I'm pleased to help out fellow author Tamie Dearen with the cover reveal for her new romantic comedy A Rose in Bloom. And here it is!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Alzheimer's, Literature, and Still Alice
There is no disease that strikes more fear into the hearts of
most of us than Alzheimer’s disease, the thief of memory, the robber of human
dignity. Over the last two years, I have had the privilege to speak to many
people about this disease and the topic is usually met with a shudder, followed
by the words “oh, God.” Some people are unable to discuss the subject at
all, tearing up, shaking their heads, and walking away. Alzheimer's is the
disease of my generation, affecting our grandparents and parents at an alarming
rate, with the number of cases expected to TRIPLE by 2050. Unfortunately,
it does not get enough attention through the popular media to educate us about
it, to start a public conversation, or to teach us how to prepare for the
tsunami of cases coming our way.
The recent release of the movie Still Alice, based on the bestselling novel by neuroscientist Lisa Genova, has put Alzheimer’s disease in the spotlight. It’s the first major motion picture to take on Alzheimer’s in many years. Although the disease affects an estimated 5.5 million Americans (and 44 million worldwide), it has not yet penetrated pop culture in a meaningful way, so it’s encouraging to finally see it addressed in the popular media in a way we can easily relate to, in all its emotional and horrific truth.
I didn't read Still Alice when Genova
self-published it in 2007 or when Pocket Books (now Gallery Books) republished
it in 2009 because I was in the midst of rewriting then publishing my own
Alzheimer’s novel, Blue Hydrangeas. But with the release of the film imminent, I
finally sat down and read Genova’s book. It is a fine representation of this
disease, and one of the few dealing specifically with early onset Alzheimer’s,
which strikes before age 65 and affects five percent of those with the disease.
Genova's heroine Alice
Howland has just turned 50. Her life is rich with accomplishment and joy. She
is a wife, a mother, and a well-respected, internationally known professor of
linguistics at Harvard University. She has no reason to suspect that something
is wrong with her brain, but a series of incidents in which she gets lost,
forgets oft-repeated words in a lecture, and fails to get on a plane to attend
a conference she’s well-prepared for frightens her enough to seek medical
attention. When the test results come in she’s told she has early-onset
Alzheimer’s. Thus begins a harrowing descent into dementia that affects
everyone close to Alice and turns all of their lives upside down.
Watching Alice’s
decline is heartbreaking and seems too real, because we know the possibility of
Alzheimer’s may exist in any one of us. Genova alternates her clinical
knowledge with the human side of this illness, giving us sympathetic,
believable characters and a number of credible scenes and scenarios. Her
book is both a manual on the how-to’s of the disease – how to get a diagnosis,
how to get help, how to cope - as well as an expertly woven story of one
woman’s experience of this disease. I recommend Still Alice for anyone interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, whether or not they or a loved one have the disease.
As a nurse who writes short stories and novels
about families struggling with medical issues, I value books like Still
Alice and respect authors like Lisa Genova. There are many ways to
educate people about a condition or disease. In regard to Alzheimer’s, there
are hundreds of books available to explain the disease, advise what to do
about it, how to handle it, and offer solutions and support for caregivers.
These are all excellent resources. However, as a novelist, I feel stories that
enlighten through the careful balance of useful facts and a cast of
relatable and realistic characters may be a better way to shed light on this
and many other medical issues. This type of presentation enables the reader to
get inside the head of the Alzheimer’s patient, their caregivers, spouse,
children, and other loved ones. It’s up close and personal, not clinical and
removed.
Throughout my research for Blue Hydrangeas and beyond I've read many novels about
Alzheimer's and dementia which I’d also like to recommend. They
include: Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook, (also in film), The
Almost Moon by Alice Sebold, Untethered: A Caregiver's Tale by
Phyllis Peters, Saving Grace by Barbara Delinsky, Still
Time by Maria Hoagland, Eric Rill's An Absent Mind,
and The Warrior With Alzheimer’s by Stephen Woodfin.
In addition to novels,
memoir can also serve as an educational resource with personal insight,
bringing the reader closer to the subject than a self-help or how-to book
can. Many such books were helpful to me in my research. I
recommend: Elegy for Iris by John Bayley (also in
film as Iris), The House on Beartown Road by
Elizabeth Cohen, Thomas DeBaggio’s Losing My
Mind, My Mom, My Hero by Lisa R. Hirsch, Released
to the Angels: Discovering the Hidden Gifts of Alzheimer's by Marilynn
Garzionne, Inside the Dementia Epidemic: A Daughter's Memoir by
Martha Stettinius, and Nell Lake’s The Caregivers. The recently released Alzheimer's Daughter, Jean L. Lee's account of caring for two parents with Alzheimer's at the same time, brings knowledge and solace to those grappling with this illness (read my review.)
Two new titles on my to-be-read list gaining much acclaim lately
are On Pluto by Greg O'Brien and Matthew Thomas' We
Are Not Ourselves.
Alzheimer’s is a frightening possibility, but to meet it without
knowledge or an understanding of its implications increases despair and
hopelessness and strips one of the power to make competent decisions and access
necessary supports and resources. Knowledge gained through literature and film
can be as practical and useful as any self-help or how-to manual.
Still Alice,
the film, has not yet been released in my area. I look forward to seeing it.
# # #
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Thursday, January 22, 2015
Today's Guest: LDS Women's Fiction Author Maria Hoagland
My guest today is Maria Hoagland, writer of
LDS Women's Fiction and author of three novels: Still Time, Nourish & Strengthen, and Family Size, medical fiction
with a twist. As soon as I learned Maria had written an Alzheimer's story I had
to read it. Maria’s
novel, Still Time, published by Sisters Ink, Inc. last July, is an insightful novel that sheds light on the plight of
"the sandwich generation,” those among us working, raising children, and
caring for a parent (or parents!) with Alzheimer's disease or other serious health
concerns. Alyssa and her family relocate a thousand miles to take care of her recently
widowed mother-in-law suffering with dementia. The family juggles many issues
familiar to most of us: kids in high school, middle school, or church service,
all with their own difficulties and frustrations; relocation and the changes
inherent, including a new house, community, church, and employment; an aging,
ill parent; and siblings unable or unwilling to share in the care of that
parent. Ruth, her m-i-l, is uncooperative bordering on abusive, unaware of her
condition and not sure why her son and his family are now living in her house or
if she even wants them there. The characters are multidimensional, the dialogue
and subplots believable, and the writing clear and uncluttered. Well done. I
also learned a lot about the Mormon Church, which I haven't had much exposure
to. Still
Time is an excellent read for anyone curious about Alzheimer’s or seeking
validation of his or her role as caregiver. Welcome to Adventures in Publishing, Maria! Please tell
us more about Still Time.
Thanks for hosting me, Marianne. Still
Time is a
deeply moving story about a woman’s faithful journey into the next phase of her
life. Thrust into the chaos of her mother-in-law’s hoarding and forgetfulness,
LDS church member Alyssa Johnston wishes she could retreat to a simpler time
when her kids were small and almost anything could be fixed with a hug. But
reassurance and a quick distraction no longer erase the pain of a missionary
son who is struggling, a young teen who is bullied, or a daughter who is
distant. As Aly’s own life and relationship with her husband plunge out of
control, she wonders if her faith will be enough to keep her family—or
herself—from falling apart. You will laugh with Aly, feel her sorrow, and see
yourself in this realistic, heartfelt portrayal of a woman’s struggle to keep
her family safe and hold back time as long as she can.
Purchase Links
Interview
Writing
is a never ending job. How do you relax? Sports? Hobbies? TV? Books?
Of
course, reading is the ultimate relaxation for me. My favorite places to do
that are in a big bubble bath or by our neighborhood pond under the willow
tree. I definitely prefer movies (especially chick flicks) over TV shows (but I
do like crime shows)—and pretty much anything with a plot supersedes things
without (ESPN and reality shows). As for hobbies—I would ask if cooking dinner
counted, but since I don’t actually like doing that, I’ll have to come up with
another one. How about spending time with my husband, supporting my kids,
running occasionally, and redecorating houses?
What
inspires you? Photos? Music? Nature?
I’d
have to say photographs, more than music, get me going. And yes, I do share
them. You can find my inspiration boards on Pinterest for each of my books. I
keep them private while I’m writing, but then make them public after I release
the book. I think they’re fun because you can see some of the things I mention
and get a feel for what was important to me while writing it. In fact, here’s a
link to my inspiration board for Still Time.
I
know a lot of authors have cats, including myself. What about you? Who’s
your muse?
I
have a cat, Zucchini, who loves to sit on my desk while I write. In fact, my
husband and I had to switch desks so that I could have the bigger one to share
with Zuch. He has a bad habit of typing for me, especially if I leave my desk
unattended for any length of time, and he pushes everything else over the side
of the desk! But at least he leaves enough room for me. Usually.
About
the Author
When
Maria is not writing, she can be found walking barefoot in soft grass,
remodeling houses with her husband, and enjoying campfires with their three
children. She loves crunching leaves in the fall, stealing cookie dough from
the mixing bowl, and listening to musicals on her iPod. Maria earned her degree
at Brigham Young University, and although she adores mountain
Connect
with Maria
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Today's Guest on the Adventures in Publishing Blog: Christian Romance Author Melanie D. Snitker
My guest today is Christian romance author Melanie D. Snitker. Melanie has enjoyed writing fiction for as long as she can remember. She started out writing episodes of cartoon shows that she wanted to see as a child and her love of writing grew from there. She and her husband live in Texas with their two children, who keep their lives full of adventure, and two dogs, who add a dash of mischief to the family dynamics. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, crochet, baking, archery, camping and hanging out with family and friends. Welcome to Adventures in Publishing Melanie! Please tell us about your new release, Finding
Peace.
Thanks for inviting me to speak to your readers, Marianne. If you like clean
romance novels with a dash of mystery and suspense, check out Finding Peace. This is the first book in
my new series, Love’s Compass, and is the story of Kentucky “Tuck”
Chandler and Laurie Blake.
Book Blurb
Police
Officer Tuck Chandler is good at his job. He’s also good at holding women at
arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not
about to open himself up to hurt like that again.
Laurie Blake is a
struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined
to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way.
When Tuck is
assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography
business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her –
if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another
question arises.
Will
the past get in the way of their future?
Book Excerpt
It had been a long day
and Laurie was more than happy to be driving back home again. The plastic over
the passenger side window flapped in the wind and she hunched her shoulders
against the cold. She had to turn up the volume on the radio to hear it.
She smiled as she
thought back over the two photo sessions. They had gone extremely well. The
next step would be to go through all of the images over the following week and
process them. She couldn’t wait to be able to upload the finished pictures so
that the families could see them.
A vision of the newborn
peeing on his daddy made her chuckle. It was all part of the job and she came
prepared. But she had to admit, she was glad it was him and not her.
The day ended with a
trip to one of the local ponds. The moon was full and she couldn’t resist
taking photos of its brilliance reflected in the water. Now it was late and all
she wanted to do was go upstairs to her apartment and slip under the warm quilt
on her bed.
Still smiling, Laurie
pulled her car to a stop and stepped onto the pavement. The early night air
seeped through her jacket. Her feet quickened, thoughts of hot tea an incentive
to unlock the door and get all of the equipment from the trunk of her car as
quickly as possible.
She reached for the
door. Her hand stilled when it swung open a couple of inches before she had a
chance to insert the key. Holding her breath, she nudged it open further with
her foot. She squinted, trying to make out the shapes in the dark room.
Had she forgotten to
lock the door?
No, surely not. She
usually double and triple checked to make sure everything was secure before she
left.
Hands shaking, she
reached for the light switch. Feeling the plastic with the tip of a finger, she
pushed it upward. The light that illuminated her studio made her eyes burn and
she blinked as she stepped inside.
Swallowing hard, her
gaze flickered from the desk against one wall to the stands supporting her
backdrops.
A man stepped away from
one of the shadows in the back corner of the room.
Laurie screamed.
----------
Finding Peace is
available on Kindle and in paperback:
Other Books by Melanie
D. Snitker
A
Christian Romance Novel
A marriage of convenience isn't exactly what Rachel Peters had in mind.
What else can she do if she wants to raise her young niece, and give her a more stable home than she and her sister grew up in? Rachel is at risk of losing custody of her last blood relative, and she needs to prove she can provide for her niece and raise her in a nurturing environment.
Professor Brandon Barlow is invested in his college students’ lives, wanting to ensure their success. When it is clear that Rachel is struggling, he takes a personal interest in trying to help her. But can he keep his heart from getting involved in the process?
Brandon reaches out to Rachel as he tries to break through the walls she has built up over the years. With love and patience, Brandon hopes to help Rachel realize that, even when she experiences storms in her life, she isn't always alone.
Calming the Storm is available on Kindle and in paperback at Amazon.
---
Contact Melanie D. Sntiker
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Cover Reveal: Keely Brooke Keith's Uncharted Redemption
From the author of The
Land Uncharted comes the second book in the Uncharted series, Uncharted Redemption. Written like a
historical, set like a scifi, and filled with romance, Uncharted Redemption continues this suspenseful story of life in a
hidden land.
Uncharted
Redemption
Author:
Keely Brooke
Keith
Release
Date: February
24, 2015
Publisher:
Edenbrooke
Press
Description:
Levi
Colburn, resentful of his father, haunted by his mother’s tragic death, and
pained by his love for the unattainable Mandy Foster, breaks from the Land’s
tradition and begins to build a life of his own. When rebels tear through the
village of Good Springs, Levi vows to deliver justice and restore the woman he
loves. As tradition stands in the way of redemption and threats from the
outside world begin to appear, Levi must learn his greatest battles cannot be
fought with his fists. Romantic, suspenseful, and filled with adventure, Uncharted Redemption weaves dramatic new
layers into life in the Land.
Purchase Links:
Pre-order signed
paperbacks: Uncharted
Redemption
Add Uncharted Redemption to
your shelf on: Goodreads, Shelfari, FictFact, and LibraryThing
Have your ebook of Uncharted
Redemption signed via Authorgraph
Uncharted Redemption
is the second book in the Uncharted series. If you haven’t read The Land Uncharted, it’s best to start
here: The Land
Uncharted
About the Author
Connect with Keely
Monday, January 12, 2015
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Today's Guest: Science Fiction Author Elizabeth N. Love
Are you a science fiction fan? I have to admit this is not an area I visit too often, I have enough trouble managing life in the real world. As an author I enjoy creating new worlds, even though mine are here on earth and usually in the present time, and admire authors who create universes unlike any we've encountered or imagined before. When they weave together new worlds with compelling stories and believable characters good fiction results.
Say hello to today's guest Elizabeth N. Love, author of the science fiction series Stormflies, published by Creativia. The first in the series, Pouring the Cup, was released in October. Elizabeth is currently finishing Book Two, Drinking the Wine, for a 2015 release, and is working on a paranormal romance, a
non-fiction narrative, and a new sci-fi novel based on an alternate
past. She is a native of Kansas
who grew up on the prairie in rural small towns. From a very young age
she enjoyed creating stories and poems and practices daily in the art of
wordsmithing. She also enjoys other forms of art, such as drawing and
making music. She lives near Kansas City with her family. Welcome to Adventures in
Publishing, Elizabeth!
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| Grab Your Copy here or use the QR code to buy with One-Click! |
About the Book
On the faraway planet of Bona Dea, in a society forged by ancient settlers, trouble is brewing. Young psychic Axandra, never comfortable with her gift, is being forced to use it for the benefit of her people as ruling matriarch of the entire world and host to a powerful entity known only as the Goddess.
Struggling with her fate, used as a pawn between warring factions, life for Axandra is almost too much to bear. Even the ministrations of her beloved companion, Quinn, may not prove powerful enough to overcome the stress threatening to destroy Axandra's fragile soul.
About Bona Dea
During the long voyage from Earth, the human immigrants found that, in order to ensure the best rate of survival, they needed to change the structure of their community. Among the 13 generation ships used to transport the settlers, resources were precious, recycling was integral to a continuous supply of resources, and equal distribution was mandatory. This lifestyle carried over into their planet-based settlements. Living under a set of Covenants that are intended to guarantee equality for all members of their colony, the people of Bona Dea work together to provide food, clothing, medical care, and housing to everyone, with each individual providing services and goods as required.
Bona Dea is part of a binary star system of 11 planets and possesses two moons. The planet consists of one large continent, hundreds of small offshore islands, and an even larger ocean. A single towering mountain range bisects the continent. On the western side of the mountain range rages the Great Storm, an electromagnetic phenomenon little understood by science. The Storm rages continuously in the same location at the same intensity and has done so for over 300 years. The Prophets live beneath the Great Storm, isolated from the rest of the population.
The remainder of the continent is divided into four governmental regions, each of which elects representatives to serve on the People’s Council, the main legislative body for the 600,000 plus residents. The Protectress acts as a voice for the people and her job is to weigh any and all decisions of the Council against the Covenants in order to ensure compliance.
There is no money. Crime is at a minimum. People are encouraged to pursue occupations that interest and fulfill them, as long as they volunteer to provide infrastructure services from time-to-time, such as disaster relief, road repair, crop sowing and harvesting, and building maintenance. At the age of 17, most young adults leave home for their first work assignment, based on their personal interests, and have a chance to travel to other parts of the continent.
Creating this World
I’m a lover of Star Trek and Gene Rodenberry’s vision that the world can become a place where everyone is valued for their skills and everyone has an opportunity to reach their potential. Using his ideals, I created a world where people are always willing to help each other succeed and prosper.
The best way to accomplish this in fiction is to have the people start over on a new world. They look at the universe with a different set of criteria than we do at present, impacted by their long journey to escape an Earth that has collapsed both ecologically and economically. The world came first, giving me a sturdy platform on which to build adventure, conflict, and resolution. My characters, noted by reviewers as realistic and relatable, grew from brief sketches in short stories to richly composed individuals with complex relationships and worldviews. These characters will continue to evolve as the series progresses, and new adventures will unfold.
Writing has always been a cathartic exercise for me. I use words to express feelings and ideas that might not otherwise be discussable in the public realm of a small town. I am constantly reading and researching to enrich my stories, as well as experimenting with the human condition, even when the characters aren’t human.
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