May 11th, 2015

Book Clubs

Last week Lisa and I were guests at two different San Diego book clubs who had read The Chamber and The Cross. One was in University Heights and the other in Scripps Ranch. At both events they started with wine and appetizers, chatted and caught up with each other’s lives. Then there was a full dinner. One group served English cheeses for the appetizer, Bangers and mash for dinner, and Trifle for dessert. A good old English menu added to the atmosphere.

Bannock Manor Prototype for The Chamber and the Cross

These are both long term groups who have been meeting monthly to talk about books for many, many years. They had lots of questions about our joint writing process, who wrote which scenes (we both worked on all scenes), and character development. It was fun to hear people talk so enthusiastically about our characters.  Bannock Manor, a medieval manor house, is the main setting, and the ladies wanted to know whether it was a real house. No, Bannock Manor is a composite of numerous English manor homes.

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Bannock Manor Prototype for The Chamber and The Cross

Over the last twenty years I’ve visited over a hundred such homes in England. I love studying the leaded glass windows, giant door hinges, crown molding, attic rooms, cellars, massive private libraries, and walled gardens.  Of course, that’s just a small sampling of the features I find fascinating about Europe’s historic homes. And because I admire early craftsmanship, it was easy to describe the house in detail.
It was certainly rewarding getting to share our writing journey with our readers. If you know anyone who is in a book club in the southern California area, Lisa and I would love to meet with them too.  You can contact me through FaceBook or our Email.

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