The Anaheim Beauties Valencia Queen

by D.J. Phinney

THE ANAHEIM BEAUTIES VALENCIA QUEEN takes readers back a century, to a time when the country was recovering from WWI, orange groves dominated southern California, Hollywood was a mecca for beautiful young women, and the Klan seemed to stand for God, family, country, and the American Way – or did it?Taking place in post WWI southern California, THE ANAHEIM BEAUTIES VLAENCIA QUEEN is a compelling, multilayered novel which proves that then, as now, validation rackets existed, seducing the lonely, the disenfranchised, the insecure, and the self-conscious, providing them with a sense of fitting in while luring them into behaviors beyond the pale.In 1924 the Ku Klux Klan took over Anaheim’s city council, plus ten of eleven slots on the police force. In a Roaring 20’s citrus-packing suburb of 10,000 people, where the ethics of Jay Gatsby collide with those of Elmer Gantry, an aspiring high school pitching phenom, fatherless Dean Reynolds, falls under the spell of drop-dead-gorgeous Helen Webber and her rich, agenda-driven father.Helen, whose face graces orange crate labels shipped around the world, is using Dean as local arm-candy while sleeping her way through Hollywood. Her father and his “connections” all turn out to be Klansmen. After a shadowy motorcar accident kills a teammate on Dean’s prom night, Dean has no one safe to turn to. But the Klan is there to “help”.Steeped in little-known California history, the story gives us characters whose problems, moral dilemmas, strengths and weaknesses are as relevant today as they were in 1924. Yesterday meets today in this provocative coming-of-age historical novel.

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Darcia Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

While our society has made enormous leaps in technology over the past century, books like this remind me of our abysmal progress on a social and human level.

The story is based on a fascinating piece of history. I had no idea that the KKK was not only active but outright dominant in Anaheim, California during the 1920s.

Pacing is slow, at times dragging. Parts of this story totally held my interest, while other times my mind wandered and I got bored.

This is a coming of age story, written from the perspective of a teenage boy who is 16, turning 17 as the story progresses. To me, he felt immature, particularly given his background and situation. He wasn't a sheltered boy, and yet he often seemed more like a child of 12 than a teenager left mostly on his own.

Overall, I enjoyed the history and setting, but I felt a missing spark or connection with the characters.

*I received a review copy of this book.*

[Laurie Redfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meticulously researched and written, D.J. Phinney exposes a dark chapter in Post-World War 1-southern California history using sympathetic and engaging characters who struggle with absent parents and issues of belonging that will resonate with readers of all ages.

Drawing from historical events involving the Ku Klux Klan's actions in Anaheim, Phinney's story compelled me to see distinct parallels between today's divided partisan political gridlock and how the Klan divided Anaheim through hate, fear, violence and misinformation.

D.J. Phinney includes useful Author Q&A, as well as detailed Questions for Discussion that make this title ideal for Book Clubs. The author celebrates the history, beauty and boundless possibilities of living in southern California in 1924 through the eyes of a young adult. I look forward to reading more titles about a California I never knew from D.J. Phinney.

[Lamb Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.J. Phinney's soon-to-be-released Red Car Noir novel, "The Anaheim Beauties Valencia Queen" is a must read for those interested in events of local historical importance.
When I think of Anaheim, CA I think of Disneyland...but after reading Phinney's book, a sense of place opened up a new understanding of the little known history of the Ku Klux Klan in our own backyards. It gives voice to people, places and events that might otherwise be forgotten.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally read mysteries and romance but thought I would try something new. This story drew me in right from the start. I enjoyed the characters. It had a few white knuckle moments. I enjoyed how things turned out in the end. I especially liked the author question and answer portion at the end and that there were also questions provided for book clubs. Looking forward to reading book 2.