Title: Amanda in the Summer
Author: Brenda Whiteside
Genre: Women’s Historical Fiction
Book Blurb:
Three generations of women…and the secret that strengthens their love.
A line of women, all named Amanda, stretches back for generations. Each with her hopes, her joys, her pain—each pouring out her heart in correspondence with a dear family friend who shares their lives, understands their loves, and joins in their sorrows.
But within the correspondence lies a secret. And as the youngest of the Amandas retraces the journey through the years—beginning in post-war America and following through to modern day—the letters reveal, layer by layer, the Amandas who came before her. Soon, the truths and lies hidden in the letters lead her down a path of self-discovery that forges a bond between her past and future.
Excerpt:
July 28, 1968
Dear Auntie Tilly,
I didn’t get the whole of what happened while you were here. You and my parents seemed all happy and cool when you left though. You three are the most important old folks in my life. What an odd threesome you are to me, at times. You’re so very cool, free-spirited and groovy. Mom is—I don’t know what—going through menopause? Daddy is Daddy and seems to understand both of you. I felt some tension I’d never noticed before, but I could’ve been projecting my own insecurities into the atmosphere. Taking this step with Kevin is huge, you know? Or maybe it’s just Mom’s erratic behavior lately.
I can always count on you to be blunt and truthful. Like when you told me what I wanted with Kevin was admirable. And regardless of how groovy I think the way you lead your life is, I need to lead my own life. Of course, I had no idea you’ve had a love relationship, of sorts, all of your life. The thing is because I had trouble grasping your type of love, or relationship or whatever you choose to label it, then I must not want what you have or I’d understand your happiness. That’s rather convoluted, but you know what I mean. Then you offered up to me the example of Mom and Daddy. I get that. You told me to think about our talk. I have. I love and admire you, Auntie Tilly, but I don’t want what you have or rather don’t have. You are perfectly happy, on your own, friendships and relationships coming and going or lingering but no commitment. Kevin is all I want or ever will want. What a revelation! I’d always thought I was more like you than I’m like Mom.
I’m heading back to the city tomorrow. I’ll be staying with a friend until our (meaning Kevin and me!) apartment is ready in August. I’m looking forward to school starting again. I must absorb all the knowledge I can to fight the establishment in academia. Students and minorities must have a voice.
I hope we can get together for lunch and a good rap session before school starts. Kevin and I want to go to the Democratic National Convention for the marches there. I want to tell you all about it. I think I’ll need you to run interference with Mom. Or not. Maybe she’ll still be too consumed with my living arrangements to worry about my political activities.
Peace and love,
Amanda
August 24, 1968
Dear Tilly,
A few days of bliss with no one to talk to but the seagulls. I have you to thank for this. I’m so glad you popped back after Amanda, Robert, and Mother left. The strain I put on all of us while you were here would’ve dragged on for who knows how long if you hadn’t returned. Once again, Tilly, you read the tea leaves and righted things.
My moods have been so ragged of late. Jealousy of all things. Jealous that you could talk to my daughter, get along so lovely with her which I’ve had difficulty doing these last few months. Jealous of your longer running friendship with Robert than with me. I’m not sure if I was jealous of him or you. You’re both mine. And angry that the two of you are uncomfortable around each other after so many years and not making sense of that. When Robert left, I tried to give him the blue swimsuit you had left behind and asked him to drop in on you to return it. He said no, I could do it when I got back. This was so unlike him and did more to unsettle me.
Yes, silly thoughts.
So you came back. Lying on the beach, just you and me like old times, really gave me some perspective. Insisting I should stay on when the others left, having some time alone with you, and now some time alone with myself, is exactly what I needed.
Amanda leaves for Chicago tomorrow, and I am headed home to be by the phone in case she and Kevin should need anything. The thought of them marching still does not make me happy, but I will be quiet and let her live her life. What you told me about your talk with her regarding Kevin eases my mind on that issue. Somewhat. You still didn’t promote the marriage issue, but you might have planted the seed. Thank you, Tilly.
See you in the city.
Love,
Amanda
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/mv6l6q
What makes your featured book a must-read?
How better to while away a summer afternoon than with a short read set in summer on the beach? It’s a short novella, so get kick back in the sand with a lemonade or under a tree in the grass with a spritzer or in a corner of the couch with the air conditioner blowing on you. You’ll have a few satisfying summer hours with Amanda in the Summer.
“Evocative and thought-provoking. AMANDA IN THE SUMMER exposes love’s inexplicable complexities.”
~TAMARA HOGAN, AUTHOR
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $30 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs June 25 – July 4, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on July 5, 2024.
Author Biography:
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. She writes children’s books under the pen name, Brenda Sue. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won't discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
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