GOLDEN PROMISE OF CRIPPLE CREEK TALK ~ January 17, 2026

I'm excited to be giving a talk at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center at one o'clock on Saturday, January 17. Beautiful museum detailing the Cripple Creek District's remarkable past. Every time I visit I learn something new. I will be discussing my time travel romance, THE GOLDEN PROMISE OF CRIPPLE CREEK, wherein my self-absorbed social media influencer, Maeve Mooney, tumbles down a mine shaft to find herself in turn-of-the-century Cripple Creek during the months before the Colorado Labor Wars. My hope is that locals will attend, purchase GOLDEN PROMISE and afterward kindly inform me of all the historical mistakes I made so I can correct them in the six-book Cripple Creek series I am currently working on. So much I don't know! So much to learn! Writing about decades old events rather than centuries old, I'm eager to hear personal stories and anecdotes that may never have been put into writing.

Possible topics of discussion:

1.       How do Maeve’s values change after she falls down the “White Rabbit” into the past? 

2.       Why did you choose Maeve’s occupation as a social media influencer and physical fitness instructor?

3.       What were the most surprising things you learned about the Colorado Labor Wars?

4.       How does the historical struggle between miners and owners mirror modern debates about power, labor, and technology?

5.        Ronan Doyle believes that “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice—except for America’s working class.” Is that a literary trope or do you share Ronan’s belief?

6.        How does Maeve’s modern perspective influence Ronan’s decisions—and vice versa?

7.       What did you find most frustrating about writing The Golden Promise of Cripple Creek? 

8.        Why did you tie the history of the Molly Maguires to that of Ronan and Liam Doyle?

9.        In what ways does Golden Promise blend genres (romance, history, fantasy)? Did any element dominate for you?

10.    Many supporting characters—miners, wives, children—embody resilience. Which ancillary stories or moments most moved you?

11.   In what ways do you believe life in 1904 Cripple Creek/Victor are superior to today’s?

12.   Since the richest gold mines were located around Victor, why did you focus your story in Cripple Creek?

GOLDEN PROMISE OF CRIPPLE CREEK WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE TALK.