Fans of Jess Walter will love Shelah A Johnson!
If you want to embark on a dramatic journey filled with flawed yet fascinating characters and cinematic details, this true-to-life book is an all-night page-turner.

IN A WORLD OF HUNGER AND HARDSHIP, CAN ONE MAN FIND HOPE IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY?

Based on actual events, The Boloney Trail Trilogy chronicles three generations of the Hornbeck family, capturing their tumultuous journey from the trials of the Great Depression to their pivotal involvement in the genesis of the feared Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel in the early 1960s. In this sweeping saga, a formidable cast of characters relentlessly pursue the middle-class dream with an obsessive burning desire to find a gateway into financial stability. However, their aspirations are met with harsh realities as the promise of the middle class slowly disintegrates before their eyes. The trilogy delves deep into the complexities of socio-economic challenges, moral dilemmas, and the profound impact of historical events on individual lives, painting a vivid picture of resilience, ambition, and the dark underbelly of societal change that is now more relatable than ever.

Embark on a riveting adventure through the pages of "Perpetual Gloom: A Two Rut-road Along the Boloney Trail,” the first installment of The Boloney Trail Trilogy by Shelah A. Johnson.

Set against the back of the South during the Great Depression, Monroe Hornbeck has spent years dreaming of escape after his parents robbed a bank and invested the money in farmland that ended up being nothing but a rock quarry. When a fierce altercation with his father erupts, the destitute teenager and his brother make a desperate decision. They steal two old mares and flee their home, embarking on a perilous journey toward Route 66 and the promise of California. But the path to a better life is fraught with trials that test their endurance and resolve.

Facing the brutal reality of the road, Monroe and his brother encounter fellow desperate travelers, depend on the kindness of strangers, and confront the uncertainty of their next meal. Monroe is forced into the gray area of survival, battling the guilt of abandoning his family while striving to forge a future in a land of promise. But when he meets young Dora, headstrong and determined, in a Northwest lumber town, he thinks she may be the catalyst needed to help him lock into a middle-class life.

Will Monroe rise above the challenges and become the man he’s meant to be in these desperate times? Will Dora discover the cracks before it’s too late?

Dive into their gripping saga in Perpetual Gloom. Order your copy now and experience the adventure!

EDITORIAL REVIEW

“…a story filled with memorable characters, indelible scenes, authentic dialogue, and unforgettable details that pulls readers in the scenes and helps them empathize with the human condition in a manner reminiscent of Steinbeck.”- William Mike Kielkopf, Author, Journalist, and Language Educator

“The writing is exceptional. Hard-core and unembellished, Johnson doesn’t mince words, and the story would not have worked if she had…” Sheri Hoyte, Managing Editor Reader Views

“This is a modern-day Steinbeck that touches a feeling and emotion of Americana that really should be examined, given the kind of future that we seem to be moving in today.” Danial Florea, Artist, Philosopher, and Educator

“A gem of a book that has all the hallmarks of a bestseller. John Steinbeck meets Raymond Carver!” Raf, Author, Director, Producer