Press Release/Forever Rose
3/00
Janet Wellington, author
PO Box 1864
Spring Valley, CA 91979Berkey Publishing Group
Cindy Hwang, Associate Editor
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014CONTACTS:
Cindy Hwang, Associate Editor; CHwang@penguinputnam.com
Janet Wellington mail@janetwellington.com
Walk in the Footsteps
of Wyatt Earp
Local author makes San Diego history come alive in third novel
San Diego, March, 2000:
Did you know Wyatt Earp lived in San Diego in the late 1800s? That he owned or leased four saloons and gambling halls in what is now the Gaslamp Quarter?In a newly released time travel historical novel, the San Diego-based story revolves around several noted historical characters: Wyatt and Josie Earp, the infamous madam Ida Bailey, and eccentric musician/spiritualist Jesse Shepard of Villa Montezuma fame. The setting is 1888, downtown San Diego. The novel is entitled Forever Rose and published by Berkley Jove.
Local author Janet Wellington said inspiration occurred during a walk with friends on Market Street near 4th and 5th, when she noticed the Wyatt Earp window display of the Gaslamp Books and Museum store. When the used and rare book store, owned by Ken Cilch, Sr. and Ken Cilch Jr., opened in 1992, Cilch and his son became amateur Earp historians. Their store houses the Gaslamp Museum of Historic San Diego, and features the Wyatt Earp Room which is filled with memorabilia of the famous lawman.
"I vividly remember wondering," Wellington said, "what it might be like to live in those wild times when Wyatt Earp was here." Her novel Forever Rose tells the story of how a modern woman is sent back in time to prevent the assassination of Wyatt Earp. Wellington further explained the book as "a tale of deceit, revenge, mistaken identity--and a riddle that must be solved before time runs out" for the story’s female protaganist.
Close attention to detail and meticulous research gives the book an authentic touch. "I’m fortunate San Diego offers so many places to check historical facts," Wellington explained. "We have the San Diego Historical Society, the Gaslamp Museum, and even accounts from books and newspapers of the time period."
The best part, the author said, is the fact that many of the sites used in her book can be visited today. "I can really walk where Wyatt Earp walked," she said. "That’s amazing when you stop to think about it."
Another historical site used in the novel is the Villa Montezuma. A museum today, the house was designed for celebrated author, spiritualist, and musician Jesse Shepard. The imaginatively designed Victorian still stands at 1925 K Street and is maintained through the work of the San Diego Historical Society.
"I loved using the Villa Montezuma in Forever Rose," Wellington said, "and that’s where the book’s seance scene takes place."
The novel is a time travel historical with paranormal influences, the author explained. And the book opens with a cryptic Tarot card reading that takes place at the Del Mar Fair. "I think we’ve all had our palm read or a Tarot card reading at a county fair sometime in our past," Wellington commented. "And it was fun to use the local setting of the Del Mar Fair because it’s one of my favorite summer events here in San Diego."
Forever Rose will be available at March booksignings and writers workshops held throughout the county (see complete listing at www.janetwellington.com and attached). Wellington will also showcase some of the historic sites used in her novel through two very special events:
 | On Saturday, March 25th, the public is invited to join local amateur historian and Walkabout International’s "Downtown Sam" on a free guided Wyatt Earp Walk in the Gaslamp Quarter. Meet the group at 10:00 a.m. at the Lyceum Theater at Horton Plaza. In this 1.5 hour easy walk, Downtown Sam will take you to some of the saloons, favorite haunts, and residences of the famous Earp. The walk will end at the B. Dalton book store in Horton Plaza where Wellington will be signing copies of Forever Rose. |
| On Sunday, March 26th, Wellington will be signing copies of her novel at the Villa Montezuma. The house and museum, located at 1925 K Street, is open that day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission prices are $5 for adults; $4 for seniors, AAA members, students with I.D., and military; $2 for children 6-17; and children 5 and under are free. The Villa Montezuma is the most interesting and imaginatively designed Victorian house still standing in San Diego. This remarkable example of the late 19th century architectural style known as "Queen Anne," was designed following the ideas of Jesse Shepard. Walk through the rooms and experience the wonder of traveling back in time by visiting this unique mansion and museum--one of San Diego’s historical treasures. |
Forever Rose
, by Janet Wellington; ISBN 0-515-12782-5; Jove Time Passages Time Travel Romance, March 2000; $5.99.