The Road to Resilience: Velma’s Story

by G.L. Gooding

Based on the life of author G. L. Gooding's mother, Velma Steele, The Road to Resilience continues the saga first introduced in Where Courage Began. There, the readers met five-year-old Velma, her young siblings, and her suddenly widowed mother Alice.Now, It’s Christmas Day 1924 and young Velma is still breathless from the dramatic events of the previous night. She remembers with joy participating along with many of her community in rallying around an isolated family in a moment of great need. As years pass, Velma continues working hard at school and putting in endless hours helping her widowed mother and older sister. Together they support the family during the economic hardships in rural America that foreshadowed the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Uprooted yet again by this national tragedy, the family’s indomitable spirit and endless spunk help sustain them. Along the way, Velma begins to envision a brighter future in spite of continuing hardship. Then, as a young woman, Velma meets handsome Jack Gooding and in the briefest of time, realizes she has found her one true love. Now equipped with hard earned life skills, she feels confident in facing the vagaries of life with Jack at her side. Together they begin pursuit of shared dreams amid a turbulent world. All too soon, however, her resilience and courage must endure the greatest challenge yet. A lasting tribute to life in Dallas County, Iowa, The Road to Resilience is book two in the heartwarming series that mirrors the struggles of a generation, shining a special light on the Midwestern love for God, the land, hard work, family, and friendship.

Genres: Historical Fiction

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2021

About the author

American novelist G. L. Gooding is the author of five novels that have warmed the hearts of audiences around the globe.

Met with glowing industry reviews, Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls is the award-winning historical mystery that picks up where the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life ends. Available in paperback, e-book, and a separate large-print edition, the novel is now available as an incredible audiobook narrated by industry legend George Guidall. Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls shares new layers of suspense, history, revelation, and redemption as a determined bank examiner pursues the truth about George Bailey, Mr. Potter, and the money that Uncle Billy failed to deposit that fateful day.​​

Gooding's second book Yellum shines the spotlight on the challenging life of a special donkey with a divine purpose. Lost and alone in the world, the orphaned beast of burden must overcome hardships and disillusionment before he ultimately discovers that every single creature on Earth matters--especially him--the donkey chosen to carry the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of the Christ Child.

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His third book Murder in Minnesota launches the Wandering Woodie Mystery series about a young veteran who returns home from the Vietnam War in the early 1970s and strikes out on a cross-country adventure with his friends, driving a recently restored 1946 Ford Woodie that pulls a teardrop trailer behind. When the vintage vehicle breaks down in Minnesota, mystery and mayhem begin as the friends discover how a string of local murders are linked to the area’s tragic past.

Gooding's tribute to his mother's courageous life is chronicled in the novels Where Courage Began and Road to Resilience. These novels recount the stories of family and friendship and shed light on depression-era communities in rural America.

Gooding and his wife, Sarah, live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Gooding is at work on the next adventure in his Wandering Woodie Mystery series as well as the next chapter of historical series Velma's Story.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

G.L.Gooding has written The Road to Resilience: Velma's Story as the second part telling the story of a family dealing with the difficulties around the time of the Depression. The story is just a bit more difficult to relate to than the first book, but definitely still worth the effort.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction based on history and was excited to begin this tale of early American history in rural Iowa. The author shares the stories told to him about his mother and her siblings. Life was hard, but the story drew me in as the widow and her children left the farm and began a new life in the town of Woodward.

Velma is the middle child and was a delightful, insightful child. From the long hours of work to the excitement of the classroom, the author captured their daily life and the community of friends they built for themselves during a difficult time in American history.

The author touched on issues from racism, to the hatred between religion, but also shed light on community, acceptance, pride, healing and friendship through the eyes of a precocious five-year-old as she grows up in the small-town. I loved the family and Velma’s mom, who worked tirelessly to provide for her for children. The secondary characters from the general merchants to the school teacher added to the tale and provided romance, friendship, and more.

I quickly devoured their story and look forward to the next audiobook, The Road to Resilience. This is a three-book series that chronicles her life. Narrated by Kate Wisniewski, the audiobook enhanced the story and brought the story to life. I highly recommend listening. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Amy Plitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Good as the First Book

This continued story about Velma Steele is as good as the first book. I feel like I know all of the people in Velma's life and have been to all of the places described. Every day I couldn't wait to pick up this book to find out what happened next. Alice was such a strong, resilient woman, and Velma grew up to be just like her. Everything that Alice and her children faced prepared Velma for what was to come in her own life. Henry Hanks' words will stay with me: However good you have it, someone will always have it better; however bad you have it, someone will always have it worse.

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd.book in a set by "G.L.Gooding that pays homage to his mother Velma.
The 2nd.book has mostly all the old friends,but lots of new ones.Their characters are rich & it was amazingly easy to picture yourself there with them.
Velma's siblings are all grown up now & along with the many blessings bestowed on the family,there is also sorrow.

The story takes place in Idaho & even with War starting & the Depression making jobs & wages scarce.The book shows the resilience that everyone had to have,in order to carry on with there.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Looking forward to the next book.

[Leslie Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read!

I enjoyed the second book in this series as much as the first. It dealt with equally serious issues and tied in the significant historical points along with the personal story of Mr. Gooding's mother's life. Mrs Velma Steele Gooding lived in Iowa from the time of her birth in 1916 until just after the start of WWII. She was raised by a single mom who had been widowed shortly after the birth of her fourth child. The first book dealt more with her parents lives and her reactions to events that took place. The second book deals more with Velma's own history.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also based on stories from the author's mother, this book resolves story lines from the first Velma book. Set in the Iowa towns of Woodward, Perry, and Des Moines, it follows the family of the widowed Alice Steele during continued tough times, including the Stock Market Crash. One of the characters ends up at Father Flanagan's Omaha Boys Town, Alice's children grow up, there's a broken engagement, a bad accident because of bad choices, a baby with a birth defect, but the road does indeed lead to resilience.

[Lena Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relaxing read, inspires true grit amidst tragedy.

Alice’s character is one all of us can admire. Her grit and initiative in the face of terrific obstacles inspires these qualities. As you read you will wonder how you would deal with such situations. Her daughters grow up learning from their mother’s example. This book is truly a picture of a family and a community of survivors.

[Ann Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic Book!

This book tells the story from a daughter's perspective of her mother and the struggles their family went through during the 20's and 30's, as well as her own life after graduating school. It is a fantastic book if you enjoy reading about people who are able to overcome whatever life brings into their lives. I highly recommend this book as an excellent example of what love and hard work can accomplish!

[Carolyn O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book of The Road of Resilience of Velma’s story. Growing up in the 1920’s living in the depression and continuing to preserve. This story continues where the 1st story left off. The growing into a young lady, her best friend choosing a different path. How finding a new love and in the shaping of a very strong adult. I enjoyed this but I must admit I liked the 1st one better.

[Kyla Schneyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope Velma’s Story continues with a third book

Based of the life of the Authors mother, this is an amazingly detailed story! The characters all come to life. The Era is one to be remembered. Excellent writing!

[todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as Great as the first volume !

It sure is a nostalgic treat to take a stroll down memory lane and rediscover Iowa roots. Hooding continues to accurately capture the era and the area. Another excellent read. Loved it!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iowa Born and Bred..

What a Wonderful Heartfelt Story My Mom born and raised Sioux City Iowa was the Strongest lady I ever knew..Born in 1925 lost her father in 1938..So Velma and her story..were so much like this that I laughed and cried ..

[Tamarah S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2

Road to resilience was very good, however I didn't think it was quite as well written as book 1. We'll have to see how book 3 turns out. I didnt think some of the new characters were fleshed out as well as the main characters from book 1.

[Brenda Stocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in the 1920's and 1930's in Mid America

This very interesting book about family life during difficult times and how they coped. This has a beautiful story line that I believe will be of interest to many people!

[Beverly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Road to Resilience

I loved the story of Velma Steele Gooding, and all the family, friends and neighbors helping each other in good times, and bad

[Jill Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want it to end

This book was so good. I want to know more about what happens to the characters I have grown attached to. I hope Mr. Gooding doesn't stop the story here.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful look into the life of Gooding family. Always interesting to learn about some of the earlier history of this era.

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very heartwarming story.

The author has written a tale of hardship, hard times and love that comes to Velma and her family. A very intriguing and enjoyable story.

[Ruth Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book

Just as good as the first book. Can't wait to start the third book to find out what happens with Velma, and Jack.

[Patti Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully Heartfelt Story

With endearing characters and engrossing storyline, this book will capture the reader who will eagerly await the next book in the series..

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting for awhile but got bored with it. After reading 3/4 I put it aside.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75