Novels
Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story
What if the person who knew you best and loved you most forgot your face, and couldn't remember your name?
A care home is everyone's solution for what to do about Sara, but her husband, Jack, can't bear to live without her. He is committed to saving his marriage, his wife, and their life together from the devastation of Alzheimer's disease. He and Sara retired years ago to the house of their dreams, and operated it as a Cape Cod bed and breakfast named Blue Hydrangeas.
A care home is everyone's solution for what to do about Sara, but her husband, Jack, can't bear to live without her. He is committed to saving his marriage, his wife, and their life together from the devastation of Alzheimer's disease. He and Sara retired years ago to the house of their dreams, and operated it as a Cape Cod bed and breakfast named Blue Hydrangeas.
Jack has made an impossible promise: He and Sara will stay together in their beautiful home no matter what the disease brings. However, after nine years of selfless caregiving, complicated by her progressing Alzheimer's and his own failing heart, he finally admits he can no longer care for her at home.
With reluctance, he arranges to admit her to an assisted living facility. But, on the day of admission, Sara is having one of her few good days, and he is unable to follow through. Instead, he takes them on an impulsive journey to confront their past and reclaim their future. In the end, he realizes that staying together at any cost is what truly matters.
Readers say:
Readers say:
"Read it twice just to make sure I didn't miss anything."
"Blue Hydrangeas is, by far, the most tender love story I've read in a very long time."
"Blue Hydrangeas is a different kind of Alzheimer’s tale. A story of love and loss, of impossible promises, and dreams passed on to the next generation."
***
Swim Season
Sometimes winning is everything.
Champion swimmer Aerin Keane is ready to give up her dreams of college swimming and a shot at the Olympics. As she starts senior year in her third high school, Aerin's determined to leave her family troubles behind and be like all the other girls at Two Rivers. She's got a new image and a new attitude. She doesn’t want to win anymore. She's swimming for fun, no longer the freak who wins every race, every title, only to find herself alone.
But when her desire to be just one of the girls collides with her desire to be the best Two Rivers has ever seen, will Aerin sacrifice her new friendships to break a longstanding school record that comes with a $50,000 scholarship?
Readers say:
"Lovers of contemporary YA will find plenty of clean drama as Aerin undergoes a journey of self-discovery. Overall, an athletic story with a relatable lead."
"As a former swimmer and a swim mom myself, I believe this rich, well written story with authentic characters participating in a demanding sport, accurately supports real life issues for teens."
"As a former swimmer and a swim mom myself, I believe this rich, well written story with authentic characters participating in a demanding sport, accurately supports real life issues for teens."
"This book beautifully captures the life of a swimmer and high schooler."
***
Short Stories
Collection: Daisy Hunter Story No. 1 (The Daisy Hunter Stories)
Daisy and her family accompany their hardworking father on a trip to collect his wages from a slow-paying customer, and encounter surprising consequences. A poignant coming of age story that captures the fallout in a collision of classes. Winner of Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest 2007, Honorable Mention
Readers say:
"In this story about the
differences between those who have more than enough and those struggling to get
by, Sciucco weaves a classic tale of snobbery and humility."
"They say those with the
least will give the most and it's so true."
"A short story that draws you right in with fleshed out characters, well-described setting, and a fantastic plot. Narration was superb!"
Birthday Party: Daisy Hunter Story No. 2 (The Daisy Hunter Stories)
It's Suzanne's 13th birthday, and Daisy is shocked and saddened to learn that she's never had a birthday party. So she sets out to give her one, complete with a cake, ice cream, soda, and balloons. But when Suzanne's mother shows up, the party's over. A poignant coming of age story where good will and alcoholism collide.
Readers say:
"A bittersweet short story. A lot packed into 12 pages."
"Delightful book especially for preteens or teens looking for a clean story with substance. Well-written and true-to-life."
"A very sweet story about children and friendship. And a great mom."
Ino's Love
"A short story that draws you right in with fleshed out characters, well-described setting, and a fantastic plot. Narration was superb!"
***
Birthday Party: Daisy Hunter Story No. 2 (The Daisy Hunter Stories) It's Suzanne's 13th birthday, and Daisy is shocked and saddened to learn that she's never had a birthday party. So she sets out to give her one, complete with a cake, ice cream, soda, and balloons. But when Suzanne's mother shows up, the party's over. A poignant coming of age story where good will and alcoholism collide.
Readers say:
"A bittersweet short story. A lot packed into 12 pages."
"Delightful book especially for preteens or teens looking for a clean story with substance. Well-written and true-to-life."
"A very sweet story about children and friendship. And a great mom."
***
Ino prepares a Christmas feast for her successful, CEO son, but when he's too busy to spend the holiday with his mother she shares her dinner and gifts with her home health aid. Sometimes the people who love us best are not family.
Readers say:
"The author packs so much into so little space. This is what a short story should be."
"I felt myself sink into the story, somehow a welcome guest in Ino's life. And then the story was over - much too soon. And it left me terribly hungry for some Italian cooking. I do wonder what Ino's recipe tastes like!"
"There was nothing I didn't like about this story. A highly recommended read for all ages."
***
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Want your digital book signed by the author?
Marianne Sciucco is on Authorgraph.
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