Goddess Fish: “Letters to Loretta” by Laura Lynn Ashworth Book Tour/Review

By Ruth on April 5, 2015 in blog tour, book, giveaway, promo
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Letters to Loretta rom the Radio Shack, A True WWII Teenage Love Story

by Laura Lynn Ashworth

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Cover_LettersToLorettaBLURB:

 

LETTERS TO LORETTA

 

FROM THE RADIO SHACK, A True WWII Teenage Love Story

 

Read the rare and recently discovered real time letters between Sal, age 19, and Loretta, age 15, during the final terrifying three years of World War II, 1943-1946.

 

Both from the Douglas Park neighborhood in Chicago, the two adolescents discuss with humor and candor, the Navy, war, politics, hit music, life back home and their relationship.

 

Sal nicknamed Slabby for his movie star good looks, deciphers code out of the Navy’s radio shack on a minesweeper in the Pacific.

 

Loretta monikered Duchess for her aloofness, lives with aunts and her widowed father, while holding day jobs and enjoying an active social life with friends.

 

Letters to Loretta from the Radio Shack lets you experience World War II, both in battle and on the home front, through the eyes of adolescents in a way that Hollywood has never portrayed.

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Letters to Loretta from the Radio Shack: A True WWII Teenage Love StoryLetters to Loretta from the Radio Shack: A True WWII Teenage Love Story by Laura Lynn Ashworth

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First of all, this is not your typical WWII memoir, and it is also a true story. The book is entirely told through letters with a few brief historical notes along the way. Previously, I never read anything in this particular format, and it was quite intriguing. As I jumped into the reading, I was a bit lost at first. But as I continued to read, the pieces began to fall into place.

There was some mild profanity–nothing major–and it was also assumed that you were familiar with the time period. Thankfully I was mostly, but I would have appreciated a bit more background on these characters. It was a delight to see their love blossom throughout the letters, and I felt myself sympathizing with them in a way I had not when reading history books about WWII. In fact, it was even a deeper connection than reading historical fiction as these people actually had existed. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in WWII or perhaps even teenagers who are studying WWII in their social studies classes. Excellent resource and very well-presented.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

Excerpt:

 

January 5, 1943

US Naval Training Station

Farragut, Idaho

1330 So. Washington Ave.

Chicago, IL

 

Dear Loretta,

 

Gee, but aren’t you thoughtful. By the way, every time I write a letter to you, you seem to be writing a letter back home. Isn’t that a co-incidence or isn’t it? I received two letters to date, so “keep em flying.”

 

It was just a month ago that I left and I’ll be damned if I know whether it seems like a year or a week. As far as concerning you, it seems like a year. I presume you’re still as sharp as a whip, you old prankster. Say, in your next letter send me a couple of pictures of yourself, one of them recently taken and you may charge it to Uncle Sam and his fleet.

 

So I see your stepping out now, you’re really cooking with the right kind of material. Don’t forget I’ve got a date with you when I get back home, which I hope won’t be any longer than a year.

 

Had a lot of fun at the rifle range this week as no doubt Joe will tell you. I still get three square meals a day, and are they square. A slice of bread with plenty of nothing.

 

This weather we have up here now surely reminds me of Chicago. It’s dingier than a campaign speech and it just knocks the hell out of these Californians out here. They’re just used to beautiful women and mild weather, while we in Chicago are used to gales and violent women.

 

Do you know what? In “Frisco” the taverns close at midnight. Now isn’t that a whacky thing to do?

 

Haven’t seen many movies lately except for a few Navy films showing recent battles to get us boiled. But if we don’t get our liberty Wednesday, I’ll boil over like a frozen motor. They’re going to keep an eye on our company while we’re on liberty (now what the hell do you call liberty like that?) and if we’re good we’ll get one every two weeks. Very, very thoughtful, don’t you think? I’ll leave you know how I make out, so until then.

 

Lots of love, Slab

 

 

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AuthorPhoto_LettersToLorettaAUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

Laura Lynn Ashworth is an award-winning copywriter and political cartoonist.  While helping an elderly family member with veterans administration paperwork, she ran across “the letters” and instantly knew of their rarity, freshness and historical significance.  Although she received three publishing contracts within two months of sending the letters to major publishers, Ashworth decided to publish them herself on the advice of best-selling authors.  She currently lives and works in a northwest suburb of Chicago.

 

10% of author proceeds will be donated to the USO and VFW in loving memory of Sal and Loretta.

 

Website:  http://lauralynnashworth.com

http://lauralynnashworth.com/store/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007518694413

Ms. Ashworth will be awarding $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Please follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/01/nbtm-tour-letters-to-loretta-from-radio.html

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About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

12 Comments

  1. Emily Endrizzi May 29, 2015 Reply

    My favorite part of today’s post was the excerpt. I really enjoyed it.

  2. Jessica Snow April 6, 2015 Reply

    I really liked the excerpt! I can’t wait to read this!
    Thanks for the giveaway! =)

  3. Emily Endrizzi April 6, 2015 Reply

    I really appreciate your honest review of this book. It does sound pretty interesting to me. I am also fairly well informed about the historical setting of this book, but I would want a little background information as well. I like that it is a true story. Is the entire book just letters written back and forth or is there a story as well?

  4. Ree Dee April 6, 2015 Reply

    I enjoyed the review today! Thank you!

  5. angela smith April 6, 2015 Reply

    i enjoyed reading the excerpt.

  6. Angie D April 6, 2015 Reply

    This sounds like it will be an amazing book! Loved the excerpt!!

  7. Karen H April 6, 2015 Reply

    Enjoyed reading the review today

  8. laura rubenstein April 6, 2015 Reply

    This book sounds amazing!

  9. Rita Wray April 6, 2015 Reply

    Great review, I can’t wait to read it.

  10. Mai T. April 6, 2015 Reply

    The amazing cover is what I like best from today’s post.

  11. Sandra Watts April 6, 2015 Reply

    I like romance stories but I’m not sure how the nickname Slabby comes across for a guy that is good looking. I guess I will have to check out the book for more about it.

  12. Thank you for hosting

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