Blog Archives
Signs on a Page
Erik D. Weiss’s historical fiction novel Signs on a Page presents a gripping tale of intrigue and suspense centered around its protagonist, Molly McMurphy. As a recent college graduate and research consultant, Molly’s curiosity leads her through a labyrinth of historical and literary mysteries. The narrative cleverly interweaves real historical figures and events, such as MacArthur’s involvement in the Pacific War and the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade, with Molly’s personal journey. Weiss skillfully blends these elements, crafting an educational and thrilling narrative.
Throughout the story, Molly finds herself unwittingly entangled in the clandestine activities of a secret society intent on shaping the course of human history. This adds a layer of complexity to her character as she balances her professional pursuits with the dangers that come from uncovering long-hidden truths. The novel excels in creating a sense of tension as Molly navigates between the society’s rival factions, each with their own agenda. I found myself deeply connected to Molly’s character, particularly her passion for research. This aspect of her personality resonates strongly with anyone who shares a similar love for unearthing hidden knowledge. Weiss’s writing is both articulate and engaging, making the novel enjoyable for those who appreciate historical fiction with a blend of mystery and adventure.
Signs on a Page comes highly recommended for readers seeking a well-crafted story that combines historical elements with suspenseful storytelling. Weiss’s thorough research and compelling narrative make for a truly immersive experience.
Pages: 299 | ASIN : B0CLQR1HSY
The Missing Piece
The Folklorist follows a woman starting a job in the New England Folklife Museum with a boss who undermines her at every turn who discovers valuable information in an old family diary. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Several years ago I watched a PBS documentary on the New England Vampire Panic. I’d never heard of it before, but I found it fascinating. I knew I wanted to write a novel about it. At first, I thought it would be set entirely in the 19th century, but as I turned over possible plots in my mind, I always felt as though something was missing. I kept musing about it off and on for years. Then, after I’d read several novels with dual timelines, I realized that was the missing piece. Since vampires belong to folklore, I decided that having the main character be a folklorist was appropriate as well as something a little different. I chose 1973 because the early 70s saw a rise in interest in the occult. It was also a time when women were making great strides in the workplace but also dealing with a lot of pushback because of it.
What were some challenges you felt were important to defining your characters in this story?
In both timelines there are characters who feel constrained by societal ideas regarding the role of women. Lizzy, in the 1830s timeline, has little interest in the domestic arts and would much rather be working with her father and brother doing the heavier farm work but isn’t allowed to. Charlotte, in 1973, is able to obtain a position with the American Folklife Museum as a first step in building her career, but she is constantly subverted by her sexist boss and even told by other women that she really should be looking for a husband.
There is also the challenge of living in a highly interdependent society for the 1830s characters. It worked well until something broke the bonds between people who depended upon one another for survival. Then, it became a burden and something of a nightmare for Mary and her family.
Finally, there is the challenge of a secret for Jerusha as she is the only person in the family and, for that matter, in Birch Falls from whom something important is being kept, something that has a tremendous impact on her life, but doesn’t know what it is and no one will tell her.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
I had to do more research than usual for this book because two timelines were involved. That meant researching everyday life in the 1830s and 1973. I do remember 1973, but I was 9 years old so my perspective is different from Charlotte’s. Also, I’d forgotten a lot. It was a fun trip down memory lane. I also had to find out what a folklorist would know, what kind of education Charlotte would have had, and what sort of employment she could get with her degree. I read a lot of books on the study of folklore which were fascinating. I even branched out into reading books on anthropology as there is a strong connection between the two.
I devoured books on rural life in 1830s New England. Trips to the Massachusetts living history museum, Old Sturbridge Village, were perfect for understanding and imagining the 1830s setting. Best of all, I am very close friends with Tom Kelleher, historian and curator at Old Sturbridge Village. Tom read every chapter as it was written to check for historical accuracy. His help was so invaluable that I dedicated the book to him.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m writing two books right now. One is tentatively titled All in the Furry Family. It will be the second book in the Cat Tales series (the first book, All the Furs and Feathers won a Literary Titan Gold Award.) The other is a standalone fantasy tentatively titled The Winter House.
Additionally, I’m immersed in research for my next historical novel which follows Erin’s Children, the sequel to my debut novel, Kelegeen. Like Erin’s Children, this one will be set in Worcester, Massachusetts and follow the lives of the Irish immigrants first encountered in Kelegeen. In the new book (no tentative title yet), the American Civil War has just broken out, so I’m deep into researching war history, especially the exploits of the regiments sent by Worcester.
I hope that All in the Furry Family will be out before the end of 2024, but I can’t project about release dates for the others.
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One by one Jerusha Kendall’s siblings fall victim to consumption, the scourge of the 19th century. Devastated by the loss of her children, Jerusha’s mother Mary is horrified over the outlandish folk remedy proposed by her dearest friend, Lavinia. Unable to divert the people of Birch Falls from carrying out Lavinia’s ghastly plan, Mary succeeds only in convincing them never to let Jerusha find out what they’ve done. But Jerusha knows a secret is being kept from her, and she is determined to uncover it.
1973 Middlebury, Vermont
Newly-minted folklorist Charlotte Lajoie accepts the position of Assistant Director at the New England Folklife Museum, the perfect first step in her career. But her sexist boss uses her to hide his incompetence and steal her ideas. Charlotte’s misery at work is assuaged only by a gift from her grandmother – the diary of their ancestor, Jerusha Kendall. Fascinated, Charlotte suspects that her family may have been involved in the 19th century’s New England Vampire Panic. Her discoveries could prove to be a goldmine for her career but only if she can outwit her jealous boss and pacify a vengeful ghost.
The Folklorist
This unique novel seamlessly weaves historical and supernatural elements across two distinct time periods. In 1973 Vermont, we are introduced to Charlotte, a budding folklorist embarking on her new role in a museum. Her journey is fraught with challenges, particularly in gaining recognition from her contentious boss, Brad. Simultaneously, we are transported to Birch Falls, Vermont, in 1830, where the Kendall family grapples with the devastating impact of consumption. Jerusha, one of the daughters, chronicles their family’s trials in her diary, a document that Charlotte later stumbles upon. Rooted in reality, this novel draws from the historical phenomenon known as the New England vampire panic, where locals attributed deaths to restless spirits preying on the living. Will they succeed in halting the consumption pandemic? Will Charlotte finally receive the recognition she merits, or will Brad succeed in ousting her?
The book’s eloquent prose and gripping suspense effortlessly propel readers through its pages. The supernatural elements seamlessly blend with the narrative, evoking believability. Charlotte emerges as an endearing protagonist, urging us forward in her quest to uncover Birch Falls’ enigmatic truths. Moreover, the novel provides insight into the gender bias prevalent in 1970s America. The vividly described atmosphere of the 1830s and the intricate details of daily life add depth to the narrative.
The novel is an engaging read, though occasionally, I would have welcomed a little more depth. I yearned for a deeper exploration of Charlotte’s inner thoughts—her emotional journey as the narrative unfolded.
The Folklorist by Eileen O’Finlan is a beautiful blend of women’s fiction and a vampire thriller, giving readers a new take on these genres. This book is bound to resonate with female enthusiasts of historical fiction intrigued by the intersection of folklore and the ethereal world intermingling with our reality. It invites contemplation on the potential existence of such phenomena.
Pages: 457 | ASIN : B0CHNBJW9T
But Do You Love Me with Locura?
Steeber’s latest book, But Do You Love Me With Locura?, is a powerful and moving tale that immerses the reader in the vibrant culture of 1960s Mexico and California. The book’s introduction is a window into the early childhood of the two main characters and provides a glimpse of central Mexico’s essence. These brief sections offer insight into the determined children’s souls during that era.
The story follows Rosie Logan, who flew to Mexico in 1985 with the aspiration of improving her Spanish to advance her stagnant journalistic career and escape a stifling environment that reminded her of a failed four-year relationship. Steeber masterfully unravels the protagonist’s character, dreams, and fears as she becomes increasingly aware of Mexican culture’s significant differences and poverty. Rosie ponders how she can contribute to her work while highlighting Mexico’s issues. She eventually seeks assistance from Doctor Juan Ramón Villaseñor, whom she met by chance at a small, impoverished clinic in Ixmilco during a Spanish class trip. Rosie’s quest for career advancement and Juan Ramón’s days filled with anger, sadness, and apathy are examples of how cultural and familial circumstances can affect daily life.
As the plot progresses, the reader is drawn into the sights, sounds, and smells of Mexico alongside Rosie. However, the book also confronts the reader, much like the main character, with the poverty prevalent on Mexican streets and in families. As Rosie and Juan Ramón’s lives become more intertwined, they are forced to confront their traditional beliefs and step outside their comfort zones, which were influenced by their families and the vastly different cultures in which they grew up. Steeber’s gift of language allows readers to walk beside Rosie, sometimes offering a comforting hand when needed. The reader becomes convinced that the mix of cultures and differences between the characters will ultimately bring them together.
But Do You Love Me With Locura? is an engaging and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of culture, family, and relationships.
Pages: 358 | ASIN : B0C37QBNTR
Lies that Blind
After being banished to Calcutta two years prior by his British father, Jim Lloyd decides to leave this place when the opportunity to live up to his ambitions presents itself. Lies That Blind by E.S Alexander is based on a true story taking place in Malaya during the 18th century. Starting off in India, Jim heads to Penang in Malaya to become Captain Francis Light’s new assistant in order to write a chronicle about this fame-driven captain. The readers will follow his new life in this new place where he needs to adapt and make trustworthy friendships.
This fascinating story is written using rich details and historical facts. The readers are brought into what life was like in Penang as if they were the ones settling there, and they witness the growing friendship between Jim and Light. It is clear that the author did a lot of research about the Malaya culture, embracing it without disrespecting it. This shows through Jim’s love for other cultures and mainly towards the Malay’s religion and ways of living. Furthermore, being a historical novel, this book contains a lot of trade and military tactics, allowing the readers to understand how trade used to work during colonial times.
While I enjoyed the book, I felt that the story seemed slow in some chapters; being told from Jim’s point of view, he describes some details that seem irrelevant and/or slightly dull. But I also appreciate how this gives the story an air of authenticity and shows how one’s interests and opinions can differ from another’s.
The author teaches readers a lot about this time period and about Malaya colonization while being respectful and not overlooking the harsh facts surrounding colonization. This exciting adventure novel gives readers a look at the trading aspects of the colonization of Malaya through a compelling coming-of-age narrative.
Pages: 278 | ASIN : B09HKXYT12
Just Arrived
Just Arrived: A Different World by Bona Udeze is the informative and detailed account of a young man from Africa on his journey towards living in another country. It is a fantastic representation of what immigrants experience and the people they meet as they travel to start their lives somewhere else, in this case the protagonist Emeka Mmadunebo is beginning his life in America.
The first person narrative allows the reader to gain an insight into the main characters thoughts and feelings towards his brand new adventure, as well as how he explores his emotions towards his life back home. Almost written in the style of a diary, you follow each challenge he faces and experience the joys and turbulence of his entire journey.
Highlighting the contrasts between the two very different cultures of Africa and America is done excellently, especially when the narrator questions some of the tales he is told by others who have been to the U.S. through one of the many flashbacks of his life in Africa. This thought-provoking saga emphasizes to the reader some of the things taken for granted and how these may be seen by those from a different background.
Another way Emeka’s culture is threaded throughout is with the clever use of dialect, phrases such as ‘akara and akamu’ draw the readers attention to the cultural origin of the main character. In some places this can become a little harder to read, for example ‘You wan changi dalla, or you wan buy American dalla or Britis poun?’ by writing this phonetically it can sometimes become difficult for the reader to imagine the voice of a character.
Just Arrived: A Different World by Bona Udeze, highlights cultural differences from several perspectives. Written in the style of a diary or a biographical account rather than in the style of a novel readers will be immersed in the characters lives and emotions. This engrossing book is a great fit for readers that enjoy cultural fiction and family life fiction.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B09GX9K453
LITERARY TITAN 