Check out my new ebook! (Read 248 times)

[heroicmuse]

Exciting news, everyone!

For the past several months, I've been working on a short prequel to Reinventing Hannah called Mama's Illness. Mama's Illness is the first-person account of six-year-old Hannah's journey to understand why her Mama has been hospitalized following a suicide attempt while her grandma tries to keep the truth of Mama's illness secret from her to protect her.


And today it is available as an ebook from several different sources.



The ebook is about 20 pages long and includes a special note to readers and resources to learn more about bipolar disorder or get help if you or your family is dealing with the real-life version of this situation. You can order via www.books2read/MamasIllness.

It is not on Amazon, for a very good reason. Amazon doesn't allow you to post books that are offered for free elsewhere on the Internet, and I'm also currently running a promotion where you can get the ebook for free if you sign up for my email list: 

storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/4b40cdc0-8354-11e9-884a-0ffd849e7383

I hope some of you will check it out!

[soaps4ever]

What a terrific idea for a story-things like this are often kept from people to "protect" them. I understand that people mean well, but they don't do loved ones any favors by keeping such a thing as this hidden. Speaking for myself, there are many tragic things that have happened in my extended family, one in particular was very upsetting to me as it involved my mother when she was very young. When I found out a about it I was so angry that it happened and the person responsible is long dead and there was no justice. I actually found out about it only a few months ago when my mother and sister were having a conversation and my sister called me and told me about it because she felt I needed to know. When I think back to my growing up years this secret explains my mother's reactions to different situations. I wish I would have known the secret then, as painful as it was, because then I could have understood why she reacted in certain ways about things. And perhaps I would have behaved differently. I don't want to veer off the subject of your book too much but it just reminded me painful things shouldn't always be swept under the rug. Talking about them is how healing takes place. Your book sounds great.

[heroicmuse]

soaps4ever Thank you for sharing part of your personal story! I agree that keeping secrets rarely works the way it's intended. That's one of the messages I hope to impart with this story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

[fluffysmom]

Congratulations heroicmuse!

[soaps4ever]

Jun 7, 2019 6:22:39 GMT -5 heroicmuse said:

soaps4ever Thank you for sharing part of your personal story! I agree that keeping secrets rarely works the way it's intended. That's one of the messages I hope to impart with this story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

I have started reading it, I like it.  When I'm finished I'll let you know. I had some hesitation about sharing my story but it felt right somehow.  And I think your story will help some people feel not so alone who are in this type of situation.

[heroicmuse]

Thanks fluffysmom!

And thanks for reading soaps4ever. It took a few days, but Goodreads finally listed Mama's Illness! So if you are on Goodreads, if you'd like you can leave a review here when you are finished reading: www.goodreads.com/book/show/46201937-mama-s-illness

[doolfan4life]

Super excited for you heroicmuse
I think it’s a really sensitive and important subject
I am only sure you covered the subject perfectly

[heroicmuse]

Thank you for your support doolfan4life! I really want to reduce the stigma around mental illness (hence why I keep calling DAYS out on their poor treatment of the subject even though it may seem I'm saying the same thing all the time. LOL)

[soaps4ever]

I finished reading your story  heroicmuse and I like how you tackled a difficult subject. I like how Hannah was persistent in wanting to know the truth about her mom and the way she coped with the situation. She seemed strong and she drew on positive things to help her. The grandma character reminds me of a few people I've known who choose to deal with such an issue as this in a certain way. I think they act that way out of fear. The ending is good in that it doesn't tie everything in a neat little bow but gives you a positive feeling. Enjoyed.

[heroicmuse]

Thank you soaps4ever! I'm glad my story resonated with you. I wanted to show that the grandmother was well-intentioned but fearful and making things worse. Had I been writing from an adult perspective, the conflict between her and the mother would probably have been more central but I wanted to show how it affected Hannah more than anything.

If you have a minute, please do post a review on Goodreads as well. The more reviews, the better! (And soon it may be on Amazon after all. The owner of Story Origin where I have my giveaway offer emailed me back and said that the information I was given about not being able to post on Amazon while using his service is incorrect so I went ahead and submitted it.)