In the 1860’s the flight for liberty for many slaves was a voracious desire, one that often could not be obtained without outside help. A twice-captured slave from Oak Bend, Georgia simply named George embraces his dream of freedom through his master’s granddaughter, Lacey. At an early age, with her mother’s clandestine aid, Lacey helps George begin his journey. Armed with a few coins, a pocket watch, and The Anti-Slavery Bugle from Salem, Ohio, he leaves Georgia to become a free man. George’s well-planned escape leads through narrow opportunities that if missed would result in certain capture. Abolitionists throughout Georgia and the Carolinas cast aside their safety to ensure his future. When the freedom fighters of Salem, Ohio break the lock of bondage, he is lulled into the false security of the rural town and despite constant pursuit he decides to make Salem his home. This tale recalls a dark time in American history - an era of fervent believers in either the rights of freedom or the necessity of slavery and the constant, brutal, and secretive battle between the two. Unserheim, Salem, Ohio - where the inspiration began and history lives. (click photo for expanded view)
In the heart of historic Hope Cemetery in Salem, Ohio stands a memorial for Goldie Bell Taylor. The tragedy of a small life stolen at only two years of age is magnified in her carved marble eyes. They echo the feeling of desperate longing. Her hands are carved to nearly touching leaving a void that is filled only by a gathering of fresh flowers. All seems normal, yet Goldie’s suitors are never seen; only their bouquets remain as evidence of their visit. Patricia (Suzie) DuVeau is drawn to this 1886 statue as she searches for the resting place of her birth mother. She is pulled into place where past and present are blended as one vision – a view into a world where its movement is guided by desperate desires to complete their purpose. As Suzie is drawn from the mayhem, she finds solace with a family she never knew existed. Her aunt, Madeline, and companion, Patrick fills Suzie’s need for answers while she explores the convoluted life of her mother. What she finds is not what she desires or expects.
An innocent summer afternoon turns the lives of two eleven-year-old boys into chaos when they discover an Indian burial mound just off The Great Trail in Minerva, Ohio. Inside the ancient mound lay the skeletal remains of a young child adorned with carved images. Each piece holds ominous power that is unleashed on the unfortunate one who finds it. The boys are torn between honor and adventure as they make decisions that affect their lives as well as the fate of eight others. Beneath my feet lies the history and mystery of an unearthed Indian burial mound in Ohio. (click photo for expanded view)
Upcoming Events Thank you to all for your continued support. Chattels has officially launched! If you want to be notified send me your email address at: karen@karenbiery.com Here's to the next chapter! Saturday, April 27, 2013 Chico's 813 Boardman-Poland Rd Youngstowm, OH 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Lisbon Ruritan First Christian Church Lisbon, OH 6 p.m. Sunday, June 16, 2013 Loghurst Museum Canfield, OH August 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 Shaker Woods Festival Booth location TBD Salem Historical Society October 2013		About the Author Karen Biery is an artist and writer who has spent the majority of her life in the creative realm. She began her career in retail management with small entrepreneurs, grew through one of America’s leading corporations, and ultimately created her own retail environment, Olde English Garden Company, in Salem, Ohio. She attended Kent State University for creative writing and studied watercolors under the instruction of Tom McNickle. She has designed the covers of *Chattels, believe,* and *pieces* through photography and watercolors as well as illustrated the interior; blending the two halves to make it whole. Karen lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, Jeff. *From inside my head...* Many of you have asked at the recent events what is in store for the upcoming releases. My plan is to release one novel per year. I have just finished the prequel to believe, *Chattels. As the title suggests, it is an expanded view of Salem in the 1860's which centers around the Underground Railroad. It is a gripping tale of freedom at all cost and the people who aided in that journey. Works in progress:* *believe* sequel (through chapter 4) *speakeasy* (7/8 completed) *souls* (Leetonia's Coke Ovens - Chapter 7) *choices* (chapter 5) *eyes* (chapter 3) art (chapter 6) *"I wish I had learned to ride a bike." Memoirs of Dorothy Eppinger-Curry* (Chapter 2) addict (conception) strings (Chapter 40 and working backwards) NOON - reflective auto-biography - Chapter 2

In the 1860’s the flight for liberty for many slaves was a voracious desire, one that often could not be obtained without outside help. A twice-captured slave from Oak Bend, Georgia simply named George embraces his dream of freedom through his master’s granddaughter, Lacey. At an early age, with her mother’s clandestine aid, Lacey helps George begin his journey. Armed with a few coins, a pocket watch, and The Anti-Slavery Bugle from Salem, Ohio, he leaves Georgia to become a free man.

George’s well-planned escape leads through narrow opportunities that if missed would result in certain capture. Abolitionists throughout Georgia and the Carolinas cast aside their safety to ensure his future. When the freedom fighters of Salem, Ohio break the lock of bondage, he is lulled into the false security of the rural town and despite constant pursuit he decides to make Salem his home.

This tale recalls a dark time in American history - an era of fervent believers in either the rights of freedom or the necessity of slavery and the constant, brutal, and secretive battle between the two.

Unserheim, Salem, Ohio - where the inspiration began and history lives. (click photo for expanded view)

believe... where Chattels continues.

In the heart of historic Hope Cemetery in Salem, Ohio stands a memorial for Goldie Bell Taylor. The tragedy of a small life stolen at only two years of age is magnified in her carved marble eyes. They echo the feeling of desperate longing. Her hands are carved to nearly touching leaving a void that is filled only by a gathering of fresh flowers. All seems normal, yet Goldie’s suitors are never seen; only their bouquets remain as evidence of their visit.

Patricia (Suzie) DuVeau is drawn to this 1886 statue as she searches for the resting place of her birth mother. She is pulled into place where past and present are blended as one vision – a view into a world where its movement is guided by desperate desires to complete their purpose.

As Suzie is drawn from the mayhem, she finds solace with a family she never knew existed. Her aunt, Madeline, and companion, Patrick fills Suzie’s need for answers while she explores the convoluted life of her mother.

What she finds is not what she desires or expects.

An innocent summer afternoon turns the lives of two eleven-year-old boys into chaos when they discover an Indian burial mound just off The Great Trail in Minerva, Ohio. Inside the ancient mound lay the skeletal remains of a young child adorned with carved images. Each piece holds ominous power that is unleashed on the unfortunate one who finds it. The boys are torn between honor and adventure as they make decisions that affect their lives as well as the fate of eight others.

Beneath my feet lies the history and mystery of an unearthed Indian burial mound in Ohio. (click photo for expanded view)

Upcoming Events

Thank you to all for your continued support. Chattels has officially launched! If you want to be notified send me your
    email address at: karen@karenbiery.com

Here's to the next chapter!

Saturday, April 27, 2013
         Chico's
813 Boardman-Poland Rd
   Youngstowm, OH
    11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
    Lisbon Ruritan
First Christian Church
      Lisbon, OH
         6 p.m.

Sunday, June 16, 2013
   Loghurst Museum
     Canfield, OH

August 10-11, 17-18, 24-25
Shaker Woods Festival
   Booth location TBD

Salem Historical Society
      October 2013

About the Author

Karen Biery is an artist and writer who has spent the majority of her life in the creative realm. She began her career in retail management with small entrepreneurs, grew through one of America’s leading corporations, and ultimately created her own retail environment, Olde English Garden Company, in Salem, Ohio. She attended Kent State University for creative writing and studied watercolors under the instruction of Tom McNickle. She has designed the covers of Chattels, believe, and pieces through photography and watercolors as well as illustrated the interior; blending the two halves to make it whole.  Karen lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, Jeff.

From inside my head...
Many of you have asked at the recent events what is in store for the upcoming releases. My plan is to release one novel per year. I have just finished the prequel to believe, Chattels. As the title suggests, it is an expanded view of Salem in the 1860's which centers around the Underground Railroad. It is a gripping tale of freedom at all cost and the people who aided in that journey.

    Works in progress:

believe sequel (through chapter 4)
speakeasy (7/8 completed)
souls (Leetonia's Coke Ovens
- Chapter 7)
choices (chapter 5)
eyes (chapter 3)
art (chapter 6)
"I wish I had learned to ride a bike." Memoirs of Dorothy Eppinger-Curry
(Chapter 2)
addict (conception)
strings (Chapter 40 and working backwards)
NOON - reflective auto-biography - Chapter 2