Series: Hometown #6
Publication date: October 1st, 2019
Synopsis:
If you enjoy novels featuring strong women, this is a book you are sure to enjoy!
Winnie is content in her role as the reining matriarch of Smithville, but when a letter arrives from a long-lost friend, memories draw her back to 1968. Those were turbulent but exciting days, her college days; a time filled with people and events she hasn't allowed herself to recall.
Tara appreciated Winnie's help with little Bella, she could never manage motherhood and running her Inn without help. Even though she's preoccupied and busy she's noticed a difference in her husband, Justin. He's up to something and her gut tells her there's more to it than just busy schedules. Not one to sit still, she's determined to find out what is going on.
Join in the fun as Smithville's leading ladies unite in this charming, must-read novel filled with love; past, present, and future.
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Book Trailer
Excerpt
Winnie lay in bed, staring blindly into the darkness. That unexpected letter had catapulted her into the past, like it or not, and now she was awash in neglected memories. It felt as if she were 22 again, and Claudia, so vibrant and passionate, was in the room with her, whispering of things past. Winnie could nearly hear her voice, her laughter, and feel her energy.
Drifting, she went back to the dorm room, where Claudia chattered excitedly about an upcoming party. Her friend had been a classic beauty, with long dark straight hair, parted in the middle. Oh, how she'd loved her hip hugger bell bottom jeans. The patched and worn things were so ratty on the bottom that several inches of the hem dragged behind her as she walked. She'd had the figure that was flattered by the low-cut jeans too. The girl could go braless, as was the trend, and still feel confident, whereas Winnie, lacking her friend's brash certainty, would always run back at the last minute and tug on a bra. Claudia had had perfect skin too, Winnie recalled with a smile, remembering her occasional jealousy. Claudia had been an effortless beauty, where Winnie had considered herself more of a girl-next-door type.
"You should come to the party," Claudia had said that night before the party, holding up a dress and examining her reflection in the mirror. "You need to get out more, you're getting stuffy."
Winnie sat on her bed flipping pages in her fashion magazine. "I've always been stuffy," she replied, unperturbed.
Claudia tossed the dress onto her bed and pulled another from the closet. "That's true, but I was hoping you'd eventually lighten up."
Winnie gave her a dirty look, and Claudia ignored it.
Holding the hem of the dress against her thigh, Claudia turned to her friend. "Do I need to shorten this?"
Winnie's nose scrunched in thought. "I don't think so."
Claudia snorted. "You wouldn't say so if it did."
"Probably not."
The dress lowered and Claudia frowned. "How can you be so dispassionate and square? Surely, you're interested in what's going on."
The magazine lowered. "Dispassionate? Wow."
"Don't you want to meet people, try new things, experience life? The stuff I'm into would blow your mind." Winnie ignored her, so she continued. "I wish I could show you what it's like, how it feels." Her gaze drifted off. "What if I could keep a camera in my pocket and show you how it is."
Winnie scoffed and flipped the page. "Right, just take a truckload of flash bulbs with you."
"No, I mean like a movie camera." Claudia continued. "You know, I could film what everyone is doing."
Winnie disregarded her friend's silly ranting, used to Claudia's outrageous ideas. Claudia realized Winnie wasn't paying attention and she frowned. "Come to think of it, filming stuff probably isn't a good idea anyway. It would just be proof of what we were doing. Things get pretty outrageous sometimes. I'd have to shut it off when things get really groovy." She laughed. "You probably wouldn't appreciate a bunch of drunk or stoned film footage, would you? And if it got into the dean's hands..."
Tired of Claudia's prodding and nonsense, Winnie had to comment. "There's more to life than getting blitzed, you know."
Claudia tossed her hair. "How would you know?"
Winnie's magazine lowered to her lap. "You have no idea about me and what I think. We can't even have a decent conversation anymore."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Claudia huffed.
"Nothing," Winnie mumbled, lifting her magazine to turn another page.
Claudia tossed her dress onto her bed and sighed, then dug through her makeup bag, and leaned into the mirror to apply black eyeliner, creating the pointy Cleopatra-style eyes that were the craze. She stepped back and blinked, evidently happy with her reflection.
Winnie flipped another page.
Claudia sighed and crossed the small room to sit next to her lifelong friend, but Winnie disregarded her, intent on a glossy photo of a woman wearing a yellow rain slicker.
Claudia took the magazine and put it to one side. "I hate it when we fight."
Winnie shrugged.
"I'm sorry I said you were square and dispassionate."
Winnie glanced up and offered a flash of a grin. "It's okay, I guess, I just miss you. I worry about you." To be honest, since her walk with Roy she'd been very concerned about Claudia. She supposed some sort of rebellion was natural at this age, but Claudia was taking it to the extreme in her opinion anyway. But her opinion didn't seem to matter much, because it appeared that half the student body was in a party frame of mind.
Claudia grasped Winnie's hand in hers, her eyes bright with pleading. "Come with me tonight. You'll have a blast, I promise."
Winnie shook her head.
"Maybe if you came and met some of my new friends, you wouldn't think we're such bad people."
"I don't think you're bad people," Winnie objected.
Claudia tilted her head to one side, regarding her friend. "No, we've never really had a beef. You're not judgy, I'll give you that."
"Besides, I have a date." Winnie added.
Claudia jumped from the bed and threw her hands in the air. "You do? With who? You've been holding out on me!"
Winnie was almost sorry she'd said anything. She was excited about the prospect of getting involved with Thomas, but the whole thing still felt... special. Like a secret to be savored.
About the Author:
Kirsten is a dreamer with an eye for art and design. She worked in the engineering field, taught college, and consulted free lance. Due to health problems, she retired in 2012 to travel with her husband. They live and work full time in a 40' travel trailer with their little dog Bingo. Besides writing romance novels, she enjoys selling art on Etsy and spoiling their three grandchildren.
As a writer, Kirsten's goal is to create strong female characters who face challenging, painful, and sometimes comical situations. She believes that the best way to deal with struggle, is through friendship and women helping women. She knows good stories are based on interesting and relatable characters.
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