Today I want to welcome a friend to the blog. I know Sarah because she’s a Jewish mother, who acts in all ways as a Jewish mother should. I also know her because I’ve read the book she comes from. It’s a sweet little story that we read and critiqued in my writing group, and it’s written by Henry Tobias.
My Dearest Regan,
When Jonny first told me about you, even though your first meeting hadn’t gone too well I felt his excitement. After all, I’m a Jewish mother and you sounded so ideal. But, as he told me more, I began to have reservations.
Your name! What Jewish family names their daughter after a character in a Shakespeare tragedy? Rachel, Rebecca, I know, but Regan?
When I first met you, I was enchanted by your beauty. You weren’t a classic beauty, not cover-girl pretty, but I looked into your face and saw your charm, the loveliness that Jonny had seen. Your soul glowed from inside your being and warmed Jonny’s heart.
When I learned of your problems, I was worried. But who doesn’t have problems? By that time I had seen how happy you made Jonny.
Regan, welcome to the family. It may be cliché but you’re the daughter we never had and both Dad and I love you like our own.
May you and Jonny live long, happy lives, and let’s not forget the grandchildren I want.
Love,
Sarah.
If you want to know about those problems Sarah hinted at, you’ll have to read the story.
About Regan – a Love Story
A touching novella about overcoming adversity, young love, the quest for spiritual fulfilment and never-ending love. The narrator remembers the 1970s and his one and only love. Longing is tinged with humour and pathos. The story will make you laugh and cry. Taking place across two countries, the characters and situations are real. A story which could be played out again today across the globe.
Regan – a Love Story is available from Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.
About Henry Tobias
Henry Tobias was born in London, England, and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa where he trained as a pharmacist. As a young boy he was a member of Zionist Youth Movements in South Africa – one of the factors which influenced his decision to live in Israel. The other influence was The Holocaust – the murder of some SIX million Jews by the Nazis and their accomplices, which included citizens of many of the nations across Europe. He has a deep love of reading, especially history, particularly of World War II, The Holocaust including The Kindertransport and Jewish history throughout the ages. Some of his favourite authors are Richard Overy, Bernard Lewis and John Toland. Now retired he writes and edits. He lives in Israel with his wife of 44 years. He has three adult children and so far one beautiful granddaughter. He has so far published one anthology of eclectic short stories, ‘Just for Fun’ and is currently working on his second book, an historical novel of World War II.
Miriam Drori, Author 