Folsom’s new book out in paperback


A book by Helen Walsh Folsom of Kansas City, Kan., is now out in both paperback and Kindle format.

Folsom’s fourth book, “Brandeen: In the Shadow of Captain Moonlight,” is a historical fiction young adult romance with action and adventure.

This book is part of a trilogy. Folsom’s first book in the series was “Fianna: The Dark Web of the Brotherhood.” Folsom has already written the next book in the series, and it is a prequel to these stories. The prequel currently is in editing.

The “Brandeen” book’s production was somewhat different from the first book, as Elizabeth Folsom, Helen’s daughter, helped Helen to self-publish it. She did the formatting of the book and also did the cover designs for it. Elizabeth also plans to do a video to promote the book on YouTube and Facebook.

Helen Folsom wrote two nonfiction books, “St. Patrick’s Secrets” and “Ah, Those Irish Colleens!” before turning to young adult fiction.

Helen formerly worked in the business offices of The Kansas City Kansan, and also is a former executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association. She has had articles published in magazines and newspapers.

“I find Helen’s books not only entertaining but very educational,” said Bob Friskel, friend and retired colleague of Folsom’s at the Kansan.

Folsom’s series has concentrated on an Irish family, the Fitzmichaels, from the 1800s. This family operates the Fitzmichael Freighting Co., a shipping business that sometimes ran short of British laws at that time. The themes of Irish self-preservation and famine are part of the story.

“Brandeen is a very unique book,” said one recent reader who purchased the first book when it was released on Kindle. “Helen has a way of writing her characters that they seem very real.”

Folsom’s books can be purchased through Amazon.com or ordered from a local bookstore.

Big splash

The public had its first chance to ride the world’s tallest water slide, the Verruckt, today at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan. This photo was taken at midday Thursday, July 10.
The public had its first chance to ride the world’s tallest water slide, the Verruckt, today at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan. This photo was taken at midday Thursday, July 10.

T-Bones acquire veteran Sadler

Ray Sadler

The Kansas City T-Bones announced they have acquired veteran outfielder Ray Sadler from Winnipeg to complete an earlier trade between the two clubs.

Sadler, 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, is no stranger to the T-Bones. Spending all or parts of the last four seasons, 2010-13, with Kansas City, Sadler holds several career and single-season offensive records for the club, including career home runs (71), career RBIs (268), career extra-base hits (147), single-season RBIs (100 in 2011), and games played in a season (100 in ’11).

The T-Bones traded Sadler to Winnipeg on July 2, 2013, for a player to be determined. With the Goldeyes this season, Sadler is batting .235 with 47 hits, 10 home runs, 31 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 50 games. Wednesday night, Sadler went 1-for-3 with a home run in Winnipeg’s 9-2 loss to Sioux City.

The Chicago Cubs drafted Sadler, a native of Clifton, Texas, in the 30th round in 1999. He has spent time at nearly every level of professional baseball, including three games in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005. Besides the Cubs and Pirates, he’s played in the Houston and Tampa Bay organizations, also.

Sadler is scheduled to be in uniform tonight for the T-Bones against Grand Prairie at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan. First pitch is 7:05.

To make room for Sadler, the T-Bones placed Byron Wiley on irrevocable waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.
– Story from T-Bones