Stranger In A White Dress
‘We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.’
~E. M. Forster~
Set against the backdrop of the late 1970s, the story of a chance meeting one summer’s night between two eighteen year olds unfolds: Sherri, an English girl living in rural Suffolk, and Jonathan (Jon), an American G. I. from California newly posted to a USAF base nearby.
They fall in love fast, but Sherri, delighted to show off her homeland to this “new boy”, soon discovers that although growing up thousands of miles apart, they share dark similarities, which quickly threaten to unravel their relationship.
Their mothers divorced from alcoholic fathers, both were raised by abusive step-fathers. Jon’s increasing drug use and resulting paranoia clash with Sherri’s insecurities as hopes of “fixing” him and of the stable family life she dreams of slip away.
Los Angeles and lust; obsession and rage; passion and the power of love: theirs is a love affair defined by break-ups and make-ups, and then a shattering revelation explodes into this already volatile mix, altering the course of both their lives profoundly and forever.
A tale of darkest tragedy, yet dotted with moments of hilarity and at times the utterly absurd, this is a story of two young people who refuse to give up, believing their love will overcome all.
Not until decades after their chance meeting, and during a return trip to Los Angeles in 2013, does Sherri discover that Jon’s last wish has been granted.
It’s then that she knows the time has come to tell her story.
Pingback: My Latest Meet-up With Fellow Blogger, Sherri Matthews – Sarah Potter Writes
Pingback: 49 Days In 1988: Week 36 – Choices – Hugh's Views & News
Pingback: In Which I Cross The Finish Line And Wish You Happy Christmas | A View From My Summerhouse
This sounds like a very interesting book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must get my hands on this book!! Hurry! I gotta know what happens!! What are the secrets that make their relationship explode?? WHat was Jon’s last wish?
This is a dynamite blurb, Sherri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your comment, thank you so much, Melinda! I am back to the last of my edits so hopefully you will find out not too far off…! 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay!!
LikeLike
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Guest Writer Sherri Matthews – #Memoir – Times Past Challenge: Chinese Spoons And Eating Out | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Guest Writer Sherri Matthews -#Memoir – The Great British Staycation and A Brew Up – California Style | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Guest Writer Sherri Matthews -#Memoir – My Dad, The Great Train Robbery and A Game of Cricket | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Guest Writer – Sherri Matthews #Memoir – Holiday Reading, Ghosts And The Norfolk Broads | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Pingback: School Days, Reminiscences of Sherri Matthews | Norah Colvin
Pingback: Blogging With A Little Help From Your Friends. A Guest Post By Sherri Matthews @WriterSherri – Hugh's Views & News
Sounds great Sherri. Best of luck. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marje, and thank you so much! You’ve made my day… hope all is well with you and see you sooner rather than later, hopefully… 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Hi yes I’m fine Sherri but overworked as usual! Would be lovely to catch up soon perhaps we should all have a get together before Xmas! Xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you catch some downtime soon, Marje. Glad you’re fine though. But yes…that would be great!!! ❤ xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s our busiest time at work we are recruiting new students for the beginning of term – I work at an international sixth form. Hopefully it might be less hours from September – I hope so! xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh right, so no wonder you’re so busy, Marje…yikes! Let’s hope so and all the best with it all. And here’s to that meet up fingers crossed before Christmas! Take care, my friend. I will catch up with you very soon… 🙂 ❤ xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, its been so long since I’ve spent time in the blogging world…but delighted to read that your memoir is in the final home stretch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness…how wonderful to hear from you, my friend! I’ve been sparse too, to say the least…but yes, I am on the home stretch, only almost 7 years later! I hope you are doing well ❤
LikeLike
Hi Sherri,
Love what I’ve read so far. And ready to read more. It’s so good to see you on the straight-line towards the finish-line. Well done! With so many emotions involved, your writing story was (and is) amazing.
It’s good to see you doing well. After I was a stranger for a while because of working as a full-time teacher, moving back to Europe and becoming the Head of Science in my new school. Busy times but right decision.
Love, Ilka
LikeLiked by 1 person
… and wishing you a great start into the year 2020 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise, dear Ilka! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh Ilka, what a thrill, it is so wonderful to catch up with you, my friend, and good to hear of your positive and exciting new life changes. Welcome back to Europe, neighbour 🙂 Huge congratulations on your Head of Science position, and a more perfect position for you I cannot imagine! Your students must love you and your teaching, of that I am sure! I am so glad to hear you made the right decision, although I have missed you greatly in blogland. I haven’t blogged as much as I would like since making the decision to put all my priorities into finishing my memoir the last couple of years especially. Lots of rewrites, edits and more again, and finally I got it ready to submit for agent representation. Now I wait and let’s see. I am so happy you enjoyed the read so far and want to read more, that is music to my ears and has made my start to the new year! So good to make contact again! I wish you and your family a wonderful and very Happy New Year and a great 2020 ahead! Love, Sherri ❤ xxx
LikeLike