Billie Valentine

by Penelope Kahler Swan

"Saving Billie Valentine" is a winner at San Francisco Book Festival 2016.

"Saving Billie Valentine." A heartbreaking heartwarming tale for all ages.

All Judge Timothy O’Brien wants for Christmas is to get through it. Life gives him Billie Valentine, a fourteen-year-old black girl who is trapped and alone in a dangerous city with two little brothers to feed.

Also available as an audio book.

237 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

The first thing I ever wrote was a poem about October. I was seven. I can still recite it. I used to recite it for myself while walking home from school. Whatever it is inside that makes me me was so connected to everything else, outside in the October that was happening while I dreamt my little girl self toward home, reciting my little girl poem. I'm still trying, daily, to capture that feeling. That's why I write. I'm trying to connect; repeat that glorious high; understand with my heart.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into the book but then it took off- in a very weird and unexpected way. It was by no means a predictable story and the characters were very unusual but I liked it and was hooked after I stumbled through the first few chapters. Billie has taken on the responsibility of raising her 2 brothers after their grandmother past and their future looks bleak until someone unexpected steps in and makes them an offer they shouldn't refuse. I received this book free from the author and I am very glad I did. I am not sure that I would have picked this up as a book of interest but it made me step outside the box and took me on an great but unusual adventure!

[Roz Curney-Sherod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to add this disclaimer: I received the audio version of this book from the author for a honest review. I have to say when I started reading this book, I wasn't really impressed. Started off like any stereotypical black characters written by a non-black author and I was getting a little put-off. But I decided to give it a chance and at least listen to the first character. I quickly got into the book and loved the characters even the rotten/evil ones. This story could have taken place any where U.S.A. at any time, past, present or future. There will always be children in need and left out in the cold with no one to care how they survive. I loved that it took place over two (2) holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas because it guaranteed a HEA. What was very interesting to me was that the heroine was only 14/15 years old and some grown man (perv) wanted her for himself. He didn't understand Billie's commitment to her younger siblings therefore, he was destined to fail. I don't want to add any spoilers but all the characters, main and secondary were very three dimensional except my confusion with Blue Fox at the beginning. This was a feel good pre-holiday story and I will be sure to add it to the list of Christmas stories I read every year. This story warmed my heart and I saw myself in Billie Valentine at her age growing up.

[Conny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have gotten a copy of this book/audible book from the Author in exchange for a review, which I am more than happy to provide. I don't listen to books a lot, but I really should do it more, not only does it allow you to do a couple of things at the same time, but the Narrator Gene Henes really brought the pages alive for me, and it was very entertaining. What a heartwarming and lovely story, I loved all the characters and the storyline. Magic really is all around us. If you are looking for an uplifting story about what happens to kids down on there luck and in need for a miracle, look no further. What a wonderful read.