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It is a dangerous time for America. The
years following the signing of the Constitution
have been riddled with British aggressions aimed
at breaking the will of the young government.
Trade restrictions tear at its economy while
British ships attack and kidnap Americans at
sea, refusing to acknowledge their American
citizenship.
Washington, Franklin, and Hamilton have died.
Their inspired dream is now entrusted to their
aged and war-weary peers and to the succeeding
generations-men and women, born in liberty, who
are prepared to sacrifice their lives in its
defense.
But the divisive evils of greed, slavery, and
class distinction cast a dark cloud over the
promise "We the People," even as war
talk rattles the governing halls. America
declares a war to reconfirm her independence . .
. a war to protect her "more perfect
union": The War of 1812.
Some believe a more divine purpose awaits the
Union in the wake of this war. Such seekers are
Jed Pearson, the sensitive heir to both a large
plantation and a mysteriously tainted family
heritage, and Hannah Stansbury, the visionary
woman whose family holds the key to the Pearson
riddle.
Treacherous forces on both shores seek to
manipulate the war's outcome for their own
purposes, ensnaring Jed and Hannah in dangerous
intrigue during this pivotal moment in time when
the ultimate definition of liberty is about to
come to light.
Dark Sky At Dawn, the stirring first volume in
the epic Free Men and Dreamers series, tells of
the fascinating people, events, history, and
spiritual reawakening that precede the
compelling moment in time before the guns blazed
and the light of the Restoration dawned on a new
day.
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Although the first chocolate mill
was established by John Hanan and his partner,
Dr. James Baker, in the late 1780s, it required
another century for chocolate to become
widespread in America. Nevertheless, despite the
lack of a historic connection between chocolate
and the War of 1812, my favorite treats are
chocolate covered everything. Here is a sample
of my very most adored snacks and confectionery
gifts. And better yet, you don't even need to
warm the oven!
Peanut Butter Dips- Spread peanut
butter between two Ritz crackers and dip in milk
chocolate confectionery coating whihc you have
melted in the microwave. Drizzle with white
coating or sprinkle sliced almonds over top
while still warm and wet.
Cream Cheese Dips- Spread cream cheese
between two vanilla wafers and dip into melted
white confectionery coating. (Refrigerate after
dipping. These are best after 24 hours when the
cheese is absorbed into the wafers. They become
delicious petit fours.) Drizzle with white
coating or sprinkle sliced almonds over top
while still warm and wet.
Chocolate Covered Popcorn- Air pop
popcorn or microwave six cups of low-fat
popcorn. Place in a large bowl, carefully
avoiding adding any of the 'old maids'. Add six
to 10 ounces of Frito Corn Chips, depending on
preference. Mix the two. Pour twelve ounces of
melted white confectionery coating over top and
mix. Spread out on parchment paper or wax paper
to cool. Break into pieces. (You can add more or
less confectionery coating to taste. For me, the
more the better!)
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Discussion Questions- Free Men and Dreamers: Dark
Sky at Dawn
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1. In the prologue, Jonathan
Pearson the First reveals that he has caused "bad
magic" to fall upon two lodges. Have
difficult family problems or responsibilities ever
fallen upon you? How have you coped?
2. In addition to the bulk of his grandfather's estate,
Jed Pearson inherits a troubled legacy. What burdens
did this legacy inflict on him? What advice would
you have given him to help him deal with these
problems?
3. Jed Pearson loves Philadelphia because it inspires
him. What city or place inspires you and why?
4. Compare Jed's feelings regarding the Founding
Fathers and the Constitution to the patriotism of
American citizens today. Which circumstances
plaguing the US in 1810-1812 have a counterpart in our
day? In your opinion, how do (or did) these
elements affect each period's citizenry?
5. Describe Hannah Stansbury, including her gifts and personality,
and explain your feelings regarding her reaction to the
challenges with which she is confronted. Would you
describe her as weak or strong, and why? Why do you
think we struggle to identify and trust the talents and answers
we are given?
6. Identify a character whose motivation and struggles
remind you of yourself or someone in your circle of
friends and family. What elements of this character seem
familiar and why?
7. Dark Sky at Dawn attempts to illustrate the
struggles of individuals balancing intense personal
concerns against their civic duties and
responsibilities. What civic or political concerns are
creating the greatest impact on your family today? How
do they affect you?
8. Consider Jerome's story. What injustices have
impacted your life and how have you survived and
triumphed over them?
9. How would you characterize Beatrice and Myrna? Their
meddling creates a chain of events that alters Hannah's future. Are
there circumstances under which you could see
yourself acting similarly? Under what conditions?
10. What similarities exist between the British's effort
to weaken our nation in 1810-1812 and the tools employed
by our enemies today? Consider 9-11.
11. As you read about the riot in Baltimore, which side
did you sympathize with and why? Is there ever a time
when the rights of a free press should be limited?
12. Anticipating that he would die in battle,
Dudley Snowden wrote a final letter to his wife. To whom
would you want to express your final thoughts and what
would you say or request?
13. Describe Myrna's spiritual struggles and denials.
Have you ever had a similar spiritual struggle? How
did you find peace?
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Get Personal with L.C. Lewis
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What made you decide
to write a historical novel set in a war period?
Two of my sons were at EFY in Willamsburg,
Virginia about ten years ago and I became so intrigued
and awed by the richness of our colonial heritage
that I began reading about the life and lifestyles of
early America. Originally, I set the manuscript forward
from where it now is because the scope of events in the
early nineteenth century was overwhelming to me, but
when I was asked to expand the manuscript, I couldn't
resist the temptation to illustrate the history in my
own backyard and to further research these amazing
Americans who had captivated my interest for over a
decade.
Which historical figure stands out to you?
Oh, without question it would be George
Washington. He always looked so stern to me in those
classroom prints growing up, but after reading about his
personal life and his struggle to serve his country
despite his intense desire for a private life, I have
come to really respect and love him, and more
importantly, I am so grateful to him. He was so revered
that he could easily have set himself up as a king
figure, but he was such a spiritual man that he
understood that there was a divine plan for this nation.
How has your research changed you?
In so many ways. First, I relate
everything to history now and my family gets pretty
tired of that, I can tell you! But I hope I've learned
one important lesson that crosses all times periods and
situations, and it is that we must judge or
evaluate a person's life based on the times in which
they lived. If we try to measure them using
hindsight and the values of another period, we may
fail to see that they were a giant in their own time.
Which character in Dark Sky at Dawn most
reflects you?
I don't know how it is for all authors,
but when I write, each character reflects a little piece
of me, or a sliver of my life experience at one time or
another, albeit even as an observer. In this
way I feel personally engaged in the conversations and
thoughts, and hopefully, I can create a more vivid
character and story for the reader.
Are you saying that Hannah's spiritual struggles are a
reflection of your personal experiences?
Yes, in some ways. Our family went
through a very trying period when we were living on
prayer and faith. There were lots of days when life
seemed so hard and heavy. We carried on with our lives,
but often, as soon as the house emptied, I fell beside
my bed and pled out loud with the Lord. Many tender,
spiritual experiences came from those moments, but had I
listened more carefully, I would have felt His arms of
love around me even before I began my pleading. I wanted
Hannah to reflect that struggle to learn to listen,
to trust and to surrender ourselves to His will.
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Trivia Questions
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1. How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?
a) 13 b) 50 c)
56 d) 100
2. Which two presidents died on the same day historic
day, July 4th, 1826, exactly fifty years after the adoption
of the Declaration of Independence?
a) George Washington and John
Adams
b) Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
c) Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
d) James Madison and James Monroe
3. Which President served as a general in the War of
1812, commanding American forces in the Battle of New
Orleans?
a) Andrew Jackson b)
James Monroe
c) James Madison d)
John Quincy Adams
4. Which president defended the mutineers on the slave
ship Amistad before the US Supreme Court?
a) Martin Van Buren b)
John Quincy Adams
c) James Monroe
d) John Tyler
5. Which president has the sole distinction of being
elected unanimously by the electoral college?
a) George Washington b)
Thomas Jefferson
c) Abraham Lincoln
d) Franklin D. Roosevelt
6. What danger did President Washington warn against in
his farewell address?
a) Taxation without
representation b) Maintaining a
standing military
c) Westward expansion d)
Permanent alliances with foreign governments
7. Which president wrote his own edited
version of the bible?
a) Thomas Jefferson b)
Franklin Pierce
c) Calvin Coolidge
d) Jimmy Carter
8. He commanded the victorious American forces at
Yorktown.
a) Andrew Jackson
b) Lafayette
c) George Washington d)
Ulysees S. Grant
9. Who was the father of the US Constitution?
a) Alexander Hamilton b)
Patrick Henry
c) James Madison
d) Benjamin Franklin
10. The source of the phrase, "Government of the
people, by the people, for the people" is:
a) The Bill of Rights b)
Gettysburg Address
c) The Declaration of Independence
d)U.S. Constitution
ANSWERS:
1)c 2)b 3)a
4)b 5)a 6)d 7)a 8)c 9)c 10)b
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