Smorgasbord Book Promotions – New Book on the Shelves – #Historical #Irish – Golden Boxty in the Frypan by Pat Spencer

Delighted to welcome Pat Spencer to Smorgasbord with her novel Golden Boxty in the Frypan.

About the book

Heartrending and absorbing… The BookLife Prize

An unforgettable coming-of-age saga inspired by true events… California Writers Circle

In Golden Boxty in the Frypan, Pat Spencer captivates readers with a heartrending and absorbing coming-of-age saga inspired by true events. Her poignant story captures the hearts of readers as they follow Katie’s journey through poverty, illness, and discrimination in Philadelphia to a glorious train trip out west in search of the American dream. But just as she thinks the worst is behind her, a twist of fate reverses her good fortune. Katie must wrestle with her fears, face her insecurities, and assume the role of mother for her three youngest brothers.

Golden Boxty in the Frypan is an unforgettable novel that brings to life the hardships and joys of a multigenerational Irish family struggling to stay together during the Great Depression. Fans of books like This Tender Land and Angela’s Ashes will appreciate the complex characters and themes of love, friendship, and family that make this book an emotional roller coaster. In the end, Katie must overcome the toughest of circumstances and orchestrate an escape from a sinister orphanage to secure a safe life for herself and her siblings. Don’t miss this powerful story of resilience and hope.

One of the reviews for the book

Flash 5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired by true-life experiences  Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2023

Pat Spencer uses the history, culture, and customs of the 1930s to provide a rich setting for Golden Boxty in the Frypan. Her skillfully crafted dialogue, characters, and events whisk us back in time to experience the trials and tribulations faced and overcome by this family of poor Irish immigrants.

The characters are complex and elicit an array of deep emotions. I rooted for Katie, who endured more loss than any child ever should. I chuckled at some of the antics of her three youngest brothers. Boys will be boys! I suffered Katie’s pain when she questioned her faith, then felt great respect at how she and her youngest brothers protected each other when things got extraordinarily tough. And even though I didn’t approve of the decisions made by Katie’s oldest brother and sister, their stories reminded me of the siblings in “Where the Crawdads Sing”, so I came to understand why they felt the need.

This novel is inspired by the lives and experiences of the author’s family members as well as other adults who should have watched over and cared for Katie and her young siblings. Yet even though things get pretty rough for the children, their story is full of love, respect, and strength. I highly recommend Golden Boxty in the Frypan.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Pat Spencer

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Paperback also available: Walmart – Follow Pat Spencer: Goodreads –  Website: Pat Spencer – Facebook: Pat Spencer – Twitter:@DrPatSpencer

About Pat Spencer

Dr. Pat Spencer’s historical fiction novel, Golden Boxty in the Frypan, inspired by her mother’s coming-of-age experiences during the 1930s, is published with Pen It Publications. Pat indie-published her debut novel, Story of a Stolen Girl. Her literary fiction trilogy, Sticks in a Bundle, is in progress with Scarsdale Publishing.

Pat’s short story, A Healing Place, won the 2019 Oceanside Literary Festival. Other short stories are published in journals such as the Literary Yard, Scarlet Leaf Review, and Potato Soup Journal, Almost an Author, and in a California Writers Circle anthology. Pat authored a column in the Press-Enterprise newspaper as well as numerous articles for a trade magazine and served as a columnist and contributing editor to Inland Empire Magazine.

She lived in three countries and seven states. Pat loves to travel and spent time in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Spain, France, Croatia, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Greece, Mexico, the Galapagos, and the Bahamas, as well as Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands and road-tripping across the continental United States several times. She enjoys getting to know people and learning about their culture.

Dr. Spencer, a retired professor and community college president, lives in Southern California with her husband. She speaks to service and community organizations on human trafficking, writing processes, and her books. When not writing, Pat golfs, reads, walks the beach, hangs out with family and friends, or frequents book clubs and writing critique groups.

Thanks for dropping in and I hope you are leaving with some books.. Sally.