The story covers a turbulent period in the lives of a young couple, that results in their flight from their homeland, Ireland, in 1881. Set primarily in Drogheda, Ireland, “Seekers” is fiction based on the lives of John A. Kelly and Margaret J. Marrey, my great-grandfather and great-grandmother.
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Patrick Kelly
New Tales for New Times........Writings by Patrick J. Kelly 
Just finished your novel after reading 53 pages last night. I don’t think I could put justice in words describing what I just read but I will try. Wow, just plain Wow, very well written, compelling story. You have a winner!! More to come I hope, possible series?
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I started reading your story a couple nights ago. I’m on Part 8, page 53. Thoroughly enjoying the story! Eager to see how John and his IRB affiliation pans out. I enjoy hearing about his time management skills and strategies to be efficient. Kelly character traits for sure! I would feel incomplete if I did not read the story with a pen in hand, marking grammar errors. That is the teacher in me coming out. I can share them with you or not. Doesn’t matter to me. I will let you know when I finish it. I wanted to give you some feedback half way through. You’ve peaked my interest and I’m anxious to see how you resolve the conflicts in this story. Wonderful imagery in several places. Rich in historical details. Great read!Terry
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Engaging story! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I would have appreciated more details at the end as far as how it went for Margaret to come to America and how her family responded. I felt I got to know the characters quite well and wanted to know more – the sign of a good writer! Eager to read your next story!
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Thanks for the feedback. I am working on a sequel.
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I have been encouraged by so many positive responses. Look for a Part 2 of this story in early 2020.
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Hi Patrick
I see you are following your Dad in writing family stories . He must be very proud.
Personally, I REALLY like it and can’t wait for more. Thought you have great historical background, imagery and chemistry with the characters. Here are some of my thoughts:
Pg 15 “Dad could have done shoemaking but he got better work in the shipyard” It sounded like shoemaking wasn’t as good. Maybe it should say he got better pay, or more money in the shipyard.
Pg 27 That sentence with a reference to Silicon Valley “jumped out”. It was like you were talking about how the factory
works BACK THEN and then threw in PRESENT DAY. Maybe if you want to bring up that theory, put it in your “history background”in the beginning of the book, before the narrative between the characters begins.
Pg 93 This is the scene when John goes to the Kelly’s house and ask the housekeeper for Margaret. Why didn’t he just introduce himself and why was Margaret there?? well on Pg 99 we find out Mrs.Kelly needed help with John’s sister who had Cholera.
I noticed you had John addressing Margaret as Margie Pg.11, but Margaret after that.
These are just my personal observations for what they’re worth.
You have to write a sequel. John never got a chance to ask his father all his questions from Pg. 8.. And we need to know how Margaret makes it to America. It would also be interesting to know if any of the families lost anyone to Cholera or later to the Spanish Flu of 1918.
GREAT JOB!!
Kathleen Kelly Steuer
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Thanks for the comments. I take them all to heart. The next version will have many improvements:
1) Kenny gave me more genealogical data, and 2) I have read several history books about the period, 3)edits to be done to clear up items as you noted. It’s been fun. I expect to have draft 2 done in 2020.
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