Review & Giveaway: Letters to Loretta rom the Radio Shack by Laura Lynn Ashworth

Letters to Loretta rom the Radio Shack, A True WWII Teenage Love Story

by Laura Lynn Ashworth

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BLURB:

LETTERS TO LORETTA

FROM THE RADIO SHACK, A True WWII Teenage Love Story

Read the rare and recently discovered real time letters between Sal, age 19, and Loretta, age 15, during the final terrifying three years of World War II, 1943-1946.

Both from the Douglas Park neighborhood in Chicago, the two adolescents discuss with humor and candor, the Navy, war, politics, hit music, life back home and their relationship.

Sal nicknamed Slabby for his movie star good looks, deciphers code out of the Navy’s radio shack on a minesweeper in the Pacific.

Loretta monikered Duchess for her aloofness, lives with aunts and her widowed father, while holding day jobs and enjoying an active social life with friends.

Letters to Loretta from the Radio Shack lets you experience World War II, both in battle and on the home front, through the eyes of adolescents in a way that Hollywood has never portrayed.

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My Review:

It 'a reading sweet, funny and interesting, the Second World War from the perspective of two teenagers.

Sal and Loretta are two teenagers respectively 19 e 15 years old. They grew up in the same neighborhood of Chicago: he has Italian roots, she 's Polish. Sal is  in the Navy, is in Hawaii awaiting disposal and begins a correspondence with Loretta. From the letters emerge their dreams, their hopes, their fears and their growing love. But they don't speak only of the war, especially Loretta. She talks about her work, her out with friends, but also tries to keep him informed of what happens in their city, in her family. Although far she wanted him to participate, wants him to feel to be there with her.

This novel allows us to understand what life was like of  a teenager at that time: we can know their ideals, their languages, their lifestyle.  Sal's letters is a testimony of a epistolary courtship Now it is so easy to keep in touch, even if geographically distant, with phones but especially with the internet.

The only flaw is that sometimes the epistolary form can be boring and the lack of a real final but it is a true story based on real letters between two teenagers and could not be done otherwise.

I received a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

                                                             

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EXCERPT:

October 25, 1944

Dearest Sal,

Guess what the latest rumor in the neighborhood is? That George was wounded in the knee cap. He wrote two letters to Laverne and signed 'em “Love George.” She's soooo thrilled. And do you want to know a “lil” secret? Of course you know Rita. Well she is going to have a baby. Yep! A baby. The only trouble is that she forgot to get the marriage license. She's engaged, though! To Alex. You know, Tillie's brother. He was in on furlough about four months ago. Boy, I'd hate to be in her shoes.

I saw Hinks last night. He took us (Dolores, Elaine and I) out for a drink (of coke). We had pretty much fun. He's a good dancer. But I bet you could “outshine” him any day. Laverne started out with us yesterday but met up with Sonny. He took her to El Chicos. Personally I don't care for him, maybe it was because I never really got to know him, but I'm sure I'm not missing anything. Laverne always does that. When we girls get together occasionally, we tell each other “No one is to leave the crowd.” But leave it to her (Ain't I the catty one?) Even though we got along without her. Hinks left us after a while. Tillie came later on and gave us back our foursome. Hinks is working today. Poor boy.

Well today is Sunday and I just finished washing my hair. And then I start thinking about youse. So I says to myself, I think I'll write youse a letter to let youse know I'm thinking of you—you great big hunk of a man, you.

Excuse me, I'll be back in five minutes. I have to go and put my hair up in curlers. I got me a date for tonight. You'll be there in spirit, and when I kiss him goodnight, I'll be wishing it were you instead. Now just close your eyes and picture me with my hair in curlers and be glad you're not here.

Just think, work tomorrow, and can you imagine, I worked all last week—I wasn't out one day—the floor lady came over and congratulated me.

Well, I think I'll do my aunt a favor and do the dishes. Ooops! Just a minute, my aunt just passed by. You know dishes are a little out of my lines, but I'm making an exception today on account of I feel so good.

Laverne and Elaine just dropped in so I'll have to be closing now so write more often. After all, I need a little inspiration. So until I hear from you I remain as ever, yours truly and sincerely,

Loretta

Yeah! I send my love, too.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Laura Lynn Ashworth is an award-winning copywriter and political cartoonist.  While helping an elderly family member with veterans administration paperwork, she ran across “the letters” and instantly knew of their rarity, freshness and historical significance.  Although she received three publishing contracts within two months of sending the letters to major publishers, Ashworth decided to publish them herself on the advice of best-selling authors.  She currently lives and works in a northwest suburb of Chicago.

10% of author proceeds will be donated to the USO and VFW in loving memory of Sal and Loretta.

Website:  http://lauralynnashworth.com

http://lauralynnashworth.com/store/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007518694413

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Loretta-Radio-Shack-Teenage/dp/099095000X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Ms. Ashworth will be awarding $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour

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