Three years into retirement, Pocatello native is author of two books with a third on the way

POCATELLO – Pocatello autochthonal Gail McGuire ne'er imagined she’d go nan writer of 2 books pinch a 3rd 1 connected nan way, but that’s precisely wherever she’s astatine successful life.

Set successful her aged stomping grounds of eastbound Idaho, McGuire’s first book, “Raised connected Freedom (Favored Tales of a Boomer Kid),” is simply a memoir of her puerility successful Pocatello during nan 1960s.

McGuire, who now lives successful Las Vegas, was encouraged to constitute nan book aft sharing lively stories of her younker pinch her children and grandchildren.

After retiring successful 2021 from a successful profession successful accusation guidance astatine Idaho National Laboratory, McGuire took nan plunge and started her book.

“Growing up successful Pocatello was specified a phenomenal time. I talked to my siblings, cousins, and puerility friends, and they helped spark memories and enrich nan book. Once I started writing, it was difficult to stop. The memories came flooding back. Writing nan book was a nosy and affectional experience,” said McGuire.

Growing up successful Indian Hills successful southbound Pocatello, McGuire shares tales of riding horseback unabashedly done Ross Park, Gibson Jack, and Arbon Valley. She has saccharine memories of buying penny candy astatine Dell’s Market, stone candy astatine nan Karmelkorn shop connected Main Street, and hanging retired astatine nan iconic Ross Park Drive-in.

She recalls fond moments successful downtown Pocatello, watching movies successful nan Chief Theater and shopping astatine The Paris, Fargo’s Department Store, and Buster Brown Shoes. Those pinch roots successful Pocatello will subordinate to these and different hotspots from nan era.

However, McGuire’s life was not perfect. There was hostility and turmoil successful her family. She is upfront astir this portion of her life successful nan book, adding, “Like a fairytale, location is acheronian and light.”

McGuire has been pleased pinch nan book’s galore affirmative reviews since its merchandise successful 2022.

After it was published, she realized really overmuch she missed penning and that led her to constitute nan 2nd book, “What If I Told You.” It was released this spring.

“What If I Told You” is described arsenic a emotion communicative pinch supernatural suspense and is group successful nan agrarian Idaho Falls area during nan 1970s. While nan book is fiction, it’s inspired by immoderate of her experiences and life decisions arsenic a young female starting her profession astatine nan INL.

“The book walks nan statement betwixt real-world conflict and eerie mysticism. It explores personification coming from struggle and conflict, going into a coma, and having nan prime to return a different life path,” said McGuire.

The book takes readers to landmarks successful aliases adjacent Idaho Falls, specified arsenic Shelley, nan St. Anthony Sand Dunes, Freeman Park, Lindsay Boulevard, and nan Idaho Falls River Walk.

Though it’s only been retired for a fewer months, it’s getting rave reviews connected Amazon and Goodreads. Readers person described nan book arsenic a “tribute to Idaho” and “a communicative of heavenly intervention.” The book’s occurrence has moved McGuire to constitute a sequel, “Remember What I Told You,” which will beryllium released sometime adjacent year.

Courtesy Gail McGuire

Her proposal to others contemplating penning a book is “Sit down and write. And constitute a bully book because you’ll publication it galore times.”

Readers tin find much accusation astir McGuire and her books connected her author’s page. Digital and beingness copies are disposable connected Amazon and Goodreads.