Blog Archives
God, Love, and Family
Marion, Faith & Ice Cream follows an eight-year-old’s simple question about believing in God as it unfolds across one day, where family love, sensory wonder, and everyday beauty teach her how to see faith for herself. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration was my daughter’s family. The gift of becoming a grandparent is being able to view the development of a child from 30 thousand feet. As a parent, you are in the thick of the day-to-day duties and responsibilities, but as a grandparent, your experience allows you to see what really matters. Therefore, God, love, and family are the central elements.
How did you balance writing about faith for children in a way that feels gentle and discovered?
Thank you for asking the question this way. Children are so much more sensory-focused than intuitive, so it was important to me to connect the faith to something they can observe with their own senses. The unseen concepts of air and wind are ones children understand, so drawing the connection gives them a tangible connection to believing versus simply a spiritual one.
Marion’s father, being a scientist, adds an interesting dimension to the story. What drew you to pairing scientific observation with spiritual belief?
My son-in-law is an MD, so pairing a science angle that relies on “proof” with a child’s desire for something concrete seemed like a natural fit.
What do you hope children, and the adults reading with them, feel or talk about after they finish the book?
That God is calling us all to take a leap of faith. I think we all have a deep yearning to believe in something beyond what we can see. Therefore, I hope it gives children (and maybe even some adults) the simple framework to connect this tangible world with the spiritual one.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Marion isn’t sure. She’s eight years old, full of questions, and she’s never seen God. So how can she know He’s real?
Everything changes during one breezy Saturday. As she watches eagles glide above her, leaves swirl around the yard, and delights in a sparkling lake that seems to wink at her, Marion discovers that the world is filled with things she can’t see but still knows are true. And, maybe faith works the same way…
A beautiful picture book that helps children explore faith, family connections, and the amazing wonders all around us. With loving guidance from her dad, Marion learns that belief is so much more than just what meets the eye.
Exit Signs
Exit Signs opens with an eighteen-year-old girl, Stella Hart, being thrown out by her mother after a lie at work detonates her already precarious life. From there, the novel follows her through car-sleeping, couch-hopping, cheap rooms, fragile friendships, predatory arrangements, and the long, humiliating mathematics of survival in the Bay Area, all while she tries to hold onto the future she imagined for herself, Stanford, stability, self-definition, even as pregnancy, coercion, and family damage keep redrawing the map. It is, in plain terms, a novel about homelessness and control, but it is also about the subtler violence of being treated as temporary in every room you enter.
Author Dawnette Brenner understands that catastrophe is not only dramatic; it’s logistical, sensory, and repetitive. The novel keeps returning to money, soap, gas, laundry, parking lots, hunger, paperwork, doors, and the freighted atmosphere of other people’s houses. That accumulation gives the book its tensile strength. I felt Stella’s vigilance in my own body. I also admired the way the prose often moves in clipped, pressure-built units, then suddenly opens into a more lyrical sentence when Stella’s mind slips from survival into grief or recognition. The result is a voice that feels both young and sharply weathered. At its best, the writing has a granular honesty that refuses uplift on credit.
What I liked even more was the book’s understanding of control: how it masquerades as help, how gratitude can be weaponized, how a girl trained to be “good” can be made legible to everyone except herself. This is where the novel has real bite. Stella’s progress is not a clean ascent but a series of grim recognitions, and I appreciated that the ending leans toward clarity rather than false closure. At times the interior monologue reiterates a point the scene has already made, and a little pruning would sharpen the writing. But I never lost faith in the emotional intelligence behind it. Brenner is writing from a place of close observation, and that gives the story moral weight without turning it into a sermon.
I would hand Exit Signs to readers of contemporary coming-of-age fiction, domestic drama, survival fiction, trauma fiction, literary women’s fiction, and character-driven social realism, especially readers who want emotionally immediate prose and a heroine whose resilience is hard-won rather than ornamental. It feels closer to a more intimate, female-centered cousin of Demon Copperhead than to conventional “issue fiction,” and readers who admire authors who can braid precarity with psychological precision will find plenty here. This is a bruised, clear-eyed novel about how survival can become a way of seeing.
Pages: 600 | ASIN : B0GPPH2WKJ
Split
Split, by Michael Swartz, is a haunting story about Ethan, a boy born with genetic chimerism, carrying two sets of DNA and the confusion, pain, and strength that come with it. The novel follows him through a gauntlet of bullying, identity crises, and family wounds, all while his body betrays him with asthma, and his mind struggles with the fear of becoming like his violent father. Along the way, friendships bloom, love steadies him, and the truth of his condition forces him to question who he really is and who he wants to become. It is both a coming-of-age tale and a raw look at survival when the world tells you that you are broken.
The writing is sharp and urgent, with scenes that left me squirming in discomfort, not because they were bad, but because they were so brutally real. The cafeteria humiliations, the suffocating asthma attacks, the relentless bullying, all of it dropped me straight back into the shaky insecurity of youth. Swartz doesn’t soften the edges. He makes you sit with the pain, and in that pain, I found a strange kind of beauty.
At the same time, there’s a tenderness here that surprised me. Moments with Mo and Aia glowed like little lanterns in the dark, and those relationships kept the story from sinking into despair. I loved how the book didn’t give easy answers about identity or fate. Ethan’s split nature felt like a metaphor for all of us who feel divided between who we are and who we’re supposed to be. I kept thinking about genetics versus choice, destiny versus defiance, and it made me restless in the best way. I didn’t agree with every decision Ethan made, but I understood them, and that made the story hit harder.
I would recommend Split to readers who want more than just a story, to anyone who likes books that dig under your skin and refuse to let go. Teenagers who feel out of place, adults still wrestling with family scars, and anyone who has ever carried the weight of being different will find something of themselves in these pages.
Pages: 264 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F9MWLMNY
Buckaloo
Deborah J. Chavez’s Buckaloo is a warm and engaging novel that blends everyday joys and personal healing with a deep love for dogs and community. Set in the rolling foothills of Santa Barbara, the book follows Harley Fremont and her partner Bill as they open a dog training academy and prepare for their wedding. Alongside their dogs Gemma and Blackjack, they navigate past traumas, the complexities of relationships, and the chaos of planning two major life events. The story balances quiet domestic moments with emotional depth, creating a gentle but moving narrative about love, resilience, and second chances.
The story is unhurried, comforting, and full of small surprises. I loved the writing style. It was easygoing and heartfelt without being sentimental. Chavez has a gift for capturing the way dogs enrich our lives, and she writes with the kind of affection that makes you feel like you’re in the story. The dialogue is realistic and often funny, and I appreciated the strong sense of place. The natural beauty of California’s chaparral landscape is described with a soft reverence that made me want to lace up my hiking boots and head out with a dog of my own. Harley and Bill’s relationship, too, is a mature love story. It’s built not on drama, but on trust, compassion, and the shared work of building something together.
The pacing is slow, and there were chapters where the plot gave way to long descriptions of logistics, guest accommodations, shirt logos, and tent arrangements that could have been trimmed without losing the warmth of the story. But I didn’t mind too much. There’s a slice-of-life charm to it, like listening to a friend tell you about their big plans over coffee. The emotional core, Bill’s tragic past, Harley’s quiet strength, and the community that forms around them, kept me engaged. And the dogs are the beating heart of this book. Gemma especially is written with so much love and personality, she almost feels like a co-narrator.
Buckaloo is a cozy and heartfelt read that would appeal to dog lovers, fans of small-town fiction, and anyone who enjoys stories about real people trying to do good in the world. If you’re looking for something gentle, affirming, and full of canine charm, this one’s for you.
Pages: 287 | ASIN : B0FG3FGHJ2
Danethrall
Danethrall by Gwendoline SK Terry is a captivating historical romance that follows the tumultuous life of Aveline, a woman whose fate takes unexpected twists. Set in Denmark between the winter of 870 and the spring of 880, the novel begins when Aveline’s homeland, the “Kingdom of East Angles,” falls to a Danish invasion. Among the captured, she escapes a life of slavery due to her uncanny resemblance to the deceased daughter of Birger, a Danish warrior. Instead of becoming a thrall, Aveline is adopted by Birger and raised as a Danish woman, with Birger fiercely advocating for her acceptance in their society. As Aveline grows into womanhood, she falls in love with a high-ranking Dane in Roskilde, and to her delight, the love is reciprocated. Yet, the promise of happiness is tragically short-lived. When Roskilde is attacked and her beloved is away, Aveline is married off as a peace offering to the very man responsible for the raid. This unexpected turn sets the stage for a story of survival, adaptation, and the sacrifices demanded by a life caught in the crossfire of love and war.
While Danethrall primarily falls within the romance genre, it’s much more than a love story. Terry crafts a vivid tale about survival through adaptability. The characters are defined by their ability to adjust to the harsh realities they face rather than fighting against them. Aveline exemplifies this as she navigates her new life, first accepting her adoption by Birger and later adapting to the brutality of her marriage to Jarl Erhardt. By becoming more agreeable and finding ways to survive the violence she endures, she demonstrates resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Similarly, the novel touches on how other characters survive through patience and strategy. For example, Vidar, the man Aveline was initially betrothed to, is devastated when she is married off to another. Though his anger and jealousy are palpable, he restrains himself from acting impulsively, knowing that rash actions would lead to his and his loved ones’ deaths. Instead, Vidar bides his time, preparing for the right moment to strike, and ultimately, his patience pays off in victory.
Terry expertly weaves unexpected plot twists and dramatic developments that keep readers hooked. The changing dynamics within Aveline’s love triangle, particularly the introduction of new players, add complexity and intrigue to the story, making each chapter a page-turner. The vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, immersing readers in the world of ninth-century Denmark.
Danethrall is a gripping tale of love, resilience, and survival in a world where adaptability is key. Gwendoline SK Terry delivers an engrossing narrative with twists that will keep readers engaged, while her vivid writing transports them back to a time of warriors, survival, and tragic love.
Pages: 356 | ASIN : B07BLLW7LK
Love, Loyalty and Support
Unforgettable follows three young women who were adopted by a doctor and his wife as children as they celebrate his life and accomplishments on the anniversary of his death. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Having some regrets about not having children later in my life, this story came from different fantasies I have had of having children.
This novella pays tribute to the women and girls whose lives were ended by gun violence and other tragedies. What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
While channel surfing, I came across last year the Parkland School Shooter sentencing trial. The grief of the parents whose children were murdered openly expressed in the court affected me. One had to be made of solid stone not to be deeply touched by the parents talking about the wonderful children they lost. I found writing this story helped me deal with those very sad feelings. In my story the children survive. They lose their birth parents but find themselves in a new family with a childless couple eager to be their parents who give them a firehose of love and support to grow into thriving adults.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I was drawn to the bittersweet conflicting feelings of the adopted children of their feelings of grief, painfully missing their deceased mothers versus their love, loyalty, and appreciation of each other and their adoptive parents in their new family.
The story also allowed me to express my strong opinions on many of the political and social issues of these times. These include teaching our children tolerance of others different from ourselves, the tragic consequences of DWI and reckless driving, child abuse and gun safety. Dr. Ross struggled to save his daughter from a long-term debilitating terminal illness. I wanted to bring attention to the fact that there are real genetic illnesses like Sanfilippo Syndrome that don’t get the attention they need to find cures because they are rare where a child literally wastes away over ten to fifteen years leading ultimately to death.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Charles Dickens, starting in the 1840, popularized issuing his classic books chapter by chapter in installments in the many weekly and monthly magazines of the day. Not being grandiose, I wanted to do the same, having this story continue in installments. In the coming ones, more detail about all the characters will be filled in. I would also like to use these stories to have the adoptive parents teach these children the values I would want to teach my children. The three ten-year-olds will be followed into adulthood as they struggle with choosing careers, finding their lifetime loves, and having their own children. All of this will be against the backdrop of dealing with the trauma they all experienced in losing their birth mothers. Their fierce love, loyalty and support of each other remain a central theme of their relationship.
Unforgettable
In Unforgettable by David J. Cook, readers are introduced to the poignant journey of the Ross family, notably the Ross sisters, affectionately dubbed the ‘three Musketeers.’ The narrative unfolds on the somber anniversary of their father’s passing, weaving a tale that celebrates his legacy in medicine and his profound influence on his family.
Cook masterfully depicts the reserved yet altruistic nature of Daniel Ross, who, in a heroic act, saves twin girls from a tragic car accident, an event that leads to their adoption by Daniel and his wife, Jade. The addition of Stephanie, a classmate of the twins who has endured abuse, completes the Ross family, setting them on a path of mutual healing and compassion. What sets Unforgettable apart is its deft handling of complex themes like gender identity, therapeutic healing, and coping with loss, all within a concise span of fewer than 50 pages. Cook introduces characters like Robin, a transgender child, using their experiences to weave lessons of acceptance and respect seamlessly into the narrative. This book not only provides a heartwarming exploration of family dynamics and personal growth but also actively contributes to current societal conversations. Cook’s clear, straightforward writing style enhances the depth and relatability of the characters and their interrelationships, keeping readers engaged and invested in their stories.
Unforgettable emerges as a compelling tale of familial bonds, resilience, and empathy. It’s a recommended read for those seeking a narrative rich in emotional depth and social relevance. As the inaugural book in a series, it sets a promising stage for the continued adventures of the ‘Three Musketeers.’
Pages: 66 | ASIN : B0CKHQFHFK
The Day Before Tomorrow
Juliette and George shared a profound love for each other and their children, their hearts brimming with anticipation for a lifetime together. Their lives took an unexpected turn when George accepted a new position as a school principal, prompting their family to relocate. As they settled into their new neighborhood, a friendship blossomed between Juliette and their neighbor, Linda.
Meanwhile, George grappled with the challenges of his demanding new role, compounded by unsettling rumors surrounding a teacher named Ron Barry, whose inappropriate behavior with students had become the talk of the school. Amidst these trials, tragedy struck when Juliette received a devastating diagnosis of bone cancer, leaving her with a mere nine months to live. The news shattered her husband’s heart, and the thought of her three children growing up without their beloved mother weighed heavily on their entire family.
Simultaneously, Linda’s marriage to Ron teetered on the brink of collapse, yet she hesitated to pursue a separation due to her pregnancy. Unbeknownst to anyone, Ron engaged in an immoral and clandestine relationship with a fifteen-year-old student, a shocking revelation that would soon come to light.
The story also delves into the future of the grown children, particularly Kate, who harbored a persistent fear of death. This fear, it seemed, stemmed from the profound loss of her mother. The book explores thought-provoking themes, shedding light on societal vices such as sexual harassment and marital infidelity. While I anticipated a more action-packed narrative, the story unfolded with a gentle ease, lacking the gripping hooks that keep readers captivated. Some conversations among the characters left me yearning for more depth. Nevertheless, it was intriguing to discover that some of the events were inspired by real-life occurrences.
The Day Before Tomorrow skillfully delves into the depths of human emotion, offering a poignant reflection on the trauma of losing a loved one. Readers who enjoy modern fiction and coming-of-age stories that tug at your heartstrings will find this book compelling.
Page: 282 | ASIN : B09438VPNT
