People sometimes ask why the The Ballantyne Legacy was set in Pennsylvania and not Kentucky. And why Pittsburgh? Just take a look at this early rendering and you’ll hopefully see. It was a very beautiful place! Three rivers come together here (the Ohio, Monongahela, and the Allegheny) and there is a distinct point of land in the shape of an arrowhead. Rolling hills surround what was at that time a town but was once wilderness.
This old painting was by a Mrs. Gibson, wife of a Philadelphia lawyer in the year 1817, while on their honeymoon journey. I fell in love with it when I first saw it in a museum in Pittsburgh. Love’s Awakening opens in 1822 and while writing I often looked at this old image.
So now you know the rest of the story! Or at least the beginning!
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I lived in western PA for several years and still love the area. Because I’m originally from the UK, Pittsburgh was the first American city I visited. Through genealogical studies, we’ve learned that my husband had ancestors who lived in Washington County during the time of the Whiskey Rebellion and we keep meaning to pay a visit to the historical society, local libraries, etc., to see if we can learn whether or not they were involved. The first immigrant came from Ireland and his wife was allegedly from Scotland, so it’s possible… Thank you for setting this series in a part of the country with which I’m so familiar.
Hi Sally, Welcome here! Your personal and family history is so interesting. Love that you’re from the UK, too, as I went to school there. Pittsburgh is so rich in history that I am constantly blown away by it. Washington County is dear to me because my best friend is from there and I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. She now lives in Pittsburgh:) I hope you can pay a visit because the museums and such that you mention are among the finest I’ve seen anywhere. I’d so like to see more of your native country! Currently I’m hooked on Doc Martin which takes me there on Friday nights in a small way.
Thanks so much for the thumbs up for Pittsburgh and PA!
Oh Laura, how I LOVE this (living right on he Ohio River as I do)! And since I’ve just begun reading and getting to know Ellie and the very mysterious Jack, this brings it even more to life. I have been really trying to pace myself to read every descriptive word. As I said I do not want to rush through this book! I think in the next few
chapters, things are really going to be heating up! Anyway, just wanted you to know I am LOVING this story
and can’t wait for Eden and Silas to come home! 🙂
Georgianne, It’s such a joy to think of you reading :). And to learn you live on the mighty Ohio! I had even more fun with the Ohio in Wren’s story. But it does figure importantly in LA, too. You’re so right about things heating up. It starts leisurely and then BAM! Love that you’re wishing/anticipating Silas and Eden coming home. It was a pleasure and a challenge to age them and bring them into the story a bit later. I knew readers would never forgive me if I kept them out of the book completely but they do come back from New Orleans at a critical time ;). But no spoilers, I promise!
Hi Laura!
I just wanted to say thank you again for the ARC of Love’s Awakening, and that I have posted reviews on 4 sites (I did this days ago, but I wanted to let you know and tell you how much I enjoyed it! I read it in one sitting – I didn’t have enough will power to be able to put it down. You sure know how to write a tale that draws the reader in with a story that doesn’t let go until the last page). I hope you have a lovely day and God bless!
Tiffany
Oh Tiffany, So thankful for you! And thrilled you enjoyed Ellie and Jack’s story! Love that you read it in one sitting :). I think you get more bang out of the book that way! And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you leaving reviews on those sites. It’s hard to get reviews at times and I don’t like to ask so it’s always a gift to me when someone is thoughtful like you and leaves one. Again, thanks so much for being there for me and coming back and telling me this. You’re such a gem!!
Wow, I love this picture. When I read a book and am thoroughly engrossed in the story, I always want to know what the place or places look like at that time. You helped me out. This picture is gorgeous. I have finished reading “Love’s Awakening” and yes I cried and laughed some too. Yes, I get really involved in the story lines. I didn’t read the first book but now I am going to get that first book now. When will the next book come out?
Debbie, Welcome here ~ and thanks so much for the warm words! Glad you find this image of early Pittsburgh lovely like I do. I’m thrilled you enjoyed Jack and Ellie’s story so much. It was a joy to write and my first, I think, where there was quite a bit of humor in it! Of course as the author I get very emotionally involved, too, so understand the laughing and crying completely. When I read it over for the final time before it went to print I was something of an emotional wreck over the last 1/3!
I hope you enjoy Eden and Silas’s story in the first book. Its’ an emotional ride, even more than this 2nd book, I think. The third Ballantyne book will be out next August/September. Today is the day my publisher meets to decide on a title for the book and I’m excited to hear next week if they’ll keep my working title or go in another direction. I hope you enjoy Wren and James story, too.
You’ve made my day by coming by and talking with me here :). Thanks so much!
Looking at this picture I can see why you chose Pennsylvania for this series. The Setting is beautiful.
Carissa, I’m so glad you like it, too. When researching the story and visiting Pennsylvania (I had spent quite a bit of time there in college as my roomie was from PA but never looked at it with a writer’s eye), I found it to be so similar to KY in many respects. Which made setting a series there all the more delightful
p.s. I hope your lessons are going well. I was thrilled to discover on Pinterest that is happening through your lovely pins!
I have read the story of Eden and Silas and so enjoyed it. I really appreciate the picture so much, I had already begun forming pictures in my mind from your words of their story, but the pic fills in the holes. I would love to read their daughter’s story. Hopefully I will get to.
Cherie,
I so hope you get to read Ellie and Jack’s story, too. There are more giveaways coming up and libraries are also getting the book in. I always encourage readers to ask their library to order it. Oftentimes they will and then everyone benefits. Thanks for making time for Silas and Eden’s story. They reappear in book 2 🙂 so we don’t lose them completely. Thanks so much for being here!