Providence
Book One in The McBride Chronicles Trilogy
Coming Soon
Spring 2022
PROVIDENCE, the first book in The McBride Chronicles Trilogy, tells the sweeping story of two parallel lives – a feisty, orphaned girl in England and the son of a poor fisherman in Scotland – who both journey separately to the frontier of the New World in search of a better life. After many adventures along the way, they meet in Victoria on Vancouver Island in 1862, fall in love, marry and create a family dynasty with a backdrop of British Columbia’s incredible history over the next four generations.
Containing hardship, intrigue, deception, lies and, above all, a great love affair, PROVIDENCE is guaranteed to be enjoyed by all who relish historical fiction at its finest. Why not start the McBride story now with the first book in the trilogy – PROVIDENCE – to be released soon by Hancock House Publishers.
Visit Vanessa Winn’s review of Providence, Settlers at the Edge of Empire on The British Columbia Review.
The New Cover!
Reviews
Valerie Green made her name writing wonderfully engaging nonfiction stories about Victoria and environs, sharing tales told by built heritage (Dunmora: The Story of a Heritage Manor House on Vancouver Island; If These Walls Could Talk: Victoria’s Houses from the Past, I and II), and class in settler culture (Above Stairs: Social Life in Upper-Class Victoria, 1843–1918), as well as most evocative memoir (Embrace the Journey: A Care Giver’s Story).
Green has now turned her capacious storytelling skills to fiction with Providence, the first volume of The McBride Chronicles (we can anticipate two more, according to Green).
Providence kicks off its dynastic-tale-to-be with the backstories, in alternating chapters, of its main characters: the British orphan (Jane) and the son of a Scottish fisher family (Gideon). The pair traverse the worlds of life in service (Jane) and life at sea and in business (Gideon), enduring travails and enjoying adventures en route to meeting in Victoria BC, falling in love, and creating a family in the 1860s. Their trials and triumphs together continue and, as BC joins Canada’s Confederation in 1871, fallout from a tragedy threatens to undo them and all they’ve created together. Truth helps them endure, create something bigger than themselves, and add another storied layer to the McBride tale, doubtless to be unveiled as the saga continues in Volume II.
Fans of Green’s detailed non-fiction will find similar strengths in this story, offering vivid particulars of life in a particular time and place (Victorian-era Victoria) that allow readers to readily imagine and inhabit the world of Providence. While there is some resolution of events at the end of Book One, enough seeds are sown to create anticipation for the tale’s continuation… in Book Two! Green knows well how to leave readers wanting more.
.”
— Moira Dunn, author of Craigdarroch Castle in 21 Treasures.
“I instantly liked Green’s character of Jane. I particularly enjoyed her curiosity and the fact that you can feel her liveliness. Jane had my empathy from the get-go. I also really liked the hooks at the end of each section or chapter. They are well done and always made me want to keep reading.” “
— Judi Lees, author of “Lester’s Gifts“.
“This book could well become a televised series! I feel it would easily lend itself well to that.“
— Theresa Laviolette, freelance editor.
Val's
Literary Poll
June 2022
Check back each month for more fun literary polls!
(Poll results will be posted here!)
Valerie Green
A Wordsmith at Work
Valerie is a Canadian author living in Victoria, British Columbia.
Born and educated in England with a background in journalism, history, and English literature, Valerie moved to Canada in 1968, married, and raised a family while continuing an active career as a published author of over 20 nonfiction books. In addition, Valerie freelances for numerous magazines and newspapers.
“I feel devoutly thankful to have been born fond of writing.”
—Winston Churchill
Featured Titles
Providence
Providence Book One of the McBride Chronicles PROVIDENCE, the first book in The McBride Chronicles Trilogy, tells the sweeping story of two parallel lives – a feisty, orphaned girl in England and the son of a poor fisherman in Scotland – who both journey separately to the frontier of the New World in search of a …
Dunmora
Dunmora The Story of a Heritage Manor House on Vancouver Island Step back in time and listen to the walls talking as the writer describes a totally different world through almost ten decades in the life of Dunmora, a heritage manor house on the Saanich Peninsula of Vancouver Island. The reader will relish learning about …
Gamblers, Gunmen and Good-time Gals
Gamblers, Gunmen and Good-time Gals Living It Up in the Wild West The promise of fast money and good times attracted some of America’s most legendary personalities to the mines, gambling dens, and bordellos of early Colorado. This was a world of famous gunslingers, slick con men, expert gamblers, and high-class madams. This is a …
Mysterious British Columbia
Mysterious British Columbia Myths, Murders, Mysteries and Legends Crimes never solved, eerie sightings never explained and paranormal events that stretch the limits of the mind–these mysteries continue to baffle British Columbians to this day: Ogopogo has its roots in Native mythology, and numerous sightings dating back to the 1870s have only fuelled the legend. Could …
Above Stairs
Above Stairs Social Life in Upper-Class Victoria, 1843–1918 In Above Stairs, we get to know eight upper-class families—the ones who instituted the laws, surveyed the landscapes, founded businesses, and set a standard of propriety for settlers in Victoria. “Like a housekeeper sneaking up the servants’ steps to spy into the parlor, we discover the glamorous, complicated …
Vanished: The Michael Dunahee Story
Vanished: The Michael Dunahee Story In March 1991, Michael Wayne Dunahee was abducted from a Victoria, BC playground, virtually in front of his parents’ eyes. Police were alerted within minutes of Michael’s disappearance, and a full-scale search of the area was initiated immediately, but with no witnesses to the crime, law enforcement was stymied. There …
Embrace the Journey: A Care Giver’s Story
Embrace the Journey A Care Giver’s Story Part personal story, part resource guide for care givers, Embrace the Journey will touch your heart. In midlife, as the adult child of ailing parents, Valerie Green faced the challenges of making agonizing decisions and choices for parents who wanted to “age in place.” This book is Valerie’s personal journey, …
Fifty Conversations from the Past:
Fifty Conversations from the Past: Imaginary Interviews of a Time-Traveling Reporter This book is a completely different way to look at the history of British Columbia—through the voices of those who actually lived it. “A veritable cornucopia of characters that helped make British Columbia the fascinating province it is today.” Sue Hodgson, Publisher Publication Details …
Legends, Liars, and Lawbreakers
Legends, Liars, and Lawbreakers Incredible Tales from the Pacific Northwest Throughout history some people have pushed the limit of what is acceptable to society. Those featured in this book lived in an era when smuggling was rife, liquor was plentiful, and murder was rampant. Many become legends in their own lifetimes and, although often feared …
If More Walls Could Talk
If More Walls Could Talk: Vancouver Island’s Houses from the Past In this sequel, Valerie Green has again lent an ear to some historic homes, this time exploring other homes in Greater Victoria, plus those on southern Vancouver Island, Duncan, the Cowichan Valley, Port Alberni, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Courtney, Campbell River, and the North Island. …
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Head over to https://www.valeriegreenauthor.com/ and look for this month's Poll in the right hand column on the home page (or just below the reviews for Providence on a mobile device).
We think you will enjoy - this one is mainly for the ladies.
#GreenonHistory #FrankLloydWright #PrairieStyle #Architecture
Every fortnight or so, we will share a tale of mystery, murder or paranormal mayhem from Val’s book "Mysterious British Columbia" (https://www.valeriegreenauthor.com/mysterious-british-columbia/)
Today’s mystery…
Who Was the Real Ten Mile Point Murderer?
Early in November 1898, the VictoriaTimes-Colonist newspaper reported on a murder that shocked the area of Ten Mile Point in BC’s capital city. The article stated that a young man had been brutally slain as he slept in his wilderness cabin that overlooked the Haro Strait east of Victoria. The man’s body had apparently been there for approximately 12 days before it was discovered. Even worse was that the young man’s cabin mate, an old family friend named Billy Hammond, had completely disappeared and was suspected of the deadly deed.The killing was graphically described as one of the most horrific homicides the province had ever seen, and the newspaper stated that although there were no apparent witnesses to the crime, the interior of the cabin “screamed murder!”
The victim was identified as 26-year-old Henry Smith. The cabin in which his mutilated body had been found was owned by his father but rented to their friend, Billy Hammond. Henry’s father felt convinced that Hammond had killed his son. He knew that Hammond held an old grudge against him concerning a long-overdue debt and, despite Hammond’s friendship with the victim, Smith firmly believed that Hammond had committed this atrocity as payback.
Was Billy Hammond the murderer?
The murder investigation continued for months and then took a rather surprising turn. Quite unexpectedly, another body was discovered near the railway tracks in Esquimalt on the outskirts of Victoria. Upon identification, the body proved to be that of Billy Hammond himself.
Ready to don your deerstalker and solve this mystery? More clues are found in "Mysterious British Columbia" by Valerie Green ( https://www.valeriegreenauthor.com/mysterious-british-columbia/)
Kind words.
One of the leading historians
In the 1990s, Valerie Green emerged as one of the leading historians of Victoria.
ABC Books BookWorld
A very capable job
Local author Valerie Green has written this very important little book (Vanished) for all the right reasons: to draw attention to a worthy cause and keep alive the memory of a precious life lost all these years ago . . . . Green does a very capable job of recapturing that awful moment back in March, 1991.
Ian Gordon Malcomson
A born storyteller
Author Valerie Green is a born storyteller; I read this book (Vanished) from start to finish in one sitting. She compassionately relates the story that broke the hearts of both a family and a nation- the abduction of Michael Dunahee. The reader can’t help but share the unwavering belief that Michael will indeed come home
Kate Lines, Retired Chief Superintendent
Victoria’s most prolific author
Valerie Green might be Victoria’s most prolific author and historian and has no plans of slowing down.
Travis Patterson
Lives and breathes culture and history
Valerie Green lives and breathes culture and history.