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The Dream Lives On follows a man fleeing with his children and mother from Ukraine to the US to seek refuge, who falls in love with a successful woman searching for meaning in her life. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When the war began in Ukraine, it came as a tremendous shock for me. I moved to the United States from Ukraine back in 2005, but I still feel a very strong connection to my home country. I used to visit Ukraine every year. Many of my friends and relatives still live in Kyiv and I am in touch with them regularly. I was completely devastated and extremely worried about everyone when the war started. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved since the war began. Ukrainian residents still suffer from missile and drone attacks daily-just last night there was a deadly air attack that injured and killed people, as well as damaged some buildings. This is a nightmare with which we are forced to live since 2022.
Given all this background, it was only natural for me to start writing a fiction novel that takes place during the first months of the war. This is what was on my mind the whole time.
While all the characters of the novel are fictional, the events are not. As the Russian army started approaching, Ukrainians needed to make a choice of either staying or leaving Ukraine. This was not an easy choice…The characters in my novel took different routes and outcomes were quite different. Not everyone survived, unfortunately. You’ll need to read the book to know how things worked out for them.
As to the romance between the main characters, Viktor and Teresa, I wasn’t originally planning on that. But this idea came to my mind as I was progressing through the book. I thought that both Viktor and Teresa were wonderful people who faced a lot of adversity (for very different reasons). They deserved to find their happiness in the end. And happiness for me means being with a person who loves you, respects you, and truly understands you. It does not involve money, power, or other similar things.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
For me, the most interesting ones are growth and development. Throughout their lives, people have new experiences, they learn, they adapt, they evolve and hopefully become better people in the end. In my current novel, characters learn to live in completely new circumstances. Their world essentially comes crashing down, but they remain true to their values. They help each other and build a new future. It might be quite different from the one they expected originally, but they learn to live in it. The most important thing in life is staying true to your values, no matter what happens.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
There are multiple scenes in my novel which capture the essence of war and tremendous hardships faced by civilians, especially small children. I tried to watch as many documentaries as possible to give an accurate account of what happened. Some of the most critical scenes are those that depict the damp bomb shelter in which adults, children and their pets gather; the Yurchenko family’s miraculous escape from the town of Irpin under the Russian missiles, and the crowded train platform where thousands of frightened people wait for a scarce train to Warsaw.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I have two books in the works.
One of them is the sequel to The Dream Lives On, which would complete the trilogy. There are still some unanswered questions remaining. First, we still need to know why Solomon left his home country of Tanzania and moved to Ukraine. What prompted him? Did something bad happen to him back home? We also need to know what happened to Solomon’s sister, Gloria. Does she still live in Tanzania, or did she move away? What did her life turn out like? I know some answers already, but not all, so more work remains to be done.
The second book I’m writing is a novel inspired by the expat life in Uzbekistan. For the last two years, I’ve been living in Uzbekistan together with my family due to my job (I work in international development). I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be living in Central Asia, but sometimes life takes you to the most unexpected places. I must say it’s been a very interesting experience which I would very much like to reflect in a new fiction novel. I already have a few chapters written and I hope to finish the book before I leave my posting in Uzbekistan.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
All he is looking for is a refuge for his family; falling in love is the last thing he expects on the other side of the Atlantic. What’s more, he would have never guessed that his journey could help his relatives connect the dots in a decades-old family mystery.
Teresa Jameson, a top executive in an international company, has lived for sixteen years in a seemingly happy marriage. Or maybe she just closed her eyes too often and refused to face the reality?
As ample cracks start to show, she needs to dig deep into her soul. Will she look away just one more time, or give the new relationship a chance to flourish?
The Dream Lives On
War tears lives apart but in rare, unexpected moments, it forges powerful connections. The Dream Lives On by Valeriya Goffe is a poignant exploration of this paradox, unfolding against the backdrop of a brutal conflict. As the war in Ukraine escalates into a devastating reality, Viktor Yurchenko makes a split-second, life-altering decision: flee to America with his three children and aging mother. Their journey exposes them to the raw, immediate face of war, but also to something just as powerful compassion, solidarity, and the invisible threads of human connection that stretch across borders and generations.
In stark contrast, Teresa Jameson lives in a pristine, orderly world. From the outside, her life gleams with success. A top executive at a prestigious firm, mother to a high-achieving daughter, and wife to an equally driven husband, she appears to have it all. Yet beneath the polished surface, her life is hollow. The illusion soon shatters, forcing her to confront uncomfortable truths and reevaluate what truly holds meaning. Authenticity, purpose, and emotional depth, things long buried begin to resurface.
These two seemingly unconnected lives intersect in a profound way. What follows is a richly layered narrative of healing and rediscovery. Through shared experience and vulnerability, Viktor and Teresa find common ground. Their paths, shaped by chaos, clarity, and courage, illuminate the resilient spirit of the human heart.
Goffe’s storytelling is both tender and unflinching. Her portrayal of war’s civilian toll is vivid, her narrative pulsing with fear, uncertainty, and loss. Yet she also captures moments of grace, small but powerful glimpses of humanity’s enduring warmth. Each character embodies resilience in a different form. Whether fleeing danger or navigating emotional upheaval, they persist, adapt, and ultimately evolve.
Told through multiple perspectives, the novel builds with subtle intricacy. Each voice is distinct, and each storyline is purposeful. As the narrative threads weave together, the plot expands in surprising, satisfying directions, offering both emotional resonance and structural sophistication.
The Dream Lives On is a tribute to the everyday people swept up in the tides of war. It speaks softly but powerfully of endurance, compassion, and the pursuit of light, even when surrounded by darkness. Goffe reminds us that even in the most fractured moments, the human spirit has an extraordinary capacity to survive and connect.
Pages: 267 | ASIN : B0DWJYRSM2
Making the World Better
Secrets We Keep follows a once-renowned tennis star struggling to find happiness in love while trying to achieve success in a dream career that takes her far above her humble Ukrainian upbringing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Ukrainians love tennis and I’m a big tennis fan as well. My daughter is now playing junior tennis and I spend a lot of time going to practice and tournaments with her. So, there is no surprise that the heroine of the book is a top junior tennis player. Ukrainian players have been in the Grand Slam quarters and semis, but never won a trophy in singles. I’m excited to see which player will finally bring home the trophy. It’s not going to be Anna Levenko, my heroine, as her life turns out differently and she finds success away from the tennis court. But I’m positive that we’ll have a Ukrainian Grand Slam winner one of these years.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
I have several favorite characters in the novel and it’s hard to pick. Today, let me talk about Maria Novikova. She is the grandmother of the main heroine, and, in many ways, she is similar to my own grandmother who passed away some time ago. Loving, kind, devoted to her family. Every time I think of Maria, I think of my own grandmother.
Many years ago, Maria married Solomon Malekano, a charismatic African who passed away in a car accident soon after they got married. Her whole life, Maria is looking for a clue to lead her to her late husband’s family in Africa. This is the premise of the book (and the series). The scene which captures Maria’s essence is the one which shows her birthday party at the family country house called “dacha”. The delicious Ukrainian dishes, the festive “vyshyvanka” blouses, the lovely music, the excellent company…In Ukraine, we love organizing such parties and inviting all our friends and relatives.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Well, since this is my first book, I wanted to include a lot of the themes which I’m passionate about.
Protecting the environment and helping the less fortunate in this world are some of the most important ones. The book talks about clean energy investments, building rural schools, “greening” the hospitality sector, protecting animals and other issues. Both Anna Levenko and Jean Rolland, the main characters in the novel, are enthusiastic about these topics and want to make the world a better place. Jean travels to different war-torn spots of the globe without hesitation, as he believes in putting others’ needs in front of his own. Anna adopts two stray dogs from the market where she works and dreams about leading “green” projects.
I also wanted to include a lot of references to the Ukrainian culture to educate the readers, as there are not too many fiction books about Ukraine in the US market. Ukraine is a beautiful country with a rich history and many unique traditions.
And finally, the theme of Africa is quite prominent in my book. I spent about six glorious years working in Africa, thanks to my job, and I fell in love with this continent. I traveled to many African countries and got to know a lot of wonderful people there. It was in Africa that I got an idea to write this book, which connects Ukraine and Tanzania, the two countries dear to my heart.
Can readers look forward to seeing more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
My book was originally planned as a trilogy, so I still have two more books to write to finish the story. By now, I’m almost done with the second book. You can expect to see some of the familiar characters and also some brand-new ones. The search for Anna’s grandfather will continue. By the end of the second book, we should have enough information to find his family.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Anna Levenko was set to become the next “it girl” in tennis. The first Ukrainian prophesied to win a Grand Slam… And then everything changed. Years later, with a business degree behind her, an unpaid job keeping her busy, and a family that means well, Anna can’t help but dream of something bigger. What’s one little white lie in the grand scheme of things?
But Anna’s dream job isn’t just sunshine and roses. Her first project takes her to Tanzania, and everything that could go wrong, does. Not to mention her woeful love life. Will she ever reach the life she’s worked so hard for? Or is success just not in the cards for Anna?
Secrets We Keep
Secrets We Keep, by Valeriya Goffe, is a narrative centered around Anna, a young Ukrainian woman with ambitions stretching far beyond her humble beginnings. After an injury curtails her professional tennis aspirations, Anna redirects her passion towards environmental conservation, aiming for a position at the esteemed U.S.-based environmental firm Polaris. Goffe skillfully portrays Anna’s unwavering dedication to her family, friends, and even animals despite the complex challenges she faces.
The novel excels in offering a soothing, yet engaging experience, making it a suitable choice for readers seeking an escape into a heartwarming story. Goffe’s descriptive prowess shines as she weaves a tapestry of three diverse cultural backdrops: Ukraine, Washington D.C., and Tanzania. Her vivid descriptions, supplemented by cultural insights, offer a rich exploration of Ukrainian traditions and lifestyles, enhancing the reader’s understanding. The inclusion of a glossary to explain Ukrainian terms sprinkled throughout the text is a thoughtful addition, aiding reader comprehension.
Goffe’s experimentation with various narrative formats, such as an article and a radio dialogue, at the beginning of the book, adds a creative dimension, though this approach is not consistently maintained throughout the novel. Nevertheless, her writing style remains consistently elegant, mirroring the innocence and purity of Anna’s character. While the story leaves certain plot points and secrets partially unresolved, this opens up the possibility for a sequel, keeping readers intrigued about the future of Anna’s journey.
Secrets We Keep raises significant moral questions, touching on themes of trust, resilience, and ethical decision-making. Anna’s character is both relatable and inspirational, making the novel a compelling read. Valeriya Goffe shows promise as an emerging author, and Secrets We Keep positions her as a voice to watch out for in contemporary fiction. The book not only offers a pleasant reading experience but also prompts reflection on deeper ethical dilemmas, making it a meaningful addition to the genre.
Pages: 294 | ASIN : B0CKXVKYS5
LITERARY TITAN 