Benji Cole of CBS Radio interviewed Ramona Vallee, author of “Expression of Honor”
Benji Cole of CBS Radio interviewed the author of “Expression of Honor,” Ramona Vallee. They talk about the author’s inspiration in writing this book. They also discuss about the author’s inspiration in writing this romantic narrative.
People of Distinction is one of the most extensive and wide-ranging radio shows in the United States. Hosted by Benji Cole and Al Cole from CBS Radio, People of Distinction is the right fit for authors who want to increase their exposure to readers. The radio program airs on Apple’s iTunes Radio Network (Professional News/Talk), featuring CBS Radio, Fox News, NPR, and C-Span.
George Richardson, born in 1920 in Indiana, was raised on a farm and became close to his grandfather, Homer Richardson. Homer shared stories of his experiences as a drummer boy in the Civil War. George served in the U.S. Army during WWII, focusing on the pursuit of German General Rommel. He later worked as a crew chief over airplane maintenance and witnessed the Yalta Conference, where Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt were together.
After the war, he married Eleanor Morgensen. Together, they had three children. Eleanor knew how much George treasured Homer’s stories, so she encouraged him to write a book about them. It would have fictional characters with true events using Homer’s stories, and George did research on the Civil War to fill any gaps. In 1976, George became ill with two acute types of Leukemia. On his deathbed, he asked his daughter Ramona to rewrite it. He died at age 56.
Ramona Vallee was born in December 1948 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to George and Eleanor Richardson. She had a wonderful childhood in a small town in America. She enjoyed reading, writing, and learning French in school during her teenage years.
She was discouraged by her college counselor, who told her that writing was an overcrowded field. She then decided to quit college. After working as a waitress, she saved money to go to beauty school and become a hairdresser.
She met her husband, Fred, of 42 years, on a blind date. He was a French Canadian, which intrigued her. They had three children. Long ago, she made a promise to her dad on his deathbed to finish the Civil War novel he started. Many years later, she’s finally able to fulfill her promise after writing “Expression of Honor” and feels at peace now.
“Expression of Honor” is a Civil War romantic narrative. Juliette, a French woman, fell in love with a visiting Southern officer who had to leave for the United States before her. She later leaves on a blockade run. All of the disclosures, difficulties, and risks provide her with the courage and bravery to face each circumstance. After a decade of dealing with border ruffians and the carnage caused by pro-slavery against anti-slavery, Frank identifies as a Kansan.
In addition, the political struggle over the Kansas-Nebraska Act bred a bloody Kansas. Frank had had enough. He was prepared to fight in the Civil War as a Lieutenant Colonel under General Ulysses S. Grant.
Listen to the full interview: