Curious about the Chicago area history? Here are some great links for more information.
If you haven’t signed up for my periodic newsletter yet, please do, and you’ll get my free gift of To Know a Place – 5 Things I Learned About Berrien County that Surprised Me delivered instantly when you sign up. Here are some links to explore about the history of Chicago. Continue reading
While I created this world of fiction, it is as historically accurate as my imperfect attempts allow. St. Joseph, Michigan stands on the Michigan shores of the lake and while the Silver Beach Amusement Park of 1927 is gone, bits and pieces have been brought back to life.
The House of David in Benton Harbor, Michigan thrived for many years before and after the fateful loss of its leader. In November of 1927, Benjamin Purnell was tried on charges of molesting several girls who lived in the compound. He died before a verdict was delivered. To this day, he has staunch supporters who claim his innocence and others who believe in his guilt. I don’t know what the truth is and did not present an opinion in this book. Continue reading
Chapter One
A slow, lazy smile spread across his face the moment Jim Evans saw Amanda Channing step out of the cab. He knew he looked like an idiot, but Amanda had that effect on him. Her legs came into view first, long and shapely, visible through the cut of her blue satin evening gown. Next her slender arms, shown to their best advantage by the beading at the top of the dress. Now her face, sculpted by angels, framed with sleek blonde hair, bobbed and sophisticated. The fur shawl draped over pale shoulders was her only concession to the chilly October night. She stood beneath a streetlight, illuminated like an actress on stage.
Jim quickened his pace with a silent curse. Rather than waiting for Amanda on the corner as he’d promised, there had been a delay at the office. The meeting with his father and uncle had lasted an eternity. When he realized he would be late for his rendezvous, Jim had rushed through the last few items, scrawling his signature on papers he hadn’t bothered to read, before racing the few blocks from his office to the nightclub. Continue reading