Two time periods. Two coasts. Lives intertwined and impacted forever . . .Greed, societal forces, religion, eugenics, and racial prejudice came together in a shameful and shocking way on a small, wooded island off the coast of Maine in the early 1900s. The atrocious events that occurred on Malaga Island continue to echo through the years. Their impact is felt in many ways and by many lives.In 1903, Cora Lane, vacationing with her missionary parents on nearby Horse Island, is introduced to a community on Malaga Island that the press has labeled "degenerate half-breeds." The people of Malaga Island, while poor and mostly uneducated, are no poorer or less educated than other families living along the coast eking out a living by fishing and clamming. They are, however, of mixed race: Scotch-Irish, African-American, American Indian, and Portuguese, a circumstance that promotes scorn, ridicule, and intolerance.Cora is drawn to the children of Malaga and begins to teach them simple reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. She is surprised to find that despite the color of their skin, the children are funny, quick, and able to learn. Even as Cora accepts her responsibilities as a woman of her social standing, she advocates for the rights of all to be educated, respected, and allowed to vote.More than a century later, Georgia O'Brien, a college professor, is still questioning the beliefs and customs of today that result in racial prejudice. As her mother fights for her life against cancer, Georgia and her family are challenged by secrets that upset their views concerning who they are and what they believe.The past is never truly forgotten. Shadows In Our Bones is based on real events and actual persons. The story traces the tragic events that took place in society and on Malaga Island in the early 1900s. Events that had, and continue to have, impact and consequences for the descendants of Malaga Island, Maine, and for us all. Tamara Merrill is an award-winning novelist and short story writer with a diverse body of work, including historical fiction and psychological thrillers. She is a passionate advocate for reading and writing and frequently speaks at book clubs and literary events.A dark tale of gaslighting at its worst, TWISTED LIVES plunges single mother, Sarah Blake, into a frightening battle to save her son, herself, and her sanity. JUST ONE MORE, a psychological thriller, tells the story of Harriet Bloom, a child who never meant to hurt anyone. A serial killer you'll love and understand. This book was released in 2022.Released in 2019, SHADOWS IN OUR BONES, is a work of historical fiction. Greed, societal forces, religion, eugenics, and racial prejudice came together in a shameful and shocking way on a small, wooded island off the coast of Maine in the early 1900s. The atrocious events that occurred on Malaga Island continue to echo through the years. Their impact is felt in many ways and by many lives. This work tells that tale in a compassionate, true. voice.The Augustus Family Trilogy, released in 2014, 2015, and 2016, is a family saga that tells the tale of love, loss, and coming of age. The three books FAMILY LIES, FAMILY MATTERS, and FAMILY MYTHS are historical fiction covering the years 1937 - 1985. Tamara currently resides in Coronado, CA.Tamara resides in Coronado, CA, and Wickenburg, AZ.She excels at most anything "crafty" and is considered a talented teacher of both computer skills and painting.
