Judy DuCharme: Lainey of the Door Islands
Behind the Story: Lainey of the Door Islands
How did Lainey come to be? I live in lovely Door County, a jewel of a peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin. We are surrounded by a few islands embracing lighthouses full of history along with shipwrecks, many that can still be seen in the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan. I had six award winning books published in a variety of genre but sensed there was a story set in Door County that I needed to write. I considered several possibilities, but nothing settled. Then one day, after continued prayer and thought, the story of Lainey dropped into my spirit. I sat down to write and later said to my husband, “I’m writing, and I can’t stop.”
Over the next two years, I visited the lighthouses, listened to the docent’s historical stories, walked the perimeter of Rock Island, and took the boat trip to Pilot Island where the story begins. It is no longer possible to be on the tiny island, but the tour guide shared the history and pointed out the shipwreck remains. I talked with many who knew Door County history and maritime history. I studied books of shipwrecks and the indomitable people who forged victorious life in the islands.
Lainey grew in my heart and on the page. She became my friend as she became a light to those who knew her in the book. She was spunky and funny. She faced many hardships with spunk and grace and became a strong survivor.
The book released in late July, 2020. To help promote it, I created short videos that had a ‘chamber of commerce’ feel. I went to a dozen places that Lainey visited or lived in Door County, shared a teaser about the book and encouraged the viewers to visit those same places as they read the book. So, not only did I want to entertain the reader, build up faith for difficult times, and share the amazing history of Door County, I also wanted the reader to visit Door County and appreciate the beauty that so many enjoy.
If you love lighthouses, learning about shipwrecks, the history of beautiful places, and people who learn to survive well despite hardship, this is a book you’ll love.
Check out the trailer and videos about Lainey of the Door Islands at my website, https://www.judithducharme.com. There you’ll find trailers to two other books: Blood Moon Redemption, a suspenseful book about Israeli history, prophecy, and a terrorist plot, and Society of the L.A.M.B., which was written as a futuristic book, but now seems a manual for present day. It’s about learning to live strong in the days when having life within is considered a crime. You’ll find interviews, blogs, and info about my other books there as well.
Other social media: https://www.facebook.com/judy.ducharme.18, https://www.facebook.com/Judy-DuCharme-Author-1360359084069983, https://twitter.com/PackerJudy, https://www.instagram.com/leejudyducharme/, judyducharme7@gmail.com
Judy DuCharme grew up with Lake Huron next to her back yard and has always loved the water. She, her husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County in 1984. After teaching 5th Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling that tugged at her all her life to write. Lainey of the Door Islands is her 7th published book and she is the recipient of numerous awards. Her 8th book, a children’s story, I Want a Water Buffalo for Christmas, will be released this year. She also writes for Guideposts Magazine. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in the woods, jet skiing on the bay, worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her amazing grandson, or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.
