As the author, I will attempt to keep this objective. Volume One of this story revolves around the memories of an elderly woman named Elizabeth Dennison. She has arranged a meeting with a person from far back in her past. This reunion rekindles a childhood friendship whereby the other woman coaxes Elizabeth to reveal much of her life's story. Through these recollections we are drawn into the early 1800's, a time when Elizabeth is about nine years of age and about to be removed from her family and a mother who is near death.

Elizabeth is taken in by a wealthy woman, Lady Rebecca Claussen, and her husband, Christopher to serve as a maiden servant at their estate in Sweden. She is wary of her new surroundings and especially of Mr. Claussen, a powerful presence by anyone's measure. In this arrangement, she is swept away from her home in Scandinavia to face pirates on the open seas, hardships on the American frontier, and maybe worse--the cruel hand of fate.

As these experiences combine to form the character of this child, one thing remains unchanged. Elizabeth's fixation on
the mysterious Christopher, the sole focus of her fragile childhood years. She believes he directs not only her life, but the seas and the stars in the sky. The book also contains some illustrations by the author.

This was an absolutely beautiful read. Just gorgeous.Claus is the story of Elizabeth, an orphan (for all intents and purposes) who comes to work for the Lady Rebecca Claussen, a woman who was once an orphan herself and who has now dedicated her life to helping children. Through Elizabeth’s young eyes we are witness to the journey to America of Lady Rebecca and her generous and kind husband, Christopher Claussen. Does that name seem familiar to you? That’s where the familiarity ends, for this is a story of Claus you could never have imagined.

What C. John Coombes gives us here is something that is so often lacking from self-published works… description. The description in this novel is lyrical and thorough. I’ve never been so interested in the workings of a sailing ship, nor so entranced by a battle with pirates. Elizabeth is perhaps too smart for her own good, but through her eyes we see things we may never have noticed otherwise. And, to top it all off, the author himself has literally illustrated the story beautifully. He is a very talented man! This was quite a long read (almost 700 pages in pdf), but it was well, well worth the time I put into it. ( )