This morning, I have a memoir to share! Check out Behind Her Smile: The Adventures of a Tall Girl from WVA and her Life as a Stewardess, learn about author Beverly Golden Cuevas, read my thoughts on the book, & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 392 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Publisher: Urlink Print & Media, LLC
Release date: August 2023
Content Rating: PG. Suitable for adult audiences.
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Being raised in Parkersburg,WVA, Janie didn't have big aspirations for her life. Tired of her dead-end job at the phone company her best friend suggested she interview to become a Stewardess. Fearful she would be rejected because of her height; she was shocked when she was accepted. A whole new world opened up to her. Seeing places she had only read about, spending time with politicians, movie stars and professional athletes. One special athlete, a professional basketball player named Wendell Ladner stole her heart with his southern charm. An extraordinary 'connection' with Elvis Presley allowed her the unique experience to spend 'one on one' time with him and remain in touch until his passing. You'll share with her the challenges of marrying someone so different from her upbringing and coping with attempts to try and fit in. Behind Her Smile reveals a devastating event that deeply affected Beverly and made her reexamine her life and what she truly wanted out of it.
The Novel Begins a Little Slowly as the Author Tells her Backstory. I didn't connect immediately to the author and her story. The author spends a bit of time filling in the details of her life and past as she moves into the heart of the story of her experiences as a flight attendant and the career's role in her life. This story building leads to a slow beginning--but it is necessary to understand and connect to the author as the story progresses. Once the story begins to fall into place, the pace picks up nicely, and the writing style is engaging and easy to follow.
Memories Blend with Life Lessons for Readers. I love reading memoirs because every life has a story to tell and offers teachable moments for readers. This memoir is no exception. The author introduces readers to life as a stewardess--while finding her place in life during a different time and place than today's readers. Celebrity meetings, relationship challenges, life challenges and rewards, and personal reflections share the author's personal struggles and triumphs with readers.
Would I Recommend Behind Her Smile by Beverly Golden Cuevas? This book offers an entertaining, engaging journey if you enjoy biographies and memoirs. I didn't easily connect with the author's life and storytelling early on--but I came to enjoy her memories and understand the impact her experiences and adventures had on the person she became and the life she led. The book offers a great look at life over the decades through the lens of a woman finding her place in the world.
Beverly Golden Cuevas was born Beverly Jane Golden in Ironton, Ohio in 1945. She spent the first 10 years of her life in Parkersburg, West Virginia with her family. Her father had a job opportunity in Columbus, Ohio in 1955 so away they went. Beverly started working at the age of 14 to contribute to her family finances. She graduated Columbus North High School in 1963. She moved on to work at the Ohio Bell Telephone Company after graduation. In 1965, on the dare of her best friend she went to an interview to be a Stewardess for American Airlines. American hired her and she started her flying career in New York, then commuting from Tulsa, Oklahoma to her Dallas base. She flew both domestic and international. During her career, she never received a bad passenger letter. In 1977, she was 1 of 12 Flight Attendants selected out of 16,000 to participate in a highly coveted special assignment to work at the prestigious American Airlines Golf Classic. Her flying career ended on December 1, 2001 after 35 years. Beverly now lives in Dallas, Texas. She has been married to her wonderful husband Randy for 43 years. She has two sons, Joshua and Kaleb. She is a loving wife and mother, never missing a baseball game or school talent show, in spite of her flying schedule! Mimi is blessed to pass on her knowledge and love of life to her grandchildren Eden, Elijah, Ellie, Logan and Holly.
connect with the author: goodreads
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