Title: Better Days Ahead
Author: Charlie Valentine
Published by: English Mill Press
Genre: General or Mainstream Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-9772187-0-7
America, year the 1950’s, where a time was harsh on some and many sought change with each passing year and four families, each with their own distinctive way of living struggle to make it in diverse areas of the country in pursuit of the American dream. But when conditions coerce three of the families to head to the state of California to go after a fresh beginning for their children, none can envisage what turn the families will take once they crisscross.
Sarah Robbins hails in Cleveland, Ohio and lives her life as a nightclub singer but not just any singer, Sarah is an alcoholic. When she discovers she is pregnant, she knows there is a need to change her lifestyle. As a single mother, soon to be a mother, she can no longer live the life as a pleasure-seeking drunk. There has to be more out there within her reach that life can offer and after giving birth to her son, Billy she sets out to find a way to make both their lives ones filled with happiness. A long hard look at herself has her thinking what changes she could have proffered her child. There has to be more than just living a comfortable life in a middle class society. Thinking of Billy’s happiness, she forfeits her own true love to find that one purpose in life for her and her son.
Neil Dvorak is fed up with his cheating wife. No matter how hard he battles to get his daughter Amy, the unfit mother ends up with his precious daughter. Life is not always fair and he sees it more every day. As time progresses he remarries and Anne gives him a precious daughter but he soon learns that Anne carries an abusive nature and he feels for his young child. He refuses to allow the court system to give his daughter to another unsuitable woman. The cabinetmaker decides he doesn’t want any harm coming to Victoria, so bags packed; he flees Detroit, Michigan and heads to California in hopes of finding some sort of salvation.
Dolores Dobson Drake, from the state of Alabama battles daily with a husband who is not only abusive but a drunk, as she takes care of their three children. It is a terrible life she tolerates especially when racism is very much a part of their life. She manages to take employment in a sweatshop thinking of her two daughter’s future. Sonya and Brenda are most important to her, along with their future, especially when she tries her best to keep the girls from their sexual rapacious father. At 47, Dolores is again pregnant but when husband Thom abuses her once again not only does she fear for the unborn child but her other two daughters. The only chance she sees is escape. So taking the girls, she flees hoping that another state with different people will not find her with the abuse and the racism that she had to endure especially after hiding in the home of Ruthie Jackson, a sweet black woman. She found Ruthie was the only friend she could turn to when no white people in her community would allow her to turn to them for support during her hardships. Whereas the white people had shunned her, even when she feared for her life and her children’s, the black people had taken her in their community as family.
In the state of California David and Karen Stratton are quite prosperous and very fortunate in their life. Everything seems to be going well for them but they soon learn that no matter how much money a person has, the one thing it cannot buy is happiness. And when David turns to client Jessica Heisen to find his own contentment they learn that they are not exempt from struggles and tribulations. They are about to be handed their own failure and disaster as Karen soon learns a married life with David suddenly changes after saying, ‘I do,’ as David finds himself way over his head with two women and a business to run.
Better Days Ahead is a tale that is first in a trilogy surrounding families. This first one is set in the 1950’s. Hardworking families, longing for something that will give them optimism for the day’s ahead, while they wrestle not only within themselves among many demons but often with others inside their families. Each of them can only trust and dream that no matter what is cast on their plate with each day, that better days must lie ahead. But as the worldly virtue of the 1950’s transform into the impractical pessimism of the 1960’s the only change the four families face are filled with violence. This book carries the reader into four believable families that are seeking to find that one American dream that will give them the hope they need to make things right within their life. Each family labors with a battle that they can only hope will see better days but at times it looks bleak. With Sarah, the reader can feel her bouts with trying to overcome the shadow of life as an alcoholic to rebuild a better future with her son, after many wasted years. Neil’s heartbreak is felt when he has to lose a beloved child because the court systems are not always correct with their justice when deciding the favorable home for a child in divorce. The reader can almost feel his desperation as he escapes with his second child. Dolores’ pain and affliction, each time she clings to hope that one day she and her daughters will no longer have to face prejudice or abuse in a world that holds promise, transcends through the pages as the reader can only imagine what really goes on inside ones mind when they are confronted with so much distressful malice that so often leaves scars undetected.
Then we have David and Karen Stratton who believe as long as money is the key factor in life, nothing out of the ordinary can touch them. No spot or blemish can tarnish in any way, shape or form with the almighty green dollar. Sometimes it makes one wonder should the wealthy and upright be the ones that a person should feel more empathy for in these situations. This reflection on these four families is just the catalyst for many others that life has bombarded with facets in life that do not always assure happy endings. It takes determination, hard work and much faith and prayer to try to get through struggles often in America and sometimes even after the path has been chosen and accepted, it doesn’t always shine brightly as we can see within these families.
Ms. Valentine weaves a story that keeps the pages turning. She carefully crafts the stories of the families and allows the words to flow consistently so the reader can get a feel for what goes on in each household. Each tale that she expresses on the families show the true emotions they are faced when the cards are stacked with pain, struggle and heartache. She allows the characters to continue to hope and dream in spite of their monotony that often enters their travels. While much is spinning around the world in the news and happenings all over the world during this time, the families can only look forward to the one day when they will see brighter days in America where the American dream prevails whenever the flag is proudly flown. This first installment leaves the reader anticipating the further outcome of the families as they try to make life better for them and their loved ones. I liked the way she formed her characters and allowed their emotions to shine through in the pages whether it was during the adversities they had to face or the victory that they sometimes were met. She has the flare to create them to come alive so the reader can be supportive for each one of them or jump in jubilation when things showed promise. There were moments that could often be felt very deeply and reflected upon in Dolores’ home with the prejudice. I think this one touched off more sensation especially when Dolores finds a confidant with Ruthie. This reader could practically relate to her story in many ways.
As for Thom, just allow me thirty minutes with him. My heart went out to Ethan his first day of school and prompted a memory in mine. Children pick up what they see and hear, too bad that all grown-ups can’t instill the love and care that is found in Ruthie and Dolores and teach children the right example in life that the Bible so often speaks of so when they get older there will be no ‘sticks and stones’. I must say that Neil’s reaction to not being able to see his daughter after his first divorce was very heart-tugging. Then after he heard about what his second wife, Anne, was doing to Vicky, the whole scene with Anne just made my stomach in knots. I wish I could have jumped in the book and given her a bit of punishment.
Neil and Vicky’s whole story mesmerized me. This slice of American life, in all these stories, sets off a balance, in years, when things were taking a shape in hope to create better harmony for all. Ms. Valentine has contrasted a blending of individuals that doesn’t always paint a picturesque setting but does instill hope for the future. These stories will touch the heart and leave an impression hard to erase. The secondary characters some good, some extremely wicked lend elements to the story to make it unfold and breathe life in every single word. Better Days Ahead is a magnificent read that hooks the reader making it hard to say good-bye to the characters when the story has ended. I am glad there is at least a sequel to read a little more of what will take place in some of their lives. This gripping drama should be read by everyone. Today is the day to grab a copy of Better Days Ahead and read a bit of nostalgic life with families that will touch your soul. You can get your copy today at: www.englishMillPress.com. This reader found this story quite satisfying and was glad to be able to review it.
Sincerely good reading,
Linda
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