Mending Helen’s Heart’s 5-star Review
My second novel, Mending Helen’s Heart, was honored with a five-star review from Reader’s Favorite, a national review site that mails newsletters to libraries and bookstores throughout the country. It would be perfect for a reader who loves stories about women with grit and determination who face severe difficulties and find a way out of them. It’s also a second-chance romance.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite
5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review!
“Growing up in the country pre-World War II was difficult for Helen. With few of the amenities the young people in town enjoyed – like running water – Helen was constantly self-conscious and a target for teasing because she wasn’t as clean as the others, and her clothes were often worn out at best. During her high school years, she moved into town and lived with her grandparents, but that wasn’t easy either. When a fellow student, one of the popular boys in school, Joseph, connects with Helen, she has high hopes that perhaps she has finally found love and a chance at a happy life with a family of her own. Then World War II begins, and some of the choices Helen makes may not be for the best.
Clare Bills’s romance novel, Mending Helen’s Heart, is the sequel to Mountains of Trouble. It’s a touching story about coming of age during a difficult era in world history. The plot follows Helen as she adjusts to life in town, living with a controlling grandmother and making her way in the work world. As the romance develops, Helen’s character evolves, and she actually starts to blossom, breaking free from the previous stigma of being the dirty girl from the country with greasy hair and grubby clothes. The descriptive narrative sets the stage and invites the reader into the story. The characters are well developed, and the dialogue is well constructed and believable and helps move the story along. This is an engaging read for young adults and up.”
While I’m thrilled and honored for this recognition, reviews from regular readers always mean a great deal to me, which is why I always plead, beg, and ask for them.
This historical novel is based on a true story and is the sequel to Mountains of Trouble, which begins in 1912 in Kentucky in a mission school and focuses on Helen’s mother, Cora. Mending Helen’s Heart starts during World War II.
Here’s a quick excerpt:
“The week before the dance, Helen went over to Emily’s house for some pre-dance tips. The teens pushed back furniture in Emily’s dining room because the hardwood floors would make slipping and sliding easier. Emily lifted the heavy cover of the Zenith phonograph, placed a 33 rpm long-playing record on the spoke, and set the needle in the first groove of a waltz.
Working in stocking feet, Emily took the lead and showed Helen the basic box step, how to keep her shoulders back, and the correct way to hold Joseph’s hands.
“And forward, two, three, back, two, three. Just glide along in his arms for the waltz.”
Helen tried to focus. “Ouch, two, three. Sorry, two, three.”
Emily giggled. “OK, look at me, not at your feet.”
Around and around, they went until Helen learned the pattern and avoided stepping on Emily’s toes.
“You’re doing great, follow the rhythm of the music, which should be easy for you, the singer! Relax and melt into his arms.”
“You’re a romantic. I’m more worried that he’ll see what a klutz I am and ditch me.”
Where to purchase? It’s available either through Amazon.com or directly from me for those who want a signed copy. If you’d like one, or a dozen, please contact me: clarebills@live.com
Clare Bills
Clare Bills is a Minnesota author with three published novels. She holds an MS in journalism, three BA degrees and is a graduate of Brown Institute for broadcasting. She worked in radio, public relations while also teaching at Iowa State University. She's also completed courses in writing from the Institute of Children's Literature, and novel writing from Jerry Jenkins, Susie May Warren, and James Scott Bell.
