Mother's Day Part 2
A happier(?) version for me
If the schedule seems a bit light for events and signings, that’s because I am off to Japan. There will not be a newsletter for the rest of the month, unless I am inspired to photodump. The next newsletter will appear in your inbox on June 1.
Good morning friend,
There is zero photographic record of my first mother’s day as a new mom. That might be because we were getting ready to move from Toronto, Ontario, to Calgary, Alberta. Our condo was being packed up. We were busy saying goodbye to our friends and family. We were about to embark on a new adventure. The best I can do is deliver a couple of photos taken around Sunday, May 8, 2005.
Maybe I got a gift, maybe I didn’t. I don’t feel like I missed out on a big celebration, because I knew I was loved and cherished by my husband and our son. I was also pregnant with our second. And I was finally going to get to visit Banff for the first time.
Mother’s day changed for me once I had my own children. I slid naturally in motherhood, despite not having a solid or stable role model. I never once questioned my ability to be a mother. I harboured no fears of repeating what my own mother did to me. I managed to nurture our children, examine the world through their eyes, and took pleasure in every milestone. Not only did I discover how to be a mom, I learned what kind of mom I could be.
I think I nailed it.
I am confident my husband and I have raised two thoughtful and caring men. They are polite in public. They stand by their values. They know that daily laughter is important for mental health. We are a close family and there is no greater gift for this mother than that.
xo Dana
Continuing from last week, here are the remaining indie authors who submitted their titles for the list of BOOKS YOUR MOM WILL LOVE.
The Viking Wanderer, historical fantasy romance
An epic tale that weaves two ancient cultures and a love that knows no bounds.
Lady Wang Mei has no time for romance; not when her hands are full managing her family’s estate in Tang dynasty China.
When blacksmith Leif Thorinsson quite literally falls into her life through a mysterious rift, her carefully ordered world begins to unravel. With calloused hands and smoldering eyes, Leif is everything Mei shouldn’t want… and everything she’s never dared to crave.
About the Author: Samara Knight crafts tales that transport readers into enchanting worlds, whether rooted in forgotten histories or set in post-apocalyptic futures. At the heart of it all are unforgettable characters and timeless passions that linger long after the final page.
What would your mom say about your book?
I don't really understand that whole rift business... but that Leif is something else. 😉
Good in Theory, women’s fiction
A woman loses her job, her home, and her boyfriend all in one day, forcing her to reconnect with an estranged cousin. The pair go on a heart-warming adventure to discover why her lab closed down and who the mysterious man is appearing in her dreams. Funny and lighthearted, Good in Theory is the book you didn’t know you needed!
About the Author: Cori Wamsley is an award-winning author of women’s fiction books, best friend stories with a side of sweet romance. She writes about women supporting women through the challenges of life, blended with history, adventure, and love. Discover more at www.coriwamsley.com.
What would your mom say about your book?
My mom loves my books! She has said that she appreciates the clever, multi-layered stories that talk about women’s real challenges. Also, she likes that they don’t have any love scenes. lol.
The Lightbulb Moment, A Holiday Romance
When Kate Tyson sees a problem, she fixes it. It's the secret to her success, according to her ex-husband and business partner. So when she sees the small businesses in her quaint new hometown flagging, she comes up with a way to revive them.
But not everyone is a fan of her approach. The mayor, for starters.
Tom Harding is determined to preserve the charm of Whitman Beach and do right by its citizens. So he's wary of Kate and her bright ideas — especially when they involve the holidays, a time of year that reminds him of his painful past.
As they work together to shine a light on the place they call home, they start to realize they have more in common than they'd ever thought. But can the holiday magic they hope to create for the town bring them together, too?
About the Author: Fee Randall has always written stories, though they’ve often been in the shape of corporate brand-building. She writes from her cozy home office, hand-built by her partner, in Calgary, Alberta.
What would your mom say about your book?
My mother doesn't like books with "meanness" to them, so I suspect she'd like that (almost) everyone is basically a decent person and nothing truly terrible happens.
His Fairy Princess, romantasy
Rose, a spirited Faery Princess tired of the enchanting yet mundane life in her realm, seeks a new adventure in the human world. What begins as a quest for meaning takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Viktor, a reformed man striving for a legit life as a successful restaurant owner.
As Rose navigates the complexities of the human world, Viktor finds himself entangled in a web of unforeseen challenges when a mysterious marker appears. The prospect of unimaginable rewards leads him to question the significance of the seemingly unassuming girl who stumbled into his life.
Their fates align in a gripping tale of unexpected twists and turns. Will Rose find the excitement she craves, and will Viktor’s pursuit of a dream life take an unforeseen detour? In a world where every choice carries a price, join Rose and Viktor on a thrilling journey that could change everything, including their own hearts.
About the Author: Sicara J Weaver is a Canadian author crafting steamy, supernatural tales where fantasy, passion, and paranormal erotica collide. From fairies to vampires, her stories ignite the imagination and leave readers spellbound long after the final page.
What would your mom say about your book?
She'd probably say something about my dirty mind. I'd remind her that I get it from her, and she'd have to agree.
Not Actually, romance
Zoey Gillies has officially hit rock bottom. In just under a week, she left her emotionally abusive boyfriend, moved in with her brother and his wife, and lost her job. She's grown accustomed to the twenty-eight years of bad luck the universe has dealt her, but she's never had to rebuild her entire life before. Armed only with a duffle bag of her things and her broken down car, rebuilding is . . . challenging.
After stumbling home on the worst day of her life, Zoey crash lands straight into Kieran McCarthy. Kieran has been best friends with Zoey's brother since third grade. Zoey's had a crush on Kieran since high school. Now, Zoey's life is a mess and Kieran is a highly respected drama professor. She's never felt more inadequate, but somehow, Kieran sees her and manages to reignite her spark. As he helps her pick up the pieces, the lines they've never crossed start to blur. Years of missed chances and tiptoeing to keep Zoey's brother off their backs collapse as it becomes clear that sometimes you have to fall apart, to fall together.
About the Author: Madeline Nixon has published one nonfiction short story collection about her paranormal experiences, entitled Feathers, several educational children’s books, and the Like A Love Song romance series. When she’s not writing, you can find her hunting ghosts, planning elaborate theme parties, and baking new recipes. She lives in a suburb outside of Toronto.
What would your mom say about your book?
My mom is always my first reader. She helps me shape my books into what they are. She always compliments my writing style and banter. According to her my books are fun, emotional, and compulsively readable (she always tries to read more than I have ready for her).
Under the Aurora Sky, Contemporary Romance
Lainey thought she’d moved on after Drew left her without a word ten years ago, but now he's back. Drew’s guarded heart hides the truth about why he left, but the time for secrets is running out. Will Lainey fight for the love she’s always wanted, or protect herself from getting hurt again?
About the Author: Jessica Weston is a Mom, Wife, and plant hoarder. When she isn't creating fictional small towns full of characters you want to be friends with, she can be found playing with her dog, working in the garden, or doing something crafty.
What would your mom say about your book?
My mom actually said that once she started reading it, she couldn't put it down. She was so immersed in the story she didn't realize my step-father had gone to work and come home already!
Have a wonderful trip, and Happy Mother's Day!