About Patchwork: A Pioneer’s Story
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Julie Martin is preparing to graduate from high school. For the aspiring engineer, this time should be the happiest of her life. It is not. Instead, between the grim realities after The Troubles and her beloved father’s grave illness, Julie’s future seems anything but bright. Her determination and love of engineering, of flying, and of Ellie Martin carry her forward into college. She finds her soul mate in Jim Norton, and is presented with the chance of all lifetimes ever to be an ultimate pioneer. The truth is that pioneers are not anchored to a particular time or place in history. A pioneer is one of a rare breed of individuals, willing to leave everything familiar and comfortable, to undertake a journey of unknowable risks and perils to an uncertain destination, aware that there will be no return. The company of pioneers comprises far more than pilots and navigators. Pioneers are crafts-people, trades-people, farmers, greengrocers, teachers, artists, tailors, mechanics, and electrians — all those whose skills and passions stitch together to form the quilt of a good life, a beautiful patchwork. This is one pioneer’s story. |
| Baltimore author Clark Thomas Riley has written and published non-fiction since the 1970s in support of careers at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, the United States Navy, Graduate Studies at The University of Chicago, biomedical research, and information technology. He began writing fiction in 1994 and has six novels finished to the first draft level. Patchwork: A Pioneer’s Story is his third novel to be published, after Dots: Cancer Sleuthing on the 21st Century Frontier and What If They Lied (just a little)? Following this work will be a spy novel, a liberation adventure, a continuation of the pioneer romance, and a commentary on building the twenty-first century hobby greenhouse. Other interests include teaching Sunday School, growing and speaking about orchids, publishing services, teaching, and social activism. The author can be reached at ClarkTRiley@gmail.com, where you can participate in a moderated discussion of Dots: Cancer Sleuthing on the 21st Century Frontier. |
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| You can participate in the Discussion Page for What If They Lied (just a little)? at http://clarkriley.com/whatif/. You can participate in the Discussion Page for Dots: Cancer sleuthing on the 21st Century Frontier at http://clarkriley.com/dots/. |
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DiscussionThis is a moderated discussion. That means that the author is responsible for what is posted and has the sole right to accept or reject comments and questions. Anything designed to start a flame war or put someone down will NOT be posted. That said, I will try to post every serious question or comment sent to ClarkTRiley@gmail.com and will, to the best of my ability answer questions and share constructive feedback.By default, I will identify participants by initials and geographic region, if known. If you'd prefer, provide a handle and any other identity preference. 1. Why is the novel set in 2050-2051? — CTR, Maryland Given the constant progress in space travel, it seemed probable the we will be exploring interstellar space by 2051. We'll see. |