Huge thanks to Zoe for the blog tour invite and review copy.
Alabama, 1947.
War’s over, cherry-print dresses, parking above the city lights, swing dancing.
Beautiful, seventeen-year-old Violet lives in a perfect world.
Everybody loves her.
In 2012, she’s still beautiful, charming, and surrounded by admirers.
Veronica “Ronni” Johnson, licensed practical nurse and aspiring writer, meets the captivating Violet in the assisted living facility where Violet requires no assistance, just lots of male attention. When she dies, she leaves Ronni a very generous bequest―only if Ronni completes a book about her life within one year. As she’s drawn into the world of young Violet, Ronni is mesmerized by life in a simpler time. It’s an irresistible journey filled with revelations, some of them about men Ronni knew as octogenarians at Fairfield Springs.
Struggling, insecure, flailing at the keyboard, Ronni juggles her patients, a new boyfriend, and a Samsonite factory of emotional baggage as she tries to craft a manuscript before her deadline.
But then the secrets start to emerge, some of them in person. And they don’t stop.
Everything changes.
Twg’s Thoughts.
I do like reading a story that develops over time and, as much of an obvious statement that is, not all stories, in my opinion, do that. Luckily, (and thankfully), Beth Duke hit the ground running, gave me the hook and kept me under her indirect supervision until the end of the novel.
The historical elements surrounding Violets past were a joy to read, as well as also being an emotive roller coaster due to her friendship with Veronica. Violet left a bit of a imprint on my heart, despite only being ‘there’ for a small amount of time. Does it sound daft if I say that I felt it when when died?
Overall I enjoyed the story telling and Beth Duke’s fragile way with words. This story ticked multiple boxes for me, so I cannot complain at all. Nicely done.
ABOUT BETH DUKE
Beth Dial Duke is an Amazon #1 Best Selling author and the recipient of short story awards on two continents.She is eyeing the other five.Beth lives in the mountains of her native Alabama with her husband, one real dog, and one ornamental dog.She loves reading, writing, and not arithmetic. Baking is a hobby, with semi-pro cupcakes and amateur macarons a specialty.And puns–the worse, the better.
Travel is her other favorite thing, along with joining book groups for discussion. If a personal visit isn’t possible, she is fluent in Zoom.
You can connect with her on social media or via her website www.bethduke.com
The Writing Garnet 