Love and romance always seem to find their way into books and movies. Sci-fi, historical fiction, memoirs, fantasies and even documentaries touch on these subjects to some degree.

When we’re young we tend to see love in glowing Disney terms. “Is he the one?” As a teacher, I frequently pointed out that with almost eight billion of us on the planet there are probably a couple hundred thousand people with whom a person could be happy, but few of my students believed me. Love to them was defined by the all-or-nothing, Romeo-beneath-Juliet’s-balcony motif. Two beautiful young people, starry-eyed in one another’s presence forever. Life following a beautiful wedding could never be anything but “happily ever after.”

Those of us who are older know better. The real work in a relationship begins when the initial sparkle fades and two people have to figure out how to live with one another. Which isn’t easy. Statistics bear this out. Fifty percent of all marriages fail.

One problem is that we believe grand gestures define love. Consider those silly, pre-planned proposal videos. “Will she say yes?” Please. Two people should discuss marriage thoroughly prior to a proposal, so there would be no question.

I mention this because I think we sometimes miss obvious examples of love in our daily lives. Take my partner Ryan, for example. A tough guy, former bodyguard, who still holds my hand and frequently says he loves me, which is awfully nice after 33 years.

Then, the other day, he was on the floor. Inside my rock box.

I’m a rock collector. We are currently remodeling our home and the contractor said the rock box and it’s 400-plus specimens had to be moved. Once my rocks were safely tucked away, I casually mentioned that maybe new lights were needed. So Ryan grabbed a hammer and drill, screws and bundles of new lights, and turned himself into a contortionist.

All for me.

That’s LOVE, in all caps, don’t you think?

So while I still believe one can find happiness with lots of people, I think I’ll keep the guy I’ve got.

Wolf Catcher

Anne Montgomery

Historical Fiction

In 1939, archeologists uncovered a tomb at the Northern Arizona site called Ridge Ruin. The man, bedecked in fine turquoise jewelry and intricate bead work, was surrounded by wooden swords with handles carved into animal hooves and human hands. The Hopi workers stepped back from the grave, knowing what the Moochiwimi sticks meant. This man, buried nine hundred years earlier, was a magician.

Former television journalist Kate Butler hangs on to her investigative reporting career by writing freelance magazine articles. Her research on The Magician shows he bore some European facial characteristics and physical qualities that made him different from the people who buried him. Her quest to discover The Magician’s origin carries her back to a time when the high desert world was shattered by the birth of a volcano and into the present-day dangers of archeological looting where black market sales of antiquities can lead to murder.

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Praise for Wolf Catcher

“Blending archaeology and Native American mythology, “Wolf Catcher” by novelist Anne Montgomery is an original, exceptionally well written, and compelling work of historical fiction…” – Midwest Book Review

“The author’s ability to interweave the past and the present was masterful. The characters were complex and interesting, especially with the underlying theme of rethinking the history of worldly human migration. I saw myself in the book, through both Kate and Kaya, through the accurate representation of the balance women face between their passions, society and partnership. Without giving away the ending, the emotions I experienced in the last chapters were ones rarely felt when finishing other books. A real page turner and I am wondering when the movie is going to be made!” – Alicia Williams Goodreads

“The story is very well-paced, reaching a page-turning, action-packed climax to the end. This story has all the elements of a great suspense drama centered around a historical mystery.” – Heidi Slowinski heidislowinski.com

“I was deeply and thoroughly embroiled in this imaginative novel… (that) melds seamlessly much of fact with fiction. Totally recommended! “ – V. Williams Vine Voice

“What a journey! What a story! A truly epic tale that grabs you by a throat and moves your soul. Highly recommend for the readers of all age groups.” – Marina Sardarova Author

“Boy, didn’t this one grip me quickly and keep me glued to the pages! Loved the cliff-hanging chapter endings. Well researched, well-plotted and paced…Trust me, you’ll love it. Totally recommended and out now!” – Rosepoint Publishing

“Once again the author has created a beautiful story with a powerful message. She took a piece of history and brought it to life. I just can’t say enough good things about Wolf Catcher.” – Megan Salcido Wildwood Reads

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.