Claudia Breland
Author of Genealogy-Inspired Fiction Rooted in Michigan’s Past
New Release
Snoqualmie Bound
A mystery nearly lost to time. A figure from the past appears on Sophie’s doorstep.
It’s 1985, and Sophie and her family are settling into the house on Crystal Lake for the summer. Aunt Chloe is in the hospital recovering from a broken hip, and Sophie is trying to find a live-in caregiver for her. Out of the blue, a figure from Chloe’s past appears to fill that role, and Chloe gets to tell her story at last.
A devastating fire at the Benzie County Historical Museum underscores the need to preserve oral family history as well as documents. While telling her story, Chloe also remembers the road trip Grace and Allen took in 1935, searching for his black sheep uncle, L.A. “Lawless” Webb. Their discoveries overturn long-held prejudices and reunites family.
This richly layered novel weaves three women’s stories across decades, from the battered shores of England during World War II, to the public market on Seattle’s waterfront, where Grace and her husband have gone in search of a black sheep uncle.
“These stories bring us back to the enduring truth of families who weather the storms of life-changing incidents, both good and bad, to survive intact, with strengthened bonds and commitment to their communities.”
— Amazon review for Snoqualmie Bound
👉 Available now on Amazon
→ Buy Snoqualmie Bound
Start with a Story
If you love fiction that digs into family history, unearths long-buried secrets, and captures life in small-town Michigan, you’re in the right place.
Claudia Breland’s novels are written with the heart of a genealogist and the mind of a researcher. They blend fact and fiction into unforgettable characters and page-turning plots.
What Readers Are Saying
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“Reading Claudia Breland is like sitting down with a friend for a lively and interesting conversation.”
— Amazon review for North to Naubinway
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“The author includes maps and a family tree chart, making it easy for the reader to identify the characters.”
— Amazon review for The Murder of Rhoda Jones
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“Characters from the previous books continue to come alive… the sneak preview has me looking forward to the next book!”
— Amazon review for The Murder of Rhoda Jones
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“As a lifetime Michigander, I loved the story that involved the famous Cherry Hut, Crystal Lake and Beulah.”
— Amazon review for Home to Beulah
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“This is a sweet story of a young lady finding herself and her lost family… Being a resident of Benzie County… it’s nice hearing the history of the area.”
— Amazon review for Home to Beulah
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“The characters are believable and true to their times, while the intriguing plot keeps the reader hoping for answers.”
— Amazon review for North to Naubinway
About Claudia
Claudia Breland is a retired professional genealogist, longtime librarian, and now a fiction writer whose novels are deeply rooted in Michigan’s history.
She’s written for Archives.com and APG Quarterly, taught workshops and delivered lectures across the U.S., and spent decades helping others uncover their own family histories. Now she’s writing stories that honor those same themes: legacy, memory, and the quiet strength of women across generations.