Belle was our family black sheep, thus no one would speak about her. My one meeting with her so impressed me that I felt compelled to 'create' her life
Belle was raised on a small Nebraska farm in the early 1900's, but from an early age was determined to find another life. Her creative, but unorthodox way of leaving the farm created tension and discord in her family. Her attempts to reconcile with her family over the years was unsucessful, and left her with many questions, but few regrets about her choice to leave.
Her life became a series of adventures including foreign travel, and operating her own busines.
Excerpt
Sitting at the table was a rail thin woman I'd never seen before. She had raven black hair, shapely black eyebrows, bright red lipstick, and thick pancake makeup. She was wearing red silk lounging pajamas with white polka dots. Her nails were long and also red. A large diamond adorned one finger, and numerous rings were scattered on her other fingers. The final touch was the cigarette in a long black holder.
When introductions were made, I learned this was Aunt Belle. It seemed obvious even to an eight-year old that everyone wished Aunt Belle would just disappear.
Dublin 1941. A brutal murder. Mistaken identity. And barman Eamon Foley is running for his life.
Nine months later Foley is in a crowded pub, and his brother-in-law is shot dead.
First Place Winner in historical fiction in the Purple Dragonfly Awards for excellence in children's literature, and named a U.P. Notable Classic.
Feel like you are in the moment nearly 100 years ago with a young girl, daughter of Finnish immigr
