Author

Brian K. Holmes was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and spent most of the next 18 years doing little to distinguish himself in the field of academics. After a poor showing in college, he joined the U.S. Army and spent most of the next three years serving in West Germany. After his discharge he remained in Europe spending the first winter in southern Spain followed by five months of touring the rest of Europe. In the Republic of Ireland he spent a few months trading American folk songs for sea shanties and traditional ballads.

Back in the states at the age of 25 with no appreciable skills or opportunities he joined the workforce at a Ford Motor Company plant near Detroit, married a home town girl and had a son Kyle. The relationship lasted for five years with an amicable split. Four years later Holmes married Judy St. Andre and bore two daughters, Liz and Katy.

Judy an accomplished alto vocalist helped rekindled the musical flame in Brian, and over the next 50 years he composed 35 songs, a Cantata, a number of poems, 4 award winning short stories, 3 stage plays and to this point 4 novels. He helped create a male vocal group called "The Hartland Gospel Quartet" and toured around south eastern Michigan playing gospel music for anyone who would listen.

Brian K. Holmes

While working at the Ford plant, the company offered a story writing contest to help ease the tedium of the assembly line. He won the prize a few times and decided to try writing a novel.

A year later, Brian wrote a novel not only of historical significance, but also a family of characters based on the many people he had met there.

"To all of the denizens of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I give you my thanks for allowing me the privilege of sharing your hearts and land.

I would be remiss if I didn't offer up all of the glory to God for allowing me to tell a story of hope and loving redemption." - Brian.

On Writing the Keweenaw Series

His journey as a writer was sparked by a short story contest that he won two years in a row. Inspired by that success, he took the lead character from those stories, placed him in a new situation with new characters, and let inspiration guide the rest.

He describes himself as a child of God and an octogenarian with a passion for writing stories and Christian music. He considers his writing to be 50% inspiration and 50% accumulated knowledge drawn from a lifetime of experience. Through his work, his goal is simple: to open hearts and minds.

How it all began . . .

A photograph of a cozy wooden bookshelf in a cabin in North American / US, filled with classic hardcovers and framed photos of Michigan pine forests.
A close-up shot of an open novel resting on a warm copper tray next to a steaming mug of tea, illuminated by soft ambient lamp light.
A scenic autumn view of a forest path lined with gold and deep pine trees on the Keweenaw Peninsula in North American / US.
An author's writing desk with a leather journal and warm copper accents in a rustic log cabin setting in North American / US.
A serene sunset photo over Lake Superior, casting warm golden and copper light across calm waters and pine-lined cliffs in North American / US.
A detail photograph of hands holding a hardcover book with a bookmark, sitting on a rustic porch swing overlooking evergreen woods in North American / US.