A Life Through Books

Monday, May 18, 2026

Book Blitz: The Old Norse Saga by C. Beskow & E.P.W. Tell #fantasy #mythology #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Part one: Birds of Ásgarðr

 

Fantasy / Norse Mythology

Date Published: November 13, 2025



A child of man treads the path of Hel. The sun blackens, stars fall into the sea, and as fire licks the life-giving tree, the heavens themselves shall cleave.

Following an ominous prophecy from the world tree herself, rivalling species come together to form a treaty. In order to stop an outbreak of war, they agree to a mutual hostage exchange, sending their most promising children to grow up amongst potential enemies.

An insecure þórr is brought to live amongst the rough giants of Jǫtunheimr, granting Ásgarðr the cunning Loki in his stead, whilst a proud elven empress sends her uncontrollable heir to be hidden away amongst the Vanir gods in exchange for the arguably more valuable twins Freyr and Freyja.

Meanwhile in Miðgarðr, where humanity resides far away from the lives of gods, a young girl's nightly hunting trip is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious divine child.

In an intricate tale where numerous life-strings collide in an interwoven search for family, identity, and purpose, can the smallest of mortal actions alter the destiny of even the greatest of gods?

After a decade long deep-dive into ancient mythology, Viktor Rydberg wrote one of our world's earliest fantasy epics in 1887. Reimagined today by C. Beskow and E.P.W. Tell, his tales of the Old Norse World come to life once more.

 

About the Author



Born in Southern Sweden, not far from where his debut novel Birds of Ásgarðr begins, E.P.W. Tell developed a keen interest in history. His article "The Curmsun Disc: Harald Bluetooth's Golden Bull?" then sparked a fascination for Norse Mythology, leading him into Viktor Rydberg's extensive research on the subject. Thereafter, the Old Norse Saga began taking shape.

Recognising the need for a strong literary partner, Weman Tell initiated a collaboration with C. Beskow, who turned out to be the ideal co-author for the ambitious project. After five years of working together, Birds of Ásgarðr emerged as the first of four books in the Old Norse Saga series.

Weman Tell's professional career is just as notable. He holds a Master's in Economics and a Bachelor of Laws. For ten years, he worked as Chief Financial Officer at Svenska Bio (Swedish Cinema chain) for the legendary manager Peter Fornstam, with whom he continues to maintain a close relation. He's also fond of sports, serving as Strength & Conditioning coach for Swedish fencing and acting as General Secretary of the Swedish Multisport Federation.

His varied experiences, combined with his deep passion for history and Norse Mythology, has shaped the foundation of the Old Norse Saga, granting Birds of Ásgarðr a distinctive new voice in historical fantasy literature.

Growing up in the company of books, C. Beskow spent a large chunk of her childhood roaming the forests in search of adventures, huddling up each night with a bedtime story. As she reached adulthood alongside an ever-growing collection of cluttered notebooks, she decided to turn her extensive imagination into a career worth pursuing.

Fascinated by the visual aspect of storytelling, Beskow was initially drawn to film and television, and hence began her writing journey on the island of Gotland, learning how to write for the screen. In 2016, she started her own company, working on everything from translations and transcriptions to tv-pilots and ghostwrites.

When first approached by E.P.W. Tell, ancient mythology was but a fascinating childhood interest, but as the Old Norse Saga called for a deep dive into the subject, Beskow found herself falling in love with its wild world and intense characters. What more, the extensive research led to some rather intriguing ties to her own family history as C. Beskow does not only have ties to the renowned children's book author Elsa Beskow and the once equally popular author Elisabeth Beskow.

 

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Book Blitz: 101 Laws of Power by John "Doc" Fuller #selfhelp #motivational #business #nonfiction #rabtbooktours @johndocfuller @RABTBookTours
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Prison Lessons. Corporate Power. Street Truth.

 

Self-Help, Motivational, Business

Date Published: April 25, 2026

 


101 Laws of Power is a bold, category-defining leadership manifesto that fuses hard-earned prison survival wisdom, corporate strategy, street psychology, and modern influence into one unforgettable framework for winning in life and business. Written with raw authority and sharp insight, it offers readers 101 practical laws on leverage, respect, discipline, negotiation, reputation, and resilience—positioning the book as The 48 Laws of Power for a new era shaped by authenticity, adversity, and execution.

 


About the Author

 

John "Doc" Fuller is an author, speaker, and strategist whose life story embodies resilience, reinvention, and earned authority. Having overcome profound adversity and transformed hardship into wisdom, he now channels those experiences into powerful lessons on discipline, influence, leadership, and personal growth.

Known for his direct style and real-world perspective, John Doc Fuller bridges the worlds of street intelligence, business strategy, and mindset development—offering readers insight that is both practical and hard-earned. His work challenges people to break mental limitations, build respect, and create leverage in every area of life.

As the author of 101 Laws of Power, John Doc Fuller delivers a modern blueprint for navigating competition, mastering self-discipline, and rising with purpose. His mission is simple: help others turn setbacks into strength and obstacles into opportunity.

 

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Virtual Book Tour: The Road Home and Other Stories by Gene Altman #shortstory #fiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Short fiction collection

Date Published: March 4, 2026 

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group 



The Road Home is a powerful and emotionally rich literary fiction short story collection that explores the universal search for identity, belonging, and meaning in life.


From a chance encounter that propels a young mother into the glamorous world of high fashion… to an elderly widower rediscovering hope through an unexpected bond… to a troubled young man battling inner demons—these stories highlight the resilience of the human spirit.


Set across diverse locations and cultures, these compelling stories examine:

●     Self-discovery, emotional healing and personal transformation

● Connection, friendship and Love.

● Written by retired psychiatrist Gene Altman, this collection offers readers authentic, insightful, and psychologically rich storytelling.


At the heart of the collection is the title story, The Road Home, a moving exploration of what “home” truly means—not a physical place with walls and a roof, but a deeply personal destination where one is fully accepted and finds belonging, comfort and safety.


Perfect for fans of literary fiction, psychological fiction, and character-driven stories, The Road Home invites readers to reflect on their own lives and discover the strength to overcome obstacles by discovering unexpected inner resources within themselves.



About the Author


Gene Altman is an award-worthy literary fiction author, retired psychiatrist, and former professional photographer whose work explores the depth of human emotion, identity, and personal transformation. A graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Medical School, Altman brings a rare blend of psychological rigor and creative insight to his writing.

Before dedicating four decades to clinical psychiatry in Hawaii, Altman worked as a professional photographer in New York City. His candid photography and prose collection, Cityscapes: Intimate Strangers, earned praise for its evocative storytelling and emotional impact.

After retiring from psychiatry, Altman turned his focus to writing literary short fiction inspired by his lifelong passion for helping individuals better understand themselves. His stories explore themes of self-discovery, friendship and love—making his work resonate with readers seeking thoughtful, character-driven narratives.

With a unique perspective shaped by both psychology and art, Gene Altman crafts compelling stories that illuminate the complexities of the human experience.

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Virtual Book Tour: Meat Cove by Janice Weber #interview #thriller #sagathriller #rabtbooktours @doublethirds @RABTBookTours
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SAGATHRILLER

Meat Cove combines saga and thriller via Fundy's lurid diary, which appears between each chapter, forming a tale within a tale. As Fundy's grim memories slowly come back to life, her past and present collide in a riveting conclusion worthy of the first sagathriller.

Date Published: January 22, 2026

Publisher: Seacoast Press



Constable Fundy Sutherland is a buff, gruff Mountie with a price on her head and a veritable ossuary of skeletons in her closet. A former JTF-2 sniper, Fundy is quietly raising daughter Skye in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia when three events upend her careful obscurity: Skye brings home a DNA ancestry kit; the doppelgänger of Fundy's runaway mother settles in tiny White Point; and an erratic Venezuelan ship passes through the Cabot Strait.

As local disturbances and international tensions escalate around a NATO conference in Halifax, Fundy must leave her safe lane and resurrect an implacable past. Generational love story meets geopolitical suspense in a SAGA THRILLER barreling across the North Atlantic.

 



Interview

Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do.

 

I am a concert pianist who has written 9 novels. Or I am a novelist who plays piano concerts all over the world. I grew up Ridgewood, NJ, near NYC, and was considered a child prodigy, performing my orchestral debut at New York Town Hall when I was about ten. Over the course of my musical career, I have performed at the White House and Carnegie Hall, have appeared with the Boston Pops and leading American orchestras, have made ten recordings featuring esoteric virtuosic repertoire, and was a member of the piano faculty at Boston Conservatory before leaving to devote more time to writing.

 

I must usually drop the writing when I've got a lot of concerts, which is why I can only lay one literary egg every three or so years. Fortunately, that is accelerating as I dial down the performing (been there, done that) and ramp up the writing (ten more books yet to write).

 

I currently divide my time between two fishing villages in Massachusetts and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

 

 

 

Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing process.

 

 

My first literary endeavors were school plays and short stories. Three disastrous years at a conservatory begat my first novel, an 800-page satiric fantasy about life at a conservatory (duh). Fate channeled that tome to a brilliant agent, Nicholas Ellison, whose eyes must have glazed over after twenty pages, but who kindly suggested I write something more accessible to the average human.

 

I responded with The Secret Life of Eva Hathaway, a wisecracking, torrid novel about a lusty composer of hymns. Eva became a Book of the Month Club selection and has been optioned three times for film.

 

Six books followed: Customs Violation, a sendup of the early days of women's lib; Frost the Fiddler, a thriller with a concert violinist moonlighting as spy; Devil's Food, a dark tale of marital distrust; Hot Ticket, second novel in the Frost series; School of Fortune, which I co-authored with Amanda Brown, creator of Legally Blonde; and Swing Set a literary bagatelle about...swinging.

 

My writing has been praised for its verbal virtuosity, wry wit, and emotional intensity. I could send specific reviews if you would like.

 

Writing process? Start early, stop when brain fries. That could be supper time. The first draft is always the hardest. I try to build on an outline driven by the story arc and finally realize that producing one lousy paragraph means I've had a good day. Books simply accrete.

 


About the Author

 

 Janice Weber grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey and graduated summa cum laude from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

At the time of her Carnegie Recital Hall debut at age nine, she was writing her first short stories. She has continued both pursuits, with her novels providing counterpoint to the staid world of a concert pianist, or perhaps with her recitals offsetting the staid world of a writer.

Janice’s novels have a worldwide following. Her debut, The Secret Life of Eva Hathaway, enjoys near cult status and is widely recognized as iconic Chick Lit – though appearing years before the genre was invented. Its colorful characters, verbal virtuosity, wit, and sensuality established the hallmarks of a style that has earned Weber comparison with Mark Twain, Fran Liebowitz, Harold Pinter, and Robert Ludlum (if such a hybrid can be imagined).

Janice’s novels happen between (and occasionally during) concerts. Music on some level infiltrates almost every book: Eva Hathaway writes hymns between trysts, Floyd Beck met the love of his life at Carnegie Hall, Leslie Frost is a concert violinist, and Ross Major listens to Beethoven when the going gets rough. Characters without music in their lives fill the void with swinging, murder, and treason, activities musicians tend to eschew since this would detract from practice time.

Janice divides her time between fishing villages in Massachusetts and Cape Breton.


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Book Blitz: Welcome to the Wonderful World of Not Giving a F*ck by Oliver Turner #nonfiction #selfhelp #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Nonfiction / Self-Help

Publication Date: October 9, 2025



What happens when life strips away everything you thought defined you?

In Welcome to the Wonderful World of Not Giving A Fck*, Oliver Turner delivers a bold, brutally honest, and deeply motivational guide to self-love, spirituality, resilience, and personal empowerment. This Amazon Bestselling book is a fresh and unapologetic take on personal growth for readers who are tired of living for everyone else’s approval.

Blending humor, raw truth, and hard-earned wisdom, Oliver Turner shares the mindset shifts that helped him survive life-threatening health battles, devastating personal loss, emotional isolation, and years of rebuilding from the ground up. Faced with emergency surgery, homelessness, broken relationships, and severe physical injuries, Turner discovered one life-changing truth: sometimes the greatest freedom comes from letting go of fear, guilt, overthinking, and the need to please others.

This concise yet powerful read is packed with real-life insight, motivational encouragement, and practical perspective for anyone struggling with anxiety, burnout, self-doubt, toxic expectations, or feeling stuck in life. Through relatable storytelling and sharp, no-nonsense advice, readers are challenged to stop apologizing for wanting more and start creating a life rooted in confidence, peace, purpose, and financial independence.

Whether you are rebuilding after hardship, searching for personal freedom, or simply ready to stop caring about things that drain your energy, this book serves as a reminder that your life belongs to you — not to the opinions of others.

Perfect for fans of motivational self-help books, mindset transformation, spiritual growth, emotional healing, confidence building, and personal development, Welcome to the Wonderful World of Not Giving A Fck* is an empowering wake-up call for dreamers, overthinkers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to reclaim their voice.

If you are ready to stop surviving and start living boldly, this book is for you.


In This Inspirational Self-Help Book, You’ll Discover:

● How to let go of people-pleasing and fear of judgment

● Powerful lessons in resilience, healing, and self-trust

● A fresh perspective on confidence, spirituality, and personal freedom

● How to protect your peace and focus on what truly matters

● Motivation to rebuild your life after hardship or failure

● Encouragement to pursue purpose, joy, and financial independence


Start your journey toward self-love, empowerment, and unapologetic living today.

 


 

 

About the Author


Oliver Turner is a writer, creative entrepreneur, motivational voice, and the Amazon Bestselling author of Welcome to the Wonderful World of Not Giving A Fck*, a bold and empowering book focused on self-love, spirituality, resilience, and personal growth. Known for his raw honesty, sharp humor, and unapologetic perspective on life, Oliver inspires readers to break free from fear, self-doubt, and the pressure of living according to other people’s expectations.

Drawing from real-life experiences filled with adversity, healing, and transformation, Oliver Turner’s work resonates with readers searching for confidence, emotional freedom, and a renewed sense of purpose. After surviving a life-threatening medical crisis, enduring homelessness, devastating personal loss, severe physical injuries, and years of emotional rebuilding, Oliver turned his pain into purpose by sharing the mindset and spiritual lessons that helped him keep moving forward.

His writing blends motivational storytelling, practical wisdom, spiritual insight, and modern self-empowerment strategies to encourage readers to stop overthinking, trust themselves, and live more authentically. Through his relatable voice and candid approach, Oliver challenges people to reclaim their energy, protect their peace, and pursue lives rooted in confidence, creativity, healing, and financial independence.

Beyond writing, Oliver Turner is involved in creative business ventures, digital platforms, and entertainment projects designed to inspire transformation and authentic living. His mission is simple: help people let go of fear, embrace who they truly are, and move boldly toward the life they deserve.

Whether speaking through his books, creative projects, or personal message of resilience, Oliver Turner continues to connect with audiences looking for motivation, healing, self-discovery, and the courage to finally put themselves first.


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Teaser: Spade by Harley Wylde #excerpt #comingsoon #preorder #motorcycleclubromance #mcromance #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours @changelingpress
7:41 AM0 Comments

 




(Savage Raptors MC)

 

Motorcycle Club Romance, Age Gap, Suspense

Date Published: May 22, 2026

Publisher: Changeling Press



When loyalty fractures, only the ruthless survive.

Lila -- I walked into Savage Raptors territory with proof one of them is a traitor. Stupid? Maybe. But numbers don’t lie -- and someone inside their club is selling intel. I won’t stay silent, even if it means putting myself in the crosshairs. Spade doesn’t trust me. He watches me like I’m the threat. But he’s wrong. The danger is already wearing his patch.

Spade -- Outsiders don’t accuse my brothers and live to tell about it. Lila shows up with spreadsheets and nerve, claiming betrayal inside my club. I bring her under my roof to prove her wrong. Instead, I find evidence she’s right. Now I have a choice -- protect my brotherhood at any cost… or protect the woman who just became mine. If someone’s playing both sides, I’ll end it. As for Lila? She's mine. And once I claim something, I don’t let it go.

A slow-burn MC romance with loyalty, betrayal, and a guaranteed HEA. No cheating.

 

WARNING: Intended for readers 18+ years of age. This book contains mature themes including motorcycle club–related criminal activity, violence, strong language, and references to trauma. Reader discretion is advised.


 

EXCERPT

 

Spade

It wasn’t often we held Church without every patched member present, but all things considered, we were operating this one with a skeleton crew. Moving with deliberate precision Atilla gathered the evidence spread across the table. The room fell silent. Brothers shifted in their seats, tension thick enough to cut. I kept my face blank, waiting. When Atilla finally looked up, his eyes were cold steel, decision made. The verdict was coming, and every man in the room knew it would change everything.

“The evidence is compelling.” Atilla’s voice filled the room without raising above a conversational tone. Decades of authority behind it. “We have a problem.”

Stinger slammed his fist on the table. “We can’t trust her! This whole thing reeks.”

“Shut up.” Atilla didn’t even look at him. His focus remained on the papers, then shifted to me. “Spade. She stays with you. Under guard. Protected and watched. Twenty-four seven.”

I nodded once. No questions needed.

“You believe this shit?” General pushed away from the table, chair scraping across the floor. “Some random Horsemen bitch walks in with paperwork, and we’re supposed to --”

“Yes.” Atilla cut him off. “We are. Because these dates match our failed runs. Every time.” He tapped the folder with one finger. “You got a better explanation for how they knew about the Colombian meet? That was Church business only.” Church business was sacred. Patched members only.

“Could be coincidence,” Tinker offered, but his voice lacked conviction.

“This many times?” Lila spoke for the first time, her voice steady despite being surrounded by hostile men. “That’s one hell of a statistical anomaly.”

Wildcard’s hand drifted toward his waistband. “You don’t speak unless spoken to.”

I caught his eye, shook my head slightly. He backed down, but his face stayed dark with anger.

Atilla stood, signaling the meeting’s end. “Spade has point on this. Full authority. Anyone who gets in his way answers to me.” He fixed each brother with a hard stare. “Until we know who’s clean and who isn’t, information stays compartmentalized. Need to know only.”

The implications hung heavy. Trust -- our foundation -- had just been officially suspended.

“Move her now,” Atilla told me. “Take the back exit. Fewer eyes.”

I rose, gesturing for Lila to follow. She gathered her remaining papers, clutching the folder against her chest like armor. Smart. In this room, information was her only protection.

The brothers parted as we moved toward the door, their faces a study in conflicting emotions. Suspicion. Anger. Unease. Each one wondering if they were under scrutiny. Each one wondering who among them couldn’t be trusted.

“Keys.” I held my hand out to Wildcard, who’d driven her car into the compound.

He slapped them into my palm with unnecessary force. “Watch your back,” he muttered, low enough that only I could hear.

Warning? Or threat? Hard to tell. I filed it away for later analysis.

The back hallway was empty, dim emergency lights casting long shadows. Lila kept pace beside me, not behind. Her gaze scanned everything -- exit signs, security cameras, door locks. Cataloging. Memorizing. I noticed but didn’t comment.

“Where are we going?” she asked as we stepped into the cool night air.

“My place. On the compound.”

My Harley waited in its usual spot, glossy black paint catching moonlight. I handed her a helmet from the saddlebag, watching as she adjusted it with practiced hands. Not her first time on a bike, then.

“Hold tight,” I instructed, swinging my leg over the seat. “And keep that folder secure.”

She slid on behind me, zipped her precious evidence into her jacket, then put her arms around my waist. Her grip was firm but not desperate. The engine roared to life beneath us, vibrating through my bones the way it always did. Familiar. Grounding.

We pulled away from the clubhouse, headlight cutting through darkness. The compound spread before us -- twenty acres of Savage Raptors territory. My home for twenty years. Now potentially compromised.

I took the long route deliberately, giving her the tour she hadn’t asked for. Security checkpoint at the main gate -- two armed brothers nodding as we passed. Motion sensors along the perimeter fence, red lights blinking in sequence. Camera poles at strategic intersections, covering approach angles and blind spots. The garage where we kept our vehicles -- always guarded, always locked.

In my side mirror, I watched her head turn, taking in each detail. Not casual observation. Assessment. She was mapping our security, finding the gaps. Professional habit or something more?

Brothers stopped to watch us pass, hands resting casually near weapons. Word had spread already. The Horsemen’s accountant. The potential trap. The security risk. Comments followed in our wake.

“Who’s the bitch?”

“President’s orders.”

“Fucking VP’s gone soft.”

I ignored them. Petty bullshit wasn’t my concern. Finding our leak was.

We passed the shop where club business happened away from prying eyes. The mess hall where brothers ate together. The row of cabins where Prospects lived during initiation. All the while, her grip remained steady, her body angled to see everything we passed.

My house sat apart from the others -- VP privilege and personal preference. Single story, secure, isolated. I cut the engine in the driveway, silence rushing in to fill the void.

“This is it?” she asked, removing the helmet.

“Home, sweet home.” I swung off the bike, taking the helmet from her hands. “For both of us now.”

She stood, pulled the folder out of her jacket, and clutching it tightly against her chest. Never letting go of it. Smart woman.

The security light above my porch caught her face at an angle, highlighting the bruise on her jaw. In the harsh white glow, it looked worse than before -- blue-black center fading to sickly yellow at the edges. The kind of hit meant to hurt, not just intimidate.

“How did you get into the compound in the first place?” I asked.

“I threatened to rip off the Prospect’s balls if he didn’t let me through.”

I stared her down, knowing that hadn’t been enough to get her through the gate.

She sighed. “I told him I had intel his President would want and that the club was in jeopardy. Then I leaned out the window a little, giving him a glimpse down my shirt. It’s amazing how many doors open when you show a guy your boobs.”

Well, fuck. She had a point. Most men wouldn’t see her as a threat. And our Prospects did tend to think with their dicks. Especially the younger ones.

“They really did try to kill you,” I said, not a question.

Her gaze met mine, unflinching. “Yes. And they’ll try again when they realize what I took.”

“Good thing you’ve got the Savage Raptors watching your back now.” I unlocked my front door, punching in the security code.

“Is it?” She stepped past me into the house. “Guess that depends on which one is selling you out.”

I couldn’t argue with that logic. We both knew the enemy could already be inside these walls. Could be any face we passed tonight. Could be someone I’d called brother for years.


About the Author

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances. With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a satisfying note each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book. She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies. Visit Wylde's website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and don't forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and other exciting perks.

 

Author on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok: @harleywylde

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

Pre-Order Today



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Friday, May 15, 2026

Book Blitz: Eliza Waite by Ashley E. Sweeney #historical #fiction #giveaway #excerpt #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Historical Fiction

Date Published: 05-16-2016

Publisher: She Writes Press



Celebrating the 10th Anniversary

After the tragic death of her husband and son on a remote island in Washington’s San Juan Islands, Eliza Waite joins the throng of miners, fortune hunters, business owners, con men, and prostitutes traveling north to the Klondike in the spring of 1898. When Eliza arrives in Skagway, Alaska, she has less than fifty dollars to her name and not a friend in the world—but with some savvy, and with the help of some unsavory characters, Eliza opens a successful bakery on Skagway’s main street and befriends a madam at a neighboring bordello. Occupying this space—a place somewhere between traditional and nontraditional feminine roles—Eliza awakens emotionally and sexually. But when an unprincipled man from her past turns up in Skagway, Eliza is fearful that she will be unable to conceal her identity and move forward with her new life. Using Gold Rush history, diary entries, and authentic pioneer recipes, Eliza Waite transports readers to the sights sounds, smells, and tastes of a raucous and fleeting era of American history.


Excerpt

September 1, 1896


Cloudy, first fall chill. Deer in garden again. Need to mend fences.
 


“Good fences make good neighbors,” her aunt used to say.


Eliza examines her muddied property and stifles a snort. There are no neighbors, no cheery hellos or help at harvest time, no shared secrets or meals offered at the door when grief steals joy clean away. No, her neighbors are all gone from this windswept island plagued with relentless autumn rains that close in on the coming darkness.


Eliza removes her nightclothes and rushes into her undergarments, woolen skirt, muslin blouse, and thick socks. She gathers up her skirt, and pushes out through the cabin’s rickety door, inhaling wood smoke and counting her memories, both blessings and curses.


I do not know if I can endure another winter here, especially after what happened last year.


Before the epidemic there had been a store, and a post office, and a cannery, and a school. And—of course—a church. On those long ago Sundays, Eliza had squirmed each time Jacob mounted the stairs to the simple wooden pulpit at First Methodist on tiny Cypress Island, his pompousness preceding him. Eliza sat stiffly in the front pew with Jonathan close beside her. Jonathan’s delicate hands held hers and his small brown leather boots dangled over the front lip of the wooden bench. If she tries hard enough, Eliza can still hear Jonathan’s warbling voice stumbling over the words of the ancient hymns.


        After Sunday services, Eliza and Ida Lawson had poured weak coffee into china cups at opposite ends of the cloth-covered table in the basement of the church. They adjusted the china cups, filling in spaces when others were served. They checked the sugar bowls. They rearranged the teaspoons, and placed them symmetrically. They exchanged glances and shared private conversations in between parishioners.


Did you hear the foreman killed a Chinaman over at Atlas Cannery?


Another parishioner would interrupt. Pleasantries. Then another interruption. More pleasantries.


Did you see Sly Chapman walking Adelaide Winters home from school on Wednesday?


There was always scuttlebutt about the townsfolk, or the trappers, or the fishermen, or the loggers. And always about the Chinamen. In the kitchen, Eliza and Ida would mimic the Chinamen, taking small steps and bowing to each other. They stifled their laughter. Only once had they had an awkward and guarded conversation about the intimacies of marriage.


IDA’S COFFEE CAKE

This is one of the best of plain cakes, and is very easily made.

Take one teacup of strong coffee infusion, one teacup molasses, one teacup sugar, one-half teacup butter, one egg, and one teaspoonful saleratus. Add pinch of salt.

Add spice and raisins to suit the taste, and enough flour to make a reasonably thick batter.

Bake rather slowly in tin pans lined with buttered paper. Tops with cinnamon sugar and serve warm.

But those days are long past. Now all Eliza has is a heap of gravestones to visit.
 

 

About the Author

 


 Multi award-winning author Ashley E. Sweeney’s fourth novel, The Irish Girl, released December 2024. Her previous novels, Eliza Waite, Answer Creek, and Hardland, have won a total of 20 awards, including the Nancy Pearl Book Award, Independent Press Award, WILLA Literary Award, and New Mexico-Arizona Book Award. Sweeney, a native New Yorker and graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, spends winters in Tucson and summers in the Pacific Northwest.

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