A Lighthouse, a Secret, and a Second Chance in 1873 Coastal Georgia

By the Light of the Bluff Shines New Light on Southern Historical Fiction

St. Simons Island, GA – In a time when the world was rebuilding from war and hearts were still learning how to hope again, one woman finds refuge—and purpose—beneath a rising lighthouse on the Georgia coast.

Author Blake Gunnels debuts with By the Light of the Bluff, an atmospheric historical fiction novel set in 1873 on Saint Simons Island. Blending evocative Southern storytelling with rich period detail, the novel follows a young widow named Jesse Whitmore as she flees her past and stumbles into a community on the edge of transformation. As the skeleton of a lighthouse rises from the bluff, Jesse is drawn into its construction—and into the lives of those who are building something new, both in stone and in spirit.

About the Book

Jesse came to Saint Simons to disappear. But the island has other plans. As whispers of her past grow louder and danger draws near, Jesse must choose: continue hiding in the shadows, or step into the light of something greater.

By the Light of the Bluff imagines a fictional lighthouse—"BluffLight"—and weaves it into the real landscape of coastal Georgia during the Reconstruction era. Anchored by themes of grief, grace, and the quiet strength of resilience, the novel offers a compelling portrait of a woman seeking sanctuary in a world that offers none easily.

About the Author

Blake Gunnels is a landscape architect by trade and a storyteller at heart. After years of summer visits to Saint Simons Island with his family, he found inspiration in the island’s history, beauty, and quiet power. By the Light of the Bluff is his first novel—a tribute to the lighthouses that guide us home, even when we’re not sure we’re ready to be found.

Blake lives in Florida and has spent over two decades exploring the marshes, beaches, and history of the Golden Isles. His love for the region—and for telling stories that stir the soul—shines through every page.

Why Saint Simons Island?

“I fell in love with Saint Simons through the pages of a book,” says Gunnels. “Years later, I returned with my own family—and the love only grew deeper. I wanted to write something that honored the island’s spirit while telling a new story of hope and healing.”

Where to Buy

By the Light of the Bluff is available now in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions on Amazon, and signed copies can be purchased directly at www.blufflight.com.

Media Contact:

Blake Gunnels
[email protected]
www.blufflight.com
https://www.amazon.com/author/blakegunnels

https://www.facebook.com/BlakeGunnelsAuthor/