Sunday, October 19, 2025
Distribution: (800) 510 0384
Washington DC
New York
Toronto
Press ID  
  • Login
The Hudson Weekly
  • Financial
  • Blockchain
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Cybersecurity
No Result
View All Result
  • Financial
  • Blockchain
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Cybersecurity
No Result
View All Result
The Hudson Weekly
No Result
View All Result

Speaking With Pamela Roberts: The Author of The Darkness at Dawn: A Story of Hope and Redemption

Craig Richer by Craig Richer
September 26, 2023
in Arts
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  1. What inspired you to write “The Darkness at Dawn” and what was your creative process like?

At a young age my grandfather told me of my early English ancestors who came to America in the 17th Century, including John Lee who is the main character of The Darkness at Dawn.

These stories lit a fire in me and when I was older, I knew I had to write the story about this period in history that so few Americans know about.  Discovering that John Lee is also an ancestor of Princess Diana and both Prince William and Prince Harry of England gave me further inspiration.

HudsonNewsroom

Top 10 Book Ghostwriting Services

The Naginata: From Samurai Battlefield to Women’s Art

SaudiDialect.com Brings Saudi Arabic Dialect Learning to Global Audience

I also wanted to learn what 17th Century American life was like as most Americans believe our history began in 1776.

Much of the texture of this novel, which many have praised, comes from what I learned about the details of shipboard life during the voyages from England to America, early New England farm life, and what Native American life was like.

Speaking With Pamela Roberts

  1. How did you research and approach writing about the historical events depicted in the novel?

All told, it took me just short of 9 years to complete the novel.  The first four years were consumed with research and outlining the novel’s story.  Five more years were needed to complete the writing and editing.

I found the book, John Lee of Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut and His Descendants.  It was project of Lee Family published by Sarah March Lee in 1873.  It tells the story of the early Lees in America, those they met, and their descendants.

A revision was published in 1897 by Leonard Lee and Sarah Fiske Lee called Supplement John Lee of Farmington, Hartford Co., Conn. and his descendants 1634-1900 (published in 1897).  It contained corrections, changes, births, marriages, deaths, etc., reported since the original publication and was the version of the book I actually worked from.

I also relied heavily on The Colonial History of Hartford by William De Loss Love, published in 1914.

Besides these two critical books, I bought and studied many books about the early English settlers in Boston, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut, and about the sea voyages 17th Century colonists took from England to New England.

Another item I found of critical importance was the passenger list for the ship Francis that brought John Lee to New England.  It showed that John Lee was 13 years old at the time of the voyage and was the ward of William Westwood, counselor to Reverend Hooker, one of the greatest Puritan ministers of the time.  Both were included in The Darkness at Dawn.  Neither of John’s parents were on the ship, indicating that something kept them from coming. Illness of one or both was likely the reason.

I also took a trip to New England with my husband, Matthew Grinberg, to do research at museums, libraries and the Mayflower II.  We also visited historic sites that are in The Darkness at Dawn.  Many photos were taken on the trip including the one of John Lee’s grave site in Hartford that was used for the cover of the book.

Mayflower II – a replica of the original Mayflower that in 1620 brought Pilgrims to what would become Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Speaking With Pamela Roberts

  1. What challenges did you face while writing the novel, and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge was learning how to write a novel.  I like Hemingway’s clean style.  As I got into writing The Darkness at Dawn, I started by reading everything I could get that he wrote or that was about his writing.

I wanted to create compelling characters without spending too much time on their backstory.

My second biggest challenge was researching the history of 17th Century New England, especially my ancestor, John Lee, and his family and associates.

  1. What themes do you explore in the novel, and why were they important to you?

Religion both Native and English

Religion has always been important to me and any novel about 16th Century America must include: religion.  The major religions of the English Colonists were Puritanism and Anglicanism.  Puritanism was Old Testament based.  Anglicanism was the Church of England and came from Catholicism during The Reformation.  Though similar in many ways, the two faiths had many conflicts with each other and with the religion of the Indians.

Colonizing

The colonists brought with them all their knowledge and experience, plus everything they could carry on a ship, but establishing a colony in a new, untamed land was extremely difficult.  Society, homes, farms, businesses and government all had to be created from scratch.

The native Indian tribes

The colonist’s relations with the native people were a very important part of their lives.  Native tribes of New England were heavily impacted by the colonists.  Not only did the colonists take their land, but the colonists also unleashed plagues.  Though many colonists and Indians worked hard for good relations, such as John Lee and Tunxis tribe member Nesehegan, the conflicts continued to grow, eventually resulting in the Pequot War, and later King Philip’s War.

The Atlantic crossing

Traveling from England to America was a singular endeavor for all the Colonists.  The Atlantic crossing on the ship Francis is the defining event of The Darkness at Dawn (Image 11 – Mayflower II).  It is where the two major characters, protagonist John Lee, and antagonist, Richard Hawkes, first come in conflict.  Hawkes steals William Westwood’s, gold-inlaid silver chalice during a storm.  When Hawkes realizes that John witnessed the theft, he makes John swear an oath to God not to reveal it.  The oath becomes one of John’s major challenges as he becomes aware of Hawkes’ other crimes.

  1. How do you develop and portray the characters in “The Darkness at Dawn”?

The real characters, including the protagonist John Lee, my ancestor, were based on research.  Broadly speaking what is in The Darkness at Dawn about them is accurate.  But the details were based on the development of the story.

Everything about the fictitious characters was based on the development of the story, but they do reflect research on 17th Century people in New England including the Indians and the English Colonists.

The key was to bring each character to life with a realistic but compelling story arc.  The following is a list of the main characters.

Real characters:

John Lee – The main protagonist.  Barely 13 at the start of the novel he matures quickly.  John falls in love with Mary Hart and his children.  He also teaches the Indians to help them deal with the colonists

Mary Hart (Lee) – Deacon Hart’s daughter who Marries John Lee

Deacon Stephen Hart – Rough, tough, headstrong and family patriarch

Reverend Thomas Hooker – Leader of major New England Church and widely respected

Reverend Samuel Stone – Assumes charge of Hooker’s church when controversy arises over what became known as the Half-way covenant (Image 20)

Lieutenant Thomas Bull – Famous New England soldier who trains John Lee

The John Lee Memorial and grave site in Hartford, Connecticut

Speaking With Pamela RobertsReverend Thomas Hooker statue in Hartford, Connecticut

Speaking With Pamela RobertsFictitious Characters:

Richard Hawkes (and his sons and wife) – He is the villainous antagonist for John Lee

James Eastman – He is one of the two main henchmen of Hawkes

Edward Roach – The evil, violent henchman of Hawkes

Hawkes’s Indian followers – They also carry out much of Hawkes’ dirty work

John Lee’s Indian Followers especially Nesehegan – Nesehegan instills in John Lee the lesson he needs to finally overcome Hawkes.

  1. How do you balance historical accuracy with creating a compelling narrative?

The centerpiece of the book is the conflict between John Lee and Richard Hawkes.  Since Richard Hawkes is a fictitious character, this is all fictitious.

However the background of the story, including the events that lead to the conflicts between Lee and Hawkes are based on historical facts.  Such as the voyage of John Lee across the Atlantic, the colonial history of Boston, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut, and the Pequot and King Philip’s Wars.

Plus much is based on other historic figures.  Not only John Lee and his wife Mary Hart (Lee), but others such as Deacon Stephen Hart, Reverend Thomas Hooker, Reverend Samuel Stone, and Lieutenant Thomas Bull.

  1. What was the significance of setting the novel in early New England?

The simple answer is that The Darkness at Dawn is an historical novel.  The time and place of the events depicted in the novel was 17th Century New England.

The Darkness at Dawn is a novel I have wanted to write for most of my life as its hero is my ancestor, John Lee, and also an ancestor of Prince William and Prince Harry of England.

Based on what I already knew about John Lee and what I learned about him and his descendants through research, I developed the idea of a trilogy taking the major characters and their descendants through the Revolutionary War when Dr. William Hooker Lee and Dr. Ebenezer Lee moved to Ontario at the end of Revolutionary War.

  1. How does your personal background and experiences inform your writing, and how did they shape “The Darkness at Dawn”?

My career, first in the military as a US Air Force Colonel Judge Advocate General, and then as a Trial Attorney at the US Justice Department, was important in understanding the legal and governmental systems of the New England Colonists.

The climax of the struggle between John Lee and Richard Hawkes, and also the climax of The Darkness at Dawn, is the trial of Richard Hawkes. The trial reflects my many years of experience in court including a case I won for the Air Force before the US Supreme Court.

My experience as a lawyer gave me considerable experience writing clearly and developing a compelling narrative to convince a judge or jury.

The battles reflect my long interest in military history, especially American military history.

  1. What do you hope readers take away from “The Darkness at Dawn”?

The struggles of the early New England Colonists: trying to create new settlements out of nothing; trying to understand and coexist with the Indians; passing along their faith and culture to new generations in a new land.

The history of Colonial New England – i.e. even before the Revolutionary War, there was a lot we should know about US history, how they traveled to New England, how they governed themselves, how they dealt with the Indians, including the Pequot and King Philip’s Wars, and how they dealt with the nearby Dutch colonists.

How the colonists dealt with the difficulties of establishing the colonies through their faith, irrespective of specific religious doctrine, and hard work and persistence.

  1. What other works or authors influenced you while writing “The Darkness at Dawn”?

I have been an avid reader since I was a child. There are many novelists that I like, but my favorite is Ernest Hemingway.

Here is a list of novels by Hemmingway and other novelists that influenced my writing.

Ernest Hemingway

The Old Man and the Sea

For Whom the Bell Tolls

A Farewell to Arms

The Sun also Rises

Ken Follett

The Pillars of the Earth 

James Joyce

Ulysses

Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby

 

Pamela R. Lee and Matthew M. Grinberg, 9/4/2023

Craig Richer

Craig Richer

Newsroom Editor

More from HW Newsdesk

Top 10 Book Ghostwriting Services
Arts

Top 10 Book Ghostwriting Services

October 5, 2025
The Naginata: From Samurai Battlefield to Women's Art
Arts

The Naginata: From Samurai Battlefield to Women’s Art

October 2, 2025
SaudiDialect.com Brings Saudi Arabic Dialect Learning to Global Audience
Arts

SaudiDialect.com Brings Saudi Arabic Dialect Learning to Global Audience

September 30, 2025

HW Newsroom

Feathered Fire Is Turning Heads With Her Latest Release, ‘Forgive The Fabulous’
Entertainment

Feathered Fire Is Turning Heads With Her Latest Release, ‘Forgive The Fabulous’

by D’Arcy Sardone
October 15, 2025

Feathered Fire is an artist who knows how to stop a room, and her latest single, “Forgive The Fabulous,” proves...

Parfymonline.se

Parfymonline.se Modernizes Its Platform With Speed, Design, and Sustainability in Mind

October 15, 2025
What the Numbers Say About PPE Compliance Worldwide

What the Numbers Say About PPE Compliance Worldwide

October 13, 2025
Generational Wealth Planning: Balfour Capital Group’s Global Perspective

Generational Wealth Planning: Balfour Capital Group’s Global Perspective

October 10, 2025
Booz Demands His Due - A Gritty Look Inside ‘What About Booz?’

Booz Demands His Due – A Gritty Look Inside ‘What About Booz?’

October 10, 2025
The Architect of AI's New Language: A Conversation With Boris Kriuk

The Architect of AI’s New Language: A Conversation With Boris Kriuk

October 10, 2025
Common Problems in Flender Gearboxes and How to Diagnose Them

Common Problems in Flender Gearboxes and How to Diagnose Them

October 9, 2025
The 5G Shift: How Next-Gen Connectivity Is Redefining Live Casino Gaming

The 5G Shift: How Next-Gen Connectivity Is Redefining Live Casino Gaming

October 9, 2025
IP Protection for MVPs and Early-Stage Products

IP Protection for MVPs and Early-Stage Products

October 8, 2025
Hezi Badnany: A Global Healer Bringing Ancient Energy Medicine to Modern New York

Hezi Badnany: A Global Healer Bringing Ancient Energy Medicine to Modern New York

October 8, 2025
The Future of Lashes: How Tatiana Kisliuk Is Leading the Lift Movement

The Future of Lashes: How Tatiana Kisliuk Is Leading the Lift Movement

October 8, 2025
How to Sell a Business Without Regrets: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Why Website Design and SEO Must Work Together

October 7, 2025
No Result
View All Result

Headlines

Balancing Growth and Well-Being: How Executives Use Virtual Executive Assistants

ReceiptsApps Launches Free Online Tool for Instant Business Receipts

Tegeta Green Planet Pushes Georgia’s Circular Future Forward at RAR2025 Lisbon

Feathered Fire Is Turning Heads With Her Latest Release, ‘Forgive The Fabulous’

Parfymonline.se Modernizes Its Platform With Speed, Design, and Sustainability in Mind

What the Numbers Say About PPE Compliance Worldwide

Trending

Are You Under 40 and Want to Invest? Here’s Where to Begin
Financial

Are You Under 40 and Want to Invest? Here’s Where to Begin

by Craig Richer
October 16, 2025

You are still young (below 40) and in the realm of finances, your future is the same...

How to Choose the Right Remote Access Software for Your Needs

How to Choose the Right Remote Access Software for Your Needs

October 16, 2025
Balancing Growth and Well-Being: How Executives Use Virtual Executive Assistants

Balancing Growth and Well-Being: How Executives Use Virtual Executive Assistants

October 16, 2025
ReceiptsApps Launches Free Online Tool for Instant Business Receipts

ReceiptsApps Launches Free Online Tool for Instant Business Receipts

October 15, 2025
Tegeta Green Planet Pushes Georgia’s Circular Future Forward at RAR2025 Lisbon

Tegeta Green Planet Pushes Georgia’s Circular Future Forward at RAR2025 Lisbon

October 15, 2025
  • Booz Demands His Due – A Gritty Look Inside ‘What About Booz?’

https://hudsonweekly.com/booz-demands-his-due-a-gritty-look-inside-what-about-booz/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost #music #newmusic
  • The Architect of AI’s New Language: A Conversation With Boris Kriuk

https://hudsonweekly.com/the-architect-of-ais-new-language-a-conversation-with-boris-kriuk/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost #ai #tech
  • Overflow Expands Tap-to-Give Feature With More Flexible NFC Engagement for Churches

https://marketsherald.com/overflow-expands-tap-to-give-feature-with-more-flexible-nfc-engagement-for-churches/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost #church #donation
  • Sensi.AI Secures $45 Million Series C Funding to Drive Care Innovation for Seniors

https://lincolncitizen.com/sensi-ai-secures-45-million-series-c-funding-to-drive-care-innovation-for-seniors/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost
  • AMC Health Appoints Alan Petrazzi as Executive VP of Government Division to Drive Telehealth Innovations

https://lincolncitizen.com/amc-health-appoints-alan-petrazzi-as-executive-vp-of-government-division-to-drive-telehealth-innovations/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost #telehealth #health
  • CareChoice Wins Outstanding Growth Award for Excellence in Home Care Services

https://belmontstar.com/carechoice-wins-outstanding-growth-award-for-excellence-in-home-care-services/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost
  • BP Defence Launches Bullet-Resistant Backpacks for Enhanced Student Safety

https://belmontstar.com/bp-defence-launches-bullet-resistant-backpacks-for-enhanced-student-safety/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost #backback #bulletproof
  • NexCore Group Breaks Ground on Two Innovative Senior Living Communities in Denver and North Bethesda

https://fairmontpost.com/nexcore-group-breaks-ground-on-two-innovative-senior-living-communities-in-denver-and-north-bethesda/

#nyc #losangeles #chicago #houston #phoenix #philadelphia #sandiego #dallas #sanfrancisco #seattle #denver #washingtondc #boston #detroit #vancouver #toronto #publicrelations #marketingagency #earnedmedia #editorial #marketing #guestpost #guestposting #sponsored #sponsoredpost

© 2025 The Hudson Weekly. Published by The Ritz Herald. Editions: Markets Herald • Lincoln Citizen • Madison Graph • Belmont Star • Fairmont Post

Address: 1177 6th Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Removals: pr@hudsonweekly.com. Phone: (718) 313-5252. M-F: 9AM-5PM. Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Financial
  • Blockchain
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Cybersecurity

© 2025. The Hudson Weekly