Author:Teri M. Brown Release Date:ย 5th January 2022 Genre: Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction Format:ย E-bookย Pages:ย 334 pages Publisher: Atmosphere Press Blurb: A Ukrainian rebel. Three generations of women bearing the consequences. A journey that changes everything. When Ivanna opens the door to uniformed officers, her tranquil life is torn to pieces – leaving behind a broken woman who must learn to endure cold, starvation, and the memories of a man who died in the quintessential act of betrayal. Using her thrift, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, she finds a way to survive in Soviet Ukraine, along with her daughter, Yevtsye. But the question remains, will she be strong enough to withstand her daughterโs deceit and the eventual downfall of the nation she has devoted her life to? Or will the memories of her late husband act as a shadow haunting everyone and everything she loves, including Ionna, the granddaughter that never knew him?
In Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, Teri M. Brown explores the tenacity of women, showing that even in grueling circumstances, they can, and do, experience all the good things life has to offer – compassion, joy, love, faith, and wonder.
Review
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
Sunflowers Beneath The Snowย by Teri M. Brown is a beautiful book about love, courage, compassion and faith.
This book covers the time period from 1973 to 2021 – taking the readers through the lives of 3 generations of women facing the most harrowing of situations that life has to offer but yet, somehow, never give up or lose sight of what is important. Author T.M.Brown takes the readers through a plethora of events that this book showcases, Right from living under communist rule to facing the punishment for a betrayal committed by one of the family members and the rest having to live with the consequences.
This is an epic family saga that is beautifully written and intellectually expressed. I would strongly recommend it to all readers of historical fiction, women’s literature and literary fiction about families under the communal rule. This book is is a must read!
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, Iโd like to welcome author Janet Kelley from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Janet Kelley
Janet Kelley is a teacher, reader, writer, and feminist. A native of Hutchinson, Kansas, she studied Humanistic Studies and Religious Studies at Saint Maryโs College, Notre Dame, Indiana. She studied Historical Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She earned her teaching credentials from Indiana University at South Bend. Ms. Kelley currently lives in Boston and Budapest. Ms. Kelley believes that books are the cornerstone of freedom and justice. Her work to support survivors of sexual assault was inspired by the writer V and The Vagina Monologues. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this novel will be donated to The Trevor Project. Please consider a donation to The Trevor Project to support their crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thank you forย the chance to introduce myself beyond what you can read in my Author Bio. I am a high school English teacher with a passion for reading. Together with a friend I started a book club that still meets over twenty years later. I was thrilled to join them by Zoom during the Covid era. I started another book club in my city a few years ago. My book clubs read both classics and new releases, fiction and nonfiction. We recently decided to branch out into โreadingโ films and will even read and then attend a production of the stage adaptation of Toni Morrisonโsย The Bluest Eye.ย
Beyond books I love being activeโrunning, working out at my favorite gym, Orange Fitness Theory, and learning how to cross-country ski this season. In my spare time these days I enjoy making homemade jams, taking ukulele lessons, and drinking good coffee. (I also drink terrible coffee as needed.) I spend part of every year in Budapest, Hungary, where I have a home in the city center. I can spend an entire day at one of Budapestโs famous thermal water spas.ย
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
My bookย deals with the impact of trauma in our lives. Much like how we experienced the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, trauma enters our lives seemingly out of nowhere. One day we are living our lives, and then in a flash our lives are changed by forces outside of our control or understanding. Sexual assault sometimes works in this way. (Sometimes sexual abuse is more insidious as perpetrators groom their victims.) This is why I set the story of Lukeโs sexual assault in parallel with 9/11. I want readers to see the two events as similarโboth are traumatic assaults that force us to consider how to respond.ย
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I want readers to contemplate the plight of men and boys who are sexually assaulted. In the early 2000s the situation of men who were assaulted was dire. There were no pathways toward healing. The shame and the fear of being labeled asย ย gay often silenced men. The shameful silencing led to further damage.ย
Inย Taint, I show how this damage extends to others. Luke was assaulted and confides in Rebecca. She tells his story and in fact decides for him how to make his rapist pay for the crime. I do not endorse her decisions. I want readers to harshly judge her choices even while they understand what forces caused her to act.ย
I want readers to understand that male sexual assault happens and that we need to create both a safety net for victims and pathways toward healing.ย
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
My favorite character in the book is Tiffany, the third friend in a group of three. She is earnest and well-intentioned. I like that she sticks with her friend Rebecca even when she faces ostracization.ย
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I had been working with the issue of sexual assault and domestic violence for many years. I producedย The Vagina Monologuesย for many years at our local university. There were several awesome vagina-friendly men who were active leaders in our group. They made me more sensitive to menโs assault stories. I grew very interested in the silence of male victims. I wanted to explore that in my work.ย
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Well, a long time. I started writing it in 2006. I was teaching high school at the time. Then I started my family, moved across the country, and moved to Hungary. This novel was in a drawer for many years. I finally decided that its story needed to be told.ย
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I see myself with a new book in the next 5 years. I will continue to write poetry and short fiction as well.ย
Are you working on any other story presently?
Of course! It is natural for me to have drafts floating around. In the past I kept a blog and tried to maintain regular writing practice. Now I am more into snatching time when I canโon the subway, waiting in line, while I am on a lunch break from a teaching job. I keep a small notebook for that purpose in my purse at all times.ย
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I chose YA because it felt natural to me and suited the voice I wanted to explore. I am not too strict about genre. I like to bend the rules about genre and style.ย
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I am aย reader and a writer. I am a teacher. I am a mother. A wife. A friend. These all come naturally to me. The decision to publish was more fraught. My writing was always a personal habit born out of my teaching practice. Taking my work public required an extra push. For me that came due to Covid. The restrictions on life produced the feeling that I needed to push back against all the sorrow and suffering. I wanted to put my novel into the world as a positive push back. It was a way to say that I choose creativity and the life of the mind despite the fear and suffering.ย
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
As I mentioned above, my practice has changed. I used to need two or three hours in the morning. I worked best in a cafe. I needed to be away from home and the lure of cleaning dishes.ย ย I loved getting into the flow of writing for hours at a time. In many ways this is my ideal. I think it is necessary for the stage of writing when you are immersed in a long project. Now I have transitioned more into snatch writingโcatching a few lines here and there. I have abandoned the need to protect long stretches at a time. It simply wasnโt happening with the demands of children, work, and Covid restrictions. I enjoy my new writing freedom. It gives me more of a writerโs eyeโI am constantly looking at people, situations, setting. I listen and eavesdrop with a writerโs ear. I like the energy this brings to my writing.ย
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
Longhand with a pen in my journal. Laptop for longer pieces.ย
What are your 5 favourite books?
When I was young I loved theย Chronicles of Narniaย by C.S. Lewis and stories about Ramona by Beverly Clearly. Growing up I was a huge Stephen King fan, until I got too creeped out readingย Gerald’s Game.ย We used to sneak Kingโs novels beneath our desks during English class. I adoredย Ender’s Gameย by Orson Scott Card andย Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxyย by Douglas Adams. Now that I look back, reading was kind of what the boys did and my reading selections mirror that.ย ย The other book that stands out as an influence wasย A Girl of the Limberlostย by Gene Stratton-Porter, given to me by my grandmother.
In college I really discovered literature (I was a science/sports geek in high school). One of my majors was a Great Books program, which means we read works from the Western canon. Here is the stuff that moved me from college:ย Kitchenย by Banana Yoshimoto,ย A Passage to Indiaย by E.M. Forester,ย Arcadiaย by Tom Stoppard,ย The Unbearable Lightness of Beingย by Kundera, Goethe’sย Sorrows of Young Werther, Pope’sย Essay on Man, The Collected Stories of Flannery O’Connor and, of course, Shakespeare.
It has only been since I started to teach high school English that I began to seriously read like a writer. When I had to teach reading/writing/story concepts to 9th graders, I had to be able to analyze a story so that its mechanics were visible to my students (without destroying the magic, which gets dicey). Books/Authors that have moved me in this era include:ย Blindnessย by Saramago (really, a favorite), anything by Margaret Atwood or Louse Erdrich, Toni Morrison, Ian McEwan and Alice Munro among others. Most recently I finished Gaddis’sย Carpenter’s Gothicย and I am slightly obsessed. I can’t leave out theย Vagina Monologuesย by Eve Ensler, now known as V, which I produced/directed for three years. In my recent reading history I would include the following favorites:ย The Overstoryย by Richard Powers,ย Braiding Sweetgrassย by Robin Wall Kimmerer,ย Dept. of Speculationย by Jenny Offill, Elena Ferrante,ย Stonerย by John Williams,ย Never Let Me Goย by Ishiguro Kazuo,ย Lost Children Archiveย by Valeria Luiselli,ย Hungerย by Roxane Gay, andย On Earth Weโre Briefly Gorgeousย by Ocean Vuong.ย
How do you deal with Writerโs Block?
I donโt believe in it!ย
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Read and write a lot. Try toย break some rules. For example, never limit your answer to only 5 favorite books when they ask.ย
Thank you, author Kelly, for your insightful and honest answers!
About the Book
Taint
Rebecca White, a senior at the top of her class at Plains High School in 2001, is a Kansas girl going placesโฆuntil the rape. She wants the rapist to pay for his crime and go to jail. Unfortunately, nothing is that simple, and she wasnโt the one raped.ย ย This is the story of how Rebecca seeks revenge for her best friend, Luke Warren, who was raped by the principalโs son, Weston. While the senior class chooses corsages and boutonniรจres for prom, Rebecca plots revenge against Weston. She must find a way to make him pay without revealing Lukeโs secret. The solution she finds is chilling. Set in a small town in the American Midwest when the terrorist attacks in New York City brought life to a standstill, Taint by Janet Kelley portrays how friendship and justice are tested when the unthinkable happens.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, Iโd like to welcome Teri M. Brown, author ofSunflowers Beneath The Snow, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Teri M. Brown
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown graduated from UNC Greensboro. She began her writing career helping small businesses with content creation and published five nonfiction self-help books dealing with real estate and finance, receiving โFirst Runner Upโ in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards forย 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, finalist in the USA Best Books Awards forย How To Open and Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorate, and Real Estate Staging Businessย and forย 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, and Honorable Mention in Foreword Magazineโs Book of the Year Award forย Private Mortgage Investing. In 2017, after winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story, she began writing fiction in earnest, and recently publishedย Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others. Teriโs debut novel,ย Sunflowers Beneath the Snow,ย is a historical fiction set in Ukraine.ย
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Iโm Teri M Brown, and Iโve wanted to be an author since I was a child, but at the time, it was linked with being a brain surgeon and Olympic ice skater! I loved to read and was always writing stories and poems. My mom recently gave me one she had saved that was written on the back of my grandmaโs bank deposit slip! I read everything I could get my hands on and even had a special tree in the yard that I called my reading tree.
But then life kind of got in the way. I got married, had children, divorced, and homeschooled. I remarried someone who was emotionally abusive. By the time that relationship was nearing its end, I no longer believed in myself.
But, I was given an opportunity to go to a writerโs retreat, and from that moment on, the characters in my head wouldnโt shut up. I began writing again.
Iโm now married (yes โ again) to a wonderful man who supports me in all that I do. And he pushes me to be all that I can be. In fact, we recently rode across the US on a tandem bicycle from the coast of Oregon to Washington DC โ 3102 miles. Not only did we raise $34,000 for Toys for Tots, but I found a way to heal from my past relationships.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The book is loosely based on a real-life story. I am friends with the granddaughter โ Ionna โ though that is not her name in real life. She was visiting my home and telling me this story that was too incredible to believe. I wonโt tell you what it is because it would be a huge spoiler alert. But I knew that story had to be told. Unfortunately, there was no way to know what really happened โ so I created a story to get to that ending!
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I want people to understand that even when life is kicking you in the gut, you can still find joy and happiness. Itโs all in the way you choose to see what is happening.
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
I like Yevtsye the most. She realizes she is gutsy and can do hard things. Plus, I relate to her in many of her experiences like postpartum depression, her angst with her mom, and the empty-nest feelings.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I pretty much answered this in #2. A friend told me an ending that needed a beginning, so I wrote it.ย
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I was at Weymouth Writers in Residence in Southern Pines, NC for two weeks. I got the book out of my head and onto paper during that time. I then did a major edit, adding another 30,000 words during a one-week retreat I created for myself at my momโs house while she was on vacation. The rest of the editing took about 80 hours of work over a month. However, it took me three years to get the guts to write the story!
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
This is my debut novel, and no one really knows who I am. In five years, I want all of that to change. I want a readership that looks forward to my next book because I have lots of books in my head.ย
Are you working on any other story presently?
My next novel, An Enemy Like Me, is set during WWII. It features a man who is a first-generation German American who fights for the US in the war but finds himself in Germany. It looks at the angst of loving his heritage and loving his country. I explore this topic from his point of view, as well as his wifeโs and his young sonโs.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
Sunflowers Beneath the Snow is a Historical Fiction/ Womenโs Fiction. An Enemy Like Me is a Historical Fiction. However, I have two other stories that are Contemporary Fiction, and another that has a fantasy twist. I also have a great idea for a YA dystopian novel, a humorous womenโs fiction, and two childrenโs storybooks. I donโt think I have a genre as much as I have characters in my head that need a platform. I tell people that I write character-driven fiction and the genre is chosen by the characters.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
It was very difficult to follow my passion. First, children and life kind of got in the way. I loved being a mom and homeschooled my kids, but that left little time to develop my own skills and follow my dreams. Marrying an emotionally abusive man sealed the deal. Although I wrote articles and blog posts for small businesses, I didnโt believe I was capable of writing a novel. But I met a friend who was a young mother and writing a book. She told me about this writerโs retreat, so I applied. I went for one week and wrote my first novel. It was no good. My characters had no depth. The story was too predictable. But I got it out of my head. Those fifty thousand words on paper gave me the courage to keep writing โ and to leave my miserable marriage. Getting this book published is just the beginning of my dream.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I wish I had something crazy or unique to say here, but I donโt. I just write. If I have a computer and some free time, I write. I can write on the beach, in a coffee shop, in the car, or even in the middle of the living room with things going on. In fact, I tend to like a bit of household noise around me โ complete silence is not my friend!
When writing a novel, I do what I call โword vomit.โ I simply let the story out of my head. I donโt worry too much about character development. I donโt do a lot of research for the setting. I just write the story down and get it out of my head. Once that is done, I leave the story alone for about a month and then begin the editing process. I prefer to have a big chunk of time set aside for this so that I can get the bulk of it done quickly.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I write almost entirely on a computer. I can type 80 words per minute, which is much faster than I can write longhand. Plus, when I go back to my notes, I donโt have to decipher my scribble! The only time I use pen and paper or dictation is to take a few notes that I will need later on or to capture an idea while I am out walking on the beach.ย
What are your 5 favourite books?
Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (The first book I read that made me realize there was more going on than a cute little story), and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
How do you deal with Writerโs Block?
For me, writerโs block means that there are other things pressing on my mind and taking up the space I need to write. The only way to get rid of it is to clear up those other things. Or at least take care of them enough that they are no longer โtop of mind.โ I rarely get writerโs block. I think I spent too long not writing so my characters refuse to shut up even when life is busy!
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Write. Write. Write. If you have a story in your head, write it down. Donโt worry that it isnโt perfect. Donโt worry about anything. The more you write, the better you will get. Itโs fine to take classes or get a degree, but donโt let that stand in the way of writing or be the excuse to keep you from writing. I also recommend learning a bit about marketing. You will love your book more than anyone else. It will be up to you to help people know it exists.
Thank you, author Teri, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Sunflowers Beneath The Snow
A Ukrainian rebel. Three generations of women bearing the consequences. A journey that changes everything. When Ivanna opens the door to uniformed officers, her tranquil life is torn to pieces โ leaving behind a broken woman who must learn to endure the cold, starvation, and memories of a man who died in the quintessential act of betrayal. Using her thrift, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, she finds a way to survive in Soviet Ukraine, along with her daughter, Yevtsye. But the question remains, will she be strong enough to withstand her daughterโs deceit and the eventual downfall of the nation she has devoted her life to? Or will the memories of her late husband act as a shadow haunting everyone and everything she loves, including Ionna, the granddaughter that never knew him?
In Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, Teri M Brown explores the tenacity of women, showing that even in grueling circumstances, they can, and do, experience all the good things life has to offer โ compassion, joy, love, faith, and wonder.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, Iโd like to welcome authorย Teri M. Brown who’ll be sharing an excerpt from her latest release Sunflowers Below The Snow.
About the Book
Sunflowers Beneath The Snow
A Ukrainian rebel. Three generations of women bearing the consequences. A journey that changes everything. When Ivanna opens the door to uniformed officers, her tranquil life is torn to pieces โ leaving behind a broken woman who must learn to endure the cold, starvation, and memories of a man who died in the quintessential act of betrayal. Using her thrift, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, she finds a way to survive in Soviet Ukraine, along with her daughter, Yevtsye. But the question remains, will she be strong enough to withstand her daughterโs deceit and the eventual downfall of the nation she has devoted her life to? Or will the memories of her late husband act as a shadow haunting everyone and everything she loves, including Ionna, the granddaughter that never knew him? In Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, Teri M Brown explores the tenacity of women, showing that even in grueling circumstances, they can, and do, experience all the good things life has to offer โ compassion, joy, love, faith, and wonder.
Lyaksandro was aware of just three things. The slit of sun sneaking through the hurriedly closed curtains in an otherwise claustrophobic room. The air sucking into his lungs only to escape again in uneven gasps. And the unsympathetic, unyielding metal pressed against his temple awaiting his decision.
How had he gone from a simple man โ Lyaksandro Hadeon Rosomakha โ a university employee, a son, a father, and a husband โ to a man facing a decision at the end of a gun? What had pulled him into a life littered with secret meetings, men with no names, and information passed in the hours between darkness and dawn?
Undoubtedly, the state police would slap an informant label on his forehead despite the mundane activities he was called upon to perform. His treachery was not the kind to find its way into the banned spy novels still wending their way through the eager hands of boys wanting to prove they were men. No, rather than the high-tension, clandestine meetings of books and movies, he merely passed along innocuous information on loose pages of lined notebook paper carefully taken from the university library that employed him.
Sometimes he was asked to provide a list of those visiting the library on any given day. Other times, he would be asked to provide the names of those who checked out certain books or inquired about specific topics. Heโd even been asked to photocopy pages from manuals. He didnโt know what they were looking for. The link between a man named Bodashka Kravets and an interest in 4th century Ukrainian history, for example, was never explained. Nor did he truly know who was asking. His place in the resistance machinery was minor at best, and deadly at worst.
In this moment, though not for the first time, he wondered if the information was actually worth dying for. He was simply a small gear in a huge network of informants. Yet, despite the inconsequential nature of the information he passed, he understood, if caught, he was unlikely to survive. Informants โ spies โ regardless of their importance, were not tolerated. At best, he might face permanent imprisonment in a psychiatric facility. At worst, he would be killed and unceremoniously dumped into the nearest ravine, never to be heard from again.
The cold metal pressed more urgently against his skull. Would he die here? The choice was his to make and his to live with or die from. Would he say yes? No? Beg for a different option, like a small child hoping to get a treat for lunch rather than carrots and beets?
Pictures from his life flashed into view, each one an arrow pointing toward the path leading him to this place, this time, this decision. Although he had no memory of his father choosing a strong name for a strong son, his naming had become a personal folktale with Lyaksandro as the hero. His father would hold his young son in his thick arms, smelling of sweat and freshly cut wood, explaining each part of his name in considerable detail.
โYou, my son, are no ordinary boy, and you have been born into extraordinary times. Iโve given you a name to guide you โ to show you what you are meant to be. You are Lyaksandro Hadeon Rosomakha.
โLyaksandro. Defender of man. A protector and guardian of mankind.
โHadeon. Warrior. But not merely any kind of warrior โ impetuous warrior. I want you to be willing to complete your mission without concern for the consequences as you seek after your cause.
โRosomakha. Wolverine. Ferocious and wild, yet intelligent. Connected to family. Willing to be alone but longing to be part of a community โ preferably like-minded souls longing for something better in life.โ
By the time he entered school, he recognized who he was and what kind of man he would become. His name said it all.
A name, however, wasnโt enough fuel to propel someone forward if they werenโt willing to go. He was one Lyaksandro among many, and to his knowledge, they were all waking in their homes this morning while he drew in, what had the potential to be, his remaining breaths.
Although he had been born under communist reign, his father never let the stories of the Ukraine he experienced as a boy die. In the same way he could recite the story of his name, Lyaksandro could narrate the stories of his home as it had once been before communism and the USSR. The community traditions, the dances, and the songs, even the acres and acres of sunflower fields fading into the horizon.
โAh, the bechornytsi.โ This word would sigh from his fatherโs lips turned upward into the closest thing Lyaksandro would ever see to a smile. โOnce the crops were gathered and put up for the long winter to come, all the young people from the village would gather in a sparse building in the center of town erected specifically for occasions like these.
“Such singing and dancing, Leki! Young men performing the Gopack, alternating between standing and squatting while energetically flinging their legs and feet toward the giggling young women who shyly observed in hopes of being chosen from the crowd for more personal attention. Older women embroidering along the edge of the makeshift dance floor, keeping time with their feet. Older men telling tall tales and laughing too loudly at their rude jokes, secretly wishing they still had the ability to dance at the end of a long day to titillate the ladies.
โAnd the food. Oh, Lyaksandro, you have never seen such food. Varenyky, borscht, golubci, salo, papukhy. Everyone ate and talked and laughed long into the night. I met your mama at a celebration such as this.โ
In spite of never witnessing the glory for himself, he missed it with a fierceness as immeasurable as his fatherโs โ a man who died trying to gain back what had been forcefully taken away.
During the Shelest regime, Lyaksandro believed everything his father wanted for his beloved Ukraine was happening. He believed perhaps his fatherโs death had not been in vain. Novelists, artists, and film directors created their art with few restrictions. Ukrainian pride โ something quite apart from Party loyalty โ flourished. Lyaksandro had found, courted, and married Ivanna, and the two of them had a darling daughter. What more did a man need to be content?
Except he had ignored the signs and pretended all was right with the world. He was blinded by the Politburoโs permissiveness and flattery and was unable, or unwilling, to see the truth, until, without fanfare, and more importantly, with very little protest, yearsโ worth of literature was ripped from the shelves. Any art deemed anti-Soviet or nationalist was burned. Dissidents, once tolerated with a mild slap of the hand, were incarcerated in corrective labor camps โ ispravitelno-trudovye lageria, or insane asylums.
Then, one fateful day changed the course of his life and brought him here, a man on his knees, at a fork in the road which would change the trajectory of his life. He realized he could no longer be a bleating sheep, following along with a timid โas you wishโ while the Party elite dined on stuffed pheasant. He could no longer tolerate a gradual reformation of society, when all around him, those he loved suffered.
Despite his motherโs heroic efforts to keep him from taking up his fatherโs sword, Lyaksandro would do no less โ could do no less. It was for this cause he found himself with a choice to live or die.
His name. His father. His love. His country. Each played a part that landed him in a dark alley โ was it just last night? โ instead of lying next to his wife of 12 years under a hand-stitched quilt, her soap-scented hair swirled on a pillow they shared. The pretense that all was well in his beloved country was over. This realization led him to seek out those who were actively making changes, while others only whispered about them, furtively looking around for Party finks. Ultimately, he had agreed to collect information to pass on to unknown carriers to squash communism and bring back the Ukraine his father had taught him to long for.
Last night had been the culmination of two long yearsโ worth of effort. For months, he had been providing information through coded sentences in the still of the night, each time acutely aware that this could be the last time โ each time lying to himself that this would be the last time. And yet, he ventured into various alleyways throughout the city on scheduled nights, again and again, delivering bits of information to further the cause despite these promises he made to himself while lurking in alleys in which he didnโt belong.
Three hours ago, maybe four, he had been standing in a pitch-black alley, fear wrapping itself around Lyaksandro like a jaded loverโs arms ready to administer another round of arsenic in the wine. Had he somehow known he would end up here, like this? His skin pricked on the back of his neck again, precisely as it had then, the small hairs standing at attention. He recalled the small sound, a distance away that had caused his breath to halt in his throat, fearing any sound might give him away. He had flattened himself against the doorway and listened intently, once again hearing the small but deafening noise.
Such a minuscule sound would have been swallowed up in the bustle of the day, but there, in the inky darkness, it became ominous and menacing. Though he had willed it to be his contact, his sense of foreboding suggested otherwise. Never had he heard the approach before. In fact, he was often disconcerted at how swiftly and silently the contact arrived, asking for a light before Lyaksandro fully comprehended someone was at hand.
The sound, like soft scraping of metal against stone, happened again. Then again. More regularly. And closer.
Lyaksandro carried no weapon, and though he was officially a spy, he had no training. Until this very moment, he had never considered what he would do if things didnโt go as planned. Nonetheless, some instinct, or perhaps the hand of God, had him drop to his haunches, seconds before a bit of brick where his head had been moments earlier burst into fragments and rained shards into his hair.
Whether he yelled out or not, he did not know, but it wouldnโt have mattered either way. A cacophony of noise instantaneously erupted in the once-silent night. Men’s voices mixed with explosions and the tinkling sound of broken glass. Running footsteps. The squeal of tires. And then silence again.
This could not be happening. He wanted to help his country, to provide a place for his wife and child to thrive. Nothing more. Certainly not this. He wanted only to be home with his wife and child, and tears flooded his eyes as he crouched against the wall, immobilized by fear.
Before he comprehended what was happening, someone grabbed Lyaksandro under the arm and hauled him to his feet. He threw his arms wildly toward the hand that gripped him, desperate to get away. He wasnโt a spy. He was merely a man. โPlease, please. I donโt know what you want. Iโฆโ But before he uttered another word, a man in perfect Ukrainian said, โCome. Now. Quickly. We donโt have much time. They followed you here, hoping to catch two birds with one stone, but ended up with nothing to show for their nightโs adventure, eh? Are you hurt? No? Come.โ
One foot quickly followed the other as the man, carefully concealed under a cap and scarf, weaved in and out of streets and alleys, bringing him to a fourth-floor flat in a run-down, nondescript building. He threw some clothes in Lyaksandroโs direction. โChange. Quickly. No! Donโt use the light. Hand me your things.โ Then, they were off again, this time, more slowly but not without purpose. Two more times, they ducked into buildings, changed clothes, and emerged again, the final time as others were beginning their morning routines.
Lyaksandro realized with a joyful clarity that, unlike his father, he had lived. His joy, however, was fleeting as the man who saved his life said, โHere. Enter here.โ As they moved inside, he gave Lyaksandro specific directions which seemed foreign and impossible to understand, consonants and vowels hobbled together but providing no meaning. โSit here, in this chair so I can cut and dye your hair. We procurred documents for you. We will have you in London by this time tomorrow.โ
โBut…โ Lyaksandro sat down heavily in the proffered chair, his mind reeling as he tried to take in the events over the past hour. Leaving his beloved Ukraine? Everything he did was to save this country, not leave it. And his family? What would Yevtsye think about leaving her homeland with a child in tow? It would make no sense to her. He needed to speak to her, to help her understand. โWhat about Ivanna? Yevtsye? When will they arrive? Where are their papers? They will be so frightened, so confused. I must explain everything to them.โ
The manโs hand reached out and held Lyaksandroโs shoulder. โะผัะน ะดััะณ, my friend, the deal is for you. You, alone.โ
Lyaksandro jerked away, wild eyes darting around the room. He would never leave his wife and child. They were the reason he did what he did. They were the reason for the risks he took. Without them, the midnight rendezvous made no sense. With a mixture of panic and resolve, he shouted, โNo! No! They go, or I stay.โ
Bending at the waist, bringing his face level with Lyaksandroโs, the nameless man who had saved his life hours before whispered slowly, as if speaking to a small child. โNo. It is too late for ultimatums. We cannot get your wife and daughter. Your home is under surveillance. They watched you leave tonight. They followed you to the alley. They wanted to kill you. Your wife and daughterโฆthey areโฆit is hard to sayโฆwhere they might be?โ
A wild, animal-like guttural groan escaped from Lyaksandroโs throat. His beautiful Ivanna. His beautiful Yevtsye. He had killed them. He regarded his hands, realizing they were capable of both stroking his wifeโs cheek and effectively signing her death certificate. Had they started trembling in the alley, or only as he became aware of his new role as executor?
More urgently, the man said, โNow. You must go now. We cannot permit you fall into your governmentโs hands. Doing so would cause far too many problems for us. Get up. Now.โ
Mere seconds had passed. The man shifted his stance to stare directly into Lyaksandroโs eyes, the two men merely a gun-length apart. โAre you going? Or are you dying here?โ
Twenty-four hours later, a shattered man, stripped of his Ukrainian name and his family, landed at Heathrow.
About The Author
Teri M. Brown
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown graduated from UNC Greensboro. She began her writing career helping small businesses with content creation and published five nonfiction self-help books dealing with real estate and finance, receiving โFirst Runner Upโ in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards forย 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, finalist in the USA Best Books Awards forย How To Open and Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorate, and Real Estate Staging Businessย and forย 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, and Honorable Mention in Foreword Magazineโs Book of the Year Award forย Private Mortgage Investing. In 2017, after winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story, she began writing fiction in earnest, and recently publishedย Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others. Teriโs debut novel,ย Sunflowers Beneath the Snow,ย is a historical fiction set in Ukraine.ย
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:Christopher Vastag Release Date:ย 31st August 2021 Genre: New Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure Series: Format:ย E-bookย Pages:ย 406 pages Publisher: Fenris Publishing Purchase Link: https://www.fenrispublishing.com/maya Blurb: In the land of Kaskilia, a rabbit changeling slave named Maria sows plans for rebellion. To overthrow the murderous cult of Khaytan and the zealous king who spreads it teachings, Maria must rally predator and prey alike by reminding the people what true faith looks like. Brought together by the goddess Maya Herself, Maria finds an unlikely ally in the king’s son, Prince Reginald. Maria and Reginald must reconcile their differing visions of an ideal Kaskilia and their growing, forbidden attraction to one another while evading the bloodthirsty Absolvers of Khaytan’s Covenant. In a culture where she is seen as little more than food, can Maria find a way to lead her people to freedom without losing her humanity?
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
Children Of Maya by Christopher Vastag is a very engaging adventure new-adult fantasy novel that will take you on an adventurous rebellious trip.
This book was very easy to read as the writing was good had a really good flow which made the book a very quick read. I enjoyed reading this book as it had really good action and was full of twists and turns. The characterisation was good and so was the pacing and tension. The ending was good too and hopefully, there’ll be more books in this series.
I would recommend this book to all the readers of the new-adult fantasy genre and to those readers who enjoy reading magical adventurous books.
Author:Gillbert Troll Release Date:ย 6th December 2021 Genre: Urban Fantasy Series: Gateworlds Earth (Book #1) Format:ย E-bookย Pages:ย 335 pages Publisher: Blurb: Earth is in (im)mortal danger. Only one man can help. One man and a chicken. When a smug but mighty talking tree asks him to retrieve one of the rune crystals of the Multiverse Gate Earth, John Zelm “Athanator” decides against his better judgment that he will do as he is told and recover the guard rune to save the planet. As the balance of the multiverse itself might be at risk, he is helped by powerful allies such as a chicken and a platypusbear.ย
Can John save us, or are we dead already? You must read the book NOW to find out! Otherwise, it might be too late!ย A book by Gillbert Troll, who is in the process of making the renowned multiverse bestseller: “How to start great and meaningful conversations with dark elves.” If you buy the book now a troll will or will not be named after you somewhere in the multiverse!ย
Review
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Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Anthanator by Gillbert Troll is the first book in the urban fantasy series – Gateworlds Earth. I loved reading this book because it had an amazing characterisation and outstanding world-building. It was an extremely engaging read and I enjoyed every bit of it, right from the very start to the mind-blowing ending.
I was able to relate to all the characters in this book, primary as well as secondary, and I felt a real connection with the lead cast. I found myself rooting for them and cheering them on throughout the story. I am now really looking forward to reading the next part of this series.
I would highly recommend this book to all fantasy readers, especially to those readers who like reading urban and epic fantasies.
Author:T.M. Blanchet Release Date: 10th May 2022 Genre: Young-Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Magic & Elementals Series: The Neath Series (Book #1) Format: E-book Pages: 312 pages Publisher: Tiny Fox Press LLC Blurb: You did nothing. You were nothing. And so, you shall remain here, until the end of your days. As nothing. Ollie’s only friend disappeared a few days ago, and now, he’s frantic to find her. But he doesn’t have much to go on until a mysterious note arrives which reads: “Still looking for your friend? I know where she is.” Unfortunately for Ollie, the trail leads to the last place he’d ever expect.
Somewhere dark. Somewhere deep. The kind of place where magic spills like blood, vengeance is merciless, and escape seems all but impossible. Worse still, it soon becomes clear that someone-or something-was expecting him. Now, time is running out. If Ollie has any hope of ever seeing home again, he’s going to have to summon every last scrap of courage, smarts, and tenacity he can find. And none of it will matter if he can’t get some help. Fast. Because Ollie might not know much about the vast underworld that’s ensnared him, but he does know this: He’ll never make it out alone.
Review
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
Herrick’s End by T.M. Blanchet is the first book in the young-adult fantasy series, The Neath. This book is a fast-paced rollercoaster ride that’ll take you into the amazing and sometimes terrifying world of the vast underworld that will leave you wanting for more!
This book had an exceptional characterisation; I was able to connect so deeply with the main protagonist Ollie and even most of the secondary characters. I found myself cheering for Ollie throughout the book and I really hope the author comes up with more books in this world with Ollie as the main character! I am really forward to the next book in this series!!
The writing is immersive and had a great flow, the pacing was great and the tension was high in most parts of the book which made this book un-put-down-able!
I would highly recommend this book to all readers of Young-Adult Fantasy – this book will not disappoint you!
Author:Tiffany Brazell Release Date: 20th December 2020 Genre: Epic Fantasy Series: The God’s Game Series (Book #1) Format: E-book Pages: 252 pages Publisher: Regalis Publishing, LLC Blurb: The Destroyer’s Empire Part 1 is the first book in The God’s Game, a new epic fantasy series by Tiffany Brazell. A cursed worldโฆ An immortal empressโฆ A girl with forbidden knowledge and unknown powerโฆ Although she has read all about Vias the Destroyerโs dreaded liths, Salmaara has never seen one. In fact, sheโs not even sure the nightmarish, mouthless creatures exist. Sheโs never been to Mauvias, land created by the goddess Vias the Destroyer, ruled by a ruthless immortal empress, a place where the very air is cursed with insatiable thirst, or to the ancient city Kalitoomba, a city of soaring glass towers ruled by a benevolent god-king. Following her rescue from a river, Salmaara lives a quiet life working in her fatherโs pottery shop, trying to discover who she is in a town where her golden eyes and fair skin make it clear she doesnโt belong. Illun, the man she loves as her father, is keeping a secret. An important secret.
Her looks arenโt the only thing that makes her different. Salmaara can sense where people are by their souls, and can connect her soul to theirs. One morning, she reaches for the feeling of her fatherโs soul and hears his thoughts, something she thought only the servants of the Destroyer could do. Before she can discover what it means, one of the liths appears, takes her captive, and carries her away to the gruesome prison city of Gรผnhai, where even the stones cry out in pain. Within its lightproof halls, Salmaara will have to decide, will she do what sheโs told, and become a pet, a tool of the empire, of the destroyer herself? Or, will she have to risk her life and very soul, to discover who she truly is and how her powers will be used?
โImaginative and vast, The God’s Game Series is a big story vividly told, sure to satisfy fans of epic fantasy.โ
Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of The Saga of Seven Suns.
โTiffany Brazell’s imagination takes off where othersโ end. This is a tale of high magic that is sure to please.โ
David Farland, New York Times bestselling author of The Runelords.
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
Prisoner Of Mauvias by Tiffany Brazell is the first book in The God’s Game series – an epic fantasy series. This book is an adventurous journey that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions where dangers are lurking behind every turn.
It is a fast-paced fantasy read that follows a simple yet meticulous plot structure that keeps the action tight throughout the story. This book had good, if not superb, characterisation. I was able to connect to or relate with most of the characters, secondary as well as primary. I enjoyed reading this book and am really looking forward to reading the next part in the series as I am sure the characterisation would be further developed in it.
I would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy readers.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Teri M. Brown for her latest release Sunflowers Beneath The Snow.
Sunflowers Beneath The Snow
Book: Sunflowers beneath The Snow Author: Teri M. Brown PageCount: 332 Publication Date: January 25, 2022 Genre: Historical Fiction, Womenโs Fiction Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Synopsis
A Ukrainian rebel. Three generations of women bearing the consequences. A journey that changes everything.
When Ivanna opens the door to uniformed officers, her tranquil life is torn to pieces – leaving behind a broken woman who must learn to endure the cold, starvation, and memories of a man who died in the quintessential act of betrayal. Using her thrift, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, she finds a way to survive in Soviet Ukraine, along with her daughter, Yevtsye. But the question remains, will she be strong enough to withstand her daughterโs deceit and the eventual downfall of the nation she has devoted her life to? Or will the memories of her late husband act as a shadow haunting everyone and everything she loves, including Ionna, the granddaughter that never knew him?
In Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, Teri M Brown explores the tenacity of women, showing that even in grueling circumstances, they can, and do, experience all the good things life has to offer – compassion, joy, love, faith, and wonder.
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown graduated from UNC Greensboro. She began her writing career helping small businesses with content creation and published five nonfiction self-help books dealing with real estate and finance, receiving “First Runner Up” in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, finalist in the USA Best Books Awards for How To Open and Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorate, and Real Estate Staging Business and for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, and Honorable Mention in Foreword Magazineโs Book of the Year Award for Private Mortgage Investing. In 2017, after winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story, she began writing fiction in earnest, and recently published Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others. Teriโs debut novel, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, is a historical fiction set in Ukraine.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:R.J. O’Sullivanย Release Date:ย 15th December 2021 Genre: Science-Fiction, Political Satire Series: Format:ย E-bookย Pages:ย 235 pages Publisher: RHELM, LLC Blurb: After losing his entire family to COVID, the baseball-obsessed heir to a corporate empire uses his family fortune to hit the re-set button on America. Concocting a plot to kidnap a million QAnon followers for the purpose of “deprogramming” them, Jamie Whistler takes the lessons learned from playing his favorite simulation game and applies them to the real world.
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
Jamie Whistler Plays Out Of The Park Baseball Because It’s The Only Thing That Matters by R.J. O’Sullivan is a unique and refreshing new political satire sci-fi novel.
This book has an intelligent plot, well-written prose to complement it and a cast of interesting and engaging characters that made this book a compelling read. The author has used his amazing sense of humour and subtle phrases to take digs on the current political scenarios, especially relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, drawing the readers attention to the real matter that should be of concern to all of us.
I loved reading this book and would definitely recommend it to all reads of satire and political fiction who won’t mind a sci-fi setting.
Author:E.T. McNamara Release Date:ย 7th July 2021 Genre: Historical Romance Fiction Series: Format:ย E-bookย Pages:ย 371 pages Publisher: Blurb: 2022 Literary Titan Gold Award Winner, โFateโs Final Destinyโ is an epic story of two life-long friends who fall in love, only to have fate tear them apart. Set during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, the story begins in Goodwell, Oklahoma. Caught up in the tidal wave of world events, they find themselves beginning new and separate lives. Never fully understanding the reasons for their separation, they find it difficult to move on.
As they and their families are experiencing the life-changing events of Pearl Harbor and the war in the Pacific, these members of the Greatest Generation find themselves swept up by both current and future events. Whether it be the life-or-death decisions made on the battlefield or aboard a navy hospital ship, fate affects both their lives. As the two star-crossed lovers become entangled in the major events that shaped our nationโs destiny, readers will be able to go along with them on their journey through one of the most interesting periods of American History.
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
Fate’s Final Destiny by E. T. McNamara is a beautifully written historical fiction romance novel that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This book is a literary work of fiction that takes the readers through the well-constructed lives of the main characters as they grow up on their farms and fall in love only to get separated due to the historic events that shook the world to be reunited in the most unimaginable and emotional way.
This book had really good characterisation, a great plot, a very good concept (that was well-executed) and an excellent tension graph – all of which kept me hooked to the pages throughout the story. I was engrossed in the book from the very beginning till the last page! I would strongly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction especially those who like reading historical romance novels.
Author: Dmitry Pavlovsky Release Date: 26th December 2021 Genre: Science-Fiction, Space-Opera, Action, Space-Adventure Series: Format: E-book Pages: 276 pages Publisher: Lulu.com Blurb: The Great Barrier is an irradiated wasteland of magnetars, black holes and supernovae, spanning millions of light years in every direction. Igniting behind the last of the generation ships that clawed their way to these new stars, it slammed the doors shut on them, cutting off their only way back. Now, after centuries of colonial fragmentation, infighting and isolation, an ancient ship of unknown origin has washed up on the cosmic shores of the barrier.
And a long forgotten mystery has reopened its wounds. With time running out before the ship is sucked back into a stellar ocean of deadly radiation, a retired intelligence officer is forced to assemble a first response team consisting of a disillusioned field medic, a pair of space divers with serious trust issues and an assassin with an exotic battle chassis for a body. But to complete the team, he’ll need someone to pilot their decommissioned subship “The Abyss”. And the only choice he has left is a washed up racer, who’d rather be anywhere else but back in the pilot’s seat.
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
Burn Of The Abyss by Dimitry Pavlovsky is a new sci-fi and space adventure novel that will take you in the depths of outer space and leave you wanting for more!
I enjoyed this book as it remained me of the classical space-fantasies that were written with careful attention to detail. Author Dimitri has done an excellent job in creating realistic characters, the world and a good storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from the beginning till the very last page.
The writing is good, the characterisation is realistic and well-done and the pacing is great throughout the book along with the tension. I would definitely recommend this book to all science-fiction readers and to those who are looking to explore books by new authors.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, Iโd like to welcome Danielle Dayney, author of When Love Sticks Around , for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Danielle Dayney
Born and raised in Ohio, Danielle Dayney got her start writing rock concert reviews for a Toledo-based music magazine, THE GLASS EYE. Today, her work has appeared in the FREDERICKSBURG LITERARY AND ART REVIEW, online at HUFFINGTON POST, DEAD HOUSEKEEPINGand THE MINDFUL WORD, and in several anthologies.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I have lived in four states: Ohio, Michigan, New York, and Virginia. Though Virginia is my favorite, I will always think of Detroit, Michigan as a โhomeโ. I have two children, both girls, and two dogs, both doodles. And I have been married for almost seventeen years to my very best friend.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
This book is mostly about relationships; my relationship with my mother, my relationship with my stepfather, my (mostly) non-existent relationship with my biological father, and eventually my relationship with my husband and his family.
While in the research phase of writing When Love Sticks Around, I interviewed aunts, uncles, my sister and my stepfather for pieces to my story that were a little blurry. My family answered any questions I had, even if they seemed ridiculous at the time. The only person who would not talk to me or share any stories with me was my biological father. To this day, unfortunately, we donโt speak.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
The one message Iโm trying to get across in this book is that love doesnโt always look like the typical thing we see in movies. Sometimes loving is merely the opposite of not loving; sometimes the smallest gesture, like sticking around, is love.
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
Because this is a memoir, some people may assume that my favorite character is myself, but thatโs not the case. My mom is my favorite character in this book because she was so kind and selfless, but she also had an Irish temper, which made her fun to write. Plus writing her character helped me understand her a bit more.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Shortly after my mom passed away, I had a dream about her. I was on a playground surrounded by a field of tiny white flowers with my daughter. In the distance there were two young girls wearing white dresses, swinging on an old metal swing set. I think the girls were me and my sister. As my daughter climbed the slide ladder, I noticed my mom walking toward me. She was also dressed in white, surrounded by tiny butterflies. When she was within armsโ reach, I hugged her. She said to me, โIโm okay now. Iโm okay.โ
When I awoke in the morning, I started writing about her โ stories to remember her life, stories that made myself cry, and stories that I simply didnโt want to forget. That was in 2012, and though none of the stories I wrote back then are in my memoir, it was still the inspiration for this book, and also for my return to writing.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
A very long time, haha. It took me several years to put the pieces of this book together, a year to edit it and, after a publisher picked it up, another year to edit and proofread with my project manager. So about four or five years, give or take.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Five years from today I see myself with a few more books published, one more memoir and hopefully a couple novels. I also see myself taking more writing classes, or maybe even going back to school for my Mastersโ degree.
Are you working on any other story presently?
I am currently working on a second memoir about parenting with anxiety, and the first draft of that is close to being done. Iโm also working on a novel set in Detroit, Michigan.ย
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I dabble in fiction and poetry, especially when I feel stuck with whatever Iโm currently working on in nonfiction, but writing memoir is my favorite. I started experimenting with short memoir pieces about six years ago to decode what was happening in my life and head. Itโs my way of processing events and shedding light on the feelings involved with them. I really fell in love with the memoir style and have continued working at it since.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
There are several moments in my life that helped me decide to be a writer. First, in second grade my teacher took me to the local Young Authors Conference. I met Bernard Waber, the author of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and he signed my book in green pen. Second, my first college English professor asked me to write for his music magazine called The Glass Eye. I interviewed bands and reviewed concerts. It wasnโt a bad gig.
Even still, when I moved away from home, I stopped writing for a few years. I was busy with college, working as a part-time paralegal and raising my first daughter. I returned to it after my mom passed away in 2012, and I havenโt stopped since.
The thing Iโve sacrificed most to become a writer is sleep. I wake up very early every morning to write/edit/work on social media.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
Like I said above, I write very early in the morning while everyone in my house is asleep. I pour myself some coffee and head to my home office. My writer-brain works better in the morning.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I prefer to mind map and write my first drafts by hand, then complete my first edit as I type it on my computer.
What are your 5 favourite books?
Itโs so hard to narrow it down! I think one of my favorite fiction books would beย The Helpย by Kathryn Stockett. My two favorite memoirs areย More Now Againย by Elizabeth Wurtzel andย Eat, Pray, Loveย by Elizabeth Gilbert. My favorite thriller author is probably Lisa Jewell, as Iโve loved every book of herโs that Iโve read. I also love anything by Mary Karr, another memoir author.
How do you deal with Writerโs Block?
For me, writersโ block is an inevitable part of writing. It doesnโt happen very often, but it happens more than Iโd like. When I have it, I like to take walks by myself, or listen to music relating to what Iโm writing about. Sometimes that helps loosen the block.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Read. Take classes if you are able. And write ยญโ a lot.
Thank you, author Dayney, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
When Love Sticks Around
Hand-me-down pants that don’t quite fit, twilight bike rides down sleepy neighborhood streets, sweaty family camping trips, the things that almost break you, and the things you barely notice-it’s hard to see the shape of your life until you’re looking back on it. In this collection of short essays, Danielle Dayney recounts her experiences as an awkward child in the piecemeal family that raised her. From her biological father’s absence to her mother’s battle with cancer to the birth of her daughter, Dayney’s stories venture beyond anecdote to nest safely among the tangled experiences that shape the people we become. With a keen eye for the pebbles of humor and glimmers of beauty along the rough roads of her life, Dayney has crafted a book that feels as familiar as a home-cooked meal and as exciting as the first night in a new city.
When Love Sticks Around is a memoir of love, loss, humor, identity, and above all, family-the one you’re born into and the one you gather along the way. Those are the things worth sticking around for.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author: Z.B. Lee Release Date: 3rd January 2022 Genre: Young-Adult Fiction, High Fantasy, Magic-Elementals Series: Format: E-book Pages: 167 pages Publisher: Blurb: Johan Finley dreams of being a warrior for his home, Center City, but he is devastated when his own arrogance costs him his dream. When all seems lost, a cheery little fellow comes knocking on his door. Johan could never expect the fantastic journey that awaits.
There is one problem: Blazer, an enchanted sword, has fallen into the wrong hands. A shadowy enemy seeks to use this powerful weapon to turn the tides in a greater war of good versus evil. Johan must find the strength to face down this sinister foe and take back the sword before itโs too late. Under the tutelage of a wise magician and a battle-tested knight, along with the friendship of a courageous halfling, Johan is going to learn what it means to be a true hero in the Order of Ysavar. But when the fate of the world rests on his shoulders, will he crack under the pressure? Or will he rise to the occasion?
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Magicians Of Ysavar by Z.B. Lee is a new young-adult magical coming-of-age book full of action-packed scenes that are brimming with conflict, both internal as well as external. I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover and was not able to put it down once I started!
This book had an amazing pace throughout the book and the tension ran deep and tight right from the beginning to the very end. The book started off on a great note and the build-up was amazing – even better than I was expecting! The characterisation was good, the settings were well-executed and the entire plotting was well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed ride.
I would strongly recommend this book to all young-adult readers and fans of coming-of-age stories that have magic elements.
Author:Robert Uttaroย Release Date:ย 20th December 2021 Genre: Memoir, Mental Health, Psychology, Non-Fiction Series: Format:ย E-bookย Pages:ย 251 pages Publisher: Blurb: To the Survivors is about one manโs journey as a rape crisis counselor with true stories of sexual violence shared by survivors in their own words. Gently and beautifully constructed, To the Survivors is moving, tender, sharp, and piercingly true all at once. Readers will encounter uncensored written stories, poems, and interviews from women and men who have experienced rape and sexual assault, plus the advocate-author voice that weaves their experiences together. The survivors are diverse in age, gender, and ethnicity, yet each gives a similarity raw and heartfelt account of his or her victimization and recovery. The authenticity and vulnerability with which survivors speak resonates profoundly. But this book is not just for survivors of sexual violence. Robert Uttaro believes anyone can benefit from the words in these pages, rape survivor or not.
Review
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
To The Survivors by Robert Uttaro is a heartfelt memoir about rape survivors. Each and every chapter in this book is a different survivor story written by the author, lending it a voice that could be heard by everyone. It wasn’t always easy to read these stories, but I felt that it was important, in some way, to read them all, and to spread awareness about this book because the more the people read this book, the more the victims and survivors will feel heard.
I would recommend this book to every reader, though I would also like to caution them about a plethora of triggers that this book has. So read the blurb carefully before starting this book. If you are okay with the triggers then this book is a beautiful one that will open your eyes to the many things women are subjected to in the world and will help you broaden your perspective when it comes to feminism and why it is needed in the first place among many such misunderstood concepts.
Author:Ian Lewisย Release Date:ย 20th December 2021 Genre: Alternate History, Fantasy, Suspense, Mystery, Speculative Fiction Series: The Reeve (Book #2) Format:ย E-bookย Pages:ย 380 pages Publisher: Blurb: Beldenridgeโa city of aging grandeur adrift in complacencyโis reeling in the wake of violence perpetrated by the Wojiin, a legendary foe once thought to be extinct. Now mutated horrors lurk by shadow of night, and opportunistic villains rise to fill the gap left by the perceived abandonment of Beldenridge by Logan Hale, the cityโs highest peace officer. Though Logan knows the Wojiin will return, heโs beleaguered by the ignominy of failure and a loss of purpose. To recover, he must not only confront himself but the malevolence that runs like an insidious undercurrent beneath everything he fears.
Just when Lucy is feeling unworthy of happiness, a silver lining presents itself. She lands her dream job as a travel writer. Follow aspiring author Lucy as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery with her best friends by her side. Witness as she blissfully immerses herself in French culture while hitting all of Parisโ hot spots for her new job. Laugh along while she helps throw an epic murder mystery birthday bash. Most of all, join Lucy as she transforms her self-doubt to self-love, ending a tragic year with the surprise of her life. Will Lucy finally leave David in the past or will he continue to haunt her dreams?
Review
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Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Villains by Ian Lewis is the sequel to From Legend and the second book in The Reeve series. I absolutely loved this book! It was undoubtedly un-put-down-able!
I had been waiting on this book since I first read From Legends by the author and finally having read this book I am now looking forward to reading the next one! The characterisation in this book was great, and I loved Amelia, the main character. I think the settings in this book felt even better than in the last books and I loved the detailing. The monsters were big and scary and truly dreadful and I enjoyed reading every bit of this book.
I would recommend this book to all readers of Fantasy, Suspense and Alternate History mixed with Speculative Fiction, as I am sure they will definitely love this book and the series!
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, Iโd like to welcome author Michelle McConnell from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Michelle McConnell
Michelle McConnell lives in Atlanta with her son, mother, and two cats. As someone diagnosed with Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorders, she states: โWith my book, I want to rip a hole through the veil of mental illness so that others may understand and help their loved ones who may be suffering in silence. Donโt be afraid to ask questions. Being ignored and neglected is a much worse fate for the mentally ill than having a caring friend asking questions in order to understand.”
You can connect with author McConnell here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I am a graphic designer, artist and musician. I also enjoy hiking. My first half of my life was spent battling an unknown illness. I have been managing my bi-polar for the past decade. It took a while to find the right medication. Anyone who is going through the medication process should be patient; it takes time to find the right combination of prescriptions. Donโt give up! There is life beyond the illness.ย
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
I began compiling my diaries and journals about 15 years ago, so it took a long time to complete. It was therapeutic to share my story for others to read, in hopes that they may seek the help they need sooner than I did since I didnโt even realize I had an illness. It took five mental hospital stays before I was properly diagnosed. I lost most of my friends due to my erratic behavior, which I share in the book. I hope my book helps at least one person whoโs experiencing similar behavior and canโt understand why.ย
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that youโre trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I chose the theme of mental illness since I suffer with it. I want the readers to recognize mental illness, and help a friend or relative who may be exhibiting similar behavior. Being bi-polar is not something that can be controlled alone. There are many misconceptions about mental illness, most of them being negative stereotypes. I hope to share that mental illness comes in many forms and is treatable, given time and patience. I would like the reader to know that mental illness is a physical disorder, a chemical imbalance in the brain, which is treatable.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I got the idea of writing this book one day when I was cleaning out my desk and found a collection of forgotten journals and diaries. I began by putting them in date order, then transferring the entries from written to typed format. I used these entries as an outline, and I edited and rewrote entries for the next fifteen years.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Fifteen years, off and on.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I donโt plan on writing another book. In five years, I see myself in a healthy, calm place.
Are you working on any other story presently?
No, and I donโt plan to write another book.
Do you also dabble in fiction?
Part of my book is fiction. I based it on real experiences, then elaborated and created credible scenarios. So, my book is both non-fiction and fiction.ย
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
During the last ten years, I really began to believe that I could actually write a book. The biggest sacrifice has been my relationship with my mother, which was always troubled, but really unraveled after the book was released. There are many aspects of my life she doesnโt remember due to her heavy drinking. I try to keep on good terms with her, but the relationship is strained.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I spent most of my writing hours in a local pizzeria where I felt comfortable and enjoyed the public interactions. Sipping on wine while observing life around me inspired me to keep writing. Working on my book alone felt more depressing, so I really enjoyed sitting somewhere public.
Is writing your profession or do you work in some other field too?
I work two part-time jobs: one as a graphic designer for a magazine, and the other as an office manager for a small company. Writing is not my primary profession, but I respect people who can turn their writing into commercial success.
What are your 5 favourite books?
Two books which are similar areย Go Ask Alice, which was anonymously written, andย Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depressive Illnessย by Patty Duke and Gloria Hochman. They both inspired me to write my memoir.ย
How do you deal with Writerโs Block?
I worked on different sections of my book, so if I had Writerโs Block, I skipped to a different chapter and tried my luck there. Since I had an outline of a book, it was easy to move to a different section.ย
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Be brave. It is frightening to share oneโs life experiences with the public. It feels rather like walking to the edge of a cliff. Donโt let that deter you. If you want to share your thoughts and ideas, a piece of yourself, know that you can do it. It will be a rewarding, therapeutic experience. You can do it!
Thank you, author McConnell, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Memoirs Of A Manic-Depressant
Harvey Doucet, a reasonably good Catholic, would never have committed suicide. His son, Harvey Jr. โ H โ knows this, so after Doucet Drilling causes the collapse of a salt mine and thirteen deaths, H searches for clues to clear his estranged fatherโs name. H and his fatherโs bodyguard, Placide, encounter dangerous cliffhangers, as the pursuers become the pursued. On the way, H exposes greed, fraud, and corruption, leading all the way to the White House. In Pillars of Salt by J.A. Adams, we experience Hโs journey from his original bitterness, angst, and cynicism toward his life and his father, to a place of appreciation and understanding of his fatherโs integrity. Maybe H will also discover the inherent goodness in people, even when the world seems to be circling the drain.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
The Reading Bud 