Tug of the Wishbone

by Katherine L. Holmes

Maureen doesn't plan to repeat the mistakes of her divorced parents. Her 1960's experiences are presented alongside family leave-takings. When marriage seems imminent, the leave-takings are with men. Maureen's photography proves to be a more permanent involvement. Eventually she struggles with depression and clings to her work until that is with a man that she would readily date. Outside their magazine, she defiantly exposes a large poultry farm while confronting her need for a constant love relationship. With Minnesota settings, the book covers thirty years. Its comic relief reflects that resource in Maureen.

292 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2016

About the author

Katherine L. Holmes lives in Duluth, Minnesota, where, besides writing, she works with used books. She has an M.A. in Writing from the University of Minnesota, obtained after stints in publishing and newspaper reporting. Her first published book, The House in Windward Leaves, became a Finalist in both the 2013 Next Generation and the National Indie Excellence book awards. More about her and her other books can be found at her website: https://sites.google.com/site/katheri...

Reviews

[KATIE MEYERS]

Tug of the Wishbone is a reflective and character-driven novel that follows Maureen’s life over several decades, exploring relationships, personal growth, and emotional resilience. The long-form structure gives the story a realistic and grounded feel as it traces her journey through different phases of life.

One of the strongest elements of the book is its focus on emotional continuity. Maureen’s experiences with family, relationships, and creative work are woven together in a way that feels authentic and deeply human. Her connection to photography adds an especially meaningful layer to her character, serving as both an outlet and a stabilizing force throughout her life.

The novel also balances moments of humor and emotional struggle, creating a narrative that feels textured and true to life rather than overly simplified. The Minnesota setting and generational perspective help ground the story further, making it feel both personal and expansive.

Overall, this is a thoughtful and emotionally rich read for fans of literary fiction focused on character development, life journeys, and realistic emotional storytelling.

[Lance Morcan]

Beautifully crafted and written, it’s easy to see why author Katherine Holmes was a finalist in the National Indie Excellence book awards for her earlier work.

‘Tug of the Wishbone’ is her latest work of fiction. It’s also Maureen’s story – and although categorized as women’s fiction it appealed to this male reader. (Loved the comic relief). Recommended to all who seek a genuine literary read.