The Coffee Pot Book Club: The Irish Ties That Bind by Michael J. Hopkins

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About the Book

Book Title: The Irish Ties That Bind: A Shared One Hundred-Year Journey 

Author Name: Michael J. Hopkins 

Publication Date: August 20th, 2026

Publisher: Historium Press 

Pages: 356

Genre: Historical Fiction / Irish Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: systematic oppression, famine, religious and political conflict, racial and ethnic injustice, gender inequality, alcoholism, war and combat trauma 

From the green hills of southern Ireland to the heartland of America, four families are united by faith, perseverance, and an enduring legacy that spans generations.

As famine and hardship drive Irish immigrants across the Atlantic in the mid-nineteenth century, the Power and Coughlin families plant new roots in the American Midwest. Their daughters answer a higher calling, joining the fledgling Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. Through the remarkable leadership of Sister Emily and Sister Samuel, these women help shape a religious community that will educate thousands and leave an indelible mark on the nation.

Their story intertwines with those of the Cullen and Hynes families, whose lives are transformed by the sisters’ influence. Seeking refuge from the unrest of postwar Chicago, they settle in Dixon, Illinois, where friendship, faith, and family bind them to another rising family—the Reagans. As Ronald Reagan grows from a small-town boy into a radio broadcaster, actor, and emerging public figure, the lives of ordinary and extraordinary Americans intersect in unexpected ways.

Set against the backdrop of immigration, the Great Depression, two world wars, and the dawn of the Cold War, The Irish Ties That Bind is a sweeping historical saga of courage, devotion, and the families whose quiet strength shaped generations. It is a powerful testament to the bonds of family, faith, and heritage that endure long after history's tides have turned.

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: mybook.to/rKwaAM 

Author Bio:  

A lifelong resident of Wisconsin, Michael J. Hopkins earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Beloit College, subsequently obtaining a degree in history from Arizona State University and the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. He furthered his academic pursuits by completing a Master of Arts in the Humanities at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Mr. Hopkins concluded a distinguished forty-year tenure in secondary education, having served as a social studies instructor at Darlington High School for thirty-nine years.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he dedicated many years to coaching basketball, baseball, and football at the same high school. His contributions to athletics were formally recognized in 2021 with his induction into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. 

Following his retirement from education, he has transitioned into a career as an author. In 2025, he published his autobiographical memoir, Embracing A Competitive Life: Trials, Triumphs, and 150 Life Lessons in Six Decades of Competition, which chronicles his experiences as both an athlete and a coach.

Author Links:

Website:

  https://www.historiumpress.com/hp-authors/michael-hopkins 

Facebook: 

http://www.facebook.com/MJ3Hop 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/mjhop44/ 

Bluesky: 

https://bsky.app/profile/mjhop.bsky.social 

Book Bub: 

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/3850956452 

Amazon Author Page: 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-J.-Hopkins/author/B0H6P6XRN6 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/35913986.Michael_J_Hopkins 

Follow the tour:

Bsky: @cathiedunn.bsky.social

via https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

(Helen has not yet read this title)

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"Amazing stories written by highly skilled writers" Smorgasbord Book Magazine

https://mybook.to/COURAGE-Anthology

You might also like books written by Helen Hollick 

Website: https://blog.helenhollick.net/

Amazon Author Page: 

https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick 

cosy mysteries : historical fiction
nautical supernatural adventure 

1066 : King Arthur
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2025 annual award winner

THANK YOU!

The Story behind that Daily Mail Article about 1066!

 

https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick 

On Thursday 3rd September I was getting ready for a long weekend with my daughter, heading for showjumping in Wales.  

Checked my emails in the morning. There was another of those  probably spam 'we'd like to publish an article about Harold the King' ... I've had so many of these fake things (all AI generated and a B* nuisance) However, my dear author friend, Alison Morton, gave me a tip about them 'if they are from @gmail or @hotmail etc then they are not likely to be genuine. A genuine mail will be (for example) from xxx@OfficialSender.com"  and I checked ... it WAS @DailyMail.com... so I phoned. Genuine. They wanted a timeline article about the events of 1066 ... an article THAT DAY. Oh heck... I had 2 hours before we had to leave for Wales. Could I do it? Bloomin' right I could! (Although I pointed out they would HAVE to edit and check any facts I wasn't sure of)

So I wrote 2.500 words in 2 hours - and I'm proud of myself because I only had to check a few facts to ensure I had them right.  (I mean, I had that novel published back in 2000 yet I remember the details of 1066 - well, as I think of them - pro-Harold anti-William) (Caveat here, I notice they did change a couple of things in editing, so not entirely my style of fiction writing - but this was for journalism  - but... well, read on:

I sent my draft article, then climbed into the horsebox and we set off for Wales (2.5 hour drive).

FRIDAY

Not very good signal in Wales. I can't use a mobile/cell phoe easily because of my wonky sight, so I don't have any internet connections - but I needed to approve the final article. We managed to get it emailed to daughter Kathy's phone and she enlarged the text as much as possible, so at lunchtime Friday 4th Sept in between watching showjumping, sitting in the sun I (struggled) to read the text, but managed. They changed a good bit of my wording - style more than context, which was fine, I was more bothered that they hadn't messed about with the facts. (98% hadn't?)

So I approved it.

Phoned husband to get a copy of the paper on Saturday 5th - no shops near where we were ... crossed my fingers, hoped the article was OK. Enjoyed the showjumping.

SUNDAY

Drove home on the Sunday afternoon (a couple of winners' places rosettes and some nice clear rounds) Airbrakes on lorry playing up on way back, daughter, driving absolutely incredibly managed to get us home in one piece. (Lorryman coming to fix a gasket-thingy this week).

Delighted to see a double-paged spread in the Daily Mail :-)

It is also onlne (not sure if outside UK can access? )

https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16106683/gripping-minute-minute-guide-1066-Bayeux-Tapestry-unveiled-British-Museum.html

A bit miffed that they used images from the dreadful King and Conqueror TV drama (which was utter rubbish) but I had no control over what images they would use. MY pleasure is my name in the Daily Mail AND... I got paid for it!

Now all I need is for a few people to go buy the book...

(and if you do read it online, I suggest don't bother with the comments at the end. I scrolled through a few and came to the conclusion that they are mostly written by moronic snarky idiots, so didn't bother with them.)

H :-)