“Your book came today, wrapped so elegantly as the wonderful gift it is. What a GREAT job!! The format, the artwork, the fonts, the choice of paper, the cover—EVERYTHING about it is a 200-page masterpiece.
It is loaded with values and character. In addition, it also shows the reader than nobody’s life is perfect, but that you never have to be a victim. If you make the right decisions you can overcome, and be a really good person, and make your OWN way in the world. Or you can change course in midstream and correct your bad decisions. It’s all about the power within yourself.
The idea that it’s an exchange between young women and not an adult “preaching” to a child is spot on. It makes a young reader WANT to read it because it’s relate-able, rather than to REBEL against "authority". When I got home and found that it had arrived I was so happy to immerse myself into the story of strength and good values. I love your writing style, every word tells, and tells well. You are true to your values and philosophy and cleverly weave them all into questions, answers, and dialogue. Brilliant! ”
Dorothy Ainsworth, Oregon
“I feel that this book would be valuable reading for any young person beginning to face life and make decisions on their own. I wish I had read such a book in my own youth! As I look back there were things I could have handled better if I had thought about them more than I did. I appreciate that it is easy to read, and not too “preachy”, but just good advice given from a near-contemporary to one who is only slightly behind in age—and therefore closer to the problems of their own generation. All in all, this was an enjoyable book to read, and will make the reader think in a more positive way.”
Nancy Knowles, USA
"I completed reading your novel, and I loved it. I read it while traveling or just waiting for things to happen. It is not only a book, but an experience which is worth going through. You have made me realize that decisions do matter a lot in our lives. Sometimes without our knowledge the smallest decisions make a lot of difference. For most of the latter part I kept relating "A" to myself, her decisions, her conversations with Myrmidon, her prom. The flower that was there at the prom reignited my memories and the love for flowers. When I had my high school farewell, a guy gave me a very beautiful rose. It was just a single rose, but it was beautifully presented and given to me with great love and care (on his knee) which made it very special. I still have it inside of one of my old journals. I cannot thank you enough for this book, it touched me deeply."
Moushmi Radhanpara, India
A friend sent me these comments shortly after she began reading it:
“I can relate to the part where you, your mother and grandmother are driving on the old logging roads. My first husband, our two children and I were in Corvallis visiting family when we ended up on a logging road. We were headed for the coast and ‘got lost’ on one of those roads from 3p.m. until 11 p.m. We finally came out way north of where we wanted to be along hwy 101. I can remember how RELIEVED we all felt to finally see the ocean. Then we had to drive south until we got to Waldport, where my parents lived. That was a memory forever trip for sure”.
“I loved the question and answer sequence. When I was in high school I was in a Spanish class, which I much enjoyed and worked hard in to keep a high grade. I caught a ‘really cute boy’ cheating by looking at my test paper and was very upset with frustration. Why?
Because he was part of the popular crowd at school that I felt like ‘they’ (that group of students) acted better than people like me. (Just run of the mill lower class person because I was just a sophomore and he was a senior.) From then on I covered my paper so he couldn’t see it”.
“As I read the descriptions for Halloween costumes, I am reminded of how I dressed in 1963 as a senior in Albany, OR. Pink, light purple, or purple sweater, purple pleated reversible knee length skirt, and white tennis shoes. Never wore slacks or jeans. Ugh.”
“One of the most intense reasons I like your story and the questions is that they ‘inspire’ me to reflect on my own past decisions...and at 72, I can ‘see more clearly’ how decisions influenced me and the directions I made in my life”.
“Your book came today, wrapped so elegantly as the wonderful gift it is. What a GREAT job!! The format, the artwork, the fonts, the choice of paper, the cover—EVERYTHING about it is a 200-page masterpiece.
It is loaded with values and character. In addition, it also shows the reader than nobody’s life is perfect, but that you never have to be a victim. If you make the right decisions you can overcome, and be a really good person, and make your OWN way in the world. Or you can change course in midstream and correct your bad decisions. It’s all about the power within yourself.
The idea that it’s an exchange between young women and not an adult “preaching” to a child is spot on. It makes a young reader WANT to read it because it’s relate-able, rather than to REBEL against "authority". When I got home and found that it had arrived I was so happy to immerse myself into the story of strength and good values. I love your writing style, every word tells, and tells well. You are true to your values and philosophy and cleverly weave them all into questions, answers, and dialogue. Brilliant! ”
Dorothy Ainsworth, Oregon
“I feel that this book would be valuable reading for any young person beginning to face life and make decisions on their own. I wish I had read such a book in my own youth! As I look back there were things I could have handled better if I had thought about them more than I did. I appreciate that it is easy to read, and not too “preachy”, but just good advice given from a near-contemporary to one who is only slightly behind in age—and therefore closer to the problems of their own generation. All in all, this was an enjoyable book to read, and will make the reader think in a more positive way.”
Nancy Knowles, USA
"I completed reading your novel, and I loved it. I read it while traveling or just waiting for things to happen. It is not only a book, but an experience which is worth going through. You have made me realize that decisions do matter a lot in our lives. Sometimes without our knowledge the smallest decisions make a lot of difference. For most of the latter part I kept relating "A" to myself, her decisions, her conversations with Myrmidon, her prom. The flower that was there at the prom reignited my memories and the love for flowers. When I had my high school farewell, a guy gave me a very beautiful rose. It was just a single rose, but it was beautifully presented and given to me with great love and care (on his knee) which made it very special. I still have it inside of one of my old journals. I cannot thank you enough for this book, it touched me deeply."
Moushmi Radhanpara, India
A friend sent me these comments shortly after she began reading it:
“I can relate to the part where you, your mother and grandmother are driving on the old logging roads. My first husband, our two children and I were in Corvallis visiting family when we ended up on a logging road. We were headed for the coast and ‘got lost’ on one of those roads from 3p.m. until 11 p.m. We finally came out way north of where we wanted to be along hwy 101. I can remember how RELIEVED we all felt to finally see the ocean. Then we had to drive south until we got to Waldport, where my parents lived. That was a memory forever trip for sure”.
“I loved the question and answer sequence. When I was in high school I was in a Spanish class, which I much enjoyed and worked hard in to keep a high grade. I caught a ‘really cute boy’ cheating by looking at my test paper and was very upset with frustration. Why?
Because he was part of the popular crowd at school that I felt like ‘they’ (that group of students) acted better than people like me. (Just run of the mill lower class person because I was just a sophomore and he was a senior.) From then on I covered my paper so he couldn’t see it”.
“As I read the descriptions for Halloween costumes, I am reminded of how I dressed in 1963 as a senior in Albany, OR. Pink, light purple, or purple sweater, purple pleated reversible knee length skirt, and white tennis shoes. Never wore slacks or jeans. Ugh.”
“One of the most intense reasons I like your story and the questions is that they ‘inspire’ me to reflect on my own past decisions...and at 72, I can ‘see more clearly’ how decisions influenced me and the directions I made in my life”.
G.M.