A sweeping saga of the Civil War’s western naval campaigns, Book 1 in the Southern Sons-Dixie Daughters series follows four Southern families living on the Gulf Coast—the Westcotts, the Jessups, the Soileaus, the indomitable and devout slave Danny who escapes bondage and finds service aboard a Union warship and his wife Nancy, cruelly whisked out of his life decades before the war.
While the Confederacy struggles to build a navy to defeat the Yankee fleet threatening New Orleans these families suffer their own personal conflicts: secret courtships, emotional turmoil, and banishment. For those in naval service–-Danny and Confederate Lieutenant Benjamin Westcott, whose family owns Nancy–-vengeance and betrayal approaches as the battle of New Orleans draws near. If the Westcott’s butler Titus succeeds in his plan, and Ben’s mortal enemy Master Xavier Locke of the USS Madison gains the upper hand, both Danny and Ben will suffer heartache and loss in vastly different ways.
Unlike most Civil War novels which focus on armies and land campaigns, this two part series is set against the backdrop of New Orleans, Mobile, and David Glasgow Farragut’s naval exploits.
Targeted Age Group:: Adult
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I have never read a Civil War novel with a setting on the Gulf Coast, nor with a naval setting. Since I’ve lived most of my life on the Gulf Coast, I know this setting well. Also, my lifelong interest in the Civil War and its naval battles played a big role in writing this book. America’s first admiral, David Glasgow Farragut, commanded the West Gulf Squadron and led its naval campaigns in this theater of war. For many years, my idea of writing a Civil War naval epic grew. This led to what is now my two-book series called Southern Sons-Dixie Daughters. Book 1, VENGEANCE & BETRAYAL, carries the reader through the Battle of New Orleans. Book 2, RIVER RUCKUS, BLOODY BAY, continues through the end of the war.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
Well, I knew the heroes and villains before any of my other characters. I also had a pretty solid idea of how the series would end. As I began my research, other characters seemed to just pop into my head. Journals and diaries, penned by people who lived during this era, gave me more ideas for characters. The main inspiration for my main Creole character was Paul Morphy, a New Orleans Creole and great chess master. When the Civil War started, though, he was fortunate to be in Europe playing chess.
About the Author:
John Cunningham Jr. grew up on the Gulf Coast. He’s a native of Mobile, Alabama, and lived in New Orleans, Louisiana for twenty-five years. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he’s a former high school history teacher. He’s written professionally for over thirty years, his work appearing in numerous Christian and secular magazines. His special genre is Christian/Inspirational historical fiction
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