Caffeinated Reviewer

Based on the early life of author G. L. Gooding’s mother, Where Courage Began tells the story of Velma, her three siblings, and her widowed mother Alice Steele. A touching historical fiction, rich in historic details, shares life in rural Iowa during the Depression Era of the 1920s.

A blizzard rages outside a ramshackle Iowa farmhouse in February of 1921. Five-year-old Velma and her older sister stand near a glowing Isinglass stove charged with minding their two younger brothers.

Velma senses that her father is dying in the nearby living room, and she wonders if her mother can possibly survive the raging snowstorm in her brave effort to get help.

Based on the early life of author G. L. Gooding's mother, Where Courage Began tells the story of Velma, her three siblings, and her widowed mother Alice Steele.

Life for the young family in Woodward, Iowa, requires courage, tenacity, and ingenuity. Through setbacks, tragedies, and triumphs the Steeles forge a meaningful life in their adopted community during the difficult days leading up to The Great Depression. And it is young Velma, wise beyond her years, who plays a pivotal role in the family's survival.

Verified for local historical accuracy, Where Courage Began shines light on Depression-era communities and their values for God, the land, hard work, family, and friendship.

I love historical fiction based on history and was excited to begin this tale of early American history in rural Iowa. The author shares the stories told to him about his mother and her siblings. Life was hard, but the story drew me in as the widow and her children left the farm and began a new life in the town of Woodward.

Velma is the middle child and was a delightful, insightful child. From the long hours of work to the excitement of the classroom, the author captured their daily life and the community of friends they built for themselves during a difficult time in American history.

The author touched on issues from racism, to the hatred between religion, but also shed light on community, acceptance, pride, healing and friendship through the eyes of a precocious five-year-old as she grows up in the small-town. I loved the family and Velma’s mom, who worked tirelessly to provide for her for children. The secondary characters from the general merchants to the school teacher added to the tale and provided romance, friendship, and more.

I quickly devoured their story and look forward to the next audiobook, The Road to Resilience. This is a three-book series that chronicles her life. Narrated by Kate Wisniewski, the audiobook enhanced the story and brought the story to life. I highly recommend listening.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

About G.L. Gooding

American novelist G. L. Gooding is the author of five novels that have warmed the hearts of audiences around the globe. Gooding and his wife, Sarah, live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Gooding is at work on the next adventure in his Wandering Woodie Mystery series as well as the next chapter of historical series Velma's Story.

Website

About Kate Wisniewski

Audiobook Narrator and VO Artist with professional home studio. Audiobooks work via Tantor and Bee Audio. Acting Company member Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2025 Audiobook Challenge

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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