New Release! Violet Is Blue by Anne Shaw Heinrich ~ My Thoughts #VioletIsBlue @svpublishing @booksforwardpr

Congratulations Anne

on the recent release of

Violet is Blue!

Violet is Blue by Anne Shaw Heinrich

(The Women of Paradise County #2)

Family Life Fiction, 292 pages

Published June 16, 2025 by Speaking Volumes LLC

Violet Sellers is blue, and for good reason. She’s repressing a shocking secret she won’t tell anyone, especially her comfortably middle-class parents. When she makes a new friend in school, Jules Marks, who lives on the “other side of the tracks” with his five little sisters, she is introduced to a dark world of self-abuse. 

As Violet learns about Jules and his shifty mother, Lee, she retreats further into her shell. Her parents, Gloria and Skip, are horrified and do their best to find out what happened to their adolescent daughter while bending over backward to keep the whole town from knowing their business. Jules has an aunt and uncle who know his desperate story, and they finally get a chance to free him and his sisters from a loveless world of poverty. 

Meanwhile, a spinster named Margaret Burns watches and waits. She knows all about redemption and she’s got a master plan up her sleeve. Margaret and most of the quirky characters in Violet is Blue eventually learn to dance between the worlds of the “haves” and the “have nots” in ways none of them ever anticipated.

Welcome to Book 2 in The Women of Paradise County Series.

My thoughts about Violet is Blue ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"If you are a stranger and you're lucky, this town will chew you up and spit you out. If you aren't lucky, you'll get stuck in its teeth or swallowed whole."

I fell in love with the quirky, dysfunctional characters I discovered in book one of this amazing series. And I was excited to go back and visit the community again. This story has plenty of drama and covers some hard topics but the strength and determination of the characters kept me going. 

Violet is Blue introduced my to a whole new set of characters while also throwing in visits from some of the people I met in the first book, God Bless the Child. I loved this overlap of storylines as I got a better feel for the whole town and its residents. 

While parts of this story were hard to read because of the trauma the characters were enduring, it was uplifting to see how the 'good guys' stepped up to help those in need. I will remember everyone from this story and I hope you fall in love with each of these unique characters like I did. 

Violet is Blue is book #2 in The Women of Paradise County series. I'm not sure if the author has more stories planned for the future but I sure hope so! I highly recommend it!

I received Violet is Blue from the publisher and this is my honest opinion of the book.

Book 1 of The Women of Paradise County series.

Read my thoughts here.

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About the author

Anne Shaw Heinrich has written features and marketing copy for newspapers, the health and nutrition industries, higher education and not-for-profit organizations. A graduate of Eureka college in Eureka, Illinois with an English degree, she previously served as the society and entertainment editor for a suburban Chicago newspaper. 

Besides reviewing local and national touring theater productions, she also interviewed celebrities such as Debbie Reynolds, Judy Collins, and Opera great, Beverly Sills. One of her essays, "Grandma's Big Secret" appeared in Marlo Thomas's book " The Right Words At The Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!" ( Published by Atria Books, 2006). 

In addition to her consulting work, Anne wrote a monthly column called " Small Talk" in the small town newspaper of Dwight Illinois, where she formally lived with her husband and three children. Anne has also contributed a chapter in " Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Cancer Book." 

Anne is currently working in the fundraising/public relations department for City Academy. A private school that admits under privileged students on full scholarship. Anne also has two completed rough draft novels waiting to be published and several side projects are always in the works. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Anne

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

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Release Day! Saving Ellen by Maura Casey~ My Thoughts #SavingEllen @skyhorsepub @booksforwardpr

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Maura

on the release today of

Saving Ellen!

Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery by Maura Casey

Memoir, Women's Biographies, 336 pages

Published April 1, 2025 by Skyhorse

A coming-of-age memoir that follows a large, working-class Irish family as it plunges into chaos in the wake of a terminal diagnosis—and the author's own hidden struggle to endure when her sister's disease becomes the dark star around which they all revolve.

Financial privation and her father’s drunken scenes formed the backdrop to Maura Casey's childhood, but her sister Ellen’s years-long struggle with kidney disease consumed her whole family. Determined to see Ellen live to adulthood, her mother fought medical advice to donate a kidney at a time when organ transplants were medical miracles. She concealed the true impact of that decision, which would affect the family for years to come.

Set in Buffalo amidst the tumult of the 1960s and 70s, Saving Ellen traces the author's recovery from alcoholism and sexual assault and tells of her irrepressible older sister Ellen, who fought to claim her dream of becoming an athlete; her smart, feminist mother, whose World War II Army service prepared her to manage her own platoon of six children; and her adulterous, alcoholic father who, at the end, was haunted by his shortcomings and regrets. Despite the hard truths of her childhood, Saving Ellen is ultimately a story of humor at unexpected moments as well as the grace of reconciliation and gratitude.

Saving Ellen will appeal to those who have endured the stress of caring for a chronically ill family member, with all the fraught choices that entails. Readers who have experienced the unique insanity of living in a large alcoholic family will recognize the mix of madness and humor that forms the foundation of daily life. Casey's story has parallels to Monica Wood’s When We Were the Kennedys, which details the struggle her family began when her father died of a heart attack, and Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, with its tale of family dysfunction and siblings trying to help one another cope in a dilapidated house with an unstable father.

My thoughts about Saving Ellen ~~ 

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"The floorboards groaned. The noise cracked in the silence between my father's wheezing snores. I froze on all fours, in full view of Dad's mountainous form, my panic rising."

I was first drawn to this story because of the kidney transplant issue that Ellen goes through in the early 70's when the procedure was not that common. I had a classmate who had to have a transplant when we were in high school so this story spoke to me on that level. Saving Ellen is so much more then Ellen's medical struggles. It is a story of the entire family and the dysfunction that was their lives in the 60's and 70's. 

The author does a great job telling the story of her family and all that they endured. This is a biographical memoir that reads like an expertly written fiction story. The words that flowed off of the pages kept me entranced and made me want to keep reading. The Casey family endured a lot, with ups and downs all over the place. Emotions ran high and pulled me in. And there are even surprising twists that complete the book in a satisfactory way. 

I received an ARC of Saving Ellen and this is my honest opinion of the book.

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About the author

Maura Casey grew up the youngest of six in a Buffalo, NY, Irish family. She began writing at 12 , turning her passion into a 30+ journalism career, winning over 40 awards. Maura is a former editorial writer for The New York Times and three other newspapers. Currently she writes a weekly column on Substack with thousands of subscribers called Casey's Catch. Readers can contact her through her column or her website, www.CaseyInk. She is a gifted editor, writing coach and public speaker.

Maura used the diaries she wrote as a teenager to help write the book. She was surprised to see that they had pages of dialogue, her mother’s wit, scenes of her sister’s determination and her father’s alcoholism. From her diaries she fashioned a narrative arc that became Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery.

Maura lives on a small farm in Connecticut with her husband of 41 years, two golden retrievers and a cat who is Queen of the Barn. She has two adult children and two perfect granddaughters.  ~ Goodreads

Connect with Maura

Website | Goodreads | Amazon

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Hannah: The Soldier Diaries by Steve Wallis ~ My Thoughts, an Interview, and Excerpts #TheSoldierDiaries @booksforwardpr

Hannah: The Soldier Diaries by Steve Wallis

Fiction, Musical, Contemporary

Audiobook & Kindle

Published September 1, 2022 by Steve Wallis

Experience the passion of theater through innovative, immersive musical audiobook detailing an emotional story of love and loss.

Close your eyes and immerse yourself in a story of love, separation and uncertainty, experiencing the magic of theater — without ever leaving your home.

Hannah: The Soldier Diaries is an innovative musical audiobook by author Steve Wallis that features narration and vocals by Zoe Wright and a foreword by Ross Kemp. This original musical audiobook, similar in presentation to Jeff Wayne’s “War of the Worlds,” contains 11 narrated chapters with each chapter being complimented by its own song, as well as a special bonus track specifically written for the show by the U.K.’s premier wartime act, the D-Day Darlings.

When the gorgeous Hannah meets Lance Corporal Jack Webb in summer 2012 she is quickly smitten. However, Hannah has to decide quickly whether to embark on a whirlwind affair or walk away, as the couple only has four weeks together before Jack has to return to the army to fight in the Afghan War. Hannah follows her heart and spends the most amazing four weeks of her life with Jack before he has to leave. Then, over two months later, Jack is missing, and Hannah — who is three months’ pregnant — is beside herself with worry. Out of nowhere, a face she knows only too well appears at her door. Are all Hannah's worries over? Or is this the beginning of the end for Hannah and Jack?

“A triumph … A funny, moving, pop tune-filled, uplifting experience that is also a timely reminder of how fragile peace is and how what is happening miles away can be brought to our doorstep.”— Yorkshire Evening Post

My thoughts about Hannah: The Soldier Diaries ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"Hey there I'm Hannah, it's 8:30 on a gorgeous, toasty Tuesday morning and I'm on my way to work."

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this audiobook. I liked the synopsis and was intrigued by it being described as a 'musical theater audiobook'. I am a huge fan of musicals so—yes please!

I loved everything about this story—the storyline was interesting and kept my attention, the narrator was amazing, and the music was fabulous. As the writer notes in the interview below, the book is 'a narration plus songs in a musical theater style'. I loved that each chapter ended with a song relating to the chapter, just like if I was watching a musical!

Hannah is a quick read, or listen I guess, with only 11 chapters, not quite 2 hours listening time and it was very enjoyable. I was left wondering what was going to happen to Hannah and Jack and discovered that the author is releasing book two in December. That thrilled me and I'm excited to continue on with this journey. 

I received a copy of Hannah: The Soldier Diaries for review. This is my honest opinion of the book. 

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An interview with Steve Wallis

Where did the inspiration to write the audiobook come from?

I had always loved  the way Jeff Wayne had presented “War of the Worlds” (songs and narrative) and wanted to do something similar in terms of presentation to what Wayne had done.

The original inspiration for the story came from my grandparents who both lived through the second World War. I remember my grandmothers telling me what it was like waiting for her husband’s (my grandfather’s) letters to arrive and how she just had to “live her own life” the best she could — never really knowing if he would ever come home. Although “Hannah” is set many years later, in 2012, the themes are still very much the same as they were back in the 1940s.

For a good few years, I wanted to write a collection of songs for an album that followed a narrative — a story from beginning to end — rather than just write a bunch of songs that have no relationship to each other. “Hannah” and my grandparents gave me the opportunity to do just that.

Why did you decide to write the audiobook in the style of a stage musical?

I have tried to offer and create something a little different, so it's not a straightforward album or full-length audiobook or a recording of a stage musical. It's a narration plus songs in a musical theater style. I have always enjoyed stage musicals and produced a good few over the years and felt that this was a format I really enjoyed producing and writing. Writing in this style gives the listener a chance to imagine being in the theater without actually going to the theater. And it offers songs that tell a story with added narration to provide more depth to the story and characters, which a collection of songs I feel on their own would struggle to achieve.

What are some of the benefits in writing the book this way? Are there any drawbacks?

I think if a listener wants a story with songs and doesn't have time to either read a book or listen to a full-length audiobook, it fills a needs gap. This audiobook also offers the listener the ability to enjoy the songs over and over again without buying the actual album.

The songs tell the story in their own way. This format is relatively unique, which could be a positive as it offers something relatively new — but as it is relatively new, that could also be its weakness.

Zoe Wright plays the title role of Hannah; how did the two of you meet and what’s it been like to work with her?

I saw Wright in a production at my local theater in Scarborough and was blown away by her talent. I contacted her agent and asked if we could meet up. Fortunately, Wright agreed and we went to the recording studio together and played through the songs and she loved them.

We subsequently spent a good few months recording all the songs and the narration and we loved every minute. She is a dream to work with, highly professional in every way. And the folks who have heard the audiobook so far love her North Yorkshire accent; they love how its so real and down to earth.

Can you tell us a bit about the bonus track, specifically written for the show, by the D-Day Darlings — the biggest-selling female group to come out of “Britain's Got Talent”?

When I first heard the D-Days sing on “Britain’s Got Talent,”  I absolutely loved them and wanted them to make a guest appearance in “Hannah.” I contacted their management team and they very kindly agreed to join the project. So, I  wrote a song especially for them to sing in the stage musical version of “Hannah” called “Where Are You?”

The song is a little different to the other songs in the stage musical as it is deliberately nostalgic and reminiscent of Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again.” The track does not appear in the audiobook but is available to download as a bonus track on the “Hannah” website. The purchase is price of choice, meaning you can choose whatever price you want to pay — from $0 on up.

What kind of audience do you think the book will resonate the most with?

Listeners who like to listen to (mostly) modern music. Listeners who like music to tell a story. Listeners who don’t have time to either read a novel or listen to an audiobook that is hours long. A wide range of listener groups of all ages as the story is a love story at its core. Listeners who like to invest in characters and the story as this is book one of two (so far).

What can you tell us about the second part in the series, due to release in December 2024?

“Hannah: The Soldier Diaries (Part 2) will be released in December 2024. The second audiobook is a continuation story picking up where the first book ends. The story follows the relationship Hannah has with her boyfriend's brother. The book contains 11 brand new songs each designed to compliment and move the narrative forward as before. This second book will complete the initial Hannah story, but there is definitely more to come …

What’s next for the stage musical?

The musical will take to the stage once more in summer 2025. Plans are being made to enable “Hannah” to be the summer show in Scarborough, which means it will run two or three times a week for a two-month period, which we are incredibly excited about. Beyond that, we are putting together plans for a 2025 tour around the north of the UK with a follow up tour in 2026 with the aim of hitting the West End in London shortly afterward.

*********************

Check out the recording of “Hannah - The Soldier Diaries”

Listen to a sample of narration from the audiobook

Listen to a sample song from the audiobook

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About the author

Steve Wallis is a professional theater writer, producer and audiobook author. He has just produced to critical acclaim the musical stage version of “Hannah: The Soldier Diaries” in both his and "Hannah's" hometown of Scarborough, United Kingdom, where he lives with his wife and two dogs.

Wallis previously worked for the National Health Service but much prefers to be in the recording studio or sitting at his laptop writing the follow up audiobook to “Hannah: The Soldier Diaries,” which is due for completion later this year. 

Stay in touch with him at hannahthesoldierdiaries.co.uk. 

Connect with Steve

Website | Facebook | TikTok

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Release Day! God Bless the Child by Anne Shaw Heinrich ~ My Thoughts #GodBlessTheChild @svpublishing @booksforwardpr

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Anne

on the release today of

God Bless the Child!

God Bless the Child by Anne Shaw Heinrich

(The Women of Paradise County #1)

Family Life Fiction, 292 pages

Published June 7, 2024 by Speaking Volumes LLC

When we first meet Mary Kline in God Bless the Child, Book One of The Women of Paradise County series, she is sewing, her main obsession besides eating. It is hard to blame Mary for who she has become. She’s been perpetually hungry since childhood, and as she becomes a woman, she craves something far more delicious—a child of her own.

When Pearl Davis turns up pregnant after a church-basement encounter with James Pullman, the pastor’s son, Mary and her parents swoop in and “adopt” Pearl and her baby, Elizabeth. It’s a disastrous move.

As a teen, Elizabeth rebuffs Mary’s smothering affection and winds up pregnant. Mary insists on an abortion, which they both keep secret. When she later becomes a young mother, Elizabeth’s depression leads to severe OCD. When her irrationally patient husband, David, learns about the abortion and the harrowing nights Elizabeth witnessed as a child when her birth mother was abused, more secrets are revealed that explain Mary Kline’s insatiable appetite and her desire to be loved.

By the time Mary and Elizabeth confront the twisted truths that bind them, their entire family is sucked into grappling with layers of trauma spanning three generations.

Everyone in God Bless the Child must reckon with their past as they seek forgiveness and redemption.

My thoughts about God Bless the Child ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"I like to keep a dish of bridge mix nearby so I can nibble while I sew. I usually do my best work with a mouth full of milk chocolate."

What a delightful story full of quirky, dysfunctional characters that will fill up your heart. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything about God Bless the Child. Each character within the pages has their own issues to work through and when they are all thrown together, what a mess it becomes. But I ended up loving each and every one of them and enjoyed this story so much.

This is book #1 in a new series and I can't wait to read more about this unorthodox group of people. I highly recommend God Bless the Child.

I received God Bless the Child from the publisher and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Anne Shaw Heinrich has written features and marketing copy for newspapers, the health and nutrition industries, higher education and not-for-profit organizations. A graduate of Eureka college in Eureka, Illinois with an english degree, she previously served as the society and entertainment editor for a suburban Chicago newspaper. 

Besides reviewing local and national touring theater productions, she also interviewed celebrities such as Debbie Reynolds, Judy Collins, and Opera great, Beverly Sills. One of her essays, "Grandma's Big Secret" appeared in Marlo Thomas's book " The Right Words At The Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!" ( Published by Atria Books, 2006). 

In addition to her consulting work, Anne wrote a monthly column called " Small Talk" in the small town newspaper of Dwight Illinois, where she formally lived with her husband and three children. Anne has also contributed a chapter in " Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Cancer Book." 

Anne is currently working in the fundraising/public relations department for City Academy. A private school that admits under privileged students on full scholarship. Anne also has two completed rough draft novels waiting to be published and several side projects are always in the works. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Anne

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

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Release Day! Falling Through the Night by Gail Marlene Schwartz ~ My Thoughts #FallingThroughTheNight @GSchwartzauthor @booksforwardpr

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Gail

on the release today of

Falling Through the Night!

Falling Through the Night by Gail Marlene Schwartz

Women’s Fiction & LGBTQ+

Published February 26, 2024 by Demeter Press

Teaching Excellence Award recipient, Gail Marlene Schwartz, gracefully navigates difficult topics in her sapphic, Jewish adult novel Falling Through the Night (Demeter Press, Feb. 25th, 2024). Inspired by Schwartz’s personal experiences (immigration, anxiety, and a close friend’s suicide), Falling Through the Night is a romantic, funny coming-of-age story that explores the complicated journey of healing trauma and learning how to love. 

Audrey Meyerwitz, an introverted 30-something adoptee with anxiety, wants nothing more than to fall in love and create a healthy family, but the path to romance isn’t simple. Audrey’s life has been packed with sleepless nights, psychiatrists, and a string of nightmare ex-girlfriends. Determined to ensure that her future is a step in a healthier direction, Audrey lets her best friend Jessica, a recovering alcoholic, sign her up for a queer online dating app. What ensues is Audrey’s scary first step toward her lifelong dream: a strong, loving family. 

When Audrey falls for Denise, a French Canadian from Montreal, she finds herself immigrating to Canada and building a new life in Quebec, where she finds community in a collection of queer friends and, eventually, embarks on her dream of starting a family. But when she unearths a secret about her adoptive mother, she must re-evaluate everything she understood about her place in the world. 

Funny, honest, and profound, Falling Through the Night is a stirring story about cultivating healthy love from profound alienation: accepting both gains and losses, taking off the blinders of fantasy, and embracing the messiness that defines human nature and imperfect families.

      

My thoughts about Falling Through the Night ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"It's Monday morning, and I'm ready for step one. I'm lying in bed, staring at the water stain on the ceiling, the same one that's been there since I rented my place nine months ago. Squinting at it, I play Rorschach, and a new shape emerges: a sperm."

Falling Through the Night was a heart-warming debut novel by a new-to-me author. While Audrey struggles in her life with anxiety and other mental issues, all she really wants is to have someone to love, a family, and stability. 

The story walks us through Audrey's steps to get where she wants to be. And it wasn't always easy for her but her drama is what kept the story going for me. I enjoyed watching, and being a part of, Audrey's life as she figures it all out. Her life isn't perfect but she works through her problems and forges ahead. 

I enjoyed Falling Through the Night, which gave me a glimpse at a life that is so totally different from my own. I found myself having more understanding and empathy for those who struggle with issues like Audrey and her friends do. This was an eye-opening book for me and one I will be thinking about for awhile. 

I received a copy of Falling Through the Night from Books Forward and this is my honest opinion.

Advanced praise for Falling Through the Night

“Schwartz writes in muscular prose when documenting the highs and lows of dating and pregnancy… A sometimes-heartbreaking novel about what it means to be a daughter and a mother.”–Kirkus Reviews

“Author Gail Marlene Schwartz paints a picture of complex human relationships, of family found, formed, and chosen, and of the ways that people find strength and meaning in their lives, despite [their] unexpected turns. The first-person perspective at times gives the book the feel of a memoir, while the dialogue keeps the story moving and makes readers feel like they are in the room with the characters. Despite (or perhaps because of) the sometimes-heavy topics, this is an ultimately hopeful tale, as we see flawed, human characters finding their way, just as we might be doing.”–The Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books

Falling Through the Night is a breathtaking debut novel. Audrey is thoroughly relatable as a person dealing with mental health issues who is also full of talent, courage, creativity, and love. A page turner, the book engaged me as both a human with my own struggles but also as a therapist who understands the complexities of early childhood trauma and all the pain involved in healing. Audrey's immigration to Quebec was a wonderful opportunity to experience that culture and the particularities of a young queer artist fumbling and learning as she adapts. A wonderful portrayal of a woman doing the personal work we all need to do to grow. Inspiring, engaging, and ultimately incredibly hopeful.”–Glo Harris, therapist and corporate coach

“The winning combination of Schwartz’s beautifully crafted prose and attention to detail allows the reader to journey with Audrey across two countries in her quest for a new family and a better life. Falling Through the Night shines a light on the ups and downs of anxiety disorder, and spins a story where the LGBTQ protagonist learns to recognize and accept herself, but so does everyone else.”–Lori Shwydky, Publisher, Rebel Mountain Press

Falling Through the Night is a moving look at the ways in which anxiety and family issues intersect. The book is one part magical romance and two parts unflinching account of a queer woman’s messy journey. Audrey’s path is to create a healthy family despite and because of a past shaped by lies and haunted by a mother she never knew. The book could be described as a page-turning beach read, as we are privy to the whirlwind, sweet, and romantic lesbian love story at the heart of this book. But [“Falling Through the Night”] is so much more than that—it is also a deep dive into family, friendship, addiction, and mental health, at times leaving the reader breathless with all the complexity and beauty that is life.”–Dr. Jennifer Marlow, author and Professor of English, College of St. Rose

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About the author

Gail Marlene Schwartz is a dual citizen, a relationship artist, and an above-average pianist. She is co-author of the books My Sister’s Girlfriend and The Loudest Bark (Rebel Mountain Press) and co-editor of the forthcoming essay collection, Boyhood Reimagined: Stories of Queer Moms Raising Sons (Motina Books). She is a founding editor of Hotch Potch Literature and Art, a collaborative online magazine, and also a freelance editor, writing coach, and writing instructor at the Community College of Vermont.

Gail lives in Montpelier, Vermont with her partner, Erin; she spends every other weekend in Montreal with her best friend, Lucie, and their teenage son, Alexi. You can read more about her at gailmarleneschwartz.com.

Connect with Gail

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter

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Release Day! Late Bloomer by Melissa Giberson ~ My Thoughts and an Interview #LateBloomer @LateBloomer823 @booksforwardpr

Happy Release Day!

Congrats Melissa

on the release today of

Late Bloomer!

Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self at Midlife by Melissa Giberson

Nonfiction, 256 pages

Published August 8, 2023 by She Writes Press

"This is an honest account of the profound ‘awakening’ that stems from an appetite for life and yet also comes at a cost. The writing is just right. It’s straight—from the heart.” — Richard C. Morais, author of The Hundred-Foot Journey

“Late Bloomer is an absolutely glorious memoir about a woman coming out, coming into her true self." — Amy Ferris, author of Mighty Gorgeous and Marrying George Clooney

Melissa Giberson is a middle-aged suburban wife and mother of two kids, solidly planted in the life she’s always wanted. Yet she longs for something more—something she can’t quite put her finger on until, one day at the Y, she finds herself mesmerized by the sight of a naked woman and asks herself for the first time: Am I gay?

This revelation sends Melissa on a head-spinning journey of self-discovery, one that challenges everything she thinks she knows about herself, forces her to decide exactly how much she’s willing to risk for authenticity, and shakes the foundations of the family she’s fiercely determined to shield from the kinds of wounds she sustained during her own childhood. Torn between her desire to be true to herself and her desire to protect her children, she is consumed by fear and conflicting emotions—and when her husband unexpectedly serves her divorce papers, her confusion only deepens.

Adrift in uncharted waters, Melissa finds fragments of understanding and peace in unexpected places—in a conference room in Israel, a small fishing village in Cape Cod, and at a yoga retreat center—that help her deconstruct her preconceptions about faith and identity and begin to construct a new framework for her life. Over the course of her ten-year journey, she finds hope, love, and more courage than she ever knew she was capable of, and she gradually assembles the puzzle that is her—the real her.

My thoughts about Late Bloomer ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"I stood there frozen, as if the sight of a naked woman is something I've never seen before."

I wasn't sure how I felt about reading this book, a memoir about a woman who comes to realize later in life that she's gay. Would this book make my uncomfortable? Would I be able to relate to this woman and what she was going though? All though my life, I've enjoyed reading biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs just for the fact that they allow me to learn about other people's lives and how they got to where they are today. This story did exactly that for me. 

Late Bloomer is the story of the ten year journey that Melissa took after she starting questioning the life she was living, Through her many, many ups and downs, and acceptance and rejections from family and friends, she seems to be living her best, honest life now. But it was not an easy journey by any means. 

This is a very well written account of Melissa's change and growth that served as an eye-opener to me as I saw her struggle with people's biases and judgment. I feel that this book could serve as an inspiration to others who are struggling, showing them that your life can change and you need to be true to yourself, even though it will be hard. You never know what people are going through and we should all be a little kinder and accepting of others. I learned a lot from Melissa's story and enjoyed it very much. 

I received a copy of Late Bloomer from Books Forward and this is my honest opinion.

An Interview with Melissa Giberson

What was your main motivation for writing Late Bloomer, and what do you hope that readers will take away from reading it?

My motivation for writing Late Bloomer was born of the many times someone told me that my story was helpful to them. Early in my journey, women who were on the other side of their own journey showed up to help me and I want to do that for others as well. Writing a book enables me to reach more people. I hope readers come away from reading my book with the knowledge that they’re not alone – whether they’re just starting their journey or on the other side and hearing a story that resonates and validates their experience. I want people to know that there is an “other” side.

Your children were a primary concern for you when you decided to come out. What was it like to come out to your kids? How has your relationship with them changed and strengthened?

I was terrified of hurting my children, that they would hate me for changing their story. Telling them was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s a challenging situation but I knew that not pursuing an authentic life would have hurt them because kids are intuitive. I had, and continue to have, wonderful adventures with my kids and because of everything we’ve been through, I work harder to make sure I always show up for them. I’m so proud of my kids and it’s my hope that I make them proud as well.

What was it like diving back into dating and dating women for the first time in your 40’s?

I didn’t do much dating before my ex and I became a couple (we were very young), so it didn’t feel like returning to dating in my forties, it felt like engaging in something entirely foreign to me. It was awkward and I didn’t like it but I also knew that I wanted to ultimately have the experience of being in a relationship with a woman. I learned by asking questions of a friend who was in a same-sex marriage and observing couples I met in the community.

How did the stigma of being a “late bloomer” in the queer community impact you? What was the rationale for titling the book after this stigma?

It was stunning the first time a woman said I was taboo, that women would run from me. I wasn’t prepared for the various types of discrimination that can exist within the LGBTQ community—that it was no different than any other ethnic, socioeconomic, or religious group in which members of the community may be deemed “less than” based on any number of variables. I have come to embrace being a late bloomer and want to celebrate that people come into their own aptitude, and self-awareness, at various times and in variable ways.

How did your Jewish identity impact your coming out? In what ways did that community support you?

My earliest supporters were Jewish and there was a sense of comfort in that, a common ground as I was struggling with planning for my daughter’s bat mitzvah, a major milestone for her at the beginning of my crisis. At a time when my world was undergoing such drastic change, having this one familiar thread was helpful. I was invited to attend services and events within the Jewish community and found solace in some of the teachings found in Judaism.

About the author

Melissa is a native New Yorker who identifies as a late bloomer, a highly sensitive introvert, and proud mama bear to two children. An occupational therapist and writer, she has published articles in The Boston Globe, Kveller, Dorothy Parker’s Ashes, and Highly Sensitive Refuge. She received an Honorable Mention in the Memoirs/Personal Essays category of the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and her essay, “Art is the Antidote,” appears in the anthology, Art in The Time of Unbearable Crisis (June, 2022). Melissa’s debut book, Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self at Midlife (She Writes Press) comes out August, 2023. 

Melissa is living her authentic life with her partner and their two cats; together, they split their time between New Jersey and Provincetown, Massachusetts. Find out more at her website.

Connect with Melissa

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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Release Day! Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm by Kimberly Behre Kenna ~ My Thoughts #JettJamisonAndTheSecretStorm @KimberlyBKenna @booksforwardpr

Congratulation Kimberly

on the release today of

Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm!

 

Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm by Kimberly Behre Kenna

Middle Grade, 174 pages

Published August 3, 2023 by Black Rose Writing

Jett Jamison can’t catch a break. Her home in small town Wisteria is noisy as a zoo, and her mind buzzes with bits of a traumatic memory she’d rather forget. She’s filled a shoebox with one hundred thirty-three to-do lists, her roadmaps to peace, but they only lead to dead ends. 

Sister Gia, master gardener and cat-whisperer extraordinaire, suggests a book by an anonymous author, but it’s disappeared from all local libraries, and nobody wants to talk about it. Enraged at the injustice, Jett continues to dig for answers and is drawn into a censorship battle with a high-profile radio host. 

Her peaceful protest backfires big time, and the town goes berserk. Now, for peace to be within reach, Jett must either face up to her past or remain forever bound by silence much more suffocating than the din in Wisteria.

Hailed as Speak for a new generation, a sixth grader heals from trauma in latest addition to acclaimed author’s “Brave Girls Collection”

My thoughts about Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"I stand on tiptoe and reach way up past the everyday graffiti, past the proclamations about who loves who and cartoon sketches of the most unpopular teachers."

I have to admit that I typically don't read Middle Grade level books. But when this one was brought to my attention and I saw that it dealt with libraries and the censorship of books, well my library background kicked in and I knew I had to read it.

Jett is a precocious girl who knows right from wrong and fights for what is right. When she discovers a book she wants to read is missing from the library, she does all in her power to find it. And to find out why it is being taken from all of the libraries. She gets the whole community involved and in the process is able to uncover her own truth. 

Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm is very well written and is the perfect story to support the beginning of discussions about a topic that can be hard to open up about. This is actually the second book in Kimberly's Brave Girls Collection and I'm excited to read the first book and any future books the author has planned.  

I received a copy of Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm from BooksForward and this is my honest opinion.

An Interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna

1. What inspired you to write Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm? Were you influenced by the recent increase in book bannings in the United States?

I started writing this book before the recent increase in book bannings, around the time of #MeToo, when so many women bravely came forward to tell their stories. One day as I sat writing in my hometown library, the very place my mother escaped to in order to get away from her noisy siblings many years ago, I wondered how my own childhood would’ve been different if I’d had a sanctuary like this library with books to help me deal with my trauma. Jett’s character grew from these real life situations, and her story evolved into exploring what would happen if the important healing books that now exist disappeared. So, my story’s universal themes of book censorship and silenced voices are also very personal.

2. Part of the proceeds from book sales will benefit your hometown public library. What role does the library play in Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm?

The fictional Wisteria Library is largely inspired by the one in my hometown, the historic James Blackstone Library. Over the past few years, I’ve spent many, many hours at the Blackstone Library, where most of this book was written. The building itself is magical, and the staff and librarians provide patrons of all ages with a safe, non-judgmental space where they can explore, ask questions, and have fun. Wisteria Library offers Jett the same, until the troubling events she witnesses there illustrate the unreasonable pressure that libraries and librarians are facing today. This place that was sacred to Jett becomes yet another victim of injustice, and she decides to right the wrong.

3. Sexual assault and the resulting trauma is a topic rarely explored in middle grade fiction. Why did you want to write about this for a pre-teen audience, and how did you approach doing so?

Like Jett and many children, I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. These children live in a void of secrecy. If there had been books exploring the issue, or open discussions about it back in the day, perhaps I wouldn’t have kept the secret for decades. I wrote this book so that traumatized kids would feel less alone and hopefully reach out to an adult for help. The silence needs to be broken early on so healing can begin. There’s a fine balance that must be struck when writing about such topics for middle grade. The story must be age appropriate (no graphic depiction on the page) and softened with humor and hope without diminishing the serious truths of the topic. Fiction provides a safe place for young readers to explore difficult things.

4. What are the similarities and differences between the two heroines in your Brave Girls Collection: Artemis Sparke and Jett Jamison? 

Both girls have lost their voices due to victimization, and their resulting lack of confidence prevents them from getting what they want. Both girls have male friends and wise adults willing to help them reclaim their voices and reach their goals, but overwhelming emotions get in the way of their achieving those things. They both find solace in nature, and the outdoor plants and animals help them restore their spirit, but the way each of their stories unfolds is what makes the two girls unique.

5. What do you hope readers will take away from Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm? 

I hope readers come away with a better idea of how common trauma is and how it affects people, and I hope they’ll feel more comfortable discussing it. This is a book that must be discussed, or we land right back at the spot where we started—a child alone with a heavy subject that they don’t know what to do with. Regardless of whether the reader has been abused or not, I hope they now see that we cannot make assumptions about people based on their behavior when we have no idea of their backstory. We need to remain open and receptive to others so that they feel comfortable enough to say what they need to say.

6. What’s next for you? Do you have another Brave Girls book in the works?

Yes! Book three is complete, but still needs a tweak or two. Meanwhile, I’m happy to say that my immediate future is full of visits with kids, teachers, and librarians, and many, many unread books that I’ve not paid enough attention to during this busy year of publishing! 

Praise for Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm and Kimberly Behre Kenna

“Readers will love the memorable and realistic cast of characters in this tale of a sixth-grader’s journey to discover the mystery of a suppressed library book. Along the way, she will discover answers to the difficult storm brewing inside herself, as well as find her voice to advocate for both. Jett is a brave, compelling character, and this novel is an engaging and inspiring take on a sensitive topic. An important read!” –Sonja K. Solter, award-winning author of When You Know What I Know

“Jett Jamison has a secret—a deeply painful one. She also has determination, a strong sense of justice, and a wide open heart that will have young readers glued to her side and rooting for her as she works to stop a censorship campaign against a book she knows she needs to read in order to heal. With bravery, beautiful writing, and just the right amount of restraint, Kimberly Behre Kenna has opened the door for a crucial and overdue conversation about sexual abuse and survival for middle grade readers. More than twenty years ago, teenagers were given the gift of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. Now, finally, pre-teens have this stunning and necessary book.” – Ona Gritz, author of August or Forever

“Kenna has done that rare and wonderful magic trick of immersing the reader into the psyche of a tender tween soul in crisis without any dissembling or subterfuge. The story breathes with subtle and deft nuances of insight and feeling… The reader of any age enters into Jett’s world of pitfalls and trauma from the first page, though they quickly learn that Jett is no frozen victim: she’s a fighter, a detective, and when it counts the most, a trailblazer. The town of Wisteria can be found in Anywhere, America… This unassuming but also unabashed book will do wonders for the heart and spirit of young people grappling with silence where an open conversation could change their lives forever.”–JR Potter, award-winning teen mystery author of Thomas Creeper and the Gloomsbury Secret

“Sixth-grader Jett Jamison relies on carefully curated lists and schedules to protect her from the stress of a chaotic family life and the jumbled fragments of a disturbing memory. But an unexpected friendship and a mysterious book challenge Jett’s beliefs about the value of predictability and order and embolden her to face those who have silenced her and others. Kimberly Behre Kenna tackles a difficult subject with the perfect balance of honesty and hope in her portrayal of a courageous and relatable heroine whose observations about herself and the world sparkle.” –Linda B. Davis, MSW, author of Food Fight

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About the author

After years as an adolescent and family counselor, and then as a fifth grade teacher of ecology and language arts, Kimberly returned to school for her MA in creative writing from Wilkes University. 

Her middle-grade novel, Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade (Regal House/Fitzroy) was a finalist and received Honorable Mention in the 2019 Tassy Walden New Voices in Children’s Literature Competition. Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm (Black Rose) is the second book in her Brave Girls Collection. A third in the collection, as yet unpublished, won second place in The Institute of Children’s Literature 2022 MG Mystery Contest. 

Her poems and stories have been published in American Writers Review, Mused, Plumtree Tavern, and Rubbertop Review. Her full-length play, Ana’s Hummingbird, was given a staged reading at The Dramatists Guild in NYC. She’s a member of SCBWI and PEN America, and now devotes herself to writing full time.

Connect with Kimberly

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

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