A Legend Reborn, Again and Again

I have begun writing a new book, a western historical time travel romance. Untitled as of yet, the story takes place in the 1890s on Galveston Island, mainly in the fabulous Tremont House Hotel.

The Tremont House has been called the Crown Jewel of Texas. Currently in its third incarnation, the original hotel opened its doors on San Jacinto Day in 1839. Although only a two-story building, it was the largest hotel in Texas. The Tremont attracted guests from around the country and the world. (Keep in mind that Galveston the premier entry point into Texas and much of the South at the time.)

Wealthy Victorians attended grand balls at the Tremont, Sam Houston gave his last public speech there, and cotton merchants discussed deals. Sioux chiefs sampled southern cooking, six American presidents and foreign ministers from France and England visited. During the Civil War, soldiers from the North and South stayed there at different periods.

Tragedy struck in June 1865 when fire raged through the Strand District for days, destroying several city blocks, including the Tremont. The renown landmark lay in ruins for over five years. At that point some of the island's business leaders combined to build a new hotel in the same location. They hired local architect Fred S. Steward to  design the building, but only two floors of the planned four stories were completed before the investors backed out. The structure stood uncompleted until four years later when a new group of owners engaged well known architect Nicholas Clayton to finish the job. It was said that over 2 million bricks were required for the massive, upscale hotel.

color postcard of 2nd Tremont House; courtesy Rosenberg Library Museum

The second Tremont House opened in 1877. Advertised as the city's only first-class hotel, it featured ornate architecture, lavish furnishings and even a steam-powered elevator. Political dignitaries, celebrities, military leaders and business kingpins were among its patrons.

Tremont House main lobby; courtesy Rosenberg Library Museum

The terrible 1900 hurricane that killed over 6,000 souls sent desperate people running for their lives to the top floor of the majestic hotel. Sadly, the second Tremont began to decline by the 1920s. It was outdated; guests desired more modern amenities offered by newer hotels such as the nearby Jean Lafitte. On November 1, 1928, the Tremont closed its doors, and the building was torn down.

Just before it's demolition, the Houston Chronicle wrote: "What was formerly the pride of the South has been content to drowse in the shade, dreaming after the manner of old things." The property sat vacant for many years.

Third Tremont House, a Wyndham Grand Hotel

However, the legendary hotel would be reborn in 1985 in a different location, when visionaries George and Cynthia Mitchell acquired the lavish Leon & H. Blum Building and turned it into the third Tremont House. Once the South's leading wholesale dry goods concern, the 1879 building embodies the spirit and elegance of the hotel's earlier incarnations. It stands in the revitalized Strand National Historic Landmark District, surrounded by shops, galleries, restaurants, lofts, offices and museums illustrating the island's vibrant, tumultuous history.

The next time hubby and I visit Galveston, you can bet we will be staying at the Tremont House! For now, I'm having fun plotting my characters' exploits at the second Tremont.

WHAT IF? E. Ayers

I'm sitting here on the computer and watching weather reports. Nothing much has changed in the last few hours. We've got a CAT 4 hurricane barreling down on us. I've ridden out plenty of storms over the years, but this one bears watching closely. I'm trying to decide if I should evacuate or stay put.

That's made me wonder about years ago when there was no early warning system for these storms. Today we figure if we've lost power for a few hours that it's terrible. The last hurricane through here took my power out for 13+ days. UGH!

But we know it's coming. We can watch the radar and get constant updates. What happened a hundred years ago?  We know what happened to Galveston, Texas in 1900. Way back in time,

Galveston TX 1900

there was the Great Hurricane of 1780. They didn't name them back then as they do now. And there were no storm trackers, but we do know that as many as 27,000 people lost their lives. It destroyed many of the islands before wandering up the east coast to Canada.

Yes, Florence worries me. I'm a chicken. I don't care if I don't have electricity, well actually I do care, but I know I can manage. I've done it before and I can do it again. I'm a pretty good camper. But I'm not fond of real damage. I don't want my roof ripped off or that tree in my neighbor's yard to fall on my house. But in a way, I'm lucky. I know what is coming and what I must do.

Can you imagine Texans being hit with a hurricane that they weren't expecting? Or living on the Plains and seeing a funnel cloud bearing down on your barn? Or even living in what is now California and having the earth move under your feet? What about those folks who crossed the ocean in tall-masted sailing ships. Did those captains have any idea what was on the horizon and headed to them? It must have been very scary.

Can you imagine not knowing what was happening? It's not that we have learned to control nature, but in so many cases, we have warnings. We know and we understand. I have a friend who has a son and daughter-in-law living in the Caribbean. Their island got hit hard last year. They are still cleaning up! Maybe it doesn't look like it to the average visitor but repairs are still being made. Houston and New Orleans didn't return to normal a week later.

I wonder what our local Indians once thought when a hurricane descended on them. What did those first settlers at Jamestown, Virginia think? It must have been scary. Did they think that the world was ending?  They weren't worried about losing electricity because it didn't exist. 

Knowing what is coming helps, but it won't stop the destruction. Mother Nature is not very nice. She never was nor will she ever be. I doubt we'll ever learn to tame her. But as I begin to prepare for this storm, I wonder what the people who lived in my house, so very long ago, did when the high winds and rain pounded down on the small town built by the river.

I'm not going to take unnecessary chances. I'm a super-sized chicken with a big yellow stripe down my back.  When it comes to fight or flight, I'm flight. This house has withstood so very many storms in its 170 or more years. A Cat 3 or a Cat 4? This old house might be facing this storm without me.    

Maybe the weirdest thing about this storm is that I just finished writing a contemporary romance that deals with a beach home and a Category 3 hurricane that is upgraded to a 4. In the story, the hero loses his house. Maybe that's why I'm a bit freaked this time. Not really. I've lived in the area for years and never have I seen a really bad hit, other than Floyd, and that was flooding. Isabel sent a tree down on my car and totaled it. Aside from that, all damage has been minor. But I've not seen a Cat 4 or Cat 3 rumble over my house. I don't think I want to see it.

What if we didn't know? What if we weren't prepared? What if the family had to climb on the buckboard in the pouring rain with hopes of reaching higher ground?  What if...?

Hot Texas Summer Hello and Book Release

Hi! Hope y'all are having a good week. I know, I know, it's only Tuesday, but I hope for the best. My week is going well, I think. The book I just finished is with my editor and readers, so I will get it published this month. The timing is later than I'd hoped, but, as it turns out, the release will coordinate with the event the story is centered around. My husband says, "Even a blind hog finds a acorn." Now, you know I got a might touchy at his bluntness, but truth is truth, no matter how you slice it.

For those who've read my books, you know, in addition to family, I build my stories around actual weather events that happened in the book's time period. If you didn't notice, that's okay, it didn't register with me either until a good friend pointed it out. The hero and heroine have to deal with floods, blizzards, tornadoes, and hurricanes. You know, it gives them something to do in case they get bored.

Inspiration for Faith and Joe's house in Galveston, Texas

The book I'm talking about is, FAITH AND THE TEXAS LAWYER, A Brides of Texas Code Series Novella, Book 4. Faith Daniels and Joe Benning, unfortunately, have very little time to get bored since this is a time-travel. The story is set in Galveston, Texas, and centered around a house they both own, except Faith is from 2016, and Joe is from 1900. The obvious weather event is the devastating Hurricane of 1900, or Isaac's Storm, that occurred on September 8.

Blurb:

Faith Daniels has had a hard time fitting in all her life, from the time she was left on the steps of a firehouse to her recent divorce. The only time she feels connected is when she rehabs old houses. Often she wishes she could have experienced life in a simpler time. Her current project, a 1900 Galveston mansion, is all she ever wished for and more. When some mysterious force transports her from 2016 to 1900, just prior to the most devastating natural disaster on record, will Faith give up all she has attained in her present life to stay in the past with the sexy turn-of-the- century lawyer?

Joseph Benning has serious trust issues. He is still recovering from the jolt of being dumped by his fiancé shortly before their wedding. In order to prove to himself he can manage on his own without a woman in his life, he decides to reach outside of his routine and buy a house. Suddenly, a strange woman shows up inside his house telling fantastic stories of disaster and destruction. Will Joe be able to make the right decision and let her go, when it comes time to save her life?

Follow me on Amazon to find out the release date!

School starts soon, an i know you'll be busy with all the end of summer stuff. Be careful and stay cool if you can.

Hugs,

Carra