Blog Archives
Coming Free
Ashley Abaie’s Coming Free is one of those rare memoirs that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go, not because it promises fame or glamour, but because it offers something far more compelling—raw truth. It’s a journey through a life shaped by neglect, perseverance, and a relentless hunger to be seen. Ashley walks us through her childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood with stunning honesty, sharing stories of abuse, abandonment, cultural displacement, eating disorders, spiritual awakening, and ultimately, healing. It’s not neat. It’s not pretty. But it’s real. And that’s what makes it powerful.
I liked how Ashley captures the complicated, often contradictory emotions of growing up in a family that looked normal from the outside but was anything but. There’s a passage early on where she describes being forgotten in the snow for hours, wearing flip-flops, only to brush it off as a regular part of life. The way she recounts it—plainspoken, even a bit humorous—is heartbreaking. She doesn’t need to dramatize her pain. It’s just there, quietly devastating. And it’s in these small moments—dragging a bassoon case home alone in the snow, wearing fifth-grade underwear in high school, watching her brother spiral while trying to stay invisible—that I felt her loneliness, deep and aching.
The writing itself is conversational, poetic at times, but never pretentious. Ashley’s voice feels like a friend who’s finally decided to spill everything over a long coffee date. Her humor is dry, her observations sharp, and her emotions raw. When she writes about collapsing from malnutrition and basking in the rare moment of attention from her dad at a Mediterranean restaurant, it broke me. “I basked in my dad’s care,” she says. It’s such a simple line, but loaded with years of hunger—for food, yes, but more for love. I found myself rooting for her not just to survive, but to thrive. And when she finally begins to find that spark of purpose during a service trip in Mexico, it felt like breathing fresh air after being underwater.
What surprised me most was how she finds redemption not in the usual places, but in unexpected acts of service and spirituality. Her accidental dive into Christianity—after unknowingly signing up for a missionary trip—is both hilarious and oddly moving. She’s skeptical, awkward, and completely unprepared, yet open in a way that makes the experience feel authentic. Her reflections on mixing concrete, building homes, and connecting with strangers in a colonia in Reynosa are among the most touching parts of the book. She writes about laying cinderblocks like she’s laying the foundation for her own rebirth. And in those dusty streets, surrounded by poverty and purpose, she starts to heal in ways therapy hadn’t yet managed.
Coming Free isn’t tied up with a bow. Ashley doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out, and that’s what makes her voice so trustworthy. It’s a book for anyone who has felt invisible, who’s been through the fire and come out the other side unsure of what’s next. It’s especially powerful for those navigating childhood trauma, identity struggles, and the long road to self-worth.
Pages: 272 | ASIN : B0DRH75YLC
Changing Shoes: Staying in the Game with Style, Humor, and Grace
Changing Shoes: Staying in the Game with Style, Humor, and Grace by Tina Sloan is an engaging, heartfelt exploration of aging, life’s transitions, and the power of reinvention, all told through the lens of an actress’s glamorous yet relatable life. Using shoes as a metaphor, Sloan recounts her journey through youth, middle age, and beyond, detailing her career, family, and personal revelations with humor and vulnerability. She encourages women to embrace the inevitability of change with style, grace, and self-respect.
What struck me immediately was Sloan’s candid voice. Her storytelling feels like a warm conversation with an old friend. In the first chapter, she describes a jarring realization in a Manhattan coffee shop: younger women, not her, were the center of attention. Her vulnerability in admitting feelings of invisibility resonates deeply. She reflects on her glamorous past while candidly confronting aging’s physical and emotional realities. Her balance of humor and poignancy here is nothing short of inspiring.
The book’s structure, woven with personal anecdotes and life lessons, is another strength. One particularly touching moment is her memory of Aga Church, a Parisian mentor who taught her to live boldly and stylishly. This tale about shoes as symbols of life’s chapters, some for fun, some for seduction, and others for practicality, adds a whimsical yet profound layer to the narrative. It reminded me of how objects, like shoes, can carry emotional weight and personal history.
Sloan’s honesty about the challenges of aging in a youth-obsessed culture is refreshing. Whether discussing her rejection of plastic surgery or her heartbreak over letting go of youthful clothes, she never sugarcoats. I loved the scene where she reluctantly sends her favorite dresses to her niece after realizing they no longer suit her body. Her wit shines here as she laments, “Watching the UPS man haul my youth away felt like losing a part of myself.”
By the end, Sloan’s message is uplifting: aging doesn’t mean fading away. It means finding new ways to shine. Her advice to “wear your own shoes” to embrace your individuality and authenticity feels both empowering and timeless. Her ability to transform deeply personal struggles into universal lessons makes the book a gem.
I’d recommend Changing Shoes: Staying in the Game with Style, Humor, and Grace to women navigating midlife and beyond or anyone who enjoys reflective yet humorous memoirs. It’s a delightful mix of wisdom, self-deprecation, and inspiration. Sloan reminds us that aging, while challenging, can be a stylish, fulfilling adventure if you wear the right shoes.
Pages: 225 | ASIN : B086BLBFF6
Quell the Cringe with Curiosity
Rosemary, Now and Then is a heartfelt memoir that chronicles a paramedic daughter’s care for her mother, Rosemary, through the labyrinth of strokes and dementia and lessons learned about life along the way. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In addition to honoring my inimitable mother, Rosemary, Now and Then tells a story of quality living with dementia, end-of-life surprises, and afterlife intrigue based on near-death experiences. These topics–too often ignored–can be uplifting experiences for all of us, as mortal human beings.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Asked what I wrote about, if I were to simply say, “dementia and dying,” people would naturally cringe. So familiar we are with associated misery, but less acquainted with the amazing phenomena of these transformative experiences. Rosemary, Now and Then aims to quell the cringe with curiosity.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
An author, not a marketing strategist, the post-launch world requires a PR hat not in my wardrobe. But connecting with writing groups and other authors has proven invaluable.
It is most gratifying to share with readers the wonderful person I had the privilege of calling “Mom.” Beyond a daughter’s devotion, when readers relate to the broader message–virtually redefining dementia, dying, and death–we join together in a paradigm shift; an understanding of mortality as a gift of lifelong opportunities and death as immortal reacquaintance with the infinite, loving Beyond.
Fine threads of brilliance weave intricate Irish-veil thoughts through her filigree mind. Her three-year-old self emerges, radiant and quizzical. Grappling with the nature of existence, Rosemary laughs her way to the grave. Devoted daughter Christina devises caregiving innovations and connects dots of amazing coincidences. Paradoxes of mortality balance gravity with hilarity, pain with joy, absurdity with wisdom, practicality with mysticism.
The “Now and Then” format depicts leaps in time, place, and person that challenge reality, in league with Rosemary’s mind.
A journey of wit, wisdom, and sheer determination, Rosemary’s story concludes with her signature cinnamon bun recipe for readers to bake and share with loved ones . . . as Rosemary would do.
Rosemary, Now and Then
Rosemary, Now and Then is a heartfelt memoir that chronicles the author’s experience caring for her mother, Rosemary, through the labyrinth of strokes and dementia. This story is about resilience, love, and finding moments of humor and grace amid decline. The book paints an intimate portrait of a woman whose vibrant personality and sharp wit remain luminous despite her fading health. It delves into the challenges of caregiving, the philosophical reflections on mortality, and the surprising gifts of dementia, offering readers an unexpectedly uplifting perspective on life’s inevitable final chapter.
The writing is unflinchingly honest and emotionally raw, yet it’s peppered with humor that keeps the tone buoyant. One moment that stood out to me was when Rosemary, in the throes of a stroke-induced episode, commented on walking backward into a wall, comparing it to her mother’s wringer washer. It’s poignant and hilarious, a testament to Larson’s ability to capture the absurdity and humanity of such situations. These anecdotes keep the narrative personal and relatable, transforming it from a clinical account into a deeply human story.
I particularly appreciated Larson’s exploration of dementia not as a linear descent but as a reorganization of memories and self. Rosemary’s “mental excursions” into her past and imagined realms are described with a mystical reverence that challenges the stigma surrounding cognitive disorders. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the hard truths of caregiving, from burnt meals to late-night hospital runs. It also highlights the transformative power of love, like Larson’s determination to honor her mother’s wishes to maintain her dignity and humor to the very end.
One of my favorite sections was the rehabilitation episodes, especially Rosemary’s knack for connecting with strangers at the rehab center. The way she toasted “to the witnesses” at lunch, a subtle nod to Longfellow’s poem about slavery, demonstrated her sharp intellect and enduring sense of justice. It’s these moments of depth and insight that elevate the book from being just a caregiving memoir to a broader reflection on life’s interconnectedness and the enduring strength of character.
Rosemary, Now and Then is a beautifully written and deeply moving memoir that will resonate with anyone who has cared for a loved one through illness or who is curious about the interplay between life, death, and memory. Larson’s storytelling is warm and conversational, making complex topics accessible and relatable. I’d recommend this book to caregivers, healthcare professionals, and anyone seeking a profound yet uplifting exploration of the human condition.
Pages: 355 | ASIN : B0DQLNNFQN
Lying Down with Dogs
Lying Down with Dogs is a collection of deeply moving and beautifully crafted personal essays that serve as an inspiring beacon for anyone standing at the crossroads of life, hesitant to take the plunge toward an unconventional dream. The author, shaped by a childhood devoid of affection as the daughter of a German war bride in the 1950s, weaves vivid flashbacks of trauma and resilience. Yet, she is quick to clarify: while her life experiences inform the narrative, this is not a memoir in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a heartfelt tribute to the animals that shaped her journey and a testament to their transformative, healing power.
The narrative unfolds as a poignant, non-linear exploration of her adventures. The author recounts rescuing pregnant dogs in desperate need of care, kittens abandoned at construction sites, and even pigs—all while battling her own inner turmoil. She juggled the demands of caring for her aging parents and raising her daughter, all while building her animal rescue organization from the ground up. Through it all, her unwavering determination shines, driven by her love for the creatures she saved. Her stories of “foster failures” brim with warmth and humor. In one particularly memorable account, she likens a paraplegic Chihuahua to Scarlet O’Hara from Gone with the Wind, using the dog’s indomitable spirit as a lens through which to view resilience. These moments are both tender and vivid, drawing the reader into her world with startling intimacy. Grief and loss also permeate the pages. The deaths of three close friends to cancer could have easily overwhelmed her. Instead, she channeled that sorrow into her rescue efforts, finding solace and purpose in her work. The animals, it seems, saved her just as much as she saved them. Despite addressing weighty themes, childhood trauma, grief, and personal struggle the author employs dry humor and a light-hearted tone. Her deliberate avoidance of melodrama keeps the focus on the animals and their stories, making the narrative both accessible and deeply impactful. This restraint lends the book its emotional power, allowing readers to connect with the experiences without feeling overwhelmed.
Lying Down with Dogs contains tales of resilience and hope that inspire readers to see the world through a more compassionate lens, cultivating a deeper appreciation not only for animals but for the richness of life itself. This book is far more than a collection of essays; it is a celebration of the human-animal bond, a testament to perseverance, and an ode to the healing power of love and compassion.
Pages: 163 | ASIN : B0CSKLZ1SX
Sharing Their Journeys
Working Mothers Inspiring Others is a collection of stories from 18 working mothers from many walks of life in which they share both their parenting challenges and triumphs. Why was this an important book for you to write?
When I returned to work after having my own children, I found myself questioning how others were managing it all the time. The struggle is real when you have young children and still want to have a thriving career, and I couldn’t find anything that shared the raw honesty of what it is really like. So, I decided to create the resource myself. I am all about supporting and uplifting others, and this book does exactly that.
You have pulled together a wonderful collection of inspiring stories. What was the collaboration process like with the co-authors?
It has been amazing. There have been lots of relationships and collaborations created from the co-authors in the book. They have all been very supportive and equally as passionate about the messages we are delivering from chapters.
I appreciated the candid nature with which these stories were told. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I think I speak for all the co-authors when I say–it’s always hard to share the deepest insights of ourselves. The fear of judgment, of loved ones or others reading what we really think and feel and that causing any form of criticism or misunderstanding. A feeling that mothers are all too familiar with, and I am incredibly proud of all the co-authors for pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and sharing their journeys in such an honest and vulnerable way.
What do you hope readers take away from this collection?
I hope that mothers take away the confidence to make what they want and need to happen. There is no easy way to juggle a career and motherhood, but there are always ways we can operate better. I hope mothers know they are not alone in whatever stage of the motherhood journey they are in, and this book creates the support and understanding that many mothers need.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
How do they handle the endless demands, the societal pressures to ‘do it all,’ and the guilt of feeling stretched too thin?
Here’s the truth: You’re not alone.
Author Sarah Maconachie shares her own journey and the stories of 17 other remarkable women who’ve faced these exact challenges. When Sarah returned to work as a mum of three, she was hit hard by the push-and-pull of wanting a fulfilling career while also being present for her children. She’s now the founder and CEO of Work Hard Parent Hard, a platform dedicated to supporting parents in redefining their purpose and finding fulfillment without losing themselves to exhaustion and guilt.
If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed, wondering if it’s possible to balance a career you love with the joy of motherhood, this book is your lifeline. Through the personal and powerful stories of career-driven mums—CEOs, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and more—you’ll see just how possible it is to flourish in both your professional life and your role as a mother.
Meet the inspiring women: Sarah Maconachie, Vicky Wren, Tracey Vermaak, Stacey Webb, Cheryl Edwardes, Tania Gomez, Sarah Coleman, Kerry McNamee, Carla Lombardo, Lisa Younger, Ashley McGrath, Nicola Veal, Leisa Van Geest, Fiona Yue, Kate O’Hara, Sandra Morell, Alicia White, and Michelle Travis.
From navigating challenging childhoods and single parenthood to overcoming career transitions and realising that personal development can be the most essential aspect to success as a working mum – these women have each found ways to create balance. They have challenged societal norms and the status Quo, realising what they feel they ‘should’ do isn’t always the right way for them, and they have created their version of balance that works to thrive in their careers without sacrificing their role as a mother.
What you’ll take away from Working Mothers Inspiring Others:Raw, Real Stories: This isn’t your typical ‘how-to’ parenting book. It’s filled with the honest truths of working mums who’ve been through the highs and lows, offering a look into what worked well, what didn’t, and what they’d do differently.
Relatability & Support: Finally, feel truly seen and heard. These stories reflect your own struggles and victories. You’ll walk away feeling less alone, with a new sense of belonging to a community.
Balance Strategies That Work: These mums have tried, tested, and honed approaches that have allowed them to thrive at work and at home. Each story is packed with tips and strategies you can try.
Empowering Takeaways & Worksheets: You’ll find actionable advice, hands-on worksheets, and steps you can use to make positive changes in both your work and home life.
Inspiration to Embrace Both Roles: This isn’t about just getting through the chaos—it’s about flourishing. This book is for mums who want to feel empowered, balanced, and confident in their dual roles as dedicated mothers and driven professionals.
Are you ready to feel seen, to gain new strategies for creating balance, and to be inspired to redefine what ‘having it all’ looks like for you? Working Mothers Inspiring Others is here to support and uplift you through every twist and turn of your own journey as a working mum.
Plus! Check out the companion book, Working Dads and Balancing Acts, where 20 dads share their own real and honest journeys.
Working Mothers Inspiring Others
Working Mothers Inspiring Others, by Sarah Maconachie, is a heartfelt collection of stories from 18 working mothers who share their journeys of balancing parenthood and professional ambitions. The book highlights themes of resilience, empowerment, and adaptability, offering readers an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs that come with being a working mom. Each chapter is a window into a different experience, ranging from corporate climbers to entrepreneurs, all tied together by their unwavering commitment to their families and careers. It’s a celebration of motherhood in all its forms, underscored by practical advice and inspiration for navigating life’s complex intersections.
The stories felt personal right from the start. Sarah Maconachie’s story about finding herself after years of self-doubt hit me hard. Her openness about the guilt and exhaustion so many of us face was raw and relatable. I found her emphasis on prioritizing mental health particularly powerful. Her journey to rediscover purpose and balance through mindset work felt like a reminder to invest in myself. Her story about asking for work flexibility, knowing what she wanted, and unapologetically making it happen was a wake-up call to all of us hesitant to advocate for our needs.
Another standout chapter for me was Vicky Wren’s. Her candid reflection on the pressures of being a “career-driven mum” and the struggles of breaking away from societal expectations felt like I was reading my own thoughts. I laughed and nodded along as she described balancing work and motherhood while battling inner critics. Her acknowledgment of ADHD and how it shaped her approach to work and parenting was refreshingly honest. She found joy and productivity by outsourcing tasks and embracing her strengths, which reminded me that sometimes it’s okay to ask for help.
The interviews added depth and variety to the book. Cheryl Edwardes’ conversation on workplace flexibility and Lisa Younger’s reflections on evolving workplace dynamics were both eye-opening. These stories illuminated the structural challenges mothers face and gave practical ideas on how to advocate for change in our workplaces. The book’s inclusion of these perspectives made it feel like more than just a personal narrative.
Working Mothers Inspiring Others is a gem for any mom trying to juggle the chaos of kids, careers, and self-discovery. It’s perfect for working mothers looking for validation, inspiration, and practical advice, but I’d also recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the realities of modern parenting. The mix of humor, heartbreak, and hope makes it a compelling read that I’ll be coming back to whenever I need a reminder that I’m not alone in this wild ride.
Pages: 231 | ASIN : B0DPJR37F4
Suffering and Joy
The Heartbreak of Time Travel follows a woman as she travels through time to the past and the future while caring for her husband, who is slowly losing his faculties due to dementia. What was the inspiration for the setup of this novel?
The story is considered a nonfiction novel or literary memoir. The inspiration arises from my husband’s ordeal with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The events within are either actual events or “adorned” through time travel and sprinkles of fancy as literary devices.
What was the most challenging part of writing your “memoir,” and what was the most rewarding?
Writing a memoir is a person’s own written account of her life and is the retelling of an event or time that impacted the person in such a way that it stands out for her. The most difficult and challenging moments writing this story is how I wish I was writing about someone else’s story and not my own. Remembering how we got here causes me to reminisce into places that will never be and can never be. A future looks daunting because his life expectation is very short now. Thus, I make up a future through time travel into a better future for both of us.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your characters’ lives?
Writing this story is a compilation of both our stories at this point in our lives. It’s an account of the suffering and joy of living through hardship.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I just got edits back from an agent friend who also does content editing. That story should be finished by the end of the year and then it’s off to the publishers. It’s a story about a man whose life was filled with amazing experiences and how each experience impacts the end of his life. I love this story. I’m so excited about seeing this one in readers’ hands. I only hope they love it as much as I do.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Snuffy Cod (Wingate’s alter ego) is the sole caregiver for her dying husband… okay… stop. He does die but sometime in the future—a future she visits on and off through popovers to past and present. Snuffy’s visits occur in fits and starts via some perceived time travel portal. She embarks on these excursions several times throughout the day, hour, minute, second—sometimes simply during a thought. Nothing more. Nothing less. Is it escapism? Of course not. Don’t be silly. Pshaw! Meanwhile, her husband lays flat, unmoving in a hospital bed upstairs on an excruciatingly slow slide toward death—death by molasses slick. Or is he? If Snuffy Cod can remain in the past, even the present, might she be able to prevent a future and, thusly, his impending death?
THE HEARTBREAK OF TIME TRAVEL is a brutally honest deep dive into dementia, caregiving, grief, hope, and love.
LITERARY TITAN 