Valkyries

The publisher wanted sub-titles for each volume, so I chose lines from a well-known hymn:

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Compared to the hymns by Charles Wesley (writer of "Joy to the World," among others) and other great hymn writers like John Newton or William Cowper, this simple gospel song didn't seem to do justice to the greatness of the grace of God. For God not only gives us a song, but also His righteousness, His mindset, He Himself in the person of Christ. All we can truly possess is God's grace, which He graciously gives in Christ. That grace is what VALKYRIES is about.
But the lines in particular did perfectly state the themes of each "sub-novel". Volume one covers the summer of 1974 and then Tracey's first two years at the school. Volume two covers her junior and senior years.