Provided photo Doug and Sally Grossa at their home in Florida. Doug's novel features Marquette and the U.P.

PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Former Marquette resident Douglas Grossa published an historical fiction novel, “When Living Becomes Forever” in April. It follows the story of a Marquette woman who falls in love with 2,000-year old Newberry State Hospital Doctor, Matthew Falcone.

Grossa, who currently lives in Florida with his wife Sally, spent the better part of eight years writing and polishing his novel. He said his fascination with history, the world and aging played a big role in finishing his over 400-page work. “I’ve always had this idea of a 2,000-year old person, living forever,” he said. “When I met Sally, many years ago, I said, ‘you know, you can’t marry me, I’m over 2,000 years old.'”

The novel jumps between Sarah’s perspective in the 1970s and Matthew’s perspective, starting in Ancient Rome. “As I was writing, of course, I had to do a lot of research on the history of ancient times.” He said he and Sally love Marquette more than any other place they have visited.

“I lived in Marquette for four years, so I got to know the town very well,” he said. “We’ve been to over 100 countries and sometimes people say, ‘hey Doug, tell us what’s the best place in the world to see? What do you like best?’ One of my favorite places in the world to return to is Marquette.”

Page 15 of the novel references The Mining Journal in Marquette. The rest of what takes place in the Upper Peninsula is riddled with “EHs” dialogue-wise and occasional Finnish. Lake Superior is a key landmark as well.

Other Michigan references are littered throughout the first section, naming places like Lansing, Mount Pleasant and Ann Arbor as well-known academic hubs. Doug said the mansion in the novel — where Matthew stays — is referenced to be in Big Bay, north of Marquette.

Page 35 highlights Doug and his character Matthew’s love for Marquette.

“It’s God’s Country, as a Yooper would say. Lived in cities big and small. Marquette’s the Queen City of the U.P. — an oasis in the middle of nowhere,” Matthew said on page 35.

According to Doug’s website, he and Sally lived all over the world, including Thailand and Australia. In the novel, Sarah’s perspective changes from Marquette in 1974, to Australia in 1975 and Bangkok in 1977.

The book itself takes inspiration from all the places Doug has visited. Wonderful descriptive language wash over the opening chapters like the waves of Lake Superior; it establishes the setting well.

Doug Grossa’s novel, “When Living Becomes Forever” is available on paperback and e-book on Amazon, Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble. Links can be found at douglasgrossa.com