Cursed Beauty

Who Is a Strong Woman? One Who Burns Her Dreams or Survives Them. Find Out!



Set in Bulgaria during the Socialist Era of the 1980s, these gripping stories feature strong women navigating a male-dominant society governed by rigid moral codes.



In this turbulent historical and cultural fiction collection, societal expectations dictate every aspect of a woman’s life—her duties, choices, and even her pursuit of love and happiness.



•A divorced daughter seeks solace from her mother, only to uncover horrifying abuse in her mother’s past—and an even more shocking reaction to it.



•An ancient bridge connects the lives of three generations of women, while letters from the past reveal a dreadful mystery.



•A young woman marries her high school sweetheart, only to face his violent nature. Her resilience is rewarded with an unexpected solution.



If you like historical, cultural, and women’s fiction, you will love these stories.



Valentina Tsoneva, a native Bulgarian residing in Florida, teaches composition and literature. She holds MAs from Bulgaria and the USA. Published "Shelter" in Bulgarian and other poems in American literary journals. In 2017, her poem "Causa Perduta" won second place at the National League of American Pen Women, Tampa, FL. In 2021, her short story collection "Cursed Beauty" won at the San Francisco Book Festival. Member of the National Writing Project. Enjoys traveling, jogging, and caring for her Dutch Shepherd, Myla.







Bulgaria, Socialist Era, 1980s, Strong Women, Rigid Moral Codes, Patriarch Society, Abused, Uplifting Tone, Pursuit of Love, Historical Fiction, Cultural Fiction