Trana Mathews's Blog

April 3, 2025

4.5-Star Review

I'm so blown away by this 4.5-star review of The Mathews Family that I just have to share. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read it.
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Published on April 03, 2025 09:43

February 5, 2025

Life in Ohio

Life in Ohio, the final novel of the Mathews Family Saga is available as an ebook. The paperback will be published within a short time. This early 19th century American historical fiction covers the years 1802 to the mid-1830s. The Ohio frontier becomes a state. Within a short time, harsh, restrictive "Black Laws" are enacted. The doctor copes with natural disasters, land disputes, disease, and even the War of 1812. In the later years, the town Dr. Increase helped found becomes an abolitionist hotbed.

I never dreamed this would be a 4-book series when I began writing. It's been a journey of discovery!
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Published on February 05, 2025 08:44

November 17, 2022

Life with Nabby

Announcing #bookrelease of Life with Nabby. It's the third novel in my #historicalfiction series, Mathews Family Saga. To celebrate, #ebooksale on Amazon - Free download of the first two novels on November 18th, 19th, and 20th. Don't miss out! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=trana+math...
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Published on November 17, 2022 06:16 Tags: historical-fiction

August 17, 2022

Mathews Family Saga Continues

At long last, Book 3 of the Mathews Family Saga is in the hands of beta readers. This historical fiction novel covers Dr. Increase's return to the frontier and Ohio land purchase. He encounters his nemesis there. His life is changed when tragedy strikes.

Their feedback has been good. I hope to soon have their suggested changes. Then final revisions and publication!
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Published on August 17, 2022 16:17 Tags: historical-fiction

March 2, 2022

Guest Author

If you live near southeastern Arizona, hope to see you there!

open mic night
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Published on March 02, 2022 12:39 Tags: guest-author-historical-fiction

February 17, 2022

Rereading

It's been almost a decade since I finished reading The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I reread the early novels many times because there was such a long period before a new book was published.

After watching The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime, some parts were very different from what I remembered. My son and I discussed the TV series and shared our thoughts. We both felt we wanted to reread The Eye of the World, but wondered if we would end up rereading the entire series again each time the next part of the TV series is aired.

Last week, I dug out my 1990 paperback, which originally cost $6.99. This is in very sad condition, with the beginning pages falling out of the book. This is one reason why I prefer hardbacks. But, it did get used a lot by me, my son, and my nephew. I did think about getting the novel on my Kindle, but decided not because of the current price.

I'm now about three quarters through rereading. The book is so much better than the TV version, where important items and events are glossed over. One thing that had bothered me was the casting of Mat. Rand should be so much taller than anyone else, yet this Mat is almost the same height. I also didn't like what they did with Perrin. I just don't understand why they would have him married at the very beginning, much less killing his wife.

If you have not read the book, you should take time to do so now.
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Published on February 17, 2022 08:56 Tags: fantasy-reread-robert-jordan

November 30, 2021

Transcribing, Not Writing

When I took my research trip this summer, I took photos of 200+ year-old, handwritten documents. I've been busy transcribing these. The John Mathews Collection at Marietta College also became available in digital format (more photos!), and I'm also transcribing some of these, but I'm nearing the end and will soon get back to revising the next book. Since John and Dr. Increase had a general store, their records show a true glimpse of life during the early 1800s.

Dr. Increase's second land dispute is still a mystery to me, as the records I was able to locate just don't fit the facts from the Supreme Court opinion. Maybe I should be thankful because writing historical fiction does allow me to bend this to suit.

This exercise has yielded interesting information that I can't wait to share with you. I had hoped to publish the next book in January. It now appears it will be early spring.
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Published on November 30, 2021 06:39

September 18, 2021

Free eBooks

My historical fiction novels The Mathews Family and Dr. Increase: Mathews Family Saga Book 2 are free to all on Kindle until September 19th! Please visit Amazon to get your free ebook today!
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Published on September 18, 2021 07:51

August 23, 2021

Researching

Arrived in #Zanesville, Ohio yesterday. Almost 1900 miles from home!

#MuskingumCountyHistory will share their archives today and tomorrow. Excited to see documents from 200+ years ago. Should get a few answers about Increase's land dispute with the Ebenezer Zane family! #HistoricalFiction #amwriting #researching
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Published on August 23, 2021 02:30 Tags: historical-fiction-research

August 12, 2021

Book Signing

Muskingum County History is hosting a meet-the-author, book signing, and luncheon on Friday, August 27th at the Dr. Increase Mathews museum in Zanesville, Ohio. Hope to see you there!
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Published on August 12, 2021 10:08 Tags: book-signing-event