Press Kit

Paulette Packard Johnson

Growing up on Cape Cod, it seemed like every year in school, right around Thanksgiving time, there would be lessons about those nameless, faceless folks known as the Pilgrims (which Paulette found boring).  However, as she grew, an interest in history also grew.  And when, as an amateur genealogy sleuth she discovered that several of those faceless folks known as the Pilgrims were, in fact, her ancestors, a whole new dimension of history and the founding of Cape Cod, Plymouth, and America blossomed — now it was personal. 

Paulette was happy to leave more than ten years in the financial industry and former careers as an insurance agent and adjuster, to research and study the voyage of the Mayflower and its passengers, and concentrate on writing. When she’s not writing she can be found substitute teaching, painting, making books, or refinishing furniture. Though currently living in Middle Tennessee, Paulette still has Cape Cod sand between her toes, and regardless of where she lives, she’ll always be a Yankee.

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Of Saints and Strangers: The Great American Story

Historical Fiction, 27,000 Words

They were pioneers, who
— having no idea of what was to come —
dared to follow a hope and a dream and succeeded in founding a nation.

They called themselves Saints and Strangers — we call them the Pilgrims. Their odyssey occurred four-hundred years ago, that voyage of the Mayflower. For many of us today, those four-hundred years have faded those voyagers into faceless, irrelevant, barely-remembered beings.

In Of Saints and Strangers, the Great American Story, author Paulette Johnson crawls into the hearts and minds of these men, women, and children, and produces an historically solid, truly emotional and insightful reading experience.

Bringing the four-hundred-year-old historical event, the voyage of the Mayflower into relevancy, the tale is told from the Pilgrims' points of view, in first person Elizabethan English. Meet the individuals we call Pilgrims, as they express faith, doubt, fear, and gut-wrenching determination to survive and thrive.

"I think for many Americans — because it happened so long ago — the mists of time have faded the voyage of the Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth into irrelevancy.  We've glumped 'the Pilgrims' into a group, forgetting that they were men and women just like us, only in an extraordinary situation. They deserve to be remembered as individuals with integrity, conviction, bravery and resolve. Because of their sacrifices, grit and fortitude, America has been, and continues to be, a sanctuary for millions of people from around the world," Ms. Johnson said.

I felt as though I was on the Mayflower myself. Paulette’s words made it seem so realistic.
—Tina

Paulette has been very successful in bringing these brave men and women to life through prose and poetry. She did a great job of moving through time, with each personal story adding onto the previous ones. It made the ocean crossing come alive … I felt the cold and dampness, and then was so excited to see the sun and feel the spring arrive with hope for the survivors.
—Lane

I really enjoyed reading Of Saints and Strangers. It was so different to see it through the eyes of the Pilgrims themselves. I felt I was right there with them. Paulette is an amazing writer.
—Janet

Of Saints and Strangers is truly a great start for anyone, young or old, to read to understand the beginnings of our history. It is well written with awesome poetry, and descriptions of the hardships our ancestors put up with bring to life the sacrifices they made so that we might enjoy the freedom we have.
—Bill

Also Coming Soon

Full Circle: The Attic

Literary fiction, 92,000 words

This work introduces Maggie Adams as an ordinary, American woman — a high school English teacher in her 60’s, a divorced mother of two grown children — who’s had her whole, secure life figured out. That security is shattered by the sudden deaths of her parents on a chilly spring night, and a videotaped confession from her mother that she was adopted leaves her utterly stunned. Unthinkable questions are partially answered through revelations in the attic room, drawing her back to 1943. Now, propelled by circumstance, she is forced to face indisputable — and unwanted — relationships.

Awesome, exciting, interesting and nostalgic! A great read … an incredible book.  Paulette has the ability to crawl into the mind of each and every character. This … left me laughing, crying, thinking, wondering and much more .. I had to remind myself to read slowly as I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter to see what happens … and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, a twist! — Deet

[I] didn’t want to put it down, can’t wait to read the next one.  Loved Uncle Teddy and Auntie Roo. — Janet

I’ve enjoyed Full Circle very, very much. You have managed to weave love of family, loyalty, suspense, mystery, perseverance, bravery and an interesting story into your manuscript.  … You did a good job of pulling me into the story … I put myself into those scenes — Sandy

I loved the book. The little secret room, Roo’s story, the Brit’s … it was a joy reading this and I can’t wait for the next one.  — Wendy

Ok I read the book in less than 48 hrs. Could not put it down. What a story, when you think you have it figured, you do not. Paulette is a very talented writer … a super story teller… Absolutely a must read!! -— Don

Contact Information

For book signings and speaking engagements, email Paulette Johnson at pjohnsonwriting@gmail.com

Email: pjohnsonwriting@gmail.com