Our friend, Samantha from JKS Communications, emailed me with some new titles and I thought that you would enjoy knowing more about today’s guest and his book. Today he will be answering some interview questions and will be back tomorrow to discuss his book with the opportunity to win a copy of his book. Don’t forget to revisit. So without further ado, Mr. Tom Roe!!
THOMAS ROE
I am a retired USAF military pilot having served with the Air Force for twenty-six years followed by retirement as a full Colonel. I also practiced as a trial lawyer in the field of Aviation Accident Litigation. I have been writing for a number of years and have had five novels published. My fifth novel is titled “The Alabama Rebel” and takes place in the years before during and after the Civil War. Much of the source material for this novel was from my own family history and congressional records which were subsequently published in thirteen volumes. I graduated from St. Thomas University and William Mitchell College of Law, both in St.Paul, Minnesota. I presently live in Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and also in Colorado in the mountains of the southwest. I spend most of my time reading and writing novels. I limit my social activities to military groups I served with and stay involved with my USAF Pilot Class. Life has been good and I have no regrets.
Q&A with Tom Roe
Where did you get the idea for the story you tell in The Alabama Rebel?
My family originally lived in the Forkland, and Eutaw, Alabama areas, and I have spent a great deal of time there. It is an area with so much history particularly involving the Civil War period. This part of Alabama is in the heart of the Black Belt and was very involved in the marketing of cotton before, during and after the War. I was aware of much of the history of the area, but what really keyed me into it was the discovery of an old cloth bound book I found in a used bookstore in Minneapolis. It was volume 8 of the books referenced in my preface that contained testimony of Alabama citizens regarding the instability that existed in the state after the Civil War. Much of that testimony directly involved the areas of Forkland and Eutaw, as well as the county they were in, Greene County. Reading that book of testimony was the initiating factor that led to the novel.
The battle scenes especially in Alabama Rebel are descriptive and realistic. Did your experiences as a military pilot who served with the Air Force for 26 years influence your writing?
Not really, other than the experiences of losing friends over the years. That I was familiar with. I also feel I have some familiarity with the emotions men go through when they are face to face with risk of injury or death. I did gain many experiences from my years with the Air Force, and it is those experiences that we draw upon when we write historical fiction.
How was the title chosen?
Actually, I had a problem picking the title. I did not want to focus so much on River in the title, and at times I wish I had chosen something more vague. Possibly referring to the Oak Tree at Rosehill or the Magnolia Tree that was in front of Rosehill. The Magnolia Tree is a symbol of the South. I wanted the novel to principally focus on the problems the South faced before, during and after the Civil War.
Were you ever a rebel?
All my life. I was very independent and lived my life as I thought best. Not as well as River Hunter, but I did fairly well.
Stop back tomorrow to hear more about the book and a chance to win an EBook copy.
DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
