The Fall of Bellwether

"Broughman has created an American epic, a grand story that stretches across land and water, time and race, gender and religion. ... as characters go off to war, flee to cities, and escape the terrors of slavery, we encounter the awesome forces of mercy, hope, even forgiveness. Broughman's prose sweeps from achingly tender to brutal and bare-knuckled, his prowess managing multiple voices and tensions. ...brazenly beautiful writing." -John Mauk, author of Field Notes for the Earthbound In the heart of 1841 Midwest lies Bellwether, with its cobblestone streets and whispered secrets Here a mother and daughter fight against abandonment and starvation, defying the harsh reality that seeks to crush them both. But this resilience isn't just a flicker; it's a blazing challenge to the very fabric of the town's beliefs. The Fall of Bellwether beckons readers into a world where love is forbidden and forgiveness is rare currency. With the skill of a master storyteller, the Broughman breathes life into the inhabitants of Bellwether, weaving an intricate web of relationships that captivates the soul. Follow Sarah and Hiram as they navigate the treacherous waters of illicit romance, their hearts entangled in a dance against societal norms. Get to know Eva and Uriah as they bravely open the door to forgiveness, inviting light into the shadows of the past. The Fall of Bellwether is a literary gem, a testament to the indomitable resilience of the human spirit. In its pages, a mesmerizing tale unfolds. Step into the past and discover the strength that can be found even in the darkest of times.

About the Author :
Chad V. Broughman was the recipient of the Rusty Scythe Prize Book Award and the Adobe Cottage Writers Retreat honor in New Mexico. As well, Chad was awarded two chapbook contracts for his short story collections--"The Forsaken" and "Slighted"--both published by Etchings Press. His fiction can be found in journals nationwide, such as Carrier Pigeon, East Coast Literary Review, River Poets Journal, Burningword, Pulp Fiction, Sky Island Journal, and From Whispers to Roars, and he is anthologized in Write Michigan Short Story Anthology, On Loss, and Scribes Valley Anthology. He is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominee, holds an MFA from Spalding University and served as co-editor for the fiction/poetry blog "Cafe Aphra" based out of the United Kingdom. Chad teaches English and Creative Writing at the secondary and post-secondary levels but is most proud of his roles as a husband and devoted father to two rambunctious young sons.

Review :
Broughman has created an American epic, a grand story that stretches across land and water, time and race, gender and religion. ... as characters go off to war, flee to cities, and escape the terrors of slavery, we encounter the awesome forces of mercy, hope, even forgiveness. Broughman's prose sweeps from achingly tender to brutal and bare-knuckled, his prowess managing multiple voices and tensions. ...brazenly beautiful writing. -John Mauk, author of Field Notes for the Earthbound Chad Broughman's debut novel is as beautiful as it is brutal, a tale of small-minded evil and redemption set in post-Civil War America. The Fall of Bellwether left me feeling like I'd just read a horror story wrapped in a lullaby. It's a page-turner that will stick with me forever. -Susan Donovan, New York Times Bestselling author of Take A Chance on Me The fictional town of Bellwether is home to complicated characters whose lives are forever entangled and whose stories Broughman weaves together with vivid detail and great care. This complex novel does not shy away from the evil that can emerge from narrow-minded communities and their false piety and prejudices, but in these pages, too, a reader will find sophisticated understanding and remarkable grace. -Patricia Ann McNair, author of Responsible Adults  ... dystopian in scope and yet closer to home than we'd like to believe. Here is America: from slavery to the Civil War to the Great Chicago Fire, from brothels to mining camps to church pulpits. The Fall of Bellwether shows how even the most hopeless can be redeemed, and just when all seems lost, true treasure is found. -Siobhan Fallon, author of You Know When the Men Are Gone Juxtaposed with the beautiful woods of the upper peninsula of Michigan, this historical novel follows multiple, intertwined, dark and poignant story lines which each illuminate the complexities of enslavement in all of its forms. The lessons it teaches are those still desperately needed today. -Patti Eddington, author of The Girl with Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter's Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths and Tall Tales