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Welcome to Morcan Books & Films, the blog devoted to providing a unique perspective and intelligent commentary on books and films. It includes commentary on our own books and films – i.e. novels and screenplays co-written by the Morcans, and feature films produced by, or in development with, Morcan Motion Pictures.
Lance & James
New Zealand publisher Sterling Gate Books has announced its bestselling (fictional) audiobook this month is our historical adventure novel INTO THE AMERICAS by Lance & James Morcan. To listen to the prologue, click on:https://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story/dp/B0FDKY28ZC/
INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) is a tale of two vastly different cultures – Indigenous North American and European civilization – colliding head on.
This gritty, real-life adventure is based on one of history’s greatest wilderness survival stories. It was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time as a captive of the Mowachahts of Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.
Listening length of this Audible Audiobook is 14hrs 2mins.
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For those who prefer the printed word, INTO THE AMERICAS is available as a paperback via Harvard Book Store, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones UK & Europe bookstores, Amazon and via public libraries.
Our bestselling historical adventure novel INTO THE AMERICAS is available now as an Amazon audiobook. To listen to the novel’s prologue, click on the “Virtual voice sample” in the panel below the cover image accessed via the following link… https://www.amazon.com/ITEM_NAME/dp/B0FDKY28ZC/
So far, 19 of our books – fiction and nonfiction / co-authored and solo-authored – have been uploaded to Amazon’s Audiobook with more to come.
INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) is a gritty, real-life adventure based on one of history’s greatest survival stories. It was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time aboard the brigantine The Boston and also during his sojourn as a captive of the First Nations people at Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.
This novel has 925 global ratings and a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
According to Amazon’s A.I. summary: “Customers find this book an enjoyable and captivating read based on historical facts, with well-developed characters and a fast-paced narrative that draws readers into the excitement. The writing style receives positive feedback, and customers appreciate the historical notes that add clarity to the story.”
Those who share our fascination with the First Nations people of North America will surely resonate with THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN JEWITT: The true story that inspired Into the Americas (Illustrated).
It’s one of several books that faithfully duplicates a young English seaman’s diarized account of his years as a captive of Mowachaht warriors in Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in the early 1800s.
John Jewitt’s diary was – as our book’s subtitle suggests – the inspiration for one of our bestselling novels, Into the Americas. The diary is a public domain book, so we didn’t hesitate to “borrow” some of Jewitt’s adventures and include them, albeit dramatized, in our novel.
John Jewitt…as pictured in his diary.
Jewitt was one of only two survivors when fierce Mowachahts slaughtered (decapitated) 25 crewmen aboard the brig The Boston. He and his fellow survivor had to endure more than two years as slaves of the First Nations people of Nootka.
Jewitt’s writing seems surprisingly modern, and his observations are insightful and perceptive, which makes for a very easy, interesting read. He clearly resonated with his captors and his written observations of them and their customs really bring the First Nations people of the era alive.
There are several credible versions of John Jewitt’s public domain diary available on Amazon. Whether you read our version or another, no matter. His story is highly recommended!
And for those who prefer fiction, here’s the novel Jewitt’s diary inspired…
Under the heading “Penal colonies in Australia come to life in an outstanding work of Historical Fiction,” respected US book critic Howard Lipman, PA, has this to say about our adventure-romance novel WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story):
“The Morcan team, Lance and James, invite us to consider the convict colonies of Australia, a little-known story for this American reader. The harsh cruel and brutal treatment of the inmates amidst an unforgiving climate, and environment reminds us how monstrous one group of human beings can be to another, but there is so much more to be considered in this very fine novel. (Cont’d below)…
“I didn’t realize what the Aboriginals of that time were like, and the insights that the Morcans present show initially that they ran the gamut between peaceful Spiritual tribes like the Kobi, to warring tribes and single individuals like ‘Tracker’ who have made themselves indispensable to the British. The Opium-taking, philandering Lord Cheatham, the ‘Commandant’ of the penal colony is a piece of work and amongst others if his kind is an unforgettable villain. There are certain compelling, merciful individuals in all of the cultural groups presented, from the British Military, the Convicts, the Aboriginals and more.
“John Graham, one of the strongest-willed of the convicts, Captain Tom Marsden, Moilo and Mambo of the Kobi Tribe stand out for me. Indeed this is really the story of John Graham, a convict who escapes, eventually finding refuge within the Kobi Tribe that accept him as one of their own. It’s a story that doesn’t pull any punches when describing the wretched conditions of the men in the penal colonies, but hope and spirituality are also presented within John’s joining of the tribe and his other experiences.
“I’ve read the Morcans’ work before, but consider this book to be one of the finest pieces of historical Fiction that I’ve ever read. Though based on a true story, it makes for a wonderful Historical narrative. Five stars, and two thumbs up for this outstanding work of Historical Fiction.”
New Zealand: A Novel, by Lance Morcan, spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Maori and European. It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Pacific Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south; it ends in the 1700’s with Captain James Cook’s historic circumnavigation of that same land – a land he calls New Zealand – as seen through the eyes of young crewmember Nicholas Young aboard the bark Endeavour. From the outset the two stories are interposed. The adventures of the descendants of the earliest Maoris are followed down through the centuries, culminating in their often violent, sometimes romantic, always fascinating interactions with the white intruders they call pakehas.
New Zealand… the land that time forgot.
Shrouded in cloud at the bottom of the world, this was the land that time forgot: the last sizeable piece of undiscovered land on Earth. Two hundred million years after breaking away from the vast southern continent of Gondwana, Man had yet to leave his footprints on this prehistoric place.
Mythology would have it the land was fished up out of the ocean. In fact, earthquakes and volcanic activity forced it to literally erupt from the sea bed. This violent birth left it with a majestic ruggedness that would always reflect its former turbulence. The legacy of those fiery beginnings includes still-active volcanoes amidst the mountain chains that dissect the land.
Over time, its features softened. Scenes of beauty emerged out of the mists. There was a haunting stillness about the land. It was a place of mystery – of magical forests and sparkling lakes and rivers.
And the sea surrounded it – like some huge tidal moat.
Its isolation ensured it wouldn’t be until well into the First Millennium AD that Man would step foot on these shores. The brown-skinned people who settled here would call their new home Aotearoa – land of the long, white cloud. Not until its rediscovery centuries later by European explorers would the land receive the name by which it is known today…
New Zealand – aptly named by some as Aotearoa…Land of the long white cloud.
Author’s note:
Target audience for New Zealand: A Novel is adult readers; manuscript word count is 103,000 words. Genres include historical fiction, adventure, romance.
Given the increasing worldwide interest in New Zealand and the fascination over its indigenous people, I believe the timing couldn’t be better for this novel. While it has the lust and violence associated with those pre-European and Colonial times, New Zealand: A Novel has strong themes of love and romance, which will endear it to female readers as well as male.
–Lance Morcan
Excerpt:
The following excerpt from New Zealand: A Novel sees the surviving Hawaikan voyageurs reach their destination at the end of a gruelling six-week journey from their South Pacific homeland.
“I see land!” Rangi shouted triumphantly, leaping to his feet.
“Where?” Hotu demanded.
“There!” the excited navigator said, pointing directly southwest.
Kafoa was wide awake now. He pushed himself to his feet and squeezed between the two men, searching the horizon for a glimpse of land.
Hotu said, “Yes! I see it!”
Rangi adjusted the tiller until the canoe pointed slightly more to the west.
Others gathered around, aroused by the sudden commotion.
Kafoa strained his eyes, but could see only sky and ocean. “Where is it?” he implored. “I cannot see anything!”
Hotu smiled. “Look for the signs and you will see it.”
Kafoa scanned the horizon, looking for any one of the signs he had memorised by heart. He absentmindedly massaged the stub of the extra small finger on his left hand as he studied the sea and sky around him. Finally he saw what the men had seen. Low on the horizon, at the limit of his vision, was a large landmass resting beneath a long white cloud. Studying the distant landmass, he murmured, “Aotearoa.”
Hotu nodded. “Aotearoa,” he agreed, “land of the long white cloud.”
Kupe’s land now had a name.
#
The excitement aboard Ronui was unrestrained as the landmass now referred to by all as Aotearoa came into clear focus beneath the umbrella of cloud. Everyone who could stand was standing. The only voyagers not on their feet were those too weak to stand.
Hotu was now manning the tiller. His heart beat fast. Here at last was Kupe’s land! Tears filled his eyes and he murmured a prayer of thanks to the spirits of his Hawaikan ancestors. This land, their land, would be his people’s salvation. Of that he was sure.
From around twenty miles out, the land appeared dark and mysterious in the shadow of the cloudbank above it. Forbidding even. The sight had a sobering effect on the voyagers. All conversation ceased as they studied their new homeland.
Hotu glanced down at Kafoa who hadn’t left his side since the first sighting. Overcome with love for the boy, he reached down and ruffled his hair yet again. Kafoa looked up and smiled at the father he idolised.
As Ronui sailed onwards, floundering deeper than ever in the water, the land mass ahead slowly took shape. It was high – higher than the tropical islands of the Pacific – and it was covered in dense, lush, green bush.
Although still too far away to ascertain, the land appeared to be unoccupied, and some sixth-sense told Hotu it was. Which meant he and his fellow survivors would be the only people on these shores. He wondered what had become of Kupe’s fellow voyagers all those centuries ago.
Hotu’s mind returned to the present and he realised the bigger question was what had happened to Ra and the others aboard Tautira. He prayed they were safe.
#
By mid-afternoon, the clouds lifted and Aotearoa was bathed in brilliant sunshine.
The Hawaikans were close to shore now. They scrutinised every feature of their new land. Ahead of them breakers crashed against impressive white cliffs that rose straight out of the sea. The clifftops were fringed by trees whose distinctive flowers blazed scarlet under the summer sun. Kafoa thought it likely the branch that was recovered from the sea came from one of those very trees.
Hotu was anxious to find a suitable landing place before nightfall. It was the ever-vigilant Rangi who brought his attention to a bay slightly to the north of where they were heading.
“Over there!” the navigator said, pointing to a crescent-shaped bay.
“Uh,” Hotu confirmed, steering the canoe toward the bay. A prominent headland at the bay’s southern end guarded the entrance to it.
The rocky shoreline gave way to a white-sand surf beach. Calm water and only the faintest of breezes aided an uneventful beaching. After such a long and dramatic voyage, the landing seemed almost an anti-climax to the exhausted survivors.
Kafoa was first to disembark, jumping from the canoe into the shallows. In a few strides he was standing above the high tide mark on the beach, his hunger pangs and tiredness forgotten for the moment. One by one, the other survivors joined him.
The descendants of Kupe had come home.
Hotu prayed that Ra and the others aboard Tautira had also arrived safely. He had no way of knowing they would soon land on a similar beach several hundred miles to the north.
It would be two centuries before the descendants of these separated peoples would meet, and when they did, it would not be as friends but as mortal enemies.
The Hawaikans survived daunting odds to reach Aotearoa circa 1300 AD.
Captain Cook’s bark the Endeavour off New Zealand’s coast (above) and an adaptation of Cook’s map of New Zealand (below).
For the First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest salmon was part of their staple diet – preferably eaten putrid and well past its used-by date – as young Englishman John Jewitt discovered when a captive of the Mowachahts of Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in the early 1800s.
We include references to John’s aversion to putrid salmon in our epic historical fiction adventure INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story). The earthy descriptions are accurate for we sourced them directly from a diary he kept during his years in captivity. To John’s chagrin, the surrounding woods abounded with game, but salmon was considered a delicacy compared to deer and such.
Mowachaht chief Maquinna and his family agreed to John’s request that he cook an English-style meal of roasted venison for them. However, to the young cook’s dismay, they were unimpressed by the meal, and stuck to their traditional diet.
John observed the Mowachahts’ diet, which also included whale meat and blubber, kept them healthy as illness was rare within the tribe except during harsh winters when starvation was a common occurrence.
One book critic describes INTO THE AMERICAS as “an incredible, true-life, wilderness survival story”. It is available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook.
History lovers will appreciate the book THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN JEWITT, the illustrated true story that inspired our epic novel Into the Americas. The book contains the complete diary entries English seaman John Jewitt made during his time as a captive of the Mowachahts of Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in the early 1800s.
Jewitt was one of only two survivors when fierce warriors slaughtered twenty-five of his crewmates aboard the brig, the Boston, in Nootka Sound. More than two years of captivity followed.
Thanks to Jewitt’s fondness for the written word and his diligence in maintaining his diary entries throughout his captivity, we have been left with an intriguing insight into his life, and into the lives of First Nations people. His account is made all the more extraordinary by virtue of the fact that such interaction between whites and the tribes of the Pacific Northwest was virtually unheard of and certainly never before (and seldom since) written about in such detail.
Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, is the setting for our adventure novel Into the Americas. It was here that 19-year-old John Jewitt found himself captive after Mowachaht warriors attacked his ship and slaughtered his crewmates.
Here’s what Amazon reviewers are saying about Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story):
★★★★★“An awesome tale!” -Great Historical Fiction Book Reviews
★★★★★“Extremely well researched, the main character’s ‘coming of age’ is told with detached and stark brutality.”-Award-winning author Lee Murray
★★★★★“Want a great historical fiction read? Here it is!”-Author Alice DiNizo
★★★★★“VERY entertaining! Near impossible to put down.” -Amazon Reviews
John Jewitt…the central character in our historical adventure novel Into the Americas. The scar on his forehead was left by a Mowachaht warrior intent on decapitating him. All but one of Jewitt’s crewmates were beheaded after their brigantine the Boston was attacked in Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island. The portrait sketch, incidentally, was drawn years after these dramatic events.
Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) is a gritty, real-life adventure based on one of history’s greatest survival stories. It was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time aboard ship and also during his sojourn at Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.
It’s a tale of two vastly different cultures – indigenous North American and European civilization – colliding head on. It is also a Romeo and Juliet story set in the wilderness.
![Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Lance Morcan, James Morcan]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61bFfvTSbSL.jpg)
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