Anne M Smith-Nochasak

The year is 2036, and the land once known as North America is ravaged by environmental decay and ruled with an iron fist by the oppressive Millennial cult known as The Elect. Seventy-eight year-old Flo is documenting what might be, in her opinion, "the last history of the world," while managing the diverse, odd, and sometimes dangerous individuals hiding out in her rural Nova Scotian swamp. Flo clings to her granddaughter River, the only light left in this otherwise dark existence. Her Inuit-born son and his Salish partner, River's parents, have escaped to Quebec to lead the resistance. There is no one left for Flo to trust now, but she holds onto the belief that change is possible and she diligently prepares for the revolution. As River approaches her twelfth birthday, the Elect's sinister plans threaten to tear them apart. Forced into a breeding program euphemistically dubbed "The Resurrection," River faces a grim fate. Determined to defy the tyranny, Flo and River race against time to ensure River's escape. At times irreverent and always honest, Flo draws us into a dark world, shocking us while summoning us to hope, and sometimes even to laughter. This is her story: the story of a rebel grandmother, in which saving her granddaughter River will be the key to all. River Faces North marks the first novel of a new trilogy, delivering readers a dystopian tale of survival, sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring power of hope and love.

The year is 2036, and the land once known as North America is ravaged by environmental decay and ruled with an iron fist by the oppressive Millennial cult known as The Elect. Seventy-eight year-old Flo is documenting what might be, in her opinion, "the last history of the world," while managing the diverse, odd, and sometimes dangerous individuals hiding out in her rural Nova Scotian swamp. Flo clings to her granddaughter River, the only light left in this otherwise dark existence. Her Inuit-born son and his Salish partner, River's parents, have escaped to Quebec to lead the resistance. There is no one left for Flo to trust now, but she holds onto the belief that change is possible and she diligently prepares for the revolution. As River approaches her twelfth birthday, the Elect's sinister plans threaten to tear them apart. Forced into a breeding program euphemistically dubbed "The Resurrection," River faces a grim fate. Determined to defy the tyranny, Flo and River race against time to ensure River's escape. At times irreverent and always honest, Flo draws us into a dark world, shocking us while summoning us to hope, and sometimes even to laughter. This is her story: the story of a rebel grandmother, in which saving her granddaughter River will be the key to all. River Faces North marks the first novel of a new trilogy, delivering readers a dystopian tale of survival, sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring power of hope and love.

During her first teaching year away from her Halifax home-in Endor, an Inuit community on the far northern coast of Labrador-Anna Caine falls deeply in love with the raw beauty of the land, the warmth and acceptance of its people, and with Joshua Kalluk, an Inuk carpenter engaged to another. But when the pull of their brief affair proves insufficient to win Joshua from his betrothed, Anna leaves Endor abruptly and returns home, carrying Joshua's child and ending her own engagement.As the years pass, Anna and Joshua share parenting responsibilities for their son but little else. Joshua had moved on with his wife and their growing family, while Anna found herself adrift, longing for what she had lost and struggling to come to terms with her choices, fighting to maintain an independence that always left her unfulfilled. It isn't until she retires, amidst a terrifying global pandemic, and is called upon to act as a medical escort for Joshua during his cancer treatments, and eventually to accompany him on his final journey home, that she is forced to confront both the past and her own lingering feelings of love, shame, and regret. The Ice Widow - A Story of Love and Redemption is a beautiful and heart-wrenching work of literary fiction that delves into themes of honour, compassion, and inter-cultural empathy. Life can be both beautiful and tragic but is a journey to be honoured both in spite of its struggles and because of them-a journey in which redemption is always possible.

During her first teaching year away from her Halifax home-in Endor, an Inuit community on the far northern coast of Labrador-Anna Caine falls deeply in love with the raw beauty of the land, the warmth and acceptance of its people, and with Joshua Kalluk, an Inuk carpenter engaged to another. But when the pull of their brief affair proves insufficient to win Joshua from his betrothed, Anna leaves Endor abruptly and returns home, carrying Joshua's child and ending her own engagement.As the years pass, Anna and Joshua share parenting responsibilities for their son but little else. Joshua had moved on with his wife and their growing family, while Anna found herself adrift, longing for what she had lost and struggling to come to terms with her choices, fighting to maintain an independence that always left her unfulfilled. It isn't until she retires, amidst a terrifying global pandemic, and is called upon to act as a medical escort for Joshua during his cancer treatments, and eventually to accompany him on his final journey home, that she is forced to confront both the past and her own lingering feelings of love, shame, and regret. The Ice Widow - A Story of Love and Redemption is a beautiful and heart-wrenching work of literary fiction that delves into themes of honour, compassion, and inter-cultural empathy. Life can be both beautiful and tragic but is a journey to be honoured both in spite of its struggles and because of them-a journey in which redemption is always possible.