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A Diamond for Her
Myths & Tales of the Winasook Iron Horses. A Work of Fiction.
He loved her enough to build her a baseball stadium.
In 1920, railroad man Raymond Blythe had a series of disturbing dreams—giant creatures with Greek names playing baseball. He was determined to find out what they meant. The dreams set him on a bizarre quest to find a connection between Iowa, Theodore Roosevelt, baseball, and his deceased father. While searching for answers at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, he met a young librarian named Rochelle Christy. This meeting sets him on another quest—to win her hand in marriage even if it means he has to establish his own baseball league in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains.
A Diamond for Her chronicles the fictitious history of the Winasook Iron Horses, who were the founding members of the Allegheny Independent League from 1921-1955. Baseball magic was born in these mountains proving time and again that anything can happen inside the diamond. Included in these remarkable stories told by retired doctor Charles “Shoeshine” Henry are:
Raymond Blythe has a one-pitch duel with Theodore Roosevelt III at Chautauqua Institution.
Pike tries to set a new world record by sitting on top of Rochelle Stadium’s right field foul pole.
The gods of baseball intervene in a 1930 game with startling results.
Bess, Raymond’s longtime live-in maid, insists on being present for the first game at Greenlee Field in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1932 as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and the Pittsburgh Crawfords defeat the Homestead Grays. But that’s not why Bess wanted to attend. She holds a deep secret, and it’s inside the diamond.
An Iron Horses’ player loses his life in World War II and his brother asks to substitute for the martyr for one game, but something is not as it seems.
And a one-hundred pitch at-bat which inspires the teller of the stories, Charles
“Shoeshine” Henry to become a medical doctor.
Henry, through extensive interviews and archival research, chronicles the
historical record of the Blythes and their remarkable team the Winasook Iron Horses and in doing so, gives a sweeping view of American history through the steady eye of America’s pastime.
With a tip of the cap to the works of W.P. Kinsella, A Diamond for Her is a historical and magical story of love between two people—Raymond & Rochelle—and two grand institutions—America & baseball.
He loved her enough to build her a baseball stadium.
In 1920, railroad man Raymond Blythe had a series of disturbing dreams—giant creatures with Greek names playing baseball. He was determined to find out what they meant. The dreams set him on a bizarre quest to find a connection between Iowa, Theodore Roosevelt, baseball, and his deceased father. While searching for answers at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, he met a young librarian named Rochelle Christy. This meeting sets him on another quest—to win her hand in marriage even if it means he has to establish his own baseball league in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains.
A Diamond for Her chronicles the fictitious history of the Winasook Iron Horses, who were the founding members of the Allegheny Independent League from 1921-1955. Baseball magic was born in these mountains proving time and again that anything can happen inside the diamond. Included in these remarkable stories told by retired doctor Charles “Shoeshine” Henry are:
Raymond Blythe has a one-pitch duel with Theodore Roosevelt III at Chautauqua Institution.
Pike tries to set a new world record by sitting on top of Rochelle Stadium’s right field foul pole.
The gods of baseball intervene in a 1930 game with startling results.
Bess, Raymond’s longtime live-in maid, insists on being present for the first game at Greenlee Field in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1932 as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and the Pittsburgh Crawfords defeat the Homestead Grays. But that’s not why Bess wanted to attend. She holds a deep secret, and it’s inside the diamond.
An Iron Horses’ player loses his life in World War II and his brother asks to substitute for the martyr for one game, but something is not as it seems.
And a one-hundred pitch at-bat which inspires the teller of the stories, Charles
“Shoeshine” Henry to become a medical doctor.
Henry, through extensive interviews and archival research, chronicles the
historical record of the Blythes and their remarkable team the Winasook Iron Horses and in doing so, gives a sweeping view of American history through the steady eye of America’s pastime.
With a tip of the cap to the works of W.P. Kinsella, A Diamond for Her is a historical and magical story of love between two people—Raymond & Rochelle—and two grand institutions—America & baseball.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
52 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Mark W. Sasse
27 books96 followershttps://www.mwsasse.com
https://www.facebook.com/markwsasse
Mark is a proud Western PA native but has lived most of the last twenty years in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. His overseas experiences have redefined everything including his palate, his outlook on life, and naturally his writing.
He has written ten novels, including his brand new Forgotten Child Trilogy.
His interests cast a wide net - from politics to literature - to culture and language - to history and religion - making his writing infused with the unexpected as he seeks to tell authentic and engaging stories about people from all walks of life. His writing is straightforward and accessible to all, especially those who enjoy writing injected with doses of culture, history, adventure, and delightful humor. You never know what you might get when you pick up a Sasse novel.
Besides novel-writing, Sasse is a prolific dramatist, having written and produced more than a dozen full-length dramatic productions. He especially is fond of the short play format and has twice won the Best Script award at the Short & Sweet Theatre Festival Penang. His plays and short musicals have also been produced in New York City, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. His play "The Last Bastion" was awarded the Greywood Arts Winter Residency 2018 in Ireland. Performances of his scripts also won Gold and Bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Forensics Competition 2014.
His professional background is as diverse as his writing. He holds Master's degrees from California State University Dominquez Hills and Azusa Pacific University in Humanities and TESOL respectively. His undergraduate degree was in English, which helped him develop his passion for creative writing. He has extensive experience in teaching English, history, and drama.
On top of all of this, he loves to cook everything from gourmet pizzas, to Mexican, to various Asian dishes. Flavor is the key of both his cooking and his writing. He very much hopes you enjoy the taste.
Published Novels and Short Stories of Mark W. Sasse
2021 A Diamond for Her: Myths and Tales of the Winasook Iron Horses
2020 Moses the Singer
2019 The Forgotten Child (Book 3)
2018 The African Connection (Forgotten Child Trilogy Book 2)
2017 A Man too Old for a Place too Far (Forgotten Child Trilogy Book 1)
2016 Which Half David: A Modern-day King David Story
2015 A Love Story for a Nation (coming in July) - Kindle & Paperback
2014 If Love is a Crime: A Christmas Story - Kindle only
2014 The Reach of the Banyan Tree - Kindle & Paperback
2013 The Recluse Storyteller - Kindle & Paperback
2012 Beauty Rising - Kindle & Paperback
https://www.facebook.com/markwsasse
Mark is a proud Western PA native but has lived most of the last twenty years in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. His overseas experiences have redefined everything including his palate, his outlook on life, and naturally his writing.
He has written ten novels, including his brand new Forgotten Child Trilogy.
His interests cast a wide net - from politics to literature - to culture and language - to history and religion - making his writing infused with the unexpected as he seeks to tell authentic and engaging stories about people from all walks of life. His writing is straightforward and accessible to all, especially those who enjoy writing injected with doses of culture, history, adventure, and delightful humor. You never know what you might get when you pick up a Sasse novel.
Besides novel-writing, Sasse is a prolific dramatist, having written and produced more than a dozen full-length dramatic productions. He especially is fond of the short play format and has twice won the Best Script award at the Short & Sweet Theatre Festival Penang. His plays and short musicals have also been produced in New York City, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. His play "The Last Bastion" was awarded the Greywood Arts Winter Residency 2018 in Ireland. Performances of his scripts also won Gold and Bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Forensics Competition 2014.
His professional background is as diverse as his writing. He holds Master's degrees from California State University Dominquez Hills and Azusa Pacific University in Humanities and TESOL respectively. His undergraduate degree was in English, which helped him develop his passion for creative writing. He has extensive experience in teaching English, history, and drama.
On top of all of this, he loves to cook everything from gourmet pizzas, to Mexican, to various Asian dishes. Flavor is the key of both his cooking and his writing. He very much hopes you enjoy the taste.
Published Novels and Short Stories of Mark W. Sasse
2021 A Diamond for Her: Myths and Tales of the Winasook Iron Horses
2020 Moses the Singer
2019 The Forgotten Child (Book 3)
2018 The African Connection (Forgotten Child Trilogy Book 2)
2017 A Man too Old for a Place too Far (Forgotten Child Trilogy Book 1)
2016 Which Half David: A Modern-day King David Story
2015 A Love Story for a Nation (coming in July) - Kindle & Paperback
2014 If Love is a Crime: A Christmas Story - Kindle only
2014 The Reach of the Banyan Tree - Kindle & Paperback
2013 The Recluse Storyteller - Kindle & Paperback
2012 Beauty Rising - Kindle & Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 28, 2021
When Raymond Blythe first meets The gods of Baseball, he is a little boy, sitting with his father and watching a game. When he meets them again as an adult, they are playing baseball with giant trees and huge boulders as they invent the game, supervised by the Sun. This begins a magical journey, as Raymond almost simultaneously meets the love of his life, Rochelle Christy, puts together a baseball team, the Winasook Iron Horses, and builds a stadium, Rochelle stadium. The story of the beginning of the fictional Winasook Iron Horses is told in 9 innings (which I loved), and then there are some subsequent stories featuring the team and its owners, weaving in important events of the past. This book combines the history of baseball and the history of America as it is intertwined with a fictional baseball team. In the tradition of W.P. Kinsella, Mark W. Sasse brings the magic of baseball to life. This book about the fictional Iron Horses is told from the point of view of Charles “Shoeshine” Henry, who relates these stories as told to him by Raymond Blythe on his deathbed. The main characters and the team are fictional, but they come to life through the pen of Mark W. Sasse and are interwoven with real life figures from the past.
In order to understand this book, you need not necessarily know all the rules of baseball, but you do need to feel the magic behind it. I have an advantage, as I was 11 years old, growing up in Cincinnati in 1975 when The Big Red Machine won the first of two back-to-back World Series titles. I watched as Pete Rose, who began his career with average talent but almost supernatural determination, hustled to first on fly balls and slid headfirst into second. Through him, the little kids of Cincinnati learned about the rewards of hard work and the magic of determination. Before I digress into an essay about whether or not Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame (he should), let me get back to the task at hand. Mark W. Sasse has created a book that is captivating, remarkable, and full of the American spirit. Rich and carefree, Raymond Blythe is determined to accomplish his goal of creating a baseball team, no matter how crazy he might look. He is also quite mad about his future wife, Rochelle, and that combination of madly in love, determined, and crazy creates magic. The first “nine innings” that feature the creation of baseball, the stadium, Raymond’s marriage, and the team were my favorite. However, subsequent stories take us on further adventures with Raymond, Rochelle, the baseball gods, and the Winasook Iron Horses. Real life baseball heroes Satchell Paige and Jackie Robinson are also featured, along with many other real heroes of the past.
Mark W. Sasse fittingly tips his hat to W.P. Kinsella at the end, as this book, while uniquely wondrous and creative, does bring to mind Kinsella’s enchanting baseball novels.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens. My review is voluntary.
In order to understand this book, you need not necessarily know all the rules of baseball, but you do need to feel the magic behind it. I have an advantage, as I was 11 years old, growing up in Cincinnati in 1975 when The Big Red Machine won the first of two back-to-back World Series titles. I watched as Pete Rose, who began his career with average talent but almost supernatural determination, hustled to first on fly balls and slid headfirst into second. Through him, the little kids of Cincinnati learned about the rewards of hard work and the magic of determination. Before I digress into an essay about whether or not Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame (he should), let me get back to the task at hand. Mark W. Sasse has created a book that is captivating, remarkable, and full of the American spirit. Rich and carefree, Raymond Blythe is determined to accomplish his goal of creating a baseball team, no matter how crazy he might look. He is also quite mad about his future wife, Rochelle, and that combination of madly in love, determined, and crazy creates magic. The first “nine innings” that feature the creation of baseball, the stadium, Raymond’s marriage, and the team were my favorite. However, subsequent stories take us on further adventures with Raymond, Rochelle, the baseball gods, and the Winasook Iron Horses. Real life baseball heroes Satchell Paige and Jackie Robinson are also featured, along with many other real heroes of the past.
Mark W. Sasse fittingly tips his hat to W.P. Kinsella at the end, as this book, while uniquely wondrous and creative, does bring to mind Kinsella’s enchanting baseball novels.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens. My review is voluntary.
March 16, 2021
A charming tale of love, the love of baseball, and the heretofore unnamed and temperamental gods of the game. A story so richly told, you’ll frequently forget its fiction.
Regional railroad magnate and larger-than-life character Raymond Blythe dreams a memory one night of once attending a baseball game with his now-deceased father when Raymond was very young. He dreams of the game, of Iowa, of Indians, of Teddy Roosevelt, and the Iowa Baseball Confederacy. Confused by the dreamed memory, Raymond marches into the Carnegie Library for some research on this matter where he meets the beautiful Rochelle, a gal after Raymond’s own heart, as she also lives and breathes the ball game. Determined to win Rochelle’s hand, Raymond sets out to build a baseball stadium in his home town of Winasook, Pennsylvania (they are of course the Iron Horses, as the Blythes are a railroad family), along with the requisite baseball team and local ball league. Thus, Raymond gives Rochelle a diamond not only on her hand, but one in a ballpark christened Rochelle Stadium as well. (Perhaps the book should be called Two Diamonds for Her? I, of course, jest here.)
The story is told by the fictional Dr. Charles “Shoeshine” Henry, M.D., who treated and cared for Raymond at the end of his life in 1971, who in 1985 is documenting the history of Raymond and Rochelle Blythe, the town of Winasook, and the Iron Horses baseball team. Our imaginary doctor took excellent notes of his conversations with the imaginary figures of Mr. Blythe, Raymond’s wife Rochelle Blythe, and other characters in the “true” story. All of this is carefully recounted, including a Prologue, Foreward , end of chapter research notes, and Epilogue. This is so excellently structured in the style of creative nonfiction, that I actually forgot during my reading that it was fiction, as is so clearly labeled on the book cover.
It takes a writer of immense skill to pull this off this kind of ‘story within a story’ and for this I “doff my hat” to author Mark W Sasse – it was fabulously executed. That said, I did find myself lagging in interest to pick the book up at times, as in certain moods I am just not a fan of nonfiction (which, silly me, I forgot this wasn’t!) I was amazingly impressed at how easily I was fooled – At times I found myself mock shouting at the book, “This guy (Raymond Blythe) is a real piece of work!”
All-in-all I would say that if you’re a lover of baseball, love stories, early American tales and history, or just plain skilled writing, I think you’ll enjoy this book! And you might just “meet” a few politicians or sports heroes along the way (well, their fictional versions anyway!).
A big thank you to author Mark W. Sasse (https://mwsasse.com/) and BookSirens (https://booksirens.com/) for a complimentary Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review. A Diamond for Her is available for pre-order now, releasing March 23, 2021, in paperback. Please consider buying from BookShop.org (https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...), the online bookstore that gives 75% of the book’s profits back to independent bookstores. A don’t forget to drop a Comment below to let me know what you thought of this review and of the novel A Diamond for Her.
#ADiamondForHer
#WinasookIronHorses
#MarkWSass
#BookSirens
#BookShop
#BestReadsof2021
Regional railroad magnate and larger-than-life character Raymond Blythe dreams a memory one night of once attending a baseball game with his now-deceased father when Raymond was very young. He dreams of the game, of Iowa, of Indians, of Teddy Roosevelt, and the Iowa Baseball Confederacy. Confused by the dreamed memory, Raymond marches into the Carnegie Library for some research on this matter where he meets the beautiful Rochelle, a gal after Raymond’s own heart, as she also lives and breathes the ball game. Determined to win Rochelle’s hand, Raymond sets out to build a baseball stadium in his home town of Winasook, Pennsylvania (they are of course the Iron Horses, as the Blythes are a railroad family), along with the requisite baseball team and local ball league. Thus, Raymond gives Rochelle a diamond not only on her hand, but one in a ballpark christened Rochelle Stadium as well. (Perhaps the book should be called Two Diamonds for Her? I, of course, jest here.)
The story is told by the fictional Dr. Charles “Shoeshine” Henry, M.D., who treated and cared for Raymond at the end of his life in 1971, who in 1985 is documenting the history of Raymond and Rochelle Blythe, the town of Winasook, and the Iron Horses baseball team. Our imaginary doctor took excellent notes of his conversations with the imaginary figures of Mr. Blythe, Raymond’s wife Rochelle Blythe, and other characters in the “true” story. All of this is carefully recounted, including a Prologue, Foreward , end of chapter research notes, and Epilogue. This is so excellently structured in the style of creative nonfiction, that I actually forgot during my reading that it was fiction, as is so clearly labeled on the book cover.
It takes a writer of immense skill to pull this off this kind of ‘story within a story’ and for this I “doff my hat” to author Mark W Sasse – it was fabulously executed. That said, I did find myself lagging in interest to pick the book up at times, as in certain moods I am just not a fan of nonfiction (which, silly me, I forgot this wasn’t!) I was amazingly impressed at how easily I was fooled – At times I found myself mock shouting at the book, “This guy (Raymond Blythe) is a real piece of work!”
All-in-all I would say that if you’re a lover of baseball, love stories, early American tales and history, or just plain skilled writing, I think you’ll enjoy this book! And you might just “meet” a few politicians or sports heroes along the way (well, their fictional versions anyway!).
A big thank you to author Mark W. Sasse (https://mwsasse.com/) and BookSirens (https://booksirens.com/) for a complimentary Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review. A Diamond for Her is available for pre-order now, releasing March 23, 2021, in paperback. Please consider buying from BookShop.org (https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...), the online bookstore that gives 75% of the book’s profits back to independent bookstores. A don’t forget to drop a Comment below to let me know what you thought of this review and of the novel A Diamond for Her.
#ADiamondForHer
#WinasookIronHorses
#MarkWSass
#BookSirens
#BookShop
#BestReadsof2021
March 23, 2021
A light and easy read about our American Pastime--baseball.
It is a very creative look at Baseball from the view and origin of the baseball gods through following the Winasock Iron Horses.
Sasse magically weaves great personalities from the past and great institutions.
A fun read for sure.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It is a very creative look at Baseball from the view and origin of the baseball gods through following the Winasock Iron Horses.
Sasse magically weaves great personalities from the past and great institutions.
A fun read for sure.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 12, 2021
The title and synopsis drew me in like a moth to a light. I mean how could a baseball fan and book lover could turn away? This book delivered all that I expected and all that I didn't. Sasse offers us a love story and a story of the passion for baseball. He offers us a means by which to believe in the unbelievable. He encapsulates the essence of what small town baseball did for communities. While this book isn't a true history of any specific team or person, it does provide context for the early days of professional baseball. And honestly, what baseball fan among us would argue with the reality of the baseball gods?! This book was witty, endearing, and heartwarming. It is a balm for the soul in these days of COVID-19 when going to the ballpark forces us to be nostalgic.
I received an advance copy of this title via Book Sirens.
I received an advance copy of this title via Book Sirens.
February 8, 2021
A Diamond for Her by Author Mark W. Sasse
I love the title of this captivating novel by gifted Author Mark W. Sasse. I am quite the aficionado when it comes to using a play on words and this title does the trick for me. Sasse skilfully blends the love of Raymond Blythe for Rochelle Christy with the presentation of two diamonds for her, one on her finger and the other a baseball diamond built especially for her.
In my opinion, it is definitely love at first sight when Raymond Blythe walks into the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to find a book about his first love, baseball. He has a memory of going to a baseball game when he was a young boy with his now deceased father. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, he cannot verify the recollection of this game with him. Therefore, he is now in search of finding some proof that the Iowa Baseball Confederacy actually existed.
Rochelle is quite eager to assist him in her role as Librarian but their mutual love for baseball quickly surfaces and the dual love story begins. The debut of the Winasook Iron Horses and the grand opening of Rochelle Stadium on September 1, 1920 set the stage for a surprise wedding for the unsuspecting bride as well as the fans in the stadium. It is definitely a memorable and festive occasion much to the delight of Rochelle. However, even after this huge endeavor, Raymond continues to be haunted by a dream that consists of Greek gods playing baseball. He gives up his affluent railroad career and concentrates on baseball full time. The inaugural game of the Winasook Iron Horses and his marriage to Rochelle is merely the beginning…
Sasse masterfully combines his personal experiences and knowledge of baseball with some fictional Greek mythology and a life long love story between Rochelle and Raymond. Their mutual passion for baseball adds to their love for each other as they search for the meaning to Raymond’s dream. In October, 1954, the entire town of Winasook is invited to a “Fall Classic Extravaganza”, the final chapter of a lifelong dream…a memorable ending to be sure.
Dolores Ayotte ~ Inspirational Author
https://www.amazon.com/Dolores-Ayotte...
I love the title of this captivating novel by gifted Author Mark W. Sasse. I am quite the aficionado when it comes to using a play on words and this title does the trick for me. Sasse skilfully blends the love of Raymond Blythe for Rochelle Christy with the presentation of two diamonds for her, one on her finger and the other a baseball diamond built especially for her.
In my opinion, it is definitely love at first sight when Raymond Blythe walks into the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to find a book about his first love, baseball. He has a memory of going to a baseball game when he was a young boy with his now deceased father. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, he cannot verify the recollection of this game with him. Therefore, he is now in search of finding some proof that the Iowa Baseball Confederacy actually existed.
Rochelle is quite eager to assist him in her role as Librarian but their mutual love for baseball quickly surfaces and the dual love story begins. The debut of the Winasook Iron Horses and the grand opening of Rochelle Stadium on September 1, 1920 set the stage for a surprise wedding for the unsuspecting bride as well as the fans in the stadium. It is definitely a memorable and festive occasion much to the delight of Rochelle. However, even after this huge endeavor, Raymond continues to be haunted by a dream that consists of Greek gods playing baseball. He gives up his affluent railroad career and concentrates on baseball full time. The inaugural game of the Winasook Iron Horses and his marriage to Rochelle is merely the beginning…
Sasse masterfully combines his personal experiences and knowledge of baseball with some fictional Greek mythology and a life long love story between Rochelle and Raymond. Their mutual passion for baseball adds to their love for each other as they search for the meaning to Raymond’s dream. In October, 1954, the entire town of Winasook is invited to a “Fall Classic Extravaganza”, the final chapter of a lifelong dream…a memorable ending to be sure.
Dolores Ayotte ~ Inspirational Author
https://www.amazon.com/Dolores-Ayotte...
February 14, 2021
Wonderful, zany book about falling in love. And about the greatest sport on the planet, baseball. A fanciful look at how the game of minor league baseball may have been started. For me, a die-hard baseball fan, this was a must read. I would definitely recommend A Diamond For Her to all fans of the game and to all whimsical romantics. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 6, 2021
Advanced Review Copy (ARC) provided by publisher through BookSirens ARC Program in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
A Diamond for Her starts off in 1920, Pennsylvania. Wealthy owner of a railroad company, Raymond Blythe, remembers attending a baseball game that never happened, with Native Americans facing off against the Chicago Cubs in Iowa, and dreams of towering titans playing baseball— supposedly the 'gods of baseball'. He sets off on a quest to find the relation between the memory and his father, who passed away five years earlier. His quest takes him to a library, where he meets the pretty, headstrong, Rochelle Christy and, to secure her hand in marriage, he builds a stadium and baseball league from the ground up in the town of Winasook. The book goes on to chronicle the fictitious history of the Winasook Iron Horses and the Allegheny Independent League, presented as the findings of Charles "Shoeshine" Henry. A collection of moments through American history, shown through baseball.
I'll admit, I'm not the best person to be reviewing this. I'm not much of a baseball fan and don't know much beyond the basic rules. Because of that, I wasn't expecting to fully understand the book. Surprisingly, though, I didn't struggle much. I did read through the entire book thinking that the Iron Horses were a real team, though, and the Blythes really believed in 'baseball gods'. That one's probably on me for not doing my research. The book itself was a fun read, with a decent plot. If I had to rate it on 'plot' alone, I'd hover between 4 and 4.5 stars.
It did have a bit of a rocky start, though. I found myself lost very quickly and that feeling stayed with me for the better part of the first nine 'innings' chapters. A lot of it felt like the author found an inconsistency and slapped duct tape on, rather than trying to fix it properly. A big part of that was probably the characters. It seemed like Sasse was trying to make the reader's opinions of the characters develop over the course of the story, but even about halfway through the book, I struggled to see them as anything more than plot devices. It almost dragged my review down to 2 stars, before they were fleshed out a bit more.
Thankfully, they were fleshed out eventually and I started enjoying the book more. I'd say this book is worth a read if you're a baseball fan, or even if you're not. My final rating is between 3 and 3.5 stars, but I'll round it up to 4 because my lack of baseball knowledge probably kept me from fully enjoying the book.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
A Diamond for Her starts off in 1920, Pennsylvania. Wealthy owner of a railroad company, Raymond Blythe, remembers attending a baseball game that never happened, with Native Americans facing off against the Chicago Cubs in Iowa, and dreams of towering titans playing baseball— supposedly the 'gods of baseball'. He sets off on a quest to find the relation between the memory and his father, who passed away five years earlier. His quest takes him to a library, where he meets the pretty, headstrong, Rochelle Christy and, to secure her hand in marriage, he builds a stadium and baseball league from the ground up in the town of Winasook. The book goes on to chronicle the fictitious history of the Winasook Iron Horses and the Allegheny Independent League, presented as the findings of Charles "Shoeshine" Henry. A collection of moments through American history, shown through baseball.
I'll admit, I'm not the best person to be reviewing this. I'm not much of a baseball fan and don't know much beyond the basic rules. Because of that, I wasn't expecting to fully understand the book. Surprisingly, though, I didn't struggle much. I did read through the entire book thinking that the Iron Horses were a real team, though, and the Blythes really believed in 'baseball gods'. That one's probably on me for not doing my research. The book itself was a fun read, with a decent plot. If I had to rate it on 'plot' alone, I'd hover between 4 and 4.5 stars.
It did have a bit of a rocky start, though. I found myself lost very quickly and that feeling stayed with me for the better part of the first nine 'innings' chapters. A lot of it felt like the author found an inconsistency and slapped duct tape on, rather than trying to fix it properly. A big part of that was probably the characters. It seemed like Sasse was trying to make the reader's opinions of the characters develop over the course of the story, but even about halfway through the book, I struggled to see them as anything more than plot devices. It almost dragged my review down to 2 stars, before they were fleshed out a bit more.
Thankfully, they were fleshed out eventually and I started enjoying the book more. I'd say this book is worth a read if you're a baseball fan, or even if you're not. My final rating is between 3 and 3.5 stars, but I'll round it up to 4 because my lack of baseball knowledge probably kept me from fully enjoying the book.
March 13, 2021
It’s love at first sight for railroad magnate, Raymond Blythe when he encounters Rochelle Christy in the Carnegie Library at Pittsburgh in 1920 whilst trying to research a baseball game. As luck would have it, Rochelle is as baseball-mad as Raymond and using his not inconsiderable fortune, Raymond builds her a stadium, a league and a team in his home town of Winasook to commemorate their love of each other and baseball.
I will confess that I know nothing about baseball (I’m English) and A Diamond For Her is steeped in baseball lore, knowledge and mechanics; it is a veritable homage to the sport. My lack of interest did not massively detract from my enjoyment of the novel. Although I suspect if you like baseball, you may well award A Diamond For Her a solid five stars.
Personally, I found the book charming, very well-written and faultlessly edited. Mr Sasse employs a number of techniques to good effect in the telling of his story which it’s obvious he is passionate about and his enthusiasm is quite infectious. The majority is told in third person but at the beginning and end, the narrative is told in first-person through the perspective of Charles ‘Shoeshine’ Henry in what reads as a non-fiction account of the Winasook Iron Horses complete with footnotes concerning ‘interviews’ with the Blythes. It’s deceptively clever and well-structured; you do feel as though you are reading a historical account of the league.
Throughout, the prose has a jaunty feel with a touch of comedy. The 1920s and further periods are nicely and convincingly realised. We also have the side-angle of the ‘Baseball Gods’ who inspire Raymond and I really enjoyed the dreams he has of the mythical giants playing baseball; I could have read more of those. As the sub-title implies, aside from the myths, we are given tales of not only the games played by the Winasook Iron Horses at Rochelle Stadium but the various associated characters. I really liked the tale of Pike and his pole and pitcher, Markel Sasso, (whose name I think may be a nod to Author’s!). All the characters are well-defined with humorous, quirky touches. Bess and John Christy were standouts for me and the twist with Bess was quite unexpected. I did find the Blythes, especially Rochelle, a little smug but this is tempered later in the novel by the arrival of Rosy who briefly adds a touch of conflict and misunderstanding.
An endearing, light-hearted and original novel that is wholly accessible even if you do not have a keen interest in baseball. Highly recommended.
I will confess that I know nothing about baseball (I’m English) and A Diamond For Her is steeped in baseball lore, knowledge and mechanics; it is a veritable homage to the sport. My lack of interest did not massively detract from my enjoyment of the novel. Although I suspect if you like baseball, you may well award A Diamond For Her a solid five stars.
Personally, I found the book charming, very well-written and faultlessly edited. Mr Sasse employs a number of techniques to good effect in the telling of his story which it’s obvious he is passionate about and his enthusiasm is quite infectious. The majority is told in third person but at the beginning and end, the narrative is told in first-person through the perspective of Charles ‘Shoeshine’ Henry in what reads as a non-fiction account of the Winasook Iron Horses complete with footnotes concerning ‘interviews’ with the Blythes. It’s deceptively clever and well-structured; you do feel as though you are reading a historical account of the league.
Throughout, the prose has a jaunty feel with a touch of comedy. The 1920s and further periods are nicely and convincingly realised. We also have the side-angle of the ‘Baseball Gods’ who inspire Raymond and I really enjoyed the dreams he has of the mythical giants playing baseball; I could have read more of those. As the sub-title implies, aside from the myths, we are given tales of not only the games played by the Winasook Iron Horses at Rochelle Stadium but the various associated characters. I really liked the tale of Pike and his pole and pitcher, Markel Sasso, (whose name I think may be a nod to Author’s!). All the characters are well-defined with humorous, quirky touches. Bess and John Christy were standouts for me and the twist with Bess was quite unexpected. I did find the Blythes, especially Rochelle, a little smug but this is tempered later in the novel by the arrival of Rosy who briefly adds a touch of conflict and misunderstanding.
An endearing, light-hearted and original novel that is wholly accessible even if you do not have a keen interest in baseball. Highly recommended.
July 18, 2022
A Diamond for Her is a collection of short stories about a fictional baseball team, the Winasook Iron Horses, in Pennsylvania, established during the gilded 1920’s.
The stories are well executed, and have a distinctly light-hearted feel, and this is perhaps the best approach to them. Not everyone will be enchanted by seeing a ‘conniving’ main character repeatedly take advantage of wealth and connections. But taken in an easy-going, P.G. Wodehouse sort of way, and suspending disbelief from a good height, Raymond Blythe’s is an engaging story, starting with his impulsive decision to build a baseball stadium in a town with no team. Unlike Wodehouse’s Bertie Wooster – an English contemporary of Blythe’s who spends a lot of time disentangling himself from women to whom he has become ill-advisably affianced – Blythe’s tale is also of romance, from the moment he meets Rochelle Christy.
The guiding rule for the stories is that anything can happen at a baseball game. Even those of us who know nothing about the sport and have the Atlantic Ocean between us and any baseball ground, the sense of the location being special, of “inside the diamond” as a closed, special, even enchanted, place is still very effective. The ordinary world of trolley-cars and railroads is alongside the world “inside the diamond”, not just the game but its attendant traditions of ritual, and of stories. What is also interesting is the strong dash of magic realism. There is the familiar framing device of the stories being told by a fictional character (one Charles ‘Shoeshine’ Henry), but Sasse provides baseball with its own gods, who start out as nameless figures in Blythe’s dream but who manifest a material reality in their own story.
Sasse is easy on the historical detail, too; he creates a milieu that seems distinctively and consistently of another time, but without over-burdening the narrative with details to prove the research. Readers more familiar with United States history, especially in relation to civil rights and suffrage, might (or might not) have an opinion on the brief encounters these topics have with the stories. The narrative is a little heavy-handed in places, and could have stood tighter editing, but the stories are entertaining and imaginative, the story-arc (there is some mystery) is well sustained, and it is really the affection for, and knowledge of, baseball that makes them very engaging.
I received a free ARC, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The stories are well executed, and have a distinctly light-hearted feel, and this is perhaps the best approach to them. Not everyone will be enchanted by seeing a ‘conniving’ main character repeatedly take advantage of wealth and connections. But taken in an easy-going, P.G. Wodehouse sort of way, and suspending disbelief from a good height, Raymond Blythe’s is an engaging story, starting with his impulsive decision to build a baseball stadium in a town with no team. Unlike Wodehouse’s Bertie Wooster – an English contemporary of Blythe’s who spends a lot of time disentangling himself from women to whom he has become ill-advisably affianced – Blythe’s tale is also of romance, from the moment he meets Rochelle Christy.
The guiding rule for the stories is that anything can happen at a baseball game. Even those of us who know nothing about the sport and have the Atlantic Ocean between us and any baseball ground, the sense of the location being special, of “inside the diamond” as a closed, special, even enchanted, place is still very effective. The ordinary world of trolley-cars and railroads is alongside the world “inside the diamond”, not just the game but its attendant traditions of ritual, and of stories. What is also interesting is the strong dash of magic realism. There is the familiar framing device of the stories being told by a fictional character (one Charles ‘Shoeshine’ Henry), but Sasse provides baseball with its own gods, who start out as nameless figures in Blythe’s dream but who manifest a material reality in their own story.
Sasse is easy on the historical detail, too; he creates a milieu that seems distinctively and consistently of another time, but without over-burdening the narrative with details to prove the research. Readers more familiar with United States history, especially in relation to civil rights and suffrage, might (or might not) have an opinion on the brief encounters these topics have with the stories. The narrative is a little heavy-handed in places, and could have stood tighter editing, but the stories are entertaining and imaginative, the story-arc (there is some mystery) is well sustained, and it is really the affection for, and knowledge of, baseball that makes them very engaging.
I received a free ARC, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 12, 2021
I was interested in reading this book because it told about baseball and Pennsylvania - my home state.
Raymond Blythe worked for the R and A Railroad. He decided to quit there after he met a sweet young woman at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA. After a very short romance, Raymond was convinced that Rochelle Christy was the woman for him. Rochelle and her father, John Christy were very interested in baseball as was Raymond.
Parts of the book could have been about true events, but mostly this book was a work of fiction. A lot of tall tales were told about various people affiliated with the love of baseball.
The part of the book that was so fantastical was the dream that Raymond had about the "Greek Gods of Baseball!" After that dream Raymond had a strong need to build a stadium for his sweet girlfriend. He had it built and kept it a secret until he and Rochelle's wedding day. Can you imagine a man so entranced by baseball that he would wed his sweetheart on home plate? That is what Raymond did! That is where the name of the book, "A Diamond For Her" comes to be.
I very much liked the secondary character named Bess. Her background was not mentioned right away. At first Bess was the maid of the house. Later on Raymond said that after his own mother died, Bess became his Mother - that is how much he and Rochelle loved this woman. And there was a really cool surprise that Raymond and Rochelle had in store for Bess.
I was also glad that the author mentioned Jackie Robinson and his teammates in this book. That was a great story.
Raymond and Rochelle kept the Rochelle Stadium in Winnasook, PA running for many years. They were always thinking of ways to draw in a crowd. One of those was having a man sit on a pedestal on a pole. He did that to break a record of pole sitting.
Raymond Blythe worked for the R and A Railroad. He decided to quit there after he met a sweet young woman at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA. After a very short romance, Raymond was convinced that Rochelle Christy was the woman for him. Rochelle and her father, John Christy were very interested in baseball as was Raymond.
Parts of the book could have been about true events, but mostly this book was a work of fiction. A lot of tall tales were told about various people affiliated with the love of baseball.
The part of the book that was so fantastical was the dream that Raymond had about the "Greek Gods of Baseball!" After that dream Raymond had a strong need to build a stadium for his sweet girlfriend. He had it built and kept it a secret until he and Rochelle's wedding day. Can you imagine a man so entranced by baseball that he would wed his sweetheart on home plate? That is what Raymond did! That is where the name of the book, "A Diamond For Her" comes to be.
I very much liked the secondary character named Bess. Her background was not mentioned right away. At first Bess was the maid of the house. Later on Raymond said that after his own mother died, Bess became his Mother - that is how much he and Rochelle loved this woman. And there was a really cool surprise that Raymond and Rochelle had in store for Bess.
I was also glad that the author mentioned Jackie Robinson and his teammates in this book. That was a great story.
Raymond and Rochelle kept the Rochelle Stadium in Winnasook, PA running for many years. They were always thinking of ways to draw in a crowd. One of those was having a man sit on a pedestal on a pole. He did that to break a record of pole sitting.
April 15, 2021
If you love baseball, this is a story you will never forget. From the creative genius of Mark W. Sasse, this fictitious history of the Winasook Iron Horses, the founding members of the Allegheny Independent League from 1921 to 1955 comes roaring to life.
“A Diamond for Her” chronicles the lives of Raymond and Rochelle Blythe told through the eyes of semi-retired doctor Charles “Shoeshine” Henry, who narrates the historical record of the Blythes and their remarkable team the Winasook Iron Horses sharing a sweeping view of American history seen through the steady eye of America’s favorite game, baseball.
Raymond Blythe remembers going to a baseball game with his father when he was just a boy. That experience causes him to have a series of dreams where enormous creatures are playing baseball. He knows there’s some kind of explanation for these odd dreams, so he sets off on the quest of his life to connect the dots between Iowa, Theodore Roosevelt, baseball, and his deceased father.
I’m not a sports fan… much to my ex-pitcher husband’s dismay. However, this isn’t just a novel about baseball. It’s also a love story and a historical saga that chronicles the beginnings of baseball, including the quest to solve a mystery. The ending caught me by surprise, and I marveled at the author’s creativity. I’m happy to report that I fully enjoyed the book!
Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book.
“A Diamond for Her” chronicles the lives of Raymond and Rochelle Blythe told through the eyes of semi-retired doctor Charles “Shoeshine” Henry, who narrates the historical record of the Blythes and their remarkable team the Winasook Iron Horses sharing a sweeping view of American history seen through the steady eye of America’s favorite game, baseball.
Raymond Blythe remembers going to a baseball game with his father when he was just a boy. That experience causes him to have a series of dreams where enormous creatures are playing baseball. He knows there’s some kind of explanation for these odd dreams, so he sets off on the quest of his life to connect the dots between Iowa, Theodore Roosevelt, baseball, and his deceased father.
I’m not a sports fan… much to my ex-pitcher husband’s dismay. However, this isn’t just a novel about baseball. It’s also a love story and a historical saga that chronicles the beginnings of baseball, including the quest to solve a mystery. The ending caught me by surprise, and I marveled at the author’s creativity. I’m happy to report that I fully enjoyed the book!
Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book.
May 29, 2021
A Diamond for Her: Myths and Tales of the Winasook Iron Horses. Mark W Sasse has written an interesting book if you love baseball, and I love baseball. What I found most interesting was the founding of a third baseball league, Pennsylvania Allegheny Mountains. Raymond was a Railroad man and was wealthy. He met Rochelle in a library in Pittsburgh and as they say, the rest is history. The League was operating from 1921-1955. I did not know that this League ever existed; so, for me, I found the book very interesting. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
August 23, 2022
I’m not into sports, but this intrigued me. Sooo many names, dates, places in a fictionalized history – it’s spellbinding.
Fave quotes:
‘Dapper is the envy of every lemon I’ve ever squeezed.’
The author certainly knows how to turn a phrase. He got pretty creative in describing Prohibition: ‘How’s an Irishman to unlearn the bottle?’ and calling tea ‘dirty water’. And the idioms of the period…
‘The Lost Lineup’ is next!
Fave quotes:
‘Dapper is the envy of every lemon I’ve ever squeezed.’
The author certainly knows how to turn a phrase. He got pretty creative in describing Prohibition: ‘How’s an Irishman to unlearn the bottle?’ and calling tea ‘dirty water’. And the idioms of the period…
‘The Lost Lineup’ is next!
March 26, 2021
I haven't read any previous books from this author and I was pleasantly surprised.
The authors writing style is very good. I was drawn in from the start! I wouldn't normally read this type of genre but I did enjoy the overall story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The authors writing style is very good. I was drawn in from the start! I wouldn't normally read this type of genre but I did enjoy the overall story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 5, 2021
This was a most unique story and if you love baseball as my family does, then you'll fall in love with this book. I love historical fiction and combine it with America's favorite pastime and you have a good little read on your hands.
April 5, 2021
great book
June 3, 2021
I loved this book
I love baseball and a good love story. This book has both. So nostalgic and poignant. I couldn’t put it down. Really hoping for a sequel.
I love baseball and a good love story. This book has both. So nostalgic and poignant. I couldn’t put it down. Really hoping for a sequel.
April 29, 2021
as much as I love baseball and was looking forward to a story that included it, this one could not keep my interest
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