Archive for the ‘Memoir’ Category

Who Will Carry The Fire? By Darrell J. Pedersen ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: August 11, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
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More Reflections from a North Woods Lake

 

Memoir

 

Date Published: 04-07-2025

Publisher: RiverPlace Press

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Who Will Carry the Fire? More Reflections from a North Woods Lake by
Darrell J. Pedersen thoughtfully examines the value of human history,
traditions, memories, and relationships and reiterates the importance of
preserving and faithfully passing these along to the next generation. Through
a collection of essays and the retellings of his early days as a son, brother,
husband, and father, Pedersen shows readers that we all have been gifted these
irreplaceable stories by those who came before us. These remembered stories
will work to keep the thread of storytelling alive while passing down the
life-giving flames of laughter, human community, and hope to our children and
future generations. Using a blend of wisdom, humor, reflection, and life
stories in Minnesota, Pedersen expertly weaves a book that is both a
memoir/collection of essays and a celebration of life.

 

Enjoy this peek inside:
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Five Young Men And Christmas 2020

A hairy arm, plaid flannel sleeve rolled up, extended out of the pickup window
and held high a fist with middle finger raised. A week before Christmas, at
the end of the tumultuous year 2020, I was headed for the dump. Driving where
four lane transitions to two, loud rumbling acceleration of an engine caught
my attention. There he is, up ahead of me in the right lane, a big pickup.
Speeding up, he slid in front of a small car. That’s when I spotted his
obscene gesture. What, I wondered, did that other driver do to earn that
reaction? Drawing close behind the little car, I spotted the offense. This
little old lady had made the mistake of sporting a small presidential campaign
sticker in her back window. I guessed giving her the finger was a victory for
him.

Witnessing this attack on humanity by a bearded young man in a big pickup
caused me to reflect on his place in our society and world. I thought about
the large number of bearded young men I had lately witnessed in televised
protests, a few packing assault rifles. Some, recently, shouted obscenities at
me and others for standing in silent support of Black Lives Matter. I
wondered, has this whole generation been lost? But then I recalled, my own son
is bearded and drives a noisy, old jeep, and he’s currently using his
vocational skills to put together a virtual Christmas Eve service for his
church.

That was Friday. Today, Monday, my wife and I pulled into a long line outside
Burger King. I immediately took notice of the young man ahead of us in the
row. He was driving an old pickup, paint peeling off and rusty jagged holes in
its fenders. Seeing him watching us in his mirror, I wondered if he was
another of these young ruffians.

Behind us, a brand new, red Jeep slipped into line. In my mirror I saw another
young man driving. I noted huge tires, winch, fancy mirrors, decals, all the
options. Lots of money for that one, I thought. I wonder what kind of a job he
has? I never had money to buy something like that when I was his age. I
don’t have money to buy something like that even at age 68.

A long wait; we were one car back now. The young driver in the rusty pickup
carried on an extended conversation with the window person whose hand held the
outstretched plastic tub awaiting payment. Is he hassling that poor cashier?
Finally, he put his credit card in the tub, received his food, and drove away.
Our turn. The twenty-something man in the window, masked, said, “Your
meal has already been paid for. The fellow ahead of you took care of your
bill.”

“What?”

He repeated. Bill paid. Young man in the pickup truck. $17.84.

“Well, can I pay for the people behind me?”

“Yes, if you want to.”

“Yes, please, let me pay for their bill.” His bill. I remembered;
it was the young fellow in the expensive Jeep. I handed the cashier my credit
card and he rang it up.

“How much was it?”

“Just over three bucks.”

“Well, can I pay for the next car too?”

“Sure.”

“How much is that one?”

“That one is $24.95.”

“Okay, thanks, that will be just fine.”

Bill paid. Food delivered. Credit card returned. Ready to coast away, I looked
my young fellow in the eye and offered, “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas and God bless you,” he replied.

“And God bless you too,” I said to one of my new young friends at
Burger King.

Five young men just before Christmas in 2020. Pandemic, political strife,
racism. So much trouble all around. Five young men and an old guy. Maybe
there’s still hope.

 

 

 

About Author Darrell J. Pedersen
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ABOUT THE “LITTLE DICKENS”

Darrell J. Pedersen was raised in the 1950-60s, on a little lake in
Minnesota’s North Woods. He grew up and moved away, but his heart has
never left that place. His family, the lake, woods, and critters that embraced
his young life taught him to appreciate today and to be hopeful for tomorrow.
He learned to care for the creation and the neighbor. To leave the world a
little better place than he found it.

Since retirement, he has published his first memoir/collection of essays,
Campfire in the Basement: Reflections from a North Woods Lake. One year later,
Who Will Carry the Fire? More Reflections from a North Woods Lake is now in
your hands. Both books include real life stories of everyday people living one
day at a time in a challenging, yet amazing world. Hard work, laughter, tears,
wins and losses. He believes you will find your story here too. Darrell and
his wife, Jennifer, live in Baxter, Minnesota.

 

Contact Links

 

Website

Facebook

Blog

Goodreads

 

 

Purchase Link

 

Amazon

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The History We Carry By Margaret Whitford ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: August 5, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
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The History We Carry by Margaret Whitford Banner

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THE HISTORY WE CARRY
A Daughter’s Memoir
by Margaret Whitford
July 27 – August 21, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
For fans of Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died, a memoir for daughters who recognize that to truly understand themselves and the patterns of their lives, they must first understand their mothers and the forces that shaped these women.

When Margaret Whitford’s mother was dying, she told those present that her daughter “had her history.” This was true; Margaret had conducted interviews with her mother during the last decade of her life. But this didn’t end their estrangement, and Margaret chose not to return to her mother’s side during her final days.

In this memoir, Margaret confronts this decision by unearthing in her mother’s traumatic history the roots of the emotional distance between them. She explores how a history marked by the devastation of World War II in Europe, a violent childhood home, and sexual assault accumulated into complex PTSD that shaped her mother and the way she parented Margaret as her firstborn and as a daughter—and, in turn, how Margaret carried her mother’s trauma forward in her sense of self, in her relationships to others, and in the ways she navigated her world. Indeed, Margaret not only had her mother’s history—she embodied it.

Ultimately, The History We Carry confronts the legacy of intergenerational trauma with wisdom and compassion, revealing how familial history shapes each of us but need not be wholly determinative of whom we become and how we choose to live.

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Praise for The History We Carry:

“An unflinching, well-rendered memoir that generously encompasses love, trauma, and the fraught relationship between a mother and daughter.” ~ Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Margaret Whitford’s compelling memoir—a reflection on her family history, her relationship with her mother, and trauma that spans generations—is clear-eyed, compassionate, and often startling in its insight and originality. I was engrossed from beginning to end.” ~ Clifford Thompson, author of Jazz June: A Self-Portrait in Essays

“Rarely have I finished a memoir understanding how our histories, both personal and generational, live and breathe within us in the present. By unearthing the complicated and poignant relationship she has with her mother, Margaret Whitford also powerfully speaks to the collective soul-searching so vitally necessary during these trying times. Written in elegant, luminous prose, this is a memoir that will stay with you long after the story is told.” ~ Ken Harvey, author of The Book of Casey Adair

“Despite Tolstoy’s famous quote—families are generally neither happy nor unhappy—they are complicated, like Whitford’s. This important memoir delves into sibling conflict, parental infidelity, and substance abuse. Overlying these familial tensions is geopolitical upheaval and the effects of successive world wars, almost unwanted family members themselves. The History We Carry seats them together at its literary table and gives each their due in courageous, precise, and ultimately both urgent and forgiving prose.” ~ Sue William Silverman, author of Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader

“An exhilarating mix of memoir and deep personal research, The History We Carry explores a mother’s complex history and a daughter’s lifelong struggle to understand and connect with her mother. In clear prose that never presents simple answers but rather digs to discover unknown truths and questions even her own long-held narratives, Margaret Whitford has written a robust story of love and trauma.” ~ Sheryl St. Germain, author of 50 Miles

“All our parents live lives before we arrive, lives that come to bear on our own. In this new memoir, Margaret Whitford bravely ventures into her mother’s past to better understand her own present and future. The History We Carry is a gorgeously written book about generational trauma and the intersections of love and grief. It’s a stunning debut.” ~ Lee Martin, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Bright Forever

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Book Details:

Genre: Dysfunctional Families, Motherhood, Bereavement

Published by: She Writes Press Publication Date: June 2, 2026 Number of Pages: 256 ISBN: 9798896363224

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | She Writes Press | Simon & Schuster

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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A World of Two

I picture my mother lying on her hospital bed, the same one she has occupied for the last twelve days. The space is in shadow, the only light coming from the hallway. The room smells empty. No flowers or scented candles—she wouldn’t have wanted those. The sound of retreating footfalls in the corridor or a muffled voice from another part of the hospital occasionally interrupts the silence. Her breathing is shallow, until the moment it stops altogether. It happens so quietly, no one notices at first.

When my mother died in Concord, I was an ocean away, in a Paris hotel. Another day had already started. That remove feels familiar—geography and time following an established pattern.

In the morning’s early hours, I lay next to my husband, Tom, on a king-sized bed in a room of marble-inlaid tables and still-life paintings in gilded frames, the walls covered in red-and-gold-striped paper. I heard only the sounds of the night, a faint breeze moving through the magnolia trees in the courtyard and an occasional car gliding along the boulevard. While Tom slept, I lay awake, thinking about my mother. I had started to understand that we wouldn’t make it back in time. My mother would either be dead or so unresponsive that there could be no last words between us. Tom read my brother Billy’s email while I was taking a shower. I knew from the way he walked into the bathroom, but he still had to say the words: “Your mother is dead.” Years from now, I thought, I will be able to replay this moment in my mind. He stood there, naked, looking both vulnerable and strong, his hand on the shower wall ready to reach for me. My brothers and sister wanted to touch our mother after she died because she had not welcomed that while living. She would allow a hug or a kiss in greeting or farewell but shrugged you off if you lingered in the embrace. Henry would have stroked her sparse hair, cut short after she could no longer shape it into a twist. He might have teased her about finally being able to touch her hair, something she loathed. Lydia might have rubbed her feet, those odd feet, with such high arches her toes curled to reach the ground. Her feet shaped by childhood polio and old age, missing the little toe on one foot, removed because of frostbite suffered during the Second World War. She could never find comfortable shoes, so she wore Birkenstock sandals year-round, donning socks with them in winter. Billy would have rested his hand on her shoulder, let his fingers travel the length of her arm. He might have held her hand, bent at strange angles by arthritis and with the bones loose under the skin. Had I been there, I would also have been drawn to her hands, so small that they reminded me of a child’s. She kept her nails short and immaculate, a habit she’d adopted in medical school, and one I try to emulate. I might have traced the line of her aquiline nose and the contour of her jaw, fondled her cheek and pressed my fingers to her high cheekbones, a sign of her Slavic heritage, she once told me. Her sandals and the pair of socks she last wore with them are mine now, safeguarded in a box in the back of my closet. Those Birkenstocks, the insoles shaped over time by the pressure of her feet, her navy-blue socks. I wanted the last of her clothing, something that had touched her. I run my hands over the smooth cork, hold the socks to my cheek, the much-washed cotton soft. I thought the socks might retain the cool, dry scent of her. Our plane to Massachusetts departed in the afternoon, so Tom and I filled the morning with small errands—the purchase of a journal of good paper with a red ribbon to mark my place—and one last view of Notre-Dame. Each gesture, every step I made, accompanied by a voice in my head repeating, Your mother is dead. The air smelled of diesel fuel and wet earth. My left arm entwined with Tom’s right, I rested my hand on his steady forearm, eavesdropped on the conversations around me, catching only phrases. I thought how these strangers knew nothing of my grief and I nothing of theirs. A rare winter’s morning, fresh with rain-washed skies, and sunlight bathing the bone-colored stone of centuries-old buildings. I noticed the quality of the light, its unusual clarity. Tom and I had introduced my mother to Paris on a trip years before. She will never see it again, I thought, trying to absorb its beauty on her behalf. *** Excerpt from THE HISTORY WE CARRY by Margaret Whitford. Copyright 2026 by Margaret Whitford. Reproduced with permission from Margaret Whitford. All rights reserved.

 

 

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About Author Margaret Whitford:

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Margaret Whitford

Margaret Whitford served in leadership positions within the nonprofit world for twenty years, including ten years in the social justice field, before turning to writing. She is fascinated by the ways in which we all seek to create places of refuge for ourselves, both in a metaphorical and a physical sense. The History We Carry is her first memoir. An avid Francophile, Margaret, with her husband, divides her time between a small village in the South of France and her home in Concord, Massachusetts.

Catch Up With Margaret Whitford:

MargaretWhitford.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads Instagram – @margaretwhitfordwriter Bluesky – @margaretwhitford.bsky.social Facebook

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Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

A History You’ll Want To Carry
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

. THE HISTORY WE CARRY by Margaret Whitford

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;IGY6 By Dean Sali ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 20, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dean Sali will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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;IGY6

By Dean Sali

Genre: Memoir

Synopsis

;IGY6 is more than just a self-help guide, it is a beacon of hope for those in the military and beyond. Whether you are a soldier, a veteran, or someone who supports them, this book provides invaluable insights and practical advice that can make a real difference. Readers will find solace in the shared experiences and learn how to navigate the complexities of PTSD towards a better, more fulfilling life.

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

I’ve wanted to write ;IGY6 for some time now. I have complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and I’m lactose intolerant. It’s a heavy list, and my doctor, a gastrointestinal specialist, calls me his medical miracle because he’s never had a patient with this combination. Lucky me.

PTSD can be extremely difficult, but doing nothing about it is a big mistake. If sharing my experience helps you to take a step I waited too long to take, then it’s worth every word.

“;IGY6” stands for “I got your six,” military slang for “I’ve got your back.” But there’s much more to it than that. The “6” is your six o’clock position—your back— and “got your six” is a pledge to be there for each other. The semicolon at the front is a symbol from the suicide prevention initiative called Project Semicolon, and it represents a pause instead of an ending, a reminder that your story isn’t over.1 When paired with IGY6, the semicolon sends a powerful message to those living with PTSD: “You’re not alone, and we’ve got your six.” A related movement, the ;IGY6 Foundation, highlights the sobering statistic that an average of twenty-two US veterans die by suicide every day.2 Imagine a world where we all watched out for each other. That’s the promise at the heart of this book.

1 Project Semicolon. “Our Mission.” Project Semicolon, https://projectsemicolon.com

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About Author Dean Sali:

Dean Sali is a resolute advocate for personal growth, resilience, and inner healing. With a background in the military and law enforcement, he has faced intense challenges that tested his strength, confidence, and sense of purpose. He served on a UN tour in Rwanda in 1994, an experience that deeply shaped his perspective on trauma, recovery, and the human spirit. His journey with PTSD has given him firsthand insight into the struggles of rebuilding from within, and he has spent years exploring methods of healing, including chi exercises, mindfulness, and reconnecting with nature.

Beyond his professional experiences, Dean is a devoted father of four, with a granddaughter on the way. His writing is deeply personal, offering practical guidance and heartfelt encouragement to those seeking clarity, confidence, and peace. Through his work, Dean hopes to inspire others to embrace their own healing journey and discover the strength they already carry inside.

Amazon / Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY

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House Of Cards By Phillipa Mann ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 13, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for House Of Cards organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Phillipa Mann will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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House Of Cards

By Phillipa Mann

 

 

Genre: Memoir

Synopsis

A raw and unflinching memoir of survival, truth, and transformation. Phillippa Mann takes readers deep into the fractured world of a girl who grew up living with a monster–a world where love and fear shared the same face, and silence became a means of survival.

Through heartbreak, chaos, and betrayal, Phillippa’s voice emerges from the shadows as she begins to piece together a life that was never hers to begin with. Her journey is one of courage and reckoning, of facing the unbearable truths that shaped her, and finding strength in vulnerability.

More than a story of pain, House of Cards is a testament to the power of healing and self-forgiveness. It reminds every survivor that bringing hidden truths into the light is not the end – it’s the beginning of reclaiming your story and rebuilding the foundation of who you were always meant to be.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

As I embarked on this new chapter of motherhood and marriage, I began to re-evaluate some of the stories I had been told since childhood. How could my dad have been in bed with another man if he was married to my mother? And if he was gay, why would he marry my stepmom and then later adopt my little brother, further building a life with her? It didn’t even make sense in my mind.

He often reminisced about our family camping trips and his visits to us. I recall wondering whether his twin brother had merely shared those memories with him and why he had not wanted to see us when we were little, as it was obviously my dad I was visiting as I got older. Eventually, I mustered the courage to initiate a conversation with him. When my baby was approximately six months old, I wrote a letter to my dad expressing my need to ask him some questions and inquiring if he would be willing to visit for a discussion. He promptly called me upon receiving the letter to arrange a time for his visit.

I had prepared a list of inquiries, including whether he had been unfaithful to my mother, if she had discovered him in bed with another person (I lacked the courage to specify it was with a man), and whether he had a twin brother named Christian. He firmly denied all these allegations. Part of me wishes I had probed further or engaged in a more profound dialogue regarding my concerns; there was so much to unravel from those topics, yet at that moment, I felt content with the answers I received. For a while, I did not dwell on it too much, as I was preoccupied with my new baby.

I returned to work a few afternoons each week, and my nan would take the bus to my home to care for my son. I recall one day returning home to find his diaper on backward, and I thought about how challenging it must have been for her to fasten the sticky tabs at the back. My nan was an incredibly kind woman, and my son was undoubtedly the apple of her eye; she clearly cherished her time spent with him, and I wish she had been around longer to watch all my children grow up.

 

About Author Phillipa Mann:

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Phillippa Mann is a Canadian author who is passionate about helping others find healing through shared experience.

Her memoir, House of Cards:

Surviving Munchausen by Proxy and a Mother’s Web of Lies, explores the emotional journey of growing up in chaos and reclaiming strength through forgiveness and self-discovery.

Family is at the heart of everything Phillippa does. She and her husband share a love of creating together, and their children and grandchildren inspire her every day to live with gratitude, laughter, and purpose. When she’s not writing, Phillippa can be found playing with her Corgi, Glenn, crafting handmade gifts, baking cookies and cupcakes for her family business, Sweet Lavender Designs, which she started in memory of a dear friend.

She is currently working on her next creative project, a heartwarming children’s book titled Hop Hop and the Great Garden Adventure, inspired by the wonder and imagination of her grandchildren.

 

Website / Instagram / Amazon

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Laughing Through The Storm By Jane Rogers ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: March 18, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Laughing Through The Storm organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Jane Rogers will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Laughing Through The Storm

By Jane Rogers

 

 

Genre: Memoir

Synopsis

Diagnosed with epilepsy at 13, Jane’s life took a wild turn full of seizures, specialists, and some seriously strange hospital adventures. But instead of letting it break her, she learned to laugh—at the chaos, the cringe, and even the curveballs. Laughing Through the Storm is a hilariously honest memoir about finding resilience, ridiculousness, and unexpected joy in the middle of life’s messiest moments.

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Enjoy this peek Inside:

It was a frosty January morning in 1981 when I decided to make my dramatic debut in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. As the latest addition to the family line-up, I was a calm and easy-going baby, quietly lulling everyone into a false sense of security. Classic me— always setting up for a twist.

 

My dad worked for the Health of Animals, a branch of the Canadian federal government, as a veterinarian in Prince Edward Island. They were responsible for the control, prevention and eradication of certain animal diseases. As the district veterinarian for the entire province, he had responsibilities for the health and well-being of all livestock, from pigs and cows to chickens. His days were a mix of travelling to farms to test animals for serious diseases like tuberculosis and rabies; visiting auction houses to ensure only healthy animals were sold; attending meat-packing plants to collect samples; and making safety diagnoses to ensure that animals entering the food chain were safe for human consumption.

 

When I was two, my parents decided to move us to Riverview, New Brunswick, a town that became the stage for my happiest childhood memories. We lived on Hamilton Court, a little slice of suburban heaven with one particularly glorious feature: hills. Our backyard sloped gently, but our neighbours’ yards were even steeper, perfect for sledding. Every winter, kids from all over the neighbourhood would arrive armed with sleds, ready to turn those snowy slopes into the ultimate playground. We would shriek with laughter as we careened down the hill and tumbled into a snowbank. Gravity may have been our accomplice in the winter, but in the summer, it was the architect of our joy. My friends and I would roll down those same hills, giggling uncontrollably, dizzy from both the spinning and the laughter.

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About Author Jane Rogers:

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Jane Rogers is an accidental expert in epilepsy, diagnosed at 13 and living with it ever since. She’s spent over three decades navigating seizures, side effects, and hospital adventures with grit, sarcasm, and a solid sense of humor. Laughing Through the Storm is her first book—a tribute to resilience, ridiculous moments, and finding light in the darkest places.

She lives in Ottawa with her supportive husband, Pascal, and their two mischievous chihuahuas, Junior and Bailey.

Fun Fact: Jane once had a seizure during a comedy show— and still insists the comedian owes her one.

Instagram / Facebook

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The Love Of A Dog By Jo McCauley Prouty ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: December 27, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
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A Chronicle of a Remarkable Retriever

 

Memoir/Love, Black Lab, Dog

 

Date Published: 02-14-2023

 

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The decision to get a dog becomes a journey from high expectations
through the reality of care giving and the fun of companionship to enduring
love and finally loss. Dog lovers will see themselves and remember their
beloved canine friends. They will wish they had known Tasha as they read about
this quirky dog and her love of family and fun. Readers can applaud the
transforming power of love.
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Enjoy this peek inside:
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Typically, I put mulch down in the spring, but I also use mulch to prepare for winter. However, not all mulch is equal when it comes to dogs.
I am the queen of mulch. I used it abundantly to discourage weeds and hold moisture in the soil, and to protect roots during winter. I had a preference for cocoa bean mulch, which had a delectable aroma. A neighbor at our previous home came out one day while I was spreading it and said, “Oh, I thought you were baking brownies.” That’s how good it smells!
I had been thoughtless. The cocoa bean is just as toxic for dogs as chocolate. Mulch covered the flower beds in the backyard where Tasha played. “Tasha,” I lectured, “you are not to touch this mulch under any circumstance. Never, never, never touch the mulch.”
 You’re overreacting, Mom.
 I’m not sure how she interpreted “mulch,” but not only did she never touch the mulch, she never put a paw in any flower bed or touch even a petunia or marigold. She kept me company when I worked in the yard, and much later, I found it difficult to garden without my furry assistant.

 

About Author Jo McCouley Prouty:
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Jo McCauley Prouty spent her formative years in West Virginia and
Virginia, where she attended the College of William and Mary. She is a former
educator and now applies her nurturing skills to flower gardening and
entertaining her grandchildren. She resides in Minnesota with her orange
tabby, Cooper. Her work has appeared in “The Journal of The Braxton Historical
Society” and the “Journal of Opinions, Ideas and Essays.”

 

Contact Links

 

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

 

Purchase Links

 


https://mybook.to/TheLoveofaDog

Amazon

Author Site

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A Version Of The Truth By Marsh Rose ~ Feature And Giveaway

Posted: November 16, 2025 in giveaways, Memoir
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Do we spend our lives searching in vain for an answer,

or do we find a version of the truth we can live with, and live with it?

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A Version of the Truth

by Marsh Rose

Genre: Memoir

Over forty years, Marsh and her partner built a life defined
by love, devotion, and independence. He supported her when she bought her home
in California wine country, when she grieved the deaths of her parents, when
she built her career as a psychotherapist, and even when she overcame a
lifelong fear of dogs to adopt a rescued greyhound.

They never married or shared a home—by choice. They were lovers and confidants,
deeply committed to one another. Yet, they only met on Tuesdays and Fridays.

And then, one day, he vanished.

When Marsh finally tracked him down, she discovered the unimaginable: he had
suffered a catastrophic stroke. His memory was gone. He could no longer speak.
And he was living with a woman who knew him by a different name.

What was the truth? With him unreachable behind the devastation of his illness,
and with the danger that exposing their relationship could cause irreparable
harm, Marsh was left to confront a hall of mirrors—plagued by questions,
silences, and uncertainty.

In the end, she discovered a universal reality: we all live with some
unknowable mystery. The question is—do we spend our lives searching in vain for
an answer, or do we find a version of the truth we can live with, and live with
it?

Amazon * Sunbury Press * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Marsh Rose is a freelance
writer, psychotherapist and college educator. Her short stories have appeared
in a variety of publications including Cosmopolitan Magazine, the San Francisco
Chronicle, Carve Magazine, Hippocampus Magazine, and New Millennium Writings
where she took first prize for creative nonfiction in 2018. She lives in the north San Francisco Bay Area with her greyhound, Adin.

  

Website * Facebook * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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Enter the A Version of the Truth Giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Unfollow Me By Kathryn Caraway ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: November 12, 2025 in giveaways, Guest Post, Memoir, suspense
Tags: , ,
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First comes the true story.

Then comes her fictional revenge.

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Unfollow Me

A Terrifying True Story of a Sadistic Stalker

by Kathryn Caraway

Genre: True Crime Memoir

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#1 Amazon New
Release!

What if the man
stalking you worked in IT—at the police department?

“Think it couldn’t happen to you? Think again. Read. This. Book.” —John
DeDakis, Award-winning novelist, writing coach, and former editor on CNN’s
“The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer”

This true crime case is told with brutal honesty,
exposing the silent terror of stalking. Gripping details of kidnapping,
intimate partner abuse, and surveillance using everyday tools engrained in
society—and most households—uncovers systemic blindspots. From
overlooked police reports to exhausting court battles, it’s a story of a
woman’s resilience in the face of relentless fear. A must read for fans of true
crime, survival stories, and psychological thrillers.

Stalkers don’t just
hide in the shadows. Some log in.

Kathryn meets Todd, a charming IT expert for the police
department. He coaxes her into a brief relationship and turns a normal breakup
into a reign of terror. Todd isn’t just obsessed—he’s inside Kathryn’s home
network.

He doesn’t have to be in her house to watch her. Or hear
her.

He sees her text messages—on his screen.

He can follow her car without ever leaving his house.

And he even tells her why: “You are mine. And I don’t
share.”

When Todd asks Kathryn if she wants to see death coming, she
tells him no. Now she waits for it every day. Dismissed by officers, Kathryn
builds a case police can no longer ignore. But the more she learns about Todd’s
past, the more she suspects he might be tied to the unsolved murder of a woman
she has only one thing in common with: Todd.

And if she’s right, she might be next . . .

“A powerful, riveting
account about a woman being victimized by a modern-day monster.” —Kirkus
Reviews

“Urgency of feeling
pulses throughout . . .” —BookLife

“An inspiring story
of survival . . . the horrors of stalking and its devastating effects on the
mental health of those targeted . . .” —Chanticleer Book Reviews
& Media

“The specificity of emotion, the
physiological response to trauma, and the intellectual clarity . . . give this
book its power.” —Independent Book Review

“Unfollow Me kept me on the
edge of my seat from beginning to end. Caraway’s will to get justice in her
case and her composure through it all shows a resilience that not many
possess.” —Memoir Magazine

* 2024 Grand Prize Winner in Narrative
Nonfiction (Journey Award, Non-Fiction Overcoming Adversity)

* 2024 1st Place Winner in
Thriller/Suspense (Clue Award)

* 2024 1st Place Winner in
Non-Fiction Cover Design

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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He Follows Me

by Kathryn Caraway

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

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Kathryn Caraway
thought a conviction would end the nightmare. She was wrong.

Todd Bennett is getting out of jail—and he hasn’t forgotten
her. The government offers her a lifeline: new name, new life, new country. But
freedom comes at a cost and safety is an illusion.

U.S. Marshal Wes Kade doesn’t care about feelings. He cares
about results. Cold, disciplined, and relentless, he has built a career on
keeping people alive. But something about this case doesn’t add up. He realizes
this isn’t personal—it’s war.

With nowhere left to hide, Kathryn must face the terrifying
truth that some nightmares never end.

A gripping
psychological thriller where survival isn’t just about escape—it’s about
fighting back.

 

Wow! I have absolutely DEVOURED this book, and Kathryn
Caraway has become my new favorite author! He Follows Me is the fictional
follow-up to Unfollow Me, and it does not disappoint. What starts as a
semi-cozy read turns into a tense thriller with an absolutely explosive ending!
Give this one a read, especially if you have read Unfollow Me!  – Goodreads reviewer

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Here’s the Thing About Stalking: It Never Ends

The man who stalked me was convicted. On paper, the story looks over. But in real life, it lingers. It never really goes away. A conviction doesn’t erase the obsession. It doesn’t guarantee my safety.

Well-meaning people might say, “He’ll move on. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

But there’s plenty I worry about. When he asked me if I wanted to see death coming, I never realized how that split second answer would define the rest of my life. I answered “no” and have waited every day since for a death I won’t see coming.

A conviction is not closure. A sentence completed is not guaranteed safety.

A job application being rejected because of his criminal history could incite him.

A woman he is interested in who learns about his past and pulls away could put me back in his crosshairs.

Or maybe, one day, he will simply wake up and decide I ruined his life.

The truth is, he doesn’t need a reason at all. That’s why I remain vigilant about my anonymity and my safety. I don’t see it as fear; I see it as survival. As I traversed the publishing process, I’ve been asked variations of the same question that I’m sure readers will have once the book is commercially available:

“Since he was convicted why can’t you just publish under your own name?”

“If your story is true, why can’t you use real names in the book?”

For me, the answer is simple, though it’s not always understood by others: publishing my true crime memoir has the potential to enrage him. To lead him straight back to me.

Sometimes they come back.

By my count, I am his sixth victim. The seventh was a witness in my stalking case. So even though he moved on to another, he still circled back to me. It happens.

Amie Harwick, who was once engaged to Drew Carey, had a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend and stalker, Gareth Pursehouse, that expired. It wasn’t renewed. Five years after it expired, Gareth Pursehouse killed Amie Harwick.

That’s the thing about stalking. It is not a neat, contained story. I don’t consider myself a survivor of stalking. In fact, I fear the moment that I let my guard down, he will resurface.

Maybe it’s been years. Or a decade has passed and a feeling of safety returns. The joy of simple things eases their way back into my life like going to the grocery store and not scanning every vehicle in the parking lot or every face in the aisle.

I’ve moved on, but I can never be certain that he has. Maybe he is waiting for me to slip online. Maybe he is waiting for a moment of vulnerability—a relative’s funeral announcement that lists my name along with the date and time of service; or a birthday party or wedding details posted on social media that he thinks I will attend.

And, just like that, I will suffer a death I won’t see coming.

Being a victim of stalking influences every decision I make—right down to the name printed on the book cover. I keep my circle tight. I stay aware. And above all, I will not apologize for protecting myself.

If you’re among the 1 in 3 women or 1 in 6 men who have experienced it, you know that’s the thing about stalking—it never ends.

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Kathryn Caraway lived life as the target of a stalker for years.
After her perpetrator’s conviction, Kathryn founded the Unfollow Me Project to raise
education and awareness of the debilitating effects of stalking, as well as to
offer support to those being stalked. For more information, go to https://unfollowme.com.

Website * Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bluesky * Tiktok * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Unfollow Me

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

My Husband Almost Killed Me By Linda Beason ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: September 24, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
Tags: ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for My Husband Almost Killed Me organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Linda Beason will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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My Husband Almost Killed Me

By Linda Beason

 

 

Genre: Memoir

Synopsis

“If you ever leave me, I will kill the kids then I will kill you.”

“I can’t help but think of other women who may be facing similar situations, even now in a time and generation when these events can easily be exposed as much as they could be hidden. I wish I could reach each one of them, look into their eyes and tell them: you don’t have to live like this. Life can be better; you can choose a different path. It’s not easy, trust me, I know that more than most people do, BUT IT’S WORTH IT.”

This book is an autobiography about a woman raised on a large farm who learned to drive a large tractor at the age of seven, then spent many years plowing, planting and harvesting crops and taking care of the farm animals. After three years in the Marine Corps, she married her college sweetheart who became a drunk and abused her for seven horrible years before he almost killed her then disappeared. After she recovered she and her three kids fled to Florida to hide so he wouldn’t find them and finish the job.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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A few weeks ago, after one of Phil’s drunken rages, I decided that the kids and I would start camping out in the cornfield surrounding the house to avoid getting in his way. The plan was simple: we’d head out about an hour before he typically staggered home and stay hidden and out of sight until we were sure he had returned and passed out in bed. After that, we would crawl back into the house, get tucked in, and wake up the following day when Phil would have recovered from his stupor, and we could go back to being a regular family until we had to do it all over again at night. This way, we could avoid the brunt of his tirades and tantrums, and, most importantly, I could retain some semblance of peace, normalcy, and quiet for myself and my kids.

So far, it had been working.

As far as the kids were concerned, any chance to camp out in the fields was a fun opportunity they couldn’t miss. They were now used to the earthy, starchy, grassy smell, the sound of crickets chirping, and the occasional rustle of small rabbits nearby scurrying through the underbrush. Bailey and Ryan usually wore themselves out singing nursery rhymes and playing with their toys under the tent. Then, using a dim flashlight, I read bedtime stories to them while cradling Brooke and rocking her to sleep. When they were all fast asleep, I would keep watch, waiting for Phil to arrive and timing our return to the house.

The plan was working, but tonight, Brooke’s feeble cries threatened to disrupt it. She had initially fallen asleep in my arms, but for some reason, her eyes opened back up moments later, and since then, she’d been crying and refused to go back to sleep. I tried to cradle her even more, hoping the cry would let up, but it only grew louder. I wasn’t worried about a neighbor hearing us and calling the cops to report a lost, crying baby in the fields; the house closest to our field was a good half-mile away. I was more worried about Bailey’s and Ryan’s sleep being interrupted and the possibility of Phil’s sudden return.

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About Author Linda Beason:

Born and raised on an Indiana farm, Linda Beason was steeped in the rhythms of rural life and nurtured by the enduring love of a close-knit family.

From an early age, she embraced responsibility and excelled throughout her school years. As an alumna of Purdue University— where she earned degrees in both agriculture and accounting—Linda distinguished herself academically and professionally, later working for several corporate companies, most notably the Green Giant Company, and serving honorably in the Marine Corps.

Yet despite a childhood filled with warmth and promise, Linda’s adult life took a harrowing turn when she entered a marriage that would test the very limits of her strength. For nearly a decade, she endured domestic abuse at the hands of a dangerous man whose fury was fueled by alcohol and an insatiable need for control. That turbulent period sent her racing through a whirlwind of experiences that would forever alter her path. Even in the darkest moments, however, Linda clung to her faith in God and the quiet confidence of a Midwesterner.

Linda passed away in 2024 while writing this book. Through these pages, she hoped to inspire women to overcome the challenges of toxic relationships and the hardships of motherhood, reminding them that even the deepest wounds can heal and that the promise of a brighter tomorrow is always within reach.

Buy Link: Amazon / Goodreads

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Pyjama Boy By Steven Murphy ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 14, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Memoir
Tags: ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Pyjama Boy organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Steven Murphy will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Pyjama Boy

By Steven Murphy

 

 

Genre: Memoir

Synopsis

Steven Murphy spent his formative years in Sydney’s Redfern.

Abandoned by his mother when only weeks old, his father left him in the care of a cruel, alcoholic stepmother while he himself was in jail. Unbelievably, the child they dubbed the “Pyjama Boy” fought his way through life to achieve his ultimate goal. His story is a poignant and haunting one that captivates its reader from the very beginning and remains long after the book has been closed.

AN INSPIRATIONAL TALE OF SUCCESS AGAINST THE ODDS

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Enjoy this peek inside:

There was something odd about the woman driving the yellow station wagon. Her eyes darted around suspiciously. Steve watched her from his patrol car. Her 1988 Sigma moved off from his right at the green lights, to enter the late-night traffic. She had a passenger, a young man with
a wispy beard. As they moved, the man looked across at the police car waiting third in line at the red light and then glanced momentarily over his shoulder into the back seat. Sparks spat along the dark surface of the road as he tossed his cigarette out the window of the car.

‘Nervy little punk, ’ remarked the older police constable next to Steve.

‘There’s something odd about both of them in that Sigma…,’ said Steve.

‘Yeah, I think we should have a chat with them.’

As lights turned green and when they were clear of the intersection, Steve pulled past the two vehicles in front of them. The Sigma had increased its pace and was nearly out of view as it turned left almost without slowing. Steve’s pulse rate rose with the revs of the police car. They swung into the side street and passed the Sigma with Red and blue lights flashing, then slowed in front of it. The older policeman put his arm out his window, indicating that the Sigma should pull up at the curb.

While the woman searched a handbag for her licence, Steve noticed that there was someone lying on the back seat of the car. Shining his torch through the window, Steve realised with a jolt that the passenger was gagged, with a tee shirt twisted and pulled tightly into an open mouth. The arms were pulled back and bound at the wrists with a leather belt.

Within minutes a second patrol car had arrived at the scene and the couple were taken into custody, their bound and gagged passenger found to be dead. Steve looked at the victim, a man in his mid-thirties and recognised the face of one who had recently ‘helped him in his enquiries.’ Soon there were detectives and forensic officers examining the car and, as the body was being removed, Steve received orders to drive to an address in a nearby suburban street.

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About Author Steven Murphy:

I’ve never thought of myself as special-just someone who has lived through life’s challenges like everyone else. But over time, I’ve come to see that by sharing my journey, with all its imperfections, I might offer something meaningful to others. Life moves so quickly, and the choices we make shape everything. My hope is that by being honest about my experiences, others might find encouragement or even a little clarity for their own paths.

Speaking at Schools and events across Australia has been an unexpected privilege. These moments aren’t about presenting a perfect image; they’re about connecting with people on a real, human level. I bring photos, videos, and documents to show the truth of my story-not to impress but to connect. When I speak openly, sharing the vulnerabilities and lessons I’ve learned, something powerful happens: the audience feels it, and suddenly, it’s not just my story-its something they can see themselves in, too.

If you would like to have Steve speak to your School, group or organization he can be contacted through email: stevenmurphy_11@bigpond.com

You can connect with Steven Murphy through a number of platforms to learn more about his story and work.

Website / Facebook / Goodreads

Visit his website to view the one bedroom flats he uses to live in and show his living conditions as described in the book.

Feel free to reach out — Steven is always happy to connect with readers and share more about his journey.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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