Geneva begins her search for answers by accepting an invitation to Ravensmere, her father estate. She struggles to forgive her newfound father for his cruelty to her mother and her own nightmarish childhood. Along with her internal battles, Geneva finds herself caught between the landed gentry and the deep poverty of local farm labourers. She faces labor protests, riots, and a violent attack. Meanwhile, as her friendship with a kind and godly gentleman deepens, her cousin, the displaced heir, attempts to court her with charm and flattery. Now Geneva has to contend with the heart-rending choices of who to trust, who to love, and how to forgive.

But these matters pale in comparison to the real secrets of Ravensmere lying deep within the manor, and Geneva’s discoveries that lead to far more horrifying questions. Suddenly on the run and fearing for her life, she finds herself compelled to trust in God whom she thought had abandoned her. And now, with dangerous secrets on her heels, Geneva Everson must go where no genteel lady would dare.

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.

I am not alone in choosing Dallas Road on Victoria’s waterfront as my preferred place for exercise and fresh air. One of the houses in the above photo displays a small monument in the front garden. The aptly composed words by Ian Haysom expresses the sentiments of thousands who have passed by.

The popular Dallas Road Waterfront Trail stretches from Ross Bay to Holland Point. Wind and kite surfers provide entertainment all year round. And anyone who loves nature can enjoy bright yellow gorse in winter and wild Nootka roses in summer. Even the gardens at Buckingham Palace cannot boast such a sweet smelling rose.

When I was writing my novel, I often left the computer and went for walks along this path to reflect on the scenes I had been working on that day. I imagined heated character conversations, and felt their emotions quite literally. I conjured up descriptions of hollow-eyed children in squalid cottages. The landed gentry feasting at banquet tables. A candlelit bedroom with soft wisps of steam rising from a hip bath. And a cold, damp forest where the incessant cawing of ravens silenced the twitter of chickadees. But the biggest challenge was brainstorming for ideas to advance the plot, to raise the stakes, and to make my protagonist face her demons once and for all.

After such deep musings, I would return to the reality of my surroundings. Benches overlooking the sea encourage people to sit for a chat. I like hearing about their lives, and sharing a bit about mine. But best of all, I love to tell the old story of John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Glorifying God in everything may seem fanatical or extreme to some readers. Yet Scripture reveals that this is the whole purpose of human existence. The universal question answered. Why am I here?

In the Bible, the Apostles Peter and Paul spoke on this issue:
I Peter 4:11 — If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
I Corinthians 10:31 — Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

But how can sinners separated from God accomplish this command, or have any desire to do so? Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross made it possible. Through repentance/faith in Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God. The barrier comes down. We have fellowship with God. We rejoice in his amazing grace. The indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to glorify God out of gratitude for what Christ had done.

In what ways can I glorify God? After we have trusted in Christ, we follow his command to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbour as ourself (Matthew22: 27-40). Obedience isn’t popular these days. Yet when we obey God’s commands, we prove our faith in him and receive abundant blessings (1 John 2:4-5). Glorifying God means surrendering ourselves to him as a living sacrifice, ready to do his will, eager to serve according to our abilities (Romans 12:1). Prayer and Bible study honours God. It demonstrates how we value our personal relationship with him, and our trust that Scripture is the inspired word of God given for our instruction and comfort (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

But as believers, we still retain our sinful nature until the day God takes us home. Speaking personally, the barrier to glorifying God can be my pride—the tendency to serve God in the arm of my flesh and for my own vain glory. Unless I’m abiding in Christ and walking in the Spirit, these can things happen. The result can be loss of rewards to lay at Jesus feet. (See 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 and 2 Corinthians 5:10).

I’m just a sinner saved by grace, a child of God under the workmanship of my Creator (Ephesians 2:10). Please join me in this wonderful journey of bringing glory and honour to our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ!