Showing posts with label memoir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label memoir. Show all posts

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Books I Plan to Read October 11-17 and last week's results

 


Selam (Hello in Turkish),

I hope everyone is well and that your week went the way you wanted. If you were/are in the path of  Hurricane Isaias, please be safe. We are expecting rain sometime tomorrow or Monday as the storm moves into our area. It has gotten cooler, mostly 60's here, though today was in the low 70's which I enjoyed. My packing is getting closer to being complete. I do have to tackle the garage and need a nice day as I need to pull stuff out. We will see.

Last week's reading was completed as planned with no additional books. It was a so-so week rating wise. Here we go:

Ebooks: 

Dominion's Collar by Delta James - 5 stars

Eternal Surrender by Vanessa Fewings - 4 1/2 stars

A Very Grumpy Navy SEAL by Shaw Hart - 4 stars

Audiobooks: 

Love for a Deaf Rebel by Derrick King - 4 stars

Ransom by Laramie Brisco - 4 1/2 stars


Planned for October 11-17

Ebooks: 




Audiobook: 


There you have it. I am trying to mix up genres and get through some of the books on my giant TBR pile. I am also trying to complete my reading challenges for the year. Do any of you attempt reading challenges for the year? I don't get upset if I don't complete them. It just makes me strive for more in the following year. Take the time to enjoy life in whatever way you do.

Hosca Kalin (Stay Well in Turkish),




Thursday, October 8, 2026

Audiobook Review: Love for a Deaf Rebel (Schizophrenia on Bowen Island) by Derrick King, narrator Joe Vaz

 

Blurb: 

Love for a Deaf Rebel introduces readers to Pearl, a vivacious Canadian born into a silent world. With pathos and nostalgia, the hearing author recounts his roller-coaster ride with a deaf maverick, who, unknown to him, had paranoid schizophrenia. We follow their encounters through actual conversations written before the author learned sign language; we go on their motorcycle ride to Guatemala; we watch as the happy couple moves to Bowen Island, a community with just three paved roads, where Pearl and the author marry and build their dream home and hobby farm. They encounter one obstacle after another while building their life together as Pearl’s perception of reality—and, crucially, their perception of each other—begins to change. There are other books about schizophrenia in the family, such as Hidden Valley Road, and about deaf–hearing relationships, such as Children of a Lesser God, but none that tells the true story of a woman who struggled with both disabilities, and her final tumultuous romance.

“
The turn in events blind-sided me, and the tragedy of the situation made me realize what a privilege and a responsibility I had to convey your thoughts and words as well as possible. I found the book deeply personal and raw, a wonderful window into the world of the deaf. I found my hands moving involuntarily whenever I was voicing deaf characters. As things started to fall apart, I was deeply moved by how personal your account of that time was. By the end of the book, I was choking back my tears and having to re-record lines as I found my voice cracking on the recording. Thank you for trusting me to bring your book, and your journey, to audio.”—Joe Vaz, Narrator

Amazon: Love for a Deaf Rebel: Schizophrenia on Bowen Island - Kindle edition by King, Derrick. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible: Love for a Deaf Rebel Audiobook by Derrick King

B&N: Love for a Deaf Rebel: Schizophrenia on Bowen Island | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Love for a Deaf Rebel: Schizophrenia on Bowen Island eBook by Derrick King - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: Love for a Deaf Rebel: Schizophrenia on Bowen Island by Derrick King - Audiobooks on Google Play

Bookbub: Love for a Deaf Rebel: Schizophrenia on Bowen Island by Derrick King - BookBub

Goodreads: Love for a Deaf Rebel: Schizophrenia on Bowen Island by Derrick King | Goodreads





My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

This was a touching tale, a real story. I loved how Derrick saw past Pearl's deafness, learning sign language so he could communicate, and caring for her. He gave her almost everything she wanted. Pearl was quite a firecracker. She had no problem voicing her concerns, wants, and needs. By the end of the book, my heart went out to both Derrick and Pearl. I appreciated the explanation of what she was experiencing (teaching me some facts I had never considered before) and how her life continued on, as well as Derrick finding a new happiness.
I enjoyed the narration by Joe Vaz. I could hear the frustration, love, and pain of both Derrick and Pearl.

This is my unsolicited review.



Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Blitz: My Husband Almost Killed Me by Linda Beason with an excerpt and a giveaway



MY HUSBAND ALMOST KILLED ME

by Linda Beason

GENRE:  Memoir

BLURB:

"If you ever leave me, I will kill the kids then I will kill you."

"I can't help but think of other women who may be facing similar situations, even now in a time and generation when these events can easily be exposed as much as they could be hidden. I wish I could reach each one of them, look into their eyes and tell them: you don't have to live like this. Life can be better; you can choose a different path. It's not easy, trust me, I know that more than most people do, BUT IT'S WORTH IT."

This book is an autobiography about a woman raised on a large farm who learned to drive a large tractor at the age of seven, then spent many years plowing, planting and harvesting crops and taking care of the farm animals. After three years in the Marine Corps, she married her college sweetheart who became a drunk and abused her for seven horrible years before he almost killed her then disappeared. After she recovered she and her three kids fled to Florida to hide so he wouldn't find them and finish the job.



EXCERPT:

A few weeks ago, after one of Phil’s drunken rages, I decided that the kids and I would start camping out in the cornfield surrounding the house to avoid getting in his way. The plan was simple: we’d head out about an hour before he typically staggered home and stay hidden and out of sight until we were sure he had returned and passed out in bed. After that, we would crawl back into the house, get tucked in, and wake up the following day when Phil would have recovered from his stupor, and we could go back to being a regular family until we had to do it all over again at night. This way, we could avoid the brunt of his tirades and tantrums, and, most importantly, I could retain some semblance of peace, normalcy, and quiet for myself and my kids.

So far, it had been working. 

As far as the kids were concerned, any chance to camp out in the fields was a fun opportunity they couldn’t miss. They were now used to the earthy, starchy, grassy smell, the sound of crickets chirping, and the occasional rustle of small rabbits nearby scurrying through the underbrush. Bailey and Ryan usually wore themselves out singing nursery rhymes and playing with their toys under the tent. Then, using a dim flashlight, I read bedtime stories to them while cradling Brooke and rocking her to sleep. When they were all fast asleep, I would keep watch, waiting for Phil to arrive and timing our return to the house.

The plan was working, but tonight, Brooke’s feeble cries threatened to disrupt it. She had initially fallen asleep in my arms, but for some reason, her eyes opened back up moments later, and since then, she’d been crying and refused to go back to sleep. I tried to cradle her even more, hoping the cry would let up, but it only grew louder. I wasn’t worried about a neighbor hearing us and calling the cops to report a lost, crying baby in the fields; the house closest to our field was a good half-mile away. I was more worried about Bailey’s and Ryan’s sleep being interrupted and the possibility of Phil’s sudden return.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born and raised on an Indiana farm, Linda Beason was steeped in the rhythms of rural life and nurtured by the enduring love of a close-knit family.

From an early age, she embraced responsibility and excelled throughout her school years. As an alumna of Purdue University— where she earned degrees in both agriculture and accounting—Linda distinguished herself academically and professionally, later working for several corporate companies, most notably the Green Giant Company, and serving honorably in the Marine Corps.

Yet despite a childhood filled with warmth and promise, Linda's adult life took a harrowing turn when she entered a marriage that would test the very limits of her strength. For nearly a decade, she endured domestic abuse at the hands of a dangerous man whose fury was fueled by alcohol and an insatiable need for control. That turbulent period sent her racing through a whirlwind of experiences that would forever alter her path. Even in the darkest moments, however, Linda clung to her faith in God and the quiet confidence of a Midwesterner.

Linda passed away in 2024 while writing this book. Through these pages, she hoped to inspire women to overcome the challenges of toxic relationships and the hardships of motherhood, reminding them that even the deepest wounds can heal and that the promise of a brighter tomorrow is always within reach.

https://amazon.com/dp/1779626460

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56955280.Linda_Beason

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY 

Linda Beason will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5222/



Monday, July 14, 2025

Blitz: The Pyjama Boy by Steven Murphy with an excerpt and a giveaway


THE PYJAMA BOY

by Steven Murphy

GENRE:  Memoir

BLURB:

Steven Murphy spent his formative years in Sydney's Redfern.

Abandoned by his mother when only weeks old, his father left him in the care of a cruel, alcoholic stepmother while he himself was in jail. Unbelievably, the child they dubbed the "Pyjama Boy" fought his way through life to achieve his ultimate goal. His story is a poignant and haunting one that captivates its reader from the very beginning and remains long after the book has been closed.

AN INSPIRATIONAL TALE OF SUCCESS AGAINST THE ODDS



EXCERPT:

There was something odd about the woman driving the yellow station wagon. Her eyes darted around suspiciously. Steve watched her from his patrol car. Her 1988 Sigma moved off from his right at the green lights, to enter the late-night traffic. She had a passenger, a young man with a wispy beard. As they moved, the man looked across at the police car waiting third in line at the red light and then glanced momentarily over his shoulder into the back seat. Sparks spat along the dark surface of the road as he tossed his cigarette out the window of the car.

‘Nervy little punk, ’ remarked the older police constable next to Steve.

‘There’s something odd about both of them in that Sigma...,’ said Steve.

‘Yeah, I think we should have a chat with them.’

As lights turned green and when they were clear of the intersection, Steve pulled past the two vehicles in front of them. The Sigma had increased its pace and was nearly out of view as it turned left almost without slowing. Steve’s pulse rate rose with the revs of the police car. They swung into the side street and passed the Sigma with Red and blue lights flashing, then slowed  in front of it. The older policeman put his arm out his window, indicating that the Sigma should pull up at the curb.

While the woman searched a handbag for her licence, Steve noticed that there was someone lying on the back seat of the car. Shining his torch through the window, Steve realised with a jolt that the passenger was gagged, with a tee shirt twisted and pulled tightly into an open mouth. The arms were pulled back and bound at the wrists with a leather belt.

Within minutes a second patrol car had arrived at the scene and the couple were taken into custody, their bound and gagged passenger found to be dead. Steve looked at the victim, a man in his mid-thirties and recognised the face of one who had recently ‘helped him in his enquiries.’ Soon there were detectives and forensic officers examining the car and, as the body was being removed, Steve received orders to drive to an address in a nearby suburban street.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I've never thought of myself as special-just someone who has lived through life's challenges like everyone else. But over time, I've come to see that by sharing my journey, with all its imperfections, I might offer something meaningful to others. Life moves so quickly, and the choices we make shape everything. My hope is that by being honest about my experiences, others might find encouragement or even a little clarity for their own paths. 

Speaking at Schools and events across Australia has been an unexpected privilege. These moments aren't about presenting a perfect image; they're about connecting with people on a real, human level. I bring photos, videos, and documents to show the truth of my story-not to impress but to connect. When I speak openly, sharing the vulnerabilities and lessons I've learned, something powerful happens: the audience feels it, and suddenly, it's not just my story-its something they can see themselves in, too. 

If you would like to have Steve speak to your School, group or organization he can be contacted through email: stevenmurphy_11@bigpond.com

Connect with Steven

You can connect with Steven Murphy through a number of platforms to learn more about his story and work:

Website: https://thepyjamaboy.com/   

Email: stevenmurphy_11@bigpond.com  

Facebook: facebook.com/stevenmurphyauthor  

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/56696685.Steven_Murphy 


Visit his website to view the one bedroom flats he uses to live in and show his living conditions as described in the book.

Feel free to reach out — Steven is always happy to connect with readers and share more about his journey

Book Trailer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUopXLOFQU4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

Steven Murphy will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5195/


Check out these other blogs on this tour:

July 14:

1: 
Books1987
2: 
Gina Rae Mitchell
3: 
Books R Us
4: 
FUONLYKNEW
5: 
Iron Canuck Reviews & More
6: 
A Wonderful World of Words
7: 
It's Raining Books


July 15:

1: 
Locks, Hooks and Books
2: 
Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
3: 
 Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
4: 
Welcome to My World of Dreams
5: 
Tina Donahue Books - Heat with Heart
6: 
Wendi Zwaduk - Romance to Make Your Heart Race
7: 
Our Town Book Reviews


July 16:

1: 
The Faerie Review
2: 
Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love
3: 
Sandra's Book Club
4: 
Always Reading
5: 
Straight from the Library
6: 
Author C.A.Milson
7: 
The Pen and Muse Book Reviews


July 17:

1: 
Sarandipity's
2: 
Long and Short Reviews
3: 
Deal Sharing Aunt
4: 
Fabulous and Brunette
5: 
Moonlight Compass Books
6: 
The Avid Reader


July 18:

1: 
Ellwyn's Blog
2: 
Queenie's BookTalk and Reviews
3: 
Sea's Nod
4: 
Books all things paranormal and romance
5: 
Girl with Pen

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Release: How to React When Woken at 3 am by Drunk Argentinian Backpackers While Staying in a Youth Hostel and Other Lesser Known Travel Tips by Simon Yeats



How to React When Woken at 3am by Drunk Argentinian Backpackers While Staying in a Youth Hostel and Other Lesser Known Travel Tips

by Simon Yeats

GENRE:  Non-Fiction Humorous Memoir

BLURB:

Book 4 of the hilarious book series that those in the know will want to read when arriving at Paris airport so they laugh so freaking hard that it will intimidate any suspicious characters looking to abduct them and sell them into the human trafficking game.

Life was not meant to be easy, Simon Yeats’ father used to tell him. Well, it sure as hell was not meant to be this bizarre and witty. Australian ex-pat Simon Yeats shares his stories of travel misadventures and dubious personal introspection with comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living his life abroad. All while having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as Mongol hordes in the 12th century.

From how to negotiate getting abused in Los Angeles when you will only drive at 5 miles/hr., to what to do when locked out of your hotel room in your underwear, to the emotions of attempting the world’s second highest bungee when you have a pathological fear of heights, to how to deal with the trials and tribulations of staying in a youth hostel with travelers who have no respect for the other guests.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to empty your bank account, get squeezed sitting in a middle airline seat, or deal with border security at the Ukraine/Russia boundary.



EXCERPT:

Big Wednesday was my first day at work as a liftie on the Burgess Creek lift at the Steamboat ski resort as a wide-eyed 20-year-old. I do not remember the exact date, but I am absolutely certain it was a Wednesday because everyone who was present at the resort that day referred to it as ‘big Wednesday.’

Overnight, between ‘ordinary Tuesday’ and ‘big Wednesday,’ the town and resort received a mammoth amount of snowfall. It absolutely dumped. A biblical amount of snow. Even though I do not recall snow being mentioned once in either the old testament or the new testament. But I could have missed the reference.

And Moses went up the mountain at God’s direction and there was fresh dump of powder snow, and he cried out, “ye verily, gonna cut me some wicked turns.”

To get to work on my first day, I take the shortcut straight down the hill to the main road and bus stop. I am decked out in my official Steamboat resort onesie ski suit. The snow level is over my belly button. It is like wading through waist high surf for a half mile.

I scramble onto the bus, and I am on my knees huffing and puffing while dripping with sweat.

An inauspicious start to the day.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBNQLSPW/about

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authoryeats

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoryeats/?hl=en

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5027/


Check out these other blogs on this tour:

October 28:  Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
October 29: 
It's Raining Books
October 30: 
Our Town Book Reviews
October 31: 
Coffee and Wander Book Reviews
November 1: 
Westveil Publishing
November 4: 
Wendi Zwaduk - Romance to Make Your Heart Race
November 5: 
Locks, Hooks and Books
November 6: 
Girl with Pen
November 7: 
Fabulous and Brunette
November 8: 
A Wonderful World of Words
November 11: 
The Faerie Review
November 12: 
Sandra's Book Club

November 12: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
November 13: 
Iron Canuck Reviews & More
November 14: 
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
November 15: 
Long and Short Reviews

 

Friday, September 6, 2024

Cover Reveal: How to React When Woken at 3 am by Drunk Argentinian Backpackers While Staying in a Youth Hostel and Other Lesser-Known Travel Tips


How to React When Woken at 3am by Drunk Argentinian Backpackers While Staying in a Youth Hostel and Other Lesser-Known Travel Tips

by Simon Yeats

GENRE:  Non-Fiction Humorous Memoir

BLURB:

Book 4 of an original and hilarious book series of travel misadventures and dubious personal introspection by Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about them.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as COVID hysteria in the early part of this decade.

From how to negotiate traffic in Los Angeles when your car can only drive at 5 miles/hr, to what to do when locked out of your hotel room in your underwear, to the emotions of attempting the world’s second highest bungee when you have a pathological fear of heights, to how to deal with the trials and tribulations of staying in a youth hostel with travelers who have no respect for the other guests. 

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to empty your bank account, get squeezed sitting in a middle airline seat, or deal with border security at the Ukraine/Russia boundary.



EXCERPT:

I stagger out of bed. I am barely able to stand. It is not the effects of the alcohol in my system, but the ungodly bodily confusion of being abruptly woken from a rapidly achieved deep sleep. The decline in physical coordination is no different than pounding six whiskey shots with beer chasers over a two-hour period and then waking up the next morning with a massive hangover after passing out in a large coil of rope in the parking lot of a casino.

My mind swirls fretfully with questions. Is it Con? But why would he be pounding on the door if he has a room key? Was the self-serve burrito from 7-11 that far past its due date that he got Salmonella and lost his mind?

Was it hotel security coming to notify me they found my wallet on the floor of the front lobby? Surely they would be more discreet at 1 am than to take to my room door like they were Seal Team 6 bursting in on Osama bin Laden.

Was it Jack the Ripper?

Of the three possibilities, the final one seemed to be the most probable as I stumbled across my hotel room in my underpants.

I pull open the door to reveal a completely naked man standing in the hallway outside.

Sweet mother of God!

That was not one of my three options.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.


Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBNQLSPW/about

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authoryeats

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoryeats/?hl=en

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY 

The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4971/

Friday, March 1, 2024

Blitz: Mamacadabra by Carrie Monroe O'Keefe with an excerpt and a giveaway



MAMACADABRA

by Carrie Monroe O'Keefe

GENRE:  Memoir

BLURB:

Starting her third year of marriage, Carrie Monroe O’Keefe had already been on the roller coaster of extreme highs and lows of a newly blended family.  Thinking she could do a better job of navigating marriage, stepmotherhood, working full time, and all of the things, she embarked on a year of “what if.”

Settling into her role as wife and mom, she tried to find ways to do things better, see things differently, and reframe her thinking to create a better home for her family and to feel more at home herself. With humor, unwavering honesty, vulnerability, and sarcasm, Carrie finds her way through the year and to her true self.



EXCERPT:

From Chapter: A Real Mom After All

No one can fully prepare you for the journey of being a stepmom. In the early days, I doubted myself daily, suffered from depression, considered divorce, and constantly questioned the meaning and viability of our relationship. My relationship with my little girls that is.   

I had to look at the kind of mom I wanted to be and the kind of mom I actually was. Because we only have our little girls half the time, I was consumed with worry about what their life was like when they weren’t with us. However, this only led to me being too uptight, too rigid, and too crabby. When they came home, the worry subsided but then I turned into a crazy mom, constantly trying to have everything work perfectly.  Which, obviously, isn’t a thing.    

It took a while, but eventually everything just kind of fell into place. I stopped worrying what people thought about how I parent. I stopped caring whether others viewed me as one of the little girls’ moms. Most importantly, I stopped trying to compare myself to someone else. Finally, I decided I was one of their parents and I do, in fact, matter. I’m playing an important part in how these little girls will grow up, how they’ll turn out and who they’ll become. I am one of their moms.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Carrie Monroe O’Keefe started blogging about her life by sharing stories of marriage, stepmotherhood, and how to navigate it all on mamacadabra.com in 2012. People said they loved reading the posts, so she kept writing. In addition to blogging, she released her middle-grade fiction book, The Whole Truth, in 2019. 

Carrie lives outside of Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, and dog Finlay. 

http://www.mamacadabra.com

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144367657?ean=9781733629935

https://www.amazon.com/Mamacadabra-Poof-Youre-mom-now/dp/1733629939/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6S6666ZKYBPY&keywords=mamacadabra&qid=1701785813&sprefix=mamacadabra%2Caps%2C448&sr=8-1

Instagram: @monroeokeefe          

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY 

The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4798/


Check out these other blogs on this tour:

February 5: Kenyan Poet
February 6: Locks, Hooks and Books
February 7: Literary Gold
February 8: Sandra's Book Club
February 9: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
February 12: FUONLYKNEW
February 13: Author C.A.Milson
February 14: The Faerie Review
February 15 Fabulous and Brunette
February 16: The Avid Reader
February 19: Joanne Guidoccio
February 20: A Wonderful World of Words

February 20: Straight from the Library
February 21: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
February 22: Beyond Romance
February 23: Wendi Zwaduk - Romance to Make Your Heart Race
February 26: Our Town Book Reviews
February 27: Long and Short Reviews
February 28: Hope. Dreams. life,,, Love
February 29: Westveil Publishing

March 1: Iron Canuck Reviews & More

Friday, August 11, 2023

Blitz: Shoebox Baby by Sharon Bruce with an excerpt and a giveaway

SHOEBOX BABY

by Sharon Bruce

GENRE:  Memoir

BLURB:

Shoebox Baby is a creative non-fiction story based on the life of Susan Fenton and her family. Sue was born in Nova Scotia on a blustery winter night in a crude weather-worn shack with dirt floors. Although the doctor told Sue's mother that her baby would be dead before the morning, she made every attempt to keep her infant alive.

Sue and her siblings were born into poverty, survived the Depression and the fall-out of World War II, and contended with tuberculosis, unemployment and polio. This book is filled with family antics, joy, sorrow, laughter, and mystery, covering the trials, triumphs and hilarious exploits of the large and colourful cast of characters that is the Fenton family.

Sue's courageous determination to live a full life, regardless of the limitations others imposed on her and the circumstances that came her way, made her a remarkably resilient woman.



EXCERPT:

The beginning of autumn was a busy season for the Fenton family. With school starting, gathering extra wood, harvesting the garden, putting down preserves, and keeping up with her chores, Grace had no free time for herself. Usually, when the children were in bed, she tidied up or did more laundry. When she went to bed, she was asleep within seconds of her head hitting the pillow. 

One evening, she was too tuckered out to do anything extra. She decided that the laundry would still be there in the morning and there were no pressing matters to deal with, so she made herself a cup of hot tea and sat in the rocking chair. As she sipped on her tea, she wondered how her husband was doing and when he would be home next. Marshall had not been home since May. The cost of the train fare to go home was too expensive and the mill was so busy that they had four shifts running each day, therefore, no time off was allotted. 

Grace did not realize it, but she was going to see her husband sooner than she expected. 

In the middle of November, Marshall and Alexander showed up unannounced at home. Grace was shocked to see them. As soon as she set eyes on them, she knew why they had returned home. Both appeared to be sick. They had lost weight, were pale, sweaty, and had chronic coughs. These were signs of tuberculosis.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Writing has been Sharon's passion since childhood. At seven years old she won first prize at a local fall fair for her story about a stuffed pink elephant. Since then, she was hooked. Articles, poems and the book Beyond the Forests of Yesteryears are part of her publishing portfolio. Curiosity mixed with a love of hearing and writing unique stories about others is the subject of her work. Some call it being darn right nosey, others call it vivid creativity. During her career she worked in the social services field with individuals, families, groups and organizations to address social and cultural issues. A significant part of her job included inspirational speaking and sharing stories. Sharon was raised in Northeastern Ontario, Canada, where she resides with her husband. Together they enjoy retirement and organizing activities for seniors, which includes writing and acting out comical skits for small audiences.


https://sharonbruceauthor.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15068763.Sharon_Bruce

https://a.co/d/4jBrAbW

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY 

The author will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4675/


Check out these other blogs on this tour:

August 7:

1: 
Novels Alive review
2: Westveil Publishing
3: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
4: Literary Gold
5: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
6: Straight From the Library
7: Author C.A.Milson


August 8

1: Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
2: The Faerie Review
3: Gina Rae Mitchell review
4: D. S. Dehel
5: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
6: Let me tell you a story
7: A Wonderful World of Words


August 9

1: The Avid Reader
2: Welcome to My World of Dreams
3: Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
4: Moonlight Compass Books
5: Inkspired
6: Sea's Nod
7: The Obsessed Reader

August 10

1: Locks, Hooks and Books
2: It's Raining Books
3: Andi's Book Reviews
4: Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters
5: FUONLYNEW
6: Our Town Book Reviews
7: Books Blog
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August 11

1: Fabulous and Brunette
2: Iron Canuck Reviews & More
3: travel the ages
4: Kenyan Poet
5: Sandra's Book Club
6: Books all things paranormal and romance
7: Girl with Pen

Books I Plan to Read October 25-31 and last week's results

  La ora na (be healthy in Tahitian), Sorry for the delay. I have gotten wrapped up in the packing process and ran out of time in the day. W...