Look at this mysterious cover. Doesn’t it look intriguing? I love how the house is prominently features and the author’s going to tell you why in the interview. Welcome, Joanna, to the Index!
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England , At Sea/Water Travel, Estates/Manors, Island , 1900s , 1900s Foreign, English (1901-1914) Edwardian Era , Inventor, Physical Handicaps , Mystery, Opposites Attract, Save the Inheritance/Legacy , Mental Problems, Secrets , Politano-Joanna Davidson |
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The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets. The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people–including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn. Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will. |
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Questions about Joanna’s Story
What inspired this story?
I once asked my engineer husband how alternating current worked, and that magic question was like plugging in the Christmas tree—he absolutely lit up! In his two hour explanation, complete with animated rabbit trails, I was blown away by his untapped genius. He explained hydraulics, electricity, physics, and vintage innovations that never made it to the market. I felt like Alice stepping into Wonderland, seeing a whole world of gadgets and mechanics I hadn’t really thought about before. Seeing the inner workings of his brain, too. Somehow he made it all fascinating.
I took that energy and enthusiasm and brilliance gleaned from my husband into a really fun story about a clockmaker heroine who inherits the estate of an industrialist. I filled that house with all the quirky inventions that never made it big, and brought to life a few from my own imagination. It felt like Wonderland, just like the conversation with my husband, and it absolutely lit up my creativity! I let that house take on a life of its own and then dropped a brilliant but somewhat shy heroine into the midst of it, letting her run around and figure out the puzzle of unfinished inventions. The story evolved from there.
Did any of your characters “fight” with you until you succumbed and changed their personality or the story choice you were forcing them into?
My heroine absolutely wouldn’t become the bold, independent, outspoken character I wanted her to be. Instead, she bent into this quirky, clever, intensely tender person who has the creativity and scattered personality of someone with ADHD. So… she was basically me. It’s always wise to write what you know, but I knew this personality too well, and didn’t want to be that vulnerable. Yet every time she opened her mouth or made a move, she took on this persona I hadn’t meant to write. Mostly because it resembled mine more than I wanted it to. She took on all my faith doubts, asked all my deeper questions, and wrestled with what to believe. She struggled to fit into a world that truly wasn’t made for people like her. She found intense delight in unsolved puzzles and couldn’t resist rescuing someone in need. And by the end, I fell in love with her spunk and compassion. I’m thankful for what she made me face, and the questions we asked together. I so enjoyed getting to know Sydney Forrester, and watching her come alive in her story.
Why did you choose the geographical location in which your book is set?
I set this book on a made-up island within a real chain of islands, but the coolest part was the house—the house! It’s a real home from Northumberland that was powered totally by water pressure (hydroelectricity) and bursting with brilliant gadgets. Built by a lawyer-turned-industrialist in the late nineteenth century, this house called Cragside was the source of incredible wonderment and inspiration for this story. It was like the first smart house, and every nook and cranny had odd little gadgets that automated processes and kept the house functioning. He never tried to invent the large moneymaker, but to relieve the burdens of everyday people—the kitchen received most of his brilliance. From automatic dishwashers to hydraulic dumbwaiters and rotisseries, shiny metal and mechanics glistened from top to bottom. The tiny trinkets and “just because” inventions intrigued me most, and gave Cragside its unique charm.
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Questions about Joanna’s Reading
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What other Christian Historical Novels are similar to yours in setting or storyline? Roseanna White writes such creative plots set in similar eras to mine. We both gravitate toward many similar elements, like family secrets, dynamic characters, and authentic love stories. Michelle Griep writes absolutely thrilling Victorian-era novels that have a gothic flair like mine, but are even darker and grittier. Abigail Wilson writes great historical mysteries set in the same time period with a lovely romance thread. |
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What Christian Historical Novel taught you something about the craft of writing because it was so well done? Tell us a bit about what it taught you. A Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts taught me about rich, textured characters and how to bring them to life through small details. This author paints beautiful backstories for her characters, and gives you little sips of them so you’ll see the full scope of a character. Every character and scene in her books feels so real. They’re the sort that stick to your soul and make you want to both argue with them and pray for them. She’s a masterful storyteller.
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