Veronica’s Novels

A MOTHER’S PRAYERS

Gabriella Scott is a carefree teenager living in Queens, New York with two dreams – to become a hard working model and to marry someone who can give her two children, a home in the country, the dog and station wagon. This coming-of-age story begins in nineteen sixty nine, and encompasses a ten year period of this young African-American woman’s life. Through much adversity, and an incredibly controlling father, she battles her demons and scales the mountain of her life. All of which grows her to a woman of stern character, while Mr. Right incessantly eludes her. Will her tumultuous life and an over-bearing father harden her heart to the point where she cannot recognize the right man if, and when he does cross her path?

ROSE HILL

Set in nineteen fifty-six rural Rose Hill, Virginia, three African-American sisters struggle for a better life. Teresa, the oldest sibling tells the story from her point of view as a day worker, cleaning houses. The sisters and all of the African-American residents strive to escape the ugly oppression of the time. The way, however, is difficult with a town dying to industry, and destined to perish due to constricted thinking on the part of any town council member. The sisters are determined to make their own way; moving themselves out of the path of the magma beginning to boil in the bowels of the earth. Aware Rosa Parks had recently set herself free, the girls want to claim Rosa’s victory as their own. Teresa is aware, however, that feat won’t carry her very far in this place. It all creates a day to day struggle within to maintain her individuality, while at the same time reacting to weekly doses of the evident demise of this hamlet. This young woman is therefore torn; she so desires to move to New York with an aunt, away from the clear prejudices. Yet, at the same time, she grapples with standing up, and making a change.

THE WROUGHT IRON BRIDGE

Lally Summers is a nine year old enjoying her summer vacation with her best friend Madison in nineteen sixty Rose Hill, Virginia. Her parents have left her in the care of her grandparents, and moved to New York for a better life, they say, with a promise to take her with them before the beginning of the new school year. Lally and Madison spend most of their days barefoot in the woods behind her grandparents home, where on one occasion they meet a stranger. Over the course of the summer, she and Madison become closer and closer to this person. In doing so, she learns something she could never have discovered on her own. In turn the unfamiliar soul also unearths a secret; something close to his heart. This whole experience changes Lally’s life forever and teaches her the importance of family and heritage.

Find enough clever things to say, and you’re a Prime Minister; write them down and you’re a Shakespeare – George Bernard Shaw

Photos courtesy of iStock Photo