Blog Archives
Is the Grass Greener?
Having It All follows a devoted mother and Wall Street trader, who tries to hold together a demanding career and a family when one disaster after another hits, leaving her to make a desperate decision. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I started out with the idea to show three women with very different lifestyles, a single woman, a stay-at-home mom and a working mother, and show that each was a viable option. And you see these three characters in the book. But the working mother ended up being the focus. Perhaps because that was what I was most familiar with myself.
Dalia is a relatable character that many modern women will see parts of themselves in. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
There was plenty! This was originally my first attempt at writing a novel. I gave Dalia a security trader position because that was my job and I figured it would save on the research involved with using an alternative. So, I had the long commute, the stressful day and the child and husband to juggle.
I put the manuscript away for years because I couldn’t resolve some issues with the plot, but five published books later, I knew how to fix the problem. I kept the book set in 1997 because that’s when I started writing it, and if the characters had modern technology, the story wouldn’t work, and the trading details wouldn’t be accurate anymore.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Back in the day, they led women to believe they could have a perfect life as a working wife and mother with nothing having to suffer. That it should all be a simple snap of the fingers. But everything in life has its ups and downs. Also, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, so be sure to take time to be grateful for what you have.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m working on the second book in my Findale Fae Mystery series with hopes to have it available by the end of 2026.
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1997––Dalia Roberts had it all––a successful career on Wall Street, a big beautiful house, a loving marriage, and two fantastic kids. But along with those blessings came the work-related stress, the harried days and sleepless nights, the long commutes, and the constant, never-ending juggle of marriage, children, and finances.
Despite being a two-paycheck family, Dalia and Joel Roberts must juggle to make ends meet. Then disaster after disaster hits, leaving their once-perfect home life, along with the professional persona Dalia had worked so hard to perfect, in shambles. Burnt out and unable to think clearly, Dalia makes a desperate decision. Will this ill-thought-out move be the answer or only cause further heartbreak?
Belinda Gordon’s poignant new contemporary fiction unpacks the complex struggles and financial challenges working women with families face when trying to have it all.
Having It All
Having It All follows Dalia Roberts, a devoted mother and sharp Wall Street trader, as she tries to hold together a demanding career, a young family, and the emotional weight of a past that shaped her more than she cares to admit. The book opens with a gripping evacuation during a high-rise fire that sets the tone for the chaos woven through her days. From there, the story settles into the everyday struggle of keeping her daughters healthy, her marriage steady, and her job secure. Along the way, she leans on her sister, her mother, and her own stubborn strength as she learns what having it all really means in a life that is far from picture-perfect.
I felt pulled right into Dalia’s world. The writing has a warm and steady rhythm that fits her character so well, and I liked how the author keeps the stakes grounded in real life instead of forcing big melodramatic twists. The scene where Dalia rushes to help the daycare babies during the fire hit me hard. It showed her instincts, her fear, and her heart all at once, and I found myself rooting for her immediately. I also enjoyed the family scenes, especially the ones with her sister, Melanie. Their kitchen conversations feel lived-in, messy, and familiar, which gave the story a sense of comfort even when the stresses around them grew heavy.
At times, though, I felt frustrated with Dalia in a way that made her feel even more real. She holds herself to impossible standards, and the book doesn’t hide how that pressure wears her down. Watching her panic over Kelly’s sniffles or stress over bills from years past made me ache for her. I appreciated that the author never mocks these moments. Instead, she treats them as honest pieces of a woman trying her hardest. I also liked how the story quietly challenges the shiny magazine version of the “perfect working mom,” and I caught myself laughing when Dalia scoffed at an article claiming women can effortlessly manage it all. Her reaction felt like a wink to every woman who has ever tried to juggle too much at once.
The story’s message is gentle but firm. You don’t “have it all” by matching someone else’s idea of perfection. You have it when you learn to value what’s already in your hands. That conclusion landed beautifully for me, simple and true in a way that lingers after the last page. I’d recommend Having It All to readers who enjoy heartfelt domestic fiction, stories about motherhood, or character-driven novels that explore work, family, and identity in a relatable way. If you like books that sit somewhere between comfort reading and emotional honesty, this one fits right in.
Pages: 216 | ASIN : B09JN2Y6DY
Becoming Sarah
The story follows Sarah, a girl born in Auschwitz, who grows up amid the ruins of war and memory. From her survival as a baby in impossible conditions to her complicated relationships with families, lovers, and the ghosts of her past, the novel stretches across decades. It is a portrait of a life shaped by trauma yet driven by the relentless pull of love, survival, and identity. The book traces how one woman carries both the horror and the humor of her history, and how those who come after her must reckon with what remains.
Reading this book was not easy, and I don’t think it was meant to be. The writing felt raw and startlingly alive. Sometimes the prose slowed me down with its density, but I kept going because every page had something sharp and true. I loved how the author wasn’t afraid to mix beauty with ugliness. She gave me moments of dark humor right after scenes that tore at me. The characters were flawed, sometimes unlikeable, yet unforgettable. Sarah, especially, lingered in my head long after I closed the book.
There were also times I felt overwhelmed. The shifts between past and present, memory and dream, tested me as a reader. But maybe that was the point. Trauma doesn’t follow neat lines. The way Botnick wrote mirrored the chaos of living with scars you can’t see. And when I let myself stop fighting the structure, I found myself swept into it. I laughed in places I didn’t expect, and I cried in places I thought I wouldn’t.
I came away from Becoming Sarah feeling both heavy and strangely hopeful. This isn’t a typical Holocaust novel. It’s about the long aftershocks, the way history worms its way into kitchens, bedrooms, and even jokes. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to feel a story as much as read it, especially those who care about how the past seeps into family, motherhood, and love.
Pages: 347 | ASIN : B0DVCX64WV
The Stories We Cannot Tell
The Stories We Cannot Tell by Leslie Rasmussen is a profound exploration of the intricate decisions surrounding pregnancy, delving into the lives of two women who stand on opposing ends of a deeply personal spectrum.
Rachel, a content school teacher with a fulfilling marriage, eagerly awaits motherhood, a stark contrast to Kate, who is unmarried and has no immediate plans for children. Kate’s professional life in a fertility clinic interestingly intertwines with Rachel’s quest to become a mother—a connection that initially goes unnoticed by both. As they each continue to live their separate lives, fate conspires to unite them in an unexpected and everlasting bond.
Rasmussen navigates the complex terrain of wanted and unwanted pregnancies with remarkable skill, providing a much-needed perspective on the subject. Through the eyes of Rachel and Kate, the author offers an honest portrayal of the choices and dilemmas that women face in various situations. The narrative gracefully illustrates how each woman must grapple with and ultimately reconcile their decisions, reflecting a reality that resonates with many readers.
The characters are meticulously crafted, making readers feel deeply empathetic toward them. Rasmussen’s masterful storytelling invites us to see ourselves in the characters, regardless of our personal experiences or beliefs. It prompts us to reflect on the universal truths about human choice, connection, and resilience.
One of the notable aspects of the story is the unveiling of a life-changing secret towards the end. While this revelation adds a dramatic twist, some readers may find that the resolution happens rather quickly, potentially overshadowing the complex emotions that would naturally arise in a real-life situation. However, this choice also adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the conclusion, keeping the reader engaged and offering a thought-provoking perspective on how individuals might react to profound changes in their lives. It’s a testament to the author’s creativity and willingness to explore uncharted emotional territory.
In The Stories We Cannot Tell, Leslie Rasmussen has woven a thoughtful and engaging tale, offering a valuable contribution to contemporary literature. This book is not merely a story; it is an invitation to a broader conversation—one that deserves attention and contemplation.
Pages: 297 | ASIN : B0BXY4BS4L
The Mother Gene
An intergenerational story, simply yet strikingly woven, The Mother Gene by Lynne Bryant tells the story of three generations of Stewart women and how they’ve lived their lives, the choices they’ve made, and the ways in which they’ve become mothers. The story is set in a span of five days in the summer of 2010, from gynecologist Dr. Miriam Stewart’s last day of work to the evening of her being awarded a five-million-dollar grant. The five days see Miriam’s different selves that she works to keep separate come clashing together—doctor, mother, daughter, friend, and lover.
The series of incidents that are effortlessly strung together without seeming contrived remind the reader that life is characterized by an all-togetherness; rarely, if ever, do events happen sequentially; instead, they happen all at once. Miriam and her daughter Olivia discover more about their mother and grandmother, Lillian, a strong, quiet woman who lives in the mountains of Virginia by herself. The story is told via flashbacks and memories, neatly compiled, and the segues in time are easy to follow. Hints of a dark past are so subtle as to have the reader second-guessing what they think the story is about. Bryant’s drawing of a family is not necessarily blood relations, but as ever-present persons, in whatever shape or size, although an overt theme, is done with skill. The book’s strongest point is the quiet acceptance of different choices, lives, and loves without judgment.
The Mother Gene by Lynne is a well-written, gripping, and intense story with well-developed characters and a strong storyline. The narrative is well-researched and well-told, and most importantly, the narration makes it impossible for the reader to not empathize with the characters and their lifestyles.
Pages: 330 | ISBN : 1639886834
No Names to Be Given
Spanning over fifty years, No Names To Be Given is a moving and heartbreaking historical novel about three different women from the 1960s who had to give up their children out of wedlock. Inspired by actual events, it takes the reader through the roller-coaster lives of Becca, Faith, and Sandy – from the day they met in the Magnolia Home Hospital to 25 years later, where their darkest secrets are threatened to be exposed.
This is author Julia Brewer Daily’s debut novel, but it feels like she’s been writing this story all her life. Perhaps that is the case, given that she was one of those babies adopted from a maternity home hospital during this period. While there were probably mountains of research to write this novel, it would be believable if Daily wrote this story purely from memory and family history.
Her tender prose shows that she’s writing from the heart. Despite that, she tells the story with some emotional distance. The journeys of the three women are told in alternating chapters that are so unflinching that the whole novel almost feels like a documentary. Additionally, this is based on very real traumas. Daily allows the story to shine on its own with the respect it deserves. She writes with an assured and confident voice and isn’t afraid to challenge the reader if it means telling the story the way it’s supposed to be.
It’s clear why Daily chose to alternate the story between chapters. It’s a complicated story, spanning generations, that would not have felt complete if done in a singular manner. The alternating chapters also emphasize the diversity of the characters’ situations. Becca falls in love with an African American man during the height of racism in America; Faith gets sexually assaulted by one of her father’s employees; Sandy becomes involved with a married mobster. If only one of these stories were told, it would not have done any justice for this disparaging historical truth.
No Names To Be Given is a through-provoking historical fiction novel. Readers will experience the heartbreak and fear these women live through, having their worst moments in life brought back to haunt them. A look into women’s history, adoption, and motherhood from the perspective of women in the 1960s.
Pages: 334 | ASIN : B09B157HLR
LITERARY TITAN 