Author: Paul

Author Paul R. Wonning considers himself an "Indiana Hound," because he likes to "sniff" out the interesting places and history of Indiana and then use his books to reveal them to his readers. He also enjoys gardening, American history and dabbles in writing fantasy and humorous fiction.
Dark Fantasy Novel Series, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter 1 – A Stranger Lurks

Memories fluttered around Margaret’s mind like the butterflies hovering over the buddleia bush. She remembered that it was her mother’s favorite flower. Those were long gone, but the fragrant sweet peas survived, covering the slope below the old house. Black eyes Susan’s, Queen Anne’s lace and other wildflowers also occupied the formerly well-kept lawn. Trees had encroached here, as well. Nature threatened to swallow up what remained of her parent’s life. Continue reading Sample Chapter 1 – A Stranger Lurks

Indiana History Time Line, Podcast Indiana’s Timeless Tales Book 1

A Squirrel’s Travel Paradise – The Great Forests of Indiana

At the time of settlement, vast hardwood forests covered most of Indiana. More than eighty-five species of trees live in the state. Trees like white oak, sugar maple, white ash, American beech, sycamore, red oak, yellow poplar and black cherry grew to a huge size. Many have said that a squirrel could have traveled from Ohio to the Illinois prairies without ever touching the ground.
Continue reading A Squirrel’s Travel Paradise – The Great Forests of Indiana

Dark Fantasy Novel Series, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter One – The Wizard’s Magic Pipe

The initial shock of cold water slapped Cecil Barnes awake. As the water heated, he stuck his head under the stream and wetted his hair. He reached for the shampoo, squeezed a small puddle of it into his palm and lathered his hair. The rich smell of the shampoo permeated the steamy air. He felt the hot water sooth the stiff muscles in his neck and back. He hadn’t been sleeping well. He needed a new mattress. As this thought settled into his mind, he knew that his mattress wasn’t all that he needed to change. Continue reading Sample Chapter One – The Wizard’s Magic Pipe

American Short Biography Series, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter – Prince Henry the Navigator- The New World Discoverers

The son of Portuguese King John I and his wife Philippa of Lancaster, Henrique was probably native to Porto, Portugal. King John, Henrique and his brother laid the foundation for the Portuguese Empire in Africa when they captured the Moorish port of Ceuta, which is along the Moroccan Coast on the northwestern coast of Africa. The port had served as a base for pirates that raided Mediterranean Coast capturing people to sell in the African slave market. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Prince Henry the Navigator- The New World Discoverers

A Year in Wildflowers, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter – Southern Indiana Wildflowers – Botanical Names

Most people know plants by their common names. It is quite natural that everyone within a locality or region uses these common names. The problem with common names is that they can change from region to region. An example is Belamcanda chinensis. In some areas as people, call it the Leopard Flower, in others as Blackberry Lily. Both are descriptive names, one about the flower, the other referring to the blackberry like seed cluster. However, the name might confuse a scientist or gardener looking for that specific plant by the name, and may not be able to find the right plant for his garden. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Southern Indiana Wildflowers – Botanical Names

366 Days in History Series, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter – Franklin Humiliated Before British Privy Council

It only took one hour for British Solicitor General Alexander Wedderburn to turn Benjamin Franklin from a conciliator that wanted to smooth over differences between Britain and her North American Colonies to a flaming rebel that worked incessantly for independence. Wedderburn’s one-hour tirade against Franklin before the British Privy Council very possibly cost him the Colonies. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Franklin Humiliated Before British Privy Council

366 Days in History Series, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter – Colonial American History Journal – Book 1

After its establishment in May of 1607, the colonists in Jamestown faced a harrowing existence. Salt poisoning from the briny river water they drank, dysentery and typhoid ravaged the men of the colony. The relationship with the surrounding native tribes ranged from hostility to reluctant friendship. There was the constant threat of attack by the Spanish, who often explored the area. Their arrival coincided with the beginning of a seven-year drought, thus adding to their difficulties. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Colonial American History Journal – Book 1

366 Days in History Series

A Day in United States History – Book 1

Written in a “this day in history,” format, this collection of North American colonial history events includes 366 history stories. The historical collection of tales includes many well-known as well as some little-known events in the saga of the United States. The easy to follow “this day in history,” format covers a wide range of the people, places and events of early American history. Continue reading A Day in United States History – Book 1

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – United States History Timeline – The Magna Carta

The Magna Carta
Description:
The Magna Carta signed by English King John in 1215 was one of the earliest examples of limiting government in history. The Founders of the United States drew on the concept when they declared independence in 1776 and drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the years after. Continue reading Podcast – United States History Timeline – The Magna Carta