“Partners” rhyme – an overview

Barkerville about 1865

Here is a rhyme covering some of the story that appears in the novel “Partners”. No, it is not about the current trend to marry members of the same gender.

Wagon and three up on Cariboo Road

I suppose it could be likened to some of the couples one sees, of all genders, who, at first glance one might suspect have no business uniting. Some do make a viable couple and some do not.

This is a rhyme of six stanzas and therefore cannot cover all that is presented in a story of 246 pages which includes references to the wide Canadian Prairies, murder, genocide, renegades/outlaws, “manifest destiny”, Cree and Blackfoot, the early assassination of a policeman (murder again), vigilantes, gold mining, and self defense. It does give a fair idea of how I started the story; the unlikely joining of young and old, tenderfoot and “cheekako”, diplomat and attacker.

Calvenos Claim on Lowhee Creek

The video (not the best of those available but not the worst) trailer is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6LEqjRHCDQ 

And the novel itself can be found by clicking on the “Partners” cover off to the right.

Or at amazon.com/author/dmmcgowan at Barnes & Nobel, Indigo and Cole’s

It, as with my other novels is also available in a variety of digital formats.

The reason for the Barkerville pictures is that is where the story ends … and the one I’m working on with the same characters and some new troubles, begins.

            As always, leave a comment. Even if you don’t like what you read I’d like to know about it and why.

“Partners” overview

By D.M. McGowan

He was an educated man, Thomas Brash by name

Raised for the British Army to follow his father’s fame

Born in Upper Canada, the eastern Loyalist land

Then sent across the sea, military school, England

He had served in several stations, Europe, Africa and such

But found the land of Hind demanded just too much.

He left the British Army returned to his Kingston home

Taught school, married and farmed and vowed no more to roam

But fate stepped in to change the future he had planned,

Cholera took the family, he burned the house, left the land.

He wandered to the west perhaps thinking life was done

More than thirty years of effort and everything was gone.

But out there on the plains he found someone he could help

Perhaps some master plan? He’d play the cards he was dealt.

Two wandering strangers as different as they could be

Can each survive the other’s thoughts and company?

Renegades, Blackfoot and psychopaths they face

The elements alone are hard on the human race

Indian wars and killers, all the across the west

Such is their future where simple living is a test.

From different places and different teachings

Perhaps these two are over reaching

But it takes bold people to build a land

And different ideas build one that stands

Mucho Oro Claim

Pulling over for traffic on the Cariboo Road ...

Which usually necessitated a visit 

Alive despite the renegades

I've recently replaces the information on "Partners" on the Amazon.com-dmmcgowan page and will post that here.
"Partners" is my second published novel and the first done through SBPRA. I'm doing the update on info for it first since I want to do "The Great Liquor War" (1st published and 3rd with SBPRA as a 2nd edition) and "Homesteader: Finding Sharon" (3rd published and 2nd with SBPRA)  back to back since the characters - and their story - continue in "Homesteader".
However, here is the new "blurb" for "Partners".

“Partners”

Tom Brash is educated, traveled, trained and for 1866 well aged

Frank Clement is uncouth, unsophisticated, uneducated and young.

Tom believes young Frank who has no idea where they are or the dangers they face will not survive traveling alone.

Frank thinks the “old man” will get himself killed with his fancy talk and fancy guns.

Can they work together to fend off the renegades trying to kill them out on the plains in Canada’s Western Wilderness? Will their differences make it  impossible to work together at all?

Ride along with these men who find renegades, Blackfoot, US Cavalry, gold miners, policemen, thieves and killers.

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Watch a video trailer for Partners at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6LEqjRHCDQ 

Praise for “Partners”:

From the Burton Review
This is a story that flows easily between the concept of camaraderie and the intense events that the partners endure together

From Barbara Martin
Partners is a well told story that entertains and educates. It's a long book too, providing a big read for your money.

From Clayton Bye
If you enjoy westerns or historical yarns, Partners will offer a unique and refreshing read.
From Anne Boling for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)
"Partners" is quite an adventure. ... Dave McGowan is a talented author.

More pictures from Barkerville

As mentioned earlier I took a few more pictures of Barkerville on my last trip.

Those I took 3 years ago are on "my pictures" and you're welcome to take a look - a couple of coaches, the BX stables and street pics.

This time I took several of plaques and a couple of buildings I missed last time.

Williams Creek school. This is one of the buildings that was rebuilt from the original plans. One of my characters in the sequel to "Partners" (which, at this point I'm calling "Underbelly") is tutoring a few young people, therefore I need to know where his (fictional) students came from.

 Barkerville fire.

On September 16, 1868 close to 2/3 rds of Barkerville burned down. This plaque, believed to be at the site of ignition commemorates that. I plan to include this disaster in "Underbelly."

 Dillar Claim

 Stout's Gulch. Edward (Ned) Stout lived for many years in the BC goldfields. He was involved in the "Thompson War" in 1858 and was one of 5 survivors of a party of 26. He died in Yale in 1924

 Kelly Saloon, one of many that operated in Barkerville. There was also a local brewery and distillary although spirits were also freighted in. I have one of my characters owning one of the hotels and playing long poker games where a great deal of gold changes hands in places like this. I have tried to avoid using the names of actual hotels. There were gamblers who owned or worked in particular hotels but they tended to move around a great deal.

This plaque commemorating "Scotch Jenny" is on the road between Barkerville and Richfield. The drop into the canyon - and others like it in the area - undoubtadly took several lives. The picture on the plaque was taken in front of the Pioneer Saloon in Centreville, another of the small communities in the area that no longer exits.

Parlour, merchantile, & how much is enough?

Just spent some time in Barkerville again. Did some research for a story I'm working on and took a picture or two.
This is a great place to visit, although the legs were getting a little shakey; I'm not used to that much walking. Here is a parlour from (I think) the John Bowron house.

And here is a shot of the Mason & Daley store

 

And a bar sign we saw in Quesnel on the way back to Prince George.

Name your Poison!

 



Don't forget to take a look at the video up there on the right. I don't think it's as humerous as the bar sign, but you might get a chuckle.
If you're scared of that link click on this one;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cW1bxxjQAo&feature=youtube

 

The research I was doing while there was for a sequel to "Partners". I actually started the story more than 2 years ago but ran into a place where I needed some population info ... even though I write fiction I like to include historical events when possible and keep the facts accurate ... and should be able to get back to that sequel once I've completed the 2 other projects I'm working on now.

The archives at Barkerville, and the young woman who helped me are marvelous.

The curator also came over, said hello and offered some information.

Great town, great historical site with marvelous staff. Top notch campgrounds (no hook-ups but quiet, clean including the showers), three B&Bs and motel just down the way in Wells.

If you haven't been to Barkerville you're missing out on a great day or two - or however long you want it to be.