Linda (Martocchio) Hart
New Release
Always: A Love Story
World War II: What a distinctive time. Against a backdrop of battle, hardship, and sacrifice, the young people of the 1930s and 1940s did what had to be done with pride and love for their country. Many of the youth of the time were able to put their personal dreams and goals on hold while they helped the war effort in any way possible.
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Emilio (Moe) Martocchio and Dolores Cagenello met and fell in love as high school students at Weaver High School, Hartford, CT, class of 1945. After graduation, Moe joined the Army Air Force and Dolores enrolled in the Cadet Nurses Training Program. Off they went their separate ways, all the while corresponding almost daily through their letters. Always tells the story of their enduring optimism and love.
Exhausted and exhilarated at once on this steamy Mississippi night, Moe lay warm and wet on the end of the 150-foot dock that reached into the bay. It was this dock that he and two of his buddies had been diving off and swimming from for the past hour and a half, noticing the beautiful phosphorescent lights dancing around their submerged bodies. He was mesmerized and free as the glimmering light ribboned its way around his limbs and torso, in awe of the beauty of this dance. The calm rhythm encouraged his calm nature which had been set askew after VJ Day. Not too far askew but just enough to adjust his view of his commitment to serve his country.
Chapter 21
Moe: September 1945
Book Excerpts
Moe and Dolores walked in the soft, gold sand of Babb's Beach early in the morning. Since this would be their last date before Moe left for his Tour of Duty, they had brought enough supplies to settle in for the day.
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The sun passed slowly from left to right in the clear blue sky, an occasional cottony cloud filtering the light. Moe and Dolores never let go of the other's hand, speaking softly, occasionally. The day was like many other this summer, and yet they both held onto each moment a little bit tighter than ever before, impressing each scene into their minds to last for the next two years of Moe's deployment.
Chapter 8
Babb's Beach: July 1945
A full moon and freezing rain ushered in the cold, gray Frebruary morning of 1946 in Hartford. The girls of Hartford Hospital School of Nursing were a flurry of excitement and nervous energy. With six months of training behind them, they were poised and ready for the special symbol of their profession, the starched white cap, uniquely designed to represent their program. But first, they were required to pass their finals.
They were like sisters, in this together. As their alarm clocks rang each morning, they dressed and did their hair, made their beds, and went to breakfast. They chatted about all kinds of things, quickly during the day and more in depth at night as they gathered to study and unwind.
Chapter 28
Dolores: February 1946
Upcoming Appearances
Stay Tuned for Book Reading Dates!
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About Linda Hart
Always: A Love Story is Linda Hart's first novel. A former English teacher and Guidance Counselor, she is content in her retirement living in her house near the beach, where she hosts her family and friends. Linda's hobbies include walking on the beach, writing, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She is excited to share her parents' love story and preserve the picture of life in the mid-20th century.
