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BRICK, LIME AND MOONSHINE
Victoria Ventris Shea
November 2022 978-1-7356316-3-9DESCRIPTION:
Inlanders of the Pacific Northwest are resilient during Prohibition, making moonshine or riding the rails or dancing for money or smuggling liquor across the Canadian border. Some go to prison or are shot and killed. The lucky ones have the thrill and distraction of falling in love.
Be inspired by the optimism, ingenuity, and perseverance of everyday people. The struggle from farm and a sod house to flapper fun, dance halls, drinking houses and serenades on Loon Lake, Washington, where a lake cabin is built in 1928 that becomes the author’s sanctuary. A combination of memoir, family history and fiction based on oral legend.
REVIEW
Outstanding historical novel that weaves the experiences of its memorable characters with intriguing factual historical detail. It includes many moving scenes and is a wonderful celebration of the fortitude of those who lived during the era covered. Highly recommended. -- Edith Wairimu, Readers’ Favorite
Shea is one heck of a storyteller! Vivid character building and seamless dialog, a story packed with love, endurance and faith. So much more positive than the other stories of this time period. You’ll love it. –A. O’Mohondro, Phoenix, AR
A good historical time and tale not often told in the mainstream historical novel. –Pacific Northwest Writers Association
EXCERPTS:
Ida
had been attracted to his daring, mischievous, wide-eyed enthusiasm
for the future. “What’s the worst that could happen?” he would ask
and distract her with a squeeze, a kiss or a twirl before she could
answer. It had felt like his attitude could overcome anything,
that they would always be happy together though she wasn’t entirely
sure that she could trust him. When the bottom dropped out of
the wheat industry, he thought of his family’s old moonshine recipe
called Perseverance. He had all that wheat, and a little shine
could take the sting out of hard times.
Walking unescorted into the Marie Antoinette Ballroom at the Davenport Hotel as if she owned the place, fringe whipping with her walk, Liz thought about the thrill of a clean, handsome man holding out his hand to lead her onto the dancefloor. No one would ever question her presence on a dancefloor. It was her home.