Lane Dolly

Lane Dolly, researcher and author, brings a rich and diverse set of professional and life experiences to her series of historical fiction novels. Grassroots politics led her from ranch country in Oklahoma to Washington, DC in 1981. She worked in President Reagan’s White House, at three national political conventions, as well as nonprofits, private firms and

government. Afterwards, a Master of Arts in Public Policy drew her to history, genealogy and research. Nearly forgotten tales of an influential ancestor led her to study the Cherokee Nation before statehood in her native Oklahoma. There were precious few details about Hattie Sheldon, her grandmother’s grandmother, but Lane was enticed to follow the weak links to central New York State and Massachusetts. There, evidence proved that Hattie Sheldon was a ground-breaking woman who had lived an historically significant life. More digging revealed traces of Hattie at the Library of Congress, in the archived collection of Oklahoma’s first female Member of Congress, and in the Harvard University collection of documents from a notable missionary society for whom Hattie worked as a teacher. Because Hattie lived among a selfless community of inspiring people in Indian Territory after the Trail of Tears and before the Civil War, their archived letters aided Lane’s compilation of fascinating findings. Her discoveries led to these historically compelling stories incorporating the scourge of slavery, the damage of Indian removals, and the impact of the women's rights movement. Lane's timeless themes send unforgettable messages about finding purpose in life, following your heart and persevering against all odds.