Posts Tagged ‘into the americas’

Historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS this month’s bestselling audiobook

Posted: September 23, 2025 in Audiobooks, Into the Americas
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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.

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Bestselling historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS now available as audiobook

Posted: June 22, 2025 in Audiobooks, Into the Americas
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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.”

To view all our books, go to Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lance-Morcan/author/B005ET3ZUO

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John Jewitt’s diary brings the First Nations people of yesteryear alive!

Posted: February 27, 2025 in Into the Americas, The Adventures of John Jewitt
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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…

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Putrid salmon favored by John Jewitt’s captors in this true-life adventure tale

Posted: June 15, 2021 in Into the Americas
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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.

Epic adventure novel “very entertaining,” according to Amazon Reviews

Posted: December 27, 2020 in Into the Americas
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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 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Lance Morcan, James Morcan]

Into the Americas is available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook.  http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

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John warned to look out for his scalp in early encounter with First Nations people in ‘Into the Americas’ novel

Posted: July 9, 2020 in Into the Americas
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In the opening chapters of our historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) we describe as follows the arrival of young English blacksmith John Jewitt in Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in the early 1800s…

John and his crewmates returned their attention to shore as The Boston entered Friendly Cove. Nootka village came into view and the drumming sound that had heralded the brig’s arrival earlier intensified.

Mowachaht villagers could be seen drumming sticks against the exterior of their lodges. To John’s eyes, those employed in such a way appeared to be working themselves up into a frenzy.

On the sandy beach in front of the village, warriors were in the process of launching some of the twenty or so canoes resting there. John could see the Mowachahts were intent on approaching The Boston and he hoped they meant the brig’s crew no harm. The fact that all were armed and most carried muskets did nothing for his confidence.

Dorthy, who stood alongside John, noticed his assistant’s interest in the activity ashore. “Them the Mowachahts,” the armorer said. “Savages every one of ’em, so watch your scalp.”

John hoped Dorthy was joking. The expression on his face indicated he wasn’t.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Morcan, Lance, Morcan, James]

INTO THE AMERICAS is available via Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YJKM51E/

 

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‘Into the Americas’ the end result of 13 years of research and writing

Posted: June 12, 2019 in Into the Americas
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In researching and writing our historical adventure Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) – a labor of love spanning 13 years – we first came across the centuries-old diary entries of young English seaman John Jewitt in early 2002. And we immediately became enamored with this intriguing slice of North American history.

However, it took untold drafts and careful study of the region – including consultation with the tribal peoples of the Pacific Northwest – before we finally felt confident we had developed the original bare bones historical account into the epic adventure novel it deserved to be in literary format.

As with writing any novel based on or inspired by a true story, we had a million agonizing decisions to make along the way. Decisions like what aspects of the historical events needed to be added to, fictionalized or given more layers, and what could be kept exactly as occurred but expanded upon or dramatized.

Even after all these years of focusing on the history we still feel John Jewitt’s story is one of the great true wilderness survival tales of all time.

Thankfully, readers seem to resonate with this novel and it continues to attract stellar reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

If you enjoyed Into the Americas, you may enjoy our other adventure novels White Spirit   (another novel based on a true story), The Dogon Initiative, World Odyssey and Fiji: A Novel.

-Lance & James Morcan 

 

Book: Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by James & Lance Morcan

Book’s Amazon review rating = 4.4 out of 5 stars after 187 reviews.

 

★★★★★ “Extremely well researched, the main character’s ‘coming of age’ is told with detached and stark brutality.” -Award-winning author Lee Murray.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story)  is available via Amazon as a paperback or Kindle ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

 

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Historical fiction novel likened to a motion picture in words

Posted: April 27, 2019 in Into the Americas
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lancemorcan's avatarMorcan Books & Films

One book reviewer described our historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story)  as being “like a motion picture in words.” Understandable given it’s set in the Pacific Northwest, which must surely be one of the most picturesque places on earth. 

Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island…where this true-life story is set.

 

Into the Americasis 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.

The storyline:

It’s 1802. Nineteen year-old English blacksmith John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest.

John Jewitt…years later.

A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquina, the all-powerful chief…

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Historical adventure novel a Romeo and Juliet story set in the wilderness

Posted: August 17, 2018 in Into the Americas
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Bestselling 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. It is also a Romeo and Juliet story set in the wilderness.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Morcan, Lance, Morcan, James]

 

Nineteen year-old English seaman John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest. A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquina, the all-powerful chief. Desperate to taste freedom again, they make several doomed escape attempts over mountains and sea. Only their value to the tribe and John’s relationship with Maquina prevents their captors from killing them.

As the seasons pass, John ‘goes Indian’ after falling in love with Eu- stochee, a beautiful maiden. In the bloodshed that follows, John discovers another side to himself – a side he never knew existed and a side he detests.

The stakes rise when John learns Eu-stochee is pregnant. When a final opportunity to escape arises, he must choose between returning to civilization or staying with Eu-stochee and their newborn son.

INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) is available via Amazon as a paperback or Kindle ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

The novel 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 at Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.

 

INTO THE AMERICAS has been adapted to a feature film screenplay and the planned movie is in early development with Morcan Motion Pictures. Expressions of interest are welcome from experienced film producers and directors.

 

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Putrid salmon favored by First Nations people of Pacific Northwest

Posted: July 27, 2018 in Into the Americas
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For some reason, the people of the Pacific Northwest considered rotten fish – salmon in particular – a delicacy, much preferring it to fresh fish. As a result, the odor of putrid fish filled the lodges at Nootka village, including the slaves’ quarters as it did on this occasion.

Toothie wandered over to the white slaves, holding two calabashes of food he’d prepared over the cooking fire. John Jewitt and Thompson accepted the offerings gratefully.

A quick inspection showed it consisted of fish grilled in seal oil. It looked appetizing enough, but the whites guessed the fish Toothie had used came from the small stockpile of putrid salmon the slaves kept in the lodge when supplies permitted.

So hungry were John and Thompson they crammed hand-fulls of the fish into their mouths as soon as it had cooled sufficiently.

It took all their self-control not to gag as they digested the putrid salmon, but they managed to keep it down. If nothing else, they found it was filling and would help them survive another day at least. They weren’t to know it was also very nutritious, and would sustain them until their next meal.

You have been reading an excerpt from INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) – available via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Morcan, Lance, Morcan, James]

Nineteen year-old blacksmith John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest. A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquinna, the all-powerful chief. Desperate to taste freedom again, they make several doomed escape attempts over mountains and sea. Only their value to the tribe and John’s relationship with Maquinna prevents their captors from killing them.

 

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