Preserving Stories from the Mountains to the Margins
Rooted in generations of life in Southern Appalachia, my historical research and creative writing explore the complex, often overlooked stories of rural Kentucky. From family legacies and cultural traditions to unsolved crimes and community lore, my work brings together investigative insight and narrative depth to preserve the region’s heritage — and its mysteries.
This section of my portfolio represents my commitment to honoring the voices and histories of Appalachian communities — both the ordinary and the extraordinary. Whether through true crime, family narratives, or cultural commentary, I aim to document the stories that history books often leave behind.
Tracing the Strength and Legacy of Appalachian Women
Silent Matriarchs is a deeply personal and historically grounded narrative that honors the lives of five generations of women in my Appalachian lineage. Set against the backdrop of Kentucky’s rugged mountain communities — including Leslie, Clay, Perry, and Pulaski counties — the book weaves family stories, oral history, and regional research into a powerful portrait of love, loss, survival, and resilience.
Beginning with the legend of “Big Jim” settling in Wilder Branch and Hell-for-Certain, the story traces the matrilineal legacy from Hannah Huff to Mahala Begley, Mary Elizabeth Doolin (“Maw”), Stella Begley, and finally Effie — my grandmother. Through their lives, Silent Matriarchs captures the spirit of Appalachian women who held families together through war, poverty, tragedy, and change.
This book is more than memoir or history — it’s a reclamation of voices often unheard in traditional narratives. It brings to life the untold stories of the women who shaped Appalachia from within kitchens, fields, front porches, and coal camps, offering readers a rare view into a culture defined not by stereotypes but by strength, sacrifice, and quiet leadership.
Silent Matriarchs is a foundational part of my work in Appalachian storytelling and historical preservation. It reflects my ongoing commitment to elevating the lived experiences of rural women and to documenting the complex, often unrecorded history of the region I call home.
Hometown Murders and Mysteries: Pulaski County, Kentucky
This ongoing true crime series blends historical research with storytelling to re-examine forgotten or unsolved crimes from Pulaski County’s past. Drawing on newspaper archives, court records, oral histories, and genealogical sources, the series offers readers a glimpse into the lives — and deaths — that shaped small-town Kentucky.
Volume I and Volume II include cases that span decades, from suspicious disappearances to sensational murders, each situated within the broader cultural and historical context of Appalachian life. These stories are more than headlines — they are windows into justice, memory, and the rural experience.
Whether you're drawn to the quiet strength of Appalachian women or intrigued by the unsolved crimes that echo through Kentucky’s hills and hollers, these stories offer a deeper understanding of the people and places that shaped a region. I invite you to explore the books below — each one crafted to preserve history, stir curiosity, and give voice to those often left out of the record.
👇 Click on any cover to learn more, read previews, or listen to the audiobooks.
