Olivia wants the 80 acres in far off Michigan that her father left to whichever of his offspring might choose to stake a claim to that land. As Olivia says, “I am sprung off him just as much as Avis or Tobey.”
The problem: she is seventeen, female, and it is 1841.
Her childhood friend Mourning Free knows how to work a farm and Olivia has complete trust in him.
The problem: he is the orphaned son of runaway slaves and reluctant to travel and work with a white girl. He especially fears the slave catchers who patrol the free states, hunting fugitive slaves.
Not without qualms, they set off together. All goes well, despite the drudgery of survival in an isolated log cabin. Incapable of acknowledging her feelings for Mourning, Olivia thinks her biggest problem is her unrequited romantic interest in their young, single neighbor.
Then her world falls apart.
Strong-willed, vulnerable, and compassionate, Olivia is a compelling protagonist on a journey to find a way to do the right thing in a world in which so much is wrong.
Awards
2010 YWO Book of the Year
2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, Quarter-Finalist
2015 One of the Historical Novel Society 7 Editors Choice Historical Novels
Library Journal included the Olivia Series in its curated selection of quality independent fiction.
Awesome Indies selected Olivia, Mourning for the Awesome Indies list of quality independent fiction.
Reviews
“Historical fiction at its best! ... a heartfelt story especially recommended for readers who enjoy headstrong protagonists tasked with making their own way in the world.”
--D. Donovan, Senior eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“This story is engaging from the outset. Beautifully written and thought provoking, the story of Olivia and her quest to better her life in a judgmental community in 1841 Pennsylvania is heart-rending. Olivia Killion is a girl who is ahead of her time, but with a backbone of steel. I warmed to her immediately, and loved the internal dialogue which clearly sets out her thoughts about her family and the community she lives in. I have given this story the highest points all round because of the caliber of the writing, the easy-to-warm-to voice telling the story, and the setting of time and place. A terrific read.” Valentina Hepburn, YouWriteOn Reviewer
4,200 Amazon ratings – 4.3 average This is what some of them said:
“I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this story. It is satisfying, engaging, and very special. I strongly recommend it, and cannot wait to read the next book.” Book Addict
“The writing is so beautiful and compelling. There is just enough detail about clothing, food, physical features, etc., that I can easily picture the people and their surroundings, and wish I could have a little of that fried venison myself. The descriptions of how Olivia feels at any given moment are so clear, and so believable.” Jajh
“What a wonderful book. As soon as I read a few pages, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. It is well written and the historical details are spot on. If you like historical fiction with a bit of romance and heartbreak thrown in, you will love this. There is a sequel to this book, and it is just as good.” Carolyn in Michigan
“It has been a while since I have been so surprised and delighted at what is, after all, a relatively simple story. Olivia, Mourning is very well-written but at the same time the book is not “polished” or “predictable” – it has different cadences, very real dialog, and is all in all a lot more like real-life than most big-house published fiction. But real life with people who, for the most part, you want to know and to spend time with and who have interesting lives that you want to know more about. I immediately bought the 2nd in the series.” Elizabeth Sommers
