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Happy National Lighthouse Day, reader friends! Let’s head to Lake Superior to celebrate with today’s featured author! She is sharing some her favorite places to visit and two bookish freebies for all y’all!

About the Author

Naomi Rawlings is the author of multiple historical Christian novels, including the Amazon bestselling Eagle Harbor series.

While she’d love to claim she spends her days huddled in front of her computer vigorously typing, in reality, she spends her time homeschooling, cleaning, picking up, and pretending like her house isn’t in a constant state of chaos.

She lives with her husband and three children in Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula, along the southern shore of Lake Superior where they get 200 inches of snow every year, and where people still grow their own vegetables and cut down their own firewood–just like in the historical novels she writes.

website | facebook | goodreads

 

Five Favorite Places to Visit on Lake Superior

Eagle Harbor / Copper Harbor / Brockway Mountain Drive

 

Naomi: These three spots are all located within about 15 miles from each other. Both Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor are old port towns that were established during the region’s copper mining boom in the mid to late 1800s.

Brockway Mountain offers an amazing view of Lake Superior, and Eagle Harbor also offers tours of the historic, still-operating lighthouse, as well as access to several smaller museums and the boathouse from the former U.S. Life-Saving Station there.

All it took was one visit to this area, and I was hooked. I simply had to write a novel series set there, which is how my Eagle Harbor series was born.

Beth: That beautiful view IS inspiring!

Presque Isle, Porcupine Mountain State Park

Naomi: Do you want to see waterfalls plus miles of pristine Lake Superior shoreline?

Visit Presque Isle in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountain State Park. It’s simply gorgeous.

Beth: How pretty!

Montreal River Falls

Naomi: I enjoy hiking, and living where I do, I can choose from lots of beautiful hikes. However, my absolute favorite is an obscure one on the opposite side of the Keweenaw Peninsula from Copper Harbor.

I love this hike because the trail follows the Lake Superior shoreline along some small bluffs until you reach the Montreal River, where you find a rapid-like waterfall.

You can then follow the river north where you’ll find a steeper waterfall, but be warned you might lose track of the trail a time or two. Hint: just follow the river and you’ll be fine. But please be warned this hike is not for the faint of heart.

Beth: I love waterfalls but I might fall under the faint of heart category when it comes to hiking 😉

Duluth

  

Naomi: Think the days of giant ships hauling cargo are long gone? Think again. One trip to the twin cities of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI, and you’ll see freighters the size of sky scrapers being loaded with cargo at the numerous docks.

The Duluth Port marks the very end of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and though it’s located in the middle of the United States and surrounded by miles and miles of fresh water, it’s actually considered a sea port.

Beth: That’s fascinating!

Isle Royale National Park

Naomi: This last one I’ve never been to, but I’m told it’s gorgeous, and I’ll probably get there some day. It’s rated as one of the most remote National Parks in the United States, and it’s also designated wilderness, which means there’s no electricity or fancy lodging.

It also means you can’t use engines, so no ATVs to ferry you around the 60-mile-long island. And of course, Isle Royale is only accessible by boat. The good news is that you can boat around the outside of the island all you want, as there’s nothing illegal about running boat engines in Lake Superior.

Beth: I love hearing about places like this, unspoiled nature ❤

Books

Naomi: Love’s Unfading Light is the first book in my Eagle Harbor series. I loved basing this novel (and the entire series) on a real-life lighthouse in a real-life town. I also enjoyed sharing a story about how two imperfect people can look beyond their own struggles to help others—and find love. Both God’s love and romantic love.

Eagle Harbor—Where Love Finds Its Anchor

Lake Superior, 1880
Tressa Danell is finished with men—from the wastrel who left her a widow, to the smelly trapper who keeps proposing, to the banker who wants to repossess her bakery. Every hour is spent working to pay off her late husband’s debt and keep a roof over her son’s head, though it’s doubtful she can do both for very long. But one thing’s certain—she’ll never be beholden to a man again.

Tired of living in a small town that blames him for actions his father committed ten years ago, Mac Oakton is scheduled to leave Eagle Harbor. So why does the pretty widow at the bakery keep tugging at his heart? He can’t get involved in her predicament when he’ll only be around for two more weeks.

But when Tressa’s burdens overwhelm her, they both face a decision. Can Mac set his own plans aside to help? And can Tressa accept his support if that means giving up her independence … and being obligated to a man again?

goodreads | amazon | google play | kobo

 

Beth: I’m looking forward to making my way to this story in my tbr!

 

What are you working on right now?

Naomi: Right now I’m actually writing the sixth book in the Eagle Harbor series, Love’s Bright Tomorrow, and it’s going to be the final book of the series for now (though I might come back and revisit the series in a few years).

I’ve had lots of readers ask about Aileen and Isaac’s story, and I’m excited to be able to share it with everyone in early 2018. Both Aileen and Isaac have troubles from their past that they need to overcome, and I trust their journey will be inspiring and uplifting to readers.

Beth: I adore a nice long series and what pretty covers, too!

 

Freebies

Naomi: Love’s Unfading Light is free right now on all vendors, so if you want to lose yourself in an inspiring love story for a few hours, I’d love for you to download a copy.

PLUS, sign up for the Naomi Rawlings Author Newsletter and receive a free ebook, Love’s Violet Sunrise!

 

Have you visited a lighthouse, reader friends?
I haven’t had that opportunity yet but I’d like to!