Jennifer Pease sells the 13 books she has now authored, much of which are romance novels, at various events as well as online. (Courtesy photo)

ESCANABA — Local author Jennifer Pease said that the fictional scenarios she creates are as much an escape for herself as her readers.

The most recent book she released, “Vow of 1776,” is her 13th. As it’s about a couple that falls in love during the Revolutionary War, she was please to be able to have it published shortly before the country’s semiquincentennial.

Romance, historical fiction and fantasy are genres that Pease’s work falls into. Strong women are her lead characters.

Pease, who lives in Soo Hill, began her writing journey as she was taking care of her father while he was sick with cancer.

“I was so upset watching my dad basically wither away, so I would write. And that writing for me was almost like sitting with a counselor just letting it all out on paper,” Pease explained.

The experience of watching her father die was transmuted into a moment for Ariella, the heroine of “Pirate Vixen of the Red Dawn,” Pease’s first novel, which came out about 14 years ago.

“From that point I just continued to write, because a lot of people that read that first book, they really wanted to know where the characters are now,” Pease said.

She ended up writing five books in the world created for Captain Ariella and her pirate ship, including prequels.

“I just kept writing, because it just felt right to me to be able to do that, to escape into these books. I love it,” Pease said. “I think everybody needs that escape. In a book it’s so safe; you’re safe; you don’t worry about hurting anybody or getting hurt.”

Another of her early books was a memoir retelling the story of how she became emancipated at the age of 13 in Detroit.

Pease hopes that book, entitled “She Persevered,” shows readers that challenges can be overcome.

Another book describing pieces of her own life is “My Love for Disney,” which is an homage to Disneyland and Disney World and includes “invaluable tips and tricks to help you transform your Disney vacation from a mere trip to an unforgettable experience, all while saving precious time and money,” according to the description on Amazon.

But when it comes to fiction, Pease likes to fill the pages with plots involving love, struggles, passion, adventure and happy endings.

Historical novels she’s penned include “Vow of 1776,” about the forbidden bond between an American woman and a British Redcoat; “Lilly’s Story,” which details the life of a girl who travels to California during the Gold Rush and worked in saloons; and “Viking: The Axe and the Dagger,” about seafaring Viking warriors pursuing power and revenge.

The author publishes her “spicier” romance books under the name “Gin Peace.”

All of Pease’s books are self-published. She says that she’s provided advice to other new authors about how to get started affordably.

“If that’s what you want to do, you want to write, start now. Get it out there. Art is really important,” Pease said.

Additionally, she said she loves hearing that people have felt comforted, inspired, or reassured by her books.

“When you have a young girl that comes up to you and she’s crying, and she’s been through a lot, and says, ‘Your book has helped me so much.’ — That’s the benefit in this in this career. You don’t seek money.”

Pease’s books are available on Amazon. She has hired voice actors to perform her work so that people who prefer audio could experience the stories; the spoken versions can be found in iTunes and Audible.

Information may be found on the author’s personal website at www.authorjenniferpease.com.