Twilight's Hidden Truth by Rachel Valencourt

Intriguing, Absorbing, Emotional

Historical Fiction/Family Drama/Romance/Coming Of Age/Women’s Fiction

Twilight’s Hidden Truth by Rachel Valencourt, book two of the ‘Winds of Change Trilogy’

Twyla Silverson is about to be confronted with the events of her past, both good and bad, when her mother Dawn, on her ninetieth birthday, makes a brave decision and hands her granddaughter Styla, her lifetime of memories with the soul condition that she use the information to write their matriarch’s memoirs. Why is it brave? She is letting go of the burden of truth that she has held for so many years, not having been able to find the words, and she knows that somewhere in that box, amongst the papers, letters, photographs, child’s drawings and stories, journals and other keepsakes from those closest to her, there lies a secret, one that could shatter the very foundations that her family have so lovingly built. It is also brave because she knows that she is the only one who can answer the questions that will inevitably come. All that she can do now is sit and wait….

Naturally, having read the first novel in Rachel’s ‘Winds of Change Trilogy’, I was always intending to read the others. The main thing that really worked for me in ‘Every Night Has A Dawn’ were the time periods, particularly the 1930s in Oklahoma where Millie Dawn and her siblings grew up. So, in contrast to that, I was concerned that this book was moving onto more modern times and wouldn’t have the same feel to it, or attraction. The cover depicts Twyla wearing sunglasses that reflect the Hollywood sign, not traditionally a location of a novel I might read. However, my worries were unfounded, as soon as I got into the first page, there was something about Rachel’s words that made me feel nothing about this novel would be over sensationalised or extreme and that it would stay true to her style of writing that I came to enjoy so much in the first novel. I had read the first book on K.U, but I’m glad I now own the books. They are stunning, both in volume and in presentation, and I know I would have been very proud to have written them. With colourful covers that accurately interpret what lies inside, each chapter is a nice length with an exquisite illustration of a flower at the start. The chapter headings cleverly relate to….something, but I’ll leave you to figure that out for yourself. The back of the book contains information relating to the third story in the Trilogy, information about the author and also background information on the inspiration for the Trilogy. There is also as a lovely touch I thought, a recipe for ‘Mom’s spaghetti and meatballs’ as mentioned in the book as a Cameron family favourite. Probably most useful for me is a glossary of the 1970s and 1980s terms used. I knew what most of them meant but it was good to have it for reference.

It was a comfort to return to this cosy and familiar narrative with characters that I adored in the first novel, and introductions to others who I now feel just as fond of. The line of the story wasn’t entirely what I expected, as I thought it would pick up where the first book left off, which it did, but I expected it to carry that narrative throughout the novel. However, it followed the same format as ‘Every Night Has A Dawn’ with a beginning and ending that correlate, and between those chapters, the author fills in what has happened to her characters during the intervening years. Twyler’s journey is told from the ages of eight to fifty.

The first thing I picked up on was the mention of Tallie, Dawn’s friend from Neah Bay as I was looking to see which characters from the first book would be in the second. It was really nice to see that she is still a part of Dawn’s life. Starla’s husband, Sebastian being English and the family having to get used to the differences between American and British banter, I presume was a nod to the author’s husband being British and him integrating into an American family. It was also at this point that I noticed the duplication of names from one generation to the next, a nice connection to link the two novels, and to demonstrate that at one point, this practice was common and still is with some families. There are quite a few details included that link the two books, as you’d expect. It gave me a little lift to realise all these things, either from the last book, or because of what I know about Rachel Valencourt who I follow online. The element of the narrative involving the new family from the city, I didn’t really enjoy as I felt it was a shame to include something that was so negative, but then I guess it had to reflect real life and that sort of thing went on back then. I was however pleased when Ellis relented from his stoic stubbornness and decided that they should move. It is during this time that either Dawn or her older sister Rory voice a very profound quote, one I must remember...’Don’t Borrow Tomorrow’s Worries For Today’. When Charlie Lockheart was mentioned, I didn’t remember who he was, and didn’t catch on until the end, so clearly I had forgotten more of the finer details of ‘Every Night Has A Dawn’ than I had thought, which is a bit worrying as I only read it last November. I have read a lot in between though. The inclusion of the German Shepherds whilst necessary to the plot, were nicely reflected in Dawn’s choice of pet as a girl. I love continuity. I was surprised when the police said they couldn’t protect them, therefore leaving them no choice but to move location.

I imagined it must have been very difficult for Twyla experiencing the conflict in her heart and mind, in the age she was living and the way that it was almost expected she should act, to follow more grown up pursuits, and yet she was loathe to let go of her childhood and break out of the sensible persona that she had naturally developed. She was yet to discover her niche, when all around her people had found theirs, a place in life, and it was helpful that she had a teacher to encourage and nurture this. Mr Dougherty’s laid back attitude of the times made me smile. Rory being the more rebellious sister is hilarious when she decides to burn her bra and then asks Twyla to help her clear up afterwards. I also wasn’t sure if it counted, being done in the privacy of your own home, not much of a statement there really. The bond between the two girls was a lovely thing to see develop. Rory teases Twyla about her childish ways, but Twyla being the more mature one despite her age, takes it in her stride. She is then able to gain Rory’s admiration by announcing that she intends to attend a poetry group, to which Rory says she will accompany her sister, but in order to do so has to borrow Twyla’s spare bra. I laughed out loud at that! I must at this point mention some very good poetry from the author. I wasn’t aware that this was one of her strengths. It is a beautiful thing that through her love of poetry, Twyla then receives acceptance, making her feel stronger, as she has always felt like an outsider, hence the book that she comes to love and it is then that she finds her long awaited niche.

It is apparent that Twilight is a forgiving soul when she communicates to her mum that the family who gave them trouble, should be allowed some grace, that you never know what troubles may lead to a person’s behaviour. She also demonstrates that she is wise beyond her years in many ways, in her younger years anyway, just as her mum was. Once again, the issue of racism is a subject in this book as it had been in the last, but then racism still exists today. I thought Twyla’s support of her brother and Maya was really heart warming, not only in the pep talk that she gives Randall, but also the admiration she clearly feels when they refuse to acknowledge those around them. It would seem that the whole episode is also an education for Rory given her expectations of how Randall should react. The whole issue doesn’t occur to Twyla until Randall brings it to her attention. Being brought up with Tallie as their mother’s best friend has obviously been a very good thing for the siblings.

The Vietnam War is underway, and sadly, Twilight’s family aren’t left untouched by this, just as Dawn’s weren’t, but in very different ways. Ellis saluting his son before he leaves speaks of the respect and pride of that time. Something that has sadly been lost in varying degrees. I liked Twyla’s description of drinking Champagne during a family celebration, likening it to drinking ‘Pure Sunshine’. After a friend departs with her family to move to another town, the author writes that ‘Twyla wonders if true happiness and stability exist’. How sad that a child of that age should have such a thought.

In the truck on the way to writing camp, Twyla’s playful way of annoying Rory in asking her Dad to tell stories made me smile. Twyla’s experience at the camp sparks much change in her, change that doesn’t go unnoticed by her sister, and their time at the homestead further increases confidence within both girls, cementing their bond with their mutual love for horses, and boys. Rory refers to Twyla as her best friend, all these aspects are reminiscent of Dawn and Franny. The incident at the airport was an education for me, as well as for Twyla and Rory. It wasn’t something that I’d ever given any thought to.

Ever the wild child, the times that Rory leads Twyla astray are a joy for the girls in amongst difficult times, but they invariably lead to trouble, other than the gas incident. I was amazed that they got away with that one. It has its positive side though, demonstrating to Twyla how much she has grown in confidence, and how able she is to take care of herself….and her sister.

Dawn extending the family traditions to her brood that Lenora upheld when she was small that were probably started generations before, gives this trilogy it’s heart. It makes me sad that there isn’t more of this around nowadays, certainly with British families.

The family exploring a new hobby, initiated by Randall was a good vehicle to use (literally) to enable Twilight to find Caleb. When Caleb can’t make a date and Rory encourages Twyla to invite Keith to make up a foursome, only to have his hopes dashed at the last minute, I felt really sorry for him. The lad he was then, is quite the contrast from the adult he becomes. What happens during the next stage of Twyla and Caleb’s relationship, I won’t spoil, except to say that to begin with he is quite the gentleman staying over on Twyla’s family’s couch when he suspects Twyla is poorly. What Twyla experiences in these times, strengthens both the bond between her and Caleb, but also the one between her and Rory. However, it serves as a reminder to Dawn of her younger days, altering the way in which she behaves, arousing her youngest daughter’s suspicions.

Twyla terms this next challenge as ‘the delicate balance navigated between adolescence and adulthood’, dealing with the demands of her new life and her lack of closure from the old one, feeling that the relationship with her mother has been damaged, tensions run high. The easy banter when she is playing Monopoly with some of the other youngsters within the family must have been a release from all that was happening to her. It reminded me just how young she really was. I wondered if she really was aware of the gravitas of her situation, not helped when on the one hand the young couple are saying that they want to be independent, but on the other, Ellis is paying for Twyla’s fees to return to school. When Twyla realised that with Caleb gone for much of the time. she was lonely and entertained the idea of moving back nearer her family, Caleb’s objections started alarm bells ringing. Caleb did at one point mention to Twyla that he had fallen out with his father, but this was never mentioned again.

It is around this part of the book that the author reverts Twyla’s surname to ‘Cameron’. As it was just for the one chapter, it felt at that point like the chapters were journal entries from Twyla. Was this the author’s intention? I thought that Caleb went on to show characteristics that were shades of Ellis’s behaviour early on in his marriage to Dawn, and wasn’t surprised when Ellis defended Caleb to Twyla. It brought a tear or two to my eye when Ellis is sick and it is another poignant moment for Twyla, when he tells her to always remember that she is a ‘Cameron’. I really felt for Bobby, having had a similar situation myself. What follows, is a tumultuous and difficult time for Twyla, kicked off by the youngest sibling once again, being influenced by Rory’s carefree ways, although the reaction of another was I think disproportionate to the trigger.

Just when I thought that all the drama had subsided, a call from Twyla’s eldest sister, sets off a chain of events that end in both tragedy, evoking memories from the Cameron’s time living in Panoma to the fore for Twyla and her siblings, and relief, making Twyla realise what is really important and that it is time to return to her roots and original aspirations.

Bringing the story up to date, Starla finds a piece of paper in amongst the stuff given to her grandmother. It is clever how the author hasn’t moved the story on from the end of the first novel and to the degree that the reader may have been hoping, but instead given us more information on what has gone before with another central character. Although this was frustrating, I think it was an intelligent tactic to use.

I am really enjoying this Trilogy and cannot wait to read the third novel. I will definitely be waiting to see what Rachel Valencourt writes from now on.