The Stolen Ones by Ida Linehan Young

Yearning to discover her roots, Emma Carter of Boston, Massachusetts is on a quest to discover her biological family using an online DNA service when a pandemic strikes claiming Emma as one of it's earliest victims.  Emma's daughter Darlene and grand-daughter Tiffany are now left to navigate the craziness that plays out before them while trying to deal with the sudden and tragic loss of the matriarch of their now, small family of two.  However, Emma's DNA search has uncovered a wealth of information with a direct connection to ancestors in Newfoundland.  In an attempt to complete her mother's final work of uncovering the mysteries of the past, Darlene and Tiffany travel to the island province in search of answers.  Little do they know that they would be so warmly welcomed by Aunt Ammie and her entire kin and that Newfoundland would begin to feel like home.  As Darlene pours through the century-old journals left by her ancestors Doctors Peter and Mary Nolan,  she begins to form a strong emotional bond with her long lost relatives and begins to unravel other mysteries  yet to be discovered.  The Stolen Ones by Ida Linehan Young is a modern day story of love and loss, heartbreak and healing and provides proof that knowing one's roots can serve as a powerful antidote against adverse life experiences.

Darlene's pasted smile didn't leave her lips as she gazed around the room.  A tall man was helping an old lady from the rocking chair in the corner.  Once she straightened, he let her go, and she scuffed across the kitchen toward them.  Every eye in the room - and there were many - was fixed on them. 

" I'm Ammie," she said as she held out her hand.  "Most folks call me Aunt Ammie or Nana."

Darlene and Tiffany moved forward to meet her.  She didn't immediately take their hands but moved her fingers instead along Tiffany's red hair as her eyes brimmed with tears.  In the coveted silence, Ammie lived out some long-ago memory.  Her eyes changed with the waning intensity of the recollection, and she returned to the present.  "You're the spit of my grandmother, Mary," she said breathlessly.  "From my earliest memories, her hair was the colour of yours." 

Tiffany blushed. 

"There's no mistaking, you're our family," Ammie said with resolution as she held their hands.  Darlene was surprised by the strength of her grip.  She pulled each of them to her and hugged them.

The Stolen Ones is Ida Linehan Young's fourth novel complementing three previous works of historical fiction that were issued the Silver Medal for Best Series - Fiction by the Independent Publisher Book Awards.  Being Mary Ro (2018), The Promise (2019), and The Liars (2020) chronicle the 19th century lives of the fictional characters of John's Pond and North Harbour.  Inspired by a curiosity of the past instilled by her grandparents, this latest piece of fiction by Linehan Young continues to tell the historical tale of Mary and Peter Nolan through the lens of a modern day story.  The author does a superb job at crafting a tale that begins in modern day Boston and then seamlessly moves back and forth from the present day to that of John's Pond, 1878.  Readers will delight in the authenticity of the story and it's main characters Darlene, Tiffany and Aunt Ammie and will likewise be inspired by the tragedy and triumphs of the ancestral Nolan family.  It is this mingling of past and present where the true story unfolds, new questions arise and old mysteries are solved.   

Having read the first three books in the Linehan Young series, I was keen to read the continuing story of Peter and Mary's life together and really enjoyed watching their lives unfold before my very eyes.   I also appreciated the tidbits of factual information researched by the author which are detailed in the historical notes at the end of the novel.   Linehan Young's ability to weave these facts into the fictional storyline is a testament to her love for the culture of her home province of Newfoundland and the rich art of storytelling that was passed down to her by her father and grandfather.  Though not required, I strongly suggest reading the entire series from the beginning and getting to know the wonderful characters of John's Pond and North Harbour. Once you start, each book is sure to captivate you and propel you to finish the series.  The Stolen Ones by Ida Linehan Young is a Flanker Press publication.

Dildo, Newfoundland by K. Bruce Lane

A town built on fishing and whaling, the Trinity Bay community of Dildo, Newfoundland usually provokes a wide smile and a chuckle or two.   Though Dildo is one of the many Newfoundland place names that would make the heartiest of souls blush it is certainly not the only place name that would raise an eyebrow or two.  Ranking up there with other Newfoundland place names like Spread Eagle, Come By Chance and Blow Me Down, most community names are unusual monikers originating from early English and Irish seafaring terms or from early explorers that mapped our shores.  So, how did  Dildo get its name? Likely, as historically documented in 1711, it refers to the thole pin stuck in the edge of a boat to act as a pivot point for rowing but not everyone would agree and there does exist many colorful stories amongst local peoples about the namesake of this community.  One thing is true, though, and that is the fact that this picturesque little town will capture the heart of any and all who visit. Why else would American late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel declare Dildo as the sister city of Hollywood?  A leisurely perusal of K. Bruce Lane's book entitled Dildo, Newfoundland will show you why. 

Lane's book will take readers on a leisurely photographic tour of this quaint town located one hour west of the capital city of St. John's.  For the armchair tourist, this book is filled with bright colorful photos of the people and places that make Dildo famous, arranged in a softcover book that can be easily held. From pictures of the little dory's tied up to the wharf to the fish hung out to dry, readers will be transported to a quieter setting, free from the hustle and bustle of city life. Images are arranged singly, in couplets and some are single images displayed over a two page spread.   Photos of lobster pots waiting to be thrown into the water and cut wood readied for the upcoming winter offer a glimpse into the work life of the people of Dildo. One can almost hear the splash of the harbour water while fisherman gut their catch, the screeching of the hungry gulls overhead, and the banter of locals (and tourists alike) as life in this quintessential community unfolds before our very eyes.  I would be remiss if I did not mention the pictures of the boldly colored period houses characteristic of a bygone era.  These photos contrast beautifully with the more modern photos of the signage, restaurants and local watering holes typical of a vibrant, modern lifestyle.  Through well-curated images and interesting text detailing  historical information about Dildo,  K. Bruce Lane has done a superb job at portraying the simple life and times of a community that has gained international notoriety.  Dildo, Newfoundland is a wonderful coffee table album for any homesick Newfoundlander living away or for anyone who needs (dare I say?) a little Dildo in their life.

Dildo, Newfoundland is a Flanker Press publication. 

My Father's Son by Tom Moore

Felix Ryan, a middle aged high school teacher from Curlew, Conception Bay is facing the biggest battle of his life.  While attempting to stare down a serious mid-life crisis that leaves him questioning his entire existence, Felix receives a phone call from his ex-girlfriend Tammy to return home.  A big American oil company led by a larger than life Texan named John Baron and his cracker jack lawyer had begun purchasing land from the local residents with a plan to begin extracting oil from the ground.  As the town becomes divided over the potential new wealth a fracking operation would bring, Felix's aging and eccentric father embarks upon yet another crusade to reveal the truth about big business, religion and life.  As the battle lines are drawn, Felix is also confronted with the realities of his existence and unknowingly embarks upon his own crusade to take back his life.  My Father's Son is Tom Moore's sequel to the award winning The Sign On My Father's House. It is a story about the triumphs and tribulations of life and fighting for what you believe in.  

I rose from the table like a man rising from the grave.  I left the walls, the dust, the echoes behind, and I moved into a new dimension.

From the outset of the novel the reader quickly discovers that all is not well with the main character Felix.  Standing, both literally and figuratively, on a wet precipice atop Signal Hill on a wet day in St. John's is not typically where one would be standing especially when wearing black leather shoes, however, this is where the main character finds himself just like the icebergs making their way south, "on its journey from water to ice and back to water again".  The reader will come to appreciate these types of symbolic references that help to solidify the deeper meaning of an otherwise easy and entertaining read.  Punctuated throughout the narrative along with setting and plot details that are iconic to St. John's and outport life really makes this book appealing.  What Newfoundland Townie wouldn't know The Ship Inn, Soloman's Lane, Rocket Bakery and the Health Science Centre?  As the narrative moves to the small town of Curlew,  Moore invites the reader to bear witness to the soap opera-like antics of a small community that has become too familiar with itself.  From affairs, to secret pregnancies, abuse and even murder Felix is finally forced to confront the truths of his life and the reader takes guilty pleasure in becoming a part of it. 

In Curlew the past met the present: the old saltbox homes from the war years stood beside the new split levels of the 1970's.  Some of the older ones were abandoned or kept as summer homes by nostalgic offspring.  They mostly housed mice these days, and annual touch-ups were as much as they could expect.  Many of these annual repairs got lost in the world of good intentions.  Roofs leaked and eaves sagged in various degrees of neglect.  Some, well back from the road, had fallen in on themselves, desolate, slipping back into the invisible past. 

Author Tom Moore does a superb job at developing authentic characters, that are true to form, in the novel My Father's Son. The lovely Ellen Monteau (Felix's true love) is sharply contrasted with Tammy, the cigarette smoking, gum chewing woman that ends up capturing Felix's heart.  And of course this story simply would not exist without Father, Walter Ryan, always at the ready to fight a cause.  Everyone knows "a Walter" but it is his crusade and dynamic personality that drives this story, helps the reader to realize the importance of standing up for what is right and eventually shows Felix how to be the son is was destined to become.

"Then what is the answer for Curlew?  And for Newfoundland?"

"Paternalism is no good. It leads to people like your last speaker, Reverend Stone, who says, 'Turn over your lives to me and I'll save you.' John Baron has the same message. Give me your land and I'll save you. It's all the same scam." 

"But Mr. Baron built a big hotel and a huge church here in the town.  Isn't that a good thing?"

"No, it's not. People can be bribed with those things for a time.  But the shallowness of materialism, and religion, and paternalism only stifles growth. The individual must grow, but can't grow under the yoke of an oil baron, a fishing merchant, or a minister."  

My Father's Son by Tom Moore is a well written and enjoyable read.  It is entertaining and at times thought provoking. Though not required, a read of Moore's first novel The Sign On My Father's House will give the reader an excellent introduction to this great story. My Father's Son is a Flanker Press publication. 

 

 

Don't Be Talkin' ~ Recitations and Other Foolishness From Newfoundland and Labrador by Harry Ingram

My first encounter with a recitation was in a high school English class.  The teacher stood before the teenaged audience, and with a booming voice and exaggerated actions, engaged us with a spirited delivery of The Creation Of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service.  As the rhythmic pattern of the poem bounced along, the story of old Sam unfolded, leaving us completely spellbound and entranced.  And when the last line was spoken we were left speechless, some of us applauding for the rousing performance.  When I received my review copy of Don't Be Talkin' by Harry Ingram, I reflected back on this wonderful memory and immediately opened the book to have a read.  I was not disappointed.

Newfoundland and Labrador has been blessed with a distinct storytelling tradition. Such literary performances are woven into the cultural fibre of our province and have existed ever since the first European settlers came to our shores in the fifteenth century.  In fact it has been said that the unofficial history of Newfoundland lives in the songs, stories and recitations that can be heard in the kitchens of outport communities and upon the stages of organized events like the St. John's Storytelling Festival.  Though many of the old timers recite poems that shed light on days gone by, Harry Ingram is a storyteller whose 21st century recitations speak to a childhood in Arnold's Cove and the funny side of everyday life.  While growing up in this Placentia Bay community, Ingram listened to recitations on radio and record and was inspired by his Uncle Mose who would write and perform his own recitations.  In this debut publication, Ingram has done a superb job in writing and presenting a compilation of light hearted, humorous poems recounting everything from Great-Uncle John's Christmas to the troubles with remote controls. With a few more serious, short stories thrown into the mix, Don't Be Talkin' is a fun and entertaining book for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and for those who just want a good laugh. 

Everyone knows one, / And that there's no doubt, / Someone all negative, / Yes, down in the mouth. //  I know one quite well, / He's my Great-Uncle John, / But it's not of his wit, / Or his charm I'm so fond. // But crooked as sin, / That's a way to describe 'im, / Opinions he got, / And don't care if you like 'em. // Yes, he's that friggin' crooked, / I'll tell you right now, / If he died tomorrow,  He'd be screwed in the ground. //

Ingram's topics run the gamut! From humorous recitations on parenting such as "Good Night Little One" and, my personal favorite, "Don't Ask" to the rum-running adventures of a Skipper from Placentia Bay in "Just Inside The Gate". Who wouldn't be entertained by a most unfortunate labour dispute at the North Pole by some very tired reindeer in the recitation entitled "Havoc At The North Pole" and in "The Square Root of Pie" readers will delight in reading about the stolen pies by a clever baker from Marg's Bakery.  Ingram really decides to "ham it up" when he tells us about the three legged pig known as Sir Frances Bacon in the poem "The One About The Pig"  and readers will be left impressed by the enterprising group of ladies who barter with tea buns in "Trouble With Tea Buns".  Skipper Bill's tale of a big bull moose named Jerome in the poem "Jerome" is hilarious and of course in this year of 2021 no book of recitations could be complete without a pandemic poem called "The Other End of This". On a more serious note, Ingram also includes some heartfelt stories and tributes to people, like his Dad and sister, who have influenced his life.  

You know, being a parent, / Sometimes you don't know, / If you're doing it right, / So you go with the flow. // Like a little while back, / About a month or two, / I was fixing the mower, / Or at least trying to. //  When a voice behind me, / Made me quite perplexed, / As my eight-year-old daughter asked, / Daddy, what's sex? //

Don't Be Talkin' ~ Recitations and Other Foolishness From Newfoundland and Labrador is a fantastic read!!  This is an all ages show contained within the covers of 180 pages; an open ticket that will leave you busting a gut and coming back for more time and time again. Don't Be Talkin'  is a Flanker Press Publication. 

Rough Justice by Keith Mercer

The early 19th century was a time of great growth for St. John's.   Under the administrative control of a colonial government and with a growing population and a demand for services, the lack of a municipal government within a community of landlords that were largely absent most of the time created conditions that were unsavoury at best. Though municipal taxation faced great resistance, lawmakers of the day made great strides in attempting to improve building construction, fire services and water and sewer in the growing fishing town. A small number of constables paid from the sale of tavern licences managed to keep some semblance of peace through nightly patrols but the government largely depended on the garrison and the clergy to keep peace during times of crisis. In 1870, however, with the threat of maritime conflict fading, the Governor of the day, Stephen Hill,  was informed that the garrison would be recalled and that Newfoundland would now have to pay for its own security and defence. And so, born out of desperation, began the Newfoundland Constabulary and what would become the oldest police force in Canada.

Rough Justice, written by Newfoundland historian and Memorial University graduate, Keith Mercer, chronicles “the first detailed study of policing in early Newfoundland.”  A project of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Historical Society and published in 2021 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Constabulary's establishment, Mercer utilizes a case study approach to "shed light on the social history of law and order in both St. John's and the outports" focusing on the "lived experiences of the largely anonymous men who filled that position" as constable during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  Mercer's historical analysis is garnered from detailed surveys of court records and documents organized chronologically over the course of two centuries.  Through the use of frequent storytelling and the presentation of various case studies Mercer presents a scholarly account of a colony-wide endeavour to bring law enforcement to the area  known as the Old English Shore.  The eight chapter narrative is thorough and in depth, citing archives and publications and also including maps, tables, appendices, a bibliography, and an index.  An 8 page album of black and white photos provides a visual context for the time period that Mercer comprehensively recounts  in presenting the colony-wide endeavour to shed light on the social history of law and order in the fledgling colony. 

The Newfoundland experience was one of continuity and incremental reform rather than sudden change brought about by political or legislative milestones - in this, there are striking parallels with policing in other colonies and cities in British North America.

The narrative first begins chronicling some of the the earliest visitors to our shores; the fishing admirals.  These mysterious fishing-ship captains selected the best beach space or fishing room but often ignored the legal responsibilities that came with the position, laying the groundwork for the introduction of the first constables in 1729. Chapter 3 details the birth of police constables in Newfoundland, officers normally from middling occupations such as planters and whom played an active role in regulating taverns and enforcing observance of the Sabbath. The work was dangerous but the constables are seen as important figures in their communities and were elevated to a status of wearing a uniform and receiving a salary while playing active roles in serving the district and superior courts. Chapter 5 details the tavern-keeper system which remained in place until the first full-time constabulary was created in 1812 and Chapter 6 tells the story of Newfoundland's most prominent police officer, William Phippard, who led the way in fighting crime on the streets during a postwar depression.  As a lover of all things history and all things related to my culture, I found Rough Justice to be both an interesting and comprehensive analysis of subject matter not often explored yet crucial to the growth and development of a modern society.  Though it was a slow going read with highlighter in hand, I often found myself revisiting many concepts for the sheer interest and amazement of the historical context in which it was presented.  There were many "Did you know?" moments that I simply could not contain!!

Rough Justice is a solid, well written and expertly researched record of how Newfoundlanders lived and worked a century and a half before the formal establishment of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. It is the story of those many men who quietly enforced the law and helped to make communities safe through the maintenance of public order.  In the words of Chair Edward Roberts of The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Historical Society it is "a valuable contribution to the public record of Newfoundland's past".  Rough Justice is a Flanker Press publication. 

East Coast Counting by Dawn Baker

Extending to the easternmost reaches of the North American continent sits a small group of provinces kissed by the icy cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Known collectively as the East Coast, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, are as distinct as the regional dialects that can be found across each province.  As a region, however,  they share a common bond of rugged beauty and hard working, friendly people whom have historically made a living from the sea. East Coast Counting by Newfoundland author and illustrator Dawn Baker is an early educational counting book that celebrates all things maritime as depicted through a beautiful backdrop of realistic illustrations synonymous with the picturesque beauty of the four Atlantic provinces. Simply written to accommodate the audience for which the book is intended, it is truly a feast for the eyes!

Inspired by the common bonds shared by the provinces in the Atlantic Bubble, Baker's early counting book, which focuses on numbers 0 to 12, portrays natural attractions, iconic symbols, and wildlife common to the area. From the Peggy's Cove lighthouse to the kayaks in the Bay of Fundy, from the Newfoundland Dog puppies to the warm sands of Cavendish Beach, young children will delight in counting the beautifully rendered images that Baker has created.  Though the book has a mostly maritime flavour, the author has also captured other landforms, flowers and native species that can be found in the inland areas of the various regions. The final page of "Twelve beautiful faces" smiling and saying "Hello" portrays multicultural characters that reminds us of the diversity that exists within the region.  Young readers and their adult caregivers will appreciate seeing themselves represented in such an inclusive manner.  

East Coast Counting is Dawn Baker's twelfth book published by Flanker Press. Exquisitely presented and full of detailed endnotes and tidbits of information, young readers and their families will be counting down to the day when they can visit the east coast in person.  

Alone On The Trail by Emily Hepditch

 

Two guys.  Two girls.  Four separate lives alone together on one mountainous backcountry trail.  Brought together during their university studies, Sadie, Morgan, Jonah and Julie thought a four day wilderness trek through the boreal forest of the Long Range Mountains seemed like a great way to celebrate graduating from university.  Little did they know that their survival would not only depend on the expensive gear they carried in their backpacks but the complex relationships that had formed between them.  As they trudge deeper and deeper into the backcountry, exhaustion sets in and the bond once shared by these carefree overconfident grads begins to show signs of breaking down.  Can this foursome rise above their growing mistrust; the newly discovered lies and deceit?  Faced with injury and in imminent danger of losing their lives, solidarity is key to survival but succumbing to the dangers of the trail is more likely especially after the discovery of a lone shack and some illegal activity.  Alone On The Trail is an adventurous drama that will make you second guess your friendships, think twice about venturing into the Newfoundland wilderness, and leave you on the edge of your seat. 

Alone On The Trail is the second novel of award-winning author Emily Hepditch.  With the release of her debut, chart topping thriller, The Woman In The Attic, just one year ago, fans and new readers will be delighted to know that Hepditch has once again penned a phenomenal story!  Characteristic of her first novel, the writing is rich and the eloquent phrasing helps to propel the story forward. Readers will appreciate the strong language and word choice used in each and every sentence, creating vivid images and a more powerful poetic narrative.  

We fall into sleep without much fight, each of us slipping into sweet slumber.  The forest isn't quite as eerie with the friendly glow of the moon hanging in the sky like a lamp overhead.  The shapes of everything near burn into my mind so as not to confuse me later, in case I open my eyes too quickly and catch a glimpse of a leaning tree that looks too human in the dark.  I doze fitfully, but each little sliver of sleep is indulgent and deep.

Organized into 13 parts as opposed to traditional chapters, Hepditch utilizes her creative license to cleverly detail a tightly woven tale in the form of a series of first person character monologues.  This organizational technique is central to the development of the four characters, allowing readers an opportunity to really get to know the internal conflict that each character brings to the developing storyline.  Struggles with acceptance, dealing with loss and abandonment, and narcissistic jealousy and gaslighting are revealed bit by bit over the course of the story, revealing just enough for the reader to gain an accurate understanding of the growing tension experienced by the four friends as they attempt to survive while on their "trip of a lifetime".   By divulging the frailties of each of the characters in such a way,  readers will discover that they themselves experience responses ranging from happiness, to disappointment, excitement and anger.  The struggles are real and relatable and the experience of riding that rollercoaster of emotion is palpable. 

My ankles tire from the bumpy earth, my toes tingling in the tips of my boots.  I stare at the back of his head; he moves confidently through the trees, undaunted by the heat or the rough grounds as we move.  As ever, he is motivated by his own confidence.  At one time I found his constant self-assurance attractive - I was even compelled by it.  But now it worries me.  Heedless arrogance is a one-way ticket into trouble.  As ever, the little defence attorney that lives in my head chimes up.  He hasn't been wrong so far, so why are you judging?

Alone On The Trail by Emily Hepditch is a must read!!  This riveting account has great cinematic appeal and one that I would sure love to see in living color!  Alone On The Trail is a Flanker Press publication.