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To Inspire and Enrich
Growing Up O’Malley is a Historical Fiction novel, based on true stories from your family, of an Irish immigrant couple raising seven boisterous children in Ohio during the early 1900s as they face famine, war, love, heartbreak, and rebirth. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It’s a gentle reminder of life’s simplicity before the onslaught of technological advances. Stories passed down from my parents, and interviews of their remaining siblings (some passed before my journey as an author began) reveal lives searching for purpose and a quest for truth. They highlight the importance of a common sense approach to life’s dilemmas as a universal convergence present throughout history. Reliance on faith, love, and empathy applied to everyday life serve as mainstays toward understanding one another. Life has become divisive and Growing Up O’Malley transports the reader to a time highlighting the application of these principles in our search for individual peace.
Since you based this book on true events from your family history, how did you decide what to include and leave out in your book?
The goal of my writing is to inspire and enrich the reader, hopefully uplifting those facing insurmountable odds. The majority of stories in Growing Up O’Malley are based on facts with a touch of blarney to make them enjoyable. One example is the 1923 birth of my aunt, Veronica O’Malley Collins, clearly before my time. My aunt, Marge O’Malley DuChez, told me two important facts: (1) a bundle was placed on the kitchen table and Marge, the oldest, believed it was a doll until it moved. Her iconic response, “It’s a bay-by” was included exactly as she relayed; and (2) William O’Malley was heartbroken because his father promised him the next baby would be a boy—upset with yet another girl in their abode, he tried to ignore her. With these two facts, I mentally travelled back in time and imagined my own mother’s response at the age of three! I could feel my mother’s smile from heaven as I relived life more than a century past. Although negative incidents are mentioned, I attempted to offset them in two ways: humor or the power of faith to combat problems, many of them universal and inescapable.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I had two primary objectives: (1) create a book where the reader felt they were either part of the story or could identify with its characters; and (2) include historical events without making the reader feel they were being schooled (like the series “Beyond the headlines” revealing background facts without sensationalism). I conducted a brief informal history quiz on Gen Z kids and was shocked to discover they were unaware of many important events shaping our history (one example is McCarthyism). If my book has enriched even one person’s life with facts no longer covered in today’s curriculum (and shared those with others), my goal would be achieved.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m actually working on two books: When I Grow Up: A Collection of Short Stories and Never Truly Alone, a psychological thriller. My goal is a release of short story compilations in 2026 and, hopefully, my thriller in 2026 as well.
Author Links: Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads | X | LinkedIn
Growing Up O’Malley is a poignant story of an Irish immigrant couple raising seven boisterous children in the early 1900s. Their antics provide the backdrop for a story filled with humor and determination to navigate life’s challenges—the Great Depression, kidnapping, deadly illness, and World War II. Their journey focuses on optimism, Irish wit, and faith to provide inner strength hidden until tested by fate.
Paying Homage To My Childhood Hero
Paradox Forged in Blood follows a woman from her early years through post-WWII America who is found to be the last remaining witness to the death of a socialite four decades ago. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Growing up, reading Nancy Drew novels captivated my sense of adventure and their underlying support of female empowerment—including the ability to solve life’s mysteries—regardless of age. If I completed all chores and homework assignments, I was rewarded with a new book for the exorbitant price of $1.95! We weren’t rich but our lives were fulfilling as love, happiness, and family unity became mainstays in tackling problems that arose. Each Nancy Drew book transported me into a world of exciting escapades and achievement. Before tackling my first novel, Paradox Forged in Blood, I relied on those feelings through the use of carefully chosen words and scenarios to develop strong characters. My goal was twofold: drawing readers into the story by identifying with characters and historical events; and, paying homage to my childhood hero.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic as Ellen’s, that is life-changing?
Absolutely! An example in my life occurred at the age of 27 when I met Jack and fell madly in love. But my Guardian Angel (she’s always present and forever doing her best to keep me honest) kept screaming he was married. Unfortunately, I chose to believe Jack’s claim that he wasn’t. Within three months, I discovered I was pregnant and, miracle of miracles, Jack suddenly remembered he was married. It’s an old story, but when it happens to you, acknowledging the daunting concept that life as you knew it was forever changed. I was so traumatized that I didn’t date for 15 years—except once, but it turned out he was also married “but don’t worry, it’s an open marriage.” Needless to say, that date was a one-off. However, my story has a wonderful ending—my son and very best friend is always there with an encouraging word and laughter to offset life’s hardships. Facing a challenge with determination and faith can be a path toward realizing happiness of unprecedented proportions.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
The Top Secret Rainbow Plan to address potential attacks by foreign nations (Black Rainbow Plan for an attack by Germany; Orange Plan involving a strike by Japan) were developed in the 1920s, outdated and lacking in technological advances. This resulted in the astounding lack of America’s preparedness to enter World War II. The America First plan, promoted by Charles Lindbergh with overwhelming support to keep America out of foreign wars, resulted in a nation completely ill-equipped to enter the worldwide conflict. Combined with the decision to keep all planes on the tarmac at Hickam and other Pearl Harbor airfields, ostensibly to prevent saboteurs, ironically provided a concise target for the Japanese invasion. Japan’s critical supply of sufficient oil to continue further attacks, the result of America’s oil embargo, was the impetus for the Pearl Harbor attack. Simply put, the American islands were blocking Japan’s ability to access oil-rich areas to replenish their dwindling supply. They also relied on Japanese spies in Hawaii who believed America would not retaliate an attack based on the popularity of America First.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m actually working on two books: When I Grow Up: A Collection of Short Stories and Never Truly Alone, a psychological thriller. My goal is a release of short story compilations in 2026 and, hopefully, my thriller in 2026 as well.
Author Links: Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads | X | LinkedIn
A murder on Millionaire’s Row.
A killer’s chilling words, “Shh. I know where you live.”
A woman tormented by her guilt-ridden past.
A historical murder mystery, PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD is set in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 1930s. Four decades after the murder of socialite Louis Sheridan, the cold case is resurrected with receipt of new evidence that transports detectives back to Nazi Germany. The only living witness, Ellen O’Malley, must confront a haunting secret and her complicit actions.
PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD
Paradox Forged in Blood is a historical murder mystery rooted in the decades-long repercussions of a brutal crime. Told through multiple timelines and perspectives, it weaves the tragic tale of Ellen O’Malley Szabo, who harbors a chilling secret stemming from a 1939 murder of a Cleveland socialite. As the story unfolds from Ellen’s early years through post-WWII America, it uncovers the dark entanglements of love, loss, guilt, and justice. Based on true events and enriched with authentic period detail, Fisher’s novel explores themes of trauma, moral ambiguity, and the long shadows cast by war and prejudice.
From the get-go, I was pulled in by Fisher’s talent for bringing history to life. The early chapters read like sepia-toned memories, layered with texture and heart. Her characters, especially Ellen, feel heartbreakingly real, flawed, brave, and haunted. Fisher doesn’t just tell a story—she captures a world. The prose is straightforward and emotionally direct, often charged with a kind of raw nostalgia. That said, the pacing sometimes slows, especially in the middle, where the plot steps back from the murder mystery and focuses more on historical backstory. While that deepens the characters and themes, it slightly muddles the genre expectations for a mystery. Still, I didn’t mind too much, I was already invested in the people more than the puzzle.
What stuck with me most wasn’t the crime, but the emotional wreckage it left behind. Ellen’s guilt seeps into every corner of her life. I also appreciated the undercurrent of social commentary. The anti-Semitism, the lingering trauma of war, the costs of silence. Fisher doesn’t preach. She shows us what it feels like to live with choices you can’t undo. At times, the story gets heavy, but it earns that weight. There’s grief here, but also grit. And love, the kind that quietly saves you, even if it can’t fix everything.
Paradox Forged in Blood isn’t just a mystery. It’s a reckoning. A slow burn about how the past refuses to stay buried. I’d recommend this book to fans of historical fiction who appreciate a strong emotional arc and morally complex characters. It’s especially suited for readers who like their mysteries more character-driven than clue-packed. If you’ve ever wondered how one secret can echo through generations, this one’s for you.
Pages: 662 | ASIN : B09WYSRZ6Q
GROWING UP O’MALLEY
Growing Up O’Malley by Mary Frances Fisher is a sprawling historical saga rooted in family, Irish heritage, and the immigrant experience in America. Set primarily between Ireland and Cleveland, Ohio, the story traces generations of the O’Malley family as they face famine, war, love, heartbreak, and rebirth. Blending fact with fiction, Fisher brings to life the struggles of Irish immigrants, their fierce pride, and the everyday resilience that shaped not just a family but a community. Anchored by matriarchs like Elizabeth Ginley and spirited descendants like Mary Ginley and Michael O’Malley, the novel is a love letter to enduring spirit and cultural identity.
Fisher’s prose is heartfelt and raw, sometimes poetic, and often tinged with a gentle humor that softens the blows of hardship. I was taken by the way she wrote about poverty, not with pity, but with grit and beauty. The characters are deeply real, layered with flaws and love and history. I cared about them, especially Mary, whose emotional journey from innocent girl to heartbroken woman to strong matriarch stuck with me. Sometimes the dialogue leaned heavily on dialect, but it added charm rather than distraction. I found myself rooting for these folks like they were my own distant cousins.
With over a hundred chapters, a multitude of characters, and detailed events packed into nearly every page, it sometimes felt overwhelming. That said, it’s clear Fisher wrote this with love and reverence—each anecdote, each trial, each joyful reunion rings with authenticity. The blend of fact and fiction is seamless. It’s history with a beating heart. And her sense of humor, especially in the small asides and character quirks, offers a delightful balance to the more sobering passages.
Growing Up O’Malley is a heartfelt and relatable tale that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the tug of heritage or family duty. If you enjoy sweeping family sagas, stories about resilience, or have Irish blood in your veins, this one’s for you. It’s not a quick read, but it’s a rich one that is best read slowly. For fans of Angela’s Ashes or Brooklyn, this book will feel like coming home.
Pages: 482 | ASIN : B0CK8YJ1YT
LITERARY TITAN 