Why I write about children

4 Comments
I didn’t set out to write about children, but after becoming a teacher and foster mom, kids kept finding their way into my stories.

I didn’t know any children until I was in my late 40s. I was only around kids when I officiated amateur sports, but as soon as those games ended, I went home. What children did off the fields where I blew whistles and called balls and strikes was completely out of my purview.

When you consider that I also never had any biological children and came from a small family devoid of any regular kid contact, you can see why I never gave much thought to children. I don’t know if I blocked young people out of my mind once I realized I would never produce any of my own, but I might have. And yet, today, as an author, the plight of children often takes center stage in my novels.

I walked into my first classroom as a teacher in 1999. A mid-life career change following my years as a sports reporter propelled me into a Title I high school in Phoenix, where the vast majority of students lived in poverty and were often afflicted with the privations inherent in a world where there is not enough food, where drugs and alcohol run rampant, and where children are sometimes left adrift without caring adults to guide them.

I did not notice right away that children kept appearing in my books. It could have happened after a 15-year-old boy called me from a group foster-care facility and told me he was hungry. Or the day I chastised a student for being repeatedly late to class, only to discover he was homeless. Or when I faced a group of kids in a support group, where discussing incarcerated parents, bullying, and parental neglect would become the norm.

Whatever the catalyst, young people and their ability to adapt and thrive in severe situations have become integral to the stories I write. My first novel, A Light in the Desert, recounts in part the life of a lonely pregnant teenager, one with a facial deformity that has made her the subject of ridicule. And yet Kelly shows grace and grit when faced with challenges and possesses an understanding of human nature that sometimes surpasses the adults around her. In The Scent of Rain a 16-year-old-girl struggles under the strictures of an abusive religious cult, while a young boy, born with mental and physical limitations, proves he has valuable skills in my historical fiction novel Wolf Catcher.

I would spend twenty years teaching, a time when a couple of thousand students came through my classroom doors. And, by a quirky twist, that classroom made me a parent. The 15-year-old boy who was hungry came to live with me. Today, he and three other young people, though they are now grown, still look at me as Mom. I even have an eight-year-old grandson. So, writing about children seems natural now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

the-scent-of-rain-cover-200x300-copy

2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards: Bronze Medal Winner for Fiction: West-Mountain Region 

Contemporary Fiction/Young Adult Fiction

Amphorae Publishing Group

Rose Madsen dreams of becoming a science teacher and will do anything to keep from being married off to one of the men in her Fundamentalist Mormon (FLDS) community, including enduring her mother’s brutal beatings. Adan Reyes dreams of better days with his mother when he escapes the foster care system in Phoenix. When their fates become intertwined, Rose and Adan escape into the mountains, only to be hunted like animals. After they are discovered, they must decide if everyone they meet is determined to keep them locked in lives of abuse, or if some adults are worthy of their trust?

Get your copy here.

Praise for The Scent of Rain

“A deftly crafted and compelling read from cover to cover.” – Midwest Book Review

“Essential reading for both young adults and adults alike. There is literally nothing else I can say, except buy this book.” – Childishly Passionate Reviews

“A heartrending, heart-wrenching fictional narrative … Even in the midst of tribulations, The Scent of Rain celebrates the resilience and persistence of the human spirit.” – The Haunted Reading Room

“The characters in ‘The Scent of Rain’ added to an already amazing storyline.” – YABOOKSCENTRAL

“I loved ‘The Scent of Rain’.  It is very apparent that Montgomery did extensive amounts of research … I absolutely think everyone should read it.” – The Book Return

“Whew. What a whirlwind. The story had been building and building and it all came to a tumbling end.”- Hasty Book List

Thank sports officials for putting their lives on the line

4 Comments

I live in Phoenix, Arizona, where my neighbors and I often find ourselves living inside an oven. I mention this because while I whine daily about getting fried by my seatbelt or weeping at the scorched remains of my garden, I must remind myself of one important thing: I no longer have to go outside and work in the heat. I was an amateur sports official for 38 years. Twenty-nine of those here in Arizona. When I had games coming up, I paid close attention to the weather report, because I often had to deal with extreme heat and sometimes that did not go well.

Consider that in baseball, a sport played year-round in the Southwest, I had to don under armor-type clothing, plastic shin guards, a thick chest protector, polyester shirt and pants, a tight wool hat, and a face mask constructed of metal and leather pads. While in football there was no heavy protective gear, the requisite undergarments, long black polyester pants, striped shirt, and cap were not made with hot weather in mind.

As a sports official my primary responsibility was to keep people safe. Every year, officials are required to take classes and clinics, webinars and exams that not only focused on game rules, but on safety protocols, as well. And, still, roughly 9,000 high school athletes suffer from heat-related illnesses annually, including approximately two that result in death. Exertional heat stroke is the leading cause of preventable death in high school sports.  

Note that high school athletes are primarily young, healthy individuals, while the average age of a high school sports official is about 56. I didn’t retire from officiating until I was almost 65.

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issues safe temperature norms for those who work indoors, there is no such limit in place for those who toil outside. Construction workers, firefighters, miners, agricultural workers, mail carriers, and others must learn to tough it out, as do officials.

Officiating in the heat can be deadly.

I was working a varsity high school football game in severe heat one evening, when I noticed two of my crewmates were not in their positions. I looked toward the endzone, where both were lying in the grass, suffering from heat sickness. I’d worked with these men for years and had never seen them go down. One was a medical doctor, and when he said he couldn’t continue, I knew we had a problem, because I also felt ill. I’d had heat sickness at least three other times, so I knew the symptoms and realized that soon I might be lying in the grass with them.

It was just before halftime, so I called the head coaches together and explained the situation. For safety reasons the game could not continue with fewer than three officials, so in an effort to finish the contest, I suggested we run the clock in the second half,  which means the clock is not stopped in the usual manner between plays. I considered it a fair and equitable solution. The coaches argued a little, but since neither wanted to return and continue the game at a later date— which would have happened if I went down—they agreed.

I couldn’t have been more surprised when my boss called a few days later and railed at me for running the clock. It seems the losing coach had called to complain.

I held my ground. “I have a right to protect those at a game from harm,” I said. “You know that!”

“Yes, you do, but the rules say your job is to protect players, coaches, and fans. There’s nothing in the book that says you have to protect other officials.”

I almost dropped the phone.

The point, of course, is that it’s not just difficult working in the heat, it can be deadly. In fact, more people die of heat-related injuries every year than in all other weather-related events combined. So, the next time you head out to watch your children and grand-children play a game, carrying your chilled water bottle and hand-held, battery-powered fan, wearing a floppy hat, T-shirt and shorts, maybe you should thank an official, if one passes by. Because without them, there’d be no game. And, after all, sometimes they’re risking their lives for your enjoyment.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

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

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

Wolf Catcher: A Magician’s Legacy Unearthed

Leave a comment

In 1939, a tomb is uncovered in Northern Arizona—its occupant lavishly adorned, its contents baffling, and its implications far-reaching. Buried nearly 900 years earlier, the man dubbed The Magician possessed features unlike those of the Indigenous people who interred him. The Hopi workers who helped excavate the grave recognized the signs. This was no ordinary man.

Decades later, investigative reporter Kate Butler stumbles upon evidence that could rewrite history. Her search for the truth leads her into the world of black-market antiquities, where stolen artifacts—and secrets—carry a deadly price. As Kate follows the clues back to the 11th century, she uncovers the parallel story of Kaya, a healer in a high desert village recovering from volcanic devastation. When a mysterious blue-eyed stranger arrives with a massive white wolf, Kaya must decide whether he is a blessing or a warning.

Blending mystery, archaeology, and historical fiction, Wolf Catcher explores how far we’ll go for truth—and how little time changes the human heart.

Discover the mystery. Uncover the past. Read Wolf Catcher today.

Excerpt

1098 A.D.

The azure sky revealed no signs of the violence that had changed the world. Only a pine-scented breeze pressed through a gnarled stand of junipers that stretched along the wash. He closed his eyes and remembered the ragged band of refugees, the lingering sulfur smell of them, and the story they told. The ground, they said, had heaved and broken open, a fissure splitting the earth in a roar of steam and brilliant flames that shot straight into the high desert night sky. The horizon burned with a rainbow of fire—not just orange and yellow, but greens and blues—the heavens saturated with blazing pillars. Red clouds rose up, then settled upon the earth, building the mountain. Thick clods of burning stone burst forth, raining on the terrified people who had tried to save the sacred corn. Tongues of flame battled with lightning strikes that zigzagged across the sky, and streams of orange liquid ran in burning rivers, devouring everything they touched. Had the villagers not moved a good distance away earlier, they would certainly have been consumed by the creature living beneath the earth, angry perhaps that the People had been behaving badly.

A brightly colored blue jay squawked and alighted onto a twisted branch above him. The bird jerked its head, glaring with an obsidian eye. The man smiled at the creature, then turned his thoughts back to the volcano where his father had instructed him to go—the place he was to make the offering. He glanced at the western sky. The journey from his village had been a difficult and lonely trek.

An animal’s howl reverberated off the stone slab on which he sat and melted away grisly visions of his village and the people he had left behind.

He howled back, the sound indistinguishable from that of the animal. Moments later, a huge snow-colored kwewu bounded up the boulders to his side. The beast raised her snout and sniffed the air.

The man pointed to the northwest where he hoped to find the Volcano God’s home. “We will go that way, early in the morning.” He scratched the animal between the ears.

A short time later, he spread his bedroll in a shallow cave fronted by a dry wash and a small, twisted pinyon. He placed the bundle of carved sticks to his left and the shiny stone blade to his right. Clutching the leather bundle he wore on a thong around his neck, he silently renewed his promise to complete his quest and then prayed to the dead for their help.

When he finished, he stretched out in the soft sand, closed his eyes, and reached one last time for the blade. The kwewu turned in three circles before dropping down at his side.

Wolf Catcher

Anne Montgomery

Historical Fiction

Next Chapter Publishing

Released August 4, 2025

The past and present collide when a tenacious reporter seeks information on an eleventh century magician…and uncovers more than she bargained for.

In 1939, archaeologists uncovered a 900-year-old tomb at the Northern Arizona site called Ridge Ruin. The man, bedecked in fine turquoise jewelry and intricate bead work, was surrounded by hundreds of extraordinary funerary objects, including 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 was a magician.

Sixty-five years later, investigative reporter Kate Butler discovers evidence that The Magician looked notably different from those 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 archaeological looting where black market sales of antiquities can lead to murder.

Universal Book Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes and Noble

Google Books

Rakuten Kobo

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

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 … 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 Author

“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

Choose your words wisely, if you want people to read your blogs

2 Comments

This picture got more likes than the blogs I work so hard on. What’s up with that?

Imagine my surprise when my middle son looked at my website and exclaimed, “Mom! There are too many words!”

I paused and bit my lip. “I’m a writer, honey. I’m supposed to use words.”

Then I considered he might be right. I recall a photograph of a vase of flowers, blooms I’d picked on a walk on the little island of St. Croix where I live part time. It was a nice picture that got an overwhelming response, six-times more likes than most of my blog articles, which had me miffed. I spend time and brain power writing my weekly articles versus just a matter of seconds on my vase picture.

But it turns out the words vs. pictures debate is understandable. My AI friend explained that, “Pictures get more likes than words because the human brain processes visuals up to 60,000 times faster than text, making them instantly engaging, memorable, and emotionally stimulating. Visuals require less cognitive effort to interpret, allowing for immediate comprehension and faster emotional connection compared to the sequential processing of reading.”

For those of us who are still enamored with words, here’s something I learned during my years as a journalist. We need to be clear and concise in our storytelling. Any words that don’t move the story along or are even remotely repetitive should be deleted. A word like “that” for example. Read a sentence including that, then remove it. If it still makes sense, cut it. Other unnecessary words are really, actually, basically, totally, rather, somewhat, and quite, to name a few.

Then there are phrases that can be summed up in one word: Instead of “at this point”, say now. “Due to the fact” can be simply stated as because. “Has the ability to” means can. Use whether instead of “whether or not.” Also eliminate redundancies, meaning phrases that repeat the same idea: unexpected surprise, final outcome, each and every day, free gift.

And remember to read your work out loud numerous times. Note the places you stumble. Those are the spots that are too wordy or awkwardly phrased. Ruthlessly cut anything that feels unnecessary. Shorter sentences, limited to 25-30 words, are also advised. In the interest of clarity, consider breaking longer sentences into shorter ones.

The question of how many words a blog post should contain is hard to pin down. It depends on what you write about, which is why it’s hard to compare a scientific article on quantum physics to one expounding on the most popular shade of lipstick. I try to shoot for somewhere between 500 and 700 words. But again, it depends on what you’re writing about. (You’ll note my last line is repetitious. Sigh…)

The too-many-words conundrum has me wondering if sometime in the future humans might communicate through pictures alone. As a lover of words, I hope I don’t live long enough to find out.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Next Chapter Publishing

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

AMAZON

APPLE BOOKS

BARNES & NOBEL

GOOGLE BOOKS

RAKUTEN KOBO

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

Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author

Sports Gambling: It’s about money and time

Leave a comment

Gambling! The word itself conjured the most ominous stories in sports. The Black Sox scandal that relegated Shoeless Joe Jackson and his teammates to the sidelines. The sad saga of Pete Rose banished from baseball for the crime of betting on his own team. NBA referee Tim Donaghy who used insider information, which he shared with  other gamblers, to place bets on games he officiated, which resulted in two felony convictions and a prison sentence.

Why was sports gambling considered so abhorrent? First, it threatened the integrity of the games, the belief that the playing field should be fair and equal for all competitors, that the skill of the participants is the only thing that matters, and that the game is free from of outside influences like cheating, corruption, and, yes, gambling.

That is until now. In what seems like the blink of an eye, sports gambling has become not only acceptable, but glorified. In 2018 the US. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting, which lead the major leagues to embrace partnerships with betting apps like FanDuel, Draft Kings, and BetMGM. Today, a little over 20 precent of the advertising during any given game is devoted to extolling the virtues of sports betting, where participants can wager 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from the comfort of their couch. And some of your favorite athletes appear in those ads— Lebron James, Rob Gronkowski, Connor McDavid and Steph Curry, among others—to encourage you to join in the fun. Responsibly, of course.

Why the massive switch? You can probably guess. The main reason, of course is, money. Billions of dollars in gambling revenue is taken in annually by professional and NCAA sports, but due in part to fragmented reporting and difficult to track illegal betting, actual numbers are hard to pinpoint. Note that in 2024 legal U.S. sports betting rose to a record $13.7 billion dollars.

But there might be another reason sports leagues are so enthralled with gambling. And it has to do with time. The coveted sports audience is 18 to 34-year-olds, younger Millennials and Gen Z, those who grew up on fast-paced interactive digital content who struggle to sit through an average game, which can last up to three-and-a-half hours. Perhaps, gambling makes the prospect of those long contests more appealing, especially when there are endless types of parlays and prop bets to hold their attention. It’s interesting to note that 18 to 24-year-olds are most likely to become addicted to gambling, so maybe the leagues are trying to lock in the next generation of fans by getting them hooked on something other than love of the game.

While some view sports gambling as a harmless distraction, there is a possibility that the games themselves might suffer should fans lose faith in their teams. As gambling scandals increase, which they surely will, it is quite possible the public trust in the games will erode. Then where will we be?

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.

Universal Book Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes and Noble

Google Books

Rakuten Kobo

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

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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 … 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 Author

“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

Can’t wait for robo refs? Be Careful what you wish for

4 Comments

Disclaimer: I was an amateur sports official for four decades, so, yes, I might be a bit biased in regard to AI officiating.

“Dump the bums!” “Refs suck!” “We don’t need ‘em! ”

The same sentiments have probably been flying around since people first gathered to pit themselves against one another on the field of play. And, yet, if sports fans have their way and human officials are replaced by machines, it might be a case of be careful what you wish for. I’ll get to that in a moment.

Like many jobs in this evolving world of AI, sports officiating is on the road to automation. Analysts predict that by 2050 AI will be responsible for 90% of officiating tasks. The changeover is happening now with the Automated Ball-Strike System in Major League Baseball, Semi-Automated Offside Technology in Major League Soccer, electronic line calling which has replaced human judges in professional tennis, and AI use in both the NFL and NBA.

It’s important to note that AI “officials” are not infallible. Sometimes there are technical glitches that require humans to override the system. And our robot friends struggle to interpret subjective calls involving player intent. Was the hit the natural result of a legal play or a flagrant foul? Did the pitcher clock the batter on purpose or did the batter make no attempt to avoid the pitch?

Then there are the rules as opposed to the “spirit and intent” of the rules, a differentiation that is one of the first things young officials learn. The best example is holding in football. Most football fans can scream, “That’s holding!” on just about any play, despite the number of beers they’ve downed. And they’re probably right. However, is said holding a penalty? Not always. Officials must ask themselves if the holding occured at the point of attack, if anyone gained an advantage, if the defender did not attempt to break away, if the contact was brief? Only after such considerations can the yellow flag fly. So far, AI has trouble with these subtle distinctions.

Machines are also not adept at handling the human element of the games. Today, officials are needed to control game management. They communicate with coaches and players, break up fights, and manage the flow of the game. However, it’s certainly feasible that robo refs might eventually take over these tasks, so even though sports leagues claim they are not trying to replace officials completely, that seems to be the road we’re on.

But here’s the funny thing. A recent survey showed that almost 76% of Premier League soccer fans want to do away with Video Assistant Referees, known as VAR. And it has nothing to do with whether the call on the field was right or wrong. Roughly 92% of those fans said the automated officiating system takes too long to call the play and that they are being deprived of the thrill of spontaneous goal celebrations, making the game less enjoyable.

Imagine that.

And then there’s water-cooler syndrome. Might we lose something valuable when the last human official leaves the field, because without the men and women calling the plays, rabid fans would be relegated to blaming their beloved team for failing to win.

Not much fun in that, is there?

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Next Chapter Publishing

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

AMAZON

APPLE BOOKS

BARNES & NOBEL

GOOGLE BOOKS

RAKUTEN KOBO

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

Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author

Who should be held accountable for your child’s social-media use?

2 Comments

View Preview↗

Social media firms are under the gun. The companies owning YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat are being accused of intentionally creating social media products that are addictive to children and are being blamed for contributing to the current youth mental health crisis.

A 2025 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association studied 4,000 children over the years and noted that kids who spent a great deal of time on social media and playing video games were at a greater risk of suicide, two to three times higher than those who spent less time interacting with online social networks.

Then there are chatbots, another component of the social media landscape. News of children killing themselves after falling in love with AI characters is horrifying. Tech giants are scrambling to correct the issue, but the fixes aren’t easy, especially with some young people happier with AI companions than human ones. A 2025 Common Sense Media Survey determined that 31% of teens ages 13-17 feel their conversations with AI friends are equally or more satisfying than conversations with human friends. Overall, 72% of teens admit to using AI companions.

Like any other addiction, those who try to quit social screen time can suffer withdrawal symptoms due to the loss of the dopamine-inducing quality of the habit, which is much like the effects of gambling and recreational drug use.

The good news is that some companies are making changes, creating parental controls and featuring stricter settings that limit adult content and night-time notifications. Tougher age verification systems are also being put in place. But is it fair to put the blame for children’s social-media addiction squarely on Big Tech?

It’s understandable that parents are angry, but maybe they should also be looking in the mirror. When parents hand a fidgety toddler a screen instead of picking them up, the indoctrination begins. When young children see mom and dad glued to their phones at dinner, they follow suit. When every teen carries a smartphone—often in their hand because the pocket or bag is too far away—that need for social media connection has been fully implanted.

As a former teacher of 20 years, I know that social-media addiction is the number one issue facing our schools. It is simply impossible for a teacher to compete with the allure of the smartphone. Approximately 25 states now restrict phone usage, some of which cover the entirety of the K-12 school day.

While not all children succumb to problems associated with social media addiction—lower self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and loneliness—those who do often site a similar reason for disappearing into the cyber world: avoidance from real-world problems, which can be an incredibly strong lure.

So, ultimately, it is parents who need to set the tone on what appropriate and safe social-media usage looks like. The restrictions must begin at home. Boundaries and no-phone zones need to be identified and young people should to be taught the value of self-regulation. And parents should police themselves. Put down your phone. Talk to your kids. Listen to what they say. Guide them toward more productive activities where human social-interaction is required. Because if you don’t lead the way no amount of Big Tech solutions will make a dent in the problem.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

NEXT CHAPTER PUBLISHING

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

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

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

AMAZON

APPLE BOOKS

BARNES & NOBEL

GOOGLE BOOKS

RAKUTEN KOBO

Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author

Is collecting things normal?

4 Comments
Rock collecting in the Carlotta Copper Mine in Arizona: Yes, it was searingly hot, but avid collectors are not easily deterred.

Did you ever wonder why humans are so big on collecting things? Like refrigerator magnets, stamps, sports trading cards, coins, Barbie dolls, and salt and pepper shakers? Some of you will now pipe up and say, “Well, gosh, Anne, someday my collection of tiny teacups might be really valuable.” And while that may be, most of what we collect will just provide consternation for those who must clean up after we’re gone.

For me the issue is rocks. Upon entering my living room you’ll see a huge case holding about 400 mineral specimens. Myriad others are scattered in every room of my home. Which has me wondering, again, why some of us are compelled to stockpile things.

I do understand that humans are prewired to collect. Back in our hunter-gatherer days, those who could find nuts and berries and other eatable plants were the stars of our traveling villages, and their skills no doubt led to our survival as a species. But it is those objects that serve no real purpose that had me popping on my thinking cap.

According to the Psychology Today article Collecting: An Urge That’s Hard to Resist, “Around 33 to 40 percent of the American population collects one thing or another. Yet little is known about the mysterious factors that motivate these often-passionate individuals to collect.”

It’s possible that the hunt itself is a contributing factor for collectors. There is a certain exhilaration in scanning that antique shop, honing in on the perfect teapot, and adding it to the fifty you already have at home.

There’s always room for one more rock.

There is also a social aspect to collecting. Often, we seek out others who share our particular passion, as I did recently on a hot Saturday in Arizona. Despite record-breaking temperatures, my fellow rock collectors and I descended into a working copper mine where we hammered away at massive pieces of stone. It was sweaty, dirty work and still there were smiles all around.

“Perhaps their love of objects came first; then, somewhere along the line, they realize there are people like themselves. They may find them independently or join organizations for like-minded people. Friendships forged through these vehicles no doubt expand social lives.”

Then there’s the idea that our desire to collect might be all about a long-lost sensation, something called “anticipation.” (You younger folks can google it.). “(T)he collector’s craving allows her to imagine anything she wants about the desired returns the object will bring. We know that it is in this phase that the pleasure center burns most brightly. Once the prize is obtained, the pleasure center quiets. In other words, the anticipation of the reward is more exciting to our pleasure center than possessing it.”

Perhaps it all comes down to wanting to surround ourselves with beauty, which, as we know, is in the eye of the beholder. In any case, collecting things is a normal human pursuit, despite what my mother used to say when my rocks began taking over my bedroom.

I’ll let my AI friend have the last word. “(Collecting) is a universal behavior driven by the desire to create order, nostalgia, or passion, often providing mental health benefits like joy and social connection.”

Exactly!

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

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

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

NEXT CHAPTER PUBLISHING

AMAZON

APPLE BOOKS

BARNES & NOBEL

GOOGLE BOOKS

RAKUTEN KOBO

Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author

 

The Dennis Sullivan: A floating classroom teaching life skills

Leave a comment
The Dennis Sullivan, a replica of a 19th century schooner, plies the seas teaching children teamwork, communication skills, trust, and self-worth

From my porch overlooking Christiansted Harbor in St. Croix, I spotted a craft seemingly out of the past. In the distance, a three-masted schooner skimmed over the turquoise blue of the Caribbean. The next day, the ship appeared again, and I wondered what had brought her to the waters off my island.

Not too long after that, I stepped aboard the Dennis Sullivan, a replica of a 19th-century schooner that was lovingly crafted by volunteers in Wisconsin, a testament to the ships that once plied the waters of the Great Lakes and today is owned by the World Ocean School.

As a former teacher, the idea that I was sailing on a floating classroom was intriguing. And that’s when I met Autumn Crow who is now a member of the Dennis Sullivan crew. Crow, the daughter of teachers, taught high school science before trading in the Mountain West for the ocean-going deck of the Dennis Sullivan, which she believes is the perfect place for young people to acquire real-world experience.

“Students are immersed in a unique learning environment from the moment they step on board,” she said. “They are not just passengers, nor are they superfluous to our operations. We give them real responsibility, and they have a clear spot in our community throughout the time they are on board.” 

Stints on the Dennis Sullivan vary from one to five days for students in the 5th grade and up to eight-day summer programs for 8th through 12th graders. Students can explore seamanship, maritime history, and engineering, and can acquire important life skills.

Teacher Autumn Crow helps with the sails on the Dennis Sullivan. At other times, she puts on her science teacher hat and educates students about seamanship, maritime history, engineering, and important life skills

“The mission of World Ocean School is to provide an immersive and hands-on learning experience to a diverse group of students, one that leads to personal growth for students, and growth and empowerment that they can take with them back to their own communities,” Crow said.  “Our mission extends beyond the educational curriculum we provide and centers on building and developing the life skills that are our core values: teamwork, communication, trust, and self-worth.”

Crow knows personally the value of learning at sea. “I sailed on Roseway, a boat owned by World Ocean School, when I was a student my junior year of high school. From that point on, working as a deckhand at World Ocean School was my dream job. I was enamored by the lifestyle and the work; living aboard a boat for a year, getting to travel by sail, doing physical work, and most of all, educating students in a unique environment.”

A mix of people—young and old—cruised on the Dennis Sullivan the day I was aboard. We novices were invited to help raise the sails and it was hard not to picture old-time sailors or even the pirates who once traveled the waters of the Caribbean as we cruised off the St. Croix coast. The lifestyle of those ancients seagoers was no doubt physically daunting, one that required teamwork and resilience, skills that young modern sailors can acquire by just stepping on board.

“The Denis Sullivan is a classroom that allows students to learn in a different environment; students who struggle in the classroom can often find a place to shine on our vessel.”

As the sails were lowered, we cruised back into the harbor, the sun setting amoung the clouds. And I couldn’t help but think of some of my former students, who, given the opportunity, might have enjoyed the life-changing experience of going to sea on the Dennis Sullivan.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

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

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

NEXT CHAPTER PUBLISHING

AMAZON

APPLE BOOKS

BARNES & NOBEL

GOOGLE BOOKS

RAKUTEN KOBO

Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author

 

Sharks are not the monsters we’ve painted them to be

2 Comments
Despite a recent deadly attack, humans are not part of a shark’s preferred menu.

Earlier this year, a woman was snorkeling off a lovely white-sand beach near the Frederiksted Pier on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was bitten by a shark and, despite the heroic efforts of bystanders, she died from blood loss.

On the extremely rare occasion a human is attacked by a shark, blood loss is generally the cause of death, because we are not commonly included in a shark’s diet, so these unusual events are almost always a simple case of mistaken identity. We humans flail about in the water when swimming or surfing and appear to be dying creatures, which might attract a shark looking for an easy meal. They are opportunistic animals, and the lure of food that won’t put up much of a fight can be tempting, especially to a naïve juvenile shark.

I have been a scuba diver for over 20 years and the Frederiksted Pier is one of my all-time favorite dives. The area is filled with mellow sea turtles, jewel-colored fishes, elegant spotted eagle rays, chameleon-like peacock flounders, and, occasionally, seahorses and magical octopuses.

And, yes, sometimes sharks appear. Those who have never put on scuba gear might be surprised to know that the sighting of sharks underwater is considered a gift. They are beautiful creatures, not the mindless monsters humans have painted them to be. These animals mostly avoid us, though sometimes they approach, often just curious. But divers, with all their bubbles, appear large to sharks and they simply don’t see us as prey, so these interactions almost never result in harm. I say almost because there are some inexperienced divers who feel the need to chase or touch sharks, and there is little sympathy if they get bitten.

Here’s something to consider if you are currently fearful about entering the water. There are about six unprovoked shark attack deaths worldwide annually. Six. You have a much higher risk of dying while driving to the beach or being struck by lightning. Note that humans kill about 100 million sharks every year, so who are the real monsters in this relationship?

Not too long after the attack, I put on my scuba gear. I can’t say I didn’t scan the turquoise Caribbean surface by the pier and wonder about the shark that caused a woman’s death. Still, I dropped in, confident that if I behaved like the guest I am in their world I would be fine.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

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

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

NEXT CHAPTER PUBLISHING

AMAZON

APPLE BOOKS

BARNES & NOBEL

GOOGLE BOOKS

RAKUTEN KOBO

Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author