Fleeta Cunningham

Fifth generation Texan, mother and grandmother. Been writing since the age of eight. Spent twenty-five years as a law librarian. Retired to write and have published five books with a sixth in the works. Lives in Central Texas among the Longhorns and Bluebonnets. Quilts and does needlework when not tied to the keyboard. Loves to travel, especially by ship, and goes anywhere at anytime if there is an invitation.

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From time to time someone will ask me what it’s like when I get the first copy of one of my books. The only comparison I can offer is the feeling a woman has the first time she holds her newborn child. It’s very much the same kind of experience. The writer conceived the story, sheltered it in a safe environment until the embryonic idea had life, developed, and could draw breath. Then labor began, the long, often painful, hours necessary to bring the infant story into the world. The writing, re-writing, editing that make the story live draw on the life essence of the author. And finally, the edits are done, the galley is proofed, the cover art is finished, and a sturdy box comes to the door. In that moment, when it happens to me, I open the box and look down at my new book with wonder. There it is. My story, my precious creation. The people in the story live because I said they do. The place where they reside is the place my imagination designed. And they act out the events I put before them. The satisfaction is enormous! The pride exceeds any degree of modesty. I want to dash into the streets and show every passerby my wonderful, new creation!

All of this is just a rather long way of saying that my new book CRY AGAINST THE WIND, fifth in the Santa Rita Series, will shortly be released. I am rather pleased with it. The story is set at the end of the 1950′s against the insulation of small town life. It’s about three sisters who, though they have issues among themselves, must work together to save the reputation of their father, a high school counselor facing the worst accusation that a middle-aged man could encounter. The men in their lives both help and hinder their efforts.

A charge of rape! Against the high school counselor? Audrey’s life is shattered when her father is accused of the

unthinkable. Judith, Audrey’s sister, escaped real life in her painting. Claire, the oldest

sister, recovering from her divorce, fled to the city. To clear their father’s name, the

girls must unite, forget past differences, and collaborate with Hal, Jared, and Drake–

men who just won’t take ‘no’ as final. Audrey and Hal, colleagues with a past,

spearhead the investigation into the troubled student’s life. Jared and Judith, polar

opposites who can’t stay away from each other, examine the girl’s fanatical foster

family. Though misunderstanding parted them, Drake and Claire seek a link to bring the

past and present together. Old wounds and new revelations waylay the group, and

though they fear their efforts are a feeble cry against a turbulent wind, they know they

are a good man’s only hope.

Fleeta Cunningham

DON’T CALL ME DARLIN’

BLACK RAIN RISING

ELOPEMENT FOR ONE

HALF PAST MOURNING

CRY AGAINST THE WIND