Our newest Award winner!!
2013 Great Southeast Book Festival Winner in the Regional Literature category!
2012 Green Book Festival Winner in the Wild Card category!
2012 New England Book Festival Honorable Mention in the Wild Card category!
2012 San Francisco Book Festival Honorable Mention Award in the History category.
2012 January Lady Banks (SIBA) pick of the week for January 18-25.
In Pamela's newest historical novel, she shares the dramatic lives and culture of the colonists in pre-American Revolution days through the eyes of Eliza Lucas Pinckney.
With extraordinary courage, skill and grit, seventeen year old Eliza Lucas brought wealth to the south shortly before the American Revolution. She was the first colonist to successfully cultivate the indigo plant and produce its blue dye: a veritable money maker for England. Remarkably, she achieved this working within the enormous constraints faced by colonial women, making her mark on the agricultural industry, southern society and the Crown of England.
“Once again, with keenness of insight and perception previously unrevealed in historical novels of this period, Pamela Bauer Mueller provides us with an enlightening glimpse into the world of an exceptional woman in colonial America. Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s story offers an illuminating awareness of the unique culture of indigo planting, while also presenting an intimate perspective of everyday life in colonial Charles Town and its low country environs. Not only is this an educational story of a remarkable 18th century woman with extraordinary courage, skill and grit, but it is also an absolute delight to read!”—Buddy Sullivan, Coastal Georgia Historian, Award Winning Author
EARLY READER REVIEWS
This historical novel enlivens the biography of Eliza Lucas Pinckney, the 18th century entrepreneur who pioneered indigo’s profitable cultivation on the Lowcountry plantations she ran as a mere 17-year-old. Appealing primarily to young adults, the engrossing tale offers a peek into Pinckney’s life through passages from her letters and journals while also reviving the atmosphere of daily existence in colonial Charles Towne. Charleston Magazine Book Review, January 2012
How incredible that Eliza’s success in cultivating the indigo plant had such a huge impact on the lives of the early colonists! In this truly readable novel, Ms. Mueller does an excellent job in giving the reader the feel of colonial Charles Town and its way of life during that time period. If you are looking for a story that is educational, entertaining and historical, I highly recommend Pamela Bauer Mueller’s “Water to My Soul.” Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads, February 2012
Through her historical expertise, Ms. Mueller brings to life a woman on the cusp of revolution in the mid-1700’s and emphasizes the complexity of her role in colonial America. In her fourth historical novel, she details the life of Eliza Lucas Pinckney as she meets the challenges of agriculture, economics, politics, and managing the family in her father's absence. Using excerpts from Eliza Pinckney's own journals, she chronicles her groundbreaking work growing indigo for dyes in the harsh Carolina climate, as well as her personal dramas. Pinckney did indeed have important roles in history, both for her part in creating an economy independent of the British and for mothering sons who served in the new government of the United States of America. Photographs from the South Carolina Historical Society and other sources document the real people and places Mueller describes. Sheila M. Trask for The US Review of Books, February 2012
A remarkable story done justice by Pamela Bauer Mueller. Water To My Soul is a fine addition to any historical fiction collection for all ages. The Midwest Book Review, March 2012
What an excellent job of creating an appealing narrative of early colonists’ faith! Pamela used her creative writing skills to lift up and love God; an answer to prayer. She gave readers an interesting and inspiring picture of a very creative and tenacious eighteenth century pioneer, Eliza Lucas Pinckney.
Dr. E. Bruce Ellithorpe/Theologian
I just finished devouring your Eliza story, re-reading many sections. Water To My Soul was the best Christmas gift ever!! Eliza was such a strong woman, yet our U.S. history held her in the background with little mention of her many contributions to our society. Pamela is truly a wonderful conduit of this great woman and her story of constant determination in forming our country. BRAVA! Irene Schultz
I just finished reading Water To My Soul by Pamela Bauer Mueller. It is a wonderful story about the determination of a young woman set in the 1700's in South Carolina. The true story of her life is very compelling. The book is also a history lesson about the beginnings of the United States and the Charleston, SC area. It transported me to that place and time. I found it hard to stop reading when life required me to do other things. I highly recommend this to others. Darlinda Guidry
I expected a well-written weaving of history and fiction like in Ms. Bauer Mueller's previous books "An Angry Drum Echoed", "Neptune's Honor", and "Splendid Isolation". What really surprised me was the passionate but tender love story between Eliza and Charles Pinckney. Ms. Bauer Mueller really captured the depth of their love and how it impacted the forming of their family and later the birth of our nation. Their striving for virtue in a time of trouble reminded me of "To Kill A Mockingbird". My only criticism: it was too short. Scott Nelson
Not only is it rich in dialogue that carries the story along, it is also an engaging "period piece" of our colonial history. This fascinating true-life drama, wonderfully fluid in its pace and written with warm and sensitive intelligence and attention to detail, draws us into Eliza’s personal journey in southern colonial America. As I came to the last pages of Water to My Soul, I felt appreciation for the sheer pleasure of reading it. I highly recommend Pamela Bauer Mueller's Water To My Soul. Meg Cunningham
Your new book is so wonderful! I have read many books, notes etc speaking of Eliza Lucas Pinckney but yours has captured her entire life in such a beautiful manner. Johnie Rivers/historian
Water To My Soul is your best ever! I LOVE it! This book should really put you in another category as an historical novelist. You amaze me that with your west coast origin via Mexico & Canada that you are able to capture the history & feelings of the south. Louise Hooper
Eliza helps me have perspective on my own life. Her many loses remind me of my many blessings. Your writing has captured her beauty! Kim Belt
I loved the triumphs and stories of Eliza's life. I marvel at how well she dealt with all of life's challenges and how she provides a wonderful perspective for how we should view our lives. Your knowledge and detail for that time in our country’s history is amazing. Cassandra Coveney
I am truly enjoying the new book, Water to My Soul. I really appreciate your including her prayers: so heartfelt, human and loving. Patricia Duke
Eliza had to be a remarkable woman to pursue her dream and become interwoven in the fabric of our country’s history. God has truly gifted you in your writing. Your word pictures about His lovely world speak volumes about who you are and WHOSE you are! Eleanor Miller
Book Trailer - Splendid Isolation: The Jekyll Island Millionaires' Club 1888-1942
2011 National Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist in the Historical Fiction category.
2010 New England Book Festival Runner-up in the Wild Card category.
2010 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Finalist in the Fiction - Historical category.
2010 USA Book News Best Book Award Finalist in the Biography: Historical category.
Piñata Publishing is an independent publishing company dedicated to entertaining, educating, and touching hearts through the magic of reading.
2006/2008/2009 Georgia Author of the Year Pamela Bauer Mueller was raised in Oregon and graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She worked as a flight attendant for Pan American Airlines before moving to Mexico City where she lived for eighteen years. Pamela is bicultural as well as bilingual. She has worked as a model, actress, and an English and Spanish language instructor during her years in Mexico. After returning to the United States, Pamela worked for twelve years as a U.S. Customs Inspector.
After working six years in San Diego, California, she was selected to work a foreign assignment in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Pamela took an early retirement from U.S. Customs to follow her husband Michael, who received an instructor position at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. They reside on Jekyll Island, Georgia with their cats Sukey Spice and Morgan Maurice. Pamela completed The Kiska Trilogy, Hello, Goodbye, I Love You, Neptune's Honor, An Angry Drum Echoed, Aloha Crossing, Splendid Isolation and the newly Water To My Soul in Georgia.
