WEIRTON — The debut novel “Helen of Holliday’s Cove” elevates the story of one local woman before Weirton became a city.

Author Valerie Van Orman is set to release her book on Monday. This dual-timeline historical fiction shows how the past is not gone — it reaches beyond the veil to protect us. The novel, published by Tehom Publishing, is already creating a buzz among early readers and is available for pre-order at ValerieVanOrman.com.

Across generations, two lives intertwine through loss, love and an unseen bond. In the early 1900s, Helen McCulloch’s dreams of family and adventure are upended by tragedy. Nearly a century later, pre-teen Beth Herlemann begins seeing a ghostly woman in a brown dress, a presence that is haunting and protective.

“Helen of Holliday’s Cove” is about resilience, connection and how women’s stories echo through time to guide those who come after, according to the author.

A book launch event will be held at 1 p.m. March 7 at the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, located at 3149 Main St. The event will feature book signings, an author question-and-answer period, a free basket drawing, light refreshments and book readings with Van Orman. The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available to purchase at a discounted price.

Van Orman holds a Ph.D. in communication studies and is a university professor in Pennsylvania. Her academic publications include more than 40 peer-reviewed research articles, book reviews and book chapters, as well as the academic book “Public Memory and the Television Series Outlander.” She is passionate about creating public memory of women’s stories that have been lost to history and sharing her own family history stories through fiction.