COLONIAL AMERICAN NOVELS by Marilyn Clay

The Regency Plume Newsletter

DECEPTIONS: A Jamestown Novel by Marilyn J. Clay was published in hardcover in July 2010 by Thomson/Gale Five Star Mysteries. A large print edition of the novel was released in December 2010. From award-winning author Marilyn J. Clay, DECEPTIONS takes place in Jamestown, Virginia in 1617 and tells the story of an English girl who travels from London to the New World to marry a man she had been betrothed to since childhood.

In the New World, as in the old, adherence to strict moral codes and polite manners rule the colonist's lives, but beneath their proper facade, secret desires rule their hearts. Catherine's beloved, Noah Colton, who has been in Jamestown for six years is now a successful trader who has an uncanny way with Jamestown's closest neighbors, the Powhatan Indians. Noah has gained their trust, as well as that of the entire settlement.

However, nothing could have prepared Catherine for what she finds in the New World. The struggles and hardships become a test of her strength and courage. But when the lies and deceptions and an unsolved murder place her life in danger, she is desperate for help. But, to whom can she turn? Especially, when here in the New World, the only voice of reason is that of a woman...and a mighty Indian warrior named Phyrahawque.

DECEPTIONS is a cross-genre historical novel with romance and suspense elements. "I love doing research and researched this book as carefully as I did my Regency-set novels. I made sure Catherine's shipboard journey was as authentic as possible and in Jamestown, I did not let my characters use a tool that had not yet been invented; that they ate only the sort of food new settlers might have eaten, and that their homes were furnished with the type of home-made furniture that might be found in a colonist's hut in the early 1600s. Amid Captain John Smith's early writings, I was fortunate to find a list of authentic Powhatan words that I made good use of. I had great fun writing DECEPTIONS, and I hope you will also enjoy Catherine's story!" -- Marilyn Clay

Avoiding an unwanted marriage engineered by her greedy guardians, sheltered Catherine Parke flees 1617 London for Jamestown, VA, where she intends to join her father and brother and marry her childhood love, Noah Colton. But the New World is a shock, and Catherine discovers that Noah is not the man she thought he was. Lies, treachery, and deception bubble just below the surface of this outwardly pious community, and as the danger mounts, Catherine finds help and romance in an unexpected place. Verdict: With realistic, well-researched historical detail, a strong, intelligent heroine, and a fascinating, uncommon setting, this novel will appeal to romance and historical fans alike. -- June 15, 2010 issue Library Journal

A surfeit of fascinating historical details and a refreshingly different setting give Deceptions its unique flavor, making Clay’s novel perfect for readers who miss the romance-tinged historical novels of Rosalind Laker. — John Charles, Booklist Review, June 1, 2010

"DECEPTIONS is a masterfully crafted novel packed with little-known historical details and tidbits; a real page-turner." -- Richard Whitaker, historian.

"DECEPTIONS delivers page-turning suspense and knife-edged tension. A heart-pounding romance with captivating characters!" -- Melissa Frederick, author.

"Marilyn Clay's DECEPTIONS is a multi-layered story of struggle, lies and the quest for love in the New World. The author remains faithful to historical detail, including language and actions; really setting the reader into the time period. It was a joy to read such a wonderfully written historical novel. In fact, Ms. Clay so grounds the reader in the historical period that I wouldn't be surprised to see tourism to Jamestown rise as a result of reading this book! Readers of historical fiction will find themselves completely immersed in the time period and, more importantly, in the story of feisty and intelligent Catherine, whose voyage to Jamestown is the beginning of a life-changing journey." -- Edgar nominated author Libby Sternberg/Libby Malin

"DECEPTIONS is a great, fast-paced read with wonderful historical detail. The heroine really matures throughout the story and you come to care about her trials and triumphs. A highly recommended read!" -- Angela Walsh, author.

"Marilyn J. Clay's novel DECEPTIONS is packed with historical detail authentic to the period! Coupled with a romance and a mystery, DECEPTIONS is an exceptionally enjoyable read!" --Linda Abel, publisher of The Medieval Chronicle

DECEPTIONS is now available for the Kindle at Amazon.com and for the Nook Reader at B&N.com; or ask your local library to order a copy of DECEPTIONS by Marilyn J. Clay from 5-Star Gale/Cengage.

To order an authographed hardcover edition of either DECEPTIONS or SECRETS AND LIES ($22. plus s/h) or a FREE paperback edition (you pay only s/h) contact the author at the e-mail link below.

Be sure to read about Marilyn Clay's newest Colonial American novel, BETSY ROSS: ACCIDENTAL SPY by clicking on the link in the column on the left hand side of this page. Thank you!

Here's a short excerpt from Chapter 1 of DECEPTIONS:

London, March 1617

The bright morning sun, squinting through panes of wavy leaded glass scattered patches of bright light on the uneven floor of the small garret room. Furnished only with a narrow bed, a cupboard, chair and low washstand, not even the sun could brighten up the cramped space squeezed beneath the tiled roof of the otherwise elegant London townhome.

Light falling across her face awoke Catherine. With a low groan, she turned toward the wall, at once aware of the same sense of dread and foreboding that had twisted her insides the entire past month. Moments later, blinking sleep from her eyes, she pulled herself upright and cast an anxious gaze about the tiny chamber she'd called home the past six years. The austere furnishings and low ceiling had always made her feel like a prisoner...and unless she could figure out a way to escape today, she would virtually become one, her future lost to her forever.

As usual this time of morning, the third floor of the sumptuous townhome, built by the popular architect Inigo Jones, was silent as a tomb. The maidservants who occupied rooms on either side of Catherine arose far earlier than she in order to scurry belowstairs and get about their duties.

Catherine had been a girl of ten and two years when, upon the death of her mother, she'd been sent up to London to live with the aristocratic Lord and Lady Montcrief, to whom she'd been told she had some connection, though no on had bothered to explain to the grief-stricken little girl what that connection might be. During the ensuing years, Catherine had tried to please her guardians. Still, she knew they thought her a foolish gel because she wanted the selfsame thing today that she wanted six years ago...to reunite with her father and brother and spend the rest of her life in the arms of her beloved.

Finding a way to escape the Montcrief household should be easier for a grown-up young lady of eighteen years. But thus far, no opportunity had presented itself, and now, today, time had all but run out. If she did not find a way to escape today, all would be lost. She'd never see her father, or brother, or him again.

DECEPTIONS is now available as an e-book for the B&N Nook, the Kobo reader and as THE LETTER for the Kindle.

AUTHOR NOTES: During my research for DECEPTIONS, I came across a number of discrepancies among historians regarding times and dates of certain events in 1617-1619. For instance, the exact dates the various governors and deputy-governors served. Some, like Captain (later Sir) George Yeardley served more than once. Yeardley was Deputy-Governor from April 1616 to May 1617, and again from March 1619 to December 1619.

Although he was investigated for wrong-doing and eventually removed from office, Captain Samuel Argall was Deputy-Governor during most of the time DECEPTIONS takes place. His replacement for a few months in early 1619 was Nathaniel Powell, before Yeardley again took office that same year.

I found several conflicting dates, definitions and explanations regarding the Virginia Company Headright system--when it went into effect, the amount of land granted and to whom it was given. Some sources state that women could own land, other sources dispute that claim.

There are many discrepancies regarding the spelling of Indian words and even words the settlers used. Since a dictionary did not exist in the early 1600s, inconsistencies in spelling became the rule, rather than the exception. Tassentasse, the word the Indians used to refer to the English, has been spelled many different ways. As has the word Powhatan, which the Indian emperor took as his own name, although his given name was actually Wahunsunacock(e).

When Powhatan died, most historians say that his brother Opechancanough succeeded him at once, however, I learned that, in fact, another of Powhatan's brothers, Opitchapan, ruled for four years until Opechancanough took over and it was he who engineered the deadly massacre of 1622.

Discrepancies exist as to exactly when Pocahontas died. Some say she died at the inn where her party was staying in England the night before she and her husband boarded the George to set sail for Virginia, another source says she became ill on board ship that first night and passed away the following morning, and still another says she became ill a few days into the journey, thus forcing the ship to return to Gravesend where she was taken ashore and soon passed away. Most all sources agree that a hasty funeral was held at Gravesend.

As to exactly when her husband John Rolfe returned to England is also in dispute. Some sources put his return in June 1617, only a few months after Pocahontas died. Others say he did not return for several years. All agreed that their infant son Thomas was left behind and that the boy never again saw his father. John Rolfe later married another colonist's daughter named Joan, or Jane, Pierce. He died of unknown causes in 1622.