We did it! 📖 (w/audio)

“Taking on the perspective of ‘Jade,’ a young woman struggling to navigate adulthood in 1980s Arizona, the author invites readers into a visceral, memory-laden interior landscape. Chapters move fluidly between present-tense narration and past recollections. As a high-achieving teenager with dreams of studying journalism, Jade appeared poised for success. But her home life—marked by divorce, neglect, and instability—eroded her footing. Financial desperation eventually drove her to respond to a classified ad for dancers, leading to a humiliating first experience on a Phoenix strip-club stage. Afterward, she signed a contract to work at a remote Alaskan club for two months, lured by the promise of fast money and escape. The core of the narrative unfolds in Fairbanks (“bone-chilling cold and dimly lit at best”), where the brutal weather and psychological isolation mirror the protagonist’s internal state. She shared a dorm with other dancers—each with her own story—and navigated a nightly routine of performance, emotional detachment, and intoxication. Interactions with customers and co-workers offered moments of connection, but rarely comfort. A brief, tender rapport with a young Army recruit hinted at what might have been in another life, but reality would intrude. The writing is raw and lyrical, frequently poetic without sacrificing clarity (A dying grandmother’s unmet final request becomes a powerful metaphor for guilt, lost innocence, and emotional paralysis). Vivid descriptions of frozen sidewalks, smoky clubs, sticky bar floors, and the ache of unspoken shame create an immersive reading experience. While the tone can be emotionally heavy, the work rarely veers into melodrama; the author maintains control over the narrative voice, even as Jade loses control over her life. A harrowing yet beautifully rendered chronicle of loss, self-destruction, and the long road to self-acceptance.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

Audio note: the audio is Kirkus Review read by my daughter. Thank you, artist Sammi Lee!

Jade’s Broken Bridge is now available for preorder (eBook). Both paperback and eBook will be released October 10th, if not sooner. Clicking on the book’s cover will take you to the preorder page or click here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B0FRBY4BD2

At the start of my three-day blog break, author and blogger, Lauren Scott, shared a review of my second novella, Honeysuckle Heat. A treasure to receive and to revisit those characters.[image error]I want to properly thank Lauren, for her ongoing commitment to supporting independent authors and for always leading with warmth and generosity. I greatly admire her ability to maintain dedication to her own writing practice and publications, while supporting others. Thank you so much, Lauren! Thank you for stopping by my blog and best to you! Kind regards.Michele

P.S. To my fellow bloggers… thank you for understanding my absence and/or slowness in reading your posts and replying to comments. This book project has demanded a lot of me. I am grateful for the learning experience and for the angels who’ve supported me through this challenging process. As many of you know, the publishing tasks are ongoing, however, I’m pleased we’ve made it to this point. My book team is tiny but mighty! That includes the character, Jade, the shadow from my past, who kept pushing me to write this story—to shine a light on a dark and difficult time—to discover healing and hope. I am glad I listened instead of letting fear or doubt win.

featured photo of a content young woman by Nina Buday / JBB book design by Treehouse Studio / photo of me visiting my elementary school yesterday, taken by teacher Santana

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