“A return ticket to Bridges of Madison County territory.” - People Magazine

The Last Valentine      

"The most powerful love story to come along in years. Beginning with a wife's farewell to her husband in World War Two and continuing to the present day, James Michael Pratt weaves an emotional tale of love transcending time and space. Television reporter Susan Allison is looking for the perfect story about true love, but her heart of hearts tells her such a thing doesn't really exist. Writer Neil Thomas, Jr. wants only to share the powerful message of the "Last Valentine," his parent's tragic, yet triumphant fifty-year love story.

On February 14, 1944, Caroline Thomas said goodbye to her beloved husband, a Navy pilot sent to the Pacific. For fifty years she waited for him to return--until a miracle happened and she recieved his "last Valentine." In the present day, when Susan and Neil meet, neither of them expects the emotional outcome: that the story of Neil's parents will bring them together in a love as powerful as she dreams of and he remembers...




“Pratt's debut novel, like Casablanca, tugs at the heartstrings and brings out the hankies. Once you pick this book up you will not be able to put it down. Natural for television.” -- Kirkus Reviews
 

The Last Valentine title came to me as a shot out of a dark night as I lay pondering on the events of my own father, his recent passing and the devotion my mother showed for him. I couldn’t dismiss the strange and powerful voice urging me to get up from my bed in those early hours of a January morning in 1996 and write the title down.

I obeyed the small voice writers learn to trust and sat at the kitchen table pondering what to do with the title. What were the main plot points and elements for such a powerful title? My mother had told me of how she waited on different days for the train to come in a Union Train Station Los Angeles after my father had announced he was headed home from the east coast during the last months of World War II.. He had been in the major battles in North Africa and Italy and the time since they had seen each other was two and one half years.

Combined, the emotions my mother described allowed for me to paint a dramatic backdrop for the visits Caroline Thomas would make each year. I imagined that virtually ALL the men who left their sweethearts standing on the rails as their trains headed off to shipping destinations to the war fronts had told their wives and girlfriends the same thing: “Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll be back.” --Or--“Wait for me. I’ll be standing right here again before you know it.”--And-- “I love you darling.”  Appropriate to the story in The Last Valentine as Neil Thomas heads off to the Pacific were the words, “I’ll be your last Valentine.” By dawn that cold January day in 1996 I had not only an outline for the story but three of the major characters, where they would live, what they should do.  



Places People, and Events from my personal history included into The Last Valentine.

Neil – To honor a dear friend and doctor who saved my life. 

Eagle Rock -- A place near Pasadena where my father lived in as a boy. Premonitions of a great war that he would be called to go to came to him here.

Pasadena - As a teenage boy I would go with a couple of close friends to stand on the street all night and wait for the Parade in the morning. Raymond Street and Colorado Blvd. Was the last street corner I did the all night ritual. Just up from it is Saint Andrew’s Cathedral. Dear friends of mine, one long since passed away enjoyed our last Rose Parade together there.

Los Angeles Union Station–My parents said goodbye and hello here as did tens of thousands during the war. It holds a sacred place in the hearts of all who kissed, held on to each other, and waved to trains loaded with the thousands of men departing for war, many never to return.

Olvera Street–A fun location of many school field trips as a boy to learn about California history. Downtown and adjacent to Union Station is the original Main Street of the Mexican Pueblo de Los Angeles. My great-great grandfather Parley P. Pratt visited it in the 1850's after walking across the country. Observed a Catholic Mass in the old church built in the late 1700's.

Las Golandrinas Restaurant–The restaurant is still there at Olvera Street today. It was the place I took my wife of 24 years Jeanne on a first date.  We danced as Neil and Caroline did in the story. Golandrina means swallow in Spanish. The story that Caroline tells her sister of the swallow that visits her window sill and how a friend had the same thing happen to her the day her brother was killed in battle is based on a true story told to me.  A family friend once told me how a small bird, sparrow or swallow I don’t recall now which, had landed on her window sill as she was doing dishes. In her mind a voice told her it came to tell her that her brother had just been killed in battle. Later a telegram came and confirmed the exact day and time her brother died. It coincided with the visit of the swallow.

Neil Jr.’s ring--The ring I wear next to my wedding band has these initials and for the reason described in the story.

Spanish usage–I speak and write fluently and hold an affinity for Spanish traditions, customs, and languages with their idiomatic expressions. I have great love for my Perez and Juarez family cousins and the thousands of Hispanic friends I have made over the years. 



Facts about The Last Valentine

• In the first six months of 1998, Pratt made more than 100 personal appearances, including book signings and radio and television appearances, to promote the book
• Pratt received widespread publicity, including television coverage on the Today Show and on network affiliates of Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS as well as regional cable television shows nationwide
• Advertising included a commercial spot aired for a full week on the Today Show when the book was released.
• Publication of the paperback edition, with a first printing of 500,000 was released in early January 1999 selling out.
• More than 125,000 copies of the hardbound edition were shipped in less than three months.
• The hardbound edition was a main selection of Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club, with sales in excess of 25,000--exceptional for a first time and unknown author.
• Audio rights were sold to Dove Audio and the book was released nationwide as a "Book-on-Tape."
• The novel made it to the New York Times Bestseller fiction list.
• It also made it to the USA TODAY Bestsellers list which includes all categories--fiction, non-fiction.
• Film rights are presently being negotiated for a made for television film. More info forthcoming.
• Foreign rights sales--Canada, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Korea, others pending
• Strong continuing sales in fifth year!