Brick, Lime and Moonshine: for the love of a lake cabin . . .

by Victoria Ventris Shea

Inlanders of the Pacific Northwest are resilient during Prohibition, making moonshine or riding the rails or dancing for money or smuggling liquor across the Canadian border. Some go to prison or are shot and killed. The lucky ones have the thrill and distraction of falling in love.
Be inspired by the optimism, ingenuity, and perseverance of everyday people. The struggle from farms and a sod house to flapper fun, dance halls, drinking houses and serenades on Loon Lake, Washington, where a lake cabin is built in 1928 that becomes the author's sanctuary. A combination of memoir, family history and fiction based on oral legend.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

I have lived most of my life in Eastern Washington state and am now a retired teacher living on Whidbey Island (across the Straits from Canada) with my husband. My adult children and grandbaby live nearby.

I write historical fiction of the Pacific Northwest, engaging stories based on real people or real events, sea adventures, love stories, multi-cultural stories, even family memoirs about bootlegging, prison time and rumrunning.

So far, my stories take the reader to Alaska, Hawaii, California, Washington (Eastern Washington and the Palouse as well as Puget Sound), Idaho and Canada.

Some of my stories are to heal a wrong or to remember someone who should not be forgotten or to gain an understanding of a culture.

My favorite pastime is writing, but family time has precedence. I enjoy cooking for groups. I practice yoga and enjoy the mussels from Penn Cove where I currently live.

My husband and I have traveled throughout Southeast Asia, and I hope to visit Europe one day, especially Ireland.

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, Brick, Lime and Moonshine, by Victoria Ventris Shea! The stories reminded me so much of my parents and the hardships they endured growing up during the depression. I thought it was so clever how the author wove in fictional stories with her own memories of the lake cabin and her family. I found myself rereading her memoirs after finishing the book. That gave me an even greater appreciation for the fictional parts of the stories. I highly recommend this book, especially if anyone is interested in the history of prohibition and moonshine in eastern Washington State.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! As a 4th generation Spokanite, I LOVED reading about the region's history, and felt like my distant relatives were probably passing on the street or riding on the street car with the characters. The plot was fun and interesting. The only issue I had was the way Hank and Emily's story wrapped up--(spoilers) I didn't like his turn of character, and I didn't like that she faked her death and then was still alive at the end all those years later. That part was too soap opera-ish for me. Overall, I loved the book!

[Bev Driggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was raised on the Northside of Spokane. I am very familiar with Clayton and Loon Lake because my dad hauled clay at the plant. There were so many familiar names and places I smiled and nodded at my memories of those times of my youth. A story of perseverance during tough times.

[Kelly Augir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Ties

I’m grateful for the research Victoria has done about the region of eastern Washington and northern Idaho during this time period. It gives me more context for the tiny bit of family history I do know. I always love a good historical fiction story .

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the very best wruting , mostly fiction but of Spokane area completely . Entertaining..

[Taylor Olsen-Dement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my normal read but with personal connections to the loon lake, Clayton, deer park area and family mentioned makes for a great read!