Friday, November 9, 2012

*** Book Spotlight *** The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap by Paulette Mahurin

THE PERSECUTION OF MILDRED DUNLAP 
By Paulette Mahurin 
ISBN # 978-0-9771866-1-7 Price: $14.95 

The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing. 

“Paulette Mahurin’s first novel is surefooted and unflinching in its portrayal of a singular and unique character and her compelling struggles. Compassionate and confident, Mahurin allows Mildred’s story to burn through onto the page with all its inherent outrage and tenacious, abiding love. Here is a character we can champion—flawed, striving, surviving— and fully embrace in her awkward, beautiful navigation of a world that resists her in every way.” Deb Norton, Playwrite/screenwriter of The Whole Banana 

“If you need to question your values, read this book! The author captures the intolerance and hypocrisy of a 1895 Nevada town, and its transcendence in time through tolerance and understanding. The angst and pain that two women feel daily, living the ‘lie’ of 
their lesbian relationship, and the prejudice they must endure, is unconscionable. I 
was moved to tears by their struggle in the face of the conflicted values that continue 
to dominate our ‘modern’ society.” William K. Fox, PhD, Professor of Zoology 

MY REVIEW

5 OF 5 ROSES

This is a book I would not usually read. I find myself reading YA and Erotica and Historical Books so when I was asked to read this book I told the author I would give it a go. I am so glad I did! This book had so many surprises in it and I was pulled in by the words that I had to know what happened next. I read this book in one sitting because I have never ever read about such ignorance and prejudices in my life. I mean you hear about these types of things and you read about them but to read them from a person who had endured it is insane!

Mildred Dunlap is a quirky character because she is rich but she is not one of those rich snobs that acts all prissy towards people and she does not flaunt her money either. She is reserved and she keeps to herself only sharing things with two people Edra and Charley. She knows she is no Miss America in the looks department but she does not care. She is keeping a secret and she asks Charley for help with her secret. He agrees to help her and the friendship they develop is incredible.

Mildred and Edra will endure a lot of hard ache and pain because of who they are and what they keep as a secret. I will not give it away because you have to read this story. It is so hauntingly good it will blow you away! Thank you Paulette for allowing me to read such an awe inspiring journey of truth, rumors and secrets that lead to a beautiful ending. 
Paulette Mahurin is a nurse practitioner, specializing in women's health in a rural clinic in where she lives with her husband and two rescued dogs. She also taught in several college level nursing programs, including UCLA, where she had a Master's Degree in Nursing from their nurse practitioner program. Her two passions are writing and rescuing dogs.While in college she wrote and published two award winning non-fiction short stories.
LINKS:

AMAZON:

GOODREADS:

FACEBOOK:

BLOG:

TWITTER:

WEBSITE:

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much, Tee, for the great review and helping spread the word about my book, in the name of tolerance. And, also since profits are all going to animal rescue you're helping with this effort also. I'm very grateful.
Big cyber hug,
Paulette

Teena in Toronto said...

I enjoyed this book.