The Girl with the Blue Ribbon, (Paperback)

The summer of 1978 began Rose's teenage years. While on holiday Rose meets a boy of sixteen in a small New England town along the coast and at the docks; his name was Samuel Bennett. As they talked to one another Rose had forgotten to tell the boy her name, but she knew his. Her heart fluttered for the first time and after spending some time talking to the boy her heart was in love. The boy felt the same and although most would say that first loves don't last, theirs did. He kept her gift to him and never parted from it with the hopes she would return year after year.

Returning home from that vacation her life transformed for the worst. After living through hell for almost nineteen years Rose's life changes when her husband dies. She has the chance of a lifetime to begin again. Finally the dreams and hopes she once lost are in front of her. She makes a big decision to leave her home town and have her own business somewhere away from the hatred and sadness that had surrounded her for so long.

She buys a business in Williams Port where she spent her last vacation at thirteen. This lovely little town that reminded her family of home in Ireland and where she met Samuel Bennett for the first time. Throughout the years she secretly kept Sam in her heart and new everything about him. All the while Sam Bennett kept her in his heart as well, but life changed for both of them. Rose felt with both their lives changed over the years she would never see him again.

Things were looking up for Rose and it's was a new start. As she found new friends she formed a special relationship with older residents of Williams Port that no one cared for, but she found a way into their hearts. With her upbringing and desire to help others she reached out and made sure she humbly helped those in need.

Enjoying the freedom to live, her world was about to go out of control. Sam returned to her life, but he didn't know her. Rose keeps her distance from him because as she knew over the years he wasn't just anyone, but the son of an aristocrat. Although her memory from that time on the dock from so long ago was that of a simple boy and not a nightmare spoiled rich kid.

Her dreadful past is slowly catching up to her due to others trying to make her life dismal. She herself cannot comprehend what is happening to her, but the past she has hidden within her mind is trying to unleash itself like torment sent from hell. Only Rose can unleash the horrors of her past life, but she can't find the way.

With the love of her close knit Irish family, friends and mostly Sam she has no idea of this small army that has banded together to help her move forward. Finding that true love and trust in others will be a long road.