Thursday, October 10, 2024

Spotlight on What Was Lost by Melissa Connelly

When a young girl feels complicit in her own abuse, how does that thwart the adult woman?

Debut author pens empowering story of one woman’s journey to catharsis

 Brooklyn, NY – A woman returns to her hometown to uncover the truth and confront the perpetrator of the childhood sexual abuse she endured 30 years earlier in Melissa Connelly’s gripping debut novel, “What Was Lost” (October 8, 2024, She Writes Press)Kirkus Reviews calls it “a vivid examination of how troubles from the past affect an unfolding future.”

Melissa Connelly’s debut novel comes after a long career in education. A finalist for the 2019 Montana Prize and at 60, she’s ready to share her first novel; a story about a 40-year-old woman who returns to her old hometown in Vermont and faces the past she was so desperate to forget.

In a world before Roe v. Wade, young Marti is fourteen and pregnant by her 27-year-old art teacher. In desperation, she looks for ways to abort the baby. With the help of her friend, Peter, she hitchhikes across state borders to seek the procedure out. Soon after the abortion, she runs away. Thirty years later, Mari is confronted with disturbing memories from her past and returns for the first time to her small Vermont hometown. She drags along her unwitting and unwilling teenage daughter, heightening the tension between them. Encountering her old friend Peter she learns how the lies she told impacted his life. Together they concoct a plan to find her abuser. Marti is seeking forgiveness for lies told, and revenge for secrets held.

Exploring the vast social change from 1970 to 2000, What Was Lost unfolds in times before language such as #MeToo helped give voice to these all-too-common occurrences. It is a raw, powerful tale of one woman confronting the ghosts of her past. Publisher’s Weekly says “a strong sense of humanity and compassion powers the novel.

“What Was Lost”

Melissa Connelly | October 8, 2024

She Writes Press | Literary Fiction 

Paperback | 978-1647427849 | $17.99

Ebook | B0D3FKK4SQ | $12.99 

Melissa Connelly dropped out of high school at age fifteen. Despite this, she went on to receive a BSN in nursing, an MA in special education, and an MFA in creative writing. She’s had a long career working with children in various roles in schools, hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and daycares. Her work has been published in American Heritage MagazineRuminate Magazine and the anthology It’s All About Shoes, and she was a finalist for the 2019 Montana Prize. Connelly has a home in the mountains of Western North Carolina but lives most of the year in Brooklyn, New York. Find out more: https://melissaconnelly.com/

Follow Melissa Connelly on social media: 

Website: https://melissaconnelly.com Facebook: @melissaconnellywriter | Instagram: @melissaconnellywriter


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Spotlight on A Wolff in the Family by Francine Falk-Allen



SAN RAFAEL, CA – Award-winning author Francine Falk-Allen’s two acclaimed memoirs have been featured by Buzzfeed and PopSugar, and have received a Kirkus star. A fan of genealogy research, Francine enjoyed uncovering her family’s history, and traced both her maternal and paternal ancestors back to the 1600s. She never imagined that one day she’d discover a jaw-dropping family secret.

Based on a true story, Falk-Allen’s “A Wolff in the Family” (She Writes Press, Oct. 1, 2024) is a riveting saga of prejudice, passion, and revenge, perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah’s “The Four Winds.” What mysterious scandals led a father to abandon his five youngest children—and the elder siblings to keep their shame a secret for eighty years?

More about the book: Railroad engineer Frank Wolff and Kansas farmgirl Naomi Sims were happily married in 1908. Naomi was excited to take up her role as wife and mother and make a life with Frank in thriving Ogden, Utah. Despite Frank’s almost-constant absence due to his job riding the rails, their romantic relationship resulted in fourteen children. The young mother’s life was consumed with caring for her brood, who became helpers as soon as they could fold a diaper. Affection and conflict endured side by side in the humble house, but the marriage ultimately faced insurmountable challenges—just before the Depression took hold of the nation.

 Praise for the Author…

“A Wolff in The Family is an absolute page-turner!  Immediately immersive, readers will be drawn into the hardships and small joys of the Wolff family as they attempt to make a living in rural Utah—Frank as a philandering “railroad man” and Naomi as a suffering housewife and mother of ten children with little emotional support from Frank.  Falk-Allen paints a realistic picture of the West during the early part of the twentieth century with her vivid prose and realistic characters.   An intriguing story about social norms, gender roles, and, ultimately, love.  This is a fast, absorbing story that will keep you up long into the night.  Couldn’t put it down!” —Michelle Cox, author of The Fallen Woman's Daughter

 “‘A Wolff in The Family’ is an absolute page-turner! Immediately immersive, readers will be drawn into the hardships and small joys of the Wolff family as they attempt to make a living in rural Utah—Frank as a philandering “railroad man” and Naomi as a suffering housewife and mother of ten children with little emotional support from Frank. Falk-Allen paints a realistic picture of the West during the early part of the twentieth century with her vivid prose and realistic characters. An intriguing story about social norms, gender roles, and, ultimately, love. This is a fast, absorbing story that will keep you up long into the night. Couldn’t put it down!”

—Michelle Cox, author of “The Fallen Woman's Daughter”

 “Heartbreaking at its core, Francine Falk-Allen's ‘A Wolff in the Family’ takes the bones of a long-hidden family secret and fleshes it out to include a large cast of characters who come alive on the page. From abject poverty and a life saddled with a dozen children she's raising alone, Naomi Wolff is drowning: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Seeking comfort in a forbidden friendship, she is stripped of her children by her abusive and vindictive husband. Kudos to Falk-Allen for taking this project on, making it both compelling and relatable, and shedding light into dark corners of family history. A bold and important read.”

—Ashley E. Sweeney, author of “Eliza Waite”

 

 

About the Author…


 FRANCINE FALK-ALLEN: was born in Los Angeles and has lived nearly all of her life in northern California. She had polio in 1951, and has lived her life as a disabled person making an effort to be a “normie.”

Falk-Allen was originally an art major and later completed her BA in Managerial Accounting, running her own business for over thirty years. She has always sought creative outlets, such as painting, singing, and writing. She began doing extensive family genealogy research in 1999, and has traced both her maternal and paternal ancestors back to the 1600s.

Her first book, “Not a Poster Child: Living Well with a Disability,” won gold and silver awards and was on several best books lists in 2018 and 2019, including Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018, PopSugar and BuzzFeed, and was nominated to 25 Women Making a Difference in 2019 by Conversations Magazine.

Her second book, “No Spring Chicken: Stories and Advice from a Wild Handicapper,” received a Kirkus star, given to “books of exceptional merit” by Kirkus Reviews, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of August 2021. “No Spring Chicken” was also a finalist in Foreword Reviews’ Indie Awards in 2021.

 

Her third book, “A Wolff in the Family” is a riveting early twentieth century saga set in the western United States and based on scandalous family history.

Francine spends a significant amount of time managing the effects of post-polio. She facilitates a polio survivors’ group as well as a writing group, and volunteers on her town’s Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Committee. She loves the outdoors, swimming, gardening, movies, well-written literature, being with friends and sharing British tea and a little champagne now and then. She resides in San Rafael, California, with her husband. Learn more at: https://francinefalk-allen.com

 

 

A Brief Interview with Francine Falk-Allen

 What inspired you to write “A Wolff in the Family”?

At a memorial service for one of my mother’s myriad brothers and sisters, an aunt mentioned offhandedly, “When we were in the orphanage…” and I was taken aback. My mother, long dead and the eldest child, had never mentioned this. I said, “Aunt Dorothy, what orphanage? What are you talking about?” She then gave me two or three more surprising comments which led me to inquire with other family members, and meld it with what my mother had related… and I  thought it was just too juicy a story to pass up. I’m the author in the family, so I felt that it fell to me.

How much of the book is true-to-life, and how much is fiction?

The main events of the story, including how the youngest children ended up in an orphanage and some of the events that led up to that, are factual, and most of the resulting repercussions are true as well. I had to surmise how some of these things came to pass, and using census records and family birth, marriage and death records, I pieced together where people would have been, which led me to guess how some of the characters could have met in a particular way or place; so some of that is made up but based on possibility. I also included family vignettes which really happened. I made up nearly all of the conversations, of course, which took place from 1918 through the early 1950’s, but I set everything in places that really existed. All of the characters were real people, some of whom I knew, with most of the names changed.

 

What advice would you give to readers who are interested in doing research on their own family histories?

Start with what you know, and ask the people who are the oldest in your life what they remember or know to be factual, such as the dates of your ancestors’ births and deaths, plus any stories they can tell. There are bound to be some myths which are not true (there were in my father’s family as well). Then you can do internet research such as is available in Family Search or Ancestry, but you have to be careful, because many people will insert things they think are true without having seen an actual birth, marriage, christening, baptism, military or death record. I originally went in person to the source, the National Archives, twenty-five years ago, and some other locations, and looked for copies of original documents, as did some of my cousins, especially the Allen cousins, not as much the Mormons on my mother’s side; they have been less careful even though they have a reputation for interest in genealogy. Notation should be made for estimates and unverified stories, but many amateur family sleuths do not do due diligence. In the process you may unearth written newspaper articles or other stories, such as whether a relative’s death record listed slaves as assets, or whether they owned a particular piece of property, which can lead you to their location and more possible stories! Once you get the bug, allow lots of time, because it’s a fascinating tunnel to pursue.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned


Thursday, October 3, 2024

Spotlight on Wise Heart by Claudia Ermey



WiseHeart

Perfect for Fans of Jennifer Hartmann's Catch the Sun and Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

After Jonathan Earl David Iverson watches the first Star Wars movie and realizes his initials spell JEDI, he secretly fancies himself a Jedi warrior. He is determined to protect the women in his life including his single mom, Iris, whose live-in boyfriend is speed dating on the side; his hippie Aunt Rainbow, and her lovesick 12-yr-old, Penny, and of course. . .

Dora, beautiful and brilliant, the love of his life. Stanford scholarship secured, she is bound for the stars and will let nothing stand in her way.

But when Jed’s mistaken for a hero who has taken down a high school shooter, he must come clean and risk losing Dora, or slip further toward the Dark Side.

 

Meet Claudia Ermey


Claudia Ermey is a novelist and traveling curiositor who "eats books for sustenance.” She’s completed the prestigious Creative Writing and Screen Writing courses at UCLA, and is the author of the award-winning historical novel, The Confessional, which has been optioned as a feature film. A former chiropractor to the stars and Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused children, Claudia lives in San Clemente, California. She writes engaging novels that embody the heart of contemporary fiction. Her narratives delve into profound emotions and intricate characters, providing readers with a richly immersive and engaging experience.

 

Learn more at ClaudiaErmey.com

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Spotlight on Sailing for Grace by Joesph Bauer



Wife’s last wishes lead husband to border to learn about asylum seekers and help reunite separated migrant families

Heartfelt story explores grief, resilience and the nature of human connection

 

Cleveland, OH – Award-winning author Joseph Bauer is releasing a new novel that poignantly explores the complexities of immigration and the effect current policies have on personal and family relationships. In “Sailing for Grace” (September 15, 2024, Running Wild Press), a man’s promise to his dying wife leads him into uncharted waters as he confronts the realities of immigration at the US-Mexico border.

 

"Sailing for Grace" follows Will Goodbow, a wealthy businessman who makes a promise to his late wife, Grace, to help reunite migrant children separated from their parents at the border. Despite his lack of expertise in immigration matters, Will feels compelled to fulfill his promise to Grace, leading him to El Paso where he seeks to understand the situation at the US-Mexico border.

 

Through encounters with aid workers, border patrol officers, and migrants themselves, Will navigates the complexities of the immigration system and grapples with the moral dilemmas surrounding family separation and asylum. As he delves deeper into the issue, Will confronts the harsh realities faced by migrants and the challenges of implementing meaningful change in a broken system, while also grieving the death of his wife. Dive into the depths of human resilience and sacrifice with “Sailing for Grace”, a powerful story of love, loyalty, and the unwavering pursuit of justice in the face of adversity.

 

“Sailing for Grace”

Joseph Bauer | September 15, 2024 | Running Wild Press | Contemporary Fiction

Paperback | 978-1960018519 | $19.99

 


Joseph Bauer

 

Joseph Bauer was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.  An honors student in literature, he was editor-in-chief of his college newspaper at the University of Toledo.  He worked as an international corporate lawyer for 30 years, starting his career with the large firm Jones Day, and completing it as the chief legal officer of a NYSE traded global company, The Lubrizol Corporation.  Always wanting to be an author, he retired early and has been writing novels ever since from his homes in Ann Arbor, Cleveland, and Charleston, SC..  His first three novels, “The Accidental Patriot”, “The Patriot’s Angels” and “Too True To Be Good” (all acclaimed for their literary quality, pace, and suspense) were published in 2020, 2021 and 2023.  After his submission of the draft of “Sailing For Grace” was awarded 1st Prize at the 2022 annual Atlanta Writers Conference, he signed with Running Wild Press for the publication of Sailing For Grace and the republication of his first 3 novels. Mr. Bauer is married and has 3 adult daughters whom he raised in Shaker Heights, OH.  He is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer.  Find out more about him on his website. And Facebook: @JosephBauerNovelist.


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Lifers by Keith G. McWalter


Thought provoking is the first reaction I had to this book. It will also pique interests differently based on the age of the reader. I suspect that a younger reader’s perspective is considerably different than this older (old) reader's perspective.  A rogue geneticist develops a plague that increases the life expectancy. The stress that puts on the fabric of society, both emotional and financial, fuel the conflicts of the book.

The characters are almost ancillary to the plot. The impact of an enormous pool of senior citizens who are not dying on the support structure of society is devastating.  Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and similar programs in other countries buckle under the pressure.   Drastic measures are entertained and implemented by different nations.

Initially I found the book stifling with too much detail on the science. Later in the book the verbiage occasionally waxed beyond elegance. One concept that hit home for me was the revelation that although younger people frequently express respect and admiration for the elderly, they often treat them with condescension and distain. I’ve seen that, experienced that and sadly probably indulged in that when I was much younger. 

This is not an easy, breezy read. It truly is thought provoking!

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned