by Mary Rupert
Kansas City, Kan., author Helen Walsh Folsom has published a new book, a prequel to her earlier books, “Brandeen” and “Fianna.”
The new book, “Kells: The Risin’ of the Rebellion, 1798,” is set in Ireland during a time of extreme upheaval and crisis. It is her fifth book. The cover illustration is by her daughter, Elizabeth Folsom.
In the latest book, a young girl escapes her poverty and the starvation of her childhood home, runs away and ends up in a vicar’s home. After several years there she meets a sailor returning from the sea, Kells Fitzmichael, who dreams of owning his own ships. The girl and Kells are talking and the vicar’s wife catches them, forcing them to marry. They travel across Ireland trying to escape the Orangemen. By the time he reaches his family, the big rebellion against the British has started. Then Kells leaves to make his fortune. It is the start of the Fitzmichael shipping company that plays a role in the later books.
Folsom said she draws her inspiration from historical books she has about Ireland. She has more than 20 books about the 1790s alone, she added.
“I’ve always loved Ireland because my great-grandmother was from Ireland,” she said. “When I left the Leavenworth Road Association, I started making a collection of books about Ireland. I hit every garage sale and used book sale, and have come up with more than 300 books about Ireland. I’m fascinated by it, I’ve been to Ireland twice, and the history is so exciting. I just enjoy Ireland.”
Previously, Folsom has written a novelty book, a nonfiction women’s history book, and two historical novels. She’s currently working on another historical fiction book and another nonfiction book.
She started writing fiction after she retired as the executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association. She formerly worked at the Kansas City Kansan.
Folsom also has served 28 years as a volunteer Sunday school teacher for Medicalodge North nursing home.
The book costs $12.95 in paperback, and it is also on Kindle for $2.99. The publisher is CreateSpace.com, a self-publishing site, and is available at that web address or at amazon.com, and at local book stores. There is more information about the book at https://www.facebook.com/HelenWalshFolsom.