Ella's Rain named Book of the Month

I was super excited to learn that Ella's Rain was picked Book of the Month by Long and Short Reviews. YAY! Here's LASR's review. 



 

Publication day for "Ella's Rain"

I can't even begin to explain how it feels to finally have ELLA'S RAIN published. Thanks to Prism Book Group Joan Bauer Alley Jacqui Hopper for believing in this book and for believing in me.

Many of you know this is the first book I wrote. It's extremely special because it helped me work through a lot of grief, having lost my parents, sister and her husband and numerous friends. It was a dark time in my life and I struggled to find the light. But my faith sustained me. 

I'm especially proud of the 365 notes at the end of the book. When I wrote them, I thought about what I'd want my sons to know if I wasn't able to grow old with them. What advice would I give? What would I want them to think about? Do? Know? In many ways, the notes are my legacy. 

I think this book is meant to be read by women of all ages, from grandmothers to granddaughters. I hope that you'll give this book a chance. I know I'm asking a lot. There are so many great books out there. But this book is one of those that speaks to all of us. And the ending, well, the ending makes me cry just thinking about it. Anyway, thanks in advance for considering this book. I hope that if you do read it, you'll review and share it with others. Many blessings, Buffy  

Here is the first review by Fiona's Book Reviews

First review: 5 stars

This is a book of two halves. The first part is the story of Ella, a young girl who is struggling to cope after the death of her beloved grandmother Dorothy.

Grandma D has written letters/notes for Ella, one to be opened a day for a full year, 365 notes. These notes are inspirational, funny, thought provoking. During the story you see how these notes help Ella. Her Grandma was definitely a very special person.

Ella is struggling with other things too, so all in all in she isn't having a great time. And her journey to enlightenment isn't an easy one. There are several obstacles thrown in her way. Does she get past those, or is she halted in her progress?

It isn't only Ella who is helped during the course of the story. Grandma D was, indeed, a wise woman, as it appears she is helping others from beyond the grave.

The second part of the story features all 365 notes/letters Grandma D wrote for Ella. These make wonderful reading, and I came away with a lot of great advice which I would hope to use in the future. I started highlighting my favourite quotes to feature in my review. But, if I'm honest, by the time I got just a few weeks in I had to stop, as it was all such good advice I would have had to feature most of them!

This is a lovely story, sad for obvious reasons, but uplifting in so many ways. I would honestly recommend you read this story. I love this author and can't wait for more from her.

There's a lot of me in 'Ella's Rain'

I’m often asked how much of what I write comes from personal experience. I don’t think you can be an author and not have what you are be a part of what you create. 

I was recently editing my book “Ella’s Rain,” due out early next year. At the end of the book are 365 letters Grandma wrote to Ella before she died. Grandma instructs her best friend, Maddie, who becomes Ella’s guardian upon her death, to give Ella a new note every day. 

When I wrote the notes, I thought about my sons and what I’d want them to know if I wasn’t able to grow old with them. I also thought about my sister, Wendy, and her husband, Brad, and all of my friends who have passed away and the children they left behind. What would they want their children to know? 

What I discovered while writing the notes is that many of them were born out of actual conversations I’ve had with my sons over the years. When I completed them, I felt not only good about the guidance Grandma had provided Ella, but also a sense of pride in the legacy I’m leaving behind.

Here are some of those notes. 

Believe in yourself: Sometimes it’s hard to believe in yourself. That little monster called Doubt taps you on the shoulder and makes you question if you really have what it takes. Shoo that beast away. You must believe in yourself, even if no one else believes in you. Too many dreams are lost because a person gave up too soon.

Another book contract from Prism Book Group

Prism Book Group, who will be publishing "The Lion Awakens" in 2014 will also be publishing "Ella's Rain." I'm so excited. 

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE  

The Yearbook Series RELEASED ON AMAZON

1st book: Gina and Mike

A romance series that begins with Gina and Mike, high school sweethearts that reconnect 20 years later when the past catches up and turns their worlds inside out. 

Consecutive books in series focus on another member of the high school class. 

The Christmas Violin COMING from Carina UK fall 2013

Written like a violin concerto in three movements, this novella tells the story of three people who have one thing in common -- the cemetery. It is a beautiful story about love and loss and the enormous power of the human spirit.

YOUNG ADULT/CROSSOVER

Ella's Rain COMING from Prism Books 2014

A young girl learns to live again when her grandma, who dies, leaves her 365 notes, one for every day of the coming year.

     

The Moment Keeper COMING from Carina UK fall 2013
As a Moment Keeper records the moments of her charge's life, she comes to see how life is a intricate tapestry of which we are threads woven together in ways we have never anticipated or imagined. The charge learns that a second can change a life forever and that it's what we do with the moments that count.

YOUNG ADULT

The Lion Awakens COMING from Prism Books 2014

Two 17-year-olds find information hidden in anonymous gifts that leads them to a parallel universe and an enemy hell-bent on taking over their world.

That leaves me with my middle-grades to sell:

MIDDLE GRADE 

Freaky Frank
Humorous middle-grade for boys about a telepathic middle-schooler who battles bullies along with his rag-tag friends. 

     

High Street Dares/Locket of Doom

Five middle-schoolers double dared to walk through the cemetery at midnight and perform a spell that will make a particular stone statue cry must solve a mystery involving the statue, an old lady and a shrinking locket before it’s too late. Book ends with a dare setting the next book up in the series.

High Street Dares/Ghostly Connection (second book in series)

Will, Middle Name Trouble

12-year-old Will Moran is always getting in trouble. But this time Will, who cleans and cooks and takes care of his younger twin sisters while his mom (a single parent) works, didn’t do what he is accused of doing. Through an eclectic group of friends comes redemption and the true meaning of friendship.