Overview - Next Book
Beyond the Trilogy. The Between Years…The Story of Yvette and Dominique
Although not intentionally, Sandra Manigault draws upon the challenges one faces in interracial relationships. In Vanessa - a Love Story, we see Vanessa, who is African American, become involved and infatuated with Miguel, who is Brazilian/Portuguese. In The Between Years, Dominique, who is African American, falls in love with Ricardo, who is Puerto Rican, although he does not specify his nationality. The difference in race also brings about a difference in cultures and expectations. In book one, Vanessa - a professor- is middle class. Miguel is not. He would be what we consider to be in the top two percent of earners in America. He was not born wealthy. He is essentially self-made, with the help of significant mentors in his life - something Miguel acknowledges in book one. The difference in cultures is very apparent in book one. Miguel sees marriage and relationships much differently than does Vanessa. And although those differences cause some friction in their relationship, Vanessa never considers them to be serious deal breakers.
In The Between Years - The Story of Yvette and Dominique -two very different women meet similar men - similar in their value systems; similar in that they are sincere; “keepers,” and not “players” in the traditional sense. If there is a “player” in this book, it is Dominique. She plays a dangerous game of seduction until it catches up with her and threatens a relationship that she wants to sustain.
Let’s explore the main characters - Yvette and Dominique. They are Flora’s twin sisters and they come to live with Flora and her new husband. They are not only twins. They are so identical that even in their twenties strangers cannot tell them apart. The plot of the book revolves around the crises that unfold in their new environments because of this.
Why the title? Why The Between Years? This story unfolds after the end of book 3 of the Vanessa Trilogy, Flora’s Saga, but before its epilogue. The array of characters is interesting also. We meet Barry, in book one. His role is pivotal in book 3 and again significant here. Flora is significant in this book, and although she is important in books one and two of the trilogy, she is the main character in book 3, which is named for her. Vanessa, who is the titled character of books one and two, here plays only a cameo. The beauty of The Between Years is that it is whole, and stands on its own, and can be enjoyed even if one has not read The Vanessa Trilogy. *
I like happy endings, but I do not follow the parameters that define a romance novel. Book 1, Vanessa - a Love Story, has an unexpected ending, which I attribute to my husband. (Vanessa - a Love Story actually could have had three different endings.) I chose the one Donald suggested.
Writing a book about identical twins afforded me the opportunity to write dual love stories. It gave me the opportunity to introduce four new characters, each twin plus her own love interest. It also meant that the plot would pivot from one scenario to another, and from one character to another. As you will see each character is fully formed and understood. Hopefully, by the end of the book, all of them will be likable.
As is the case in each of my books, my women are beautiful, and why not? What is interesting is how each woman uses her beauty. Beauty is currency. Yet not every woman knows that, or uses that in her interactions with men. They are not vain —- at least three of them are not. The one who is, is less vain than she is selfish.
When it’s been read, I expect that you will be enchanted and will want more. After all, when a good book has ended, don’t you like to go back and read the final pages once more? I do. ##
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