Thomas Dorman Woods, Jr. explores faith, slavery, and moral choice in a small Virginia town.
New York City, New York, United States, 4th Mar 2026 – Thomas Dorman Woods, Jr. announces the release of The Fork Lick Parables, a new Historical Fiction novel available now on Amazon. This thoughtful story takes readers back to the early days of the Civil War, when families, neighbors, and friends were forced to take sides in a conflict that threatened to tear the nation apart.
About the Book Story
At the start of the Civil War, the quiet hill country of western Virginia hoped the fighting would pass them by. The people of Fork Lick wanted to protect their simple way of life. They wished to avoid choosing between Secession and Statehood, between the Confederacy and the Union. But history had other plans.
When an escaped slave arrives in town seeking refuge from bounty hunters on his journey to freedom through the Underground Railroad, everything changes. The town can no longer remain neutral. Slavery or abolition. Safety or justice. Silence or action. The residents must face questions of faith, morality, and human dignity.
In The Fork Lick Parables, this Historical Fiction story places ordinary people in extraordinary times. Cannons from both North and South threaten the town. Fear spreads. Loyalties are tested. Families struggle with beliefs they once thought were certain. The novel asks a simple but powerful question: Will a strong sense of right and wrong be enough to survive the chaos of war?
Themes That Still Matter Today
Although many Civil War enthusiasts may recognize the larger events of the time, this book focuses on lesser-known details and the human side of history. It goes beyond dates and battles. It explores prejudice and equality, interracial relationships, immigration, and the pain of social rejection.
This Historical Fiction work stands apart because it reads like a moral drama set against the backdrop of war. It invites readers to think deeply about right and wrong. It may even encourage some to revisit the Bible and reflect on its teachings about justice and compassion.
As the United States approaches its 250th celebration as a nation, the story feels timely. When America was not yet 100 years old, it faced the risk of breaking apart. The political struggles of 1861 echo in modern debates about leadership, equality, and individual rights. The promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness was challenged then, just as it is questioned today.
The novel includes the powerful words of Abraham Lincoln:
“The mystic chords of memory… will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
Those words serve as a reminder that unity and dignity require courage and moral strength.
About the Author
Thomas Dorman Woods, Jr., born in 1954, graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He later earned a Master’s degree in Theology, focusing on Sacred Scripture. His background in faith and study deeply informs the moral questions explored in his writing.
Thomas is the father of three daughters and one son, all successful adults. He has shared 50 years of marriage with his wife, Joanne. In retirement, he chose to pursue his lifelong passion for writing.
An accomplished guitarist, Thomas has written hundreds of songs over the years. He also published a local collection of essays titled Picking Apples Off The Tree, created as gifts for family members. The Fork Lick Parables marks his first full-length novel and his first major step into Historical Fiction.
He is currently researching his second book, which will continue exploring stories set in rural West Virginia. The next work will tell the tragic story of his paternal grandfather’s first wife, further expanding the world he has begun to build.
Availability
The Fork Lick Parables is available for purchase on Amazon:
Readers of Historical Fiction can find the book online and explore a story that blends history, faith, and moral struggle in a clear and engaging way.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Thomas Dorman Woods, Jr.
Email: TomJKCZ@aol.com
Media Contact
Organization: NYC Book Publishers
Contact Person: Peter Kim
Website: https://nycbookpublishers.com/
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +13322871112
Address:100 Church Street 8th floor, Manhattan, NY, 10007
City: New York City
State: New York
Country:United States
Release id:42163
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