How one author is re-living the history of the Ohio Valley

(WTRF) — Some might not be aware of the role that the Ohio Valley and the surrounding region played in shaping our country into what it is today.

Dan Hobbs grew up just north of Weirton, West Virginia and now he is helping people relive what went on in this region centuries ago through a series of historical fiction novels.

The series is titled Cleave America, and Hobbs says he chose the word “cleave” because it has two definitions, one to divide and the other to cling, which is a main theme in the series.

The first book in the series is Cleave America: Patriot Flames 1774 which focuses on the Annapolis Tea Party in Maryland and the social changes that were happening. Now, Hobbs is working on releasing the second novel and beginning the third one in the series. Both focus on a lot of West Virginia history and its separation from Virginia and the challenges people faced during the Civil War.

”We live our lives, sometimes we get just caught up in our current life crisis’s, our problems, finance, whatever and to realize that others through generations and generations have suffered the same thing and persevered, I think is encouraging.”

Dan Hobbs – Author, Cleave America Series

Each novel consists of fictional characters that portray what people faced during those times and how they separated and then came together to shape the region into what it is today.

The first novel in the series is out while the second one is just weeks away from being released and for the third, Hobbs is completing more research throughout the region so he can begin writing it.

WTRF will have a more in-depth look into his series in the coming weeks so be sure to stay tuned to 7News on-air and WTRF.com online.

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