Heat Lightning & Nor'easters

"Heat Lightning & Nor'easters" is the second installment in the James family saga, following "Thunder Snow & Dry Rain." The story unfolds along the eastern coast of North America during the early 17th century. The setting effectively illustrates the challenges of colonial life, the complex interactions between colonists and Native American tribes, and the profound effects of European expansion on the New World. It seamlessly blends the family's experiences with significant historical events, creating an engaging narrative that combines fact and fiction. "Heat Lightning," Volume 3 in my series, explores the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica and the treasure fleets that carried wealth to Spain. The narrative begins as Aleyn James fulfills his deathbed promise to the English explorer, Captain Dermer. Aleyn and his family set out on a search along the eastern seaboard for signs of a Spanish incursion, which ultimately leads them to St. Augustine. The Spanish garrison takes Aleyn and his crew prisoner, but they eventually escape to salvage treasure from a galleon that sank in the 1623 hurricane off the Florida Keys. In "Nor'easters," Volume 4, the James family sails north to the lands of the Wampanoag, Pequot, and the powerful Narragansett. They wreck their ship, the Virginia, on Cape Cod's outer bank, join the struggling Plymouth Colony, and become involved in the Pequot War, the first major conflict between Native Americans and European settlers. The novel portrays the complexities and brutalities of this war, emphasizing its impact on both sides. Key characters include Aleyn James, his wife Acoona Stonefire, and their children, Humphrey and Tara. Other significant characters comprise various English colonial leaders, prominent Native American figures, and Mayan individuals, all of whom play crucial roles in the story. The characters face numerous challenges, including shipwrecks, slavery, hurricanes, and war, showcasing remarkable resilience as they overcome these obstacles and adapt to their changing circumstances. The story concludes with the James family finding peace and purpose despite their many hardships, reflecting the broader experiences of early American settlers and their interactions with the diverse cultures they encountered. It also depicts the destructive consequences of greed, leading to conflict, betrayal, and moral compromise.