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”—an ancient 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.
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
A Light in the Desert traces the story of a lonely pregnant teenager, a Vietnam veteran and former Special Forces sniper who, as he descends into the throes of mental illness, latches onto the girl, and a group of Pentecostal zealots – the Children of Light – who have been waiting over thirty years in the Arizona desert for Armageddon. The Amtrak Sunset Limited, a passenger train en route to Los Angeles, is derailed in their midst’s, a deadly act of sabotage. Their lives are thrown into turmoil when local and state police, FBI investigators, and a horde of reporters make camp by the twisted wreckage of the Sunset Limited. As the search for the saboteurs continues, the authorities find more questions than answers. The girl mysteriously vanishes, the assassin struggles to maintain his sanity, and a child is about to be born in the wilderness.
“Clever, compelling, readable and realistic. Ms. Montgomery wove the most compelling cast of characters into a fictionalized account of what might have happened. I was fascinated. No one knows the truth, but this author took a leap that resulted in one of my favorite recent books.” – Vine Voice
“This is a very emotional tale that explores a variety of social issues ranging from mental illness to child abuse. It is very well done, well developed characters and scenery as well as a fast moving plot.” – Margaret Millmore Author
“An engaging and thought-provoking read.” – Lynda Dickson Books Direct
“This is an engaging book with a story that builds slowly, answering some questions along the way, and ending in a denouement full of tension and drama. A very good read.” – Stuart Aken Author
“A Light in the Desert is a great read. If you’re looking for a great story about human nature, pick A Light in the Desert up today.” – Rabid Readers Reviews
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.
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
“What a brilliant book! I couldn’t put this novel down…It is a solid five-star read. An unputdownable accounting of innocence, greed, the horrors of war, and the selfishness and criminal behaviors of some who seek to profit off the misfortunes of others. Your Forgotten Sons should be a must-read for all lovers of fiction, especially WWII fiction. The tale was educational, provocative, enlightening, and so well done. I hope Anne Montgomery writes another tale such as this. Her books have found a place on my bookshelves.” – Virginia Dill Book Sirens
Inspired by a true story
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?
“Spectacular! One of the most personal books about WWII history that I’ve ever read…The characters in this book are so well crafted that the reader feels like they know them…My only regret is that it ended.” 5 Stars – Deacon Tom F, former USAF Lt Col., Amazon
“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.” – Midwest Book Review
“Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is a historical fiction novel that intricately explores the emotional turmoil of war, immersing readers in its richly crafted world and leaving a lasting impact with its nuanced characters and poignant storytelling.” – Chrysalis Brew Project
“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” – Bekah C NetGalley
“The story of Bud is tragic and evokes strong emotions, a sense of having lost a buddy in arms, a brother you knew and loved…The conclusion may not be what the reader expects, however, and the reveal is shocking. War is hell. 5 stars.” – Virginia Williams Rosepoint Publishing
“Certainly Montgomery’s best book yet. Should be required reading for West Point Cadets and ROTC students, but more importantly mandatory reading for those of us that are casual observers of conflict. The book shifted my paradigm about the personal cost of war, and especially what it takes to clean up after a battle. Montgomery continues to be an outstanding story teller!” – Bill Clarkson Goodreads Reviewer
“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true. When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” – Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter
“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” – Kathryn McLeer NetGalley
Sharks are nothing compared to being stuck in a dark, watery tube 100 feet below the surface of the sea.
A recent story in the news explained the plight of seven gold miners in Laos who were trapped 780 feet underground following monsoon rains that flooded a narrow, twisting cave system. With the help of a multi-national group of rescue divers five men were saved. Two remain missing.
The video is harrowing. It’s hard to imagine anyone getting in or out of those tight, rocky spaces. And if you’re one of the 12.5% of people worldwide who suffer from claustrophobia, the images are difficult to watch.
While claustrophobia rarely goes away on its own, it can improve. One treatment is called exposure therapy, which slowly subjects a sufferer to enclosed spaces in order to retrain their brain’s fear response. This process is generally done under the supervision of a doctor.
Here’s where I’ll admit I used to be claustrophobic. And though the situation was unplanned and there was no physician on hand at the time, exposure therapy was the cure.
Here’s what happened.
I was on a scuba diving trip, and I listened as the the dive master explained about the limestone tube we would encounter 100 feet down. The tube was optional, so I planned to avoided it. And yet, when I dropped to the ocean floor and watched another diver’s fins disappear into the darkness, I paused. The cave opening was not much wider than my wingspan and perhaps three-feet tall. It looked so small and dark, but then I saw a light flickering inside and, without thinking, I swam to the opening and ducked inside.
White sand flowed along the cave floor. I saw fins in front of me and followed. Then, suddenly, the fins and light vanished, leaving me in total darkness.
I stopped abruptly and tried backing out, but my tank got caught on the top of the tube. The contact was slight, but was enough to make me sick to my stomach. I dropped to the sandy floor in an effort to calm myself. Then I panicked and started sucking air, which was bad. The compressed air in a scuba tank is used up quickly on a deep dive. If I didn’t move forward soon, I would drown.
I raised my head but could see nothing. Then, I dug both hands into the sand and started inching forward. The tube descended beneath the sea floor on an angle, pulling me deeper as I went. I chastised myself for not bringing a light. And for going in without another diver. I continued inching forward. How long was the tunnel? Why had I not asked? The questions swirled. I was tempted to reach to the sides of that rocky tube to see how wide it was, but was afraid to know the answer.
Sometime later, a soothing turquoise light glowed from a jagged crack in the ceiling. I thought, for a moment, that perhaps I’d died. Then, I rounded a bend and was graced with an opening where bright light danced on the white sand floor, illuminating walls that were startling close. I kicked hard, exited, and made it to the surface without running out of air.
Later, after a hot shower and a strong, grown-up beverage or two, I thought about how lucky I was to have made it out of that tube. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I’d been cured, because what could be more claustrophobic than being stuck in a small, dark, watery hole 100 feet below the surface of the ocean? After that, an MRI machine was a piece of cake.
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.
“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
No flowers or candy or candlelight, needed. This is what love looks like.
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.
“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.
Memorial Day is different from other holidays, though it seems many of us have forgotten the point of the celebration. I ran into this issue back when I was a print reporter the day my editor asked me to write a story about the holiday.
“Go find out about all the fun events people can attend,” he said. “Parties, big sales, parades. Things like that.”
I frowned, which caught him off guard. “What?” He held his hands palms up.
I had never refused an assignment before, still I couldn’t help myself. “Memorial Day isn’t about shopping and drinking beer. It’s about remembering those you died while serving.”
He looked at me for a moment. “Write whatever you want.”
So, I contacted the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post and interviewed a number of aging veterans, men who despite their advanced years, recalled vividly those who were left behind.
“I was a foot soldier in the 59th Field Hospital. My brother was in the 7th Armored Division. He chased me and I chased him, but he was killed before I got to him.”
“A buddy of mine…we went all the way through the war right to the end. Just outside of Cheb, Czechoslovakia he got captured and they stuck a pistol in his mouth and pulled the trigger. He was…22.”
“The pilot of the helicopter was going to lower me down into the water and I leaned out and took a look. Here was these huge fishes going around eating pieces of bodies. Sharks. And you know they couldn’t declare that person dead because they didn’t know if it was one person or two. I thought about it ever since.”
“I was standing watch at night. There were dead pilots lined up on the deck waiting to be buried at sea. They were covered except for their feet, which rocked back and forth as the ship swayed in the waves.”
Though Memorial Day is technically a time to remember those who have fallen during war, many of us also reflect on other former service men and women who are no longer with us. I have over the years spent the day thinking about my father who faced kamikazes and rode a destroyer escort into Tokyo Bay at the end of World War II. My dear friend Don Clarkson, a decorated hero of the Vietnam War who spent the rest of his life struggling with the demons he brought home. And Sargent Bud Richardville who served in the Graves Registration Service during World War II where his job was to locate, identify and bury the dead.
Note that I’m not saying you shouldn’t enjoy a cold beer and burger with friends on Memorial Day, but perhaps in the middle of whatever reverie you choose, you could stop and think about those who died to give you that opportunity.
Inspired by a true story
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?
“What a brilliant book! I couldn’t put this novel down…It is a solid five-star read. An unputdownable accounting of innocence, greed, the horrors of war, and the selfishness and criminal behaviors of some who seek to profit off the misfortunes of others. Your Forgotten Sons should be a must-read for all lovers of fiction, especially WWII fiction. The tale was educational, provocative, enlightening, and so well done. I hope Anne Montgomery writes another tale such as this. Her books have found a place on my bookshelves.” – Virginia Dill Book Sirens
“Spectacular! One of the most personal books about WWII history that I’ve ever read…The characters in this book are so well crafted that the reader feels like they know them…My only regret is that it ended.” 5 Stars – Deacon Tom F, former USAF Lt Col., Amazon
“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.” – Midwest Book Review
“Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is a historical fiction novel that intricately explores the emotional turmoil of war, immersing readers in its richly crafted world and leaving a lasting impact with its nuanced characters and poignant storytelling.” – Chrysalis Brew Project
“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” – Bekah C NetGalley
“The story of Bud is tragic and evokes strong emotions, a sense of having lost a buddy in arms, a brother you knew and loved…The conclusion may not be what the reader expects, however, and the reveal is shocking. War is hell. 5 stars.” – Virginia Williams Rosepoint Publishing
“Certainly Montgomery’s best book yet. Should be required reading for West Point Cadets and ROTC students, but more importantly mandatory reading for those of us that are casual observers of conflict. The book shifted my paradigm about the personal cost of war, and especially what it takes to clean up after a battle. Montgomery continues to be an outstanding story teller!” – Bill Clarkson Goodreads Reviewer
“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true. When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” – Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter
“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” – Kathryn McLeer NetGalley
Non-fiction works are now surging on the list of those being stricken from our libraries. From July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, 6,780 titles were banned across 23 states. Twenty-nine percent—more than 1,000—of those books were non-fiction, more than double the previous year.
According the PEN America, the problem is the rise of anti-intellectualism, which by definition means the skepticism, mistrust, or hostility toward intellect, education, and intellectual pursuits, such as science, literature, and philosophy.
Anyone else just get a chill?
Ellie Wiesel’s Holocaust memoir Night, Boy Erased: A Memoire of Identity, Faith and Family by Garrard Conley, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings have, among many others, been challenged or banned. Books like these are called offensive because of content including sex, sexual identity, violence, the portrayal substance abuse, historical truths about injustice, and, in the case of The Diary of a Young Girl “depressing content”. Read that last one again.
Book banners defend their actions saying they are protecting children. But, let’s be honest, kids are accessing all sorts of content on the Internet. Preteens are scrolling porn and playing ultra-violent video games. They are chatting with AI companions—machines with no empathy or moral boundaries—that will guide them toward the subjects book banners fear, but unlike in the memoirs above they will learn about these complex topics devoid of context.
As for the science books facing censorship, ones that cover human biology, climate change, evolution, vaccines, and other topics, I can’t help but wonder how little prepared kids will be when they head out into the world. It seems we are intentionally handicapping our children.
Anyone else baffled?
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?
“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
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.
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?
“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
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?
Author Anne Montgomery 