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Love is Possible
Hold Me follows a woman diagnosed with fibromyalgia who has put her life on hold for years and now questions her future after reuniting with a man from her past. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Due to this story being set in the village of Greengrove, where all my books are currently set, I wanted Dawn to meet someone from her past who was better than someone she went to school with. That way they shared a past but not enough that they knew each other too much. I also wanted to show that people with conditions such as fibromyalgia are just as capable of falling in love and being in relationships as long as they have someone who understands them and their condition.
Who is your favorite character to write for and why?
My favourite changes with every book. For this book, I think Debbie was my favourite because she was the sister that you would love to have supportive but annoying, strong but loving and funny.
Is there anything from your own life included in Dawn and Connor’s experiences?
I have Fibromyalgia so when I wrote Dawn’s experience of it I had to use a lot of mine from being diagnosed to falling over and cuddling the concrete to the shower pin pricking me as the water runs down on me. I wanted it to be as realistic as possible but I knew that everyones fibromyalgia can be different so I was mindful of that.
Can fans look forward to a fourth installment in the Greengrove series? Where will it take readers?
Yes there will be a fourth installment of the Greengrove Series it’s called Second Chances and I am writing it now it is Debbie’s (Dawn’s twin sister) story and how she accidentally bumps into the man who broke her heart in London while she was there for a weekend away. Only it turns out that things are not as simple as that.
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Dawn had lived in Greengrove all her life. Love had never been a priority in her mind. She had plenty of time for that, especially after watching her twin sister Debbie fall in love and have her heart shattered. Why would you put yourself through that?
For the past few years, Dawn has been suffering from ill health. Being given a diagnosis was a double-edged sword. Yes, they now knew what was wrong with her, but now she feels useless. All those things that she had put on hold may now not happen. Falling in love and having children is no longer a possibility. Who would want to stick around with her now?
But a chance meeting with one boy she went to school with proves her wrong. Can she believe he could love her and her broken body?
Hold Me (A Greengrove Novel)
Helen Kelly’s Hold Me: A Greengrove Novel is an intimate and touching exploration of life’s challenges, resilience, and relationships within the small-town setting of Greengrove. Through the intertwined stories of Dawn and Connor, the novel delves into themes of chronic illness, personal rediscovery, and community connection, all underpinned by the comforting yet dynamic rhythms of village life. Dawn’s journey with fibromyalgia and Connor’s commitment to balancing duty and personal growth anchor the story with realism and depth.
What struck me most about Hold Me was its emotional authenticity. Kelly masterfully captures Dawn’s struggles with her chronic illness, painting a vivid picture of her physical pain and emotional turmoil. The spoon theory—used to symbolize limited energy—was woven into the narrative with clarity and care. Dawn’s sister Debbie’s persistence to push her out of her comfort zone, particularly with the choir, was heartwarming.
The writing also shines when exploring the quieter yet equally profound moments of connection between characters. Connor’s warmth and sense of responsibility as he helps Jane and Dawn after choir practice, or when he reflects on his father’s legacy, adds layers to his character. His scenes often left me smiling, especially his banter with James about joining the choir. Kelly’s ability to balance levity with earnestness—as seen in Connor’s conversations—keeps the narrative engaging without feeling heavy-handed.
By the end, I felt uplifted and hopeful, which is a testament to Kelly’s skill in addressing heavy topics with grace. Hold Me is a book for anyone seeking a heartfelt story about perseverance and the power of community. It will particularly resonate with readers navigating their own challenges or those who enjoy character-driven tales set in charming, close-knit communities. Helen Kelly reminds us through Dawn and Connor’s journeys that vulnerability can lead to strength and that the smallest steps forward are often the most meaningful.
Pages: 288 | ISBN : 978-1739607463
Battle Cry
Battle Cry by author Jennifer Sara Widelitz is a peculiar and emotionally riveting short book of modern poetry. This thought-provoking book is divided into five parts: Before, Crash, Interlude: Nature’s Elixir, Relapse, and Resilience. The author’s writing is thoughtfully illustrated by herself, with fine-line artwork. The pieces revolve around several stages of life and aspects of human nature such as childhood, family, trauma, illness, and healing.
The author’s ability to engage the reader and invoke her own inspirations for the poems is a definite highlight of this piece of literature. Widelitz’s opening poem is certainly remarkable due to its capacity to transmit a feeling of belonging that is likely to captivate the reader in the very first verses. The following pieces, short poems which likewise capture the essence of their subjects, are specifically dedicated to some of the author’s family members and add to the collection’s authenticity.
The poem “RORSCHACH TEST: INKBLOT # 3, BEFORE AND AFTER” is worthy of an honorable mention. Named after the well-known psychological inkblot test in which the subject is asked by the examiner to describe what they visualize in the paper. This piece, which is accompanied by a gloomy illustration that can represent different objects when rotated, conjures verses that can be read from top to bottom and vice-versa. Imaginative and creative, Jennifer Sara Widelitz separates herself from the large majority of poetry anthologies with her ingenuity. Her artwork is simple but powerful as not each poem has art to go with it. However, when there is an image, even in black and white, it is striking and conjures up emotions, making the artwork as important as the words in the poem.
Battle Cry is an emotionally charged collection of poetry and drawings. However, the author displays a sensitive and empathetic side to dealing with chronic illness and the battles that those that endure must face. For those that love poetry or those that need inspiration, this collection is a must.
Pages: 156 | ASIN : B09Z7CSJ72
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