After more than three decades in education, Bernard J. MacDonald has quietly built a literary catalog that resonates with themes of love, loss, and second chances. In 2026, his backlist is experiencing a revival, with updated editions and new recognition bringing his work to a wider audience.
MacDonald, a retired special education teacher and trainer, published his first novel, Missing You, in 2010. The story, set against the fog of Alzheimer's disease, immediately established his signature style: characters grappling with profound emotional challenges in the vast landscapes of the American West. He followed with Meet Me In Sedona (2011), a tale of heartbreak and healing in Arizona's red-rock country, and Infidel: Kafir (2012), a cross-cultural romance that tests family honor against forbidden love.
His most recent novel, Zion: Trails End (2020), tells the story of a terminally ill retired firefighter who interrupts his own end to rescue a stranger, finding an unexpected second chance at life. In 2026, Writers Way Solutions released updated editions of both Infidel: Kafir and Zion, the latter retitled Zion: End of Trail. The renewed interest in MacDonald's work is also reflected in Infidel: Kafir being named a finalist in the 2026 Eric Hoffer Book Award.
MacDonald recently discussed Infidel on the Writers Way Podcast, further boosting its visibility. His novels consistently explore how individuals navigate grief, illness, and cultural pressure, drawing on the wide-open landscapes he knows from personal hiking and camping experiences. His writing is shaped less by literary ambition than by a career spent helping people navigate difficult circumstances, lending authenticity to his portrayals of resilience.
Now living in Saint Augustine, Florida, MacDonald continues to write, and the renewed interest in his backlist underscores the enduring appeal of stories that confront life's hardest moments and the possibility of redemption. The updates to Infidel: Kafir and Zion: End of Trail offer both new and returning readers a chance to experience these compelling narratives in fresh editions.
