“Absorbing historical novel; comprehensive image of a distinctive period; cast is vast and diverse; zippy, energetic style, gripping setup for a sequel.“

New section on the site!

Reviews and comments

Building this project is so much more work than I thought, but with the help of a good editor/publicist and the solidly good reviews so far, it’s working one step at a time — and a few trips to the post office each week! Click the above menu link for the collection I’ve received so far, with my sincere thanks to all. ~ Ralls

Here’s a glimpse of life in Cat’s Cafe. Note, the video is set to “autoplay, sound on, loop.” If yours isn’t playing, or is on mute, click the video settings in the frame. Thank you!

LATEST STORIES

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 Presentations
Ralls 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. forward
U.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
Cat’s Cafe, reviews and comments
Thank you everyone for the great reviews and comments! “The dramatic center of the story — Catherine finding the inner strength to take on a pile of troubles — is handled with an engaging sense of compassion … A zesty and occasionally touching story of a woman confronting the crude realities of a new life.” … Continue reading Cat’s Cafe, reviews and comments
Racism in America
Chinese laborers at work on construction for the railroad built across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, circa 1870s. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images- History.com In my previous post, I shared some excerpts from a speech given by Brigham Young in 1850. Although some of the comments made in that speech are rightfully considered racist by present day standards,… Continue reading Racism in America
The Mormons, Cat’s Cafe Ch. 5 and 6 notes (edited)
Brigham Young, Sr. Photo courtesy Library of Congress Accuracy, objectivity, and fairness without interpretation in these notes is of supreme importance to me. If something doesn’t look right, please let me know. It’s a challenging subject, to be sure. I’ve noted references below. Brigham Young, Sr. who was often referred to as the “Mormon Moses”… Continue reading The Mormons, Cat’s Cafe Ch. 5 and 6 notes (edited)
Cat’s Cafe, Ch. 5
View of the Mormon Temple in Idaho Falls beyond the Snake River Dam. Numerous Mormon temples can be found in many cities throughout Utah and Idaho as well as almost every state in the Union. Photo taken in 2021 by Ralls Melotte Chapter Notes, Chap 5 ~ The Mormons The Mormons played a very important… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe, Ch. 5
Cat’s Cafe Review in Illinois Times
Yesterday, Illinois Times published a review of my new novel, Cat’s Cafe. This is the third review I have received in the last month and I am pleased with all of them. Cinda Ackerman Klickna prepared the article and Cinda is not new to literature and writing. She is an author, taught English in Springfield… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe Review in Illinois Times
Cat’s Cafe, Ch. 20
This photo can be found in the current issue, dated December 16, 2022, of Socialstudiesforkids.com in an article explaining the significance of Samuel Morse’s invention of the telegraph. He was issued a patent in 1840 for his original design which looks quite different from the one shown below that was probably in use by the… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe, Ch. 20
Art and the architect
Happily for me, past and present are meeting these days. My newly published AND REVIEWED Cat’s Cafe has me on the road sharing my passion for historical fiction, and people are again inviting me to make presentations on significant projects from my architecture career. Both occurred in Springfield last month when Justin Blandford, pictured here,… Continue reading Art and the architect