Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR! -- A whole new decade is upon us - The 2020s! Without a doubt, it's going to be an interesting time and year ... Before we get too far underway though, I did just want to THANK a most gracious weekly book reviewer & #cozymurder authoress from California, USA - Veronica Cline Barton - for her sterling Christmas and year-end 'shout-out'. I am both honoured and humbled that she has picked TRILLIUM as one of her Top 3 Novels for 2019! - Wow! Here's the link to read her very kind Christmas post >
https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.com/2019/12/25/veronicas-writersdiary-celebrating-writers-my-top-3-book-picks-of-2019/
I have excerpted the portion about my Canadian #histfic, TRILLIUM, below:
Veronica’s Review: The surroundings detailed in Trillium pull you in to witness the beauty and splendor of the land, grand homes, and the drama as it unfolds. I couldn’t put this book down–I was enchanted and mesmerized by the story lines of the families, the characters, and settings from beginning to end. The scope and depth of this story is fantastically told, taking you through generations of family love, hope and drama—slowly revealing the secrets that will bind these families together forever. A fantastic read, highly recommended!
Author M.L. Holton, in her words: Set on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, three very distinct families slowly intertwine over 250 years in pursuit of land, lust and loot.
What inspired me for the story?
It’s a multi-faceted response.
1) I was not resonating with local Canadian literature that complimented what I knew about growing up ‘rural’ in Southern Ontario. There seemed a gap to fill.
2) My first two novels were predominantly focused on urban lifestyles. I wanted to write something more rooted, in a genuine way, to the land.
3) I had written a detailed outline of this then-unnamed-novel over a decade ago, but did not, at that time, have the sense of urgency to complete it as I did in 2018. ~ Why that urgency? ~ There are a lot of naive ideas about basic biology floating around these days. As an historical work, TRILLIUM follows the evolution of several generations of families working the land. It is hoped that TRILLIUM will re-connect readers to certain fundamental and unalterable Laws of Nature, while, at the same time, crediting the impact of Nurture. Nature sets the unalterable parameters of growth, while Nurture often dictates the outcome.
It’s a multi-faceted response.
1) I was not resonating with local Canadian literature that complimented what I knew about growing up ‘rural’ in Southern Ontario. There seemed a gap to fill.
2) My first two novels were predominantly focused on urban lifestyles. I wanted to write something more rooted, in a genuine way, to the land.
3) I had written a detailed outline of this then-unnamed-novel over a decade ago, but did not, at that time, have the sense of urgency to complete it as I did in 2018. ~ Why that urgency? ~ There are a lot of naive ideas about basic biology floating around these days. As an historical work, TRILLIUM follows the evolution of several generations of families working the land. It is hoped that TRILLIUM will re-connect readers to certain fundamental and unalterable Laws of Nature, while, at the same time, crediting the impact of Nurture. Nature sets the unalterable parameters of growth, while Nurture often dictates the outcome.
Favorite moments: I love the passage after Canadian-born Greg Di Angelo and his Italian-born father, Domi, are insulted at the hardware store during the war. Greg breaks down in the truck on their way home. A tender exchange follows between father and son that ends with a heartfelt father-son talk at the lake shore. It makes me tear up in the re-reading every time.. … Another fav moment is when Faith’s horse, Geronimo, bolts through the vineyard. … Finally, Tom Hartford’s early bush years in the late 1750s: he and Maakadegaagwan, the native fur trader, had some fun …
My favorite characters: I liked all of the flawed characters for a variety of different reasons. Anna is simple, but solid. Eric is reckless, but, in the main, well-meaning. Paddy is an over-bearing oaf, but admirable too, in a fundamental way, for his astute business acumen. June is a bit prim & proper, yet better understood when she manifests an inherited mental illness. Greg’s youthful arrogance is soon squashed by the realism of war. … Etc. ~ A fun bunch!
Who am I? A keen observer of the Life and Times around me. I’m rather a quiet person, more a spectator than a participant. That said, in the name of art, living and Life, I’ll generally try anything once in order to better understand human parameters. As example, I would never kill anyone. It’s absolutely 100% morally reprehensible. But I know, with absolute certainty, that I could. I know this after training for a firearms acquisition certificate. Handling and firing a gun provides INSTANT agency. Being aware of that capacity within myself keeps me very alert to this very ancient desire for ultimate power in, and over, others. It remains a cornerstone for much of basic human motivation …
Thanks again V! - And to all the other fabulous reviewers, critics and interviewers of TRILLIUM over the past year, your interest and kind words do make me try harder to please, entertain and inform you all. -- May 2020 be All it Can Be! - May your Spring be Warm and Wonderful! All Best! -
Here's to a fabulous decade! - author of TRILLIUM - Margaret Lindsay Holton
(p.s A very special audio book is coming in 2020! More about that soon!)