A Family on Fire Across the Generations…

Rebecca Smally knows that she has a complex family history. In some ways, it’s typical of the American melting pot, with ancestors who came from England and Germany at the turn of the century, looking for new opportunities and a different life. But in other ways, they are anything but typical . . . a close-knit clan shielding explosive family secrets from generation to generation. Rebecca is determined to not only embrace her family’s proud heritage but also learn what really happened. From the awestruck hope of Ellis Island to the pride of becoming US citizens; from the lonely courage of establishing homesteads in the Midwest to embracing the community and caring of the church; from bonds of love to the burdens of shared secrets, Lake of the Cedars is a multi-generational American family saga that will keep you enthralled.

Patricia was born in the Midwest and lived in Cedar Lake, Indiana, for thirty-two years. Her accomplishments include several years as a 4-H leader, Methodist youth director, choir director, and teacher of Christian doctrine. Patricia is trained as a classical singer and spent several months in Europe as a soloist with the Crown Point Choir and Band; she has also provided her talent to many weddings. Her professional career includes serving as a nanny for more than a hundred children, and working as a nurse’s aide in an elder care facility. She has also worked in a book bindery and in home construction. She is proud of being a cradle Catholic who knows that God is her Savior.