Marie Duess...
History author, freelance writer, and novelist known as Patrice Garfield
Previous Books
River Pines was my first historical novel. I cut my proverbial "teeth" on it and I had a great deal of fun writing it and researching the historical content.
I fell in love with all the characters...twin sisters, Elizabeth and Emily, identical looking but as different as any two sisters could be, Jack Drummond, Princeton-educated cowboy from Colorado with a sad secret that makes him vulnerable, angry and infuriating all at the same time. And Rone Dani
els, Jack's best friend--half white, half native American--who carries a secret of his own. Jack's ranch, River Pines, seems like a character in the story, too, and all the people who live there and all the people who love both Elizabeth and Jack are caught up in the whirlwind that becomes their marriage and passion. (This is definitely a "chick" book.)
River Pines is one of my very favorite "places" and every once in awhile I revisit it to remind myself that I can indeed create wonderful characters and tell a good story. It's not sophisticated, it's not the great American novel, but it's great fun.
While writing River Pines, the prequel to Rone Daniels, I had killed off the character Rone Daniels several times and in several ways--always at
night, right before I stopped writing for the day and went to bed. And every morning, I went back to my computer and deleted the passages in which I "killed" Rone. Perhaps I had fallen in love with him and just couldn't live without him. Or maybe he wouldn't let me. Most novelists will tell you that it isn't uncommon for a character to decide his or her own fate despite what the author intended.
So Rone not only lived, but got his own book. He's my favorite character.
Both River Pines and Rone Daniels were called "page turners" by reviewers, and that was evident from the phone calls I received from friends in the middle of the night who read them in one evening and just had to talk to me about them. Even my husband's grandfather, a fan of all the old time western writers--such as Zane Gray, Louis L'Amour, James Fennimore Cooper, and others--told me he couldn't put it down. That was the highest praise for me!
I fell in love with all the characters...twin sisters, Elizabeth and Emily, identical looking but as different as any two sisters could be, Jack Drummond, Princeton-educated cowboy from Colorado with a sad secret that makes him vulnerable, angry and infuriating all at the same time. And Rone Dani
els, Jack's best friend--half white, half native American--who carries a secret of his own. Jack's ranch, River Pines, seems like a character in the story, too, and all the people who live there and all the people who love both Elizabeth and Jack are caught up in the whirlwind that becomes their marriage and passion. (This is definitely a "chick" book.)River Pines is one of my very favorite "places" and every once in awhile I revisit it to remind myself that I can indeed create wonderful characters and tell a good story. It's not sophisticated, it's not the great American novel, but it's great fun.
While writing River Pines, the prequel to Rone Daniels, I had killed off the character Rone Daniels several times and in several ways--always at
night, right before I stopped writing for the day and went to bed. And every morning, I went back to my computer and deleted the passages in which I "killed" Rone. Perhaps I had fallen in love with him and just couldn't live without him. Or maybe he wouldn't let me. Most novelists will tell you that it isn't uncommon for a character to decide his or her own fate despite what the author intended. So Rone not only lived, but got his own book. He's my favorite character.
Both River Pines and Rone Daniels were called "page turners" by reviewers, and that was evident from the phone calls I received from friends in the middle of the night who read them in one evening and just had to talk to me about them. Even my husband's grandfather, a fan of all the old time western writers--such as Zane Gray, Louis L'Amour, James Fennimore Cooper, and others--told me he couldn't put it down. That was the highest praise for me!
River Pines and Rone Daniels were published in the 1990s. They received great reviews, but unfortunately, just after releasing the Rone Daniels my publisher closed and three subsequent books for which I had contracted with them fell to the wayside. I lost heart in the business of publishing after that.
Although both River Pines and Rone Daniels are out of print, they seem to be available through Amazon.com (although I don't receive royalties any longer). I also have two boxes in my possession in case anyone would like to read them. Just email me at mpd@marieduess.com and let me know.
SOME COMMENTS FROM AUTHORS WHO HAVE READ THESE BOOKS:
I purchased "River Pines" last night and began reading it around 8:30 p.m. I couldn't stop until I finished at 3:00. The wists in the plot grabbed me and wouldn't let go! I had to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next with Jack and Elizabeth. I can't wait to call the bookstore and have them order "Rone Daniels" for me. Patrina Jones, New Jersey
From a message website:
I want to tell all tht have read RIVER PINES and RONE DANIELS by Patrice Garfield and really enjoyed her books. She writes so that you really become involved with her characters and laugh and cry with them. Her descriptions are vivid, characters strong, and story line exceptioinal. Sally Lighter, Hawaii
Excerpts from letters:
Will be honest with you, I started your books thinking "oh, well, might as well," and have fallen in love with all your characters and all the action.
I've never written a fan letter before, but I just had to write to tell you how much I enjoyed your two books and am dying to read the third when it is finished. Such creation must certainly give you pleasure, as it gave me as a reader.
Thank you for River Pines and Rone Daniels, two of the most interesting and demanding books I've read in a long time!
I purchased "River Pines" last night and began reading it around 8:30 p.m. I couldn't stop until I finished at 3:00. The wists in the plot grabbed me and wouldn't let go! I had to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next with Jack and Elizabeth. I can't wait to call the bookstore and have them order "Rone Daniels" for me. Patrina Jones, New Jersey
From a message website:
I want to tell all tht have read RIVER PINES and RONE DANIELS by Patrice Garfield and really enjoyed her books. She writes so that you really become involved with her characters and laugh and cry with them. Her descriptions are vivid, characters strong, and story line exceptioinal. Sally Lighter, Hawaii
Excerpts from letters:
Will be honest with you, I started your books thinking "oh, well, might as well," and have fallen in love with all your characters and all the action.
I've never written a fan letter before, but I just had to write to tell you how much I enjoyed your two books and am dying to read the third when it is finished. Such creation must certainly give you pleasure, as it gave me as a reader.
Thank you for River Pines and Rone Daniels, two of the most interesting and demanding books I've read in a long time!
