American History Hero Fiction

Beliefs such as . . . 

    One nation under God
         Conceived in liberty
             Dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal

 

THE AMERICAN FAMILY PORTRAIT SERIES  
9 Volumes

 

MEET THE MORGANS,  a passionate, patriotic American family with a biblical heritage that spans the history of a nation. Follow their adventures as the family Bible is handed down from generation to generation.

COMING TO AMERICA - A young man eager to prove himself. An ambitious bishop determined to root out nonconformists. A quiet Puritan village with a secret. When Drew Morgan is dispatched to the English village of Edenford to unmask a notorious criminal, instead of a lair of sedition and heresy, he finds sincere, hardworking people trying to live by their biblical beliefs. He learns the truth, but is it too late? With Bishop Laud’s forces closing in, he helps the villagers flee across the ocean to a new world where, in the face of hardship and treachery, they lay a foundation for one family’s spiritual heritage and a new nation.

"It made me cry, laugh, and
triggered every other emotion!"
                   - Faithful Reader, USA 

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here

COLONIAL AMERICA - Benjamin Morgan thought he’d have more time. His children weren’t ready. When he died Philip, his oldest son—whose future at Harvard had been planned with academic precision—was driven to a primitive Indian village; Priscilla—obstinate and headstrong—was thrust into the world of commerce dominated by powerful men; and fun-loving, carefree Jared, shanghaied in an alley, found himself on the high seas aboard a pirate ship. Would their trials splinter the family? Or would the heirs of Benjamin Morgan rise to the occasion and with faith, a spirit of enterprise and  resolve overcome adversity and establish a foundation upon which future generations could build?

 "Captivatingly suspenseful!" 
- Faithful Reader, USA

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR - At what point does a Christian take up arms against his own government? As the winds of revolution agitate the colonies, forcing citizens to declare their allegiance, the Morgans find themselves split on the issue of independence. Twin brothers. Equally passionate. Both patriots. One faithful to England; the other to America. For them the question of loyalty centers around the family Bible. Will it remain in America or return to England? As the conflict turns deadly at Lexington and Concord, Valley Forge, Boston, New York and Philadelphia, the forces that pit brother against brother might very well become the salvation of the Morgan spiritual heritage.

"An absolute masterpiece,
beautifully written!"
     - Faithful Reader, CANADA 

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here

THE CIVIL WAR - The Morgan and Cooper families have been friends for generations, dating back to the little village of Edenford, England. But when the Morgan brothers—J.D., Marshall, and Willy—run slaves to freedom during a Cooper family visit, emotions erupt between the Northern Morgans and Southern Coopers. Tensions—both national and personal—escalate. And as the sons of both families march to war, they find themselves blindsided by Caleb McKenna, a powerful New York banker who uses the war to mask a blood feud. Can this generation of Morgans survive the brutality and bitterness of a civil war as well as a ruthless personal vendetta?

"Cavanaugh's ability to put the reader
in the story is excellent!"
- Faithful Reader, USA 

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here 

 

EXPANDING FRONTIER - In an age of sweatshops and oppressive factory conditions, tenement dwellers cling to dreams of better days. One such dreamer is Jesse Morgan. But when a real-life act of heroism goes terribly wrong, Jesse flees New York’s east side for the pioneering West. Unknown to him, he is pursued—by Emily Austin, who loves him; by his mother; by an unsavory detective with a personal agenda; and by God, the most formidable pursuer of all. From New York tenements to riverboats, to wagon trains, to railroads and open buggies, the chase is on and will not end until Jesse learns what it means to live in the shadow of the Morgan legacy.

"Cavanaugh's style gives a
can't-put-it-down book
everytime!"
              - Faithful Reader, USA 

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here

.

WORLD WAR I - The war comes suddenly to the Morgans when Emily and daughter, Katy, survive the sinking of the luxury liner Lusitania when it is torpedoed by a German U-boat. It is but a foreshadow of the dangers that lie ahead. Emily is caught up in a web of intrigue in England; while Katy, inspired by the heroic life of nurse Edith Cavell, becomes an ambulance driver; and Johnny, the youngest Morgan, an aviator, achieves distinction in the skies while attached to a pursuit squadron in France. In a series of ill-fated events both Katy and Johnny are caught behind enemy lines. Will they escape, or will Johnny’s compulsive competitiveness be their undoing?

"I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books
in this series, but this one is the best!"
- Faithful Reader, USA

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here 

WORLD WAR II - In the darkest days of World War II, four messengers arrive at the Morgan house in San Diego, one after the other. Just like in the Old Testament account of Job, each messenger bears bad news regarding Johnny and Laura Morgan’s four children—Walt, a B-17 pilot in England; Alexandra, one of a chosen few female pilots; Nat, an army photographer in Europe; and Lily, a big band singer touring battlefields in Italy. In one afternoon the Morgans face the possible extinction of an entire generation and the end of the Morgan spiritual heritage in America.

"An inspiring, informative, entertaining
novel that is extremely well-written
and not soon forgotten!"
                               - Faith Reader, USA 

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here 

  

1960s and VIETNAM - America’s most unpopular war unleashes violence at home and abroad as the country’s spiritual foundation is shaken as never before. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the volatile 60’s, the Morgan household—with their rich legacy of patriotism—erupts in discord as Paige protests the military draft and her brother’s imminent departure for Vietnam. However, she is soon disillusioned by the deadly agendas of the protest leaders, and when Travis returns from the war broken and cynical, she embarks on one final crusade—to restore her brother to the family faith.

"The Morgan's family faith 
has been weathered and time-tested 
and is still going strong!"
- Faithful Reader, NJ

Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here 

PRESENT DAY - Ethan Morgan never wanted to be the heir of a three-century-old family legacy. But when his brother is murdered, and the symbol of their family’s legacy—a 17th Century Bible—is stolen, he uses his training as a police detective to track down the murderer, only to get caught up in a greater threat than he ever imagined. In a journey that takes him from California to Edenford, England where it all began; to London; Providence, Ohio; Las Vegas, and Boston, Ethan battles an evil that threatens everything his family has stood for. And for the first time in his life, he understands what it means to be a Morgan, and a man of faith.

"A tale that is both amazing and
written with Cavanaugh's signature wit!"                                         
                                          - Faithful Reader, IA

 
Kindle - click here / Nook - click here / Smashwords - click here

 

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Special Feature 

In the back of each book there is an Afterword where Jack comments on the historical sources he used for each story, and clarifies which parts of the story are historical and which parts are fictional.

Note To Readers

 Each of these novels is a stand-alone novel. While those who read the series from start to finish will have a depth of experience common to generational stories, if you are interested only in a particular time period in American history you can select the appropriate book and read it without fear of feeling you’re stepping into the middle of a conversation. 

Comments

[Rick Tallent]

Several years ago I saw "The Puritans" in a book stand at Krogers in Lake Charles Louisiana and bought it. After that, I was hooked on the series and absolutely had to haev each volume as it came out. I just found out that the latest entry, "The Guardians", is available and cannot wait to read.

As a veteran minister, television station manager, and now tv program producer, I cannot imagine why the series has not become a "Made for TV" movie series or even a dramatic series. The books are awesome and absolutely fantastic reads.

I will buy the electronic versions so I will have then available since my paperback books are so old they are deteriorating and falling apart.

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Rick - so glad you enjoyed the American Family Portrait series. Your comments made my day. As for adapting the books for television . . . from your lips to God's ears.

[Grady Painter]

Hi ! Am halfway through 'The Colonists' and thoroughly enjoying the book. I go to a used book store about once a year and get about 20 books of various subjects. Unfortunately, a few have been so poorly written I couldn't finish. I didn't realize this was one of a series, so I sure will get the others because I really like your style, and I love reading about early America/historical and especially with strong ties to Our Father. Have you any plans for writing stories of the bible, with a twist of entertainment? I have a book called 'Song Of Abraham' by Ellen Gunderson Traylor that I really enjoy. There aren't enough books like that, and your American Family Portrait series. Could you steer me to any other similar books ? Thanks ! See you in heaven !

[Grady Painter]

P.S. , I used to work at a radio station in San Bernardino in the late 70's early 80's. Your name seems familiar. Did you do radio shows then that we may have aired ?

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Grady - thanks for your kind words! As a matter of fact . . . some of my first novel ideas were set in biblical times. One that I was particularly fond of was a story set in Philippi, but I could never get a publisher interested. The book I'm currently writing has some scenes set in First Century Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. Exciting times. (Watch for release announcements early 2011!) As for radio -- I did five minute devotions for Family Radio a long time ago.

[Ginny]

I absolutly love this series. I was hooked from the beginning with The Puritans, and am now reading The Pioneers. I'm purchasing the other books as I post this. The series has also encouraged me to do my own genealogy research. Wish one of my ancestors would have thought of passing down a family Bible. =-)

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Ginny - thanks for the kind comments! So glad you're enjoying the story. After reading the series, some people have started the Bible tradition with their families. Makes my heart sing to have had that kind of influence that will go on for generations. Blessings.

[Leanne]

My love for your books began with the Great Awakenings Series authored with Bill Bright. What a blessing and spiritual challenge those books were to me! Now I'm on book 3 of this series and can't read fast enough. My favorite thing about the books is the depth of historical information within in the book and the verification of that information at the end of the book. I'm frustrated with historical fiction that seems half made up and not true to its time. Thank you for your service to the Lord!

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Well bless your heart, Leanne! Thanks for taking the time to share that with me. I get frustrated with other authors who don't do the research (one told me outright she never does research, that if she didn't know something about the time period, she made it up!). For me, the research is the most fun part of writing.

[Deana J. Shaffer]

Hi, Jack. I purchased 2 of your books (The Puritans & The Adversaries) at a church-sponsored sale. I've only read the first two chapters of "The Puritans," but I am already hooked!! Thank you for writing such wonderful, faith-based stories. I plan on sharing these books with my family and friends. God bless you and Merry Christmas.

[Sparx]

Mr. Cavaunaugh, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!!!!! Not only the message in each on of them, but also I have to admit, your characters get me every time. My two favorite of this series are The Adversaries and The Pioneers.

[Jack]

So glad you enjoyed the series, Sparx. And thanks for telling me which books in the series are your favorites. Of course, they're all special to me for one reason or another, but I enjoy hearing which ones are special to my readers.

[Cathy Muscara]

Thank you, Jack, for this thorough journey through history! I never appreciated history while in school, but now as a homeschool mom I am teaching my children using the series! Do you have any published lesson plans or activities which correlate with your books?
On a side note: I am making it my quest to find copies of your books at library books sales and yard sales so I can give each of my children a complete set! :)
Thank you for bringing our Christian heritage to life!
Cathy

[Amber]

Jack - You're books are wonderful!!! I just finished The Peacemakers, and was thrilled to learn there is one more to follow in the series of the Morgans. YEAH!!! I started the series by purchasing The Puritans. I had a gift certificate to use at a Bible Book Store, and it caught my eye. Although I'm usually more interested in 20th Century history, I LOVED each book and time period. The books made me laugh, cry, put me in a state of suspense, etc... Wonderful characters! In some cases I wish we could have followed some of the other sibblings in more detail, beyond their initial book appearance - Jacob, Marshall, Willy, Katy, Alex, Lilly, etc... One question I have...what is the time frame for the end of the Peacemakers? Are we in the mid-90's? Curious how long it tood for Allegra's written success to reach the film phase? And how long was it before the two couples married?
I LOVE your work, and look forward to reading many more!

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Amber, Bless your heart and thank you! The Peacemakers was originally planned to be the last book in the series (and to answer your question, the ending was meant to be at the same time the book was released, 1999). Years after it came out the publisher requested one more in the series set in present day. The result was The Guardians (2008). So glad you have enjoyed the series. It's readers like you who have made it all worthwhile.

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Cathy, this series was written for people like you who love history but just didn't know it. And now you're introducing it to your children! May you and your tribe increase! Unfortunately, there are no lesson plans for the books. I wrote the Afterword as a guide for those who might want to explore a little more on their own. Contact me by email at novelistjack@cox.net and let me know which books in the series you're missing. I have some extra copies of some of the books. Again, thank you for reading and writing to me.

[Charity Freeman]

Thank you Jack for the Songs in the Night series. I can't wait to read more of your books. They are clean and Christian based. I really like that. Charity

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Charity, Bless your heart for your kind words about the Songs in the Night series, which has a special place in my heart. While much of the research was troubling (because of all the suffering Christians of that generation had to endure), it was also inspiring. I'm glad you enjoyed the stories. Thank you for writing. I always enjoy hearing from my readers.

[Becky]

I remember reading this series when I was in middle school - my school library had a plethora of different books and looking back, it was pretty good luck that it had each in the series. I'm so excited to learn that they're now available as eBooks. I look forward to downloading and enjoying them all over again as an adult! Thank you so much for these wonderful books - I remember The Victors being my favorite, though that might change as I re-read them all!

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Becky! Thank you so much for being such a faithful reader. The Victors is one of my favorites, too. I love researching and writing books set in World War II. In fact, I'm currently writing a book called Freedom's Secret, set in WWII. It will release in ebook format in 2012, just about the time you've finished reading all nine books in the American Family Portrait series again! Blessings.

[Rhonda]

I read the entire series years ago but I don't remember reading The Guardians. Is that the one that ends with the Morgan family's story being made into a movie? If so, then I did read it. I love Jack's books and have recently finished Glimpses of Truth. I was happy to find out it was part of a series. I will definitely read the rest. The Morgan family books will always be among my favorite. I am into genealogay and loved the concept. I also am particulary interested in history so these were "right up my alley" so to speak.

[Jack]

Rhonda, So glad my novels are "right up your alley." The novel that ended with the Morgan history being made into a movie is The Peacemakers. Originally, it was intended to be the end of the series, but several years later the publishers approached me about writing one more story, a contemporary novel bringing the Morgans into present time (The Guardians). I had a great and nostalgic time writing it. It was like visiting family I hadn't seen in a long while.

[Lisa Rawlings]

I have read the series so many times that my books are literally falling apart. I know I should get the electronic editions but just can't make myself do it. I love "books" too much. The Morgans are great friends of mine that I, like you Mr.Cavanaugh, go back and "visit" often. Each time I read the series, a different book is my favorite. Great writing! I also love the Songs in the Night series.

[Jack Cavanaugh]

Lisa, I share your feeling about bound books. I'm old school in that way, but for me there's nothing like the feel of a hard-bound book, trade paper like mine are a close second. That said, I have both a Kindle and Nook and love what they both can do, but it's apples and oranges when compared to bound books. Guess I'm just old school. So glad you have enjoyed the two series. Thanks for the kind comment about my writing. You made my day. Blessings.

[Pauline Ryan]

Have just been lent The Puritans to read and am now hooked, the writing is amazing and can't wait to read more, might take me a while but with birthdays, Christmas, other present giving occasions.