LITERARY LOCALS | Nóirín Leahy Mele, Naperville; Thom Wilder, Bensenville; Vi Vi Nguyen, Aurora

SUPPORT THESE LOCAL AUTHORS

There are many awe-inspiring books written by local area authors and each month we feature three of them. We invite you to support their literary endeavors & purchase a copy of their latest release.

DANCING IN THE HEATHER Nóirín Leahy Mele, Naperville

The story begins on the western coast of Ireland, specifically Great Blasket Island. Beautiful Aeylish O’Kelly, a poor girl who lives on the island, is watching a mighty storm brew on the Atlantic when she hears David, a wealthy socialite from the U.S., crying for help after his boat capsizes. When Aeylish swims out to save him, their love story begins. One problem: they’re both engaged to other people.

Aeylish is set to emigrate to New York, in order to earn money and to marry Maurice, and David’s nuptials are set to take place back in San Francisco. Neither one can deny their feelings for one another, no matter how hard they try, but they will have to fight scandal, tragedy and betrayal, to be together. Will they ultimately end up together…or will their love be lost?

Nóirín Leahy Mele is a native of Ireland and has a bachelor's degree from U of I and a master's from Loyola. Dancing in the Heather is her first published novel. Available at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

THE GHOSTS OF WHEATON Thom Wilder, Bensenville

The year was 1992 and the Wheaton Tigers were up against the seemingly invincible Joliet Hilltoppers in the Illinois Class 5A state football championship. No one expected the Tigers to pull out a victory but they did, in an amazing 40-34 double-overtime win, making it a first-ever state title for Wheaton Warrenville South High School.

The Ghosts of Wheaton is the story of football done right – with class, sportsmanship and dignity--and of how those values shape the young men who play for Wheaton, on and off the field. This book was based on the reflections and observations of many coaches, players, administrators and fans and depicts the resurgence of Tiger football that would result in the program becoming one of the most successful in Illinois – it’s the story of how champions are made!

Thom Wilder is a journalist, teacher and sports aficionado whose work has been published by many news organizations. Wilder earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana University and law degree from Loyola. Available at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and at the author’s website, www.thomwilder.com.

LIFE IN VIETNAM: DREAMS OF AMERICA Vi Vi Nguyen, Aurora

Born in South Vietnam right at the beginning of America’s involvement in the war, Vi spent her formative years experiencing the atrocities of war. It was during that time she decided her future should be in America.

In 1975 Vietnam became a communist nation and because of Vi’s father's involvement with the South Vietnamese army, her family was denied almost all rights of citizenship. Over the course of the following years Vi and her family had to endure estrangement, imprisonment and near-death experiences, but eventually she and her younger brother and father escaped the communist regime.

This is a story of triumph and determination and how the road to one’s dreams and goals are worth every struggle.

Vi Vi Nguyen spent 13 years under communist rule in Vietnam before she escaped and was accepted onto American soil. Today, Vi lives happily in Aurora with her husband and two stepsons and owns a successful nail salon. Available at www.amazon.com.

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