Roach pens first novel

By Claudette Olivier
Lifestyles Editor

Lena Vidrine Roach’s passion for learning, inspired by her grade school teachers, recently led to her first published novel.
Roach said, “I love to read, and I loved school. I was so inspired by my teachers. I went on to become a teacher and wrote columns for newspapers. I wrote lots of newspaper articles.
“This is my first novel. It’s really a miracle I am still doing this.”
Roach, a native of Vidrine and 1939 graduate of Vidrine High School, now resides in Lake Charles. Her first book, “Whispers of the Past,” was recently released by Entrada Publishing of South Jordan, Utah.
In the book, the character of Tessa is working her last night as owner and manager of her family’s antique business when a stranger named Brian arrives asking her to find and replace a one-of-a-kind chair. Brian convinces Tessa to procure the item and restore the furnishings for his family’s home. Tessa is attracted to Brian, but also embarrassed about a family member’s dishonesty. Brian’s business partner Simone and his sister Darrie don’t want Tessa complicating Brian’s life, and the two women want to see the family home sold. Tessa seeks to find and replace Brian’s family’s furniture and show him that Christians really are good people while finding love along the way.
The print and Kindle Edition of the book are available for purchase on Amazon.com.
“The book is inspirational,” Roach said. “My daddy was a Baptist preacher. The book is about living life. We sometimes have a hard time understanding how all things work together by the Lord. People wonder, ‘If God really is with me, how can he let this happen?’ All things work together for those who love the Lord.
“There is so much hatred between people of different religions. Nationally, we hear about accepting other people’s religion. In some places, in Lake Charles, we have learned to be tolerant of each other. It’s what’s in our heart that matters — that it the inspiration for the book. We should not judge people by the name of the church they belong to. That’s my story.”
In addition to being inspired by her father, Roach said she was inspired by educators like T.H. Harris, Edward Nacal, W.J. Parent, Auris Mayeux, J.C. Vidrine, Hazel Middleton and Virginia Jordan.
“These are the main ones that really inspired me,” Roach said. “They were all English teachers but home economics teacher Miss McGee also inspired me. They were such wonderful inspirations.”
Roach will have two book signings in Lake Charles later this summer, and she would like to have one in the Ville Platte area in the fall.
After graduating from Vidrine High School, Roach moved to Lafayette to attend college. She later earned her masters degree in English education from McNeese State University, and she went on to teach English. She married Texas native Edmund Roach, and they had one son and one daughter together.
Roach’s first poem, “Success,” was published in Young People’s Magazine of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Other works of her poetry have appeared in Kansas City Poetry Magazine and professional periodicals. Roach penned a “Dear Teacher” column for newspapers in Texas and Louisiana. She has also published a range of articles in the New Orleans Times Picayune, the Lake Charles American Press, Lagniappe Magazine and The Voice. One of her short stories was also published in Glamour Magazine of England.
Despite that recognition, Roach’s most prized memory is from her past. Roach’s first paycheck in the literary world was in the 10th grade when she won $2 in a poetry contest.
“That was such a big thing for a country girl from a small town,” Roach said.