Slavery was one challenge for Benjamin Curtis. Freedom was another. Freedom through the Underground Railroad to Canada from the U.S. Deep South, was always an elusive dream. But Benji intended to make that a reality. But little did he know the price he must pay for freedom. It was a journey without a beginning because he was a piece of property. Kept alive by hope, dead by reason, Benji vowed to reach the Promised Land, with his family and love interest. Would separation, solitary confinement, or even death stop him? Would determination beat disappointment? Only time would tell because the very land he saw as the only hope held big surprises. Backed by the support of a diehard abolitionist and an eminent philantropist and father figure, Benji's formidable task was not made easier. Nevertheless, before him was a vast stretch of land and people who would either resist or assist his trek through the UNDERGROUND TO FREEDOM.
Horane Smith, an award-winning author and journalist, was born in the picturesque village of Yardley Chase, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, the site of the legendary tourist attraction and subject of his internationally acclaimed novel Lover's Leap: Based on the Jamaican Legend.
He's the author of seven novels including the 2006 USA Booknews Bestbook Award (for historical fiction)Finalist, Dawn at Lover's Leap, the sequel to Lover's Leap:Based on the Jamaican Legend.
Lover's Leap: Based on the Jamaican Legend is the subject of one of dozens of papers on cultural and social issues to be presented at the 10th International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities, in Montreal, Canada, June 201. It will be discussed under the subject of Mixed-Fixed relations.
Horane Smith has written on subjects ranging from slavery legends to pirates, the Underground Railroad, lynchings, and reggae music. His latest novel is Seven Days in Jamaica. His other novels are Port Royal, Underground to Freedom, The Lynching Stream and Reggae Silver. He's the first recepient of the BURLA Award for Oustanding Contribition to African Caribbean and Canadian Literature. He resides in Canada with his wife and four children.
