The Matriarch

About the Book

TARNISHED ARMOR, CAPTAINS AND LORDS, and THE MATRIARCHS, by Ed Slavin, are richly researched historical novels—each under 100,000 words—loosely based on his own family tree. These works take the reader on a journey that starts in 1755, with a protagonist who personifies selfishness, greed and corruption, and leaves us in 1857, with the birth of another strong and courageous matriarch-to-be. In TARNISHED ARMOR, a lad of 10 suffers the loss of his entire family, becomes a legendary one-legged hero at the age of 18; and leaves a trail of fame and shame throughout the hills of Ireland. This book introduces the rogue, Sean Hickey—born of potato-picking tenant farmers—who becomes collector for the Crown, and hero to those who believe he will lead them to freedom from the English. His wife and only true love, Maggie, shares a life-long friendship with Paula, the Dominican nun who saved—and fantasizes about—her hero and best friend’s husband, Sean. Readers will be left wanting more, and thankful that the story continues to unfold. In CAPTAINS AND LORDS, set in the Napoleonic years, Sean’s son, John—who escapes from the tyranny of his family and works his way up to become a sea captain—leads a double life by working for the underground, and tries to live down his father’s tarnished reputation by making amends to all those his father hurt. His adventures take him to China and forbidden love, and almost costs him the love of his life, Winny, the woman who starts the line of the matriarchs. THE MATRIARCH traces the life of John and Winny’s daughter, Winifred, who grows up motherless and influenced by her avant-garde friend, Vickie, as well as the same Dominican nuns that were involved in Sean Hickey’s fame. Winifred’s upbringing, aboard her father’s ship, the Gabala, at school, and under exceptional tutelage, offers her an above-ordinary education for a young lady of her times. It ends with the beginning of yet another story in-the-making.

About the Author

            Ed Slavin, the fifth child and second son in a family of eight, was born into a working class Irish Catholic home at the start of 1933, in Youngstown, Ohio. Molded by the harshness of the times as national and worldwide depression touched “Steeltown,” he turned inward for things that could not otherwise be supplied to meet his youthful longings. A craving for friends and a social life gave birth to his storytelling talents; a fancy for toys led him to make his own, including casting molds for little lead soldiers; and a need for someplace to keep his things developed his skill in working with wood and tools.

            Ed discovered many other talents on his way to manhood: carving, sculpting, furniture-making, and making molds, from which he could reproduce his carved and sculpted art work. His early need to earn a paycheck spurred him into completing high school one year before his peers, without compromising his ability to excel in sports; he lettered in swimming, diving, and ice skating while maintaining his standing on the honor roll. Outside of school, he helped supplement the family’s food supply with fish and game, enjoying such “manly” activities at his father’s side.

            For many years, Slavin made his living in the world of art: designing and creating stained glass church windows, bringing faded and crumbling statues to life, painting medieval scenes or designing castles. His attention to detail makes all his creations come to life, whether they be bronzed knights in full armor mounted on their trusty steeds, painted ladies-in-waiting and canvas damsels in distress, or paper heroes cavorting about Ireland‘s picturesque green hills.

            One of only two who achieved the status of Eagle Scout during that period in Ohio (the other one was John Glenn), Slavin mastered everything he turned his hand to, including toy-making—a skill that remains a joy to him to this day. When not being viewed as an over-sized leprechaun, Ed Slavin is easily seen as Santa’s helper, if not as Santa himself.

            Slavin has spent 15 years traveling throughout England, France, and his beloved Ireland, gathering information and details for his series of historical novels, which begin in 1755 and faithfully depict one family’s ancestal line leading right back to “Steeltown,” where he was born.

            As a young man, Ed married his high school sweetheart, Eileen. Today, nearly a half-century later, they are still husband and wife.