KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench, where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site, so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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THE ROAD WEST
U.S. Historical Fiction
BY LARRY K. COLLINS
BLURB
The Road West is a fictional story about a farming family consisting of a grandfather, father, mother, and six children as they undertake the journey from Wheatland, North Dakota to Long Beach, California by auto in 1925, as told by the youngest child, eight year old, Jimmy. It covers the road hazards, flat tires, and family adventures they encounter on their trip. The story is based upon my aunt’s diary and photos taken during the trip.
The Road West is available in paperback, Kindle, and Audio. Logan West narrated the audio version and it’s wonderful.
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THE ROAD WEST
U.S. Historical Fiction
BY LARRY K. COLLINS
EXCERPT
One evening in the fall of 1925, after the main harvest was in, and two months before my ninth birthday, Dad called the whole family into the parlor.
I was surprised to see my oldest sister, Clara, there. She was twenty-two and had moved into town to teach at the Gill Country School.
Dad had us sit down. “I have an announcement. Your mother and I have decided to move to California to be near her sister in Los Angeles. I have sold the farm, including the house, furnishings, and all the stock. I’ve made arrangements to purchase a used Chevrolet five-passenger sedan touring car to go along with our Ford Model-T Tudor Sedan for our trip to California. I will drive the Chevy and Frank the Ford.”
Ma added, “Your father and I think it’s the right time.” She pointed to Ben, Ella, and Bev. “You three should be in high school, and Jimmy shouldn’t have to face another cold winter. He can’t afford to catch pneumonia again.”
Clara spoke. “Dad confided his plans to me. I’ve tendered my resignation as a teacher at the Gill Country School. I’ll secure another position when we reach California.” She smiled. “I’m going with you.”
Ella, fifteen and into dime romance novels, looked startled. “What about Edwin? He sure seems awfully sweet on you. And he’s cute.”
Clara stiffened. “Mr. Edwin Blinn and I had a discussion. When I told him of my plans, he inferred I should remain in Wheatland and marry him so I wouldn’t be forced to go to California.” She paused. “He told me he has no desire ever to leave Cass County. And after we married, I would have to stop teaching. It would not be seemly for me to continue to work. People would see him as a failure, not able to provide adequately for his wife.” Clara bit her lower lip. “I told Edwin I appreciated his attractive offer of marriage, but I felt we had different goals.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “We agreed it best to part as friends.”
Ben snorted. “Bet that burned his biscuits. And after he’s been bragging to his friends in town you’d be engaged before Christmas.” Then he laughed. “Good for you, big sister.”
Ma gave a stern look. “Ben, it’s not nice to speak poorly of others.” Then she patted Clara’s arm. “I’m so sorry it didn’t work out with Edwin.” Then she gave a contented sigh. “But, now it seems all my children will be together in California. I couldn’t be happier.”
About Author Larry K. Collins…
Larry K. Collins and his wife, Lorna, co-wrote their first book, 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, a memoir about living in Osaka and their experiences building Universal Studios, Japan. It was a finalist for the 2006 EPPIE award and named as one of Rebeccas Reads best nonfiction books of 2005.
They have since written two cozy mysteries, set in Hawaii: Murder…They Wrote and Murder in Paradise, the latter a finalist for the 2012 EPIC eBook Award for best mystery. They are currently working on more in this series.
Larry’s book of short stories, Lakeview Park, was published in 2011. In the style of O. Henry, it contains fifteen slice-of-life stories of people who frequent a neighborhood park.
He and Lorna also co-authored The Memory Keeper, a historical novel on the life of an Acjachemen Indian in San Juan Capistrano between 1820 and 1890. It was a finalist for the 2015 EPIC eBook Award for best historical novel. They are researching and writing a sequel, Becoming the Jewel.
Their latest collaboration is on the novel Dominic Drive, based on an idea created by Lorna’s late brother, Ronald Travis Lund.
Larry is currently working another book in this series: The McGregor Chronicles:. Book 10.
He lives in Dana Point, California, visits Hawaii whenever he can, and surfs every weekday when there is surf.
Links to Larry’s websites, blogs, books, #ad etc.:
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3NxjUR7
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3NxjUR7
Website: www.lornalarry.com
Email: 31months@cox.net
Thanks, Larry, for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Good morning, Larry, and welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench. I cannot imagine making that trek with a family in a car in 1925. It’s a tough thing to do in 2022! I know because we did the same thing two years ago with our family then, moving our family across the country from our forever home to a place we’d never been. I’m sure Jimmy’s story is fascinating. Thanks for sharing it with us today!
Thanks Karen for letting me be on Karen’s Killer Book Bench. I’ll bet you didn’t have as many flat tires, breakdowns, or were forced to camp out along the way (No motels in 1925). Also the top speed for the model-T was about 35mph. Made for a long trip.
Thanks again
Larry
Nope! However, we moved two families and three dogs 2,000 miles in a RV also driving a truck with a 30′ fully loaded cargo trailer full of our stuff. The RV broke down three times, once in Kansas City in a bad part of town in the middle of the night, and we had to camp in a parking lot three blocks from a police station for safety, at the advice of a policeman. Didn’t sleep a wink. Trip took us 7 days, with 3 major breakdowns, the purchase of all new tires on the RV, a night in the back lot of a transmission place getting the RV fixed, yada, yada. Made for a long trip, too. I don’t think we made more than 35 mph either. LOL
Thanks for featuring this book. It was written as a loving homage to my family and their journey west.
Read excerpt sounds like an interesting and informative book
Thanks, Karen, for introducing me to a new author always good to meet new authors and try out their style of writing. Hoping to read this book in print format sometime
So glad you found this book. It is based on the family’s actual trip with photos taken on the trip.
An interesting read for sure, as are the books mentioned in your bio, Larry.
Thanks for the introduction, Karen, and thanks Larry, for the excerpt
Reminds me of my family’s cross country trip taken when I was not quite the same age, only in reverse. We went from Long Beach, California to Williston, North Dakota. A 7 year old (me) and two 3 year olds (my brothers) on a long haul…must have been a fun time for my mother.
Your book sounds quite intresting and informative of the times. Thanks for sharing.
Good afternoon, I really love the sound of your book! Thank you so much for sharing the excerpt, it sure has me hooked already. I love stories about families. Have a great rest of the day and week.
It sounds like an interesting journey.