Woman of Valor

by Lynne Golodner

About The Book

“Immersive and captivating!”

What would you do if you had a second chance at first love? That’s Sally’s dilemma.

Sally Lieberman chose to become an Orthodox Jew in her twenties because it was comforting, calming and full of community and family. It didn’t hurt that religious observance brought her to the man of her dreams—her patient, sexy husband, Barry.

Ten years in, Sally has everything she ever wanted, a passionate marriage with three children and a best friend she can count on. She loves everything about her chosen life.

Until her son is abused at school, and she’s shocked by her husband’s response. That’s when Sally’s first love finds her online and wants her back—something she dreamed about long before she became a religious wife.

It would be easy to abandon the community that is abandoning her—but she’s not the same person she was when she first fell in love with John. Sally is caught between two worlds. Can she give up the life she’s built with Barry?

Experience the sensory-rich, food-filled Orthodox community of Skokie, Illinois in WOMAN OF VALOR, and step inside Sally Lieberman's loving family along with her often-difficult, yet surprisingly-inspiring way of life—even when everything seems stacked against her. Ask yourself what you would do if you had a second-chance with your first love.

WOMAN OF VALOR won an honorable mention in the 2024 Eric Hoffer Awards for spiritual fiction!

What Readers Say…

“…a brave heroine who inhabited two worlds and chooses the one readers least expect…” Nancy Sharp, author of Both Sides Now

“…an important story of faith, love, devotion and self-determination…” Barbara Stark-Nemon, author of Even In Darkness

“A deeply relatable tale in an intriguing setting.” Tammy Pasterick, author of Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash

“Woman of Valor is a must-read!” Ly Ky Tran, author of House of Sticks: A Memoir

“…a heartfelt, satisfying read.” Rochelle B. Weinstein, bestselling author of What You Do To Me

“I was hooked from the first page!”

“I was on the edge of my seat, could not put it down and finished the book in one sitting.”

“I couldn't put it down!!”

“The story is captivating, the writing is vivid and superb.”

“A five-sense immersion into a rich world of Jewish faith and family life.”

“Great story full of vivid characters, human frailty, suspense, deep love and passion”

“A stunning read about faith, temptation, and the ripple effect of consequences.”

“The story takes some surprising twists and had me holding my breath sometimes unsure of how some things would work out.”

Lynne Golodner

Lynne Golodner is the award-winning author of bestselling books where food, life and love weave into emotional stories interlaced with Jewish identity.

Lynne Golodner is the award-winning, bestselling author of 12 books and hundreds of essays and articles as well as a marketing expert, writing coach and retreat leader. After working as a journalist in New York and Washington, D.C., and earning an MFA in writing, Lynne returned to her Detroit hometown, where she created Your People, a marketing company with a focus on storytelling. Between 1996 and 2013, Lynne wrote eight books—two poetry collections and six nonfiction titles. In 2020, she pivoted to writing books with a goal of producing a book year. Her first novel, WOMAN OF VALOR, won an honorable mention in the Eric Hoffer Award for Spiritual Fiction. Lynne's second novel, CAVE OF SECRETS, hit #1 on Amazon in Jewish fiction, gay fiction and British and Irish literature and was a bronze medalist in the IPPY AWARDS for multicultural fiction. This book was also a FINALIST in the FOREWORD INDIES awards in Romance and LGBTQ+ fiction. In January 2025, Lynne launched FOREST WALK ON A FRIDAY, a collection of personal essays. Her third novel, I LOVE YOU, CHARLIE TANNER, launched in June of 2025. Lynne has degrees from the University of Michigan, Goddard College and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. She is the mother of four young adults and lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan. Learn more at https://lynnegolodner.com.

More Books by Lynne Golodner

I Love You, Charlie Tanner

by Lynne Golodner

Cave of Secrets

by Lynne Golodner

Forest Walk on a Friday

Essays on love, home, and finding my voice at midlife

by Lynne Golodner