Set during the Civil War, dark memories haunt a troubled young woman when a death-wish aimed at her abusive husband comes true.
Set against the backdrop of one of the deadliest conflicts in history, the U.S. Civil War, death of a different kind entangles the conscience of a young woman suspected of murdering her husband.
The juxtaposition of images and blunt narration of these searing events, serves as a reminder that death is all too real and forever much too close, especially for those who dare to win. As a headstrong woman journey’s west in search of gold with a scoundrel aboard, she suddenly realizes her fate and the ultimate downfall of her idealistic dreams. Yet after she endures tremendous anguish, nothing seems lost after all.
With decisively haunting prose, A. Rios Arias explores how death in A Death For Beauty, mirrors life in startling ways and how we are all connected to prescient moments that threaten to take our breath away... one split second at a time.
Excerpt
FIRST CHAPTER
THE SOUND RUMBLED THROUGH THE AIR like a stampede of wild horses, warning what was yet to come.
The winds echoed in her mind like an open wound—a wound so deep that only death could heal it.
She could feel the storm approaching from the east, the rising heat, the smell of rain. She saw the natural order of things gathering. Death comes like salvation, unexpectedly. But her life was slow and deliberate. A life bound by swirling untruths—dark, unanswered prayers.
Virginia Mae Mercy always dreamed of starting over somewhere else. Now that her husband died, everything else stood still too, and if she needed a little push to get on with her life, that’s when the whirlwinds seemed imbued with divine purpose.
She tried to lock down the storm shelter, but within seconds, she lay in a cornfield searching for her little girl. The storm had torn off the shelter doors, snatching them up in a flash. They landed acres away but somehow survived, falling close together, bruised and hallucinating.
***
Professional Reviews
Lauri Coates
It is not often that I read a novel that I would personally consider to be a masterpiece. Alberto Rios Arias has done just that with A Death For Beauty. Making no apologizes for the character and lifestyle of Virginia Mae Mercy, her story is laid bare before the reader. Love her or hate her, you will definitely be moved by the story of her life.
Filled with rich imagery, I was totally enthralled through the whole story, laughing on some occasions, and actually weeping in others. The depth of the author's study and research of the particular time frame in American history is without equal. I found the situations and characters to be true to life, and no effort was made to "sanitize" or make allowances for the characters and their failings.
Life hands some of us some truly horrendous circumstances, and good or bad, we are shaped by them. I found Mr. Arias' ability to see into his character and bring her to life to be extraordinary.
There is a truly magical and redemptive quality to the novel. I found the actual autobiographical information about the author and his fight with Marfan's Syndrome to add an additional depth to the story, and I felt the personal journey of his own life added even more depth and character to his perception of Virginia Mae Mercy. I urge all readers to carefully and thoroughly read both the prologue of the story, and the additional information about the author.
Some readers will find this a difficult read, and in some cases, it is. However, you will find yourself moved and touched by the character of Virginia Mae Mercy in ways you can't truly understand until you read her story.
I strongly urge you read this book. It may very well change how you view certain aspects of life, hardship and death.
Reviewed on 09/11/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member LAURI COATES
It is not often that I read a novel that I would personally consider to be a masterpiece. Alberto Rios Arias has done just that with A Death For Beauty. Making no apologizes for the character and lifestyle of Virginia Mae Mercy, her story is laid bare before the reader. Love her or hate her, you will definitely be moved by the story of her life.
Filled with rich imagery, I was totally enthralled through the whole story, laughing on some occasions, and actually weeping in others. The depth of the author's study and research of the particular time frame in American history is without equal. I found the situations and characters to be true to life, and no effort was made to "sanitize" or make allowances for the characters and their failings.
Life hands some of us some truly horrendous circumstances, and good or bad, we are shaped by them. I found Mr. Arias' ability to see into his character and bring her to life to be extraordinary.
There is a truly magical and redemptive quality to the novel. I found the actual autobiographical information about the author and his fight with Marfan's Syndrome to add an additional depth to the story, and I felt the personal journey of his own life added even more depth and character to his perception of Virginia Mae Mercy. I urge all readers to carefully and thoroughly read both the prologue of the story, and the additional information about the author.
Some readers will find this a difficult read, and in some cases, it is. However, you will find yourself moved and touched by the character of Virginia Mae Mercy in ways you can't truly understand until you read her story.
I strongly urge you read this book. It may very well change how you view certain aspects of life, hardship and death.
Reviewed by Monette Bebow-Reinhard
11/15/2007
Oooh, a captivity story! As a historian, I run into controversy over these all the time. There's a lot of promise here, rich with imagery - this is one book I hope fulfills your every wish.
Based on the memoirs of a Pearl Harbor survivor. Letters from two pen pals take the reader on a journey into the past, a past where nightmares came true, and when hatred reigned.
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
