White Oak: Tales from the Heart

by Kay Brooks

White Oak is located in Stafford County, outside the city limits of Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is noted as a rough area and back in the day, if you went there, you knew you would find trouble.

Richard “Buddy” Payne grew up in White Oak during the Depression, World War II, the modernization of the fifties to present day. His life is representative of the older families that inhabited the area.

A White Oaker, he will always be.

Taking pride in their Patawomeck beginnings that included Pocahontas, and the staunch foundation of the White Oak Primitive Baptist Church that spawned three strong Christian churches, the people of White Oak might have had their disagreements, but they always remained friends. Always stood together. Always had each other’s backs in times of trouble.

“I would like people to learn what White Oak really is. It wasn’t always the rough, rowdy, uneducated dumb-hillbilly folks projected it to be. It’s a tight community, just like any other small town.” ~ Buddy Payne

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2024

About the author

Kay's love for books and organization started early, as she fearlessly tackled her uncle's extensive collection in his mansion's attic, despite childhood tales of a lurking boogeyman.

Discovering the works of Georgette Heyer, Daphne du Maurier, Mary Stewart, and Victoria Holt only fueled her passion further.

With a double major in Library Science and history, Kay's career began by organizing a private school library in Virginia. Her success led her to establish a public library system in rural Caroline County, complete with a headquarters and three branches.

Amidst raising three children and juggling a full-time job, Kay discovered romance novels and began writing her own stories. Though her friend Nora Roberts seemed to snag all the publishing contracts, Kay remained undeterred, honing her craft through writer's groups and workshops.

In 2007, Kay embarked on a new adventure, opening Grapes of Taste, a wine shop that showcased her love for wine and her knack for engaging newsletters.

After retiring from the library in 2013, she revisited her old manuscripts, polishing them for publication.

Since then, Kay has published numerous titles, including the Row Series, the Victory Hill Trilogy, biographies, and stand-alone novels.

With an endless supply of "what if" stories waiting to be told, Kay continues to pursue her passion for writing, inviting readers to join her journey through her website and social media.