Willow Vale

by Alethea Williams

~2012 WESTERN HORIZON AWARD WINNER!
~2011-2012 WYOMING STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS FICTION AWARD WINNER!
~MAY 2012 KIRKUS INDIE NEW AND NOTABLE!
In this inspiring novel of hope, from opposite sides of an ocean two people wounded by the Great War are fated to meet and try to rebuild their lives. Francesca Sittoni was brought against her will to America by the husband she never loved. Now she finds herself alone-widowed, pregnant, and with a small daughter to support. Terrified of being deported back to the Tyrol valley of her birth in the Dolomite Alps of Italy, Francesca answers an ad placed by Wyoming rancher and former doughboy Kent Reed. As their contracted year together passes, Francesca begins to ask if she is cook and housekeeper to Kent...or a secretly sought mail-order bride as the meddling neighbors insist? Only Kent Reed, burned by mustard gas and his spoiled former wife's desertion, knows his heart's true desire when it comes to the beautiful Tyrolean woman now living in the uncomfortably close quarters of his small ranch house.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction

159 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2012

About the author

Alethea Williams grew up in southwest Wyoming. Willow Vale is her first novel of the immigrant experience, dealing with the Tyroleans after WWI. Willow Vale won a 2012 Wyoming State Historical Society Publications Award. Her second novel details the Irish immigrant experience and the Orphan Train movement in Walls for the Wind. Walls for the Wind is a WILLA Literary Award finalist, a gold Will Rogers Medallion winner, and placed first at the Laramie Awards in the Prairie Fiction category. Her third book is a Western American pre-history spanning the North American continent, entitled Náápiikoan Winter, an Inspirational Western Fiction Will Rogers Medallion third place winner, Best Regional E-Book- Fiction Independent Publisher Book Awards Bronze,
Laramie Awards finalist, and Goethe Awards finalist. The second in the Irish Blessings series, Joy That Long Endures, is a Will Rogers Medallion bronze level winner. She also has a collection of newspaper columns in print: Boomer Blues Book: Staying Alive and Sane in the Modern American West. Twice president of Wyoming Writers, Inc. she still lives in her native state.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

I really enjoyed the journey of reading this book. It was short, only 150 or so pages, but every one was an enjoyable read. It reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie books I read as a little girl - wilderness, living off of the land, innocence in morals, and cherishing the little things in life. I enjoyed the story of Kent & Francesca and little Elena, and thought that their coming together (finally) in life was a sweet ending to this little book.

[Lilibet King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you imagine being in a foreign country where few people speak your language, and then losing your husband and home? That’s what happens to Francesca Sittoni in Alethea Williams’ new novel, Willow Vale. Not long after she and her young daughter move from Italy to Wyoming, her husband dies in a mine accident, leaving Francesca alone and pregnant, with a small child and a home that the mining company wants her to vacate.

Francesca answers an ad for a housekeeper in Willow Vale, and meets Kent Reed, a World War I veteran with issues of his own. Francesca dares not tell Kent that prior to the war, her native land was part of Austria, who fought against the Allies, and not part of friendly Italy until after the war. Their relationship is complicated by both the language barrier and the hard times that each has faced.

I have visited South Tyrol in Italy, which is the area of Francesca’s birth. Alethea Williams brings across both the beauty of the land and the attitudes of its residents after the war. She ably describes the frustrations that Francesca faced dealing with a language barrier and uncertainty over American customs. This book is definitely worth reading.

[Arletta Dawdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers and reviewers of WILLOW VALE are attracted to the question of what is real in the facts of the story and quiz the author about her family history. Many miss the deep and sensitive reality in the examination of relationship. Alethea Williams has done an extraordinary job of illuminating how two lonely and damaged people skirt the love and tenderness, the trust and bonding available to each in the other. Francesca's young daughter, Elena, attaches quickly to "mister" as he does to her, opening the way for the adults to find each other. Instead, their doubts and fears continually keep them apart, despite living in the same household. Elderly neighbors try to push them together, only to build more resistance. When tragedy strikes and severe illness visits, what might draw the couple to each other nearly tears them apart. The book is brief and the story profound.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow Vale by Alethea Williams

I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaways.

I found this story adorable and just long enough to give it purpose, but just short enough to give it mystery and leave the reader wanting more. Although sad when thought about as a whole, when only seen as the journey of a man and a woman trying to find their way in the world, it becomes sad AND beautiful.

Although little is known about Francesca and Kent before the story takes place, they are still well rounded, enjoyable characters. They are both very real and very believable. Their love story was well worth the read, and I am so glad I enjoyed it!

Four out of five stars, and a very short review for a short, lovable book.

See this review and more at The Forbidden Library

[Siobhan Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The product description on this book explains succinctly what the story is about, and the story delivers exactly what is promised. Willow Vale is a sweet and intriguing unfolding love story played out by two very real and likable characters. Kent Read and Francesca Sittoni both have to make new lives for themselves, after the devastation that the Great War has brought to their lives.
I was constantly enticed to keep reading, wanting to know what decisions they would make, and what cards fate would deal them. Both characters’ emotions are thoroughly explored and believable, against the evocative background of the hardships and joys of farming in a Wyoming Valley.
If you enjoy atmospheric historical romantic fiction, then I urge you to read Willow Vale.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautifully written example of life and love. Francesca left her beloved Italy to come to America with her husband Cesare. Because of his treatment of her it wasn't that great of a loss when he died, except monetary. With no money and no hone Francesca answers and add to be a housekeeper. As she travels with her young daughter to Willow Valley to meet her new employer, ken Reed, the adventure of life and love begins. This was a well written tale that brought to life what it was like to live in Wyoming not long after WW1 had ended. I really enjoyed this book.The author brought not only the characters to life, but the time and place in which they lived. Great job.

[Amanda Cowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing that I love about this book is that it's based on a true story. I really cared about these characters and while some might say the story is predictable, I still found myself reading and reading until I finished it. I found myself feeling quite romantically about the way they lived, even though I'm sure I would really miss the modern conveniences of today. One thing that might have urged me to give it 5 stars over 4 would have been to have a little more conflict. But overall, especially knowing it's a true story, I loved it.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very easy read and a "happy" book to read. The only thing that I felt was missing was more past details on the two main characters of Francesca & Kent. For instance, more information on what exactly happened to Kent during his war years. This would have given the character of Kent more depth & we would have understood more of his personality and where his actions came from. I also wanted to know more about who Elena's real father was.

[Emily-Jane Orford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a very pleasant, easy read. It never ceases to amaze me how contrary people can be and how many ways people can create difficulties in relationships. Life is too short - the underlying lesson of this story. My question to the author, is this creative nonfiction/memoir? The Epilogue certainly suggests that it is. Highly recommmended. Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford, award-winning author of "The Whistling Bishop" and "F-Stop: A Life in Pictures".

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway...thank you Goodreads! I really wasn't expecting too much from this book, but I was very, very pleasantly surprised! I thought it would be a dull, amateurish novel but I was completely wrong. It was a really great read...interesting characters, an entertaining story, and very well-written. I loved it!

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alethea Williams has written a beautiful historical novel that takes you on a journey through the life of a struggling Immigrant women and her daughter, a Wyoming Rancher and their search for happiness in the first part of the 20th century. A love story that will have you wishing it were true.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a free book from Goodreads First Reads. I loved this book. The characters were believable. The setting was accurate. They overcame their differante backgrounds, language problems and personal demons, to find a lasting love. What's not to like about a story like this? Thank you.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel of historical fiction was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed reading about Francesca and how she found herself in Wyoming. It was a quick 2 day read, but was fun and I did have a hard time putting it down. "Willow Vale" was a nice giveaway win from Goodreads.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. I found it realistic, touching, and beautiful.

I don't want to give away any of the story, so I won't describe any of that, but I will say I'd recommend it to anyone.

I couldn't put it down! :D

[Gayle Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became totally engrossed in this book! A wonderful historical novel with drama and romance. The characters are wonderfully-developed and easy-to-relate-to, and the settings were captivating! I highly recommend this book!

[Deborah Gaspar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it was to represent my part of Wyoming. It did that a bit. But what it does better is represent the fact of World War I and immigration to survive. The characters are great. And the story moves right along.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the reviews on Amazon gave this book 5 stars. They must have been friends or relatives of the author. Saved from 1 star by virtue of its short length and the first 2 chapters being somewhat interesting.