Trilogy Approaching Completion

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

With the Iron Horse Chronicles trilogy approaching completion, I have changed the header on this website. For the past couple of years, Union Pacific’s Engine 119 has been approaching Promontory Summit in Utah from a distance. On July 19, 2017, Golden Spike will be released by Five Star Publishing, and the trilogy about Will Braddock’s quest to determine his own destiny will be complete. It is appropriate that with publication of the final volume about to occur, Engine 119 needs to draw nearer its destination. Stay tuned for another change to the header on July 19.

Posted in Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sun City Anthem Book Signing

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

Copies of The Iron Horse Chronicles ready for autographing.

The members of Anthem Authors had another successful book signing on Saturday, May 20, 2017, as part of the Spring Clubs Fair held at the Recreation Center in Sun City Anthem, Henderson, Nevada.

As you can see from the photo, I was able to autograph copies of Eagle Talons and Bear Claws in both hardcover and large print editions. I was also able to show people the “not for sale” advance reading copy of Golden Spike and inform them it will be released on July 19, 2017, by Five Star Publishing.

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Signing, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wyoming History News Announces Golden Spike

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

Wyoming History News, the official newsletter for the Wyoming State Historical Society, announced the upcoming release of Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Three, in its April 2017 edition. I have created this collage from the newsletter’s masthead and the announcement that appeared in the newsletter’s “On the Book Shelf” section.

 

Posted in Book Awards, Book Review, Central Pacific, Golden Spike - Book Three, Museums and Parks, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Roundup Magazine Article

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

I am proud to inform readers of this blog that Roundup Magazine published an article I wrote in the April 2017 issue.  The article is entitled: “In 1866, the UP made tracks to the first Wild West Show.” Shown here is the first page of the article, which is three pages long and features seven photographs to illustrate the story of this historical event.

Roundup Magazine is the official publication of Western Writers of America. The magazine is published bi-monthly in order to “provide a forum on issues that pertain to Western literature, in general, and Western Writers of America and its members, in particular.” You do not need to be a member of WWA to subscribe to Roundup. Subscriptions cost only $40 per year from Western Writers of America Inc. at 271 CR 219, Encampment, WY 82325.

Posted in Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

WWI at Mad About MG History

Posted on April 29, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

Famous WWI Recruiting Poster

Regular readers of my blog know I am a regular contributor to another blog, Mad About MG History, which is devoted to providing information to teachers and librarians who are engaged in educating middle grade students about the joys and necessity of studying history. On April 27, 2017, I wrote a blog about World War I because one hundred years ago this month the United States entered that war. In my post I suggested numerous books suitable for young readers to learn about that “Great War” that was supposed to be the “war to end all wars.” As adults know, history repeats itself. It is important that young students appreciate that fact, as well. It is particularly true today with the United States involved in so many conflicts around the globe: Syria, Afghanistan, and North Korea being especially troublesome.

You can read my blog post about WWI here: http://madaboutmghistory.blogspot.com/

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Golden Spike at Western Fiction Review

Posted on April 22, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

[media-credit name=”Western Fiction Review” align=”aligncenter” width=”719″][/media-credit]

Western Fiction Review recently posted a great review of Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Three. Western Fiction Review has now reviewed all three books in the trilogy. I thank Steve M. for including my books in his fine website reviews.

You can check out the Golden Spike review, posted on April 3, 2017, by following this link: http://westernfictionreview.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/golden-spike.html.

While you are at Steve’s website, take time to read other reviews of new western books.

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Review, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sun City Anthem Book Signing

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

During the annual Spring Arts & Crafts Fair at Sun City Anthem, Henderson, Nevada, on Saturday, April 8, 2017, I signed books for several folks who purchased Eagle Talons, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book One, and Bear Claws, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Two. Many readers who had previously purchased the first two books in the trilogy where interested in when they would be able to add Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Three to their collections. I was pleased to tell them to expect the final book in the trilogy to be released by Five Star Publishing on July 19, 2017.

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Signing, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Golden Spike Available for Pre-Order

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Three, is now available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can select the tabs in the right-hand sidebar of this website to go to the respective Robert Lee Murphy page and select Golden Spike from there.

Five Star Publishing recently released the “sell sheet” for Golden Spike. Five Star distributes the sell sheet to libraries, book dealers, book distributors, and book reviewers.

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Review, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Local Author Showcase

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

On Saturday, March 18, 2017, I participated in the annual Local Author Showcase at the Paseo Verde Library in Henderson, Nevada. Seventy authors from the Vegas Valley autographed their books for patrons of the library. The authors were divided into two groups; half of them present during the morning and half during the afternoon. I joined the morning group to sign copies of Eagle Talons and Bear Claws of The Iron Horse Chronicles. This is the third time I have been part of the Local Author Showcase.

I was particularly pleased at this signing to be able to point out to readers that Eagle Talons, the first book in The Iron Horse Chronicles, had won the 2015 Bronze Will Rogers Medallion Award for younger readers; and that in 2016, the second book, Bear Claws, received the Silver Will Rogers Medallion Award for younger readers and was awarded First Place for Fiction by the Wyoming State Historical Society.

My next book signing will be at the Sun City Anthem Recreation Center in Henderson, Nevada, on April 8, 2017. You can keep track of my book signings, past and future, by checking the Events tab of this website.

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Signing, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Great New E-book Website

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

Until recently, when folks wanted to read The Iron Horse Chronicles in e-book form, they were limited to Amazon’s Kindle. Five Star Publishing has placed its books, including mine, on a great new site that now allows other ways to enjoy e-books. Now, when buyers ask me at a signing if the book is available for Nook or Kobo, I do not have to apologize and answer “no.”

Check out this link to Five Star’s catalog of e-books on My Must Reads: http://fivestarpublishing.papertrell.com/fivestarpublishing

If you read on an Apple or Google device, or on an Amazon Fire, a Nook, or Kobo, you can download the My Must Reads app to your device. When you open the above link, select the FAQs item in the upper right hand corner of the page and you will find directions on how to install the app and how to order books. (Note: Amazon’s Kindles do not work with the My Must Reads app. If you read on a Kindle, you must download directly from Amazon.)

Return to the Five Star page and scroll down to the second row of books entitled Historical Fiction/Young Adult Crossover and you will immediately see Eagle Talons. By tapping the arrow to the right of this row of books you will transition to additional volumes where you will find Bear Claws. I am including this new link in Favorite Websites in the right-hand sidebar of my website.

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