My Year of Casual Relationships

South Bay, #1

by

Ruth F. Stevens

Absolutely wonderful and thoroughly satisfying!

My Year of Casual Relationships by Ruth F. Stevens is a new adult contemporary novel filled with memorable characters, unlikely friendships, love and loss, and self-discovery. Mar Meyers is an icon for healing, growth, and second chances. 

The main character, Margaret ‘Mar’ Meyers, is putting together a new life, including a new persona after her husband of 28 years leaves her for one of his employees. As often happens, Mar loses not only Henry (good riddance!) but also their couple friends, who gravitate toward the newly-formed couple rather than the newly single Mar. Worst though is the contentious relationship that develops with her only child, Michael, who’s married and has a young son of his own, Mar’s grandson, Benny. Michael inexplicably takes his father’s side in the divorce, even though Henry is the one who had the affair and broke up the marriage. I ached for Mar with every unhappy and ugly interaction with her son but had strong suspicions as to the underlying reasons for his behavior all along. 

Mar’s mother, who lives across the country from LA in New York City, is another unfulfilling relationship in her life. Whether due to her British stiff-upper-lip demeanor or the fact that she’s completely self-absorbed, she’s no source of comfort or support for her daughter when she needs it the most. She seems so cold and unfeeling, which may be the reason for some of Mar’s own personality flaws. Mar struggles with being standoffish, critical, and expressing empathy. She is well-known for speaking her mind without considering the consequences of her words until it is too late. However, despite her initial emotional distance, she experienced significant personal growth as the story progressed, and I liked her more and more for it. 

The author’s writing style is smooth and comfortable, and it drew me into Mar’s life from page one. I was genuinely interested in what Mar thought and had to say. The descriptions of the fitness center, Mar’s waterfront apartment, restaurants, and clubs she frequents are vivid, and I could easily picture the characters in these settings. I enjoyed the names Mar initially gave to the women regulars at the fitness center, which also created a strong image of each. However, I was glad she got past this superficiality and eventually got to know them and their true identities. I was delighted to see at the end of the book that the planned sequel is already in the works and is scheduled for publication very soon. I’m not ready to leave Margaret’s story behind. 

With its relatable and sympathetic main character and realistic plot, I recommend MY YEAR OF CASUAL RELATIONSHIPS to readers of contemporary and women’s fiction. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.

Celebrate Veterans Day with Captain Allen Clark, author of Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior, and a musical performance from the Allen Community Jazz Band.  The program will be 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 11, at the historic Allen Christian Church, 252 E. St. Mary Dr., Allen Heritage Village. 

The Allen Community Jazz Band will open the program with a medley of patriotic songs featuring Mark Woodard on Alto Sax.  Highlights of the concert will include a unique version of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy featuring Jeannie Baxter, Shayla Smith and Diana Brooks on vocals. Professionally attorneys in Collin County, these talented ladies enjoy singing on the side.  The band will conclude with Battle Hymn of the Republic.                                                                                                                     

On the last day of his tour of duty in Viet Nam before returning to the United States, Captain Clark confronted horrific tragedy. A mortar round landed behind him, resulting in both legs needing to be amputated below the knees. Captain Clark’s recovery was long and arduous, but the emotional wounds of despair continued to grip his being. An inspiring book, Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior chronicles his spiritually renewing journey.

A West Point graduate, Captain Clark earned the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his Army Special Forces service in Vietnam. Later, he served as an assistant secretary in the Department of Veterans Affairs and subsequently as director of the National Cemetery System.

President Ronald Reagan declared, “There are a host of heroes to whom this country owes a debt it can never repay.  Allen Clark lost both his legs while serving his country in Viet Nam.  When he came home, his body was broken, but his spirit never faltered.”

Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, Allen Community Jazz Band, VFW 2195, Bernardo de Gálvez chapter DAR, the concert is free.  Call 214-509-4911 for further information.

National American Beer Day presents a fantastic opportunity to honor the rich history of brewing in the United States, and there’s no better place to join the festivities than Puttshack, the world’s first and only tech-infused mini golf experience. As beer enthusiasts across the nation raise their glasses to celebrate the diverse and storied brews that have shaped American culture, Puttshack invites guests to indulge in an exciting lineup of seasonal offerings. With roots in Native American brewing traditions, American beer-making has transformed into a vibrant industry, now featuring over 2,100 breweries.

This October, Puttshack is rolling out a special menu designed to enhance the beer experience. Guests can savor the exclusive Oktoberfest Burger, a delicious blend of brisket, chuck, and short rib, topped with Pecanwood bacon, Swiss cheese, and sweet grilled onions, all served on a toasted pretzel bun. This mouthwatering dish is accompanied by a side of Samuel Adams Oktoberfest beer cheese dipping sauce and crispy fries. For dessert, patrons can treat themselves to fresh Bavarian Donuts—cinnamon-sugared beignets served with rich vanilla Bavarian cream. Additionally, guests can enjoy a 23 oz Sam Adams Oktoberfest for the price of a regular pint. These delectable specials are available until October 31.

Puttshack also offers a Buy One, Get Your 2nd Game Free promotion, running Monday through Thursday with the promo code “FREEFORFALL” through November 18. Friends can gather, enjoy their favorite brews and celebrate National American Beer Day at Puttshack in Addison!

As part of a season-long program, ¡Yo Quiero! has teamed up with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football to honor some of Texas high school football’s brightest figures — team moms! On October 11^th, ¡Yo Quiero! recognized Wendy Lucas Team mom from Lake Highlands High School with a Team Mom Appreciation Award for going above and beyond to support her son’s team throughout the season.  

“We are consistently impressed by the collective dedication required to keep those iconic Friday Night Lights shining week after week here in Texas,” said Jay Alley, Co-Owner and Vice President of ¡Yo Quiero!. “This is largely thanks to the unwavering support from friends, families, coaches, and, especially, Team Moms.”

This season, eleven Team Moms who have made a positive impact on their communities will be selected to receive an award and a $500 donation to their school, along with the other ten honorees, will be eligible for the Ultimate Team Mom of the Year Award, with voting taking place on texasfootball.com at the end of the season.

Tara Murray, VP of Marketing for ¡Yo Quiero!, noted that “Texans should keep an eye out for ¡Yo Quiero! and the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football crew at games across the state as they recognize these deserving individuals during the 2024 Texas high school football season, all while satisfying the crowd’s craving for everyone’s favorite Texas-made dips!”

Based in Rhome, Texas, ¡Yo Quiero! is a trailblazing, family-focused dip company that’s revolutionizing the Guacamole, Salsa, and Queso category nationwide by offering flavorful, “Better for You” dips made with quality ingredients. “At the core, we’re making it easier for football fans and families to enjoy their favorite foods together in a healthier way, whether they’re celebrating the game at home or in the stands,” said Murray.

ABOUT Dave Campbell Texas Football

For over 65 years, the iconic Dave Campbell’s Texas Football media brand has been “the bible” for millions of football fans across Texas. Its annual summer edition is essential reading for rabid football fans, previewing every high school and college team in the state. Known for its comprehensive coverage, TexasFootball.com offers extensive digital content, including team and recruit rankings, scores, exclusive interviews, podcasts, and daily shows. Additionally, TexanLive.com streams over 1,500 live sporting events each year, bringing fans closer to the action.

About ¡Yo Quiero!

¡Yo Quiero! Brands is a Texas-based avocado, guacamole, and dip company with state-of-the-art facilities in Rhome, Texas and Guanajuato, Mexico. With a mission of selecting and growing the freshest and finest ingredients, ¡Yo Quiero! creates delicious, hand-crafted products that can be found in most local retailers. Bringing years of experience and dip expertise to the category, ¡Yo Quiero! leads and innovates with integrity and passion. The current lineup of premium handcrafted dips can be viewed on our website. For additional information, recipes, or product availability, please visit www.yoquierobrands.com

Celebrating African American literacy and history, the 20^th-annual Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair returns Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the African American Museum, Dallas in historic Fair Park (3536 Grand Ave., Dallas, TX 75210). Free and open to the public, the event features readings and book signings by African American authors, story times and children’s activities throughout the day.

This year’s featured guest is Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a renowned professor, writer and prominent media personality. The author of numerous books, his most recent release is “Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote.” Dr. Dyson has taught at prestigious universities like Princeton, Brown, Georgetown, and is now a distinguished professor at Vanderbilt. With over 25 books, including seven New York Times best sellers, he has won awards such as the Langston Hughes Medal, American Book Award and two NAACP Image Awards. Dr. Dyson is also a prominent public intellectual, known for his insightful commentary on race, social justice, and culture.

As part of the Tulisoma weekend, Dr. Dyson will be presented the Sutton E. Griggs Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature at dinner on Friday (Oct. 25) at 7 p.m. at the African American Museum. During the awards dinner, Dr. Dyson will discuss his writings and sign books. Tickets for the dinner are $50 and available at aamdallas.org/events.

Dr. Dyson will also speak on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium. The public is invited to attend, and admission for the Saturday event is free.

The weekend also offers a variety of workshops with topics ranging from “the best 21^st century books written about or authored by African Americans,” to how-to presentations on book publishing and the writing process, to discussions of African American curriculums to fill the book-banning gap.

Also, the documentary film titled “The Artful Dream Fulfilled: African American Museum of Dallas”will be shown at 1 p.m. in the auditorium with a discussion led by moderator Linda Dickerson Lamar. A special event for young adults will be on Saturday from 6-8 p.m.

Children’s activities will run throughout the day, including story times where authors share their books along with special activities.

Tulisoma – a Swahili word that means "we read" – is a community-based festival promoting literacy and the arts in the South Dallas/Fair Park area. With numerous authors and illustrators participating, the family-fun event features author presentations and readings, writing workshops, book signings, panel discussions, children’s story time, kids activities and more throughout the day. Workshops will focus on how to get published, book bans and black literary history.

In addition to the Sutton Griggs Award honoree Dr. Dyson, other authors scheduled to attend the Saturday fair are Dr. Peniel E. Joseph, internationally recognized scholar-activist and author and editor of seven award-winning books, most recently “The Third Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century”; Dr. Triba Gary, renowned children’s book author of “S is for Sweetgrass”; and Michael J. McBride, award-winning artist who has illustrated more than 80 children's books.

Featured authors include Constance Abel, Lawanda Banks, Antwuan Boozer, Dr. Yolanda Carter, Ronald Carter, Kevin Casey, Dona Gassaway Mitchell, Eric Hamilton, Vera Harris, Joseph J. Henderson Jr., Courtney Kelly, Kollin Kennedy, Warren Landrum, Mary Little, Darryl Markowitz, Ernest McMillan, Shawna Mills, Charlene Mitchell, Denise E. Montgomery, Michael Moore, Phyllis Otto, Sandra Pierce-Bardwell, Shondra M. Quarles, Hailey Robinson, Kimber Shelton, Kimberly Thacker Webb, Joye Thomas, LaToya Thomas, Dr. Frieda Wiley, and Ron Winters.

Tulisoma was founded in 2003 by the late Dallas City Councilmember Leo V. Chaney Jr. and Dr. Harry Robinson Jr., president and CEO of the African American Museum. The goal of Tulisoma is to engage local families, avid readers, aspiring writers and visitors to the region. The African American Museum, Dallas serves as the lead partner along with many community supporters to continue the tradition of celebrating reading and the importance of literacy.

Season sponsors of the African American Museum, Dallas, are Toyota, Eugene McDermott Foundation, Lowe’s, Comerica Bank, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Helen Giddings, Vivian and Charles Johnson, North Texas Cluster of The Links Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dallas Mavericks, NBC 5/Telemundo 39, Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, OVG360, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture and the State Fair of Texas.

HOURS. The African American Museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.

For more information about Tulisoma and the full schedule, go to Tulisomabookfair.org or call214-565-9026.

About the African American Museum, Dallas. The African America Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 40 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African American experience. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.