I am so proud to announce that the HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY printed a review of my debut novel in their magazine of May 2020. (Note: I removed the spoiler sentence for those who haven’t read it. Otherwise, it’s a word for word transcription.) WHISPERS IN THE CANYON Review by Brodie Curtis The Donovan family, led … Continue reading WHISPERS IN THE CANYON: Historical Novel Society Review
DONOVAN FAMILY SAGA Cast of Characters (2)
THE PARENTS & “GRAN” MOLLY DONOVAN: When An Gorta Mor (the Great Famine of Ireland) began in 1845, Molly (nee Mary Agnes O’Brien) lived with her two younger brothers and her parents. Within two years, her parents had starved to death; she and her brothers were close to following them. Excerpt from WHISPERS IN … Continue reading DONOVAN FAMILY SAGA Cast of Characters (2)
ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES: An American Folk Song
American folk songs often present both positive and negative facets of life. This traditional lullaby is no exception, as it exemplifies the chasm that exists between the “haves” and “have nots”. The baby fortunate to be born to the manor will have cake for breakfast, while the poor child lies crying, and probably dying, in … Continue reading ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES: An American Folk Song
DONOVAN FAMILY SAGA Cast of Characters (1)
The cast of characters for these family novels is fairly large, so I'll begin with the main characters in WHISPERS IN THE CANYON. ADAM DONOVAN. This 32-year-old bachelor is considered by his family to be a cowboy with a poet's soul. He's tall, dark and (yes) handsome (what Irishman isn't?), and has a quick hand … Continue reading DONOVAN FAMILY SAGA Cast of Characters (1)
Tuesday Trivia: A Cowboy and his Outfit
“I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy …” These words from Streets of Laredo are not as transparent as they may seem to be. Our modern interpretation of “outfit” refers basically to the clothes we wear, and can be stretched to include belt, shoes, hat, and handbag. But would clothes distinguish a … Continue reading Tuesday Trivia: A Cowboy and his Outfit
Whispers In The Canyon Review: P. Laughlin
A review for WHISPERS IN THE CANYON, by author P. Laughlin I really enjoyed this book! Have you ever been to a new friend's house and fell in love with their family and wished they were yours (sorry Mom and Dad!)? That's what this book did for me. This large, close-knit family overflowed with love, … Continue reading Whispers In The Canyon Review: P. Laughlin
Young Women Homesteaders and The Promise Of The West – Letters To Home
Wonderful stories! Reblogged on giffordmacshane.com
In today’s post I will be sharing some letters from women homesteaders in the United States at the beginning of the 1900s. The Homestead Act allowed adults to work land out west in order to own it after a period of time. Their stories are inspiring and enlightening.
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Whispers in the Canyon: A 5-Star Review
A review of WHISPERS IN THE CANYON by: Martin Lyons I enjoyed getting to know the Donovan clan, a family of upstanding Irish immigrants that fled their homeland to flourish in America and to share their good fortune with those around them. Much has been written about the Irish that populated the cities of America … Continue reading Whispers in the Canyon: A 5-Star Review
DEFINING GENRE (or when is Western not a Western?)
One of the most difficult things about writing fiction is deciding on a genre, particularly when your work hits several of them tangentially. I’m writing a series of novels that feature a family of Irish immigrants who settle in America after the Great Potato Famine of 1845-1852, each with a central romance and a dash … Continue reading DEFINING GENRE (or when is Western not a Western?)
Tuesday Trivia: The Land of Saints and Scholars
Ireland is often referred to as The Land of Saints and Scholars. During the Dark Ages in Europe, much of the continent was overrun by barbarian tribes. Irish priests and scholars were responsible for keeping many ancient texts intact, and for creating new art and literature. Of primary note is the Book of Kells, an … Continue reading Tuesday Trivia: The Land of Saints and Scholars
