KLW: So Linda Carroll-Bradd is sharing some fun facts she learned in her research when writing Unlocked Treasure. Thank you, Linda.
LCB: A favorite bit of information I learned while researching my new release, Unlocked Treasure, was about the tall ships that operate out of Martha’s Vineyard. For almost 20 years, schooners that are replicas of those used by sailors and pirates in the 1800s host tours each summer. Crew members are skilled in various ship crafts like knot tying, star charting, navigation, small-boat handling, but they can’t sail the ship by themselves. So those coming aboard are expected to help out with the ship’s chores.
Another fun fact was that if you’re a student in school on the island, you are offered a special rate to spend a week on the schooners Shenandoah or Alabama as part of your curriculum for your 5th grade year. For that period, you live without modern conveniences in conditions that replicate the era. You swab decks, help the cook in the galley, learn navigation skills, as well as complete your core studies via a special curriculum. All while sailing along the coast of New England. Sounds like the sail of a lifetime.
Author: Linda Carroll-Bradd
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: October 20, 2014
Key Words: Halloween, contemporary, pirate history, yachting, Rhode Island
ISBN: 978-1-62830-602-6
Blurb for Unlocked Treasure:
Aleen MacRae blames the lure of the sea for breaking apart first her family then her engagement. When her interest is caught by a man she sees both in person and in a dream, she resists—afraid to believe in her aunt’s prediction that her future is tied to the sea.
Braden Williams is on the hunt for treasure buried centuries earlier by Rhode Island pirates. His search brings him to the property where Aleen lives. Collaboration on genealogy research draws them closer, and Braden steers her toward his true passion–sailing.
Attending a party with Braden’s family lets her glimpse what she’s been missing. An unexpected discovery before her date with Braden at the Halloween Midnight Organ Recital forces a decision. Will Aleen play things safe or accept what this free-spirited man offers?
Tagline for Unlocked Treasure:
Will a prophecy keep a lonely woman from accepting the promise of adventure?
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
Ah, the story of her life—practically invisible. The reminder his first sighting had been of her bikini-clad backside made her blush. Still didn’t change the facts. Aleen squared her shoulders. “I remember, but the Manor grounds are still closed.” Should she be nervous about being alone with this stranger, especially one who ignored posted rules?
“Sorry for the intrusion. Let me start over.” Smiling, he approached and extended his right hand. “My name’s Braden Williams.”
Aleen bit her lower lip, but accepted his hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Aleen MacRae.” At the moment their hands clasped, she felt warmth flooding her fingers. With a jerk, she released her grip, tingling sensations running along her skin. Immediately, the scent of fresh air and summer breezes wafted her way. Definitely a man of the sea. Just where I foretold your future lies. Whispers of her great-aunt Zsofika’s prophecy trickled through Aleen’s thoughts. At the memory, her cheeks flamed with heat.
“Wow.” Frowning, Braden flexed his hand and narrowed his gaze then dropped it to his flexing fingers. “That was bizarre.”
“Static electricity, from all that wind yesterday.” A reasonable explanation. In the back of her mind, Aleen could hear Zsofika scoff, “Static schmatic. A connection like that is destiny.”
“Well…” His gaze searched her face. “Aleen—hey, that’s pretty, like the direction alee.” A wide smile exposed even teeth.
Her own smile dimmed. Like I’ve never heard that before. “Thanks.” This guy was not charming his way around the rules. “Sorry, but you’ll need to come back when the gardens are open for visitors. That’s Wednesdays through—”
“Yeah, I read the sign.” He gave a dismissive wave then turned to gaze back at the main house. “But I just needed five minutes to check out some dimensions and the lot layout.”
“So, you woke up this morning and just decided to start out your week by trespassing?”
As a young girl, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, she read and then started writing romances and achieved her first publication–a confession story. Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor from her home in the southern California mountains.
Linda’s Links:
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