Disaster and hope often intermingle in strange ways. When I first read about the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, the city’s utter devastation amazed me. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know.
What really struck me about this disaster was
the response of the people affected: their sheer determination to get their
lives back on track, and as soon as possible. The 1906 earthquake had
catastrophic consequences, killing as many as 3,000 people in what was then one
of the largest cities in the U.S. Many survivors witnessed horrific deaths,
either by the earthquake itself, which toppled poorly constructed buildings
onto those trying to escape the quake’s aftermath, or the citywide fires that resulted.
Officials shot anyone suspected of looting, and in a few extreme cases,
executed people trapped by debris and otherwise doomed to die horrific deaths
in the fire. Some really chilling accounts of such instances completely gripped
me.
While the disaster changed a way of life for San
Francisco residents, it also engendered hope across the nation. President Teddy
Roosevelt sent food rations and supplies by mule and train. The stricken San
Franciscans rolled up their sleeves and got to work clearing debris. If left
standing, some shops reopened for business the next day.
The pioneering spirit was still very much alive.
What also fascinated me was the gritty strength of the women. They worked side
by side with the men to clear debris, or do whatever it took to get the city,
and their lives, functioning again.
So, like any writer, I thought: wow, what a
great setting for a story! I love writing strong, feisty heroines. I couldn’t
wait to toss two unsuspecting characters into the melee.
But not two ordinary people. No, both Norah
Hawkins and Gerard “Mac” MacKenzie had disastrous pasts, and desperately needed
to leave them behind. San Francisco beckoned to them: Norah dreamed of opening
a respectable gentleman’s club, and Mac dreamed of tickling the ivories playing
the latest ragtime melodies. They couldn’t know that the city would strip them
of their dreams, and challenge them in the deepest way.
One of the great things about the early 1900s is
that photography, while still crude compared to today's standards, was no
longer in its infancy. In fact, I found this video of San Francisco,
pre-earthquake - how amazing is that? Horse and carriages sharing the street
with automobiles, street cars and pedestrians, who all are apparently
unconcerned with a possible collision!. It’s a wonderful illustration of the
hustle and bustle of this vibrant city.
Thanks so much for reading! Sweet dreams. :)
Betting It
All
by Cate Masters
Historical romance
novella
(about 29k)
Blurb:
Norah Hawkins wants a new life as far from her
old one as possible, but where can she ever find that chance? When a letter
arrives promising her the deed to property in San Francisco, Norah packs her
bags and flees the broken shards of her troubled past.
With its anything-goes atmosphere, 1906 San
Francisco suits Irishman Gerard MacKenzie just fine. He loves tending bar in
Norah’s saloon, and verbally sparring with the shrewd businesswoman for more
privileges and work. Her beauty, wit and sass make his blood boil with need.
But disaster looms
over their promising new lives when a terrible earthquake buries their dreams
and threatens to shatter their future. Norah and Mac must rebuild their lives
from the ruins and they’ll need each other more than ever, but can their ties
to each other save them or tear them apart?
Available from:
About
Cate
Multipublished, award-winning author Cate
Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be
a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be
found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and
fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company.
Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of
the web.
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