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Clare Bills is a nearly normal writer who lives in the woods of Minnesota with her hubby, Ken, and rescue dog, Bennie. She grew up in Minneapolis as one of eight daughters. That's right, no brothers.
She first met Helen at a family reunion and was stunned when Helen confided in her secrets from her life and her mother's life. Clare was impressed with Helen's intelligent nature and abundance of talent and peace and asked if she could interview her further to write her story. Mountains of Trouble focused primarily on her mother, Cora's, incredible journey. In Mending Helen's Heart, we meet Helen as a teen and follow the roller coaster ride she endured while looking for love and stability.
Clare hopes both books will inspire readers to search their hearts and to seek peace in their lives.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Growing up in the country pre-World War II was difficult for Helen. With few of the amenities the young people in town enjoyed – like running water – Helen was constantly self-conscious and a target for teasing because she wasn’t as clean as the others and her clothes were often worn out at best. During her high school years, she moved into town and lived with her grandparents, but that wasn’t easy either. When a fellow student, one of the popular boys in school, Joseph, connects with Helen, she has high hopes that perhaps she has finally found love and a chance at a happy life with a family of her own. Then World War II begins and some of the choices Helen makes may not be for the best.
Clare Bills's romance novel, Mending Helen’s Heart, is the sequel to Mountains of Trouble. It’s a touching story about coming of age during a difficult era in world history. The plot follows Helen as she adjusts to life in town, living with a controlling grandmother and making her way in the work world. As the romance develops, Helen’s character evolves and she actually starts to blossom, breaking free from the previous stigma of being the dirty girl from the country with greasy hair and grubby clothes. The descriptive narrative sets the stage and invites the reader into the story. The characters are well developed and the dialogue is well constructed and believable and helps move the story along. This is an engaging read for young adults and up.
