
“Absorbing historical novel; comprehensive image of a distinctive period; cast is vast and diverse; zippy, energetic style, gripping setup for a sequel.“
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Art, Architecture, and Book Presentations for 2023
Enjoy Ralls’ engaging speaking style on art, architecture, and becoming a national influencer before the term made it into our cultural lexicon. RCM011447@gmail.com to discuss your in-person group event.







LATEST STORIES
- Ralls Melotte author~ On the road, and a videoI’m on the road again making presentations and signing Cat’s Cafe books! Monday, March 20, I’m off to Springfield to present a program about the Melotte Morse Stained Glass Studio museum-quality restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass in the Dana-Thomas House and to sign copies of Cat’s Cafe. It will be a good… Continue reading Ralls Melotte author~ On the road, and a video
- The author’s life ~ Mounds of snow on MondayWhen I see you, and you ask me why I’m not farther along in Book Two, which I’m confident some of you will (!), I’ll mention this, the latest delivery of deep, drifting, lake effect snow on my beloved Wisconsin town … driveway … deck … I’ve been shoveling snow for what seems like weeks,… Continue reading The author’s life ~ Mounds of snow on Monday
- The author’s life — Thank you to the Museum of IdahoPhoto of Museum of Idaho, from Visit Idaho My great thanks to the Museum of Idaho for the wealth of its resources and the helpfulness of the team there. They helped Cat’s Cafe, Eagle Rock Trilogy Book One come to life in the most realistic way, and my early research for the trilogy a complete… Continue reading The author’s life — Thank you to the Museum of Idaho
- Saloons in the Old West ~ Whiskey and Women (update)Image from LegendsofAmerica.com In my historical fiction novel, Cat’s Cafe, two saloons compete for hard-drinking rail workers, cowboys, bullwhackers, and others who love a stiff drink as often as they can afford it. In July of 1879, the town of Eagle Rock had just been formed but more saloons would swiftly follow. As an example… Continue reading Saloons in the Old West ~ Whiskey and Women (update)
- The author’s life ~ Talks in towns … or, it could snowThe forecast was for Kewaunee and nearby towns on Lake Michigan to be “walloped” night before last. We were. Sideways snow, wind roaring past our upstairs windows. A proper Wisconsin snowstorm. And within several hours, I was to spend a pleasant evening talking to a group and signing books in Algoma. That program was cancelled,… Continue reading The author’s life ~ Talks in towns … or, it could snow
- Saloons in the 1870s Old West ~ And an update: Books and Talks!Patrick’s Saloon in the historical novel Cat’s Cafe, Eagle Rock Trilogy Book One, wasn’t the highly polished, rich mahogany, mirrored saloon depicted in film and television westerns — at least not in the beginning. Western towns in the 1860s and ’70s were thrown up faster than they could be properly built. Only a few buildings… Continue reading Saloons in the 1870s Old West ~ And an update: Books and Talks!
- Four Women Who Tamed the Wild WestWelcome to Eagle Rock, Idaho Territory, 1870s Determination and ingenuity brought irrigation to the desert, education and Christianity to pioneer families and Native American children in a Mormon enclave, women’s suffrage to the West, and civilization to the small town of Eagle Rock where four remarkable women, based on real life late 19th-century women, lived.… Continue reading Four Women Who Tamed the Wild West
- Cat’s Cafe — In stores now!It’s official! Friesen Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble (more limited) are now accepting orders for Cat’s Cafe, Eagle Rock Trilogy Book One. Paperback and hardcover orders will be fulfilled as soon as the publisher delivers the first orders to warehouses, and digital copies are available NOW! Here’s how to get yours. Important note (smiling!)… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe — In stores now!
- 2023 “IRL” and Virtual PresentationsRalls is scheduling “In real life” presentations in south central Wisconsin and central Illinois, as well as virtual presentations via Zoom that can be tailored to your group’s meeting schedule. All in-person meetings will include time for book signing as well. Contact Ralls to discuss fees and schedules at rcm011447@gmail.com. Presentation list, author information Cat’s… Continue reading 2023 “IRL” and Virtual Presentations
- Native American women guide the U.S. forwardU.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, photo from http://www.doi.gov National Endowment for the Humanities Chair Shelly Lowe, photo from http://www.neh.gov Native American women now lead the Department of the Interior and National Endowment for the Arts. At last. On January 15th,, 2022 Debra Anne Haaland, a member of New Mexico’s Laguna Pueblo, became the… Continue reading Native American women guide the U.S. forward

Purchase Cat’s Cafe

Cat’s Cafe, paperback
Sales to U.S. through this site, U.S. and international, paperback, hardcover, and digital available now through Amazon. Current prices listed here are for the remaining in-stock pre-review copies.
$22.50

Cat’s Cafe, hardcover
Sales to U.S. through this site, U.S. and international, paperback, hardcover, and digital available now through Amazon. Current prices listed here are for the remaining in-stock pre-review copies.
$33.50