Set along Georgia's Golden Isles and the Carolina coast — where history runs deep and the tide keeps its own time.
"You remind me of Pat Conroy's writing. The descriptions of St. Simons surroundings and the characters in your book draw you into 1873 living on the island."— Jill Sluder · Amazon Verified Reviewer
BluffLight Series · Book 1
A widow. A lighthouse. A second chance on Georgia's Golden Isles.
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Nora Banks Thriller · Book 1
A sunken boat. A family secret. And a harbormaster who won't let it stay buried.
Coming April 1"By the Light of the Bluff is a powerful, sweeping narrative that will capture the reader's attention from the very first lines... The lighthouse, with its powerful beam cutting through the darkness, was the perfect analogy for the way the caring and loving community of Saint Simons managed to cut through Jesse's darkness and flood her doubts, suspicions, and life with love and light. I highly recommend this read."
— Grant Leishman, Readers' Favorite"A beautiful, well-written story of growth, strength, and resilience. Couldn't put the book down — a true inspiration to those who struggle with regaining inner strength."— joann m ciaffaglione · Amazon Verified
"Made you feel as if you were on St Simons and part of the island life. This book will have you thinking about the characters long after you put it down."— Amorton · Amazon Verified
"I couldn't wait to know the ending but was enjoying the book so much I didn't want it to end. I'm looking forward to the sequel."— Linda B · Amazon Verified
Blake Gunnels is a designer, coastal explorer, and writer whose work is shaped by a lifetime of returning to the shores of Saint Simons Island, Georgia — kayaking quiet marsh creeks, fishing off the village pier, biking beneath ancient oaks, and searching for the Tree Spirits carved into the island's live oaks.
His debut novel, By the Light of the Bluff, won the 2025 International Firebird Book Award for Southern Fiction. His holiday novella, The Christmas Keeper, followed later that year. His debut thriller, What the Tide Took, launches the Nora Banks Series in 2026.
By profession, Blake is a practicing landscape architect specializing in the renovation of resorts and communities. His design work — restoring worn places and helping them thrive again — mirrors the themes of renewal and redemption that run through his fiction.
When he isn't writing or designing, Blake explores trails, coastal waters, and hidden waterfalls with his girlfriend, Tammy.
Get in TouchBlake writes in two worlds. Each has its own exclusive free story — delivered to your inbox via BookFunnel. Pick the one that calls to you, or claim both.
A free novella · Saint Simons Island, Georgia
A stranger arrives at BluffLight on Christmas Eve with nothing but a name and an old sorrow. Jesse and Jonas open their door. Set in the world of By the Light of the Bluff — yours free when you join the list.
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A free short story · Cape Fear River, Southport NC
Meet Nora Banks at fifteen—before the marina, before the job, before she knew what silence cost. A coming-of-age prequel set on the Cape Fear River—yours free when you join the list.
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