What was love like in the era before annulments, reliable contraceptives and acceptance of homosexuality? A CRUEL CALM, Paris Between the Wars visits an era of idealism and innovation on all levels when Paris was the cultural capital of the Western World. Politics, religion, social mores and a special time in history (1927-1939) determine the fate of a young Catholic socialite from Washington, DC as she tries to find out if it is only after great sorrow that love can come again. Well researched, A CRUEL CALM includes Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic and the huge crowds that awaited him at Le Bouget Aeroport; Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, Joseph Campbell and Hemingway in their own words; the Surrealist movement; lady pilots Bessie Coleman and Amelia Earhart; a train ride to Reno; Black Thursday; the ravages from the Great War, omens of a new war brewing, and much more. This is a story replete with historical detail, universal conflict, and sensational romance and could easily be adapted as a screenplay.
Although born in La Jolla, California, Patricia spent an equal amount of time living on the other coast in Washington, D.C., the home of several generations of her mother's family. In 1961, her mother died of cancer. Patricia was only 18. She returned to Vassar College with a year at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy.
Later, as a single parent of three children, she and her young family raised, raced (winning at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar, and Golden Gate), and showed Thoroughbred horses. After her children were grown, she completed a Masters degree followed by a PhD specializing in Creative Arts and Communication.
For several years, Dr. Daly taught English and writing to University students and adults, wrote for several magazines, and had a newspaper column with Beach and Bay Press. At the same time, she painted portraits of children, dogs and horses and spent onr summer doing plein-air painting in Provence, France. Her paintings have been exhibited and sold in galleries and private collections on both sides of the country.
Patricia now lives in Virginia with her husband Steele Lipe, MD, three dogs, three horses, and three cats. She is the author of five books two of which have her paintings on their covers. She is the past President of the National League of American Pen Women, La Jolla Branch and recently, of the DC Branch. Patricia was a 2002 winner of the San Diego Book Awards Association, the recipient of the 2004 Woman of Achievement Award from the NLAPW, Best Books Award Finalist, and 1st runner up trophy winner of JADA Award Winning Novel Contest in 2006.
