JOHN W. THILL

No matter what adversity comes our way we will triumph because we are not alone. For years I have been telling people that the opposite of depression is expression. And when you write the story of your grandparents and parents—not only does it enrich your life but it is something that gives wings of confidence and understanding to your kids and grandkids.

John Thill did it. He really did it. This is a wonderful book that gives hope and guidance and not just to his family but to all of us.

I was immediately drawn to this book’s cover – with its subtle suggestion of history, love, and adventure through charming postcard-type photos and word phrases forming a pictorial story collage – a few early hints as to what is coming….

The story of Ray and Dora during their two-year friendship turned courtship in the 1920s has been beautifully restored and revealed. I was literally pulled along letter by letter posted to Dora and she told him about his budding hopes that she would consider – just consider—a trip to California to experience and understand all the new developments he was writing to her about. Would she ever leave the security of Kansas? No spoiler alerts here!

Dora is independent and spirited! Ray fully supported her going after her educational dreams no matter where they may or may not take her. He proved himself to be quite the modern man! I eagerly waited for and read each new letter. You would have thought it was addressed to me! I appreciated how each conversation picked up where the last one left off with the choice of words so carefully selected by each letter responder.

One forgets, living in this digital age, this magic of letter-writing! How powerful our words are. The discipline of searching for that perfect word to completely describe a particular feeling or emotion you are reaching for – Ray and Dora both displayed honesty, commitment, and integrity in their choice of and use of words. Although young, Ray and Dora are anything but self-serving-- they both demonstrate maturity and a sense of community far beyond their chronological years. A glimpse of yesteryear is to be appreciated.

We can be attentive to ourselves and one another without so many distractions. The quality of authenticity is what leaps out for me repeatedly. As a reader, you are now holding such a book. May you delight in Ray and Dora’s wonderful journey.

The power of words. The power of letters. The power of space and time. Thank you Mr. Thill for sharing your legacy so that others may be curious about their own. You truly gave Ray and Dora a 10 Star tribute. They are certainly smiling at your love labor.

What interesting stock you come from—I was truly transported.

It has been a while since I have been so charmed by a book! The hope-filled and lovingly written letters, along with the author’s keen insights into the hearts of his grandparents, made this an easy and mesmerizing read. I feel like one of the privileged ones – I knew the leading characters – they were the grandparents of my best friend! I was lucky enough to share my childhood with John and his siblings. Ray and Dora Wilcox always seemed like royalty to me with their beautiful home carefully placed atop a secluded hill in Oceanside.

I can recall the expanse of land and panoramic views from every angle. But I never knew the compelling story of their early long-distance relationship – and their unwavering commitment to each other… until now. Thank you, John, for sharing this heartwarming and inspiring story. I look forward to reading more from you!

John Thill's book, "A California Love Story" had me enthralled from page one. Much like Ray and Dora, the main characters, I am a transplant from the Midwest to Oceanside, having moved here in 1984. I immediately fell in love with this beautiful seaside community and felt like I'd come"home" the first time I laid eyes on the little slice of the Pacific ocean that is the western border of this beloved city. Being a relative "newbie" to the area, I've never known much about its history and the early days of its development that Ray Wilcox describes so vividly in his romantic and eloquent love letters to Dora.

Reading how Ray Wilcox recognized Oceanside's potential and wrote about it with such fervor to Dora was a delight.. Ray and Dora are charming and captivating characters. Their capacity for delayed gratification was something that spoke to their strength of character....something that is sadly becoming more and more rare in today's modern society.

This reader couldn't turn the pages fast enough to learn the fate of these hardworking, ambitious and articulate long distance sweethearts.

John Thill , the author, is the grandson of protaganist, Ray Wilcox and has inherited his grandfather's gift for the English language. His narrative is witty, humorous and genuinely heartfelt. He explains that writing the book was sometimes a struggle for him, but it was an obvious labor of love and worth all his efforts. What a shame it would be if this heartwarming story had never been shared with the world!

John W. Thill and his family discovered a wonderful gift with these early letters and now he shares this gift with us through his beautiful and moving love story that also captures the feel, smells, sights and sounds of early Southern California coastal life and its rich opportunities.

It is a rare and enjoyable peek back into the late 1920s through the words, feelings and experiences shared between these young Midwest adults as they set their sights on a life together to live the California dream.

I was drawn in by both the love story and the historical backdrop. The letters between Ray and Dora are captivating and after reading the book the feelings they evoked lingered with me. What a read, what a love.