The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All

Weldon Applegate is a mythical American story about a boy who dreamed of joining his ancestors in their epic axe-swinging adventures. He recounts his life in all its glory, filled with murder, mayhem, avalanches, and bootlegging, and his struggle to keep his father's inherited timber claim, the Lost Lot, from Linden Laughlin.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2022
Publisher: Harlequin (UK)

“I loved this mythic American story. My heart overflowed with affection and raced with terror for Weldon Applegate! Josh Ritters lyrical imagination frolics unfettered on page after fast-turning page.”

In the tiny timber town of Cordelia, Idaho, everyone has heard tales of the Applegates. Local legend says their family line boasts some of the greatest lumberjacks to ever roam the American West, and from the moment young Weldon stepped foot in the deep Cordelia woods as a child, he dreamed of joining the rowdy ranks of his ancestors in their epic axe-swinging adventures. But at the beginning of the twentieth century, times are changing fast, and the jacks are dying out.

On his deathbed nearly a century later, Weldon Applegate recounts his life in all its glory, filled with tall tales writ large with murder, mayhem, avalanches, and bootlegging. It's the story of dark pine forests brewing with ancient magic, and Weldon's struggle as a boy to keep his father's inherited timber claim, the Lost Lot, from the ravenous clutches of Linden Laughlin.

The Lost Lot is a sprawling timber claim that stretches for miles into the heart of the Cordelia woods, and it's been the source of contention for generations. Weldon's father, John, was a fierce lumberjack who built his fortune on the back of the Lost Lot, but when he died, the claim was divided among his three sons. Weldon was the youngest and least experienced of the three, and he quickly found himself at odds with his brothers over who should control the Lost Lot.

Linden Laughlin was a ruthless businessman who had been eying the Lost Lot for years, and he was determined to get his hands on it. He had already made a fortune in the timber industry, and he saw the Lost Lot as the key to his ultimate success. He began to send his henchmen to the Lost Lot, threatening to tear it down and clear the land for development.

Weldon knew that he had to do something to protect the Lost Lot, but he was outnumbered and outgunned. He turned to the ancient magic of the woods, seeking the help of the spirits that lived there. He communed with the trees, the animals, and the spirits of the forest, and he learned how to harness their power to protect his claim.

Weldon's first attempt to protect the Lost Lot was a failure. He tried to summon the spirits of the forest to help him, but they refused to aid him. He tried to fight off Laughlin's henchmen with his axe, but they were too many and too strong.

But Weldon was not one to give up easily. He continued to study the ancient magic of the woods, and he began to experiment with new spells and incantations. He spent hours in the forest, communing with the spirits and learning their secrets.

Finally, after months of hard work and dedication, Weldon succeeded in protecting the Lost Lot. He summoned the spirits of the forest to his aid, and they fought off Laughlin's henchmen with their powerful magic. Weldon's claim was saved, and he became a hero in the eyes of the people of Cordelia.

But Weldon's victory was not without its costs. He had lost his brothers in the battle, and he had been forced to use the ancient magic of the woods to protect his claim. He knew that he had made a deal with the devil, and he was terrified of what might come next.

Weldon continued to live in the Lost Lot, but he was never quite the same. He was haunted by the memories of his battle with Laughlin and the spirits of the forest. He knew that he had been given a gift, but he was not sure what to do with it.

One day, a young woman named Sarah came to the Lost Lot. She was a kind-hearted soul who had heard of Weldon's battle with Laughlin and was determined to help him. She spent months living in the Lost Lot, learning the ancient magic of the woods and communing with the spirits.

Sarah and Weldon fell in love, and they began to work together to protect the Lost Lot and the ancient magic of the woods. They built a small community in the forest, where people could live in harmony with the spirits of the forest and the natural world.

But their happiness was not to last. Linden Laughlin had not given up on his quest to control the Lost Lot, and he began to send his henchmen to the community to tear it down. Sarah and Weldon fought back with all their might, but they were outnumbered and outgunned.

In the end, it was Sarah who saved the community. She used the ancient magic of the woods to summon a powerful storm that destroyed Laughlin's henchmen and wiped out his forces. Weldon and Sarah were hailed as heroes, and the Lost Lot was saved.

But the victory was bittersweet. Weldon knew that he had made a deal with the devil, and he was terrified of what might come next. He knew that the ancient magic of the woods was not to be trifled with, and he was determined to use it only for good.

Years passed, and Weldon and Sarah lived happily in the Lost Lot. They raised a family, and their community grew and flourished. Weldon continued to study the ancient magic of the woods, and he became a respected leader in the community.

But one day, Weldon received a visit from a stranger. He was a tall, dark-haired man with a mysterious air about him. He introduced himself as Josh Ritters, and he claimed to be a writer who had been researching the history of the Lost Lot.

Josh was fascinated by the story of Weldon and Sarah, and he wanted to write a book about it. He asked Weldon to tell him everything he knew about the ancient magic of the woods, and Weldon agreed.

Weldon spent hours with Josh, sharing his knowledge and his experiences with the ancient magic of the woods. Josh was amazed by Weldon's knowledge and his bravery, and he promised to write a book that would honor the story of Weldon and Sarah and the Lost Lot.

Josh spent months writing the book, and it was a huge success. It was published in many countries, and it became a best-seller. People all over the world were fascinated by the story of Weldon and Sarah and the Lost Lot, and they were inspired by the power of the ancient magic of the woods.

Weldon and Sarah were thrilled with the success of the book, and they were proud of the way that it had honored their story. They knew that they had made a difference in the world, and they were grateful for the opportunity to share their knowledge and their experiences with others.

In the end, the story of Weldon and Sarah and the Lost Lot was a testament to the power of the human spirit and the power of the natural world. It was a story of love, courage, and sacrifice, and it will be remembered for generations to come.

Weight: 204g
Dimension: 135 x 203 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781335475084
Edition number: First Time Trade ed.