The Crimson Parasol

Based on a true stories as told by my grandmother, I have embellished most of the stories as she did not tell me the details but only occasions as she remembered them. All these stories generated from our love of her front porch swing. I have always had a front porch and a swing as a result.

Lessie Collier lived a luxurious life, one of an only child born to an upper-middle class influential family. She never knew what it was to do without or survive on her own. Her parents doting on her every need. Life deals a brutal blow, one that pushes her beyond her ability to cope and leads to the eventual marriage to a man her parents refuse to give their blessing to. Lessie's new life leads her down a road of poverty, despair, and loneliness she would never have imagined. The story will keep you anticipating the next chapter, hard to put down until the dramatic end.

I grew up in a small town, have loved writing since I was a little girl. I was very close to my grandmother. One of my favorite places on earth was on her front porch swing where she would tell me stories of her life. I never grew tired of hearing them even though she told me repeatedly. She led a very interesting life, one I often thought would make good movie which led to writing this book. Most of it is embellished by my imagination as she only told me parts of the stories.