Author: Marie O’Leary Wydra and Megan (Wydra) Mckercher
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
Recently I got my hands on the book “I Knew You Were There” penned by the authors Marie O’Leary Wydra and Megan (Wydra) Mckercher.
This is the story of Marie and her daughter Megan’s. In this book, readers will get to know about Marie’s quest to find her birth mother. Marie had lived a nightmare from the age of two to sixteen. She was separated from her birth mother. Her adoptive mother Mary abused her and another adopted child Michael. Michael and Marie used to stay tired after doing the laundry and cleaning work which Mary burdened them with. There were always bruises on their body that came from beatings by Mary. At the age of sixteen, Marie fled Mary’s house and started living on her own.
Read this story to know how Megan, Marie’s daughter was committed to help Marie in finding her birth mother. I loved Megan’s determination. The way Megan planned trips and helped Marie is something that inspires me. This is a beautiful story that touched my heart. Writing style is amazing. Cover photo of the book is attractive. It’s a book worth reading. I am glad that I got my hands on it. Go for it.
Recently I got my hands on the book “Memoirs of a Single Mother” penned by the author Buruuj Tunsill. Being a mother is difficult but being a single mother is something I couldn’t even imagine. Mothers have lots of responsibilities. A single mother especially has to worry about finances too.
In this memoir, we see Buruuj working multiple jobs. She wasn’t able to give her son Amir enough time. Every dollar means a lot to her. The way Safiyyah looked after Amir is really nice. Buruuj craved for love and she wanted her son to have a father. Having daddy issues herself, Buruuj doesn’t want Amir to experience all that.
Read this memoir to know will Buruuj find love. What more challenges she comes across as a single mother.
If you are looking for a book centered around parenthood in the context of mental health, then go ahead with this book. I enjoyed reading this memoir. This book introduced me to the real world from the eyes of a single mother. Seeing Buruuj concerned about paying bills made me realize the value of money. It’s a book worth reading.
“13 Years of Student Robbery” penned by the author Joshua Jones is a book worth reading.
This is one of the best books that I have read this year. After entering the corporate world, I realized whatever I learnt in school hasn’t prepared me for the real world. In this book, the author has mentioned how in school, students are judged based on their marks and that kills their self-esteem. Also in school, we read many subjects that have no use in our real life. In today’s world, we want work-life balance and entrepreneurial skills is something we aren’t taught in schools. Also, the student loan debt forces graduates to settle for easily available low paying jobs. Read this book and get to know the warning and the author’s say in this.
If you are interested in knowing about the more practical approach to have a profitable career for yourself or your kids, then go ahead with this book.
Writing style of the author is nice with a smooth narration. Language used in the book is lucid. The current education system needs to be changed. This is a short read and it would be worth your time. I agree with the author’s thoughts. Glad to read this book.
‘We’ll Always Have Nantucket’ penned by the author Doreen Burliss is an intriguing read. Story features Teddy who has been visiting Nantucket since childhood to enjoy summer vacations in the cottage they rented. Teddy is single at the age of 27. Teddy rented a carriage house with Cam, Mav, Claire, etc.
Sadie Wilson, Teddy’s mother, was quite excited to spend 4 weeks at her friend Val’s new house. It has been four years since her husband Graham died unexpectedly but that grief is still there. Since her husband’s death, it was the first time that Sadie boarded the Eagle Steamship to go to Nantucket. Read about the time spent by the characters in Nantucket. It was amazing to read about the friendship of Sadie and Val.
Pace of the story is fast and you won’t feel bored anytime while reading it. I loved the Nantucket setting. There are many characters in the story and the author has managed to write them well. The book is well written and the cover photo is lovely. Go for it. I am sure you would be delighted to read it and would feel like exploring Nantucket.
‘An Expectation of Plenty’ penned by the author Thomas Bazar is a part mystery and part revenge tragedy.
Main character of the story is Vincent. The book started with a letter from Vincent’s father. Vincent’s life doesn’t have many details. Since the trauma, his memory was spotty. The story will take you to Lisbon. Vincent had a special gift to hear what others do not. He could hear 2 black holes colliding in the far reaches of some universe.
As the story progresses, we see Vincent getting irritated with Tristao. In fact, Tristao was the least favorite person in the world. Soon, we see Vincent befriending Fausto, a fellow vagrant. Fausto was a strong chess player. He even taught new strategies to Vincent. Read this story to know more about Fausto. Homeless men were found stabbed. Who is behind these murders?
Storyline is intriguing. The twists and turns in the story made it more interesting. Pace of the story is fast and you won’t be bored at all while reading it. The characters are written nicely by the author. Cover photo is amazing. The language used in the book is lucid with a smooth narration. I enjoyed reading this book. Go for it.
Recently I read the book “The Bad Seed” penned by the author Rita H Rowe. Main character of the story is Jenna, a smart girl who knows how to take care of herself. Her father took his life when Jenna was not yet four. There was a new kid Joey in town. Jenna’s mother Carol referred to him as bad blood. She warned Jenna to stay away from him. When Jenna met Joey, she was attracted to him. She has never felt like that for any other boy.
At school a student Tommy tripped Joey and got him expelled. Jenna was curious to know why Joey hasn’t defended himself in front of the principal.
Apart from Jenna, nobody seems to easily trust Joey. Will they get help from the town’s police officer Tim?
Storyline is interesting. Cover photo of the book is nice. I really liked the choice of the title for this story. Rita’s stories are mostly set in towns of Melbourne. This would inspire the readers to travel to Australia. It is a captivating story and has the power to hook the readers till the last page.
If you love reading contemporary fiction of romance and drama then get your hands on ‘The Impossible Choice’ by Rita H Rowe. Main character of the story is Mary. It has been more than nine years since she has lost her husband. She is tempted by the young man Lawrence who is nine years junior to her. Mary is a mother of two daughters Lucille and Marina.
She runs Jesse Boarding House. Lawrence first arrived at the boarding house for a stopover on the way to Melbourne. He works for a trucking company. Since Lawrence loved the accomodation at the boarding house, he visited again after a week. Mary’s thoughts kept returning to Lawrence. A 29 year old Lawrence and a 39 year old Mary. Read the story to find out if there will be anything between them.
The backdrop setting is lovely. Characters felt real and pulled my attention totally in the book. I loved the title of this book. Rita’s writing style is impressive. Her writing has the power to capture the reader’s attention. Looking forward to reading more of her works in the future.
Moonlight Walkers penned by the author Courtney Moore is the first installment in the Forbidden Lands book series. Main character of the story is a young wolf named Sakura. She wanted to explore beyond the pack boundaries but people around her were protective of her. Sakura was known as the Moonlight Walker because her fur glows in the moonlight.
Her parents kept a tight leash on her and her younger brother Latius because of the presence of dragons outside the boundaries. According to the peace laws, the wolves and dragons tribes agreed to split the kingdom in two, the Dragon City of Oros and the Wolf City of Nathena. Once when Sakura and Latius left home to get food for their mother, they saw Blackhearts or black dragons invading their territory. Blackhearts took Sakura’s parents and the members of the wolf pack. Sakura along with other wolves and a dragon Jewel set out on a journey to save others.
Read this story to find out what will happen next. Storyline is interesting and this book hooked my attention from the first page itself. Cover photo of the book is nice. Characters are written well and will stay in my head for a long time. Go for it.
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I’m a coffee-addicted writer with too many cats and too little space for any more books in my house. When I’m not reading and writing, I’m chasing around my two-year-old son.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’?
The biggest challenge while writing ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’ was my sagging middle. For a while (and a couple of drafts), Act 2 was this boring middle grade drama that didn’t lead anywhere. In fact, it had nothing to do with lying! Even my first developmental editor wondered why the title was “Candy Sky Tells A Lie” if it was mostly about two girls doing horrible things to each other. After serious brainstorming and joining The 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge, I FINALLY realized how to fix my dragging plot. I scrapped 80% of my book and rewrote the middle and ending. Best decision ever!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Oh gosh, that’s a long list. I wanted to be an author since preschool, so every book I’ve read stroked that passion. If I had to narrow the scope of authors who influenced me, I would have to say Darren Shan, Christopher Paolini, Lisa Greenwald, and Jessica Brody. I’ve had the pleasure to meet each author, except Greenwald, in person. Jessica Brody even hung out in my high school creative writing class while on a book tour!
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I read about the massive sequoia trees of the Redwood State and National Forest in a middle school science textbook. For years, it had been my dream to visit the colossal trees. When I was in college, my husband and I roadtripped to northern California, and we camped for a week among the giants. I felt like I was in a fantasy book! The forest was magical!
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I’m a huge planner. I have to outline, research, flesh out characters, and find reading inspirations–all before committing to a story idea.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’ book?
I forget when I started, but I’ve worked on Candy Sky Tells A Lie off and on for a few years now. Only in 2020 did I become serious about finishing and publishing my book.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’ book to buy?
Candy Sky Tells A Lie is set for release on September 20, 2022. Readers can find my book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and my website. It can also be found in bookstores local to my area.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’?
I actually came up with the title before I fully fleshed out the idea of my book. Candice “Candy” Sky was inspired by someone I knew (as well as the lying phase we all go through in adolescence). I wanted readers to know what Candy’s flaw was right off the bat. The title itself evokes tension!
As for the cover, Angelique of the Tally Ink team brought to life my vision of Candy and her BFF Maggie. The girls are drawn with colored pencils, and the title was done with pen art. Fun fact–on the back cover is a friendship bracelet with charms symbolizing key moments and lies in my book.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I try to have some sort of twist or surprise at the end of each chapter. Knowing what I’m building up to definitely keeps writing exciting. I also write each scene using plot beats (setup, catalyst, break into Act 2, and so on). This compartmentalizes each scene into doable tidbits that I can accomplish each day even with my busy schedule.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
This is a hard question because the answer would spoil the plot. The only thing I can say is there may or may not be magical creatures other than Mrs. Gulligan. Read and find out!
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello, I am Michelle & am really happy to meet everyone! I have been writing and reading for as long as I can remember. I adored story time in elementary school, and the library days where we sat choosing and reading books that we thought would be wonderful. I enjoyed Judy Blume back then, as well as the Anastasia Krupnik YA books growing up. When I started to write, I created short stories and passed to my classmates who always asked for more. It was fun, and I loved being creative, and thinking of all the twists and turns that could happen to my characters. I wrote my 1st book in High School and named it Fallen Angel and was so proud. When I am not writing, I am an Operations Director at my job, and lead big teams. I am also a MA licensed optician, and spent a good amount of time in leadership roles within the Optical/Optometry industries. I have a “thing” for fashion eyewear. I am also a fitness lover, and need to move my body. I am currently enjoying Orange Theory classes, as well as hiking, biking, and golfing, although not so good there! I love to cook and have no objection to a good TV binge on rainy, or relaxation days. Love Ted Lasso on Apple TV, as well as The Morning Show, and Terminal List on Amazon was fantastic!
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘A Time Of Reckoning’ book?
My main challenge was the middle. I knew I had the structure, and the story formed in my head, and had a pause moment when I tried to balance character development with the smaller ideas/things in a story that belong, or do not belong. How much is too much? Was a question I asked myself. I, personally, love a big, long book…but after talking with some literary agents, and others in the writing community, there was a shift to maybe shorter, “faster” story telling and I lingered there a bit, too. I also became focused on editing. So many iterations, and drafts, followed where I would tweak and tweak, until it was the finished version.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I really love Sharon Kay Penman for her historical fiction writing and time periods. I could get lost in her books, and her characters. I also adore Kate Quinn’s writing, and her Mistress of Rome series. I liked how she switched character voices in chapters, and I did adopt that style, too, for the multiple viewpoints.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I live in New England, just outside of Boston, and I love the city. I visit when I am able, to people watch, absorb the vibe, and find the quiets spots in the bustle to simply “be” and enjoy lunch. There is also a place called Thanksgiving Forest, in the suburbs, close to my home, that has miles of trails that open to hidden beaches, and small hills that I used to take my dog, Brady, too, when he was alive. We would walk for hours, enjoying the day, and one another. No matter the season, rain or snow, we were there weekly while I formed new ideas.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
Yes. I think it is in the planning the structure process, get the bones of the book in place. I also tend to write my chapters not in a particular order.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘A Time Of Reckoning’ book?
From start to finish it took 8 years. And then I let it sit for another year because I was really shy about sharing.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘A Time Of Reckoning’ book to buy?
A Time of Reckoning is available on many platforms including; AmazonKindle.com, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble.com, Tolino, Scribd, Baker Taylor, Borrow Box, Bibliotheca, RakutenKobo & Overdrive
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A Time Of Reckoning’?
I worked with a a great digital marketing group to develop the cover. I knew I wanted it simple, with one symbol that captured a key element of my story. And that became the Rowan Tree or “tree of life” as it is the place my heroine will go for solace and strength. It is also steeped in Celtic mythology and current customs.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
To keep myself fresh, I just make sure I am writing, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a book. I write my corporate communications bi-weekly newsletter, which keeps my writing muscles fresh. I also journal, which slows my mind down to focus on random gratitude or book ideas. I will definitely walk more, too, when actively writing to make sure I am taking breaks and getting fresh air. For my readers, I hope I keep upping my game as far as not being predictable with the story, and seeking feedback from a writer’s group for their perspective, as well as a couple friends who will not just “yes” me, but challenge me with their thoughts on snippets of the story, or if something (a character) feels too tired or not “in character.” I want everyone to keep coming back, and to share feedback and what they might want to. I read all messages, and hear all ideas, as communication is key.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Hmmm, no real secrets but Book 2, The Reckoning, is ready to be released in the Fall, probably around Halloween. And I am working on a 3rd book now, to complete the story. Book 3 “spoiler” would be featuring some Scandinavian characters. The time period in my story is just before the Vikings invade and I am so excited to tell this story, and add some more conflict to Devin’s already hectic, and precarious position as a woman ruling in a world of men.
Sassy Reviews 