The Americans call her Juliette, but the Vietnamese call her Kim Hoa, meaning white flower. The year is 1964, and the Vietnam War is well underway. Young Juliette bargains with her father to let her work for the US government. His one condition? No going out with the Americans.
Not three hours after Joe Sobecki lands in Saigon, he lays eyes on the beautiful Juliette. And he's not the only one entranced by her beauty; several American men vie for Juliette's attention. With soldiers competing to be her Romeo and her father declaring her off-limits, how does a hopeful American court this white flower?
Joe takes a different approach to show Juliette he is different from the others. By learning Vietnamese, refusing to follow the crowd, and persisting through her rejections, Joe embarks on a courtship destined for turmoil and challenges among the cultural differences and hardships of war. Can a relationship with a tumultuous beginning blossom into the kind of lifetime romance that most of us only dream about?
Whether you're happily married or hopelessly searching for your soul mate, find inspiration from this genuine love story that beats all odds and knows no boundaries.
About the Author: Joe Sobecki, born and raised in Chicago, is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He earned a BBA ('71) and a Masters ('76) from Northwestern University and retired from IBM as a senior system management professional.
Sobecki and his wife, Juliette, have been married for over fifty years. They have five children and fourteen grandchildren. Sobecki enjoys filling his life with family events, reading, theater, yard work, and traveling with his love, Juliette.
