My novels are stories about loving, forgiving, and struggling not to lose hope in the face of hopelessness. They are written from my heart, and I believe they show the resilience of the human spirit and the value of family and friendship, not to mention the need for reconciliation and closure. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll fall in love!
Purchase from Amazon
Purchase from Amazon
Purchase from Amazon
REVIEW . . .
RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.(Infinity Publishing) This breakout novel by newcomer, Virginia C. Foley, is an emotionally packed powerhouse.
At 18 Cain Farrell has it all, looks, smarts, sweet girlfriend and almost assuredly a full baseball scholarship to the college of his choice.
In the blink of an eye that all changes when his knack of finding trouble seems to bury him alive. Full of raging hormones, a girlfriend a year younger than him and decidedly more innocent, Cain takes up with Carrie Willet. Her offer of a no-strings, physical only relationship is just what his teenage body needs, or so he thinks.
When Cain and Carrie are caught in a compromising position, she turns on Cain. Claiming acts of violence and rape have been forced upon her, she sends Cain into the worst tailspin of his life. He loses everything his home, college, baseball and Joanne, the girl he hoped to marry.
While the events of Cain’s life spin out of control Ms. Foley takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride right along with him. We can feel the oppressing heat as Cain toils in the sun doing hard labor. Pain hits our hearts when he is accosted by another inmate and his face raked across the bars, and joy abounds when Cain finds a love, faithful and true that loves the real him.
Pick up Righteous Indignation and watch Cain Farrell grow from teenager to a man within the confines of a prison cell. Rejoice with him as he overcomes battles to get back his life and find the balance within it. Feel his frustration that the long arm of Sam Willet seems to be unending in its reach, and finally, smile when you realize Cain has become a part of you and you don’t want the book to end. I know I didn’t.
Virginia C. Foley is a wonderful story teller and does a phenomenal job at tugging readers' heart strings. She resides in Chicago along with her husband of thirty plus years and is a middle school teacher, mom of three daughters and grandmother of three. Her second book,I Think I Hear Sleigh Bellsis also published through Infinity Publishing and readers are anxiously awaiting the completion of her third.
Debi Salanitro
New Jersey USA Editor and Columnist
Virginia C. Foley, I Think I Hear Sleigh Bells
Reviewed by Jozette Aaron
Ethan McBride was deserted by his mother as a baby. His father, very indifferent to his son except to meet his needs for survival, set him up in his own house in Lincoln Park, including a full compliment of staff. Ethan was two years old!
He was raised by Stella, his housekeeper, who loved him as if he were her own. Many a day she would catch him pining for the mother who promised to return for Christmas. He sat with his gift in hand, waiting for her to return...a gift that went un-opened for twenty-two years.
Ethan grew up not trusting anyone to love him. He lived his life very privately, not letting anyone close enough to see the hurt there. Tragedy would strike at the hands of Vienna, a deranged acquaintance of his; someone who thought she loved Ethan and set out to make him love her in return.
When Grace Dukane entered his life, Ethan was thrown into an emotional quagmire of old hurts, hatred, despair and longing and was being pulled down to a place he thought he would be unable to emerge from.
Ms. Foley has written a very powerful, emotional story of a tangled web woven from deceit and how it touched the lives of everyone whether innocent or guilty.
Publisher: Infinity Publishing Release Date: June 2003 ISBN: 0-7414-1588-7
Letting Go
Rating: 5.0 stars
Reviewed by Michael McManus for Readers' Favorite
Jake is a starry-eyed adolescent, who is so much in love with Erika that he cannot see that they are drifting apart. He is caught up with school and work and planning a life in their little Illinois town, with its bandstand park and its quaintly little Main Street. Erika, who loves him dearly and has done so since they were very young, has other plans. As a talented musician, she has the opportunity to go to the big town and participate in the excitement and glamor of life in Chicago. Try as she might, she finds Jake resisting a move with her out of his idyllic surroundings and the safe harbor of their little hamlet. Jake’s grandmother, Sara, who has raised him since his mother died in a car accident when he was a toddler, has doubts about Erika’s sincerity. Having never liked the girl, Sara believes it is best for Jake to forget her and move on with his life. Conflict arises between Jake and Sara over their disconnect about Erika and Jake’s future together, but an undercurrent of deception and the development of unexpected circumstances change their lives far more than a break-up with a first love.
“Letting Go” by Virginia C. Foley is written in the first person from the point of view of two of the characters in the book, Jake and his grandmother, Sara. By shifting focus from one character’s perspective to the other, she builds drama, as she works through the tensions that each is feeling from the events that are detailed in the story. I really like this technique. It adds depth to the story that would not have been there if it were narrated by a single voice. I happily recommend this story. The characters are real. The dialog is believable and the situations are current and familiar.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
"I knew you could tell a good story when I started to care about Cain. Then, when I cried over him, it occurred to me that you may be one of the great 'ones'." Sandy Miller
"Not to sound too cliche, but the book is truly an emotional rollercoaster. The writing is so authentic and the characters are so real that you're hooked right from the start." Tim Sullivan
"A whirlwind of mishap. How something so simple, so innocent, can easily change the lives of so many. A fictitious story with so much truth. Whether through fantasy or life experience, it was easy to fall right into the story and become a member of the Farrell family." Nancy Morrison
"I just finished your book, and I was really impressed. I was upset each night when I had to stop reading, and there wasn't a page that didn't hold my interest. There are two girls in my office that are avid readers, so I have them reading it so I can get an unbiased opinion. The first one hasn't finished it yet, but she said she also can't put it down. Good job!" Ginny Litz
"Just to let you know, not only did the two girls in my office rave about the book but a third couldn't wait till they finished so she ordered one. They are convinced you will be a friend that I can say I knew you when!" Ginny Litz
"This was one of the best books I have come across in a long time. Everytime I tried to put it down, it was like a magnet; it kept pulling me back to read it. I do believe it would make a great movie of the week without a doubt!" Lucine Sheridan
"What an emotional rollercoaster! I loved Cain's character; he broke my heart and made me laugh-out-loud. Oh, and let's not forget the tears!" Melinda Rump
"Righteous Indignation is a compelling page-turner! Its character, Cain Farrell, will surprise, astound, and confound you as you are drawn into his life." Lori Wilfinger
"I read Righteous Indignation. It was wonderful! How did you do all the research? It is making its way through all my family and getting rave reviews. We're looking forword to reading your second book." Joan Hammonds
Ethan McBride might be the tragic hero of this novel,I Think I Hear Sleigh Bells, but he handles it beautifully. His pseudo-orphaned lifestyle up until the point of the story has created quite a character out of him, a heart-breaker and a talented individual, yet modest and even quite humble. He may be rich, but he proves to us all that money cannot buy happiness, and though he grew up in posh and comfortable surroundings, he was someone I could identify with from the beginning. Virginia Foley hits another home run with this novel, another tear-jerker and powerful book. Buy it today! Melanie Gussy
After loving Virginia Foley's first book, Righteous Indignation I couldn't wait to get the notice that her second book was out. Believe me she didn't disappoint! I Think I hear Sleigh Bells is a great read. Ginny Litz
"I wanted to tell you how much we have loved reading your books. You have an awesome ability and talent, Ginnie, and we're delighted to see it in print! Linda Stankiewicz
"I wanted to tell you how wonderful both books were. They made me laugh, cry , and feel sad & happy all at once." Brook Wolf-Lindsey
"I enjoyed both books so very much; I felt like I was one of the characters in the stories. The books were passed on to my family. They have all read them and are waiting patiently for the third." Maxine Eulberg
"I loved it (Righteous Indignation)!!!! I tried to start Sleigh Bells right after, but I felt like I was betraying Cain! :-). Yes, it was that powerful!!!!" Debi Salanitro
Have you ever wondered why an author chose a particular character or story line for a book, how long it took to write the book, or where the ideas came from? Virginia Foley would enjoy speaking, either personally or by phone, with any group who chooses any of her novels for its book discussion. Please leave an email with your contact information at gine5@aol.com
Libraries, Bookstores, Neighborhood Groups
Contact Virginia for book signings and/or discussions. She is available many evenings or weekends. Leave an email with contact information, and she will get back to you soon.
