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“Almost There, but Not Quite”
Marginal Madge: Always on the Edge follows a spirited, young cook whose dreams are derailed by a health challenge as she strives to navigate family dynamics and rekindle old love while uncovering life-altering family secrets. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My story was vaguely based on the life of one of my friends. She has always intrigued me with her calm/funny participation in life, even in the face of many challenges; she is an inspiration. I took what was a foundation for the story and then enhanced it into a purely fictional story, steering it straight into the “happy” place.
What inspired the unique name and character of Marginal Madge, and how does it reflect her journey throughout the novel?
Always on the edge. Always just in reach of the dream. Always situated right on the margin – Marginal. Madge just seemed to flow off my tongue; thus, Marginal Madge. I knew my character was going to be “almost there, but not quite” in this first book of the series…but with a little God guidance in her life, she was going to have adventure after adventure, and joyfully obtain her innermost desires. (Books 2-5)
The book intertwines Marginal’s passion for cooking with her personal life challenges. How did you decide to incorporate the culinary arts as a significant element in her story?
In my own family, cooking was a part of what made the house a home. Everyone always joined in and felt like a part of it, involved with it…which made for much laughter and creativity. I felt like Marginal needed something that brought her much joy and was received well by others…cooking, of course.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Marginal Madge Steps Over the Line. This second book in the series is tucked into the midst of several projects that I am currently involved with. Composing music swallows a large portion of my time; always surrounded with people and deadlines. Writing books is where I can be creative in a different, much quieter way. Love the alone time! She’ll be finished soon.
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Impossibly withered lives begin to come alive, when an old miserly woman makes the self-satisfied decision to hire an individual who has the uncanny ability to find dry humor in the most ridiculous of circumstances.As life seems to pass her by, Marginal Madge strengthens her gifts, rolls with the punches, moves herself into new territory, and finds out that her life is, in fact, being guided with impeccable direction.
Marginal Madge, Alice Turbantine, Augustus the Cat, Henry the accountant, Gabe, Theodore J McCallahan, and the rest of the cast are all in for a surprise. Their stories will intersect … and find healing, when the miserly old Alice Turbantine, makes that critical decision to hire our Marginal Madge. It will change everything … for many people … especially Marginal.
Marginal Madge Always on the Edge
Marginal Madge, in Brenda M. Lane’s Marginal Madge: Always on the Edge, is as intriguing as the origin of her name, a secret revealed within the pages of this modern fiction tale. Raised alongside her mischievous brother, Horace, under the watch of her mother and frequently visiting grandmother, Marginal’s family dynamics are complex, marked by the strained relationship between the matriarchal figures.
From a young age, Marginal discovers a fervent passion for cooking, dreaming of one day owning her restaurant. Her culinary prowess is evident, impressing all with the dishes she creates both at home and school. However, a sudden health challenge abruptly halts her aspirations. The story takes a turn when Marginal begins cleaning homes, eventually leading her to cater to Alice, an affluent yet solitary elderly woman. In Alice, Marginal finds not only an employer but a kindred spirit. Meanwhile, her past romantic involvement with Gabe, a school-time acquaintance, lingers in the background, their relationship having ended in a gradual, mutual drift apart, leaving Marginal heartbroken and wary of new love.
Author Brenda M. Lane takes readers on an emotional journey as a startling confession from Marginal’s mother on her deathbed promises to answer long-held questions and perhaps alter Marginal’s path once more. I found this book hard to put down especially as the possibility of Marginal rekindling her relationship with Gabe looms, injecting a note of suspense into her journey. From a reader’s perspective, particularly one who appreciates the culinary arts, the inclusion of recipes is a delightful touch, inviting an interactive experience with the narrative. The book’s straightforward plot and limited cast focus the reader’s attention on the nuanced development of Marginal’s character: her honesty, compassion, and unwavering work ethic. Her journey is a testament to the unpredictability of life and the resilience required to navigate its changes.
As part of a series, Marginal Madge: Always on the Edge concludes with enough suspense to pique interest in its successor. For those drawn to contemporary narratives centered on personal growth, family dynamics, and the simpler yet profound aspects of life, Brenda M. Lane offers a story that resonates with quiet strength and the enduring quest for fulfillment and understanding.
Pages: 94 | ASIN: B0CH5P5JNP
LITERARY TITAN 