Random Road - Geneva Chase Crime Reporter Mysteries - A Suspenseful Thriller By Thomas Kies

“Is there a reason that things happen the way they do or is everything random?” 

Death was sitting there in one of those waiting room seats. You couldn’t see him, but he was always there. Life was in the ER, too, but she was in where the action was, working with the doctors and nurses. I suspect that when Death decides it’s time to take someone, he walks into one of the cubicles where the doctors are struggling to keep someone’s heart beating. Then, even though Life has put up a good fight, Death slides her off to one side. He smiles his skeletal grin, inexorably embraces the patient with his long cold arms, and bestows a final, icy kiss.

I don’t like emergency rooms because, in the end, you can’t negotiate, bribe, or trick Death into leaving you or a loved one alone. When it’s your time, it’s your time.

The emergency room waiting area had changed a lot since I was fourteen. It had become more “friendly.” The chairs were certainly more comfortable than I recalled. There was a flat-screen TV on one of the walls. There were toys for small children in a brightly colored plastic box on the floor. But the magazines were still out of date, which made me really nervous. 

When I got there, a half dozen people in twos and threes were sitting quietly around the room. Caroline was seated alone in a corner. She was staring out a window that overlooked a courtyard. “Hey, honey,” I said. “How’s your dad?” She turned and looked up at me. I could see the red rims around her eyes. Her face seemed even thinner and paler than before. Caroline looked absolutely haunted. “I don’t know.” Her voice turned high and squeaky. Then her lips quivered, her face reddened, and she hid her tears behind a crushed-up ball of over-used tissue. I leaned down and put my arms around her shoulders. She stood up and we hugged each other, much like what her father had done for me so many years before.

Just this morning, Kevin had told me that Caroline hadn’t cried since her mom died. He’d thought that maybe his daughter had been squeezed dry, that Joanna’s death had left the girl in a permanent state of shock. But here she was, sobbing uncontrollably in my arms. I knew what she was afraid of. She’d already lived through the tragedy of losing her mother. Being in an emergency room again for her dad was plain horrifying. Death wasn’t a stranger to this little girl. I dried her eyes with another ball of used tissue, but this one I found at the bottom of my bag. 

“What happened, honey?” She swallowed. “Right after you left this afternoon, Dad came into the house and fixed himself a drink. He and I talked a little bit about how you guys had gone out to Connor’s Landing to pick up a deposit check. He showed it to me; he was really proud. He said to keep an eye on the time because we were going to Poco Loco for dinner in a couple of hours. But all the while he was talking to me, I could see sweat was dripping off his forehead. “I asked him if he wanted me to turn up the air conditioner. But he shook his head, wiped his face with a paper towel, and then took his drink into the living room. I’d stayed in the kitchen to get some ice water from the refrigerator when I heard him fall.”

 I felt fear clutch at the hairs on the back of my neck. “He fell?” She slowly nodded. “I ran in and saw him struggling to get up off the floor. He couldn’t get to his feet. His face was really red and all scrunched up like he was in a lot of pain. He had one hand over his stomach like it was hurting really bad, so I took his other hand and tried to help him, but he couldn’t straighten up. He let go of me and just lay on the floor, groaning. 

I dialed 911. He kept trying to tell me not to call an ambulance, that he was okay. He just needed a few minutes and the pain in his stomach would go away.” “But it didn’t.” “It always has in the past, but not this time,” Caroline whispered. 

“This has happened before? Has he seen a doctor?” That was when I realized that Aunt Ruth was standing behind me. “Kevin hasn’t been to a doctor in years,” she stated flatly. I spun to see her staring at me with an expression of both disdain and fear. “Hi,” I offered, not knowing what else to say. “To answer your question,” Ruth said, “yes, this has happened before. But it’s never been this severe.”

~~~~

Geneva Chase is a woman who you will remember even after days or months... She is a strong woman, yet she has been an alcoholic in recent years... She has loved and lost through divorce. But most of all she's a Crime Reporter that has become the most important part of her life... Until...

This book is one of the best character-driven that I've read. Yet, intuitively I was able to pinpoint those who had performed one of the most horrendous crimes  ever. In fact, the ending of the book revealed exactly what had occurred. It was when I decided not to continue reading the series. Even though I ranked this book high and do recommend to some people... For me, it is purely based upon what is happening in America where people are being murdered right before our eyes and ignored by the government as if the victim is at fault...

On the other hand, reading this book was indeed one which required me to ponder and considr the way in which the author interwove the personal within the overall story...

Genie had been called to a murder scene by a detective with whom she had bonded. In turn, she would take his wishes as to how and when she actually reported what she had learned. But she had an exclusive on this murder which involved six people and she intended to keep it...

Genie was going to AA, although as you read, you may not believe that she has made any type of commitment to the process. But she had seen somebody there that she knew...

It was a good friend from her early life, a man now who had been with her through all the turmoil which occurred when her mother had died. Now she saw that he also was an alcoholic. Who also was not willing to give up drinking... But they did meet and become close. He had been married, but his wife had died from cancer--a terrible death that had been drawn out and his daughter had been right there seeing exactly what had happened. But Caroline had never cried. Her aunt had forced her to go into counseling. It was felt that she also watched how badly her Dad had been traumatized and had held back on her own loss to be there for her Dad.

Readers will learn of many different crimes that seem to occur around an actual "Random Road" location. Theft of homes of the rich section of town, a rumor of a sex club somewhere in an old home, and, even a hookup for Genie with a married man. Nothing that should surprise anybody these days, unfortunately.

But all of these crimes are all tied together, and little by little Genie is working with her detective friend to pull the facts together... While at the same time, Genie is falling in love with the friend she had reacquainted with who now was living nearby... Kevin had admitted that he'd been in love with her as a teen, but had never pushed it... He had also loved his wife dearly, but also realized that he'd continued to love Genie throughout those years... But every time they were together, they would decide to have a drink or two as they grew more involved... 

They had both agreed they wanted to be married and were moving in that direction... The only thing was that, Kevin had gone to the hospital. The doctors had explained that his liver was almost gone and his time for living was in...the...months...

It was quite natural, therefore, that the issues of death and dying came into the book... Genie and Kevin started to talk about their beliefs, their awareness of God--His existence... It is this that I found the author had achieved exactly what was required of the two characters to be thinking. Kudos to Kies for the personal lives of all characters seemed to be reveal at exactly the appropriate time... An amazing achievement in itself, in my opinion. This is Book 1 of a series. The writing is excellent! The overall plot was up-to-date for today's world, while at the same time, taking a deep dive into how each of us can or could or should react to the randomness of life events...

There was one thing that happened at the end that I felt was not random. Even then, I "think" I agreed with the author's closing, albeit a climax that was not a happy ending... or was it? As I sit writing, I find myself not sure that I might one day go out and see what Genie is doing in Book 2 of the series... Was the random events through this book leading to a life change for Genie? My curious mind, maybe, wants to know more... Do check it out!

GABixlerReviews

News!

Another shooting in Minnesota by Feds

Don't know anything more at this time

Governor Told Trump to GET OUT!

 

Guy Graybill Presents Rhymes from the Hinterland - A Tome of Clever Poems!

Creator: BraunS | Credit: Getty Images

Copyright: BraunS

OUR YOUNG

They are safe as they play

Here among us today;

 But, how safe will they play

 On the morrow; 

Since the strangers came in,

 With a smile and a grin,

 Thus to buy

 What they never could borrow?

 Using money and guile

 And political style,

 They got land

 Which was prime and impressive.

 Will our young ones soon shrink

 From the water they drink,

 ‘Cause the toxins within are excessive?

 Will the strangers provide

 Waste for making our wide

 Susquehanna a river of sorrow?

 They are safe as they play

 Here among us today . . .

 But, will they safely play

 On the morrow?

~~~~

THE ROMANCE OF WAR

 Our young should know of war;

 That pre-historic way

 Men found to wound and slay . . .

 To smear the land with gore!

 Our young should early learn

!!!!

AN ACT OF SELF DEFENSE

 Her Smile is a rebel Smile.

 She knows the disarming art.

 Her lips bring to light her guile:

 A threat to my sov’reign heart.

💝

Guy Graybill's latest book is a compilation of written poems over the years--ones that were meant to be shared someday... Rhymes from the Hinterland brings to readers history, humor, romance and so much more... Guy has strong opinions; he shares them freely as one who writes poetry often does. For poetry is the words of need--a short time expressing what is in your mind or heart... 

Sometimes heavy with warning, sometimes light in joy of life. Sometimes he writes with words of old, yet, the meaning for today seems so clear...

THE VIGIL MAINTAIN

 So, you’ve put away all of your armor.

 So, your lance you have now set aside!

 And you say we have slain all the dragons?

 Here our thinking is bound to collide.

 You’re a fool, who is too soon deluded.

 Our world’s yet the dark, beast-laden wood.

 Here live creatures that hope to devour us;

 Here are foes who would do us no good.

 They are cloaked in a guise that is modern—

 Like the razor-sharp blade in the sheath—

 So that, outwardly, they appear harmless;

 But, the ‘dragon’ still lurks underneath!

 Some are nations that feign would embrace us; Others, groups that would offer us peace.

 Some are concepts that promise Utopia . . .

 The proverbial ‘wolves under fleece’?

 All those brutes would, with ease, overpower us,

 If we fell, importunely, asleep.

 So, we must have the moat filled with Caution

 And let Truth help us strengthen the keep.

 We’ve no choice but to maintain the vigil,

 And be certain our young can derive

 A concern for the imminent dangers.

 The alert are the ones who survive!

~~~~

UPBRINGING

 While I was yet an infant,

 My parents cast the die.

 They weaned me on bologna;

 They fed me rabbit pie.

 And as a lad, a-growing,

 They gave me kettle meat,

 Along with steaming mince pies,

Both savory and sweet.

 They set my tastes forever

 And didn’t even try.

 A carnivore they raised me;

 A carnivore I’ll die. 

😁

Some of my long-time readers will remember his book, Bravo, spotlighting music from Italy... I think I individually covered most of those individuals mentioned, more extensively at Book Readers Heaven. With this new book Guy has again become an ongoing contributor here, sharing over 160 poems found in this book through the upcoming moths or years... On the other hand, I've already read the entire book and can highly recommend it to all poetry readers. 

As mentioned, style of writing changes, based upon the topic... I find it delightful that he adds a touch of "theatre" to each poem...

 SUNRISE AND SADNESS 

When hopes lie shattered on the shore,

 Good friends are often wont to say:

 “The Sun will rise; just as before.

 Tomorrow is another day.”

 That’s what good friends are wont to say.

 But grave injustice came to call.

 Yes, grave injustice came to stay.

 So, I must dine on bitter gall 

And I’m condemned to sip dismay,

 No matter what good friends might say.

 On days when duties don’t impede,

 My will can’t push me from the cot.

 If bladder does not intercede,

 I’d rather slumber; rather rot,

 Than join a world where truth’s forgot!

 I curse the knaves who gain success

 By trampling ethics under hoof.

 One thought ignites my bitterness:

 I sense the crime; but lack the proof . . .

 I sense the crime; but lack the proof.

 To know injustice, unerased,

 Leaves morning’s joy forever gone;

 With courage lost and hope effaced.

 So long as justice is withdrawn,

 Sunrise and sadness crow the dawn . . .

😞

Folks, this last poem spoke to me,

  of attempts to progress backward...

For each day we see that,

 indeed, a failing justice

 How many thousands of years

 has this gone on,

 but never more

 than today's sad morn

I don't profess to be a poet,

Yet words speaking truth

do call to me...

Thus, a responsive attempt by me...

😍

Plan on seeing Guy around along with other contributors... In the meantime, I suggest that you get your own copy and place it next to where you sit... Turn the noise of news down  or read a poem or two during commercials. Each time a new one comes, you'll find that it may just speak to you as well...

GABixlerReviews

RELATIVE TIME 

“How it flies!” said the conquering Romans,

 Offering comment on Time’s rapid pace;

 And they’ve now made a clock run by atoms,

 Just to measure Time’s passage through space.

 Now, if life can flash by in an instant,

 And the earth, in a twinkling, will burn;

 Oh, then, why does an hour seem eternal,

 While I’m waiting for you to return?

💕

Ari's Aria - Book 3 of Malt Shop Milestones Trilogy by Nadine C. Keels - Young Adults and Above Will Love the 40s Presented

Vicky had ordered her usual pink cow and took a sip as she responded to her new friend, Ari. They had been talking about a talent show that was coming up and Ari, who was very involved with music, was asking for details...

Of course, they were including comments about Hester, who had won the contest for the last two years... 

Hester? She was dating that cute, rich boy that Berta dreamed about before she met Howard. Let's just say Hester flung that connection around to all the girls in the school--"He's mine!" Even Ari, who was new to the school had already noticed, and after their discussion, she decided she would sign up!

And the jukebox played on...

If you all don't mind, I'd like to share one of my own past stories that I thought of as I was reading these books, the last one, by the way, is my favorite, maybe for that reason... But probably because of Ari's music interests... And her decision to compete...

Too many years ago for me to remember the year, I had just met a new member of my family, by marriage. The WVU fieldhouse was still on the main campus and she and I attended a basketball game... It was a small facility and I was seeing many people I knew. But one of the faculty members with whom I worked happened to be looking around at the same time and we recognized each other and waved hands, smiling... I got a strange look from this new female and she asked me if I knew him... Then, for whatever reason, she asked me if I would date a Black man... At that time, I had already been very conscious about prejudice against Black people, since I was already meeting many more non-white people than I had ever interacted with there... This is what I said: "Probably not, my main concern would be the children that could result from a relationship--everybody knew that other children still picked on children different from them. That was the end of that conversation. However, a week or so later, my aunt with whom I'd always been close, asked me, bluntly, "Are you interested in dating Black men?" I probably said, "ah, What?" She promptly went on and told me who has told her that. We looked at each other, immediately knowing what we were thinking... Then she told me, that she had talked so much about needing a coat, that my aunt finally gave her money. We would be on the alert from now on... And, I can't help but worry just a little, about what's happening, again, today... But I've learned to admire the Black Culture, especially those individuals I've met through their wonderful books, like this trilogy.

I bring this up because of the new family that came to the "Black Diamond district." You see, Ari's father had originally lived there many years ago... He had left and had joined the service, fighting in WWII but his greatest love and job was playing piano... And he knew he would always be able to find somebody who needed a piano player... Thing was, as he worked, he realized that nobody seemed to know he was a Black man. Even in the service... So, why would he make a point of it?

And what happened to make him come back home? He fell in love. With a beautiful Mexican woman... And Ari became a mixed-race child who knew as soon as she was old enough to understand that they were holding a secret. You see, at that time, Mexicans were classified, legally, as white. And it was illegal to be married to a Black man... It was time to go home to Black Diamond...

At first, the family was...watched... Many of the older residents knew he had passed for many years out in the white world... It seemed everybody adopted a wait-and-see about why he came back. But, that was the grownups... Berta, when she first say Ari sitting alone, she felt...empathy... And even though she was a little jealous of what Howard said about her being pretty, Berta went over and started talking... Soon, Ari had filled the place that had been vacated in the threesome which were Vicky, Berta, and now Ari...

You know that television that was new in town? Well, Ari was the first to be invited over, along with others from school, to watch TV... And if the young shall lead, Berta's family soon invited Ari's parents to watch a drama one evening...

So while that was happening the trio continued to ponder whether Ari should compete in the talent contest... So Vicki checked out the rules and discovered that it said nothing about whether a mixed-race individual could compete... BTW, Hester had told Ari that she should check the rules... That made the decision much more easy, of course. But Ari wondered about what should she do for her talent. Her Dad had been teaching her piano since she was very young. But, she was also had a beautiful voice. In any event, she was afraid her need for practicing would disrupt her home too much... So, that was quickly arranged by the pastor of their church being willing for her to practice--as long as the music didn't get to jazzy... LOL

When I heard Black Diamond, I knew this was the video to use... even if Ari would also be playing piano...

It was Ari's turn, she wore a beautiful gown she'd worn before to a special event. She sat down to play, but hesitated... At the last minute she knew the song that she really wanted to sing--and how to sing it...

Unfortunately, I've spent it seems hours trying to find a video, which I really wanted to hear and use... of exactly what Ari had chosen to do... She had sung the first time in English, and then she sang the last version in Spanish... Finding this song in Spanish? Even Latino stars chose to sing in English...Sigh

Of course when we read about Hester's talent, we knew who would win!

But, the more important part of the story was when Ari's mother came to her after she'd left the state... You see, Ari had missed her grandmother who they didn't see much since they'd moved... Little by little, the use of their Spanish had been eliminated from their daily lives... Ari, who was of two cultures, wanted to celebrate them both... And sharing the other part of her there in Black Diamond was something she felt she really needed to do...

Many have said lately that you cannot choose with whom you fall in love. In a single race community, or nation, it may never come up. But in a land where all people are welcomed, love comes, sometimes, from a different ethnic descent you meet--somebody who turns out to be their one and only soul mate... Does it matter? In the 40s, the government regulated marriage by color of your skin... Ari and her parents had to come to Black Diamond and felt safe for, maybe, the first time since they were married years ago... I so applaud Nadine for writing from a historical perspective that we are now once again facing... But, no matter who says what, know that we are all God's Children...

I recognize that I may have overplayed the historical part... But with this last book, I want to point out to our teen readers, that these books really are fun to read... watching teenagers back in the 40s, you may find, is not really different... Or is it? In any event, they are escapes from reality... Brining in the War was a small part of it all... The books rock with music, gossip by the local store boy who bags groceries repeating anything and everything that is most talked about as people check out...and then share to the next group of people... LOL Why wait for the newspaper, at least until Vicky is working there one day!

More importantly, it is a time when friends could be friends--both boys and girls--and find that they could be themselves. Only one girl seemed to have a problem with other students, but, really, there's probably more these days, right? Bottom line, I loved these books... I wish I had been able to find the final song, Nature Boy, sung by a beautiful teen who learned both English and Spanish from her parents. At least it was Nat's daughter, but his voice is so much smoother and dreamy...LOL Hint I was/am his fan!

GABixlerReviews

Spotlight on Trilogy, Continued - Berta's Bounceback by Nadine C. Keels - from the Malt Shop Milestones series

 It was Saturday afternoon in the community of West Hill, nicknamed "Black Diamond District," and teens were flooding to Bro Brown's Malt Shop to push coins, first into the Jukebox, and then head over to order their favorite drink, to get started... My choice? Orange Cream, but I doubt it was available in the 40s...LOL But no matter what era, I was there to enjoy the music and check out another kind of whodunit...

Hear that, the flavor of Autumn Leaves, which is one of my favorite Nat King Cole vocals, is right in there at the beginning... Now at my time, the word was groovy...in the 40s, I don't know what they called smooth jazz... but it's what most was happening at Bro's place... a central location of these books--where friends could gather and talk, hear the latest news, or meet up with others from school for a little out-of-school JOY...

In fact, the trilogy surrounds the lives of a threesome of teen girls at all times--with one change when a family had to move to another part of the country. And Ari came in to find herself in a safe place finally... More on that later... Vicky was in book one; however, you should also know that the lives of all three girls are continuously within the pages of the trilogy. Here, you'll find just a few main facts that I found of personal interest and wanted to share with all of you!

Berta considers herself just an average student, in most ways. In fact, she only began to find herself recognizing her value, when a certain young boy came stumbling into her life... You see, Howard sat in front of Berta in one of their classes... While Berta was dreaming of ever having a date with the most popular boy in school and deciding that wasn't going to happen. My thought immediately was that Howard was secretly interested in Berta... And shy around her...

So much so that when he was coming to class, one time he stumbled right before he got to his own chair and fell onto Berta's desk... How humiliating! All the class was laughing; but, it was only later that Berta, remembered, that, when Howard's head popped up and he leaned on her desk, he had asked if she was ok! You know, that's when my mystery solving mind decided, Yep, he's whodunit! He's the guy for Berta!

And I was right...

So, one day, Berta was meeting Vicky... And, there she sat wearing Willie's sports jacket! How Cool! Berta had her own secret to share; but, being Berta, she allowed her friend to share her joy of wearing Willie's jacket first... And, only then, did she reveal that her family had a new addition! No, you're wrong if you immediately thought what most people would think, LOL... Her father had bought a Television!!!!

Ahhh, that did bring back memories for me... We were too poor to have a television for many years after they came out... But a neighbor of ours had purchased one--he worked for the railroad where a train traveled right in front of our house and I guess he made lots more money than my widowed Mom... Anyway, my sister was a good friend of his daughter, plus we all went to the same church... Soooo, we got to go to their house to watch TV, just like you'll read about, when Berta invites her friends! Cool, right?! And by that time, Howard was definitely invited, especially when Berta found out he had been their paperboy and had routinely interacted with her Dad! But she had never known him then... True... 

But I have to tell you about their first date! Howard fumbled around and finally got it out that his sister was getting married and, like, would Berta be his date at the wedding? She almost swooned... Her first grownup event--what would she wear?! Thoughts flooded into her mind, until she finally remembered she had to say "yes" to Howard!

And the very first thing she noticed at the wedding? Howard  was not awkward or stumbling around... She realized that he was in a safe space, where everybody loved him and came to hug and talk to him... I believe it was then that Berta began to see Howard for who he really was... And that, somebody, was somebody she really began to like--a lot!

Until Berta began to have trouble understanding the material of a couple of her classes. She found she had to spend more time studying and less time with her friends and the malt shop... But what are friends for? Vicky one day just came out and asked her friend what was wrong. And Berta confessed she needed to study more but some of it she just couldn't understand... It was algebra for me... I had to take a class to be able to take a few management courses on campus when I started working right after I graduated... All I can remember now, and immediately after I passed the course, was that there was an 8 on its side and it meant infinity... LOL Anyway, Vicky forced her to make time to meet with her to study together... until she moved on to the other major concern that had developed...

Vicky had career goals even early in her teens... It wasn't until Berta began to have trouble with some of her classwork that, perhaps for the first time, she realized that she'd never thought about plans for the future--that she didn't even think about it enough to wonder if she wanted to work, what would she do? Her self-doubt became so great that she was no longer able to deal with the reality of her day-to-day life activities... She even began to worry about Howard when he said that a new girl was pretty...

Until she opened up, at Howard's insistence, to him...

This, then, is one of the reasons, I wanted to spotlight this trilogy. Keels has a personal connection to all that has happened within the Black Culture. Her books reveal that connection and her desire to create the books that she could never find when she was growing up and going through her teen years... She wanted to share those books and I believe she has done a fantastic job... Sure, these books all have Black characters... But, I have to say, I've never found anything that makes me think that color of the skin makes our teen years, or, in fact, any part of our lives, different because one is black and one is white. It's NOT true... Circumstances may be a problem, but never the people unless... well, you all know what I mean...

One of the first books I read by a Black woman, had a cover with a white woman. I asked her why. She told me there were no covers readily available with Black people! And that's been within the last twenty years! I am a fan of book covers. It's the first thing I do when I get a new book... Kudos to Keels for making sure this historical trilogy reflected exactly what she wanted to have found when she was a teen! And for again, providing a final narrative on, this time, the Black culture and capitalization/writing concerns... is covered...

I especially enjoyed the three characters that Nadine created... Each one entirely different in so many ways; yet, they had become friends... Reminded me of the trio I was part of in junior high and on through graduation. One Black girl, One Catholic girl, and one white girl, who thankfully believed that God had created all people! And, isn't that the way it's supposed to be?! But, just as we are experiencing once again, our Black neighbors being persecuted. We need to question, don't we?! We are all God's children, every one of us. And, surely, if in the 1940s, the Black songs were not even allowed to be played by many radio stations, then surely we should have progressed by 2026! And we have to some extent... but not under the president that I don't recognize...as...mine...

GABixlerReviews

Spotlight on Trilogy--Malt Shop Milestones - Book 1 - Vicky's Victory by Nadine C. Keels - Honoring Martin Luther King Day...

 

Come on over to the Book Setting!

8 years ago-scoping out plan of action...

And remembering my very first Black girlfriend, Marian Davis, in the 7th grade when we both started going to junior high school... And the many Black friends I have found through their books, including Nadine C. Keels... We must fight for freedom...again!

God Be With Our Black Neighbors

I've been a fan of Nadine Keels for many years. I follow her on Amazon and had picked up books when they send a notice they've been published. So I had read one and discovered it was a trilogy. I then read another I already had, and finally went out and got this first book that I'd missed... After reading I knew I wanted to spotlight this trilogy, for so many reasons...

First, it is set soon after the end of WWII--I was born about that time, LOL... My mother had made it clear to me, when I asked, that I was an America. Even then she disassociated herself from Hitler and his war against the Jewish people. And, I wanted to learn more about that era just as Nadine had done to add a historical perspective to these books... 

And its music, of course.

Nadine provides a short historical perspective for each of these books, varying. In this case, she talked about what was called "race music." Yes, there has always been discrimination, hasn't there? (As far back as Jesus Himself...) The local radio stations at that time refused to play what, essentially, was the Blues. 

That was the decision by which the Malt Shop owner installed a jukebox... The Malt Shop became the central setting as the book progresses... And it was normally packed, especially by teenagers, who would come in, go immediately to the jukebox and put in some coins!

Nat King Cole was known as a trio at that time, and, of course, you all will find Cole on my blog from time to time with historical or seasonal books (Autumn Leaves is so beautiful). Nat surely was on the Jukebox... Some of the town's soldiers had never returned... The Black community was still mourning their loss...

Vicky was known as The Brain of her school, something which she didn't really enjoy, but the kids did tend to give nicknames, and Vicky was one of the smartest students in the school. She was also interested in writing, already planning for a career in Journalism, hopefully at her local newspaper so that she wouldn't have to leave town...

But Vicky was really a young girl who had not yet found her way... Even though she was 16, she had never dated anyone, even though one of her best friends already had a steady boyfriend (you'll meet her later). But then there was a day--a very special day... And there was a boy, a special little boy she had once played with when her parents had come together. They would go outside to play and leave the grownups to do what they did, and they'd run, run, run everywhere, having fun, as children do...

But, this day, she was alone at the Malt Shop and ready to place her order, when the son of the Shop's owner...well, let's just say, there was an incident. A very special incident for Vicky and, it seemed, for...him...

Now Vicky, when she dreamed, she thought of somebody she could be interested in, who'd consider maybe going to the library as a date... at least she thought that would be a wonderful way to spend time together. But when she was matched with a new student at school for a two-person project, she really learned what that "could" mean. Whew, she even had to spend time talking to her mother about that situation! LOL Let's just say he was a black sexist pig... And I have no idea whether that was known as a phrase in the '40s...

More and more Vicky remembered the incident. An incident that she had never shared with her best friends... It was too precious...

And with that she could keep it close to her heart secretly, at least she could keep the secret until he had made and given her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... She had to share!

Willie, the teenaged son of the owner of Bro Brown's Malt Shop, had been talking with friends when he turned around--and the incident occurred... Yes, he was the little boy with whom she'd run through the house and yard as a child... Now he was the most important football player on the team and their lives, for the most part had gone separate ways until that day... She hadn't been looking for a beau, but, still...

Willie had held Vicky that day, to save her from falling. But they held in that position much longer than needed. And, their eyes had held, neither wanted to move... She wasn't sure what to do. He certainly didn't... Willie, we can plainly see, is really somewhat shy. There is no indication whether he'd had a crush on Vicky when they were much younger, but their time at that time, obviously had stayed with each one as time had gone by...

Perhaps a new song flipped up on the jukebox, but finally the incident moved on... Vicky went on to meet her friends. Willie might have gone back to his Dad and said something about Vicky needing a new drink... Perhaps his Dad had perked up with how his son was talking, maybe a little nervous, his eyes wandering around the kitchen... His Dad warmed inside... Since his wife had died, he had been the only parent and was often too busy working to spend time with his son...just...to...see how he was doing...

And when Willie's Dad suggested he have a small group of friends in, Willie agreed--he wanted only to have Vicky come! So he suggested she invite her friends too... And Vicky did come, but was quiet and sat watching others dancing. When Willie came and asked, worriedly about her, she finally admitted for the first time that she didn't know how to dance...

Willie took her hand and pulled her to her feet, guiding her into his arms... They danced to Nat Cole again...and when they didn't break at the end of that song, Willie's friend just played the song over again...

And the rest, as they say, is history... Willie began showing the town that Vicky was his girl, simply by pointing the football toward her after he's made a goal...and plans were made... And gossip spread throughout the school... the town... Willie and Vicky!

And the Jukebox continued on...

Watch for Book 2 Next... 

In the meantime, More History vs. Today

 

Note: I got lost in the 40s era... Some songs have been remade and/or in different eras on the same videos... So I decided to choose the songs that seemed best to match what was happening in the book... 

Also, When I planned on starting the spotlight today, I had not realized that it was a holiday (hopefully that will continue!), I'm sorry, Nadine, I had not planned on bringing in so much history versus today's madness... Folks, these books are both fun, as well as informative... Teenage love is just plain sweet to read about, in my opinion... Grab the trilogy for your own children!

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Valerie M. Bodden Presents Promises of Mercy: A Christian Romance - Come to a Revival with this One...

“Praying isn’t going to make things any better. There is no cure.” “A cure isn’t the only way for things to get better...”

Pastor Cooper began to pray... “Dear Heavenly Father,” Pastor Cooper prayed. “You are rich in mercy. Thank you for making us your own when there was nothing beautiful about us. Thank you for washing us in Jesus’ blood and cleansing us from our sins. Thank you for seeking after us even when we have sought after other things. We ask that Your Holy Spirit would work in hearts everywhere, that all may believe the beautiful truth of your mercy and be saved. Amen.” 

Faith smothered a yawn as she pulled into the dark parking lot at Daisy’s, steering past the empty spaces alongside the building to the employee parking area at the back. She didn’t have a reserved spot—she didn’t need one, since she was the first one here every day—but she always chose the same spot anyway: under the giant magnolia tree, looking out over the river. She turned off her car and just sat, watching the reflected light of the quaint lamps along the riverwalk ripple over the surface of the water. The sun wouldn’t be up for over an hour yet, and by then, she would be elbows-deep in mixing and rolling pie crusts. But she loved this time of the morning—she always had. Even in high school, when most of her friends would sleep in as long as they could, she would often roll out of bed before the sun rose and tiptoe out the patio door of her dad’s house to settle on the big outdoor sofa that overlooked the river. It wasn’t so much the sunrise she was watching for. It was the stillness of the moments before it, when there was only the gentle rustle of leaves and the quiet hush of the water to keep her company. And that first sound of the birds waking—that always sent a thrill through her that she couldn’t explain. But it felt like . . . like a little inside moment between her and God, when they were the only two up to hear the birds. She hadn’t paused to really enjoy those early morning moments in a long time, but this morning she needed a good dose of tranquility. Seeing Judah yesterday had shaken her in ways she hadn’t been prepared for. She’d spent half the night lying awake thinking about him, and the other half dreaming about what could have been, if only . . . No. Things couldn’t have been like that, and she knew it. Faith made herself open her car door, the already-humid air brushing over her body like a cloak as she stepped into it. She should get into the bakery and get busy, but the river beckoned to her. Maybe she could give herself just a minute more . . . As she strolled slowly toward the riverwalk, she let her mind drift to prayer. She prayed every day—multiple times, even—but it seemed like those were always rushed, terse prayers thrown off in the heat of the moment. Lord, please protect Evan. Lord, please help me get this order done on time. Lord, please let Evan remember to take his meds. Lord, please help me deal with this obnoxious customer graciously. But now, in the stillness of the morning, her mind and prayers slowed. Thank you, Lord, for this new day. Thank you that your mercies are new each morning. Thank you for redeeming me and calling me by name. Let me be a light of your love in my thoughts, words, and actions today. Please bless Evan and keep him safe. Bless his— She fumbled for a word in her mind, settling on, relationship with Willow. Let them both seek your will for them. In spite of herself, her thoughts drifted to the early days of her relationship with Judah. How thrilling it was the first time he asked her out at the beginning of their senior year of high school. The first time he held her hand. The first time they’d kissed, right across the way, along the riverbank in Founder’s Park. Stop. She made herself draw her thoughts back. It did no good to dwell on how different things had been then. And yet, she couldn’t help adding the little prayer she’d prayed for him on and off over the years. Touch his heart, Lord. Turn it back to you. Then, almost guilty, she turned and hurried back to the pie shop. When she reached the back door, she had to pause to dig her keys out of her purse. A strange sound caught her ear, and she lifted her head, straining to hear better. It was a sort of low hiss. Or maybe a shushing sound. She looked around, trying to pick out where it was coming from. Her hand landed on her keys, and she pulled them triumphantly out of her purse, deciding the sound would probably go away once she was inside. But the moment she opened the door, the sound intensified to a gush, with sporadic metallic clangs. She stepped inside, gasping as her foot came down with a splash and water surged into her shoe. “What in the world?” She took another step, her second foot getting just as wet. She reached for the light switch, then thought better of it. Was it safe to turn on a light switch when you were standing in water? But why was she standing in water? Had she accidentally left the faucet on last night? Would that create a puddle all the way over here? She pulled out her phone and flipped on the flashlight, shining it first at the floor, where a good couple of inches of water covered everything, and then in the direction of the sound. “Lord, help me,” she cried. A waterfall gushed from a gaping hole in the ceiling, pouring onto the large island below and pinging off of the pots and pie pans she’d set out last night so they’d be ready to go today. All the air caught in her chest and every single one of her limbs seemed to be set in concrete. She stared at the spraying water, trying to figure out where it could be coming from. Who cares where it’s coming from? You have to make it stop. The thought jolted her into action. She had a vague memory of seeing a spigot outside, on the side of the building. Maybe that was the building’s shutoff? She backed out the door, her wet feet heavy as she ran around the building. There was no light over here, and she shone her flashlight along the wall, searching— There. She flew to the valve and cranked it to the right as far as it would go. Then she ran back to the building, praying she hadn’t made everything worse. The first thing she noticed when she yanked the door open was the silence. She swung the light from her phone toward the ceiling. Water still dripped from the hole, but the gushing had stopped. She let out a breath and stepped carefully through the door, shining her flashlight ahead of her as she waded toward the center of the room. Huge chunks of plaster rested in the water on the floor, and she pointed her flashlight up to inspect the hole more closely, wincing as a drop of water smacked the middle of her forehead. The hole leered at her, big enough for a much larger person than her to climb through. She had no idea what the pipes up there were supposed to look like. But she was pretty sure there wasn’t supposed to be water on the outside of them. She sighed and lowered the light, shining it on her island workspace. Bits of plaster floated in the water that filled all of the pots and pans, and a shiny puddle gleamed on the surface of the cooktop. She spun and pointed the light toward the wall of ovens behind the island, cringing at the water that dripped down their doors. “I guess the other shoe did fall after all,” she muttered to herself. She flipped her phone over to check the time. It was barely 6 a.m. The shop didn’t open until 10 a.m., but there was no way she could prepare even a single pie by then. She waded over to the small office where she managed the books and pulled out a piece of paper and a marker. She scribbled a quick sign: Closed. She bit her lip, looking at the word, then added one in front of it: Temporarily. She prayed that was true. Then she grabbed a roll of tape and carried everything to the front door, hanging the sign up just as the first golden rays of the sun broke the horizon. She blinked into the light, then shook her head and turned back to her darkened kitchen.

...it had been a long time since he’d really noticed the sunrise. He paused at the top of the porch steps, watching the almost breathtaking play of colors against the silhouetted treetops of the mountains to the east. The majesty of it was almost enough to make him wonder— But no. Of course it wasn’t God. It was the scattering of sunlight as it passed through the atmosphere...Walking with her last night had been . . . really nice. It had been a long time since he’d had anyone in his life he could really talk to. Maybe she had been the only one ever. He shook the thought off. It wasn’t like he needed to talk to anyone.

~~~~ 

Faith and Judah had been in love as teenagers and when Judah went to college, they had met when he came home to a small town where they had both lived all of their lives... Absence had made them grow fonder and Faith had become pregnant... She had gone to talk to Judah but he was ranting about a friend... and what he said that day, made her pull back from telling him anything about what she had come to reveal. That was a mistake, yes, but, like all of us Faith had become afraid. Especially when her father, when he learned about her pregnancy, had denounced her!

The relationship fell away as Judah worked to meet his career goal as a heart surgeon. He became one of the best in the world and, as we learn later, made much money. Money that meant little to him. He had saved many lives which is what he felt he was meant to do... But in choosing that life, he had also chosen to separate himself from his family back home. At first, he would mention his faith in God, but was ridiculed by many classmates who had chosen to leave religion out of science... Judah was ready to make a final decision in that direction. He and his father had fought. Judah said something to the effect that if his Dad didn't quit talking about God all the time with him, he would leave... His Dad was a pastor. His life was dedicated to God. Little in his life was separated from God. He could not make such a promise to even his son...

Eighteen years later is when the book begins. Judah has been fired from his surgery career. He had developed an inherited disease, essential tremor, which created constant tremors in his hands. He could no longer perform surgery. There really was no choice by the hospital. One of his brothers has contacted him to come home to meet his new baby. He forced a promise out of Judah--else he probably would never have come back. Could Judah enter a family celebration where all those who would be there worship God?! What could he say... He didn't want to tell them about the tremors, for surely they would think he came back because of not being able to work. Lies began to be developed... Although as it turned out, he and his father did share a little and it was an uneasy alliance at least at the start...

But then there was also Faith...

He had actually met her first when he came back. She had inherited a pie shop from an old friend and had returned, also to her home town. Each were shocked to meet each other when Judah had stopped there to buy pies. Her mind immediately went on guard. Questions started to form... Because Judah didn't know he had an 18-year-old son...

I mentioned recently that I have lost my trust in people given what has happened during the last decade in our country. But I don't think I've ever Not Trusted My Father in Heaven... That doesn't mean that I've not turned away at time...or that I have not lied at times, usually to keep peace with somebody... and what I was thankful most about this bookwas that Bodden wrote exactly where most of us are on a day-to-day basis. Trying to trust that when God sent His Son to die for our sins, that He Meant It! Yet, time and time again, yes, with God's gift of Free Will, we choose to depend upon our own thoughts, feel our own fears, and/or just not know what to do in a chaotic situation. That's exactly how I'm feeling these days.

God told me "I Got This..." about what has been done to split Christians in America. I and many others grow afraid, and become impatient. This, then, is one family's life shared that, in my opinion, reflects the life that each of us lives... Being almost persuaded to Trust... Having trouble accepting that God takes each of us, Just As We Are! And there's even a lovely story to illustrate exactly that... BTW, this is part of a sermon! I wish there were more churches like the one in this book...

“Well, y’all,” Pastor Cooper began, his tone friendly and conversational. “About a month ago, I got a dog.” He shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe it. “I blame our friendly town veterinarian over there.” He pointed to the Calvanos’ pew, and Joseph lifted a hand to wave. “He called me up, and he said, ‘I know you’ve been looking for a dog, and I have the perfect one for you.’” Pastor Cooper paused. “Y’all, I wasn’t looking for a dog. I have a cat.” A sprinkle of chuckles sounded around the room, and Judah smiled. His old friend sure had captured the interest of the congregation. “But I said I’d take a look at the dog, mostly to humor the good doctor. So I go down there, expecting to find a lab or a husky or, you know, some kind of beautiful dog. And Dr. Calvano comes out with this mangy, half-starved, flea-ridden, parasite-riddled, matted-hair, chewed-up-ear dog.” He shook his head vigorously. “It was a dog no one could have wanted, not even its mother. So I took one look at that dog, and I said—” He paused dramatically. “‘I’ll take it.’” 

The congregation roared with laughter, and Judah chuckled along. Faith’s shoulder lifted against his as she laughed too. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” Pastor Cooper pressed his hands to his temples. “Or, well, actually, I do. I felt sorry for the poor dog. I couldn’t bear to see her hungry and homeless and broken. I wanted to save her. I wanted to have mercy on her. Just like Dr. Calvano knew I would.” He glanced over at Joseph again. “Thanks for that.”

And, that's why I claimed that you'll be going to a revival (if you know what that means) when you read this book. It is, by far, the most overall uplifting fiction novel I've ever read. Bodden gets US... She obviously has been given the gift to share her words and thoughts about how people really are. We are often afraid. We are angry, We are afraid not to trust God in ALL things... And, yet, we see what happens when God is in Control...

You will learn that the timing may not be what we want. After all, these two main characters, Faith and Judah had lost 18 years before a plan of action was put in place. And you will, as I was--as all of the family in that little town was--see the miracles that God "could" generate... Sure, it's fiction... Or, is it?

This is a book to be experienced... It cannot be adequately "reviewed." Although I've tried to express what this book is about. I call it a must-read, especially if you are discouraged about how citizens across our nation are being persecuted by those who choose the evil of power above our God... I was Revived by this Book. May God lead you to knowing that God does Love All His Children! I've already purchased the remainder of the series... So look for more from Valerie Bodden in the future!

“I feel so wishy washy, like one minute I trust God, and then something happens, and I doubt, and then I trust again. But then the next thing I know, I’m doubting again, even though God has shown me time and time again that he’s there for me.” She shook her head in frustration with herself. “I want to stop doubting. But how do I do that?” Pastor Calvano chuckled gently. “I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”

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