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Evaleen : From Rags to Riches
Eva Doyle, a shy teenager, decides to make and sell beauty creams from an old recipe book, given to her by her grandmother who was known for having a beautiful complexion even into old age. Eva's goal is to support her desperately poor parents. Unfortunately nobody seems to want something as useless as beauty creams. Worse, she is definitely not a beauty herself, there's her father's untimely death, her mother's mental decline and her hopeless crush on a rich young man who barely knows she is alive. But then she decides to become somebody else, somebody named Evaleen.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2011
25 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Rector
14 books13 followersI specialize in female characters who, in spite of often unhappy, difficult personal circumstances, somehow manage to go after their own dreams.
Evaleen From Rags to Riches begins when Eva, a teenager, must find a way to support her mother and herself during the Great Depression, a time when there were few jobs, especially for someone so young and with no experience at anything. She dreams of riches and a great love.
Charlotte Parker Forty-Niner begins in 1850 when Charlotte, an upper class, proper Bostonian wife decides to leave her controlling husband and go to the gold fields of California to investigate her father's death. She does this at a time when women had few rights and a woman traveling alone was seen as highly suspect.
Running Away to Santa Fe is about Aurora, a woman in a marriage that hasn't so much died as withered away. When her sister dies, she realizes just how short a life can be and decides to "run away" to Santa Fe and follow her own dreams.
Chez Tulips - Recipes and Stories is a series of stories about dreams and dreamers in the restaurant business. As a kid, my parents owned a bar/cafe in a small town. Their big concern was that my brother and I not eat up the slim profits. If you ate even one candy bar, the profits from the whole box were lost. I have also worked as a food taster for a large corporation, and loved cooking and restaurants my whole life.
As for me, I have placed short stories with Pedestal Magazine, Black Petals, Southern Cross Review and others. In a long freelance writing career, I have sold articles, essays, poetry, and short stories to such places as East West, Cooking Light, and The Washington Post, and in collaboration with my husband, PMF Johnson, I have sold short stories to various anthologies. I hope you enjoy my novels and stories.
Evaleen From Rags to Riches begins when Eva, a teenager, must find a way to support her mother and herself during the Great Depression, a time when there were few jobs, especially for someone so young and with no experience at anything. She dreams of riches and a great love.
Charlotte Parker Forty-Niner begins in 1850 when Charlotte, an upper class, proper Bostonian wife decides to leave her controlling husband and go to the gold fields of California to investigate her father's death. She does this at a time when women had few rights and a woman traveling alone was seen as highly suspect.
Running Away to Santa Fe is about Aurora, a woman in a marriage that hasn't so much died as withered away. When her sister dies, she realizes just how short a life can be and decides to "run away" to Santa Fe and follow her own dreams.
Chez Tulips - Recipes and Stories is a series of stories about dreams and dreamers in the restaurant business. As a kid, my parents owned a bar/cafe in a small town. Their big concern was that my brother and I not eat up the slim profits. If you ate even one candy bar, the profits from the whole box were lost. I have also worked as a food taster for a large corporation, and loved cooking and restaurants my whole life.
As for me, I have placed short stories with Pedestal Magazine, Black Petals, Southern Cross Review and others. In a long freelance writing career, I have sold articles, essays, poetry, and short stories to such places as East West, Cooking Light, and The Washington Post, and in collaboration with my husband, PMF Johnson, I have sold short stories to various anthologies. I hope you enjoy my novels and stories.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 1, 2012
As a reader and writer of horror and thrillers, I wouldn't normally read a book like Evaleen the Queen, a historical piece set in Emerson, Massachusetts, during the Great Depression and continuing beyond World War II. As a reviewer, however, I saw Sandra Rector's novel as an opportunity to expand my horizons. In this regard (and in many others), Rector's novel succeeds.
Evaleen the Queen is undoubtedly "chick lit," and last time I checked, I didn't fall within this intended audience. Still, I found the novel captivating, mostly due to its identifiable characters. While the male faction lacks any sparkling representative (with the most likable character unwilling or arguably situationally unable to fight for the woman he loves), they are not complete heathens (save for one minor character). For better or worse, they are men true to their time.
The women, too, are not without flaws. Even Evaleen, the story's protagonist, is at times too blinded by ambition and the superficial to reach for the happiness she could have. There are no knights in shining armor sweeping in on white horses here. Characters are honest to their natures, dimensional, honest, and real. I could imagine myself beside them through their struggles.
Still, the reader will cheer for Evaleen through her rags to riches life. A self-made woman in a harsh economical climate and at a time (hopefully dead or dying) where women were treated as second-class citizens, particularly in the work force, Evaleen achieves through the force of sheer determination and in the face of internal doubt and external hostility.
But success is not without cost. Evaleen the Queen examines the difference between what society defines as success and what truly provides personal fulfillment. Goals can be reached and should be strived for, but if we get there, will we be happy with the life we have obtained if we had to sacrifice relationships with dear friends and family along the way?
Evaleen the Queen is a thoughtful and thought-provoking read worthy of consideration. 4/5 stars
Evaleen the Queen is undoubtedly "chick lit," and last time I checked, I didn't fall within this intended audience. Still, I found the novel captivating, mostly due to its identifiable characters. While the male faction lacks any sparkling representative (with the most likable character unwilling or arguably situationally unable to fight for the woman he loves), they are not complete heathens (save for one minor character). For better or worse, they are men true to their time.
The women, too, are not without flaws. Even Evaleen, the story's protagonist, is at times too blinded by ambition and the superficial to reach for the happiness she could have. There are no knights in shining armor sweeping in on white horses here. Characters are honest to their natures, dimensional, honest, and real. I could imagine myself beside them through their struggles.
Still, the reader will cheer for Evaleen through her rags to riches life. A self-made woman in a harsh economical climate and at a time (hopefully dead or dying) where women were treated as second-class citizens, particularly in the work force, Evaleen achieves through the force of sheer determination and in the face of internal doubt and external hostility.
But success is not without cost. Evaleen the Queen examines the difference between what society defines as success and what truly provides personal fulfillment. Goals can be reached and should be strived for, but if we get there, will we be happy with the life we have obtained if we had to sacrifice relationships with dear friends and family along the way?
Evaleen the Queen is a thoughtful and thought-provoking read worthy of consideration. 4/5 stars
June 21, 2013
Sandra Rector's book, From Rags to Riches was very entertaining. There were some typos (good luck find a book without them) and the characters felt off at times, like they had been forced into the act to make it work; personalities fluttered back and forth a lot. There was also almost all tell no show. From all of that you would think this book didn't stand a chance, and yet, somehow the author still made a very memorizing book. So much so, that two thirds of the way in I had begun to hope that the developing of the kids meant the book would continue in a sequel, maybe even a trilogy as a generation set, sort of like Ken Follett's Century trilogy.
I really don't know how she does it. I also read her book Chez Tulips, and she broke all the rules there as well, and it still had me wanting to read more.
After becoming familiar with Chez tulips and the recipes she shared in the book, I was hoping to see the same in this one. After all, the book is about the wonderful recipe for a face cream. Since I secretly hoped to find the face cream recipe included in the book, I was seriously disappointed when that wasn't the case, but I can't hold my desire for a great face cream against the author!
So, my overall impression of this book: It needs an editor. And it would be well worth an editor's time to go through Sandra Rector's books and get them polished. They have the potential to attract a large crowd. Even in the state they are in right now, I will continue to read her work. Once I get started on a book of hers, it's hard to put back down. I can only hope to create that kind of a 'pull' with my own books.
I really don't know how she does it. I also read her book Chez Tulips, and she broke all the rules there as well, and it still had me wanting to read more.
After becoming familiar with Chez tulips and the recipes she shared in the book, I was hoping to see the same in this one. After all, the book is about the wonderful recipe for a face cream. Since I secretly hoped to find the face cream recipe included in the book, I was seriously disappointed when that wasn't the case, but I can't hold my desire for a great face cream against the author!
So, my overall impression of this book: It needs an editor. And it would be well worth an editor's time to go through Sandra Rector's books and get them polished. They have the potential to attract a large crowd. Even in the state they are in right now, I will continue to read her work. Once I get started on a book of hers, it's hard to put back down. I can only hope to create that kind of a 'pull' with my own books.
May 7, 2013
I loved this book. I liked the storyline, and I enjoyed the characters from the very beginning. It flowed well because the author wasn't afraid to jump from one year to the next quickly so we were able to see the complete transformation of Eva to Evaleen and back to Eva in the end. I never felt bogged down in unnecessary descriptions of things as added fluff but I still always had a good visual of the characters and settings. The story ended very much as I thought it would, but I was glad that Eva/Evaleen still admitted her flaws and shortcomings in the end, and we see that the damage that had been done in some areas of her life was not able to be fully repaired. She took ownership of that, and it wasn't the perfect ending for her, but it was a realistic one.
April 24, 2013
The story of Eva and her rags to riches success seems to come out of the self-help literature of the time, such as the writings of Napoleon Hill and the like. It is a good anecdote, at least in the beginning, to see how a young woman with a good idea can reprogram herself to be rid of the negative programming of her abusive father and make something of her life. I don't want to give away more of the story than that. However, if you want a glimpse of the Great Depression as compared to how things are going now, this is also an interesting read, as it will remind you of the struggles your grandparents or others before you have borne.
July 18, 2022
Evaleen
This is an excellent read, filled with history. It is also filled with compassion, love, understanding and passion for others. You will cry, laugh, smile and enjoy every minute.
This is an excellent read, filled with history. It is also filled with compassion, love, understanding and passion for others. You will cry, laugh, smile and enjoy every minute.
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August 23, 2021This was a light read and sometimes predictable. It's more a story for people who like romance.
September 11, 2012
Evaleen The Queen tells the story of the rise of Eva Doyle and how she overcomes many obstacles to pursue her dream of selling home-made beauty products from a family recipe. Inspired by powerful but not classically beautiful Hollywood icons ( Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn), the self-conscious Eva reinvents herself into Evaleen, a confident salesperson.
Evaleen is an endearing heroine who is refreshingly human. You can't help but care what happens to her. Hero's character was also very well-drawn and their relationship totally convincing and three-dimensional. The plot avoids clichés and caught me out a couple of times by not being predictable. (Perhaps the only characters I would have liked to have seen developed a little were Shu and Sam.)
What I really enjoyed about the book was that it was an easy read that dealt with serious themes. Not only does it have a strong female character at its core but it explores issues key to women's lives in various eras: the difficulty of 'having it all', of juggling career, marriage, and children; the idea of female solidarity; the stigma of unmarried motherhood; domestic violence. And none of these issues seem forced.
On a broader level, it also makes you think about the American Dream and the responsibility that comes with having money. The Depression and its impact was particularly well evoked, as were family dynamics. I think Evaleen will inspire young women. I'd definitely read more by this author.
Evaleen is an endearing heroine who is refreshingly human. You can't help but care what happens to her. Hero's character was also very well-drawn and their relationship totally convincing and three-dimensional. The plot avoids clichés and caught me out a couple of times by not being predictable. (Perhaps the only characters I would have liked to have seen developed a little were Shu and Sam.)
What I really enjoyed about the book was that it was an easy read that dealt with serious themes. Not only does it have a strong female character at its core but it explores issues key to women's lives in various eras: the difficulty of 'having it all', of juggling career, marriage, and children; the idea of female solidarity; the stigma of unmarried motherhood; domestic violence. And none of these issues seem forced.
On a broader level, it also makes you think about the American Dream and the responsibility that comes with having money. The Depression and its impact was particularly well evoked, as were family dynamics. I think Evaleen will inspire young women. I'd definitely read more by this author.
June 24, 2013
A young woman with a history of abuse has a dream of making it big selling her grandmother's excellent face cream. She marries her high school crush instead of the good guy that really loves her, and tries to raise two spoiled children while devoting all of her time to marketing her business. This book is definitely soap opera material, but it is entertaining and keeps you interested. A pretty good read, worth checking out.
September 27, 2013
A good novel, with a fine start and good final chapters. Sometimes it gets boring in the middle, but it's a compelling book on the whole. The story of a self-made woman from her youth in the difficult years of the Great Depression till her maturity some decades later. Business and personal life. Work, love, marriage, children. The book cover is not very appealing, but the book deserves to be read. Well done!
September 14, 2011
Very pleasurable read for those looking for a fun book full of emotions. Evaleen tackles many obstacles during the great depression and you feel every bit of happyness, anger, sadness, relief etc right along with her as well as the other characters.
October 29, 2014
it starts out quite well, but seems to drag on & on abouts half way.
October 29, 2014
This book wasn't really bad, but it wasn't really great either. The story just marched forward and there was very little emotion in the writing. It was very matter of fact and somewhat predictable.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews