Forever Violet

Violet's talent, resilience and iron will are the driving forces she depends upon to escape the trappings of her bleak existence and fulfill her ambition to become a successful writer in the Big City.

"Forever Violet" is the story of Violet Sheehan, a twelve-year old girl growing up during the Great Depression in Stony Hill, a poor neighborhood of New London, Connecticut. Raised in a loveless home, she endures years of cruelty and indifference from an alcoholic father and mentally unstable mother. Living the life of a gamin, Violet vows to escape the trappings of her bleak existence and fulfill her ambition to become a professional writer. Her journey from Stony Hill to Broadway is fraught with several traumatic experiences and setbacks before the harrowing climax, which leaves open questions of life's unpredictable twists, and the roles destiny and fate play in it.

James A. Costa is a retired West Seneca, N.Y. English teacher and the author of a number of novels, including "A Portal in Time' and "Murder on Mulberry Street." Frances R. Schmidt is a retired D'Youville University college administrator and author of an historical fiction novel, titled 'Fred: Buffalo Building of Dreams, and two job search books. The author website for "Forever Violet: From Stony Hill to Broadway" is located at Francesrschmidt.com. The unique co-authorship resulted from a serendipitous meeting between two authors of different genres. "Forever Violet" is a collaboration honoring the life and legacy of 97 year old Lillie R. Sharon's first writing project titled "Violet." Unfortunately, she passed away in 2022, leaving the bare bones of her novel intact. The authors believe Lillie's spirit brought them together to complete the novel regarding Violet's transformative life an ultimate destiny. It is their fervent hope they have stayed true to her intent and given some measure of justice to her vision.