Contemporary Characters

Historical Encounters

Page-turning Adventure

Blog

The Catacombs’ Curse- a Paranormal Thriller

The Catacombs’ Curse- a Paranormal Thriller
By A.K. Patch on Aug 27, 2020 in The Catacombs' Curse

Stories come to authors by different means. The idea for THE CATACOMBS’ CURSE didn’t arise in a dream state or the need to write to market.

This novel had its start within the Paris Catacombs.

Read more...

Did Bessus battle PTSD?

By A.K. Patch on Jun 12, 2020 in The Apollo Series

The psychological background and surprising pedigree of this 5th Century BCE warrior.

Readers of the Apollo Series trilogy often remark that they find this Bactrian horseman one of the most interesting characters to follow in the story. I worked on his personality traits with a psychologist, and there’s more to know on the background on this often terrifying, but complicated, warrior.

Read more...

Professor Lauren Fletcher : A Heroine in Any Age

Professor Lauren Fletcher : A Heroine in Any Age
By A.K. Patch on Mar 13, 2019 in The Apollo Series

One of my main characters, Professor Lauren Fletcher, is a heroine in any age – past, present, or future. A woman who grows into her strength throughout the book, she is both a warrior and a catalyst to events large and small.

Read more...

Author Event: November 8 at 7:00 PM in Hingham, Massachusetts

Author Event: November 8 at 7:00 PM in Hingham, Massachusetts
By A.K. Patch on Oct 31, 2018

Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 -- If you are fascinated by Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series, if you love how Dan Brown weaves history throughout his books, if you can’t put a good thriller down, and if you ever wondered where authors get their story ideas, this event is for you!

Read more...

The Audacity to Run for President: Truth and Legends about Victoria Woodhull

The Audacity to Run for President: Truth and Legends about Victoria Woodhull
By A.K. Patch on May 11, 2018

For those of you regretting Hillary Clinton’s loss – and for those who are not – Hillary was not the first woman to run for President. In fact, one woman preceded her by 136 years: Victoria Woodhull.

A name you’ve never heard, perhaps. But Woodhull owns a unique place in American history.

Read more...

The Reality of DUNKIRK

The Reality of DUNKIRK
By A.K. Patch on Aug 07, 2017

Movies about historical events attempt to bring to light the lives and decisions of individuals and nations and compel the audience to experience the climactic events from the comfort of their chairs.

Of course it's entertainment, and we're good at sitting and watching. And this is fine as long as some of us absorb, at some level, something of what the director hopes we learn from the experience.

Read more...

How Dr. Seuss Got His Start

How Dr. Seuss Got His Start
By A.K. Patch on Jun 22, 2017

Did you ever wonder how Dr. Seuss, the iconic author and illustrator of such children's books as THE CAT IN THE HAT, THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS, and THE LORAX got his start?

Theodor Seuss Geisel, who lived to age 87, grew up Springfield, Massachusetts and matriculated at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire in 1925.

Read more...

Patch of History: 10 Historical Events in the Month of May

Patch of History: 10 Historical Events in the Month of May
By A.K. Patch on May 30, 2017

When we think of May, we think of the full promise of spring, the coming end of the school year, and the R&R associated with the three-day Memorial Day weekend.

But May is also a month in which a plethora of events, discoveries, and happenings occurred which impacted society in a variety of ways.

Each of the following is a story of the undaunted spirit of human nature, of events which set wheels in motion, and of happenings that impacted our society.

Read more...

TRUMP OFF TO A BAD START? THE WORST 'FIRST HUNDRED DAYS' OF U.S. PRESIDENTS

TRUMP OFF TO A BAD START?  THE WORST 'FIRST HUNDRED DAYS' OF U.S. PRESIDENTS
By A.K. Patch on Apr 28, 2017

How well has the First One Hundreds Days of the Trump administration gone? Turn on any cable news station, and the topic seems to be the focus of conversation.

The response to the question depends on what side of the aisle you�re on. Some hope that Donald Trump crashes and burns like a hydrogen-filled dirigible; at minimum, those on the left hope he is stopped from implementing his campaign promises. Others are cheering him on, hoping that he succeeds; yet most of these are still holding their breath But regardless of political position, one has to wonder at the inflated importance given to these first hundred days for any president.

To gain perspective, here are some of the worst first hundred days of past presidents.

Read more...

George Washington's Personal Torment

George Washington's Personal Torment
By A.K. Patch on Mar 09, 2017

From his early days in the British army, forming a rearguard and surviving Braddock's Massacre in 1755, to the miraculous success of the Revolutionary War against England, and then his two terms as president, George Washington is widely known for steadfast leadership against overwhelming odds.

Read more...