gave you her name. We want you to stay with us and have the life our little girl never got to have. We want to give you the love we never got to give to her. Will you allow us to do that, Mileta?”

Mileta considered her words for a moment then shook her head. “On one condition.”

Helen looked at her expectantly.

“Will you call me Mildred again?”

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About the Author

Sherry A. Burton

Born in Kentucky, Sherry got her start in writing by pledging to write a happy ending to a good friend who was going through some really tough times. The story surprised her by taking over and practically writing itself. What started off as a way to make her friend smile started her on a journey that would forever change her life. Sherry readily admits to hearing voices and is convinced that being married to her best friend for thirty-eight plus years goes a long way in helping her write happily-ever-afters. Sherry is the author of The Orphan Train Saga novels, a planned eighteen book historical fiction saga that revolves around the historic orphan trains. Books in the saga include Discovery, Shameless, Treachery and Guardian. Loyal, the fifth in the saga, expected to release summer of 2021. Sherry resides in Michigan and spends most of her time writing from her home office, traveling to book signing events, and giving lectures on the Orphan Trains.

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