Books by Louise Lenahan Wallace
and Reviews by her Fans

Books…

Children of the Day A tale of love unanswered and the challenges of a new life in Wyoming Territory

Larissa and Ethan’s marriage has combined their families.  Now they must cope with one of the most difficult assignments given to a parent: stand aside and allow their rapidly coming-of-age children the freedom to forge their own destinies.

Larissa’s son Mac, now a full-fledged doctor, plans to marry Amity Terrill and return from Philadelphia to Fairvale to practice medicine in his hometown. Ethan’s daughter Charity has loved Mac since she was five years old. Unable to accept his intention to marry Amity, Charity leaves home to teach school in far off Wyoming Territory.

Through drought, blizzards, and an encounter with a rattlesnake, Charity learns that, unlike the snake’s ability to slough its skin, she cannot shed the pieces of her past, her present … or her heart.

All Things That Matter Press, Somerville, Maine 2015.
ISBN:  978-099071585-6

Day Unto Day When tragedy strikes, a family’s love and determination to return their daughter to her rightful, productive place in society has consequences that ripple far beyond their farm and village.

In 1867, twelve-year-old Rose Edwards survives a deadly measles attack, but with tragic results. She loses most of her hearing in a time when society and medical science are only beginning to seek answers to such an impairment. How will she react and adjust? How will her family’s dynamics be affected? How will the parents respond to their normal-hearing, outgoing child suddenly becoming profoundly deaf? The theories and sign language work of Edward Galludet, of Melville Bell and his son Alexander, and plans for the first state supported school for the deaf and hearing impaired were just gaining a foothold during that period of the nineteenth century.

All Things That Matter Press, Somerville, Maine 2010.
ISBN:  978-0-9846297-1-8

Length of Days A tale of life and love set against the horrors of the American Civil War

Zane and Larissa Edwards, rearing their children Mac and Rose on the family farm, foresee the future spinning out as contentedly as their past. But Civil War erupts, shattering their lives and dreams. Zane joins the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and is sent to Fort Laramie in Nebraska Territory.

His friend Ethan Michaels, a widower with a young daughter, Charity, having promised Zane he will help Larissa with the work, moves to the farm as a hired hand. Ten-year-old Mac begins studying medicine under the town’s crusty doctor. But the war clutches each one in its merciless fist.

… Waiting at home, Larissa must endure the day-by-day agony of not knowing whether Zane will survive the fighting and return to her.

… Ethan struggles to reconcile his growing love for Larissa, the wife of his best friend, with the trust Zane has put in him to watch over his family until he returns from war.

… With the war threatening to destroy all Mac holds dear, even his dreams of becoming a doctor are caught in its unrelenting grip.

Trade paperback and electronic publishing.

All Things That Matter Press, Somerville, Maine 2016
ISBN: 978-099666348-9

Day Star Rising A tale of healing love against slander and suspicion in Wyoming Territory

Will Braden lost his fiancée to his best friend. Hannah Clayton was abandoned by her husband and struggles to raise four rambunctious boys. The two of them are thrown together in an effort to save her ranch, while the suspiciousness of narrow-minded townspeople swirls around them. Everyone is entitled to a mistake in life but some mistakes have consequences that can destroy the chances for a happy life.

…Why should Will have to assume responsibilities that belong to Hannah’s husband?

…Is there hope for these two wounded souls?

…Can Will and Hannah save the family ranch?

…Can they provide the loving home Hannah’s boys deserve?

Topeka, Kansas: Ogden Publications Inc., 2001.  Trade paperback.
ISBN-10: 0941678695
ISBN-13: 978-0941678698

The Longing of the Day A tale of bittersweet love and savage challenges in Wyoming Territory

Three-year-old Matt Jamison hides under a bush by the creek, clutching his infant sister Catty as Indians massacre his parents.  His father’s friends, Ben Clayton and his wife, Anne, rescue the orphans and raise them as their own. Growing up with the Claytons’ daughter, Eve, Matt’s brotherly care matures into forbidden love.

Unable to speak of his love for Eve and hurt his adoptive parents, Matt leaves his childhood ranch home to rove as a cowhand. Violent weather beats down on the family and their ranches as Matt and Eve battle their own secret, tempestuous emotions. Only their faith in God, the family and each other gives them hope for the future.

…Will Eve marry another?

…How will Matt survive the wrath of nature, vicious outlaw attacks and the cruelty of fate?

…Who will carry on the Clayton ranching legacy?

Topeka, Kansas: Ogden Publications Inc. 2000. Trade paperback.
ISBN: 0941678652

Reviews…

CHILDREN OF THE DAY “You have a very competent and mature style of writing, and clearly understand the mechanics of the business and of the submission process. The pictures you paint of a loving family made up of distinct individuals is compelling.”
— WILDSound Review

CHILDREN OF THE DAY “This is a sequel to Day Unto Day, with reference to past events, yet the story can stand alone. I cared about the characters … Interesting descriptions of the Wyoming landscape, and would recommend it to readers who like to savor character and descriptions.”
— Historical Novels Review

DAY UNTO DAY  “The characters seemed real and I was interested in following their story. I could really feel the connection between Ethan and Larissa. Setting and description is excellent – good feeling of the historical time and place with some very interesting historical elements of post-Civil War, teaching of sign language. I really felt involved in the story … Strong, competent authoritative voice … The sound of the train’s whistle was a real highlight. The writing and the story made me want to read more. This is one of the best-written entries I have seen in this contest!”
— Pacific Northwest Writers Conference Contest

LENGTH OF DAYS “Her descriptions are very imaginative and beautiful. Her writing is crisp and lyrical at the same time.”
— Treble Heart Books Review

LENGTH OF DAYS “Each character in the story struggles with inner demons, fears and uncertainty during a time of upheaval. Wallace successfully portrays the different issues citizens of Fairvale face during the Civil War, while keeping it a simple tale of everyday life. The scenery that she paints is rich; one can easily imagine the wagon that creaks down Main Street or the sheets crackling in the wind on Larissa’s line …”
— Historical Novels Reviews

LENGTH OF DAYS  “This would appeal to readers of historical fiction. The author is a natural storyteller with good instincts for dramatic structure. The actions and character reactions in each scene draw the reader in … These are realistic people with believable hopes and fears…”
— Pacific Northwest Writers Conference Contest

DAY STAR RISING  “It’s not often we judge a book good enough for GRIT’s readers. Both of these (Day Star Rising and the Longing of the Day) are and will leave you waiting impatiently for Louise’s third book …”
— Donna Doyle, GRIT editor

THE LONGING OF THE DAY  “Characters are believable and appropriate to [the] time period, as well as being lovable. Dialogue is very realistic…”
— Pacific Northwest Writers Conference Contest

THE LONGING OF THE DAY  “I enjoyed the book excerpts of The Longing of the Day by Louise Lenahan Wallace in the Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 issues.  GRIT deserves praise for publishing such a wonderful book. I’m enclosing a check for the books…”
— GRIT reader

THE LONGING OF THE DAY   “Sometimes love needs a little help from fate and faith, but The Longing of the Day only serves to prove that love is just a heartbeat and a prayer away. Louise Lenahan Wallace has penned a touching tale of hardship as she takes her readers on a journey of the heart. The Longing of the Day will brand itself upon your heart and soul; don’t miss this special book.”
— Calico Trails Romance Magazine

THE LONGING OF THE DAY   “It’s well-written with great character development.  An inspring western drama.”
— Old Book Barn Barn Gazette