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Never Lose Hope
Elizabeth’s Mountain follows a mother and daughter as one reflects on their life and past relationships, and one struggles to find the love and romance she has dreamed of like her mom’s. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the setup of Elizabeth’s Mountain‘s story came to me in a dream that followed a phone conversation I had with my ninety-two-year-old aunt. She was living alone in Florida during the pandemic and I could feel her loneliness. One of her granddaughters had just had a baby, but she couldn’t see him during a time when social distancing was prevailing. We talked about her granddaughter who she was close to and hadn’t seen in quite a while and I could sense how much she missed her. I, too, have two granddaughters with whom I am very close and could relate. I also thought about what it must be like to have lived ninety-some years, all that she had seen and lived through, and now going through an isolating time. Coming out of the pandemic, as things normalized again, I went to my laptop and started writing Elizabeth’s Mountain. I’ve always loved Asheville, the Blue Ridge Mountains. I live two-and-a-half hours away and enjoy visiting there often, so the choice of setting was almost an instant one. Coupled with my enjoyment of reading a good romance story, I thought about the generational changes in attitudes and perspectives on dating just in the last one hundred years and realized that while much has changed, love never changes.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing about Elizabeth’s character the most because the time when she was a young woman falling in love was the early fifties which is a fascinating time in American history, and because her advanced age carried so much insight into love and life. The character that was the most challenging to write would probably be Jesse since I couldn’t resonate with his conflicts as easily as the other characters. I felt like he needed to be a little self-centered based on how his dreams were thwarted, but wanted to keep him generous and likable.
There is so much to be said about love in this book. What do you hope your readers take away from your story?
I hope that the takeaway for my readers will be that love can happen when you least expect it, whether it’s first love, second-chance love, or in what seems like the most ill-timed. Whether in times of sorrow, despair, loneliness, or disillusionment, never lose hope. And the deepest meaning of hope is love.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I am working on is Lunch Tales – Suellen, which is due to launch on February 13, 2025. A twenty-eight-year-old single female lawyer working at a prominent law firm bonds in a melange of lunch tales with a cadre of coworker friends who find it hard not to love her despite a sassy disposition and rebellious nature. Another emotional-heavy read that will offer inspiration and hope to readers.
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Asheville, North Carolina. Elizabeth has a dilemma. After celebrating a milestone birthday, the feisty ninety-year-old anxiously contemplates a developer’s lucrative offer for her Blue Ridge Mountain farmhouse. Worried her adult children will pressure her to sell, the lively senior recalls how her journey to this forever home began back in the 50s when she met the man who would become her husband…
Present day. Amanda yearns to stop wasting time. After ending a dead-end, three-year relationship and moving in with her spirited grandmother, the thirty-four-year-old nurse sees her dream of marriage and kids vanishing. But when she meets a handsome widower at a hospital summit, she cautiously lets down her walls.
As Elizabeth’s memories take her back to when she was a hopeful young woman, she reveals how a horrific accident led to the ER and a charming doctor. While Amanda fears the worst when she overhears the enigmatic man she’s fallen for talking on the phone with another woman.
Do both women’s stories lead to a grand legacy and a lifetime of love?
In an emotional rollercoaster that interweaves the two women’s chance at a future, their parallel romances illustrate the power of resilience and hope despite heartbreak. And as one story comes to its twilight years while the other is just beginning, readers will fall hard for this poignant inheritance of happiness.
Elizabeth’s Mountain is an enchanting women’s fiction novel. If you like relatable characters, dual timelines, and multi-generational romance, then you’ll adore Lucille Guarino’s touching tale.
Buy Elizabeth’s Mountain to believe in tomorrow!
Elizabeth’s Mountain
Elizabeth’s Mountain, written by Lucille Guarino, weaves a generational tale set against the backdrop of the 1950s—a period marked by conflict, illness, and hardship. The narrative opens with Elizabeth, a character grappling with personal loss during these turbulent times. Following a tragic bus accident, her path crosses with Joseph, a trauma surgeon. Their shared experiences of pain and trauma forge a bond that evolves into a deep friendship and eventually blossoms into an enduring love. The story then shifts its focus to Amanda, Elizabeth’s granddaughter, who is navigating the aftermath of a failed relationship. At a healthcare convention, Amanda encounters Jesse Taylor, a lawyer, sparking a mutual attraction. However, Amanda’s reluctance to compromise her aspirations in the wake of her past relationship threatens this new potential connection.
Guarino skillfully alternates between the perspectives of these two women, eloquently capturing their journeys through love, trauma, and fear. The resilience of Elizabeth and Amanda as they tackle life’s challenges forms the core of the narrative. The parallel drawn between Elizabeth’s past and Amanda’s present is particularly poignant, influencing Elizabeth’s choices about her treasured mountain home. Their male counterparts, Joseph and Jesse, enrich the story with their steadfast support and commitment. The author addresses themes like PTSD and the lingering effects of trauma with sensitivity, bringing depth and authenticity to her characters. Elizabeth’s Mountain seamlessly merges elements of 1950s historical romance with contemporary storytelling, presenting a rich tapestry of love and perseverance across generations.
Guarino’s exploration of enduring relationships through a lens of historical and contemporary romance, coupled with her well-developed characters, makes this book a noteworthy read for those who are drawn to stories that span different time periods and showcase the complexities of life and love.
Pages: 328 | ASIN : B0CPHFWCHF
Elizabeth’s Mountain
Elizabeth’s Mountain is a poignant and intricately woven narrative that elegantly traces the life of Elizabeth. The story begins in her childhood, capturing a tender romance at eighteen with Robbie, a young man whose life is tragically cut short by war. The novel eloquently navigates Elizabeth’s journey through the depths of grief and her eventual path to healing. A pivotal moment occurs with a tragic bus accident that steers Elizabeth’s life in an unexpected direction. During her recovery in the hospital, she meets Joe, who becomes her future husband. Their romance is depicted with a sense of enchantment, embodying a love that is both pure and enduring.
Parallel to Elizabeth’s story is the tale of her granddaughter, Amanda, who finds herself at a crossroads after ending a lackluster relationship. Amanda’s yearning for a love as profound as her grandmother’s adds a contemporary twist to the narrative. Author Guarino excels in crafting a well-structured story that seamlessly navigates between two distinct timelines. The characters are crafted with care, making them both relatable and endearing, which keeps the reader deeply invested in their journeys. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to juxtapose romantic experiences across generations, highlighting themes of love, family, and the cyclical nature of life. While adhering to the conventions of a classic romance novel, Elizabeth’s Mountain steers clear of the grittiness often found in modern narratives. Instead, it celebrates the essence of true love and traditional romance, making it a heartwarming read that honors both romantic and familial bonds.
Elizabeth’s Mountain is a testament to the enduring power of love and the beauty of a well-lived life. Its uplifting nature makes it an ideal read for those seeking solace or a touch of optimism. The book concludes on a note of satisfaction, leaving the reader with a sense of fulfillment and joy.
Pages: 328 | ASIN : B0CPHFWCHF
Faythe of North Hinkapee: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial America
Women have faced countless challenges and obstacles throughout history, with their rights and freedoms being significantly limited. In colonial America, societal norms dictated that women were to be viewed as property and that their future was limited to marriage and children. In his book Faythe of North Hinkapee: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial America, James T. Hogg introduces us to a diverse cast of characters living in the town of North Hinkapee. Among the characters are Faythe and her younger sister Chloe, whose lives are forever changed after Chloe falls victim to a brutal assault by two influential town members. The book sheds light on how the incident impacts not only Chloe but also her family and those around her, providing a stark reminder of how class and gender played a significant role in colonial America.
Told from various points of view, the author has written a comprehensive and compelling narrative of the tragedy at play. Hogg’s masterful handling of multiple perspectives allows the reader to gain insight into the perspectives of Faythe, the men who hurt her sister and their family, the pastor in town, and the natives who inhabited the area originally. The different viewpoints all work together cohesively, with Hogg delivering this almost effortlessly. Although Hogg’s writing is generally engaging, one area that could improve is the dialogue, which sometimes can distract the reader from the story. At times I felt the language sounded too modern and did not fit with the colonial period. Nonetheless, despite this drawback, this story remains a captivating and thought-provoking read.
Faythe of North Hinkapee: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial is a gripping woman’s historical fiction novel. Hogg does a remarkable job of handling multiple POVs and tackling complex topics gracefully. Anyone interested in colonial America, gender roles, or compelling historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this novel.
Pages: 1,409 | ASIN : B0CWDRLS6C
LITERARY TITAN 