Showing results by author "Julie McDonald" in All Categories

Eight true stories of amazing women in Northern Arizona who have not been written about before. Bess Siler (cover photo) was born in poverty in Michigan. She became a Harvey Girl and went on to become a prominent business woman and property owner in Arizona. Belle Mexicano’s life on the reservation is fascinating as well as her traditional Navajo wedding. Beautiful Cherie Blair was a rodeo champion and the American All Around Cowgirl of 1940.

This short story, about a 10 minute read, is sure to put a smile on your face! In the late 1800's Climax Jim entertained the residents of the Arizona Territory and beyond with his illegal escapades. He alternated between stealing cattle, stealing horses, and getting caught. His numerous and remarkable jail breaks were equally entertaining. He once bragged that he had "busted out of every jail in the Arizona Territory except the dreaded "Hell Hole," the Yuma Territorial Prison.

Dollie Wiley was known to collect two things, husbands and diamonds. Diamonds worked out well, husbands didn't. As a prostitute and madam, the diamonds were her safety net. Dollie married quickly and frequently, because her husbands died quickly and frequently. Why bother with a prolonged and messy divorce when a pistol or rat poison is within easy reach?

This is the true, (10 minute read) story of a slave named Jackson. Jackson was the personal barber to William King, a plantation owner from Alabama. King was active in politics and would eventually become the Vice President of the Untied States in 1852. Jackson escaped the first time while in Washington D.C. He was captured and sent back to Alabama. His second, very creative escape is guaranteed to make you laugh! A short biographical insert about William King is included.

This is the true story of Art Carrera. Art had everything going for him, but poor choices and wrong turns landed him in prison for life. His conversion to Christianity while serving time in High Desert State Prison in Susanville, California transformed his life!

It took a tremendous amount of courage and faith to escape slavery and make a run for freedom. The slaves; men, women and children are heroes to me. Equally heroic are the men, women and even children who aided their escape. This book combines all the short stories I have written about the great, truly MAGNIFICENT escapes on the Underground Railroad! Twenty-three stories, with the approximate reading time of 2 1/2 hours will inspire, educate, entertain and inform you of this period in history.

This short story, about a 10 minute read, highlights the varied and numerous adventures, exploits and accomplishments of a remarkable man, Jim Beckwourth, 1798-1866.

In 1874, Alferd (odd, but correct spelling) Packer was accused of murdering, then eating his five prospecting companions in the rugged mountains of Colorado. Cannibal he was. Was he a murderer? What really happened to the men during that brutal winter of 1874? This short, 10 minute read, is the true story of Alferd Packer, Colorado's Cannibal and his vindication 100 years later.

I love Colorado's colorful history! I have spent so much time there, vacationing in one place or another for 50 years. I have been able to spend even more time there since my son, Shawn, moved to Denver. I love learning all about the history and the colorful characters who made Colorado their home. I especially love to find that obscure story, hidden away in a self published book in a small town library or on the book shelf of a pioneer family. I loved researching and writing this book. There are so many fun, short stories, 22 in all! I hope you enjoy it as well.

Three Cheers for Unbreakable Dolls features true stories of fascinating pioneer women in Arizona. With each story of these remarkable women, the author has paired a complementary humorous short story about the good ol' days in Arizona by the author's father in the 1960s and '70s.

True stories of pioneer women in Arizona and the West. Featuring: Clara Brown, a freed slave who traveled by wagon train to Colorado and became one of the richest women in the West. Sally Rooke came from Iowa to homestead in New Mexico. Also working as a telephone operator, she saved a town from a flash flood. Mary Ann Tewksbury moved with her family to Pleasant Valley, Arizona, where her life was changed forever by the Pleasant Valley War - America's most deadly family feud.

Sedona, Arizona, one of the most beautiful towns on the planet. A destination known the world over. How did it come to be called Sedona? In this short audiobook, learn about the Schnebly family, who came to build a life in the Arizona Territory in the early 1900s.

I love writing about the myriad of ways God works to bring people to know Jesus. Every story is unique and special in its own way. I was visiting at my daughter's home when she asked me to share my testimony of how I became a Christian with her guests. Lisa had heard bits and pieces of it over the years. When she heard me tell the entire story, she said, "Mom, you have got to write that down!" As I celebrate my 50 year anniversary with Jesus, it seems appropriate to share my story, which is about a 20-30 minute read. I hope you can see His love for people and realize there is no one outside...

Are you a living, breathing, individual, interacting with others on a daily basis? Then you most likely have, or will have soon a forgiveness issue! Every day, you interact with others: friends, family, neighbors, co-workers even strangers who have the potential to hurt you. How do you respond? Your response will affect you not only now, but will affect you in the future if you don't properly deal with it. In this short, helpful book you will learn practical and Biblical ways to forgive an offense, whether it is big or small. You will also learn when it is appropriate and safe to trust ...

I love telling the true stories of amazing pioneer women! I especially like to find the hidden stories of immigrants and minorities, who have not had their story told before. Unbreakable Dolls features eight stories from Northern Arizona, my family's stomping grounds since the early 1900's. Unbreakable Dolls, Too ventures further afield with six stories, four from around Arizona, one from Colorado and one from New Mexico.

In the year 1881, in boom town Telluride, Colorado, no one seemed more out of place than impeccably dressed, 5'1, 115 pound, L.L.Nunn. He had walked to Telluride from Durango with a small amount of cash, his cloths on his back and big dreams. Within 10 years, L.L. Nunn would put Telluride on a world-wide map with the success of the Ames Power Plant. In this short eBook, about a 10 minute read, learn how Nunn, George Westinghouse, Nikola Tesla and a host of "Pinheads" built the first successful AC, alternating current, power plant in the world.

This is the inspiring short story, 45 minute read, of a teacher who had a vision to reach and teach "all who wish to learn." Emily Griffith started her Opportunity School on September 7, 1916 in Denver, Colorado. It was open to people of all nationalities, all colors, all ages and all walks of life. This remarkable woman accomplished so much in her lifetime! Learn about her first teaching job in a sod schoolhouse on the Nebraska plains, her time in Denver where she helped thousands of people, and her later years in a rustic cabin high in the Rocky Mountains northwest of Denver.

Miracles? Do you believe in them? Well, whether you do or don't, you will have a hard time denying them after reading this incredible account. This story takes place in 2013, showing that God is powerfully working in our world today! His care is for every person, even those who are unknown or forgotten by most of the world. He sees all, knows all, and cares for all. You will love this story!

In 1943, J. Robert Oppenheimer was named the Director of the Manhattan Project. It was his responsibility to recruit scientists from around the globe to come to a secret city, high a top a mesa in Los Alamos, New Mexico, 35 miles from Santa Fe. Here, the scientists would collaborate together to make an atom bomb, before Germany did, and end World War II. An essential piece of the puzzle was to recruit a local from Santa Fe, to be the face of the Manhattan Project at 109 East Palace. This person would need to be above reproach and totally trustworthy. They would need to be capable, hard ...

From early church history, Saint Nicholas family knew the Apostle Paul, to the 1960's when Bruce Olson's ministry in Columbia impacted not only the tribes of South America, but had a lasting impact on World Missions. Each one of these amazing men had a profound impact on their generation and in some cases, ours as well! Each book is approximately a 20 minute read. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!