Athelhampton House

Not once did my father ever regret his decision in immigrating to Canada. However, as I grew up he often reminisced about his love for England. Not surprisingly, his passion for the “Green and Pleasant Land” rubbed off on me. As a result, I’ve had five trips to England to visit relatives and to soak up the pastoral landscape with its rich history in every town and quaint village.

Twice, I was privileged to visit one of the finest 15th Century Tudor Manors in the United Kingdom. Athelhampton House in rural Dorset has architectural details of the medieval times, several wings added over the centuries, and extensive gardens with fountains, statues, and topiaries. Interestingly, a legend had stated that a tunnel ran southward from the manor to the woods beyond. Despite investigations, the tunnel’s entrance has never been found.

This manor “transported” to the south west coast of Dorset, became the template for Ravensmere. Having been there myself, I could visualize my characters walking the halls and living their lives in the chosen year of 1830.

“But why 1830?” you may ask. The answer lies in the museum located a mile and a half from the manor. Every story needs a good sub-plot. I found mine at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum. It presents the harrowing tale of six grossly underpaid farm labourers seeking higher wages from their employers. But when their leader George Loveless formed an agricultural union to achieve this end, George and his five comrades were arrested. Tried in a court of law, they were sentenced to seven years Transportation to Australia. This statue portraying the suffering of George Loveless is featured at the museum.

In the years leading up to these events, desperate labourers took action through protests and violence culminating in the Swing Riots of 1830. Against this colourful backdrop, my protagonist, Geneva Everson steps into a world of contrasts — wealth and poverty, greed and compassion.

But Geneva must deal with far more than the social unrest of the agricultural revolution. Before long, information concerning her forefathers compels her to investigate dark secrets of corruption and betrayal. When accompanied with the help and guidance from the man she loves, Geneva experiences adventure and intrigue while learning the importance of forgiveness and trust in the living God of the Bible.