White Oak

by Ruth C. Mitchell

Richly drafted characters reside in White Oak, a turn-of-the-last-century town that identifies more with the past than the present. Meet Cara and Nathan whose lives are interrupted abruptly by a stranger's visit, but it is the power they give their hedonistic pursuits that ultimately causes their downfall.

You'll also meet Marietta, a surrealistic aging opera singer, who is Cara's confidant; Randy, Nathan's best friend and worst influence; Hawk, Cara's long lost father, who reappears in her life like a bad penny, but turns out to be her salvation. Men fall over themselves to get closer to the sexually charged entertainer, Rita, whose liquid voice and undulating hips inspire barflies to order up.

If you find bad boys irresistible, then you'll love Cara's lover, Brian La Coste who plays her body and her mind as passionately as he plays the fiddle. Take in the eccentricity of Maya, a cigar-smoking artist whose cold fa�ade melts as she becomes Hawk's soul mate. Then there's, Tolson, an immensely wealthy patron of the arts, who wants more than to possess Cara's paintings.

Why should two people who love each other, and who have everything fall from grace? If it is true the truth will set you free, then perhaps the journey to truth is worth traveling albeit fraught with sink holes and swamps. This story of the journey to self-discovery has many pitfalls and dead-ends, but you'll find yourself turning the pages hoping everyone will make it. Whether it is drugs, alcohol, sex, or even a self-image, addiction makes a cruel master, and the image in the mirror returns to haunt those not able to embrace their own frailties.

There's something for everyone in White Oak, a sexually charged tale of seduction and betrayal that follows the dark and winding path of secrets and self-indulgence. Come stay awhile at the Barrel Stave Inn and explore the scenic streets of this eccentric burg where fun and fortune are pursued with gusto.

236 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2020

About the author

Award-winning author Ruth C Mitchell's novel, Two Moons of Merth was recently featured at the LA Times Festival of Books 2024.

What critics have to say about it:

"Two Moons of Merth, with its gorgeous storytelling and compelling characters, all crafted with meticulous devotion, will immerse readers in this thrilling world. Mitchell spins a fantastical tale full of heart, adventure, intrigue, and modern parallels. " —authors reading.com

The second book in the series, Jaxyl Warrior Princess released in August 2024, has been garnering 5-star reviews as well.

Ruth's first foray into science fiction began with Beyond: A Tale of Discovery on the other Side of Life It has been awarded a PenCraft Book Award for science fiction. It is a metaphysical journey into life after earth, and a five-star paranormal thriller that keeps you guessing to the end.

What reviewers are saying about Beyond:

"I loved that I never knew what the next turn in this book would be."

Ruth is an outstanding writer, she has written a complex, gripping story with incredible characters that I loved so much."

"The plot construction is amazing and will totally be the book you reread often.

Living Happy Joyous and Free is a popular self-help book available in ebook and paperback on Amazon.

Ruth has been writing non-fiction articles for many years. Her articles have appeared in Art & Antiques, The San Francisco Bay Guardian, American History, Fodor’s USA Travel Guide and Fodor’s Great American Vacations, Watercolor, American Style, Niche, Wedding Dresses, and Sailing magazines.

Ruth interviewed world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli for Echoes magazine; wrote an article on early aviatrixes, Louise Thaden and Amelia Earhart, for American History magazine as well as many travel articles on Europe, the Bahamas, San Francisco, Antigua, and Napa Valley for Romantic Destinations. She has been editor of At Home in Arkansas and Special Publications Editor for Arkansas Business. Ruth also wrote Arkansas Heritage, a state-adopted Arkansas History textbook for elementary aged children.

You may find out more about Ruth by visiting:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthpeter...
https://www.facebook.com/Ruth-Mitchel...
https://linktr.ee/RuthMitchellAuthor

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Oak by Ruth Mitchell has to be one of my all-time favorite psychological reads. White Oak attempts to explore an age-old enigma faced by society: Do alcoholics deserve the same amount of empathy and compassion as non-alcoholics? By being empathic and compassionate do we slowly become enablers and codependents? It is an engaging tale and reads like a travelogue much of the time. Once drawn into the complex lives of Cara and Nathan Devon, it will be difficult for the reader to put the novel down. White Oak takes place in a small tourist town in the Ozarks and deals with all the intricacies and complexities of a marriage built on codependent relationship on the verge of falling apart. The characters and their dialogue will intrigue you throughout the novel. Will the marriage be saved? Ms. Mitchell keeps you guessing right up to the end.

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Mitchell packs plenty of intrigue, seduction, and self discovery into her imaginary town in White Oak! This twisting tale is one of love and betrayal, its winding road crossing many interesting paths. Mitchell does a fantastic job of making the town of White Oak and its inhabitants seem alive! It’s the collage of characters that really made this novel for me, from sultry bar dancers to kind confidants. Every character feels like a main one, weaving great depth and complexity into the intrigue. It was fun to visit White Oak and I hope to get a return trip in the future!

[Ruth Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader I've probably read thousands of books. Most of them wonderful, because the unwonderful ones didn't get finished. Will you finish White Oak that took my blood, sweat and tears to produce? I think so. It is actually a fast read.

Will you like the characters in White Oak? Yes, if you like colorful characters.

Will you like the plot? Yes, because you have never met these characters before, and like all characters they are unpredictable.

Will you know what happens in the end? All you will really know is that the main female character, Cara, evolves and perseveres through an untenable situation.

Will you come away from this story changed? Yes, I certainly hope so, because that is the ultimate benefit of fiction.