Island author to host Lamplight sneak preview
Matlacha author Robert Macomber will wrap up his public events for 2009 in St. James City. On Thursday, Dec. 17, Pine Island Variety will host a Reading Rendezvous and Lamplight Sneak Preview for residents and visitors to enjoy. Guess can relax under the stars at the Variety Store located on Stringfellow Road in St. James City proper while Macomber provides an advanced look into his next book, “The Darkest Shade of Honor,” beginning at 6 p.m.
Macomber spends many months to research the material he uses in his books taking him on adventures that span the globe. For “The Darkest Shade of Honor,” his travels led him to New York, Key West, Tampa, Havana, Patricio Island and Sugarloaf Key, which not only provided great fodder for his main character, Peter Wake, but a world of new experiences for the author as well.
“This was an absolutely fascinating project for me, with a very personal component to it that readers will discover at the end of the book,” Macomber said. “My research took me to places near and far, and not a dull moment was had anywhere along the way.”
During the Lamplight Sneak Preview, Macomber will share some of his personal experiences as well as those that have been incorporated into his story.
“The Darkest Shade of Honor” is set in 1886 and is woven through the intrigues of Cuban revolutionaries, American gun-runners and Spanish secret agents. The following is a description from the dust jacket of book:
“This eighth novel of the Honor Series begins with Commander Peter Wake, of the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Intelligence, at New York City in 1886, where he meets two intense young men who will dramatically influence his life: Theodore Roosevelt and Jose Marti. Presented with a secret coded message, he deciphers it for Roosevelt, and soon wishes he hadn’t.
“Returning to Washington, he is assigned to follow up on the secret message and uncover the extent of Cuban revolutionary activities between Florida and Cuba, along with investigating rumors of Spanish government agents operating in Key West. Most of all, this is to be accomplished quietly, to prevent international embarrassment for the newly elected President Grover Cleveland, the first Democrat in the White House in 25 years.
“The investigation takes Wake to places he thought he knew so well; Havana, Key West, Tampa and the islands of Florida’s southwest coast. But the further he delves, the more he realizes how much he doesn’t know, and is drawn inexorably into the center of the most catastrophic event in Key West history, when over half the city was destroyed.
“And in the end, Peter Wake makes a decision that may well shock his readers, one involving the very darkest shade of honor.”
“Not often is there a chance to hear Bob read and interpret his own words, so this will be a night to remember,” said Variety Store owner Liz Lutiz. “The setting will be festive with lanterns and holiday lights, so bring your lawn chairs and coolers and prepare to settle in for an enchanting evening.”
According to Lutiz, this will be Macomber’s last personal appearance before Christmas and the Variety Store will have all of his titles on hand to help with holiday shopping. Macomber also will personally inscribe his books as well.
“The Darkest Shade of Honor” will be officially released to the public on March 1, 2010. This will be followed by the Eighth annual Big Book Bash to celebrate the book’s release March 27 at Woody’s Waterside in St. James City.