But as we writers always claim to do, I eventually got to the point where I could funnel the fears and the joys and the new lessons learned into my writing. Certainly I now understand better than ever what the Tremaynes would have experienced with Morgan, who in my mind suffered from what we now know as mitochondrial disease, making him prone to every illness that hit the area. I took another week for another retreat (this one at home) and hammered out the second half of the book. And though I would have preferred a more leisurely exploration of Beth and Sheridan’s romance, they were nevertheless a bright spot in my world during those trying couple of months.
And I knew from the moment I saw Prince Rupert of the Rhine’s name appear in The Pirate John Mucknell and the Hunt for the Wreck of the John by Todd Stevens—one of my resources for the series—that I had to include him in this book. I mean, a pirate prince! Who could pass that up?
I obviously fabricated his romance on Tresco and that secret marriage—the accepted history that Sheridan shares about him is in fact the real history of the prince. His father was very briefly a king, he was a nephew of England’s ousted monarch, and he went to war as a mere child of fourteen. He prowled the waters along with Mucknell, from whom he learned the fine art of piracy, and eventually settled in England when his family was back on the throne. There, he kept a few mistresses but never married, though he did recognize his illegitimate daughter, Ruperta—who did indeed marry a Howe. He was known not only for taking over the pirate fleet—royalty trumped Mucknell’s vice admiral title—but for his development of weapons, skill with ciphers, and scientific advancements later in life.
The newly discovered Druid cairn on Gugh—and its pirate treasure—are completely fictional. But what’s true is that similar cairns were still being discovered at that time on the islands, and the excavation of Obadiah’s Barrow by Bonsor is completely factual . . . other than Beth’s story about planting chicken bones and beads in it, of course. The islands are littered with Druid sites as well as ruins of priories and hermitages and other evidence of life on now-uninhabited islands from the early days of Christianity there and before.
What I found utterly fascinating as I researched the history of the island chain is that the Scillies were, in the Roman era, a single island with a nearly tropical climate. Orange trees did indeed grow there in that day and age, and the water level was a great deal lower. Sometime around the year 1090, in the days when records weren’t really kept, the islands “sank into the sea,” drowning the straits between the higher portions that are now all that’s left.
There’s also much speculation as to whether said single island, before sinking, is in fact the island of Lyonesse from the tragic tale of Tristan and Isolde. Such things can’t be proven . . . but they make for a lot of fictional fun, which I’ll be exploring more deeply in the next book!
My husband found it amazing that I managed to write a book about two characters with a heavy dose of wanderlust when I myself am a homebody through and through. He, on the other hand, would have us flitting all over the world like a rosefinch if circumstances permitted, so it was fun to tip my hat to his adventurer’s soul in this story. I have to thank him, as always, for his support and encouragement, and for laughing his way through his early read. It made those hours of staring at my screen worthwhile!
Thanks to my amazing kids, who have really stepped up during this trying period in our lives; to our awesome parents, who are always there for us; to my sister with her goodie baskets and giving heart; to Rachel for keeping my world running; to Stephanie for always, always listening and encouraging; and to Elizabeth, who always reads my books to make sure Americanisms don’t slip into my Englishmen’s speech. And, of course, the awe-inspiring team at Bethany House, from my brilliant editors to the amazing cover designer to the best publicity and marketing team on the planet. Whatever my books end up being is because of their help!
I hope you’re enjoying the continued adventure in this beautiful island setting as my characters search for pirate treasure. There’s still plenty more to discover! I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to exploring the finish of the tale through Lady Emily’s eyes . . . if I can manage to write it without sneaking my own chocolate every time Telford reaches for a sweet.
As always, you can find more information about the book and series, along with resources for continuing the conversations on topics that arise in the books, on my website, along with recommended further reading and more on the history I draw on. Find that at RoseannaMWhite.com.
And, much like Beth, I’ve also discovered a passion for collecting the stories of those around me, because preserving those stories is what connects us to our past, helps us understand one another, and broadens our hearts and minds. I’ve created a website called SeeingtheStory.com to be a gathering place for storytellers and story collectors, where their tales can be recorded and shared. I invite you to come and read others’ histories and to tell your own stories—either in written, audio, or video format.
Finally, never forget this most important truth: Adventure can be found wherever you seek it. Until next time, keep chasing it in your own life!
Discussion Questions
Beth and Sheridan both have a heavy dose of wanderlust and adventure-seeking personalities. Did you like that about them? Do you dream more about traveling the world and exploring new places, or are you a homebody?
Beth and her brothers have always loved one another, but don’t always understand one another, especially when it comes to Beth’s spreading her wings. Whose viewpoint do you understand better, hers or Oliver’s? How do you play out your beliefs on the subject with your own family, especially where dreams and views are different?
Sheridan has a pronounced and often self-deprecating sense of humor but also some vulnerabilities that are easy to see. What did you think of how this played out in his changing relationship with Beth? Do you know anyone who hides behind jokes? Or who uses them to share truth?
Senara nearly makes a second bad choice because she thinks it will redeem an earlier one. Do you understand this mindset? Have you ever struggled with how to “undo” a failing?
Who is your favorite character? Your least favorite? Why?
Was there a part of the story that completely surprised you? What was your favorite moment?
In this story and series, we see many different sorts of sibling relationships—Libby and Bram, Oliver and Beth (and Morgan), Sheridan with his sisters, and then Emily with Nigel. Which relationships struck a chord with you? Did you find any of them amusing? Relatable? Baffling? Do any of them explain a bit about the characters in your mind?
Were Lady Abbie and Lady Millicent what you expected Sheridan’s sisters to be like? Did you like them? Did they bring anything unexpected into the story for you?
Did the treasure hunt turn out how you envisioned it? What did you expect them to find or not find? What about the role of Senara’s necklace?
The islands are now bursting at the seams with archaeologists, treasure hunters, and museum trustees. What do you think is coming in book 3 for Emily and Bram? How do you think the argument with her family will play out?
About the Author
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award–nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books . . . to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at