Author L. B. Caulder has released two new titles: Blackthorne's Wake, a historical fiction novel, and Pete the Possum and the Road Home, a children's book published under the pen name L. B. Willow and illustrated by Lindy Ballew. The simultaneous release of these two very different books highlights Caulder's versatility as a storyteller and offers readers of all ages a chance to experience his carefully crafted worlds.
Set in the early eighteenth century, Blackthorne's Wake follows Nathan Blackthorne, a young man who lost his father to the sea in a storm in 1708. Despite his mother's wishes that he stay away from the docks, Nathan is drawn back to the harbor years later, unable to ignore the pull of a life at sea. His journey takes him from the wharves of his youth aboard a merchant vessel, through storm-tossed passages and foreign ports including Lisbon and Nassau, and eventually into contact with pirates operating along the Atlantic trade routes. As Nathan is drawn deeper into that world, he is confronted with questions of loyalty, survival, and the kind of man he intends to become. The novel follows his passage through hardship, danger, and shifting allegiances, tracing his transformation from a dockside laborer into someone forged by the sea his father once warned him against. This coming-of-age story matters because it explores timeless themes of identity and morality against the rich backdrop of maritime history, appealing to fans of atmospheric historical fiction.
Pete the Possum and the Road Home follows Pete, a young possum separated from his family, who forms an unexpected friendship with two field mice, Zeke and Caesar. Together, the trio travels from a rural barn toward a nearby city, encountering a series of obstacles along the way, including a barn cat, a diving hawk, a rising river, and a cold winter journey by truck. Themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery run throughout the book. As the story progresses, Pete confronts his own fears directly, culminating in a moment where he stands to protect his friends rather than retreat. The book concludes with Pete choosing to continue toward home, guided in part by a chance encounter that echoes the story's central themes of belonging and connection. The book's importance lies in its gentle, character-driven approach to teaching younger readers about resilience and the value of companionship.
Together, the two books reflect the range of Caulder's work, from atmospheric historical fiction to gentle, character-driven stories for younger readers, with a consistent attention to setting, character, and place across both. Published by New York Publishing Labs, these releases underscore the publisher's commitment to diverse storytelling and may signal more cross-genre projects from the author in the future. Caulder, who grew up in Bonham, Texas, and later became an architect, brings his artist's eye for atmosphere and history to both titles, ensuring that each book offers a vivid sense of place and memorable characters.
