Coming Soon: Erin's Ring

I'm so excited that my second YA novel will be published soon by Bezalel Books.  It looks like it might be available in early December, in time for Christmas gift-giving.  (Updates on that to follow.)

Erin's Ring is a much shorter story, at less than 200 pages, than my first novel, Finding Grace.  It will be smaller-sized book than FG, too, with a larger font that's easier on middle-aged eyes.

ER is also a simpler tale, targeted at a younger audience than FG--although my publisher feels it will appeal to all ages, to "women from 16 to 60."  There are some difficult themes in FG (teenage pregnancy, abortion, the Holocaust) that make it more appropriate for an older teen reader; but this book is just right for even the junior high set.

The front cover (it will wrap around the spine on the left). 
The font for title has been changed, so it looks even prettier now.

Here's the (hopefully) attention-grabbing synopsis:

What story might this ring tell, if only it could talk?

When thirteen-year-old Molly McCormick, who has recently moved from the Midwest to Dover, New Hampshire, finds an old Irish Claddagh ring poking up out of the dirt in a garden outside her local parish church, she is immediately intrigued.  The ring’s inscription, “To Erin—Love, Michael,” fills her head with romantic possibilities.  She teams up with her new friend, Theresa Grant, to uncover the story behind the lost ring.  With the help of the head librarian at the public library, the two girls become immersed in the rich history of the Irish immigrants who came to Dover in droves during the 19^th century, to escape famine and poverty in their homeland and make better lives for their children and grandchildren. 

Molly and Theresa learn about the courage, tenacity, and deep faith that were the hallmarks of these Irish immigrants—people with names like Ann and Seamus, Cara and Finn, and of course, Erin and Michael. The young girls eagerly delve into old records tucked away in the dark corners of the library and learn how instrumental Dover’s Irish-Catholics were in getting the first Catholic church built in their small New England town. 

Molly and Theresa set out to discover the origins of the mysterious ring, but they unearth a story that is far stranger and infinitely more touching than anything they could have ever imagined.


Does this synopsis entice you to read it?  I hope so!

"I want to read it, Grammy!"  Thanks, G-Man!  I knew I
could count on YOU!