This author delves into the essence of landscape and the human lives within it. Their work explores the profound connection between people and the places they call home, often capturing the beauty and complexity of existence in environments with a strong sense of character. With a unique voice and keen eye for detail, they offer readers compelling narratives of journeys and discovery.
Exploring existential angst, the poems delve into a dark world reminiscent of ogres, yet infused with a sense of hope and lightness through the Holy Spirit's presence. Russell Rowland's beautifully crafted verses serve as an honest exploration of faith and the unknown, inviting readers to embrace their struggles with a lighter heart.
Montana, 1968: The small town of Paradise Valley is ripped open when popular rancher and notorious bachelor Tom Butcher is found murdered one morning, beaten to death by a baseball bat. Suspicion among the tight-knit community immediately falls on the outsider, Carl Logan, who recently moved in with his family and his troubled son Roger. What Carl doesn't realize is that there are plenty of people in Paradise Valley who have reason to kill Tom Butcher. Complications arise when the investigating officers discover that Tom Butcher had a secret--a secret he kept even from Junior Kirby, a lifelong rancher and Butcher's best friend. As accusations fly and secrets are revealed one after another, the people of Paradise Valley learn how deeply Tom Butcher was embedded in their lives, and that they may not have known him at all. With familiar mastery, Russell Rowland, the author of In Open Spaces and Fifty-Six Counties, returns to rural Montana to explore a small town torn apart by secrets and suspicions, and how the tenuous bonds of friendship struggle to hold against the differences that would sever us.
Russell Rowland is acclaimed for his engaging storytelling and deep character exploration. His works often delve into complex themes of identity, belonging, and the human experience, drawing readers into richly crafted narratives. Rowland's ability to weave personal and universal truths makes his writing resonate with a diverse audience, earning him praise from critics and readers alike. His unique voice and perspective contribute to the contemporary literary landscape, marking him as a significant figure in modern fiction.