Karen Barrow
Historical Fiction Writer
As an avid reader of historical fiction with a passion for research, choosing a genre was not a difficult decision when Karen decided to put pen to paper. The brainwave to use her love of travel as inspiration for her settings made the process that much more enriching. Add the intrigue of mystery and a sprinkle of romance, and three novels later, with a published short story, and a collection of travel stories, a lifelong dream was realized.
Published Spring 2024
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The arrival of a handsome young stranger to a cocoa estate on the island of Trinidad is a catalyst that sets off a tragic train of events with consequences that stretch into the present day. Part coming-of-age story, part Gothic mystery, Palmyra is a historical novel that conjures a world teaming with divided loyalties, family secrets, and ambition.
Praise & Reviews
for other projects
A rare talent
Dreams of the Alhambra: This was a great pleasure to read; I loved the deja vu and dream premise
T Therien, Editor
Dreams of the Alhambra: Your mix of a present-day travel story with a historic, folkloric romance is really compelling
Aimee Ashcraft, Brower Literary and Management
Praise & Reviews
for PALMYRA
You have an incredible talent. I rarely read submissions which approach this level of skill and engagement.
Netta Johnson, Stonehouse Publishing
A high drama, high atmosphere 19th century novel, Palmyra can best be described as Caribbean Gothic.
Adrienne Kerr, Senior Editor, Simon & Schuster Canada
Praise & Reviews
for other projects
Evocative and transporting
Daughter of Zanzibar: The one author who keeps springing to mind is M.M. Kaye, whose novels were really sweeping and wonderful - a bit like Michener, except with a romantic, female focus and a tighter time frame - and no one's really filled that niche since.
Leslie Wainger, formerly of Mira Imprint, Harlequin
Daughter of Zanzibar: The writing is engaging, the idea is appealing and you write with real energy and imagination.
Felicity Blunt, Agent Curtis Brown
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Unveiling the Writer
Growing up on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, Karen's happiest hours were spent with either her head in a book or a pen in her hand. Knowing that the bohemian life of a writer would never receive parental approval, Karen journeyed to Canada to pursue other studies. It was not long before a chance encounter with a geology student ended with raising a family in what at times felt like the far reaches of the country. During several moves, which included a delightful sojourn in Brisbane, Australia before finally settling in the Greater Toronto Area, Karen honed the life of a professional student in search of what she always wanted to be ... a writer. After 16 years in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) during which time she developed her writing skills and wrote two novels, Karen and her husband moved west in 2021 to settle in the beautiful Okanagan region of interior British Columbia. There she finished her 3rd novel, Palmyra, that was begun during the initial disquieting months of the pandemic, which undoubtedly contributed to the brooding nature of the story. With an unrecognizable accent and many a stamp in her passport, Karen considers herself a global citizen.
News
Everybody hear de news? Palmyra is now available on Amazon sites around the world, as well as Indigo/Chapters/Coles online stores in Canada and Barnes and Noble in the US. eBook format is available on Kindle, Kobo, and Google Play. Palmyra is also available for sale from the FriesenPress Bookstore .
If you enjoy Palmyra, spread the word to friends, out-laws and book clubs. A rating and a short review on Goodreads or Amazon goes a long way to building sales and readership. Ask your local library to stock the book and consider recycling in neighborhood street libraries.