Valentine

Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore

It's 1976, and the forsaken West Texas
town of Odessa, is on the verge of a boom.

Oil rigs spew liquid gold, the pungent odor
filling the air with a stink that's hard to erase.
The men who work long, dangerous, and tedious
hours, live with reckless abandon when they leave
the fields, slugging bourbon down parched throats,
looking for excitement and purpose in this dry, dusty
hole they call home. The women are always on guard,
anticipating the aftermath that's sure to come.

Fourteen-year-old Glory Ramirez miraculously escapes
a violent rape in the predawn hours after Valentine's Day
by one of these cocky cowboys with money in his
pocket, and an eye for pretty girls.

Bruised and battered, Glory finds herself on the
doorstep of Mary Rose Whitehead's isolated ranch,
begging for help, her life hanging by a thread.
When the attacker, still nursing a pounding hangover,
comes looking for his victim, pregnant Mary Rose, is ready
for him with her trusty rifle, while her daughter and
Glory huddle inside.

The ensuing, terrifying confrontation is just the beginning
of the harrowing days and nights leading up to the hideous crime
being tried in a court of law. In a town filled with hatred,
racism, and superiority, townspeople will judge and condemn
Mary Rose for her involvement, refusing to believe the truth
about one of their own.

An incredible array of characters make this riveting story come
alive. Corrine, a retired, grieving schoolteacher, who never fit into the
mold of a stay-at-home wife, Debra Ann, the disheveled
wise-beyond-her-years child next door whose mother walked out,
on her family, the sad, timid Vietnam War veteran, longing for home,
who Debra Ann befriends, and the naive waitress who takes matters
into her own hands when pushed too far.

This brutally raw, yet achingly tender debut novel, is one you won't
soon forget. The Texas-born author whisks the reader away to a land
of rolling tumbleweeds, vast miles of emptiness, deadly, hissing snakes,
clear, star-studded skies, and breathtaking sunsets. You will feel the
pain, fear, empathy, sorrow, and hope as each character trudges on
through the lives they've been handed.

And you will marvel at the strength and fortitude of amazing women.

The Authenticity Project

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

Strangers become friends, when they dare to
share their innermost thoughts in a simple,
traveling notebook, called The Authenticity
Project.

Julian Jessop is an old man, whose once glittering
star has faded. There was a time when his art work
graced prestigious galleries, and the rich and famous
flocked to his side. But those days are gone, and he
now struggles to find a reason to get out of bed in
the morning. His body may be ravaged by time, but
vivid memories are not forgotten, especially those of
dear Mary.

As Julian reflects on his life, he wonders how
different things could have been if he'd told
the truth over the years, rather than living
a lie. So he writes poignant words in an unadorned,
green journal, and leaves it at his favorite cafe, hoping
the next curious person will be inclined to write
their own deeply private musings.

Cafe owner, Monica, finds the journal as she ends
another frenzied day in her struggling business where
the usual dirty cups and leftover crumbs wait to be cleaned
by her capable hands. A glass of wine, and a few
moments of silent reading are about to change Monica's
regimented life in ways she never imagined.

Julian's words leave an imprint on Monica's soul. Perhaps
it's time to express her hopes, fears, and disappointments
on the next pages for a stranger to read. For too long, she's
hidden her desire for a family because she feared acknowledging
the truth. Now, remaining anonymous, Monica feels a new-found
freedom.

The little journal travels to faraway places, finding its
way into the hands of an array of characters who
take pleasure in telling the truth, ugly as it may be.
You'll meet an alcoholic addict running from his past, an
overwhelmed woman with a precious baby, obsessed with
social media, and a gossipy lady who seems to have a knack for
knowing exactly what to do in trying circumstances.

Interwoven in the story are a gay couple who long
for acceptance, and a handsome Australian in love with
the idea of romance. Together, all their stories intertwine
in a most fascinating way.

At a time when we are experiencing a global pandemic,
I can't think of a better selection than this one. It exemplifies
what the world needs right now, such as kindness, reaching out to
others, forgiveness, honesty, and some much-needed humor. The
inspiring plot offers a ray of sunshine in uncertainty.

And be sure to read the author's acknowledgements at the
end of the book, to further understand the heart of the story.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift".

I think we can all agree on that.