Josiah Stubb - A Photo Journey Through St. John's

Following Louisbourg, the second half of Amber's and my working vacation took us to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Most of the information I was able to learn from the St. John's of the 1750's was from the most excellent historian, Bob Cuff, who works at the archeological firm of Gerald Penney Associates. But Signal Hill (or 'Flagstaff' as it was known in Josiah's time) plays a part also, and we went over it with a fine-tooth comb.

 This first photo is of Signal Hill, taken from the far end of the harbour. You can see Cabot Tower (of Marconi fame) at the top, and North Head on the right.

 Cabot Tower close up. Although it hadn't been built during the time when the book took place, I thought that it was too photogenic to ignore.

 Amber, my partner in crime, on the roof of the tower, with St. John's in the background.

 This photo gives you a clearer idea what St. John's harbour looks like, after it opens up from the Narrows.

 A picture of Cabot Tower taken from North Head. North head is where a touching scene takes place near the end of the book.

North Head again: standing on the very spot where my heroine stood, at the entrance of the harbour, with South Head in plain view, and the ocean far, far below! It felt surreal!

Josiah Stubb - A Photo-Journey Through Louisbourg

The following is a quick photo-journey through Louisbourg. I'd posted them on facebook while I was there in 2011, researching for Josiah Stubb, but thought that you might like to see them again.

 This is Kenington Cove, named after the Royal Navy frigate that provided covering fire when the British attempted to land on the eighth of June, 1758. Prior to that the British referred to it as Fresh Water Cove. Notice Amber standing at one end of the beach and the high ground behind her. I was at the other end of the beach with the camera. Now try to imagine hundreds of boats trying to land on such a narrow front, and the French in strength on the heights with heavy artillery.

 This is just inside the fortress. The embrasures are part of the Dauphin Bastion, these ones overlooking the harbour. The Dauphin Bastion saw heavy action during the siege.

 This photo was taken from the sentinel's post built into the wall of the King's Bastion, with one of King Louis' soldiers striking a martial pose. Behind him you can see the tower of the citadel.

 This photo was taken from the ramparts inside the King's Bastion. The soldiers are putting on an impressive display of their musketry drill.

Here we have Amber standing at an embrasure at the King's Bastion, to give you an idea of the scale. The embrasure itself is perhaps only six to eight feet thick. The wall that we're standing on is considerably thicker.

 This is inside the Dauphin Bastion. The canon are facing the landward side.

 And this is looking through an embrasure from the Dauphin Bastion to the King's Bastion on the horizon. Notice the (more or less) dry moat that had to be crossed before even reaching the walls, which were protected from artillery fire by the outer escarpment on the right, forming the outer face of the moat. Caught between the cannon fire between the two bastions, the moat would have been the perfect killing ground for any troops assaulting the walls.

 This is the drawbridge and gate at the Dauphin Bastion, protecting the extreme north end of the fortress, by the Barachois Inlet. On the left you can see the harbour.

This is an extension to the right of the photograph above - the fortress walls, with a sentry post. In the distance, you can see the King's Bastion and the tower of the citadel, at the time the largest, and the highest building in North America.

The Winnipeg Free Press and Me - Yeah, We're Like That!!

I thought that you might like to know that the Winnipeg Free Press (only the newspaper with the largest circulation in the entire province) wrote a short piece about me and my work. That was a nice surprise.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.winnipegfreepress.com%2Farts-and-life%2Fentertainment%2Fbooks%2Fmaritime-fortress-gets-prairie-treatment-244496371.html%3Fdevice%3Dmobile&ei=cI00U9XZIIjIoATD2YGABg&usg=AFQjCNHRSr9WNj45c0q_-2HzWuv4GEj-vA&sig2=k-jCdJafGb87XLwGaHoVUg&bvm=bv.63808443,d.cGU

Josiah Stubb - Call For Reviews

You knew that this was coming, didn't you?

For those of you who have read, or plan to read Josiah Stubb (which I'm sure is all of you...and if not I'd like to know the reason why) I would be grateful if you left a review. It doesn't have to be splendiforous (this is actually a word; I just looked it up!), a paragraph or two will do. They really, REALLY help.

http://www.amazon.com/Josiah-Stubb-Siege-Louisbourg-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394808666&sr=1-1&keywords=Josiah+Stubb
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Josiah-Stubb-Siege-Louisbourg-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394808760&sr=1-1&keywords=josiah+stubb
http://www.amazon.ca/Josiah-Stubb-Siege-Louisbourg-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394840219&sr=1-1&keywords=josiah+stubb

"The Adventures of Charlie Smithers" - Two Really Great Reviews

These will be my happy thoughts when I put my head on my pillow...in a few short minutes. Thank you for taking the time, Scarlet and Beach Bum.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Tale, March 17, 2014

By 

ScarletD (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers (Kindle Edition)

A powerful read, filled with the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful. The Adventures of Charlie Smithers conveyed, in the most eloquent, humorous, and reflective manner, all facets of human emotion and experience. Tender tales of love, heart-breaking remembrances of old, and descriptions of horror, all came together in this wonderful tale of a man who also found love in the most peculiar place. Humor, where it crept in, didn't fail to please. A tale that will stay with me for a long time.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wry, tongue-in-cheek, captivating & gut-wrenching, a unique adventure, March 13, 2014

By 

Beach Bum Books (East Coast USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers (Kindle Edition)

The Adventures of Charlie Smithers is a fascinating blend of wry, self-deprecating humor and an insightful look at class distinctions, cultural differences and the adaptability of the human spirit. The voice of the narrator rings true, the dangers real, and there's the the unnerving sense that violence doesn't just lurk as a threat, it's part and parcel of the human condition. Charlie's quintessential Britishness is tested at every turn, his understanding of how the world works turned upside down. He bows to acculturation, but in the end he is who he is. Or so it seems. Charlie Smithers is one of the least likely survivors you can find. Captivating, self-absorbed, irritating, resourceful (to a point), the man is on a journey of discovery not of his choosing.

Written memoir style, The Adventures of Charlie Smithers is quite a ride. I'm glad I went along.

Editors, I Tell Ya...

Boy, editors, I tell ya...! When I was informed that one of my stories had won first in fiction on the Write on the Lake Contest for the second consecutive year, I was also told to send a digital copy to "Voices" capable editor, Maurice Guimond. In the body of the email, I also asked if this meant, due to all the other contest entries making demands on available space, that my regular submission, "Incomplete," was going to be bumped again. This was his reply:

"It's like you're psychic.  If you want "Incomplete" to get in, you're just going to have to stop winning!

Congrats, "Angel" would have been my choice too.

-Maurice."

J. Jonah Jamison's got nothing on this guy, but it was well worth a laugh. Still, I think that's three issues now that "Incomplete" has been bumped. Oh well, it's a small price to pay, and there's always the fall. It'll have its day in the limelight, too.

Josiah Stubb - In the Top 100

Day two, and "Josiah Stubb" is in the top 100 in Canada. The US and UK look promising, too!

 http://www.amazon.ca/Josiah-Stubb-Siege-Louisbourg-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394840219&sr=1-1&keywords=josiah+stubb

• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #3,809 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  
  
  • #30 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > War
  • #40 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > War 
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"Josiah Stubb" - Up and Running

Sorry for the delay, it was a matter of days not hours after all, but "Josiah Stubb" is now up and running on Amazon. If there's anything you should take away from this experience, it's not to take me along to the horse races with you. Obviously my predictions aren't worth a damn.

The paperback is due out in mid-April (in case you were wondering, this prediction is from Sam, not me)

"It is 1758 and The Seven Years War is raging.  The military might of the British and French empires collide in a desperate bid to control the key strategic Fortress of Louisbourg and, in turn, Quebec and French-held North America.

 One man caught amidst the bloodshed is the young grenadier, Josiah Stubb.  Raised by a whore amidst poverty and incest, Josiah seemed doomed from birth to a life in the gutter.  His attempt to leave his sordid past behind leads him to Louisbourg, but it comes back to haunt him in the form of a gifted officer, battling his own inner demons.

 As the siege blazes towards its inevitable bloody climax, will Josiah live to overcome the formidable obstacles that keep him chained to his past, or will his aspirations for a better life die with him on the brooding shores of Ile Royale?"

US: http://www.amazon.com/Josiah-Stubb-Siege-Louisbourg-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394798188&sr=1-1&keywords=josiah+stubb
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Josiah-Stubb-Siege-Louisbourg-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394798796&sr=1-1&keywords=josiah+stubb
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/Josiah-Stubb-Siege-Louisbourg-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394798957&sr=1-1&keywords=josiah+stubb
 Au: http://www.amazon.com.au/Josiah-Stubb-The-Siege-Louisbourg-ebook/dp/B00IZKEIYQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394799090&sr=8-1&keywords=josiah+stubb

Josiah Stubb - Won't Be Long Now

It's not up on Amazon yet, but it won't be long now. Peter Fussey has just finished the cover art for "Josiah Stubb." I'm so delighted with the result I'm wearing out the exclamation mark on my keyboard!!!!

Peter writes: "A week later than I wished, but finally it's finished!! Now I shall sleep for a week."


Don't worry about the delay, Peter, it was well worth the wait. Sleep well, my friend. 

 Stay tuned to this site folks, I think we're talking hours rather than days.

 "It is 1758 and The Seven Years War is raging.  The military might of the British and French empires collide in a desperate bid to control the key strategic Fortress of Louisbourg and, in turn, Quebec and French-held North America.

One man caught amidst the bloodshed is the young grenadier, Josiah Stubb.  Raised by a whore amidst poverty and incest, Josiah seemed doomed from birth to a life in the gutter.  His attempt to leave his sordid past behind leads him to Louisbourg, but it comes back to haunt him in the form of a gifted officer, battling his own inner demons.

As the siege blazes towards its inevitable bloody climax, will Josiah live to overcome the formidable obstacles that keep him chained to his past, or will his aspirations for a better life die with him on the brooding shores of Ile Royale?"

 

"Angel" - So Here's Me Blushing!

In 2012 Jean Parsons picked my story, "Roll of Honour," to win first place in the Canadian Stories "Lest We Forget" category, the first time any of my stories had ever won a competition. Naturally my gratitude knew no bounds, and I contacted her to tell her so. I discovered that she was a dear old thing, and ever since we continue to correspond. Even though we've never set eyes on one another, a warm friendship has blossomed, the kind that comes along only rarely in a lifetime. Without fail, amongst all of the personal news, in every letter I receive, she continues to demand the latest about my writing, professing to be keenly interested. Therefore, when I was told that my story, "Angel," had taken first in fiction in the Lake Winnipeg Writers' Group competition, "Write On The Lake," Jean was one of the first people I told, and knowing that she would want to read it, took the liberty of attaching it to the email.

This is what I received from her this morning:

"Good Morning Chuck

I have read the story "Angel" about three times now and each time I find something new to contemplate.  You write with such depth and compassion.  I see more and more why you should consider yourself A WRITER--perhaps moving towards becoming a GREAT WRITER.

All I can say is, "KEEP AT IT."

Cheers,

Jean"

Granted, she's biased, but god I love that woman!

PS: I'll be publishing "Angel" on this site sometime in May, after the spring issue of "Voices" has been released.

Josiah Stubb - Almost There!

I posted the preliminary sketch for the cover art a few weeks ago. I thought you might be interested in how it's coming along. Artist, Peter Fussey, tells me there's just a little more detail to add: some men on the deck of the ship, a silhouette of the fortress in the background, and the title & author. Then it should be good to go.

Check Out This Five Star Review for Charlie Smithers!

Another five star review for "The Adventure of Charlie Smithers;" this one by Mr. Blaine Coleman, the author of "Finding Roland McCray."

Thank you Mr. Coleman!

5.0 out of 5 stars An Extraordinary Adventure Story like no Other!, March 2, 2014

By 

Blaine Coleman (Richmond, Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers (Kindle Edition)

I usually have no problem setting aside a good book and read it in sections as time allows, but this is one of those rare books that drew me in enough that I wanted to read it straight through.
The Adventures of Charlie Smithers is a fast paced, action filled, and historically fascinating telling of the story of British manservant Charlie Smithers’s harrowing adventures in the heart of the darkest Africa in the mid-nineteenth century. The story is often humorous, sometimes poignant, and the writing has a wonderful poetic feel. Some sentences and paragraphs border on Magical Realism, in a good way. If you want a great adventure story that you’ll want to read straight through to find out what happens at the end, then this is the book for you.
I look forward to more from first time novelist Chuck Lovatt and I’m sure his future work won’t disappoint!
This is truly a Five Star book and I highly recommend it for anyone.

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WRITE ON THE LAKE COMPETITION - FIRST PRIZE IN FICTION!!!

I just received this email from Susanne Pascal, Chairperson for Lake Winnipeg Writers' Group's "Write on the Lake" contest. It appears that my short story, "Angel," won First in Fiction:

"Dear Chuck,

On behalf of the Lake Winnipeg Writers' Group I would like to congratulate you for your fiction entry being awarded FIRST Prize in our 2014 creative writing contest.
Please forward an electronic copy of Angel  to Voices editor Maurice Guimond at voiceseditor@mts.net as soon as possible so that your story can be included in the next edition of Voices.
I will be in touch regarding the book launch in May and will forward your prize cheque as soon as possible. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Susanne Pascal
-chairperson for the Write on the Lake Contest committee"

Some of you may recall that I won this same contest last year, with my story "And Then It Rained." Two years in a row, and I'm happy to report that the elation hasn't diminished one iota!

Now I think I'll go float on the ceiling for a while...maybe quite a while!

My Links For March

First of all, do NOT forget this one, it's VERY important: 524230_10201017551306723_255111181_n.jpg

FB Author's Page:  https://www.facebook.com/tacscwl

Twitter: @tacscwl on Twitter

 

GoodReads: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers

Barnes and Noble: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/c.-w.-lovatt

And for Amazon:

US: http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166789&sr=1-1&keywords=charlie+smithers

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166984&sr=1-1

 Ca:http://www.amazon.ca/The-Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166592&sr=1-1

Germany: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers Spain: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers France:The Adventures of Charlie Smithers Italy: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers Brazil: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers Japan: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers and Australia: http://www.amazon.com.au/The-Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-Lovatt-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394159656&sr=8-1&keywords=the+adventures+of+charlie+smithers

 

GoodReads: Wild Wolf's Twisted Tails

Amazon:
.ca:Wild Wolf's Twisted Tails

.com:Wild Wolf's Twisted Tails

.uk:Wild Wolf's Twisted Tails

Germany:Wild Wolf's Twisted Tails;  Brazil: "wild wolf's twisted tails"; France:Wild Wolf's Twisted Tails; Italy:Wild Wolf's Twisted Tails; Australia:http://www.amazon.com.au/Wild-Wolfs-Twisted-Tails-Glenn-ebook/dp/B00CX77VC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394160118&sr=8-1&keywords=wild+wolf%27s+twisted+tails   Japan: Wild