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The Old West
Blessed Are the Peacemakers follows an outlaw turned preacher who heads to a gold camp in Alaska to start a church. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In 1972, our family moved to Alaska to do missionary work. One day in Church, I realized one of the Beatitudes, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’, would be a great title for a Western. I wrote it down in my journal. Finally, last year in 2023, I sat down and started writing it.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
In all the Western movies I’ve seen while growing up, the town preachers turned out to be either a Caspar Milquetoast or a bad guy. Someone who was timid and didn’t believe in deadly force to protect his family or the town, or someone who was out to take all they could get. The scriptures say a man who doesn’t provide for his own is worse than an infidel. That includes protection. Why can’t a preacher who is good with a gun be a good guy?
What intrigues you about this time period enough to write such a thrilling period piece?
I have always been interested in the history of the Old West and the Mountain Man era. I grew up in Fairbanks Alaska, an old gold rush town turned modern. I became interested in Fairbanks’s history.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
More exploits of Coy Tucker, in Blessed Are the Peacemakers. Hopefully out by the summer of 2004.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Bob Duelin and his rag-tag gang of thieves and cut-throats have other plans, and Coy must walk through hell on earth.
Will the preacher outlive the haunting memories of his past? And more importantly, survive long enough to establish the church that God has called him to do?
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
THE VOID by Safdar Ali
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
From Out of the Loneliness: The Adventures of Dalton Laird
In From Out of the Loneliness by Russell Chace, readers are transported to early 1900s Alaska, a time and place dominated by the lucrative pursuits of gold mining and fur harvesting. The narrative introduces us to Dalton Laird, a former Deputy Sheriff whose relatively quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of the villainous Jon Batiste. Laird’s adventure begins in earnest when he rescues an old sourdough, a victim of both a bear attack and Batiste’s ruthlessness, hinting at the larger conflicts revolving around control of local resources.
Chace crafts a tale rich with action, adventure, and romance, set against the rugged backdrop of the Fairbanks region. His deep understanding of the historical and environmental context enriches the story, providing just the right amount of detail to captivate without overwhelming the reader. The vivid descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness and the intricacies of trapping and fur harvesting bring authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the immersive experience. The characters in Chace’s novel are particularly well-drawn, each adding a unique flavor to the story. From the menacing Jon Batiste to his unexpectedly complex daughter, the characters’ interactions and conflicts drive the plot forward compellingly. The antagonists evoke a genuine desire for their comeuppance, while the protagonists garner empathy and support from the reader, thanks to Chace’s skillful character development.
Russell Chace’s narrative style is clear and direct, making the book as accessible as a leisurely walk in the park. His adept use of language and narrative pacing ensures the reader’s journey through the tale is smooth and engaging. From Out of the Loneliness is not just a story about the Alaskan frontier; it explores human resilience and the complexities of love and power in a harsh landscape.
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B07SR8HHCP
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
In Blessed Are the Peacemakers, Russell M. Chace delivers an engaging tale that intertwines redemption, courage, and the intricacies of life on the American frontier. Set against the raw backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness, the novel brings to life an era marked by steamboats and gold rushes, populated by characters as rugged as the landscape itself.
Chace employs an evocative writing style that effectively transports readers to the harsh yet vibrant world of lawless territories. The book opens with heart-pounding action and eases into the reflective challenges Coy Tucker, the protagonist, faces. Throughout the story, Tucker, a former gunslinger haunted by his past, evolves into a preacher determined to establish a church and foster peace within a chaotic mining camp. The characters in the story are meticulously crafted, each embodying their unique desires, imperfections, and dreams. Tucker’s journey is particularly compelling, reflecting a significant transformation influenced by his interactions with other characters, such as the enigmatic Colorado Kid. These relationships enrich the narrative, adding complexity and intrigue. The depiction of the Alaskan frontier is both vivid and atmospheric, capturing the brutal beauty of the environment. Chace’s descriptions create a palpable sense of place, drawing readers into a setting where survival hinges on both physical and mental fortitude. This book stands out for its thoughtful exploration of themes such as justice, redemption, and community. Through Tucker’s personal evolution, the novel probes the moral dilemmas that accompany a change in life’s direction.
This novel is a well-crafted addition to the Western genre, offering a story that resonates with anyone interested in historical fiction marked by rich storytelling and immersive settings. Russell M. Chace’s Blessed Are the Peacemakers is not just a journey through the American frontier; it is an exploration of the human spirit.
Pages: 153 | ASIN : B0C4K2ZLZL
Literary Titan Gold Book Award – Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Frode Ridna and the Rumbling by M. Singh
Rendezvous with Evil by Deirdre Oliver
Wiser Now by Gayle G. Curtin
The Goose Waltzer by Samantha Leigh Miller
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award April 2024
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award March 2024
The Literary Titan Book Award celebrates books with creative ideas and honors authors skilled in transforming words into exquisite prose. These remarkable books elevate the craft of storytelling. Here’s to the talented authors who’ve turned original concepts into wonderfully crafted books. Your extraordinary skill merits every ounce of this acknowledgment.
Award Recipients
Black Coffee by Verity Grey
ZAINAB! by Tajudeen Bioku
I DECIDED by Wahiba C.Rekkab
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
LITERARY TITAN 