A Place Called Copperas Mountain
Jeff Franklin
language
(, May 6, 2010)
A 30,000 word novel about the first romance of life's experience through two youths, who love esoteric concersation, music, physics, theology, Einstein, American Indian and European history, and each other, culminating through that first kiss - captured forever by a legend of ancient folklore. Meet Jensen and Valeria, two youths hardly knowing they're close to adolescence, a tenor and an alto in an American youth choir. They first meet on a dangerous spelunking outing, and despite Jensen's infinite, toxic shyness, they discover attraction between them is growing, whether in or out of their choir class. The affinity increases during the choir's singing tour in Europe. But conflicting forces (both internal and external) work throughout, especially in Europe, which not only separate the couple, but nearly kill them as well. Finally, back in America near novel's end, by coincidental accident, a kiss seals their love forever by being captive in a legend of ancient American Indian floklore - a forgotten legend told to the couple in the beginning by an old timer. From a year out of adolescence, a flashback till the final chapter of this novel - it's a fusion of psychology, science, fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, adventure and mystery all rolled into one - building a story which heralds the splendor of youthful love's vigor - culminating in the final chapter. Perhaps we, of all ages, should take lesson from that tender time of natural innocence....
