Simple Truth

by Carol Bodensteiner, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

Angela Darrah is a pro when it comes to pitching client stories to the media. But when she suspects her client is exploiting immigrant workers, she's forced to face her own prejudices and to examine herself in ways she never imagined. Having landed a career-making assignment at one of Iowa’s largest poultry packing plants, Angela is stymied when the CEO who hired her resists her advice. Worse, he defers her to his right-hand man who keeps Angela off balance as he alternately supports and obstructs her efforts. When Angela finds an unexpected ally in a handsome Salvadoran plant supervisor, her professionalism wavers in the face of undeniable attraction. As Angela immerses herself in the company and the town, she is faced with challenges similar to the company’s immigrant workers. How will she navigate a new system and succeed in the face of obstacles and injustices she doesn’t understand? Then, when she discovers corporate actions that are unethical, possibly illegal, Angela must confront the conflict between her duty to her client and her growing passion to fight injustice. Ultimately, she must What is she willing to sacrifice to help someone else? Simple Truth is a thought-provoking story intertwined with risk, retaliation, and reward.

Genres: Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published June 29, 2025

About the author

Carol Bodensteiner, BA, MA, is the author of the memoir Growing Up Country: Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl (Rising Sun Press, 2008). Go Away Home, her WWI-era novel published in 2014 is the 2014 Readers' Favorite SILVER MEDAL winner in the Historical Fiction-Personage category.



She and her husband enjoy an acreage where Carol has more hostas than she can count and where the prairie patch she planted provides daily inspiration and delight.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple Truth is a fictional story that focuses on issues that impact everyone in some way. Angela Darrah works for the largest P.R. firm in Iowa and is handed a big client that results in her getting promoted. The firm she works for has been hired to help with Barton Meat Packing's image as they have had to deal with a recall on chicken that some people got sick eating. She goes totally prepared to be the best they could have asked for, wanting to impress her bosses and further her career. Once there though, things start to unravel. For one, she is faced with confronting prejudices and assumptions (some she didn't realize she'd had) and rethinking stereotypes that are common about immigrants, illegals and other races. At Barton Packing she starts to see things that aren't ethical, or that she questions about what the truth is and is torn between doing her job and what is right. Add to that, she begins to feel an attraction to the plant supervisor who is El Salvadoran (he feels likewise), but she can't act on her feelings because he is part of the client company. As she learns of the living conditions that some of the immigrants have to live with, she becomes aware of one little boy's situation in particular (who happens to be one of the 'border children' that DACA was so recently in the new about) and is moved to try to help him. Her eyes are opened as to what true integrity is-- that professional integrity and personal are not separate, but integrated, and it matters not if one's personal convictions are pure and noble if no voice is put to them. Basically, if one doesn't stand for something, they will stand for nothing.
The book had a good message, and caused the reader to reflect and meditate about those very issues on a personal level. Examination is good. : )
I found the book well written, with a good flow and pace and nicely edited with no typos. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.... thank you!

[M.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is Simple Truth a great story, but it is also a timely and important topic. Carol Bodensteiner's plot involves Angela, a public relations consultant, working for a poultry processing company. The assignment is Angela's big break, a promotion at the PR firm she works for and a chance to take responsibility for a major client. But all is not as it seems and the longer she spends in Hammond, Iowa, the deeper Angela gets into issues involving illegal immigrants, racial discrimination, and the ways some companies put profit above everything else. Both Angela and the reader come to appreciate that the simple truth is not always so simple.

The author is adept at dialogue, pacing, and engaging characters. I was particularly intrigued with the setting - a small town in northern Iowa and the food processing company itself. Both come alive in Simple Truth. You can read more about Carol's story at https://awriterofhistory.com/2018/04/... .

[Sherrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my review. Opinions are mine and no one else's.
***
Carol Bodensteiner has an uncanny knack for grabbing her reader in a snap second. Drawing realistic characters and bringing authentic settings to the page, we are immediately a part of the story. The characters become our friends. Others we find ourselves hoping they get what they deserve. Some we empathize with their conditions in life and cheer them on. And then there is Angela Darrah.

Sent out on a make or break assignment by her employer, a large public relations firm, Angela faces a rather long list of issues on which she must make decisions. On her own and without the immediate access to her boss, other than cell phone, Angela feels lost and adrift at times. Sleeping nights in a hotel room trying to prepare herself for the next meeting or stumbling block, her stress level rises. We've probably experienced similar feelings about a job assignment.

What impressed me the most with Bodensteiner's writing was her ability to include many of the issues we read about and hear on our evening news affecting immigrants, women, diversities, and more. One of these was treatment toward Angela by one of the factory managers at the poultry packaging plant where she finds herself working. At times, his remarks and behavior go beyond rude. As an outsider, these actions leave Angela questioning how to handle this man and his behavior.

Also, Angela began to pick up on similar behavior with respect to immigrant workers. Not necessarily in the same way, but changing rules, unfair treatment, and what she was least expecting non-compliance with immigration laws.

It doesn't hurt that there is a handsome and kind Salvadoran man, near Angela's age, who attempts to help her. Over time, they both sense their interest in each other is growing into something they may not be able to handle because of cultural differences, immigration laws, and families.

Each of these smaller scenarios work together smoothly and seamlessly to make this novel a powerful statement on today's workplace environments and the painful and heartbreaking need for some of our immigrant society. Bodensteiner's professional and freelance work perhaps had an impact on her writing in this book, more so than in others.

I thoroughly enjoyed this 5-star book and encourage all who enjoy great fiction to pick up a copy and read it!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple Truth by Carol Bodensteiner

Truth…what is it?
Is your truth the same as mine?
How does perception of truth impact what is observed?
What would you be willing to give up for truth?
How important is truth…

This book is not an easy read. It deals with some big issues. As I read I wrote down some of my thoughts and I am sharing them here:
* Bigotry
* Racist behavior
* Taking advantage of others
* OSHA
* Truth
* Integrity
* Lies
* Prospering at the expense of others
* Border/immigrant issues
* Honesty
* Denial of basics
* Animals
* Good vs Evil
* Romance
* Job satisfaction
* Change

This is the story of a woman who believes she is on the right track professionally. She knows how to get the story for her clients out and how to help them improve their images. While dealing with her newest client she encounters issues that make her question herself and those around her. In the end she has to decide what is truly important…and grows as a person coming out at the end of the book more well-rounded, better in tune with herself and happier about the future she is embracing. It is a story of coming into one’s own; doing what one feels is right and taking a stand…no matter what.

I have to add in a personal aside at this point. I grew up in Iowa and thinking about the ethnic diversity in my elementary classes in the 60’s or even a few years ago when shopping while visiting family in Iowa – the color of skin is predominately white – at least where I was. I remember driving through Nebraska with someone who told me about workers in factories being less and less white but didn’t think about their situations that much until I read this book. There was discrimination in California in the 70’s and there is discrimination still in some parts of the USA, in Lebanon where I live now and in other parts of the world. I like to believe I do not discriminate but it is possible that I may be a bit like Angela and not realize that I may make assumptions based on my truths and that those truths may not always be entirely accurate…enough…

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Did this book make me think? Yes
Do I recommend this book? Yes
Will you enjoy this book? I think so

Thank you to the author who sent me an ARC to read for review purposes – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The truth may seem simple, but the complications are massive in this adventure of a young woman in public relations who must do her best for her client, even though the client appears to be doing some important things wrong. The story kept me guessing as I learned about an industry we need but don't like very much. It seemed very much like a true story, and I kept thinking either the author knew the subject first hand or had done massive research. I like compelling fiction, and this was that, but I also like non-fiction for what it teaches me., and in Simple Truth I not only enjoyed the story, I also felt I learned a lot. A great read.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela Darrah tries to get at the simple truth but nobody wants to admit to the truth. Angela discovers that the company she's been hired to help with their media presence hiding a dirty secret. The immigrant workers are being treated poorly and unfairly as well. As Angela tries to rectify this, she's pulled into no-win solution. Can Angela make policy changes? Will Angela be able to help? Your answers await you in Simple Truth.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela went on an assignment to a chicken packing plant and was supposed to get good media but things did not go her way. She came across some differences on how they handled their immigrant employees and their expired products! But "truth" did prevail.
Bodensteiner sure knows how to captivate the reader.

[Shirley Showalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel for our times

Immigration as an issue stirs some of the strongest emotions in politics today. Some of the people with the strongest opinions have never met a recent immigrant. This book helps us move beyond “issues” to imagining what it would be like to be an immigrant, especially an undocumented one, or to care deeply about real people caught in these circumstances.

The main character of the book, Angela, however, is not an immigrant but a young Iowa public relations professional, struggling to turn a career opportunity into her first solo achievement in a well-established PR firm. Her assumptions about workers in a poultry plant are often wrong, and she has to re-examine them. As she does so, the reader also faces his or her own implicit biases.

The title of the book, Simple Truth, contains many layers of meaning, starting with the most basic. The book has elements of a mystery novel as Angela seeks answers to her client’s risks and opportunities after the company has had to recall potentially toxic chicken. An uncooperative CEO means she must play Nancy Drew, seeking out more truthful characters.

One of these characters turns into a potential romantic interest who becomes her guide to the various cultures working at the plant — Latin, African, and Asian.

The plot contains enough twists and turns to keep the reader turning pages. But what remains in the end is Pilate’s question to Jesus: “What is truth?” And how far can a PR professional go in “framing” truth before she has compromised the very essence of self? How do any of us know the truth when those with money and power try to create their own truth — “alternative” truth.

Sometimes simple truth triumphs over false complexity. Readers will root for Angela to find it, and they won’t be disappointed.

[T R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quote from Elie Wiesel: Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented, aptly sets up the story, which begins with the protagonist Angela who is about to be sent on assignment to Iowa, as a PR rep for a meat packing company. The company has undergone a recall and is badly in need to changing their image. But when she goes to work, her suggestions are resisted by the execs. Tensions arise and Angela seeks solace in a friendship with a plant supervisor, a handsome man from Central America. This unlikely alliance is refreshing and believable. And also adds to the conflict in the story with Angela becoming “involved” with an employee. The characters have been introduced, each with his own flare that play beautifully off the protagonist. All come together in an authentic tight read as tension rises when questionable ethics practices in the company come to light. There is a main theme and several subplots that weave together in a very timely manner: the love secret connection, children immigration from Central America and the abuses involved with them and the red tape for legalization, the sleazy exec and a senior exec ready to retire putting his trust in the wrong partner, and the bosses of the protagonist who are ready to throw her under the proverbial bus to save their legal hides. When everything falls apart and the reader feel like she’s reading something out of the DACA dilemma or the current schism between the halves and have-nots, it all comes right. The ending is wonderfully satisfying with all loose ends wrapped up. This is a really well written story that had me laughing (at the analogy of execs who have stone faces harder than the Presidents on Mt. Rushmore), cringing at the abuse of voiceless workers, to the angst of trying to right wrongs when faced with so many odds against you.
It is in these conflicts that the story shines. Bodensteiner excels at character development and building tension that moves the plot along. This is a story of the desire to succeed but at what costs, it’s a story of the importance of caring about people, and holding true to what is truly important, no matter resistance and opposition. Great storyline. Great plot. Great development of tension. Highly recommend.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find yourself a comfortable spot and settle in. You'll want to stay with this story without interruption, but also be prepared for a range of emotions as you read. Carol Bodensteiner creates characters we can relate to, despite our differences, and settings we feel ourselves immersed in.
You will be transported to small town Iowa, factory town Iowa. I was surprised by how realistic it all came across and by how much I never would have imagined myself. Although a work of fiction this is completely believable.
As Angela leaves Des Moines for her first real solo assignment I could feel her loneliness, anxiety plus excitement about this change and unexpected opportunity.
(I could also relate to her decision to be back in time for Kinky Boots.)
Then as she is given the FULL factory tour, I felt her struggle to save face and become the professional she knew she must be to fulfill her assignment. How out of her element she feels and her regret about minor faux pax she makes that to her feel huge. As she learns more about the factory and the town, especially the people, Angela feels she is taking a few steps forward and then faltering steps back. There are many elements about this job she did not know ahead of time and life, up to this point, had not prepared her for. Her own beliefs and perceptions are to be tested and examined over and over. On her desk is a rock engraved "INTEGRITY."
Her assignment is to help a company recover its reputation after a product recall and the associated bad publicity. She finds management less than eager to accept the validity of her methods and underlying problems at the factory which, if brought to light the wrong way, can compromise not only a business but the entire community.
Angela also finds good people and a potential, yet forbidden, romance. Can she solve the problems she encounters, fulfill her assignment and learn more about herself in the process?
I found myself checking my own experiences and beliefs as I was carried away on this emotional journey.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author and am glad I did. I really enjoyed the book!
Angela is someone you can’t help but like. She is ambitious, focused on success in her career, and provides financial help to her parents as her dad faces Alzheimer disease. And I could really relate to her: just going to do her job by representing a packing plant hoping to clean up their image after a recent recall of their product and then finding herself teaching English to a group of kids and sitting in a courtroom helping a boy she’d known only several weeks.
This book effectively puts a face on the immigration situation in this country. Things just aren’t always as black and white as people want to believe. And when you put that “face” on the situation and are introduced to the people, you can’t help but be touched by the difficulties and insecurities and barriers immigrants surely face. It’s also a very accurate portrayal of rural Iowa, especially small towns with a significant number of Hispanic and Latino residents as a result of a packing plant. I work in just such a town and felt like the author could have been describing us.
It was inspiring to see Angela stretch and grow into a young woman of true integrity. Just because something is legal, that doesn’t make it ethical or right. After a good deal of questioning what she believed to be true and right, she finally achieved inner strength and confidence in her own judgement.
I have put in a request to make sure that we purchase this book for the library where I work – others will surely enjoy this book!

[Irene Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of this book and have chosen to write an honest and unbiased review. I have no personal affiliation with the author. The setting is a chicken processing plant in small town in Iowa where there has been a product recall with bad publicity. Angela is sent to work with the company to help them restore their image. This is her first solo assignment. She discovers there are many social issues including ethnic, illegals and immigration, racism, bigotry, poverty, religious, and profit. There are a couple of subplots including a young boy who is an illegal immigrant, and a potential inappropriate romantic situation with a plant supervisor. There are lies, half truths, and cover-ups. Angela maintains her honesty and integrity throughout and becomes a well-rounded individual as a result. She takes a stand on what she feels is right. This is a well-written novel with excellent character development and a great plot that relates to the issues of the day. The author tackles some of the controversial and difficult issues of the day and does an excellent job of tying everything together in an unbiased manner. ‘Simple Truth’ is well worth the read and I look forward to reading more from Carol Bodensteiner in the future.

[Brian Woolnough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a free book to review from the author. I have to say straight off that this is not a book that I would generally read however I was pleasantly surprised just how hooked I was. The characters were excellently portrayed and developed throughout the book and the story line just kept me reading. Would love to see a follow up story for Angela, she could develop into the new Erin Brockovich. A great Read.

[K Rawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With immigration issues in the headlines these days, I thought I'd pick up this book--and I wasn't disappointed. The story follows Angela as she takes on the PR of an Iowa meat packing plant. As an Iowan it was a pleasure to see our state--both the rural and urban areas so aptly.

But what really pulled me in was the story. The complicated issues surrounding immigration, exploitation, discrimination unfold beautifully and naturally. I was especially moved by the wrenching issue of unaccompanied minors and the daunting process they face in coming to America to escape gang violence.

I related to Angela, I was tantalized by Alvaro, and rooted for Emilio.

A timely book!

[Billie Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Bodensteiner hit it out of the park with "Simple Truth." She touches a live nerve with this timely novel about the complications of immigration, business ethics, and romance. She is a visual writer with the ability to make characters and settings come alive. Her descriptions are vivid and strong, making scenes feel real. I did not arrive at any pre-conceived notions of how the story would end. I anxiously awaited the next development. Bodensteiner did not disappoint. She held me rapt all the way through to the end.

[Deb Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I have read all Carol Bodensteiner 's books (3 of them) . I really like and I feel she needs to write more of them. She is optimistic about her subjects and is able to make the reader feel like magic can happen.

[Bernadette Mills · Rating 1 out of 5]

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Loving mysteries, I did not care for this book. I finished it, feeling tired. The auther documented all the main character's work and thinking and sprinkled it with essays on integrity.which is very ok, but tiring.

[G. Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh....I only finished it because I don’t like leaving books unfinished.