The Trials of Nellie Belle

"The most wonderful and amazing thing for me about The Trials of Nellie Belle is that it was written by Nellie’s great granddaughter. Sydney Avey calls into vivid existence someone she has never met." – Caitlin Hicks, author of A Theory of Expanded Love

There is power in justice and forgiveness.

When her parents marry off Kansas-born Nellie Belle to the ranch foreman, she never questions that motherhood will follow. But at the dawn of the progressive era, dissatisfied Nellie seizes an opportunity to move west and start a new life.

Yearning to find a sense of self-worth, Nellie leaves behind her husband and son and takes her two daughters to the Northwest. She charges forward to become the first woman court reporter to travel the circuit in the region.

In small-town makeshift courtrooms and growing cities boasting new halls of justice, Nellie's strength touches many lives: independent-minded lawmen, enterprising women, hard-working immigrants, and a number of cads. But when her prodigal youngest returns home with a babe in arms, Nellie must do what she can to pull together the remains of her scattered family.

"This is truly a couldn't-put-it-down character driven narrative that is authentic and riveting. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and this fully captures why I love the genre." – Cheryl, Goodreads

"“If you like inspirational stories of strong women, you will love Sydney Avey's latest novel....She mixes fact and fiction with just the right amount of historical details for an entertaining read.” – Teresa, Goodreads

Enjoy the beauty of a story by Sydney Avey
The Sheep Walker's Daughter
The Lyre and the Lambs
The Trials of Nellie Belle

This historical novel is rich with details of the times, including court cases where Nellie encounters colorful characters whose testimony she transcribes. – Caitlin, Goodreads

The most wonderful and amazing thing for me about The Trials of Nellie Belle is that it was written by Nellie’s great granddaughter. Sydney Avey calls into vivid existence someone she has never met. – Caitlin Hicks, author of A theory of expanded love

I seldom post reviews but this is truly a couldn't-put-it-down character driven narrative that is authentic and riveting. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and this fully captures why I love the genre. – Cheryl, Goodreads

If you like inspirational stories of strong women, you will love Sydney Avey's latest novel based on the life of her own great grandmother. She mixes fact and fiction with just the right amount of historical details for an entertaining read. – Teresa, Goodreads

"People who liked the following books might also like The Trials of Nellie Belle:

Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout. Both feature a strong female protagonist whose past influences the present lives of others.

Lives of Girls and Women, by Alice Munro. Both value a rich back story.

Into the Free, by Julie Cantrell. Both articulate the struggle with faith and the power of forgiveness.

Family sagas like Jane Smiley’s Last Hundred Years Trilogy and Phillip Meyer’s The Son, books that capture the influence of transformative periods of time on families.

All She Left Behind, by Jane Kirkpatrick. Both feature women who defied convention to pioneer the Northwest.Both hold out redemptive hope to those whose willfulness cause friction.

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. Both take risks telling a deeply personal family story."