Olivia (Politis)

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.Awards2010 YWO Book of the Year2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, Quarter-Finalist2015 One of the Historical Novel Society 7 Editors Choice Historical NovelsLibrary 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 Reviewer4,200 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

After the devastating trauma she suffered in Olivia, Mourning and finally knowing the reality with which she must contend, Olivia strives to rebuild herself—emotionally, socially, and financially. She seeks a new life in Detroit, the young and exciting city on a river, where she has come to feel at home. New friends help the healing process, while she continues to search for the two people she loves, who have disappeared from her life. She finds some solace in helping fugitive slaves escape over the river to Canada. She believes, as one of her new friends says, "In this time and place it is the most worthy thing a person can do.”

It is 1967 and Charlene has just graduated from the University of Michigan—without her "Mrs." degree. Her mother recently passed away, and soon afterwards her father fled the silence, to a new home and job on the other side of the state. So, Charlene is going "home" to what is now an empty house. Two things will make this long, hot summer bearable: Her father has hired Reeves Valenti—the high school sweetheart she left behind—to help her get the house ready to be put up for sale; and a lawyer unexpectedly knocks on her door, bearing information about the woman she idolizes—her great-great-great Aunt Olivia Killion. Charlene is eager to finally learn what happened to Olivia and her friend and partner Mourning Free. She does not know that the answer to that question will deepen the connection she feels to Olivia, and also bring a new person, and a fundamental change, into her life.

Olivia and Mourning thought they had succeeded in creating a home, of sorts. A credible lie concealed their secret and enabled them to live with their son, all under the same roof. They had a means of support. They had friends. But something was wrong. This life had begun to feel confining and unsustainable. Mourning felt the need to get away and be on his own. His disappearance left Olivia struggling with her own choices. Can they find their way back to one another, force the impossible to become possible, and remain a family?

It is 1857. Olivia, Nick, their two little girls, and Charlie still live in the old boarding house. It has been nine years since Mourning left. Nine years since the last time Olivia has seen him—though he has always managed to arrange with Michelle to have Charlie spend a few weeks with him each summer. But today Olivia is anxiously awaiting Mourning's arrival. Yesterday he sent a message with Michelle—he needs to talk with Olivia. Why now? What will he say? Does he intend to take Charlie for good? On this already emotionally-charged day, a cryptic telegram from Missouri arrives. It will take Olivia, Mourning, and Nick on a different kind of journey together.