Glad to review Victoria author Valerie Green’s latest historical novel in The BC Review. Extensively researched, From Primitive Shack to Premier’s Wife: The Constance Davie Story explores the marital influence behind the eighth premier of British Columbia, Alexander Davie. Constance Skinner Davie represents the many untold women who were influential in the background of a …
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The Canadian Historical Association awarded Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition with the Indigenous History Book Prize. Thankful for the editors and all the contributors that the collection received national recognition. It was an honour to have participated in bringing Josette Lagacé Work’s story to a wider audience. https://cha-shc.ca/prize-winner/cheryl-troupe-doris-jeanne-mackinnon-katsitsakwas-ellen-gabriel-sean-carleton/ https://artsandscience.usask.ca/news/articles/10845/USask_historians_honoured_with_national_awards
Pleased to speak to The BC Review about my research and writing of BC history. On the site of the Tolmie fur-trade estate, Editor Trevor Marc Hughes asked engaging questions. Thankful to share my inspiration for bringing the past alive, including my current muse. Victoria author Vanessa Winn tells The British Columbia Review about how …
Victoria author Linda Rogers has reviewed Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition. Reviewed in the comprehensive journal The BC Review, the book features case studies of matriarchs from across Western Canada. I was honoured to contribute a chapter that focuses on Josette Work, the only subject to reside in BC. As Roger notes, she was described …
Honoured to have contributed a chapter to Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition, released by University of Regina Press in September. My chapter studies the life of Josette Lagacé Work, the matriarch featured in my historical novels. The wife of HBC Chief Factor John Work, she ensured the survival of her large family and community through …
Glad for the opportunity to review Tomorrow, the awaited fourth book of The McBride Chronicles, by Victoria author Valerie Green. This time, Green tackles more recent history in mid-twentieth century Victoria, BC. She skilfully weaves continuity through generations of the McBride settler family as they face new challenges ahead. Green offers a vital and hopeful …
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Victoria writer Valerie Green has continued her McBride family saga with Destiny and Legacy. Following her debut novel Providence, she impressively weaves generations together through the turn of the century to the World Wars. In both British Columbia and Europe, her captivating characters face revelations and tragedies. She has created vibrant women who must overcome …
I thoroughly enjoyed discussing Local Historical Women with the Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The presentation touched on spirituality and spiritualism (as explored by a 19th century Unitarian). The thoughtful questions during the forum were engaging. Many thanks to Peter, Heather, Amanda, and Dick for the warm welcome and support, as well as to Leigh for …
Drawn to novels based on real people and events, I was enthusiastic about reading A. S. Rodlie’s Keepers of the Garden for The BC Review. There aren’t many novels focussed on early fur trade history of the Pacific Northwest, making this one particularly intriguing. Having some familiarity with the few sources of the doomed Pacific …
In September, the Goward House Book Club met at Point Ellice House for a stimulating discussion about Trappings and Point Ellice’s first residents during the turbulent 1860s. I appreciated the enthusiasm of readers who were immersed in the moving story of Kate (Work) and her husband, Charles Wentworth Wallace. Topics ranged from researching 19th-century women’s …
