In 1859, Junie Benson was a twelve-year-old genius and enslaved. His older sister, Sari, had her own difficulties, including being auctioned to the highest bidder. She was also beautiful, flighty, and had a repetitive dream about a hazel-eyed white stranger. Everybody with the good sense God had given them knew even her dream was forbidden.
In 2022, three things troubled ex-Special Forces Lt. Colonel Zachary Trumble . . . his new job as director of security for Burstein Labs, his loveless marriage, and the green-eyed siren who won’t let him sleep in peace.
Then time’s fickle hand brewed a recipe for a miracle . . . Stir in three runaway slaves, an avalanche, one mad scientist, and an unhappy, in-love hero to create a dish for revenge best served . . . Later.
Book Details Title: Later Author: Colette R. Harrell Genre: inspirational, historical, interracial, African American, fantasy Publisher: Intentional Entertainment LLC (September 1, 2022) Print length: 204 pages
LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH COLETTE R. HARRELL
A few of your favorite things: books, cheesecake, cold nights under warm blankets. Things you need to throw out: worry, other peoples expectations, clothes no longer in my size.
Things you need in order to write: silence and light. Things that hamper your writing: multiple sources of noise and a ringing phone.
Things you love about writing: I love seeing my words bring characters to life. Things you hate about writing: editing, over and over. Ugggh!
Easiest thing about being a writer: the excitement of seeing the story unfold. Hardest thing about being a writer: marketing your baby to the world.
Things you love about where you live: my husband, my family, and my house. Things that make you want to move: the news. Is there a hole we can all burrow into?
Things you never want to run out of: ideas for a new novel. Things you wish you’d never bought: the car that sits in my driveway. I never go anywhere.
Words that describe you: talkative, humorous, fun, loving. Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t: anal, fiery/passionate, stubborn.
Favorite foods: pound cake. Texas Sheet Cake. cheesecake. Oh, yeah, cake. Things that make you want to throw up: when someone else throws up.
Favorite song: “I Hope You Dance.” Music that make your ears bleed: heavy metal.
Favorite beverage: I don’t drink it often, Squirt soda. Something that gives you a pickle face: fingers on a chalk board.
Favorite smell: bread baking. Something that makes you hold your nose: someone throwing up.
Something you’re really good at: writing. (Easy one.) Something you’re really bad at: sewing.
Something you like to do: read. Something you wish you’d never done: took time off from college, it just took longer to finish in the long run.
People you consider as heroes: those who fight for the underdog. Those who work in service to others. People with a big L on their foreheads: rude and inconsiderate people. It is never okay to be a jerk.
Last best thing you ate: oh my, a slice of pound cake that was so good, and I didn’t have to bake it. Last thing you regret eating: a White Castle Hamburger. I love them but they don’t always love me.
Things you’d walk a mile for: a hug from my love ones. Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: horrible table manners. Please can I not see or hear your food? Thank you.
Things you always put in your books: a happy ending. Things you never put in your books: a sad ending.
Things to say to an author: I love your work. Can I please have more? Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I really hated your characters. And, you’re a writer? (While holding your finished book in hand.)
Favorite places you’ve been: Savannah. Caribbean. Places you never want to go to again: my first trip to Jamaica was horrible. My next trip there was wonderful. Must have been the company.
Favorite books: romance. inspirational. historical. Books you would ban: any focused on hate.
People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): now we are getting so personal. Hmmm . . . Oprah. Barbara Streisand. Michelle Obama. People you’d cancel dinner on: Why are you getting me in trouble? Let’s go easy. Hitler. OJ. Nixon.
Favorite things to do: read. Things you’d run through a fire wearing gasoline pants to get out of doing: mopping floors.
Things that make you happy: spring days with no expectations. Things that drive you crazy: when people do not return important phone calls.
Proudest moment: the birth of my children, graduation from graduate school, my first book. Most embarrassing moment: when my slip fell off while walking into a building.
Best thing you’ve ever done: learning to love myself unconditionally. Biggest mistake: wasting my time worrying.
Most daring thing you’ve ever done: writing a book. It’s not for the faint-hearted. Something you chickened out from doing: running for Homecoming Queen in high school.
The last thing you did for the first time: self-publishing this book. Something you’ll never do again: allow myself to go against my best instincts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Colette R. Harrell made her debut as an author with the book The Devil Made Me Do It. As a published author, she has enjoyed meeting her readers; for her, it’s all surreal. She holds a master’s degree and worked as a director of social services, which allowed her a front-row seat to the conflict and struggles of everyday people.
Her days are filled as an author, playwright, story editor, wife, mother, and grandmother. She wears many titles allowing twenty-four hours a day to meet the challenges.
Her goal in writing is to engage readers and provide them with golden nuggets of wisdom that feed and engage. Her biggest lesson is that it takes a village to raise a dream. She loves and appreciates her village.
Many people know Todd Stottlemyre as an American former professional baseball player, most notably as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. However, Todd Stottlemyre is also an author with a highly personal, transformative story to tell through his new book. The Observer, far from being a fiction novel, is the fable of Todd Stottlemyre’s life. He rose to superstardom winning two World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays but had yet to reach his true “peak” until the journey that began afterward.
Kat has it all (money, success, recognition, influence) except the one thing she desires desperately: a fulfilled life. A business entrepreneur in the high-end sportswear industry, Kat is driven in relentless pursuit of ever-greater success. The two anchors in Kat's frenzied life have been her father; a famous baseball pitcher turned team manager, and her son, who is following in his grandfather's footsteps. When both anchors become unstable, Kat's life tips dangerously out of balance. The market and her finances flip, and relationships start slipping through her fingers. Eager for solutions, she turns to find uncanny wisdom from places she never expected.
The Observer unpacks the idea of 180-degree thinking, which changes everything for Kat. Now, seemingly impossible goals now come into focus with crystal clear clarity. As Kat focuses on the right things, the impossible becomes her new reality.
Book Details: Title: The Observer: A Modern Fable on Mastering Your
Thoughts & Emotions Author: Todd Stottlemyre Genre: *Praised for
breaking the boundaries of both fiction and non-fiction / women’s fiction, sports fiction, business, self-help, motivational,
inspirational, mental health Publisher: Made for Success Publishing
(December 29, 2020) Print length: 200 pages
LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH TODD STOTTLEMYRE
Things you need in order to write: clarity, a creative environment, time. Things that hamper your writing: stress, overwhelm that destroys creativity.
Things you love about writing: I love being able to share a message of true-life events and experiences, of tragedy and triumphs to inspire and impact others to pursue their inner greatness. Things you hate about writing: I find I do better talking than writing and my passion comes out deeper in my voice when I am speaking.
Easiest thing about being a writer: sharing personal stories, experiences, and moments. Hardest thing about being a writer: relating to the masses so that it will enrich their lives. Things you love about where you live: I love outdoor opportunities because of our weather and the ease of travel throughout the country because of where we are located. Things that make you want to move: the summer heat in Arizona.
Things you never want to run out of: family and friends. Things you wish you’d never bought: golf courses.
Favorite foods: Poke, sushi, Italian. Things that make you want to throw up: celery, peas, wild rice.
Things you’d walk a mile for: a great meal. Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: negative people.
Things you always put in your books: real-life experiences. Things you never put in your books: to teach something I have never learned through experience.
Favorite places you’ve been: Europe, Hawaii, Turks & Caicos. Places you never want to go to again: bad hotels.
Favorite things to do: vacation with my family, fishing with my brother. Things you’d run through a fire wearing gasoline pants to get out of doing: cleaning the garage and moving.
Things that make you happy: dates with my wife, great food, inspiring movies, winning. Things that drive you crazy: losing, negative people, messy environments, excuses.
The last thing you did for the first time: rode a Segway. Something you’ll never do again: Pink Jeep Tours.
Todd Stottlemyre is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 15 seasons most notably as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays with whom he won two World Series championships. He also played for the Oakland Athletics, St Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Awarded for his outstanding integrity and dedication to community service, he received the prestigious Branch Ricky Award and the Lou Gehrig Award. After leaving professional baseball, he pursued a career in finance building an asset management business at a high-profile Wall Street firm. He is the co-founder and owner of a private equity fund that owns, manages, and oversees a number of companies. Today, Stottlemyre channels his passion for winning as a high-performance business coach, best-selling author, and keynote speaker. Taking all he has learned both on and off the field, he works to help people achieve unparalleled success in every dimension of their lives. His latest book, The Observer: A Modern Fable on Mastering Your Thoughts & Emotions released on December 29, 2020.
Based on a true story, a new novel from Diamante Lavendar. Joan Eastman was born like any other girl. However her life would prove to be a life of great pain . . . Growing up, she was treated differently by family members, powerless to defend herself against their sexual and psychological abuse. Feeling she had been dealt a wicked hand by the “powers that be,” she spiraled into substance abuse and troubled relationships. She became a victim of addiction and self-hatred. Not giving up, she becomes aware of a greater spiritual being that protects her and she begins to heal. Then she finds herself pregnant. She learns to understand nothing is hopeless; that with a changed view and self discovery, there is real hope in every situation, no matter how difficult. As she and her husband look forward to the birth of their child, she writes in her diary as a way of expelling all of the evil memories. On bed rest for the duration of her pregnancy, she endures tests and tribulations that at first she couldn’t begin to understand. But no matter how high the hurdles in Joan’s life are, she doesn’t look back, and pulls the pieces of her life together . . . for herself and her unborn child. This inspirational story speaks of Joan’s gradual self acceptance and healing of her body, mind and spirit. It speaks of the possibilities of the future and the fulfillment of the dream of love and family. And it speaks of jumping the hurdles in life without looking back, no matter how high those hurdles may be.
ABOUT THE SECRETS OF YASHIRE
The Secrets of Yashire: Emerging From the Shadows is a young adult fantasy adventure that occurs within the framework of a young girl’s subconscious mind. The main character, Brianna, finds herself thrown into a world called Yashire where she is forced to deal with circumstances that are threatening Yashire’s existence. Against her will, she is sent on a journey to restore unconditional love back to the land while also contending with the evil force in the land, Zolan. Brianna is sent on her mission by Libban, Keeper of the Land. Along the way, Brianna travels with the mystical tiger, Angelos; a huge, whitish-tan tiger with thick black stripes who sings only the purest songs of love, and the wondrous little one-eyed bird named Abiba. During the journey, Brianna is also preparing to meet her soulmate—the one she longs to be with and the one who will bring complete healing back into her life. Together they travel through fantastic lands filled with magical creatures that could only exist in the wildest of imaginations. Through her treacherous brushes with danger and heartwarming experiences of love and acceptance, Brianna discovers many things. It is here, amidst the powers and phantasms of the mind that Brianna receives life lessons and virtues to help her. Will one of her greatest triumphs be achieved as she learns to believe in herself? For only then can she truly see all of the wondrous things that life has to offer.
INTERVIEW WITH DIAMANTE LAVENDAR
Diamante, how did you get started writing and when did you become an “author?” I have loved to write since I learned to write. I began making simple rhyming poems when I was quite young. From there, I began making picture books for my siblings. Eventually I began writing novels. I still write a considerable amount of poetry . . . in fact, I will be publishing a chapbook some time in the future. What's your favorite thing about the writing process? The imaginative side of the writing process is my favorite. Coming up with the ideas for the books is the most enjoyable part for me.
How long is your to-be-read list? I have started doing reviews for other authors and therefore I'm booked up into July of next year! I do the reviews in between working my day job and writing my own novels, so it keeps me very, very busy! I also write a newsletter each month and have a blog where I write as well. There is never a dull moment in my life!
What books do you currently have published? I have two books published. One is a women's mainstream fiction book written about my life. It speaks of healing from sexual and psychological abuse. I wrote Breaking The Silence to help other victims have hope that healing is possible.
My second published book is The Secrets Of Yashire. It is a fantasy story written within the psychological framework of a young woman's mind after she suffers a tragic accident. It is a coming of age story. It speaks of virtues needed in life in order to find happiness.
You have a day job . . . how do you find time to write? It is sometimes a struggle to find time to write a novel. I spend many hours marketing and writing my blog after work. When I sit down to write or edit a new novel, the days are long and the hours for sleep are kept to what's needed to function! I have to be constantly in “work mode” in order to get everything done. But that's okay because I love to write!
How often do you tweet? Once a day to keep in touch with my followers.
How do you feel about Facebook? I think Facebook is great for networking and some marketing. However, I'm not always content with how Facebook functions. It seems that a lot of “boosting” of posts is required in order for the content to be seen, and that can get somewhat pricey!
For what would you like to be remembered? I would love to be remembered for my imagination and for the fact that I write to bring hope and healing to my readers.
What five things would you never want to live without? My Father in Heaven, my family, electricity, hot water and sweets (especially chocolate!)!
3D movies are . . . Pretty darned cool!
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I'm an extrovert when I need to be (basically at my day job). But when I'm home, I'm an introvert . . . especially when I'm writing. I become like a hermit crab in my own little shell, and I don't like being disturbed! What's your relationship with your TV remote? I dislike TV. I rarely watch it as I consider it to be a nuisance and a waste of time. I do enjoy sitting down to watch an occasional movie, but for the most part, I avoid the TV.
What's your favorite treat for movie night? Buttery, salty popcorn!
What choices in life would you like to have a redo on? Way too many. If you read Breaking The Silence, which was written about my life, you'll understand what I'm talking about.
What’s one of your favorite quotes? Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
What would your main character say about you? Well, if it was Joan from Breaking The Silence, she'd say, “I know her! You know why? I'm her!” (Hahahaha!) What’s the worst thing someone has said about your writing? How did you deal with it? I've gotten some pretty snarky criticism about The Secrets Of Yashire. I dealt with it by considering the source and ignoring the comments intended to hurt me.
The constructive criticism I received about The Secrets Of Yashire (from other authors and readers) I was grateful for since The Secrets Of Yashire was my first book. I've decided to rewrite the entire story and publish another book based on the original Secrets Of Yashire . . . a new and improved version! That will be my next big undertaking. What's your relationship with your cell phone? I have my entire life planned on my phone! If I lost it, I'd be in big trouble.
What is your favorite movie? I love Jim Carrey. I think he's absolutely hilarious! I'd have to say his movies, Liar, Liar and The Mask are my favorites.
Do you have a favorite book? The Bible. I look at it as it sometimes is called . . . Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I would be truly and completely sunk without it.
Do you sweat the small stuff? I try not to. But sometimes that's hard when you have OCD. How long is your to-do list? My to-do list goes on for years. But that's okay because I like to stay motivated and looking ahead in life!
What are you working on now? I am editing my book Parallel Universe. It will be coming out in the spring. It's a fantasy/spiritual/coming of age/romance/paranormal story about a young man named Damien Rouse living in medieval times. He has been called to be the upcoming seer of his village of Rathclag. Parallel Universe is about his journey of finding and living his destiny, therefore enabling him to cross over to the parallel universe known as Promethia.
Lightning round: Cake or frosting? Frosting! Laptop or desktop? Desktop! Chevy Chase or Bill Murray? I like them both! Emailing or texting? A hard one . . . I do them both all the time. I guess I'll pick texting. Indoors or outdoors? Another hard one . . . I like both equally. I'll pick outdoors! Tea: sweet or unsweet? No tea for me! I'm a coffee person! GASP! Plane, train, or automobile? Automobile. Although trains are fun, too!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diamante Lavendar has been in love with reading since she was a child.
She spent many hours listening to her mother read to her when she was
young. As she grew older, she enjoyed reading novels of all genres:
horror, fantasy and some romance to name a few. She began writing in
college and published some poetry in anthologies over the years. After
her kids were older, she wrote as a form of self expression and decided
she wanted to share her stories with others.
Most of her writing is
very personal and stems from her own experiences and those of her family
and friends. She writes to encourage hope and possibility to those who
read her stories.
Diamante believes that everyone should try to leave
their own positive mark in the world, to make it a better place for
all. Writing is the way that she is attempting to leave her mark — one
story at a time.
Pieces Like Pottery is an examination of the sorrows of life, the strength of character, the steadfast of courage, and the resiliency of love requisite to find redemption. Offering graceful insight into the human condition, each linked story presents a tale of loss and love. Charged with characters mercifully experiencing trials in life, the book reminds us of the sorrows we all encounter and the kindness we receive, oftentimes from the unlikeliest of places.
What reviewers are saying
"Pieces like Pottery is molded like clay into some incredible pieces of stories which force the reader to ponder on their meanings. The book is something to be cherished and re-lived." - Devi Nair, The Verdict's Out
"The stories feel like seeing real life in print. They will entice you to come back to them again, and again, and again. I wish I could give this collection 10 stars instead of 5." -Rajalakshmi Prithviraj, One Stop Destination
"A great collections of short stories. This was a beautiful book." - Alysia Minnot, Support Indie Authors
INTERVIEW WITH DAN BURI
Dan, welcome to A Blue Million Books!I would like to first of all say thank you, Amy, for hosting me on your site. You have a wonderful site! This is a great place for us all to indulge in our shared love of reading and writing. Thank you for your excellent content and book suggestions. I am grateful to be here.
Thank you so much. That's very kind of you. How did you get started writing?
I can remember writing as far back as middle school. It’s something I have always enjoyed doing. One of the first poems I ever wrote was about my older brother and his basketball playing abilities. I still remember the opening lines and I wrote them as a kid nearly 30-years ago:
I’m Joe the King of Basketball,
I’m the king of the basketball court.
All my shots are always on target,
None of them are ever short.
I didn’t say it was any good! I don’t remember any more than that. To be honest, I’m not sure how I even remember those lines.
The point is, writing has been something I have always enjoyed doing and something I have always admired in other people. Story telling is a beautiful gift. I love learning to hone the craft.
Do you have a writing routine?
Once upon a time I thought I needed to write in a particular time and place. I would typically write at night and need to be in the perfect mood to do so. However, with a very demanding job, a wonderful wife, and two-year-old daughter, I quickly found that I was not finding much time to write at all. I had to begin writing anytime I could find a free 30 minutes. I was lucky I did too.
I think young writers always wait for the moment of inspiration to strike. These moments are amazing, but they are a great luxury. The truth, in my opinion, is that writing is as much about editing and revising as it is about the writing itself. I have so many pages of Pieces Like Pottery on the cutting room floor, so to speak. Maybe editing is a beautiful and inspiring process for some people, but for most writers I know, it is painstaking. There’s nothing inspirational about it for me. Having very little time to write each day helped me to begin taking my writing to the next level, to learn to hone it as a craft, rather than writing simply being an inspirational hobby. I had to find time to write whenever I could, regardless of whether the circumstances were perfect.
That being said, I still love to write at night over a glass of wine or a fine whiskey. Nothing beats that.
What’s more important – characters or plot?
I love characters. The most page-turning stories have a great plot, but the best stories have great characters. I really enjoy when a character has depth and complexity. I think good writers have a unique gift of empathy that allows them to tap into the “realness” of their characters. Good writers work hard to understand another person’s pains, hopes, dreams and fears, which allows them to create very compelling characters. How often do you read?
There isn’t a day that I don’t read a portion of a book or a long-form magazine article. I love reading. I read everyday.
What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
Do what you do to the best of your ability. Be authentic and vulnerable. Don’t try to be what anyone else wants you to be. Do you have any secret talents?
I used to perform at local venues, bars, and coffee shops playing guitar and singing, some covers and some original songs. But when it comes to secret talents, emphasis on talents, I can touch not only my nose with my tongue, but I can touch my chin with my tongue. Please everyone take a moment to be amazed.
Wow. I am amazed. What is the worst job you’ve ever had? What did it teach you?
I have had more odd jobs than I can count. I worked maintenance at a high school one summer. One of the tasks was to empty out the 15-year-old water from a boiler in the basement of the school. The only way to empty it was to syphon the water out through a narrow tube, but I had to suck the water up through the tube until it reached the syphon valve that would then automatically start pumping the water out. My co-worker was supposed to tell me when the dirty boiler water reached the valve, but he got distracted. I swallowed a mouthful of 15-year-old boiler water. Let me tell you, it still makes me queasy to this day. I was heaving and retching for quite awhile after that. I’m not quite sure what I learned from that, though, except that it’s a fairly funny story (for everyone but me).
We all have to work tough jobs so we can continue to do what we love — write. I’ve worked a lot of writing jobs too — blogger, ghostwriter, research assistant, editor, teacher’s aid, researcher . . . I didn’t enjoy all of those, but they have all helped me hone my craft.
What five things would you never want to live without?
Oh, good question. This is tough. Hmmm. My iPhone. My books. My guitar. Access to music. (If this were ten years ago, I would have said my CDs, but who even knows what a CD is anymore?) And . . . ummm . . . my wine or whiskey. I love a good glass of wine or whiskey.
What’s one thing you never leave the house without (besides your phone).
A memento I carry in my pocket that is a tribute to my father and reminds me of where I come from. When I reach into my pocket to grab my phone or my keys, I am reminded of my father, where I’m from, and who I am.
That's lovely. What’s your favorite thing to do/favorite place to go on date night?
I have an amazing wife. She makes me think, she makes me laugh, and she makes me a kinder person. I love spending time with her anywhere. I would say that I love going to a show or movie more than anything else, though. There’s just something about the shared experience of enjoying a concert or a play or a movie together that I absolutely love.
What’s your favorite beverage – I'm guessing wine or whiskey?
You’re starting to make me sound like I indulge too frequently here, Amy. I think we’ve established that I have an affinity for a good wine or whiskey. Okay, no more beverage questions. What’s one thing that very few people know about you?
When I was younger, I used to play Star Wars with my three older brothers. My oldest brother would be Luke Skywalker. My second oldest brother would be Han Solo. My brother just older than me would be Chewbacca. They would make me be Princess Leia. I have no idea why I couldn’t have been C-3PO or R2-D2 or Lando Calrissian even. They always made me be Princess Leia. (shaking my head)
How do you like your pizza?
In my mouth. I love pizza. It doesn’t matter how it is prepared as long as it eventually ends up in my mouth. I can eat pizza hot, cold, thin crust, deep dish. I could eat it here or there. I could eat it anywhere. I could eat it in a house. I could eat it with a mouse. I could eat it in a box. I could eat it with a fox.
Sorry, what just happened? I blacked out for a moment. Did I mention I like pizza?
I'm starting to think you like pizza. Do you give your characters any of your bad traits (Let's pretend you have some.)
Yes, without question. I think every character an author creates is based on a real person or an amalgamation of real people. I also think an author will drop a little piece of himself or herself into every character they create. It is just too difficult to not let experiences and biases seep into one’s writing. There is certainly a piece of me, good or bad, in each character throughout Pieces Like Pottery. This made it particularly difficult to finish the book at times. I had to tap into both a sorrowful and a hopeful part of myself for these stories, which took an emotional toll at times. That being said, I didn’t create any of the characters in Pieces Like Pottery to represent me or to be a caricature of myself.
What is the most daring thing you've done?
Write a book (he says with a question mark)?
What is the stupidest thing you've ever done?
Write a book (he says with a question mark)?
It's amazing how often those answers go hand in hand. Can you share one of your favorite quotes?
"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out." - John Wooden
Very true. For what would you like to be remembered?
Kindness. The great thinker Aristotle has a quote: “My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake.” I hope people will say, “Dan always wanted the best for me. He was a kind man.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Buri's first collection of short fiction, Pieces Like Pottery, is an
exploration of heartbreak and redemption that announces the arrival of a
new American author. His writing is uniquely heartfelt and explores the
depths of the human struggle and the human search for meaning in life.
Mr.
Buri's non-fiction works have been distributed online and in print,
including publications in Pundit Press, Tree, Summit Avenue Review,
American Discovery, and TC Huddle. The defunct and very well regarded
Buris On The Couch, was a He-Says/She-Says blog musing on the ups and
downs of marriage with his wife.
Mr. Buri is an active attorney in
the Pacific Northwest and has been recognized by Intellectual Asset
Magazine as one of the World's Top 300 Intellectual Property Strategists
every year since 2010. He lives in Oregon with his wife and
two-year-old daughter.
When the family SUV flips and Kimberlee is rushed to the hospital, Black Cat (Thumper) and his soul-mate are left behind. Black Cat loses all memory of his former life and the identity of the lovely feline companion by his side. “Call me Angel. I’m here to take care of you.” Her words set them on a long journey toward home, and life brings them face to face with episodes of joy and sorrow.
The two cats are taken in by John and his young daughter, Cindy, facing foreclosure of the family vineyard and emu farm. In addition, someone is playing increasingly dangerous pranks that threaten Cindy’s safety. Angel makes it her mission to help their new family. John’s prayers are answered in unexpected ways, but not until Angel puts her life at risk to protect the child, and Black Cat finds there are more important things in life than knowing your real name.
INTERVIEW WITH ELAINE FABER
Elaine, how did you get started writing?
I’ve written poems and short stories since I was a child. I still have a manila folder with faded typed stories from my high school years . . . back when dinosaurs roamed and we had manual typewriters.
What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
I’m probably the only author you’ll ever meet that actually enjoys the editing process. My editor/mentor makes suggestions regarding the characters thoughts and feelings or suggests changes to the scene. She’s usually right. Her suggestions are often met with much eye-rolling and anguish on my part, but after I do the work, the scene is always better. What books do you currently have published?
Three cat mysteries: Black Cat’s Legacy, Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer and Black Cat and the Accidental Angel.
Can you share some of your marketing strategies with us?
Handing out bookmarks whereever you find a bunch of helpless people standing in a line is often rewarding. The public loves to "meet a real author." I ask if they like cats or read mysteries, (who doesn’t like cats or mysteries?), then hand them a bookmark. They often go home and download the Kindle version. Seeking interviews, book reviews, and guest posts with enchanting websites helps.
How do you feel about Facebook?
Facebook is a place to put your name and your work in front of the public, but with care and thought before with each entry. Keep it clean, thoughtful, funny or comment on a subject consistent with your WIP. Share your author events, reviews, and awards, but don’t say “buy my book” so often as to turn anyone off. For what would you like to be remembered?
Oh, wouldn’t it be great if folks remembered the pleasure of reading my books. Or, to remember how I helped mentor their writing, but mostly as a good mother, wife, sister, and friend.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I live quietly and don’t actively seek attention, but putting a microphone in my hand is like lighting a fuse. I love the sound of my own voice. (Confession is good for the soul, right?) I become an extrovert with the printed word, probably even worse than when someone mistakenly hands me a microphone.
Do you spend more on clothes or food?
Definitely food. I usually buy my clothes from the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, a high-end donation shop where the profits go to cancer research. Such good quality and great prices spoil me for shopping at other stores.
What is the most daring thing you've done?
I was a flirt and drove my 57’ Plymouth too fast. Married at 18 and a mother at 19, that was all pretty daring, but 53 years later, I still have the same husband and two great kids, so it was the right choice after all.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Most Embarrassing Moment award goes to . . . Elaine for spilling a whole can of paint on a friend’s carpet. Showing another friend how it accidently happened – I spilled another can of paint.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
Oh, goodness. It’s so much easier to write ‘funny’ than to write sad, so I don’t do much of that. Writing a few of my animal stories has made me cry. It’s terribly hard to write about the loss of things we love.
What’s the worst thing someone has said about your writing? How did you deal with it?
I attended a conference where an influential editor from a major magazine reviewed submissions from each attendee. He couldn’t say a gracious thing about anyone. He smashed the hopes and dreams of a few. His mean comments made some cry. He hurt me such that I could not look at the piece I submitted for over a year. What did I learn? When asked to give an opinion of someone’s writing, tell the truth, but always find something good and encouraging to say. Offer advice and refer them to help with their writing. None of us have the right to destroy another’s dreams with cruel and negative comments.
Who would you invite to a dinner party if you could invite anyone in the world?
What a neat conversation it would be – Agatha Christie, John Steinbeck, and Ellery Queen, though I’d be so intimidated, I’d probably choke on my salad.
What is your favorite movie?
Several come to mind as favorites. Gone with the Wind, The World of Suzie Wong, The Quiet Man, Bells of Saint Mary, It’s a Wonderful Life.
Do you have a favorite book? Shogun, Noble House, Grapes of Wrath, The Silent Meow, Captain from Castile. But, definitely, Black Cat and the Accidental Angel --right up there with my favorites.
How about a favorite book that was turned into a movie? Did the movie stink? Captain from Castile was an awesome book, but the movie left much to be desired.
Do you sweat the small stuff?
I don’t always succeed, but try very hard to think, “Will this really matter six months from now?”
If only more people heeded that advice. What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m writing a book set during World War II, Mrs. Odboddy, an eccentric older woman sees herself as a hometown warrior and a scourge of the underworld, as she believes conspiracies and spies abound and her duty is to bring them to justice. The first, Mrs. Odboddy – Home Town Patriot, will be published in spring, 2016.
Lightning round: Cake or frosting? Cake Laptop or desktop? Desktop Chevy Chase or Bill Murray? Chevy Chase Emailing or texting? Text whating? Definitely, emailing. Indoors or outdoors? Indoor Tea: sweet or unsweet? Sweet Plane, train, or automobile? Automobile
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elaine Faber is a member of Sisters in Crime, Cat Writers Association,
and Inspire Christian Writers, where she serves as librarian and an
editor for their annual anthology.
Elaine has published three cozy
cat mysteries, most recently, Black Cat and the Accidental Angel. Her
short stories are in multiple anthologies. She lives in Northern
California with her husband and multiple feline companions.
Heather Siegel was six years old when her mother disappeared, sending her father into a tailspin that took Heather and her siblings down with him — from a comfortable suburban home to a barely habitable basement apartment, a dark world they soon found themselves fighting to return to from the exile of foster care, then fighting even harder to escape.
Forty years later, Heather Siegel tells the remarkable story of how she and her siblings, Jaz and Greg, banded together to find out what happened to their mother and fight their way Out from the Underworld with nothing but their wits, determination, unbreakable bonds and gifts for humor and compassion to sustain them. A wrenching, inspiring story filled with heartbreak, hope and love, Out from The Underworld will move you to laughter and tears.
Heather, what’s the story behind the title of your book? The original story behind the title of the book, is of course, the myth of Persephone. She was the daughter of Zues and Demeter who was abducted into the underworld by King Hades. It’s a myth that considers collusion by parents to send their daughter into the underworld, and seeing that my father — who I liken in a somewhat humorous way to King Hades - did consent to us kids not only living in foster care but also living in a basement apartment, a literal underworld in the book. I played on that idea of a parent in collusion with darkness. My dad is a funeral director, and so this title also seemed to go well with his occupation, which plays prominently in the story.
Originally, I had toyed with many titles having to do with light and darkness and even sunshine, but everything sounded a bit too biblical. I had also considered The Shoebox as a title, both because of the mysterious photographs my siblings and I find inside of a shoebox and because of the teensy basement apartment which I state was “no bigger than a shoebox.” But I think the Persephone myth is much more layered. Where’s home for you? Home for me is New York — a suburb in the woods of Long Island. I love California, which is where I am originally from — I was born up north in Shasta County — and the suburb that I live in somewhat reminds me of the landscape there. We have a lot of tall, mature trees here and it’s kind of like horse country, with the added perk of being a 45 minute train ride to Manhattan. The weather isn’t as fabulous as California though. That’s my only down side to being here. I’m more of a spring/fall person. Not into snow at all. But I do love being in New York. There really is no place like it.
If you had an extra $100 a week to spend on yourself, what would you buy? Ten large green juices with pear and turmeric from my local health food store that my husband swears is 20 percent higher priced than anywhere else on the planet. He’s right, but I do love their juices.
What’s the dumbest purchase you’ve ever made? Oh, that’s a hard one. I make those purchases on a weekly basis. Most recent? Hmmm, besides the gluten-free pizza crust that tasted like old cheese? I know, a t-shirt for the Broadway show Wicked that my eight-year-old begged me for. Not only did she not understand a word of the show that I promised her would be excellent (it was, but I had remembered it more fondly fifteen years ago), she will likely never wear it, despite her promise and my belief in that promise. It would have been more honest of the both of us to drop the money straight into the trashcan during intermission. What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned? I think the most valuable thing I’ve learned is that you can study spirituality until the cows come home, but if you don’t use it in your daily life — silently and egolessly — then you’re not really being a spiritual person. I read a great article the other day, I think it was in the Huff Post, about creating a Moral Bucket List. I like that idea.
What makes you nervous? Going to a party makes me nervous which might surprise some of my friends to hear considering that I am very sociable and enjoy meeting people. I even enjoy the spotlight. But sometimes when I am getting ready, I aggrandize the event, or the people who will be there, or what is expected of me. Maybe I worked as a party planner to a royal family in a past life and my livelihood was a stake if the seating arrangements or centerpieces were a flop.
What makes you happy? Sunshine. Warm weather. My family. Delicious food. My Goldendoodle. Visiting an animal sanctuary and seeing a three legged donkey finally basking in the good life, his goat and pig and horse friends roaming free and happy beside him, of course.
Would you rather be a lonely genius, or a sociable idiot? Hard to choose! If I were a lonely genius I would know my plight and that would not be fun. But if I were a sociable idiot I would be unencumbered by the knowledge that I was a dope, which would make me happy but others miserable. I’ll take the genius. Maybe I can go live on the animal sanctuary and make friends there.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about your writing? That someone couldn’t put my book down.
How did you find your publisher, and how long did your query process take? I initially found a literary agent who shopped the book to the big presses. She loved it and believed it would be the next The Glass Castle . . . (I’m still hoping it will be!) The feedback we received was really positive about my writing and the story, but there was a general consensus that a non-celebrity memoir was a hard sell. I was told that a first time novel was way easier to get published than a memoir. Because with memoir, your persona, your personality, and your platform is huge. Well, I have two of those things going for me, I hope. Working on the platform thing . . . though, aren’t we all?
I guess it does make sense. Selling a memoir, you are selling a person and that person’s story as much as you are selling a book. Personally, I wouldn’t have survived my story without hearing from the independent voices out there. I am a big believer in indie stories — so long as they are told well. What are you working on now? Right now I am working on developing a thick enough skin to promote myself shamelessly. “I don’t want to annoy people,” I told my publicist. She told me I have to annoy them. So I send out my emails about readings and post pictures of me hanging out with book clubs and friends — and of my brother playing music. I roped him into going on a tour with me. He’s an indie acoustic artist and also a main character in the book. His name is Greg Fine.
After this month, I need to get back to a more balanced place and get back to writing. I have two unfinished projects that taunt me every day. They are like sad turtles in a cage. Will you ever let me out? Will you ever set me free? I’m working on their release. But they need to be ready, of course.
I'm happy to have Matt Patterson here today to tell us about his memoir, My Emily, a bittersweet account of a little girl's brief but meaningful life, told
by a father who both celebrates her life and grieves her death. If this book doesn't touch your heart, just drive yourself to the nearest funeral home, because you're dead. This book isn't only a must read for parents of special needs children, but it
is also a must read for people who question the power of God, and people
who are seeking to find answers in the midst of pain. Matt
shows that God is at work in ways we don't understand, but even in
tragedy there are blessings. My Emily is free on Kindle on June 11-12 and .99 June 13-16.
About the book:
Honorable Award Winner - 2012 Reader's Favorite Book Awards
Finalist - 2012 National Indie Excellence Book Awards
Finalist - 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
This book tells the story of a hurting family, an amazing little girl and a mysteriously faithful God.
Emily wasn't born perfect - so one might think. She was born with Down Syndrome and many would jump to the conclusion that she would have very little hope for a life with any significance. Two years later came the diagnosis of leukemia. What little hope remaining turned to no hope whatsoever - or so one might think.
The life of this little girl, with all its perceived imperfections, had great meaning. Her loving nature and courage touched the hearts of everyone she met. She also taught them how to value their own lives - even with their many "imperfections."
Interview with Matt Patterson:
You have a journalism background and have been a writer for over twenty years, yet it took you about twenty years to write My Emily. What finally made you decide to write the book?
Some 20 years ago, I sat down at my desk in a noisy newsroom and began to bang out my weekly newspaper column for a small daily in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
I covered the courts and crime beat for The Daily Mining Gazette, but I tried my very best to distance those stories from my column.
I tried to present my readers with a different side to the guy whose by-line was normally associated with misdemeanors or felonies. The column was my opportunity to show readers I was human and that I actually had a sense of humor. And as a relatively new father, my young daughters were normally my subjects.
But on this particular column, this was going to be difficult and special simultaneously. It was our first daughter’s birthday. I wanted to relay in this column how much she had taught and touched me in what seemed to be a very short time here on earth. This column was about my two-year-old daughter Emily, who about a year prior, had passed away after a brave battle with leukemia. Emily was also born with Down syndrome.
This column – as short as it could be – walked readers through her birth and eventual death. It told them of our shock and dismay at hearing words like Down syndrome and leukemia. It was short and sad. It was touching and a tribute.
For me, it was a release.
Two decades later, God has turned my tragedy into blessing and grief into mission.
This newspaper column has turned into a book – My Emily – and this book is my small effort to help families who have special needs children, little ones battling cancer or those heartbroken parents who have lost a child. Writing the column, the book and even this interview is comfort for me. It’s an opportunity to perhaps help or touch someone. I love the story about when Emily was born and you thought she was a boy. Would you tell it again for those who haven't yet read the book?
To say I wanted a boy would be a massive understatement. I think any father has that frame of mind when expecting their first child.
With this enthusiasm and preoccupation of having a boy I did make a slight mistake at the height of delivery.
As I continued to coach my wife to breathe and push, I began to see the crown of the head. The shoulders and torso quickly followed.
I yelled out – “It’s a boy!”
The nurse then quickly advised me, “Uh, Mr. Patterson – that’s the umbilical cord. You have a baby girl.”
I tried to make a quick recovery and said something like … “I knew that.”
Right Matt.
Sure. It's great that you can laugh at yourself. Tell us about Emily before she got sick.
She was just an absolute bundle of joy. Always had smiles, kisses, high-fives, and love for anyone and everyone. Actually she carried this joy with her even through her treatments. Nurses and medical technicians would actually try to change their assigned patients to be able to care for her. Her joy and love was so very pure. It’s truly hard to put into words sometimes.
I know rocking Emily to sleep every night was so special to you. What's another of your happiest memories of Emily?
Besides getting my morning high-fives and “smoochies” (kisses) from her, I’d have to say seeing her smile when I walked in the door from work are memories embedded in my mind and heart. I love the quote by Nayely Saldana: "We met for a reason, either you're a blessing or a lesson." It seems that Emily was both. What lessons did she teach you?
My goodness. This is a wonderful, yet difficult question to answer.
Emily taught me to never underestimate the impact one can have on others, no matter what the circumstances are. She left a legacy of courage, strength, and love that will live with me for the rest of my days on this earth.
She also taught me to never waste a moment to tell those closest to you how much you love them. I ask anyone who is reading this to take a moment and call someone you truly need to. Tell them you love them. That they’re important to you. We live in a time where communication can be shared in so many ways. If calling is awkward at this time. Perhaps a text message or a private message on any of the countless social media outlets that are available to us today. Never underestimate the power of a hand-written message on a card. The important thing is to not wait.
How does a parent cope when he's told his child has leukemia? You have to be strong for your child, but how do you find strength for yourself?
As a father, I put myself last. Any parent in this situation does this. Find the time and a quiet place to pray, meditate, and put your words on paper, if possible. From a physical standpoint, your body just runs. It finds another gear, more fuel – a level of adrenaline you’ve never experienced. I believe the emotional and spiritual aspect is as important, if not more important than the physical. You mention in your book that prior to the health crisis with Emily, you didn't really know how to pray. Can you explain that?
Absolutely. At that time, we considered ourselves a “praying” family. We prayed before we left for school and work each morning, as well as every night before we hit the hay! I “prayed” personally and with my wife. We prayed and we prayed!
At times, I think it’s safe to say that we can get into a prayer rut. At least I did. We find ourselves saying the same thing and asking for help and for things that we look at as blessings – such as a better paying job, bigger home, better car, etc. I now look at those prayers as selfish bellyaching more than anything. I was just going through the motions.
I point out in the book that our prayers become more humble, specific, and heartfelt once a crisis strikes. When Emily was diagnosed with leukemia – let me tell you – my prayers took on a massive overhaul.
What do you hope other people will get from your book?
I just want to convey that in even in our darkest days - God is good. He is. He really, really is.
You can open your heart to him. It can be in sadness, happiness and even anger. You can let Him have it. He wants you to. He wants open, honest and real communication. He loves us. He wants us to come to Him. It's then we find out that He is good. Really, really good.
It’s my belief that each of us grieve differently. For example, I’ve always wanted to share Emily’s story, but was I ready to minister and comfort others some 20 years ago? Heck, 20 months ago? I’d have to say no. Now that I have a better understanding of the grieving process, I can truly say my passion to share Emily’s story and help others is at a level that’s difficult to quantify. It becomes very personal and emotional some days. There are still days when I need to lean on those closest to me for support and comfort. Sometimes all we need to be is a shoulder for someone. There have been times I was that shoulder, but in actuality, they were being mine as well.
In the book you say, "If we don't think we have experienced God's comfort yet, then we need to evaluate our attitude toward Him. Perhaps each of us should ask ourselves, 'How is my attitude affecting God's ability to comfort me?'" During the ordeal of fighting leukemia, did you feel God's comfort?
I have to say yes and no. When I did take that time to pray and meditate, I felt a sense of comfort – a relief, perhaps. Probably some of the hardest moments were waiting for test results. There were so many emotions running through my mind and heart. This comfort allowed me to recoup mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally, preparing me for that next hurdle in her treatment.
Did you treat life differently after Emily went into remission?
We treated it like the most precious gift. We weren’t going to waste a second, minute, hour, or day. And we didn’t.
The joy of remission became the agony of relapse after just a few precious months. How did you cope with the sudden plunge of the roller coaster?
Great question! I really don’t believe there was time to cope. It was a very immediate and intense focus. My reaction was, “How are we going to get Emily back into remission? What do we need to do? Tell me what we need to do. I’ll do anything. Just tell me.”
Upon Emily's passing, you talk of a line the hospital staff formed outside her room just to say goodbye. How was she able to have such an effect on people?
The words that first come to mind are: innocence, love, joy, and smile. I have such a very deep respect for those who work in the specialty of pediatric oncology. It’s so emotional. I know I could never do it.
I believe some people look at Emily’s life and say that her birth with Down syndrome wouldn’t have led to a life with much significance. Toss in the diagnosis of leukemia just two years later and that life of little significance was now at zero. I say to those who think like that – I beg to differ. This little girl whose innocence, love, joy, and smile touched these hearts enough for them to line up at 1 a.m. outside of her ICU room. Some of these people who were in this line came from their homes. And today, some 20-plus years later, she still touches hearts.
After her death, you talk of your anger with God. Understandable! How did you repair your relationship with Him?
To be completely and perfectly honest, I think I had very little to do with it. It was all God.
I was indeed mad at God. I would ask that magic question that many of us who have traveled this road and that is, “Why?”
Why do you allow a special needs child to battle leukemia? You allow her to suffer through chemotherapy and bring her into remission. Then, you allow her to relapse and endure an even more intense regimen of chemotherapy.
WHY?
Shortly after returning to our home base in Mississippi following Emily’s funeral. I would bump into people I hadn’t seen in weeks. They would of course ask how Emily was doing. I would then have to relate that she had passed away. It was painful. I couldn’t finish the story without crying.
Thing was, as I shared the story of Emily’s strength and courage, I began to realize that each of these opportunities were the path that led me to repairing my relationship with God. It allowed me to express appreciation for everything everyone had done for her and for us. What advice would you give folks who are going through pain or tragedy?
Here are a couple recommendations; everything doesn’t work for everyone:
Be willing to reach out and ask for and accept help! Don’t try to bury your pain. I also recommend that couples or individuals keep a journal. Pour out your heart on these pages. It’s healthy. I also recommend prayer and/or meditation. It can cleanse your heart, soul, and spirit.
One thing I do know. If you keep these emotions of pain, hurt and anger buried inside, it can lead to not only emotional issues, but it will also take a toll on your health! You have made it your mission to tell Emily's story to the world. How are you doing that?
Plain and simple – I’ll share the book or audiobook with anyone and everyone who will read or listen. In addition, I have started reaching out to speak. I am truly passionate about sharing Emily’s story to anyone who will listen. I tailor my presentations specifically to meet the needs of any group or organization. For those interested, they can fill out the contact information on my website under the “Request Matt” tab.
Which ways of marketing and promotion have you found to be the most effective?
I think it’s different for everyone. For me? I have found the use of Kindle Select to be effective, especially when using a combination of daily cross-promotion with other authors using twitter. In addition, when having a promotion on Kindle Select, I try to implement guest posts/interviews on blogs. What do you do in your free time?
Free time? I get that?
I do my best to spend time with my family, go to the gym to exercise, hit a good movie or just relax out by my pool. Living in Arizona, we get a little more pool time than others who live in different parts of the country.
Where's home for you?
I have called Arizona home for the last 13 years. I love the climate here. Sure, it gets hot – then again, you don’t have to shovel sunshine. If you have air conditioning, covered parking, ceiling fans and a swimming pool – all is well!
Okay, now for some silly questions. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I recently visited San Diego. That’s not a shabby place to call home, especially if you have an ocean view!
If you could only keep one book, what would it be?
The easiest one of the bunch! My Emily, of course!
Your last meal would be...
Two foot-long cheeseburger subs from Captain Harvey’s back home in Baltimore. Extra grilled onions and extra hot peppers! Throw in a side of fries smothered in Old Bay seasoning. Why two? Hey, you said it was my last meal, didn’t you? Would you rather work in a library or a bookstore?
I would definitely take the library over the bookstore. Why? I think the retail aspect of a bookstore would ruin it for me.
You won the lottery. What’s the first thing you would buy?
Whatever my father wants. He has ALWAYS been there for me whenever I’ve needed anything. Time to return the favor.
After making sure my family is cared for, organizations that assist families who have special needs children, those battling pediatric cancers and families who have lost children would be receiving checks, for sure! Name five people with whom you would pick to be stranded in a bookstore.
Napoleon Hill - Dale Carnegie - Mitch Albom – Rick Warren – Jack Canfield.
What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss What three books have you read recently and would recommend?
Short and sweet – it works for me. Given the nature of My Emily, I want to keep a closer eye on things. I also hear horror stories from other authors who have gone with small or what others call vanity publishers, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
For the most part, publishers – large or small – still want you to market yourself as if you were self-published. I have no problem marketing my book or myself. The atmosphere in the industry has changed drastically. Having to do the work myself has given me a wealth of knowledge. I have been approached by agents regarding My Emily and for now, it’s best that I stay self-published. This may change somewhere down the line, but for today, I’m VERY HAPPY to be self-published.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am very focused on building my speaking platform. In addition, I am working on a book related to men and grief, which will be released later this year.
Excerpt from My Emily:
Once we heard the word “chemotherapy,” one of our first thoughts was Emily was going to lose her beautiful hair.
Emily’s soft, thin, strawberry blonde hair was like silk – absolutely beautiful. It’s amazing we stop to realize how beautiful a little one’s head of hair is when we learn that it’s going to fall out.
Bonnie was very quick to act, asking for a spray bottle with water, rubber bands and a pair of sharp scissors. My wife always enjoyed primping her little girl’s hair. From nicely brushed with a beret to pinned up with ribbons and little, braided ponytails, our Emily’s hair was always pristine.
With Emily lying in her hospital bed, Bonnie sat her up and prepared to give her a very special haircut. She sprayed her little girl’s hair and brushed it thoroughly. Before beginning the cut, she proceeded to make six tight, little braids of hair. Given the placement of the braids, I really didn’t understand what she was attempting to accomplish.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” Bonnie responded.
My wife then started to crop each of the braids. I really began to question what my wife was trying to do. “Um, if you don’t mind me asking, I’m lost here. Again, what in the heck are you doing?”
Bonnie, with tears in her eyes answered, “Emily is going to lose her hair Matt. I love her hair. I love doing her hair. Her hair could be gone for some time and again, this may be the last time she has hair. I have to prepare myself for that. I’m saving these braids for us.”
After attaching each of the braids to separate pieces of paper, Bonnie began cutting and trimming her daughter’s hair in a short, but cute style that would limit any mess once her hair began to fall out.
It didn’t take long.
Within just a few days of treatment, her locks – one by one – began to attach themselves to her pillowcase. Then, the harsh reality of chemotherapy took its place – front and center.
Emily would often look at us and cry for help. Someone so small and so innocent had no idea why this was being done to her. We did all we could to comfort her. We felt helpless.
If that wasn’t enough, we would then learn the incidence of leukemia in children with Down syndrome is greatly increased in comparison with the general population.
In a sit-down with our physician, he indicated that it is estimated the risk of leukemia for children under 10 years of age is increased by at least 18 times if they have Down syndrome. He told us that nearly one in a little less than 100 children with Down syndrome develops leukemia, compared with one in every 2,000 children without Down syndrome.
Wasn’t the Down syndrome enough? My gosh! I thought to myself with clenched teeth. Come on God. Can’t you give us a break? For crying out loud!
About the author:
Matt Patterson is a highly sought-after
inspirational speaker, as well as an award-winning and international
best-selling author.
His first published work - My Emily - has been
an Amazon top-rated best-seller. This debut book has also received
recognition as an award winner and finalist in the Readers Favorite Book
Reviews & Awards Contest, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, as
well as the National Indie Excellence Book Awards.
Matt's background
includes 20-plus years in marketing communications, public and media
relations, as well as print and broadcast journalism.
In addition to
speaking and writing, he volunteers his time to helping organizations
and charities dedicated to assisting families with children who have
special needs or those battling pediatric cancers.
To learn more
about Matt and how you can bring him to speak at your next conference or
event, please visit www.my-emily.com or www.mattpatterson.me.
