The Trials of Celia — a touching slice of American life

 “A unique and unknown side-story of American history, researched brilliantly, told beautifully.”                   — Jim DeFilippi

“Guma has brought a troubled but touching slice of American history to life.”                                                                    — Kirkus Reviews

A New Novel

Available November 26, 2025

Celia Mudd began life as a slave. But in 1902, Sam Lancaster — once her master — made her the main beneficiary of his will. Now she could own the Kentucky farm on which she has lived — as servant and employee — for more than 40 years. 

But first she has to defend her inheritance. During a controversial trial, she faces Robert Lancaster, who claims the land is rightfully his and, before dying, his brother must have been incompetent, insane or seduced to make such a gift.

Based on a true story, using trial transcripts, letters and personal reflections, The Trials of Celia reveals how two families — one free and white, another enslaved and black — became intertwined after their arrival in America 200 years before. Against the backdrop of the 1903 trial, it focuses on four decades — from 1862 to the early 20th century — moving back and forth, exploring social dynamics during the Civil War, how emancipation created fresh challenges, conflicting courtroom testimony, and the complex relationships between Celia,  Ann Lancaster — the white woman who educated her, and the brothers who struggled over control of the land they all loved.

The Trials of Celia is an engaging historical mystery and a moving family drama of struggle, deceit, faith, guilt and reconciliation.

“The relationship between Celia and Sam is well handled in all its contradictions. There are two people bound by their time and place but tentatively reaching out to each other. Racism rules that society like a despotic god, but for once basic decency—and something very much like love—wins out.”                             

— Kirkus Reviews    

Zoom Video Interview: Blue Smoke and Black Ink with Jim DeFilippi      

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In Memory of Olga Guma: Tribute & Obituary

Olga L. Guma 1921 -2020

Olga Anna Michelina Lupia was born in Glendale, New York, on June 5, 1921, the middle child in a large Italian-American family, and died peacefully in Chandler, Arizona on October 8, 2020 at age 99.

The daughter of Bruno Lupia and Amelia Guidi, Olga grew up in Queens in the 1920s and 30s, graduated from St. Joseph’s College with a degree in romance languages, and subsequently studied at Columbia University. She remained fluent in Italian, French and Spanish throughout her life. After college she worked for her father at Metro Coat and Suit, his Manhattan-based women’s wear business. In late 1940 she began a half-century relationship with a young Italian lawyer, F. William “Bill” Guma. Although World War II intervened, they waited five years, writing love letters and meeting when they could, and married on January 26, 1946.

Over the next three decades, Olga balanced work with raising two children, Gregory William and Andrea Marie, and supporting Bill’s career in Republican politics and state government. With a home in Flushing, Queens, they maintained an active social life that included ballroom dancing, theater, travel, and sports. Meanwhile, her administrative skills led to responsible positions with an architectural firm and a New York Michelin tire franchise, as well as organizing large charity fashion events.

After Bill’s retirement from the New York Supreme Court, and his subsequent illness, Olga took the lead in their move to Arizona. She established a new household in Ahwatukee with Andrea and her daughter, Amanda. Generous, social, sweet, and open-minded, Olga also continued dancing, kept in touch with past friends, and made new ones. For 20 years she lived at Las Palmas in Mesa, and, in 2019, moved to Brookdale, a senior community in Chandler. 

Olga was predeceased by her husband Bill Guma, her brothers Raymond, Joseph, Albert and Bruno Jr., and her daughter, Andrea Smith. She is survived by her son Greg Guma, grandchildren Jesse Lloyd Guma and Amanda Furey, several nieces and nephews, and great grandchild Margot Grace Guma. Private burial services were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 30, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Cave Creek Road in Phoenix, where she is interred with her husband.