Hi there! Thank you for showing an interest in my books! To date, all three of my novels are based in the mountains of East Tennessee, a place dear to my heart. My late father and late husband were both born and raised in Knoxville, and almost every childhood family vacation was spent there or in the surrounding mountains. I have extensive memories of my own, as well as a plethora of stories as told by my husband and father of their life and times growing up there. I have incorporated many of those into my books as a memorial!
I have wanted to write books as far back as I can remember, since my late mother instilled my love for reading as a child! I recall several unfinished attempts over the years, but life kept getting in the way, until my late husband encouraged me to try again. Hence, my first completed book, Things He Hadn’t Told Her, was written (and re-written) over a seven-year period, many days of which were spent writing in a spiral notebook from the front seat of our work truck on jobsites!
I originally began my journey toward publishing on the traditional route, sending out query letters to agents, but my father had been diagnosed with cancer and was declining rapidly, so I switched courses and self-published to be able to put an actual copy of the book in his hands. Unfortunately, he passed away before I got to finish reading it to him.
I spent the next three months writing Sarah’s Song, pouring over copious notes taken from talks with my dad about his life journey growing up in the Appalachian Mountains to make the historical setting as realistic as possible. Once it was completed, and after many requests, I wrote the sequel, Sarah’s Home.
In addition to my novels, I am honored to have stories published in the following anthologies: Cataloochee Bridge; A Poetry and Prose Anthology, Oops! A Poetry and Prose Anthology, & Dear Twelve Year Old Me Anthology.
I currently live in Florida, where I was born and raised. I am thrilled to be able to say I am now a great grandmother and look forward to many more grandbabies in the future! In addition to writing, I also enjoy gardening, and have created what I call a “Healing Garden”, dedicated to my late family members!
I also find much comfort in other crafts, such as crocheting, and love to create new designs, many of which I offer for sale in my online Boutique on eBay. It’s a great source of joy to hear from happy clients, knowing that something I created has brought pleasure to someone else!
As for writing the next novel, I have several characters running around and vying for attention in my head, so I plan to put pen to paper to see which one comes to fruition next! I hope you have enjoyed my work so far and will join me on the next adventure! My sincere thanks to everyone who has already read and reviewed my books, and to those who do so in the future!
Title: Sarah's Song
Author: Vicky Whedbee
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book Blurb:
It’s the 1940’s in rural East Tennessee, Appalachian country. For most everyone there is only work, and possibly church, if there’s one nearby. People rise before the sun is up, work hard, go to bed early, and rest in church on Sunday. Little chance for much else to happen. Right? So, why would keeping one little secret for over sixteen years be so important? What could possibly have happened that could change the lives of so many people, if the secret were to be revealed? There are only three people alive that know the answer to that question. For now.
Excerpt:
They waited in the wagon while Samuel went to find Clyde and inquire about the pup. Sarah overheard Tommy whispering, “It's meant to be, it's meant to be...” until they saw Mr. Wilkins and Papaw walking back to them with no pup in sight. Tommy went silent as they made their way closer, and Sarah's heart about broke for him, until Mr. Wilkins gave a whistle and a little beagle puppy came bouncing out from around the side of the barn.
Tommy let out a squeal, and the girls clapped their hands, when he bounded out of the wagon to meet the puppy mid-way. It was white with black and brown spots with long floppy tan ears. Her whole butt wiggled when she wagged her tail, as her and Tommy got acquainted.
Mr. Wilkins greeted Sarah and explained that the puppy was the runt of the litter and he'd been worried that no one was going to want her.
Sarah looked at Tommy rolling around with the little misfit. “I don't think you'll have to worry about it anymore. It looks like it was meant to be!”
She said a silent prayer of thanks. She hadn't seen Tommy this happy in a long time. She climbed down from the wagon, and helping Aubry and Faith down, they went to meet their new puppy, while Papaw and Mr. Wilkins finished visiting.
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Author Biography:
Vicky Whedbee was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she resided until her 40's when she relocated to San Mateo, Florida, where she currently resides. An avid reader, she wrote her first novel over a period of years as a labor of love and fulfillment of a lifelong dream that began with the encouragement of her English teacher in high school.
With a diagnosis of cancer for her dad, she decided to become an independent author and published her novel on her own in order to present a finished product to her father before his demise. She was in the process of reading said novel, "Things He Hadn't Told Her", to him at the time of his passing.
She wrote her second novel "Sarah's Song", which was a collaboration with her father set in the time of his childhood in the rural Appalachian mountains, with notes taken prior to his demise. Both books have been met with stellar 5-STAR reviews on Amazon & Goodreads, as well as awarded the 5-star review seal from Reader's Favorite.
After numerous requests, she wrote a sequel to Sarah's Song, titled Sarah's Home, which could also be read as a stand-alone. It, too, is being received with love and 5-STAR reviews.
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