Promo: Escape to the Maroons by Mike Weedall
Today, I'm delighted to welcome author Mike Weedall to Ruins & Reading. We're sharing an intriguing excerpt from his new novel, Escape to the Maroons, about a group of escaped slaves who survived in the harshest conditions to gain their freedom. It's well worth checking out.
Escape to the Maroons is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find more enticing excerpts HERE!
Excerpt:
Moses Reflecting On Saving A Fleeing Slave From A Bounty Hunter & Concern About The Safety Of Their Maroons Community
Sometimes, I don’t understand Linc. He tells us the most important thing is to avoid outside contact unless necessary for survival. When there’s no other way, only then we raid. So far, we’ve not had a problem.
It’s plain unlucky to bump into this runner today. We’re damn lucky to be alive.
Nothing good comes from dealing with whites. When the British made me a King’s Soldier in their army, they promised freedom if we helped defeat what they called a small American revolution. One day, without warning, them British got on their ships and left us with only our uniforms and guns. It was a matter of time before the Americans captured or killed us. At least I hid this gun before being taken prisoner. Thank the Lord, I had it today.
Like I said, nothing good comes from dealing with whites. This new man looks like a child with those baby cheeks and soft hands. What good is he gonna do for us?
~~~
Blurb:
In 1792, an escaped slave, raised and living as white, is discovered and forced to flee into the Great Dismal Swamp.
Barely escaping a bounty hunter, a Maroons community of fugitive slaves rescues him. Over time, Nathanial comes to accept his true identity while fighting to overcome the suspicions of his new community. Because of his pale skin, he becomes a conductor on the underground railroad, slipping runners onto ships going north. On one of his missions, fate intervenes and places Nathanial's community at risk.
This little-known chapter in American history tells how escaped enslaved people gave their all to live free while creating a community and economy in one of the world's most unforgiving environments.
I appreciate the opportunity for my book to be spotlighted. The little-known story of the courageous people who chose freedom in one of the worst environments in North America (The Great Dismal Swamp) instead of bondage is one more should understand. Prior to the end of the Civil War, their commitment stands in contrast to efforts by some today to deny and scrub the history of slavery. Recently, the Great Dismal Swamp Refuge was ordered to remove all signage and literature that documented the courage of the Maroons. Instead of denying our history, we should be learning from that.
ReplyDeleteMy book is dedicated to people seeking to be free everywhere in the world.
You're most welcome, Mike. I'm sad to learn that the signage had to be removed, and I hope it will be reinstated when sanity prevails, eventually. We mustn't allow history to be re-written.
ReplyDeleteThank you for highlighting their plight.