A tragedy from the War of 1812 emerges from the Canadian soil. Two hundred years later, Detective Andrea Blake finds the mystery thrust upon her to untangle…Forgotten Roots.
It is 1801 when two lives begin a journey that will intersect thirteen years later at the explosive conclusion of America’s war with Britain.
A young bride sets out from Scotland to a Canadian fur trading outpost only to find her life entwined with an intriguing Voyageur. A runaway thug from the streets of Baltimore finds himself in the Ohio Militia, bound for a final showdown with the British in Northern Canada.
The tragic conclusion two hundred years in the past becomes a mystery for present day cop Andrea Blake to solve. History and passion are intertwined in ForgottenRoots.
Excerpt
They took the same route as they had two years earlier. Legère was more animated than she had ever seen. He told her of his coup in hiring the best available men both last year in the west, and this Spring in Montreal. He had eight canoes and plans for another eight when he returned east in the fall.
“It is a huge risk. I am counting on the war ending, and settlers rushing to get land grants in The Forks region.”
The carriage hit a rut. Nettie reflexively grabbed Legère’s arm. It felt good, and she remained that way, feeling a small thrill at this forward move. He stopped talking. She could see the tight line of his mouth and knew he was feeling the same sexual tension as she. The steady rumble of the wheels on the dry road accentuated it.
When it came, Legère’s voice was hoarse. “Nettie…this year will likely be my last in a canoe. Others will…”
She put a hand on his mouth. “Don’t say it!” Her mind raced. Not to see him again would be impossible to think about. She could not live with Thomas without even the infrequent hope of being with Martin Legère.
“Come to York with me.” He said this, not pleading, but as an imperative. “We will go when I am back here in September.”
The idea was delicious. I cannot wait that long, she thought. Then Lily’s strange suggestion made sense. The wise old woman knew what both she and Legère wanted--needed.
“Up there by that bent tree--turn in.” She pointed.
He obeyed, and the horse led them up a track until it could go no farther. Ahead was a dome-shaped structure covered in hides. It looked deserted, nestled in an attractive clearing surrounded by birch. Nettie had taken Carrie here many times to stay with Lily learning the Ojibwa language and ways.
“Help me down,” she said. He did, and she was in his arms. “I won’t wait for autumn. I want you now!” Her own words amazed her, but had an electric effect on her body. She was burning.
Professional Reviews
"Strong, Interesting Characters"
Many people these days search for their family genealogy, but how often do individuals discover their true “history”? Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could go back in time and “see” the happenings of our ancestors? Forgotten Roots had created that desire within me. Author Richard Whitten Barnes has created strong, interesting characters, and he weaves a story that keeps the reader guessing until the very end as to how these lives are connected. He writes both in the days of the early 1800s and in the present; he pulls those two eras together beautifully.
When an author can use descriptive language to get his readers to places via visual imagery, he’s done his job. He was able to wrap my heart around that of the characters, especially one, but I won’t include a spoiler here. As a reader, I feel that I can describe both the world of the 1800’s story and the present-day mystery included in the book, thanks to the wonderful writing of Richard Barnes. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and/or a great mystery will find Forgotten Roots a book of choice for their reading repertoire.
Book Reviewer: Joyce M. Gilmour
Editing TLC www.editingtlc.com
A "Don't Miss Story"
Barnes's engaging novel written in parallel stories will keep you turning the pages until the stories merge to solve a family mystery. You'll learn a lot of history in an entertaining read. FORGOTTEN ROOTS is a don't-miss story.
Cheryl Norman,
2003 EPIC Award winner
"You won't want to Put Down" FORGOTTEN ROOTS
Forgotten Roots is really two stories in one. The author does a terrific job of entwining the lives of two women in a fast paced contemporary/historical you won't want to put down. Barnes captures the historical setting so well you will feel like you are right along side the characters; traveling from Scotland to Canada. You'll despise the antagonist and his modern detective, Andy Blake is someone you'll cheer for and remember long after the story ends.
Camille Netherton
A novel about a family during World War II, set on the homefront in Springield, Mass., and in the South Pacific. The book focuses on four characters and how their lives were affected and changed during the war years.
