Catherine Hughes
From my earliest days, I was the kid who always had a book in her hands. There was something so magical about turning a page and crossing a threshold into a brand new world. Myths and folktales, stories of kings and queens, tales of witches and haunted castles, adventures of settlers and explorers--I loved them all, devouring one series after another, nudged by the sway of my interest.
When it came to writing, the first time I put my thoughts out there for the public eye to see coincided with my family’s move from the Bronx, NY out to “the country”--Long Island of the 1970s. The day my parents brought us children to the house, I remember thinking how weird it was that no other family lived upstairs as they had done in our former apartment building. That summer, I decided to put out my own newspaper about events that were happening on the block. Pulling information from the three friends who lived on my street and knocking on the doors of a few kindly neighbors, I had enough material to fill out a weekly newsletter. For 50 cents, I would get 10 copies made at the library and rush home to carefully fold and place them into mailboxes. My writing career didn’t last very long though. Once the summer sun gave way to the shortened days of autumn and the leaves went from gold to brown to dust, I lacked the tenacity to brave the changes, preferring to stay inside and cozy up with a book rather than go out into the chilled twilight to get the latest scoop.
I do look back fondly upon those days, especially the excitement I felt about gathering information and adding my own sense of flair (and even a bit of fiction) to it before putting it on the page. Even though over the years in between, I’ve written hundreds of lessons, lectures, and speeches, that passion to tell a great story never really went away. A trip to Urquhart castle on the banks of Loch Ness gave me the courage to tap into that love once again.
"In Silence Cries the Heart'' was recognized as a Finalist in Fiction-Romance for the American Writing Awards, Honorable Mention in Historical-Romance for the Coffee Pot Book Club Awards, a Top Ten Finalist for Book Shelf Awards in Fiction, Honorable Mention in General Fiction for the New England Book Festival Awards, and a Semifinalist in Romance for the 2023 Indies Today Award. In addition, the Historical Fiction Company gave it a five star rating and "Highly Recommended" status (see below), and in the HFC’s 2023 Book of the Year Contest, the book was named winner of the Silver Medal in the category of Historical Fiction Romance. Most recently, “In Silence Cries the Heart” won the Gold/1st Place award for the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Award for Romance as well as the 2024 Literary Titan Book Award for Historical Romance.
My second novel, "Therein Lies the Pearl," has been short-listed by the Historical Novel Society in their First Chapters Competition and was just picked up by Historium Press for publication some time in 2025.
5 Star Review of “In Silence Cries the Heart” from Historical Fiction Company
“... The novel's jewel lies in its ability to transcend the corporeal boundaries of the written word. It beckons the reader not merely to peruse but to inhabit the narrative's very soul. The author’s dexterity paints vivid landscapes, weaving an ethereal realm where the purity of love intertwines with the sinister machinations of fate.”
"‘In Silence Cries the Heart’ isn't merely a tale; it's a relentless symphony echoing across centuries, entwining the disparate notes of existence into a song of unbridled ardour and undying devotion. A captivating odyssey that ensnares the heart and mind, beckoning readers to traverse the realms of history and emotion. This story stands as an enduring testament to the resilience of love, a poignant reminder that some stories transcend the confines of time, resonating eternally within the chambers of the soul.”
5 Star Review from Emily-Jane Hills Orford of Readers' Favorite Books
"Taking the facts of history and intermingling them with fiction, the author has woven a tapestry of parallel plots set in the 17th and 21st centuries....The author shares her passion for history and literature, including quotes from the poetry penned by Donn...A fascinating and engaging read."
5 Star Review from Delene Vrey of Readers' Favorite Books
“...In Silence Cries the Heart is a beautifully written work of historical fiction. Staying true to the story's basic facts, Catherine Hughes pens a tale filled with poetry and youthful yearning while providing a detailed description of 17th century Scotland as background. In a time when it is important to marry for political alliances and appearances, the love between the daughter of a laird and a raider promises heartbreak. Add to the mix dishonorable men who would act out of selfishness and greed, and you have the makings for betrayal and vindictiveness that drives the story to its fruition."
5 Star Review from Kathy Stickles of Reader Views
"Catherine Hughes has gifted readers with a simply amazing story. The writing is so captivating and so very descriptive that the reader will feel as if they are standing in Scotland right alongside these amazing characters . . . "In Silence Cries the Heart" . . . will touch your heart in so many ways even as it completely breaks it. . . . The characters will live on in your mind long after you read the last page."
