The Fall of Bellwether

"Broughman has created an American epic, a grand story that stretches across land and water, time and race, gender and religion. ... as characters go off to war, flee to cities, and escape the terrors of slavery, we encounter the awesome forces of mercy, hope, even forgiveness. Broughman's prose sweeps from achingly tender to brutal and bare-knuckled, his prowess managing multiple voices and tensions. ...brazenly beautiful writing."

-John Mauk, author of Field Notes for the Earthbound

In the heart of 1841 Midwest lies Bellwether, with its cobblestone streets and whispered secrets Here a mother and daughter fight against abandonment and starvation, defying the harsh reality that seeks to crush them both. But this resilience isn't just a flicker; it's a blazing challenge to the very fabric of the town's beliefs.

The Fall of Bellwether beckons readers into a world where love is forbidden and forgiveness is rare currency. With the skill of a master storyteller, the Broughman breathes life into the inhabitants of Bellwether, weaving an intricate web of relationships that captivates the soul.

Follow Sarah and Hiram as they navigate the treacherous waters of illicit romance, their hearts entangled in a dance against societal norms. Get to know Eva and Uriah as they bravely open the door to forgiveness, inviting light into the shadows of the past.

The Fall of Bellwether is a literary gem, a testament to the indomitable resilience of the human spirit. In its pages, a mesmerizing tale unfolds. Step into the past and discover the strength that can be found even in the darkest of times.

Chad V. Broughman was the recipient of the Rusty Scythe Prize Book Award and the Adobe Cottage Writers Retreat honor in New Mexico. As well, Chad was awarded two chapbook contracts for his short story collections--"The Forsaken" and "Slighted"--both published by Etchings Press. His fiction can be found in journals nationwide, such as Carrier Pigeon, East Coast Literary Review, River Poets Journal, Burningword, Pulp Fiction, Sky Island Journal, and From Whispers to Roars, and he is anthologized in Write Michigan Short Story Anthology, On Loss, and Scribes Valley Anthology. He is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominee, holds an MFA from Spalding University and served as co-editor for the fiction/poetry blog "Cafe Aphra" based out of the United Kingdom. Chad teaches English and Creative Writing at the secondary and post-secondary levels but is most proud of his roles as a husband and devoted father to two rambunctious young sons.