Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on the critically acclaimed historical fiction of Julie McDonald Zander—including a new release. Read on to learn more!
"Zander intersects history, letters, and experiences to create a rich connection and threads of thought between past and present worlds.” ~Midwest Book Review
Bonus: Sign up for Julie's newsletter and get a FREE copy of Retracing the Oregon Trail in Pictures, a color pictorial of the route traveled by thousands of early pioneers in the 19th century.
Shattered Peace: A Century of Silence
New Release: March 2025Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical World War I Fiction, 20th Century History of the U.S.
4.8 stars, 10 ratings
From $4.99
A forgotten diary. A century-old secret. A town still haunted by its past.
When former Navy Seabee Colleen Holmes inherits an old house in Centralia, Washington, she sees it as a chance to escape her own ghosts and start anew. But as she peels back layers of history within the home’s walls, she unearths long-buried secrets tied to a dark chapter in the town’s history.
Hidden behind crumbling plaster, a faded diary and a bundle of love letters unveil the struggles of a soldier trapped in the trenches of France and the heartbreak of those left waiting at home. Yet the diary’s brittle pages hold more than just longing—they bear witness to the explosive events of November 11, 1919, when a parade meant to celebrate peace erupted into violence and bloodshed.
As Colleen pieces together the tragic choices that shattered lives and fractured a town, she realizes history is never truly buried. The wounds of yesterday still shape today, and the past is not done with her yet.
Inspired by true events, Shattered Peace is a gripping time-slip novel of love, loss, and the echoes of history that refuse to fade. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network and The Girl You Left Behind, this haunting tale of resilience, redemption, and the pursuit of truth will linger long after the final page.
Praise for Shattered Peace
"A compelling, winning story about a tragedy...that ultimately forges new paths toward peace and understanding in ways readers won’t see coming." ~Midwest Book Review
"A heartbreaking story of families torn apart." ~Melanie Dobson, author of Catching the Wind
"An incredible dual-time story." ~Leslie Gould, A Brighter Dawn
"A white-knuckle historical novel." ~Sandra Crowell, The Land Called Lewis
The Reluctant Pioneer
Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns, Western & Frontier Christian Romance, Christian Historical Romance4.9 stars, 79 ratings
From $9.99
A pioneer woman’s journey, inspired by a true story.
Matilda Koontz cherishes her life as a wife and mother on a Missouri farm, but her hardworking husband wants to claim free farmland in the Pacific Northwest. When he suggests selling the farm to trek two thousand miles across the Oregon Trail, Matilda balks, but in the spring of 1847, Matilda and Nicholas Koontz and their sons embark on a grueling journey westward on the Oregon Trail.
With new struggles at every turn, Matilda wonders how she can protect her sons on such a perilous journey. Fresh graves attest to dangers of disease, accidents, starvation, and a multitude of hazards threatening her family and her beloved’s dream. Will they reach the trail’s end? Will the babe growing inside her womb survive?
When tragedy strikes, the question changes: How can she possibly continue?
Praise for The Reluctant Pioneer
"A must-read for fans of historical fiction and of strong women.” ~Dawn Shipman, author of the Lost Stones of Argonia Series
"Captures the tumultuous journey...and unwavering hope of one woman who began the walk to Oregon Territory in 1847." ~Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends
"A heart-rending, beautiful tale inspiring us to relate to the courage, heartbreak, and joys of an amazing woman.” ~Barbara Tifft Blakey, Bertie’s War
"Captures not just experience, but the motivations and relationships that impacted Oregon Trail riders." ~Midwest Book Review
About the Author
Julie McDonald Zander, an avid fan of history, earned a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from the University of Washington. After working two decades as a newspaper reporter and editor, she launched a personal history business to capture and preserve life stories. Her company, Chapters of Life, has published more than seventy-five books. Learn more at Julie's website, get a free copy of Retracing the Oregon Trail in Pictures when you sign up for her newsletter, and be sure to follow Julie online:
