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A Wishful Eye

Debra McIntyre

Anchored in documented history, A Wishful Eye tells the story of Christians in 1849 southern Indiana, both black and white, who work together to help usher runaway slaves to freedom. It is also the story of two enslaved teenagers who risk everything to escape their bondage and cross the Ohio River into a free state.

  Christian Fiction   75,000 words   100% complete   Published by Morgan James
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60 preorders
$1,620.00 funded

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Synopsis

Deep in the backwoods of southern Indiana in 1849, members of the Cowper family – still reeling from a tragic loss – are faced with a difficult decision. Do they practice the antislavery beliefs they hold and join others – black and white – to aid and provide shelter for runaways? If caught, punishment for the Cowpers could mean devastating fines, loss of their property or even prison. Can they risk everything they and their pioneering parents worked so hard to attain? Can the Cowper’s teenage children put aside their own aspirations to join their parents in this dangerous enterprise?

Down in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky a 13-year-old slave girl also experiences a tragic loss – that of the only home and family she’s ever known. She is sold to buyers from New Orleans who intend to market her as a “fancy girl” who will bring them a fortune when sold to a rich gentleman or a bordello house when they return to Louisiana. All she has to cling to is a modicum of faith in a God she barely knows. Then she meets another slave whose determination and courage may be just the salvation she needs to escape from an unthinkable future.

Debra McIntyre

About the author

I was born and raised in southern Indiana, and spent the past 18 years in Central Kentucky. I spent my lifetime in two professions: newspaper and magazine writing and teaching. Currently I am a GED teacher in a state prison. I have three grown children and three grandsons and am active in church children's and worship ministries. A Wishful Eye is my first novel, inspired by the actions of my great great grandparents who were active participants in hiding runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad.

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  • Update #2 - And we're off! Oct. 12, 2024

    It's been five months since my last update and my first personal copies arrived just over two weeks ago. All of you who preordered "A Wishful …

  • Update #1 - A three-ring circus April 24, 2024

    Happy Wednesday, subscribers!

    Isn't May a beautiful, but hectic month?  There are graduations, Derby Day, Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, the end-of- school exams, Memorial Day, vacations …

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  • Anthony Crachiolo
    on April 24, 2024, 2:39 a.m.

    I can't wait tonread you opus (and then place my signed copy on a special bookcase).

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:20 a.m.

      Thanks so much, Tony! You've always been such an encouragement to me in whatever I've done. It's neat how the very first job I got using my degree after graduating from BC was teaching GED classes (thanks for your help with getting that job in the fall of 2011) and now that is what I'm doing to end my career (if everything goes as planned. I love it.)

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:26 a.m.

      Thanks for always being such an encourager, Tony!

  • Crystal Welch
    on April 24, 2024, 2:24 p.m.

    Congrats!! So excited for you!

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:28 a.m.

      Thanks, Crystal! Spread the word there in good old Ripley County. I'm determined to put my home county and the whole region on the proverbial map!

  • Darla Anderson
    on April 24, 2024, 9:34 p.m.

    Sounds like an exciting book. My immigrant ancestor, William Gregg, moved to the New World in 1682 with his wife & 4 children after meeting Wiiliam Penn in Ireland & becoming a Quaker. Penn granted them 200 acres of land at the confluence of the Brandywine River and Squirrel Run and they ran grain mills there. That land was purchased by the Duponts in the early 1800’s & became gunpowder mills. My ancestor Gregg’s eventually moved to Loudon, VA (because the gunpowder blasts became too violent)and ran grain mills in Dover, VA. William Gregg’s great grandaughter Ruth married Samuel Hixson, who was the son of a slave owner. His father, Capt Timothy Hixson, was a captain in the VA militia during the Revolution, but owned slaves to run his 250 acre plantation. Ruth & Samuel despised slavery & moved to KY/IN & I wouldn’t be surprised if they were involved in the Underground Railroad. Both the William Gregg home (built in 1701) & the Timothy Hixon home built in (1751) exist today & I was blessed to meet the current owners and tour the homes. I can’t wait to read your book!

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:32 a.m.

      Thanks, Darla. It took me a minute to figure out who you were - a fellow Raider alumus! Thanks for your support. Sounds like you have a book in the making yourself.

  • Sandra Wright
    on April 24, 2024, 10:06 p.m.

    Looking forward to reading your book. Congratulations 🎉 🎉

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:33 a.m.

      Thanks, Missy! Your support and friendship means a lot to me.

  • Deborah Vantreese
    on April 25, 2024, 12:44 a.m.

    You can bring the book to me at church and save postage. Excited to read your book!

  • Yvonne Yocum
    on April 30, 2024, 12:27 a.m.

    Cheers to the first of many novels to come!
    Love, Yvonne

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:36 a.m.

      Thanks! Love you, life-long friend! You know since I've created a character named after you and allowed Yvonne to be a POV (point of view) character, I can't just drop her in the sequels. :-)

  • Denise Spear
    on April 30, 2024, 12:32 a.m.

    Debbie this is all so very cool! I know you must be very excited!!!

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:37 a.m.

      Thanks Denise! I am very excited and starting to want to pinch myself because it just doesn't seem real to me yet.

  • Sherry Myers
    on April 30, 2024, 10:01 a.m.

    I am excited and anxious to read your book!!

    • Debra McIntyre
      on May 1, 2024, 1:39 a.m.

      Thanks so much, Sherry! I am already planning a sequel and Scott County will be one of the settings. :-)

  • Connie Shiflet
    on May 15, 2024, 2 a.m.

    Deb, I am eager to read your book. So very proud of you. Sending you many Blessing.

  • Tim Jordan
    on May 23, 2024, 12:48 p.m.

    I’m looking forward to being able to read your book, Deb. I know this has been a labor of love for you and is a wonderful accomplishment. You’ve been casting a wishful eye towards its completion and publication and now that is in sight. Way to go! - Tim Jordan

    • Debra McIntyre
      on Aug. 5, 2024, 1:34 a.m.

      Just now replying to this, Tim. Thanks for always being my cheerleader!

  • Marianne Hudson
    on Aug. 2, 2024, 11:06 p.m.

    Deb, how exciting! I know I've said it before, but I am so proud of you! I'm looking forward to seeing what else you plan to do! :) Marianne

    • Debra McIntyre
      on Aug. 5, 2024, 1:36 a.m.

      Thank you, my bosom friend! I have a sequel or two or three planned!

  • Jane Rogers
    on Aug. 3, 2024, 12:06 a.m.

    We are proud of you! MMM is smiling!

    • Debra McIntyre
      on Aug. 5, 2024, 1:38 a.m.

      I'm sure she is cheering me on from the grandstands! She encouraged my writing talent from early on. Miss her as I know you do too!

  • Carol Brooks
    on Aug. 3, 2024, 12:11 a.m.

    You’re almost to the finish line! So excited for you! Can’t wait to read the book! ❤️🙏❤️🙏

  • Beth Mathes
    on Aug. 3, 2024, 8:29 p.m.

    It is so amazing to purchase a book you authored! Can’t wait to enjoy reading it!
    I hope Tyson Library buys the 5 books and questions for Book Club- I’ll have my own.

    • Debra McIntyre
      on Aug. 5, 2024, 1:40 a.m.

      Thanks, Beth! I'm going to be giving a presentation about the Underground Railroad there on Saturday, September 14th!

  • Kathy Allen
    on Aug. 5, 2024, 6:24 p.m.

    I’m looking forward to reading your book!

  • Alyssa Lucas
    on Oct. 7, 2024, 1:32 a.m.

    So proud of you and can’t wait to take this journey with you in your novel!

  • Dana Boggs
    on Nov. 13, 2024, 12:53 p.m.

    Debra-I’m so excited! I didn’t realize you are from Ripley County! I am from Madison! I have family and friends from Versailles, Osgood, & Milan! I can’t wait to read this book!

  • Jean Field
    on Dec. 4, 2024, 12:57 p.m.

    I'm looking forward to reading it. I'm excited about your writing career.
    Good luck and God Bless
    Jeani Field