Adult Fiction: Untold Tales

About the Book: 1917: In a world at war, three young Irish-Americans grapple with questions of love, faith, and the very nature of the human heart. Trapped in a meaningless job, Kathleen O’Doherty volunteers as a Red Cross relief worker to pursue her passion: sketching. In France, her vision is shaped by the two men who love her—and by the knowledge of how easily love can be lost in a dangerous and violent world. Kathleen’s cousin, Sean Sullivan, enlists in the American Expeditionary Force to escape from his father’s tyranny. Doubted by his comrades, he struggles to balance his deep faith with the horrors he encounters as a soldier in the trenches near Verdun. At home in Colorado, Sean’s sister, Maggie, marries the man she has always loved. Yet his resistance to the war effort threatens to take from Maggie everything she has ever wanted. Rich in period detail, this first book in the White Winter Trilogy chronicles the beginning of a journey through a ravaged and fear-filled world toward hope, tolerance, and an understanding of the human condition. On August 27, 2016 I had the pleasure of interviewing Laurie Marr Wasmund, author of My Heart Lies Here, Clean Cut […]

About the Book: 1918: At a time when it takes courage to love, hope, or have faith, three young Irish-Americans dare to believe in themselves and in America. As a Red Cross relief worker, Kathleen O’Doherty offers hope to the wounded and comfort to the dying. Yet, as conditions near the Western Front grow more perilous, her dedication to her work is tested by her love for a man whose duty puts him in constant danger. Kathleen’s cousin, Corporal Sean Sullivan of the American Expeditionary Force, proves his valor during fierce fighting in the trenches near Verdun. Soon, he fears that he will never escape from the brutality he has witnessed and—worse—the violent deeds he has done. In Colorado, Sean’s sister, Maggie, finds herself shunned by neighbors and friends because of her husband’s opposition to the war. While juggling the responsibilities of family and home, she struggles to keep her love for her husband alive and to find her own destiny. Meticulously researched, this second book in the White Winter Trilogy explores how hope is shattered and rekindled, hearts are broken and mended, and faith is lost and found in a world in which nothing is certain. About the Author: […]

About the Book: 1923: The Great War has ended, but for three young Irish-Americans, the fight at home has just begun with a daunting foe: the Ku Klux Klan. As America returns to peace and prosperity, the Ku Klux Klan arrives in Colorado. As its membership grows, the Klan rises to political power through intimidation of its enemies and violence. For Kathleen O’Doherty, the Klan threatens what she values most: family and faith. Still grieving for those she lost during the war, she must make a choice that she never thought possible. Her cousin, Sean Sullivan, comes home from France a war hero—a distinction he would rather forget. Yet his newly-found status as enemy of the Klan upends his determination to live peacefully and purposefully. Meanwhile, his sister, Maggie struggles to maintain the secret life that she chose before the war. Wife, mother, caregiver, writer—she finds herself longing for escape and a new romance. Love comes to all of them in unexpected ways, only to be imperiled by secrets and scandal. Set amid the glamor of the Roaring Twenties and chronicling an unforgettable era in Colorado’s history, To Walk Humbly brings the characters of the White Winter Trilogy to their […]

About the Book: Life in Pindall, Wyoming, population 658, is tough. Tourists rush through town to the gates of Yellowstone National Park, only an hour up the road, and the town’s sole industry, a sawmill, has been taken over by a multinational corporation.  For Shari Brock, who loses her on-again-off-again husband, Brad Brock, in a tragic accident, it’s tough to listen to the stories that the townspeople tell about him. It’s even harder when his illegitimate daughter, Erica, arrives in town. Meanwhile, Shari’s son, Jason, embarks on a cockeyed crime spree that makes him the laughingstock of the town. But that isn’t all: Erica fully expects to be welcomed into the family, a wolf appears out of nowhere, and the yearly town celebration becomes a battlefield. Add a cast of colorful characters for a true romance of the western heart. On August 27, 2016 I had the pleasure of interviewing Laurie Marr Wasmund, author of My Heart Lies Here, Clean Cut and White Winter Trilogy: To do Justice. About the Author: LAURIE MARR WASMUND holds an M.A. in literature from the University of Denver. She has worked as an editor, community college instructor, and writing workshop presenter. Her short stories […]

About the Book: In 1913, the United Mine Workers of America led a strike against John D. Rockefeller’s Colorado Fuel & Iron Company that would end in war. In this novel of the Ludlow Massacre, a young woman learns the true value of love and sacrifice and what it means to be an American. Coming of age in the hardscrabble coal camp of Berwind, Colorado, Christian Scott is caught in a web of divided loyalties. Torn between her dedication to her brother, Alex, who stubbornly clings to his proud Scottish heritage, and her love of Pearl, a spirited and irreverent orphan whose flight from abuse and poverty lands her on the Scotts’ doorstep, she experiences heartbreak when the two become enemies. At the same time, she secretly joins with a passionate Greek man on a dangerous course of resistance against the coal company and the brutal Colorado National Guard that threatens to destroy everything–and everyone–she loves. On August 27, 2016 I had the pleasure of interviewing Laurie Marr Wasmund, author of My Heart Lies Here, Clean Cut and White Winter Trilogy: To do Justice. About the Author: LAURIE MARR WASMUND holds an M.A. in literature from the University of Denver. […]

About the Book: This is the story of Zeke Hammond, a baby boomer, who joined the Marine Corps and drove a 26-wheeler in the DaNang area and on convoys into “Indian Country” where danger lurked around every corner. Truck drivers in Vietnam, regardless of their branch of service, were the unsung heroes of the war. They risked life and limb in support of American and allied operations against Viet Cong insurgents and North Vietnamese Army regulars, bringing food, water, ammo and supplies, often under fire, to far-flung base camps and skirmish lines. Marines Never Cry also gives the reader a tragicomic glimpse of what it was like for rank-and-file Marines behind the scenes and off-camera, so to speak, both in Vietnam and on the home front. While in Vietnam, the people closest to him either died or were killed. Hammond has countless brushes with death in Vietnam and extraordinary life-changing moments after he came home and confronted his fiance’s killer and a gang of vandals that ravaged the family farm. Marines Never Cry is a work of fiction but is inspired by true events and crafted to portray the thoughts, emotions and actions of real people in the context of the Vietnam […]

With original artwork by Laurel McHargue . . . A mysterious gift, tap shoes in a halfway house, alien orbs . . . and what’s in the basement? Laurel McHargue’s stories range from somber to surreal with splashes of dark humor as she explores life’s many dangers and the twisted, transformative power of love.”Dark Ebb: Grim Tales” features fictional short stories with macabre situations, dark humor, bizarre and surreal occurrences, horror, Greek gods, ghosts, and other supernatural elements, as well as romance gone awry and poignant stories with intricate family dynamics.

Grimm’s Fairy Tales meets The Twilight Zone in this twisted tale of a teenage boy who wants what most boys want. The Hare, Raising Truth is not appropriate for children or prudes. Aeron McCloud doesn’t know how good he has it. When he discovers the magical powers of his grandfather’s crusty old rabbit’s foot, he believes the good luck charm will deliver him from his unlucky past. He’s already dating the hottest girl in school, but he wants more. With his 17th birthday approaching, he plans to get really lucky with Jade.What Aeron doesn’t know is that Jade has her own plan for him. She’s saving the surprise for his party. Told from a 2nd person perspective, this adult fairy tale will encourage you to consider what you might desire if you should ever find a “lucky charm.”

This novel may help you appreciate the benefits of homeschooling during this time of global pandemic.Written with love, humor, compassion and exasperation, “Miss?”—a contemporary novel based on actual events—exposes the failure of our current public education system. McHargue presents an insider’s view of the issues that teachers in schools across the nation are too afraid to discuss openly for fear of recrimination, and provides a glimpse of the challenges facing today’s students. Maggie McCauley—a feisty young Army veteran—believes her new life as a 7th grade English teacher will be a breeze. She finds out quickly how wrong she is through out-of-touch school administrators and an inappropriate security guard who ultimately resorts to violence. Despite daily challenges to her authority, however, Maggie finds ways to reach her struggling students, and must ultimately make painful decisions about her future.McHargue provides an editorial essay at the end of this edition with suggestions for how public schools can improve the teaching and learning environments in their schools.

About the Novel: Cripple Creek, 1904.  Gold and liquor flow freely. Conflict underlies the wealth as surely as gold underlies the town.  Mine owners have a list of preferred employees. If your name isn’t on Hamlin’s list, you can’t work at many mines. The Western Federation of Miners is on strike. The usual back and forth is overshadowed by fatal explosions set off, apparently by someone sympathetic to the Union. The Militia is called in to Cripple Creek, again. Repercussions and retribution rock the gold camp.  About the Author: Stan Moore is enjoys talking with fellow railroad buffs, history lovers, and Colorado connoisseurs. He is available for public speaking including railroad groups, retirement homes, service clubs, and other local groups.  Recording selected talks for YouTube is being considered. Signings at local stores and functions are being arranged. Learn more about Stan at his website and email him at  st*****@***il.com. In October 2016, I had the pleasure of interviewing Stan about his works on the Moffat Tunnel. Listen to the Podcast here.

About the Novel: Mister Moffat’s Road, a historical novel.  Historical events are blended with some fictional characters to tell of the building of David Moffat’s railroad from Denver to Salt Lake City. Starting in 1902, The novel sets the stage by digging into the financial, political, and physical barriers faced by Moffat as he worked to build the Denver Northwestern and Pacific Railway. Moore’s great grandparents had a hand in this railroad and make a cameo appearance as do his grandparents. About the Author: Stan Moore is enjoys talking with fellow railroad buffs, history lovers, and Colorado connoisseurs. He is available for public speaking including railroad groups, retirement homes, service clubs, and other local groups.  Recording selected talks for YouTube is being considered. Signings at local stores and functions are being arranged. Learn more about Stan at his website and email him at About the Novel: Mister Moffat’s Road, a historical novel.  Historical events are blended with some fictional characters to tell of the building of David Moffat’s railroad from Denver to Salt Lake City. Starting in 1902, The novel sets the stage by digging into the financial, political, and physical barriers faced by Moffat as he worked to build the Denver […]

About the Novel: This historical novel is a follow-on to Mister Moffat’s Road, a historical novel set in 1902 and 03. Set in 1904, it describes the day-to-day problems on Rollins Pass. There, crews struggled to run a railroad over the highest through route in North America. The book tells history accurately with fictional characters adding texture and feel. The author’s great grandparents had a contract to help build the road; letters, diaries and family lore give the author uncommon insights and knowledge. Included is the story of a Colorado diamond mine scam which in fact occurred, albeit before 1904. It did in fact unfold as described.  About the Author: Stan Moore is enjoys talking with fellow railroad buffs, history lovers, and Colorado connoisseurs. He is available for public speaking including railroad groups, retirement homes, service clubs, and other local groups.  Recording selected talks for YouTube is being considered. Signings at local stores and functions are being arranged. Learn more about Stan at his website and email him at st*****@***il.com. Listen to the Podcast here.

About the Author: Linnea Tanner weaves Celtic tales of love, magical adventure, and political intrigue into the backdrop of Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology. Of particular interest are the enigmatic Celts who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids. She has extensively researched ancient and medieval history, mythology, and archaeology and has traveled to sites described within each of her books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. A Coloradoan native, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Windsor with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren. About the Book: BOOK 1: APOLLO’S RAVEN A CELTIC WARRIOR PRINCESS IS TORN BETWEEN HER FORBIDDEN LOVE FOR THE ENEMY AND DUTY TO HER PEOPLE. AWARD-WINNING APOLLO’S RAVEN sweeps you into an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. In 24 AD British kings hand-picked by Rome to rule are fighting each other for power. King Amren’s former queen, a powerful Druid, has cast a curse that Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy him. The […]

About the Author: Linnea Tanner weaves Celtic tales of love, magical adventure, and political intrigue into the backdrop of Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology. Of particular interest are the enigmatic Celts who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids. She has extensively researched ancient and medieval history, mythology, and archaeology and has traveled to sites described within each of her books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. A Coloradoan native, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Windsor with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren. About the Book: BOOK 2: DAGGER’S DESTINY  A CELTIC WARRIOR PRINCESS ACCUSED OF TREASON FOR AIDING HER ENEMY ROMAN LOVER MUST WIN BACK HER FATHER’S LOVE AND TRUST. In the rich and vibrant tale, Author Linnea Tanner continues the story of Catrin and Marcellus that began with the awarding-winning novel APOLLO’S RAVEN in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series. Book 2: DAGGER’S DESTINY sweeps you into an epic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. War looms over 24 […]

About the Author: Linnea Tanner weaves Celtic tales of love, magical adventure, and political intrigue into the backdrop of Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology. Of particular interest are the enigmatic Celts who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids. She has extensively researched ancient and medieval history, mythology, and archaeology and has traveled to sites described within each of her books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. A Coloradoan native, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Windsor with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren. About the Book: BOOK 3: AMULET’S RAPTURE BLOOD STAINS HER CELTIC HOME AND KINGDOM. THE WARRIOR DRUID PRINCESS WILL DO ANYTHING TO RETAKE HER THRONE. Although Catrin is the rightful heir to the Celtic throne in Britannia, she is lucky to be alive. After witnessing the slaughter of her family at the hands of her half-brother, who was aided by the Romans, she is enslaved by a Roman commander. He disguises her as a boy in the Roman Legion with the belief that she is an oracle […]