The Emblem
Alisa Weis
9781945062148
368 pages
Inkblots Press
Overview
Soon after Callie Rushton begins work as a tutor for a prominent businessman's children, she meets his right-hand man, Gabe Ward, and is undeniably drawn to him. She has every reason to believe her feelings are mutual. But she lives in the small, coal mining town of Roslyn, WA, and it's the 1930's, when racial tensions are high. Callie knows that a relationship with a man of color would jeopardize her standing in the town and compromise Gabe's position. Though Gabe insists they maintain their distance from each other, the two keep meeting by accident. When their employer's young son touches on a mystery pertaining to the first African Americans to arrive in Roslyn, they are brought together again. Through their search for the truth of the past, Gabe and Callie are made aware of unspoken societal boundaries and the cost of love across color lines. The Emblem, while fiction, draws its inspiration from events of the Roslyn strike of 1888/89 when more than 300 African Americans arrived to town, not knowing they'd be made strikebreakers. Written with compassion and heart, this story invites readers to consider the hardship and decisions placed upon its characters.
Author Bio
Douglas Bond, author of more than 25 books owner of Bedford House Publishing and primary publisher of both Inkblots press and Scriptorium Press. He husband of Cheryl, father of six, and grandfather. He is director of the Oxford Creative Writing Master Class, a ruling elder in the PCA, a speaker at conferences, and a leader of Church history tours in Europe.Since she was a little girl, Alisa Weis has filled countless pages with words as an outlet for her imagination. She found plenty of inspiration simply from growing up in the scenic Pacific Northwest and being the oldest of five kids. Her love of stories led her to pursue a BA in English Literature and Writing from Whitworth University and a Master in Secondary Education (English) from the University of Phoenix. Alisa enjoys working in her local school district, running, frequenting coffeehouses, and spending time with her husband, Justin, and their two wonderful children, Trenton and Josie.
