Book I · Magic in the Valley
The untold pre-history of Kentucky — knights, druids, paladins, and assassins in America's own epic, before America existed.
What if the land Daniel Boone crossed into wasn't empty by accident — but because something extraordinary had already happened there and faded into silence?
Traces of Magic explores the pre-history of Kentucky — a land strangely uninhabited when Europeans first crossed the Appalachian Mountains — in ways parallel to how the Lord of the Rings series unlocked the imagination of British Isles residents to their own pre-history.
Knights and bards, clergy and users of magic, as well as many ordinary good people all help defend against the diabolic powers working with that guild to enslave the valley by controlling the weather.
An intriguing premise, exploring what a Celtic-Norse community might have looked like if it had settled an uninhabited region of 12th-century Kentucky.
A great listen for anyone curious about what might have been in Central Kentucky during the Middle Ages — a little magic, some assassins, a grand ploy for power, and unicorns. Can't forget the unicorns.
I adore fantasy and diving into a new world with many layers to uncover. Traces of Magic delivers exactly that — a valley full of wonder well worth exploring.
The world-building is what sets this apart. You feel like this valley existed, and the story is just the record of what happened there. Unlike anything else in American fantasy.
Catholic Priest · Chemist · Army Chaplain
Born in a Catholic orphanage in 1949 and adopted five weeks later, Fr. Pat spent fifteen years in the seminary, earning graduate degrees in Chemistry and Theology — and finding time to hike, bike, and cave across four continents.
As a US Army National Guard chaplain, he served nearly eight years on active duty across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa — work that let him recognise the image of God in every culture and climate, including the military and scientific ones.
He wrote much of this series while waiting for helicopter transport in combat zones. As an adoptee, the Markasandra Valley gave him roots he'd never had. He narrates his own audiobooks.
"If a Chemist can publish poetry, anyone can do anything."
Bold Book of the Day · Dr. Denise Nicholson interviews Rev. Patrick Dolan
Book I is available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook — narrated by Fr. Dolan himself.
Free with Kindle Unlimited subscription
All four Traces of Magic volumes are available in print, Kindle, and audiobook. Fr. Dolan narrates every audiobook himself.
View Full Series →Join the readers already exploring the mythic pre-history of Kentucky. Start with Book I — free with Kindle Unlimited.