The Lost and Found of Green Tree

 

 

The Lost and Found of Green Tree

by Bobbie Candas

GENRE: historical fiction

Both heart-warming and gut-wrenching, the merging stories of Mariah and Nanette reveal their grit and determination as they attempt to carve out a better life for themselves during one the twentieth century’s most arduous decades.

Growing up in the rural village of Green Tree, Nanette is convinced she’s meant for a bigger life, perhaps in the spotlight of Hollywood. But selling popcorn in a Minnesota movie theater is a far cry from the glamor she dreams of; nevertheless, Nanette is undaunted by challenges.

Mariah, living just outside of Green Tree, yearns to move off the family farm and take on a modern job in a bustling city, but she’s sidetracked by love. By eighteen, she finds herself married to her high school sweetheart, giving birth to twin daughters, and living only a few miles from the home she grew up in.

As the economy worsens during the Great Depression, Nanette’s and Mariah’s lofty goals are forced to change as early tragedies confront both women. Brought together by a mutual friend, Nanette extends a generous offer to Mariah, but in time she exacts a frightening price.

Excerpt:

Mariah:

I asked to apply at the Farmer’s State Bank, Green Tree Mercantile, and the town’s two cafés, but was told at each location there were no positions available. After each brief visit, I ran back to the car, smiling and waving at Sarah and Jo. After applying at stores at one end, I moved the car further down the street, going into the post office, the pool-hall, and the fabric store. Each time I came back to the car, my smile was a little thinner and my mood less enthusiastic. The twins would point and wave back, not quite sure what I was doing, but happy to see me reappear every fifteen minutes or so.

After about an hour of going back and forth, the girls began whining. They were hungry and wanted to walk. Giving them each a sandwich I’d packed, I took them out of the car, and put a twin on either side of me. I continued going into stores and offices with strict instructions for Sarah and Jo to keep silent upon entering. I walked through the wooden doors, stood tall, put a big smile on my face and asked for the owner or manager.  Many people I knew already by their first names and greeted them as friends, but friends or not, they all had the same response. No one was hiring.

About the Author:

I'm a Texas girl: grew up in San Antonio, went to school at UT in Austin where I earned my degree in journalism, and settled in Dallas where I raised a husband, two kids and a few cats. My husband, Mehmet, and the cats will probably disagree on who raised who, but I'm a sucker for a robust discussion. 

For years I was involved in retail management, but have more recently focused on my writing, taking deep dives into the lives of my characters. When you can pry my fingers off the keyboard, I enjoy entertaining, sharing food and drink with friends and family. I enjoy shopping, usually on the hunt for apparel, with a special weakness for shoes, and will frequently jump at the opportunity of an unexpected trip to a far-away place.

And I always make time for reading. I keep a stack of novels ready and waiting on my night stand, with a few tapping their toe in my Kindle. I bounce around genres, and I’m always ready for a good recommendation.

Novels by Bobbie Candas:

The Lost and Found of Green Tree

Imperfect Timing 

Luck, Love and a Lifeline

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Facebook: Author Bobbie Candas: https://www.facebook.com/bobbiecandasauthor

Good Reads author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8292457.Bobbie.Candas 

Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Bobbie-Candas/s?3A283155%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ABobbie+Candas 

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 For author updates add your email at: bobbiecandas@gmail.com

GIVEAWAY

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