Welcome to Mineola

Long Island, New York #1

by A. Louise Robertson

This post World War II story chronicles the lives of Matt and Rachel Williams as they leave the big City and settle in the suburbs of Long Island, New York. Between the back yard barbecues, and neighborhood get-togethers they encounter those who will become dear friends and loved ones while also being under the threat of someone who is out to destroy their relationship. They experience loss, tragedy, joys and heartaches which become the fabric of the Williams family history. They are exposed to the ugliness of anti-Semitism, and misinterpreted implications. Through it all the story is told by several family members as they "take the microphone" to give the reader their own perspective as the pages turn. Mineola, the icon of a simpler life, with ever present family values, is the Town where the author spent her childhood and which becomes the central figure in this and the upcoming books in the Long Island New York trilogy.

Genres: Fiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2013

About the author

Bestselling author, A. Louise Robertson has been writing since she first discovered books as a child, when reading the first novel that she found compelling - Little Women. Over the years she has published short stories locally in Southern California, enjoyed writing a series of poems for a Downtown Los Angeles newsletter and she has had had poetry published in the Los Angeles Times, and short stories published in the Downtown News.
She was born and raised in New York and studied writing at Pasadena City College. She still resides in the Pasadena area, near the seven blessings in her life, her grandchildren!
The first book in her Long Island, New York trilogy - Welcome to Mineola - has been selling internationally for a couple of years.
As of June 17, 2015, the second book in the series - Chained to Mineola - is available on Amazon.com. Both books are inspired by the Town of Mineola, New York, where the author was raised and both are international favorites.
Farewell to Mineola, the final book in the trilogy was released in October, 2016 and is also breaking sales records.
These are stories of people that readers can relate to, making difficult decisions, coping with sorrow, celebrating milestones and staying centered with one small town as their core space.

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is going to be really hard for me to write because I hate writing bad reviews and my feelings about this book are conflicted. I received a copy of this book in a giveaway.

I was drawn to this book because I loved the cover. I also loved the description because I read a lot of historical fiction. However, I feel like I read a completely different book from the other reviewers. The plot was interesting and I think I really would have enjoyed it more had it been written in a different way. I didn't find the characters had a lot of personality. The story itself was interesting, but I wish I had connected with the writing more.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story of American life in the "Good Old Days" after WW II beginning with the returning soldier coming home to his loving and faithful wife and children. As the Williams family settles into life in the suburbs making new friends and watching the kids grow up, they must face many of life's challenges, and tragedies mixed with love, laughter, and cherished memories. They cling to each other and to their close friends for support and comfort and the ties are strengthened as the years go by and new generations are impacted by the wonderful legacy left by Matt and Rachel Williams.

[Laura Luzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so enjoying reading this book, which reminded me of growing up and how important the family is, and a terrible tragedy strikes. The story changes, but life goes on. Soon, Rachel's daughter takes over the story and then Greg, her son. It's a story about life, family and deep love through three generations. I was totally charmed by this book.

[Joe Shoenfeld · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful.

[Vanessa Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a competition on Goodreads and am really glad i did.
It is a well written book, that transported me back to my early chidhood, although in a different country.

It is easy light reading and i will certainly be reading the whole trilogy

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story a lot but stilted dialogue and multiple typos and grammatical errors prevent me from giving it a higher rating.