Counter Currents, a novel

Counter Currents is set in the 1000 Islands of the St. Lawrence River (mostly in 1838). This board contains images of historic persons from the book and places where the story unfolds. The tale includes Bill Johnston, the 19th-century river legend. He fought in the War of 1812 for the US, sided with Canadian rebels in 1838, smuggled for decades, and created newspaper headlines wherever he went. The novel also uses Johnston's daughter Kate as a love interest. Buy it at Amazon or Smashwords.

34 Pins

12y

Shaun J. McLaughlin

a painting of a man in a black suit and white shirt with a bow tie

Portrait of John A. Macdonald, circa 1842. In 1838, he was a young lawyer in Kingston who defended captured rebels. He plays a significant role in the novel. In 1867, he became Canada's first prime minister.

an old black and white photo of a man in a suit

Preston King of Ogdensburg, New York, played a small role in the Battle of the Windmill, as described in the novel.

Much of the novel is set in Clayton, New York, in 1838. The features varied little in 1862 when this map was drawn. The Johnston house was near the wharf in the upper left.

a book cover with an image of a bird on fire and the words counter currents

Counter Currents is available in ebook and paperback from Amazon. It is available as an ebook from Smashwords, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Sony, and others. Cover art by Amelia Ah You.

Photo of Donald McLeod late in life. In 1838, he was a rebel general and helped Bill Johnston burn the Sir Robert Peel.

an image of john counter - mayor of kingston, ca 1876 - 1933 and his first major city of kingston

In 1837 and 1838, John Counter played a role in the novel as a thorn in the side of protagonist Ryan. He later became mayor of Kingston, Ontario.

an old drawing of a boat in the water with two birds flying above it and another boat

This ship, the Sir Robert Peel, was attacked, looted and burned in 1838 by Bill Johnston and his henchmen. The novel recreates that dramatic event.

an old wooden boat on display in a building with other boats and canoes hanging from the ceiling

This skiff from the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York, is similar to those referred to in the novel.

two people sitting at tables in front of a brick building with flowers on the balcony

This coffee house in Kingston, Ontario, housed the Steamboat Inn in 1837. In the novel, Ryan worked here for for several weeks.

an old black and white photo of a man with a beard

This photo of Bill Johnston's son Stephen Decatur shows him in his later years. In 1838 he helped his father's smuggling business and he plays a minor a role in the novel.