Rita Gerlach: Photos of Scene

Writer Carrie Pagels, the host and creator of Colonial Quills, called me 'The Queen of Scene'. I do love the settings in my novels. They paint a picture in the readers mind of where the characters are...the places they are moving, breathing, and living in. Here are a few photos I've taken of the Potomac, where four of my novels are partially located.

Darcy's Bluff overlooking the Potomac in Beside Two Rivers.

Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, WV

Shenandoah River near the convergence with the Potomac

Israel Creek in Before the Scarlet Dawn - flows into the Potomac.

Harper's Ferry

The Cabin at Rose Hill Manor, Federick, MD

My inspiration for Sarah's cabin in Before the Scarlet Dawn and Beyond the Valley

One of the streams in the Catoctin Mountains

Fort Frederick, Maryland

A ride along a road in Frederick County, MD

At Rose Hill Manor, Frederick, MD

Beautiful Rose Hill Manor built by Thomas Johnson, Frederick, MD

Photos by Rita Gerlach

USA Today Review

Creating characters with intense realism and compassion is one of Gerlach's gifts. Her books typically involve dramatic situations, giving her characters a chance to rise above their adversity. Beyond the Valley is a shining example of that, reminding us that we are never forsaken. This is the third in the Daughters of the Potomac series. Sarah's character was introduced in the first novel, Before the Scarlet Dawn, and now she has her own heart-wrenching story that takes us from England to Virginia and Maryland. The historic setting is vividly descriptive, bringing the story to life, almost becoming a character unto itself. You may shed some tears, but you'll come away with deep contentment and satisfaction of a story well told. (Review in RT (Romantic Times) Book Reviews Magazine - 4 stars, compelling page-turner)

From a dear reader...

I loved DAUGHTERS OF THE POTAMAC. I love learning the historical facts you base your stories on. I am always spell bound when reading your books and can't lay them down for even a few minutes till I am done. In school, if history was written in the form of stories the whole class would pass with straight A's. Your new series was well written. I am most impatient to start you new series when it becomes available. I rate this series and your other books a TEN STAR. Oh I know, the stars only go to 5 but this is my way of saying you go off the charts for me.
Keep up your wonderful writing.
Thelma

From a Reader's Post on Amazon

WOW, this book was everything I like in a book, and more. It was historical fiction, vividly depicting the life of an indentured servant. It was filled with action, that left me racing towards the next page. Romance, or should I say true love that never gave up no matter what life threw at them. Add to that writing that made the whole story come together so smoothly and you have the perfect book, for me. Don't miss this 3rd book in this series. The book is the best of the series, if improvement was possible.
KyDonna

Pages

Photos of Scene