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Larry K. Collins and his wife, Lorna, co-wrote their first book,
31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, a
memoir about living in Osaka and their experiences building
Universal Studios, Japan. It was a finalist for the 2006 EPPIE
award and named as one of Rebeccas Reads best nonfiction
books of 2005.
They have since written two cozy mysteries, set in
Hawaii: Murder…They Wrote and Murder in Paradise, the
latter a finalist for the 2012 EPIC eBook Award for best
mystery. They are currently working on more in this series.
Larry’s book of short stories, Lakeview Park, was
published in 2011. In the style of O. Henry, it contains fifteen
slice-of-life stories of people who frequent a neighborhood
park.
He and Lorna also co-authored The Memory Keeper, a
historical novel on the life of an Acjachemen Indian in San
Juan Capistrano between 1820 and 1890. It was a finalist for
the 2015 EPIC eBook Award for best historical novel. They are
researching and writing a sequel, Becoming the Jewel.
Their latest collaboration is on the novel Dominic
Drive, based on an idea created by Lorna’s late brother,
Ronald Travis Lund.
Larry is currently working another book in this series:
The McGregor Chronicles:. Book 10.
He lives in Dana Point, California, visits Hawaii
whenever he can, and surfs every weekday when there is surf.
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
The urge to move west for a fresh start is woven deeply into American history, and in The Road West by Larry K. Collins, we follow one such journey that brings out our innate pioneering spirit. While this is a work of fiction, it’s based on the diary of the author’s aunt, who did go on a similar trip. It’s told through the eyes of the youngest child, Jimmy, and is the story of a large clan traveling from North Dakota to California. Split between two vehicles, a Ford and a Chevrolet, their route reads like a living, breathing itinerary mapped out across the still-existent backroads of rural America. With its scenes from daily life, like getting stuck in snow and mud, braving the weather, and helping each other out, readers are taken on the trek right along with the family. There are also real photos from the trip scattered throughout. More than just a chronicle of travel, it’s a portrait of perseverance, family teamwork, and the fun that can be found during hard times.
What drew me in first about The Road West by Larry K. Collins was its cover and title. I knew it was dealing with traveling the west side of the country, but once I looked at the cover more closely, I could see it would be about a newer journey, not one taking place during the height of the Oregon Trail. As an educator, I became interested in how vividly it described not just the traveling itself, but also how much the family was learning about the places they visited. They explored places and shared stories during mealtimes, which was an important part of their trip. It felt like the kind of trip I have taken with my husband, and it got me thinking about a possible trip west for us in the future. I began looking up the places they visited or drove through, and found they still exist. I appreciated the inclusion of personal photos, which made every chapter feel more authentic and gave me a more intimate glimpse into their experiences. I also appreciated how it wasn’t just a neat trip without any negativity. It was real, and readers learn of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
