Review: "Love's Sweet Memories"
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2013
Author Carolyn Arnold has written several stories comprising of several different genres.  This is a novella she has written that will touch your soul.  The story opens with Tess and Barry Hart laying in bed together.  Tess wakes early, and caressing Barry's arm as he is a sound sleeper. her warm thoughts of him go back to when they first met during one summer in the 50's at a carnival.  Tess is 16 years old, Barry is 18, and they are drawn to each other immediately.  You might say she 'fell' for him right away as she made a swift run to the porta-potty, tripping and falling hard to the ground.  Barry was the person who helped her to her feet; and she was soon flying with thoughts of love for him.  When summer came to an end, Tess was late for his departure when his parents picked him up from his cousin's home.  She was too late, he had gone. Barry was angry, and broken-hearted.  Tess was saddened with her loss of Barry, but she dreamed of a fulfilling career as a dancer. It was nine years before they met up again.  She had worked hard and was a very accomplished dancer for the New York City Ballet.  One day near Christmas, she is having coffee with a friend in a cafe when Barry strolls into the shop.  He's on leave from the Navy for a couple more weeks.  They both rekindle their love for each other, getting married just before he must return to his ship.  Perhaps it's my age, perhaps it's because I've been married for 43 years, but I knew pain and sorrow would appear in this story.  This may be fiction, but I recognize it has reality for most long-married couples who are aged.  The bright side of this story is having the best, loving memories of one's life to bring back such thoughts on a daily basis.  It's our memories that stay with us forever.  The story is extremely compelling, writing quality is great, and it's easy to read.  There are very serious tones to this story that everyone faces one time or another in life. But the message here, for me, is love strong, live strong, and cherish the good times. Thank you, Carolyn for writing this moving story.