Award-Winning Author Launches Travel Blog Sharing Historical Places to Visit in the USA

    GETTYSBURG, PA, May 04, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bestselling historical fiction author Jessica James is turning the page to a new career by sharing some of her favorite historical places to visit in the USA on her travel blog website Past Lane Travels.

The author of 19 novels that range in genre from historical fiction and women's fiction to suspense/thrillers and sweet holiday romance, James is broadening her writing opportunities by focusing on her love for history and travel.

"I travel so much to do research for my novels and only use a small portion of what I discover," James said. "I realized that these almost-forgotten stories about American history are of interest to other people as well."

Though new, the Past Lane Travels website features diverse historical sites like cemeteries, old houses, plantations, battlefields and off-the-beaten-path travel destinations located throughout the United States. James is also planning to concentrate more on featuring her hometown of Gettysburg, Pa.

"There are many hidden gems in the town and surrounding area that even frequent visitors don't know about," James said. She recently wrote a post on 15 Free Things To Do In Gettysburg to help visitors save money on their trip.

Some of the most popular posts on Past Lane Travels that highlight historical places to visit in the USA include the story of a little girl buried in a rum keg in the Old Burying Ground Cemetery in Beaufort, N.C.; the history of the still-operating Harrison Brothers Hardware Store in Huntsville, Al.; and the beautiful house and gardens of Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, S.C.

This summer James plans to introduce a new section featuring the popular food and drinks in the different regions she visits. "The cultural aspect of local cuisine has always intrigued me," James said. "From fresh crabcakes in Maryland to Cajun cooking in Louisiana, it's like visiting a different country everywhere you go. I want to share those tantalizing dishes with my readers."

A Love For History, Travel And Writing

James is no newcomer to the field of writing, having started her career as a newspaper journalist. She worked for 18 years as both a reporter and editor before concentrating on fiction writing.

Her first novel Shades of Gray was recently re-released as a three-book Trilogy and all three books in the Trilogy have been nominated for a 2022 RONE Award presented by InD'tale magazine.

Her other novels have won more than two dozen major literary awards, including Gold and Bronze medals from the Military Writers Society of America and four John Esten Cooke Awards for Southern Fiction.

One of James latest novels reflects her love for history, old houses, small towns and sycamore trees. The women's fiction novel Lacewood is about an abandoned mansion that brings two lost souls together in a love story that spans centuries.

"It's part love story, part ghost story and encompasses all of my favorite things," James said.

In addition to travel writing, James' is also branching out with more freelance writing, focusing on in-depth stories of historical, military and cultural significance. Her most recent feature article appears in the June issue of Vietnam magazine, highlighting the significance of the Huey helicopter and the work of the National American Huey History Museum in Peru, Indiana.

With the rising price of gas and travel, James believes short road trips to historical destinations will be popular this year.

'You'd be surprised how many historical sites are within a day's drive of your house that you may have never heard of," James said. "You can take a trip back in time rather than a long vacation to a faraway destination."

James also loves writing about small towns, taverns and historic hotels. She offers a free weekly newsletter at https://pastlane.substack.com.

CVBs, DMOs, magazines and websites that are in need of a quality content creator are welcome to reach out to [email protected]. (An added bonus is that your historical destination or establishment may end up in a novel).

Those who love American history and plan to hit the road this summer can visit Past Lane Travels for tips, resources and ideas that will be posted in the upcoming months. Escape the present and discover the past!

Award-winning author Jessica James combines her passions for history and travel by exploring the back roads of America and uncovering the best historical places to visit in the USA. You're invited to tag along on her blog Past Lane Travels—because you never know what you'll discover in the Past Lane.

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