In July, I released Lightkeeper’s Challenge in the Keepers of the Light series. Zina Abbott, who wrote Lighthouse Escape, and I collaborated in that we created a family and a fictional town and then wrote stories featuring the sisters. Not only was the process of deciding upon a location, ethnic background, and family members easier between our two creative minds, but the experience of growing up in the lighthouse was shown from two different perspectives.
Lightkeeper’s Challenge— Raised in a Pacific Coast lighthouse, Lisbet Dinesen hopes to follow family tradition and succeed her father as senior lightkeeper. Assistant lightkeeper Hale Warwyck feels he’s paid his dues by working the night shift for five years and deserves command of his own lighthouse.
Principal Lightkeeper Anders Dinesen announces the need for a substitute during his vacation time. Both Lisbet and Hale want to step in. A challenge is established to test their suitability and skills. Has Anders taken on the role of matchmaker for his eldest child? Will the competition drive a wedge into Lisbet’s and Hale’s budding attraction?
Lighthouse Escape by Zina Abbott– Stina Dinesen loves her older sister but felt relieved once Lisbet and her new husband moved away from the Crystal Beach Lighthouse. Her happiness was short-lived. She now realizes her parents expect her to take over many of her sister’s former responsibilities in addition to the ones already hers. Only, unlike her sister, Stina never wanted to manage her own lighthouse. She wants to move to town where she can have neighbors and enjoy a social life.
John Andersen felt lost at sea long before he left his Oregon home on business to sail to San Francisco. Now, he is in the water with a twisted ankle, clinging to a rock miles from shore, and convinced he is destined to meet his end. The first hint he might survive comes when he sees a glowing lantern and realizes it is being held by someone on an approaching boat.
Is it the light that promises a bright future, or could it be the young woman plying the oars?