New historical novel is a “Kootenay bestseller.”

With over 600 copies sold, the new historical novel Living in the Shadow of Fisher Peak, written by Kootenay author Keith G. Powell, is one of several “Kootenay bestsellers” on the shelves at bookstores throughout the Kootenays.

“I recently heard that if a book sells 5,000 copies in Canada or 1,000 in British Columbia it is considered a bestseller,” said author Keith Powell.  “So I guess that must, at least, make my new book a “Kootenay” bestseller, with over 600 copies sold in its first two months.  The reaction to my new historical novel about the Wild Horse Creek gold rush has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The new historical novel explores the Kootenay gold rush of 1864 which opened the Kootenays to modern day development.  This spurred the extension of the Dewdney Trail beyond Hope through the West Kootenay to Wild Horse Creek near Fort Steele.  Jack Fisher was one of the Kootenay’s most colourful (and long forgotten) characters. His story of his adventurous life is captured and brought alive in this historical novel.  The book is 176 pages and contains over twenty historical photos.

 Here is s what one reviewer recently wrote about the book Living in the Shadow of Fisher Peak…

“This engaging historical novel was written by local publisher and author Keith Powell. It tells a story of the riveting adventures had by Jack Fisher, the prospector for whom Fisher Peak was named. In his quest for gold, 16-year-old Fisher (originally from Philadelphia) set off across the Midwest to improve his quality of life and find wealth in California. His tireless drive to emerge from a life of poverty led him eventually to Wild Horse Creek in Kootenay country, attesting to the motivation and courage of this young man. Readers will empathize with the ups and downs endured throughout Fisher’s extensive trek, where his triumphant success later took a tragic turn for the worse. In reading a novel such as this, one gets a sense of the hardships endured in the 1800s by those who were struck with “gold fever,” and refused to give up on their dreams. It is a truly inspiring read, and it's clear that there was significant historical research put into its creation. The tale is woven in an entertaining manner, one which any reader can relate to and enjoy.”

 Through his own publishing company called Wild Horse Creek Press this new Kootenay historical novel is now available in at local bookstore throughout the Kootenaysfor $21.95.

Other Kootenay bestsellers at local bookstores this year include Janice Strong’s Mountain Footsteps; Angie Abdou’s The Bone Cage; Keith Liggett’s Island Lake Lodge: The Cookbook; Dave Cassidy's My Hope Butch and of course Nelson’s Shelley Adam’s Whitewater Cooks at Home, which is the #3 on B.C. best sellers list.