Franceshunter Wordpress

Frances Hunter is the pen name of sisters Mary Clare and Liz Clare, who collaborate on historical fiction focused on Lewis & Clark and the early American frontier. What started as a shared passion for history has become a publishing career with multiple award-winning titles.

Their debut novel To the Ends of the Earth: The Last Journey of Lewis & Clark (Blind Rabbit Press, 2006) established their reputation for meticulous research and compelling narrative. The book received:

• •Library Journal "highly recommended" rating
• •Writers' League of Texas Violet Crown Award
• •Independent Publisher "IPPY" Book Award silver medal
• •Finalist for Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year

Their second novel, The Fairest Portion of the Globe, digs deeper into the complex intrigues of the early American frontier, weaving together historical fact with the friendship between Lewis and Clark.

"Anyone can look at a map and follow the westward trail blazed by Lewis and Clark. But these men would freeze for each other, go hungry for each other, die for each other. How do you get to that intensity of honor, courage, and loyalty?"

The sisters approach historical fiction differently than typical frontier narratives. They don't sanitize history—their books portray Lewis and Clark as rough military men living brutal frontier lives, not romanticized heroes. This authenticity sometimes challenges readers expecting a cleaner version of history.

Frances Hunter maintains an active blog covering:

• •Deep dives into Lewis & Clark journals
• •Frontier medicine and material culture
• •American Revolution history
• •Regional history across the frontier states
• •Historical artifacts and their stories

The sisters have responded directly to hundreds of reader inquiries, helping with:

• •Academic citations and source documentation
• •Genealogy research related to frontier families
• •Permission requests for historical images
• •Military shipments to overseas service members (they arrange free e-book delivery via Operation Ebook Drop)

Their work has reached:

• •Professional historians and anthropologists
• •Middle school and college students studying the Lewis & Clark Expedition
• •Military service members serving overseas
• •Other historical fiction authors
• •Museum curators and exhibit designers
• •Genealogy researchers tracing frontier family lines

Books available in multiple formats:

• •Autographed print editions (with 40% discount vs. Amazon)
• •Kindle and e-reader formats
• •Operation Ebook Drop for military service members
• •International shipping available

The sisters regularly ship internationally and have fulfilled orders to Poland, Canada, and military addresses worldwide.