Book Spotlight: The Inheritance

The Inheritance

by Louisa May Alcott

This was one of the first of Alcott's books I read. My grandma gave it to me when I was around nine years old, and I read it in one sitting. When I finished, I read it again--and I've read it at least five times since. It's a short book, and her first novel, "written at seventeen." Naturally, it's not as high in quality as her later books, and there are certainly plot points and character development problems that could be critiqued. Still, it's a beautiful little story, and I love the "fairytale" quality.

I own this beautiful version:

It is also included in this Kindle compilation of Louisa May Alcott's works for $0.99.

Quote of the Day

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”

― Mark Twain, The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain

Clean Fiction at Great Prices - Today Only!

Today only, these books and more will be available on the Kindle for $0.99 or FREE! Visit www.cleanauthors.com to see which authors are participating.

Jansina's books, Forgotten Memories and Shrouded Jewels, are both available for $0.99 until Monday. If you purchased either book in paperback via Amazon, you can get the Kindle version free! (If you bought the paperback directly from her, please email her by Monday for your free ebook.)

On Monday, Jansina's prices will revert to $2.99 (or $0.99 if you also buy the paperback).

Happy reading, everyone!

Author Interview: Laura Michelle

Earlier this year we had the pleasure of publishing Laura Michelle's book of poetry. Today we have an interview with the author.

What is the name of your book?
Fighting for Life.

Can you give a short summary of your book?

Like a journal in poetry form, Fighting for Life, is a glimpse into daily joys as well as struggles.
What genre is your book?

Poetry.

Who is your book’s audience?

My book is geared towards people of any age and background, whether they believe in God or not. It is for anyone who may be struggling with breaking the chains of addictions or getting through the torture of past trauma.

What first inspired your book?

My first burst of inspiration came years back when one of my dear friends was struggling with some addictions. To help her I gave her a little collection of poems to read and possibly get some hope from. While sitting with her as she was reading them I could see the hurt and fear in her eyes start to disappear. That day an idea was planted in my heart that maybe if I could touch one person who was hurting maybe just maybe my poems could help others. That has been my main drive; to share my struggles with people in an open honest way. 

How long have you been writing, and why did you start?

I’ve been writing for over 10 years. It started as a way for me to vent and sort through emotions and fears with all I was going through at the time with different health diagnosis’s as well as freeing my mind at the end of the day. 

Where do you write most often?

I find myself writing mostly in coffee shops or little cafes.

What are your ‘author quirks’?
Hmm, well for one I need to have my earbuds in. It doesn't matter if I'm listening to music or not, they just need to be in. I don’t have a favorite pen, but I do have a favorite color, black. I write everything longhand and number each line as I go. 

What advice do you have for other authors?

Be honest in your writing, both with yourself or others. If you want to relate with other people you are going to have to put down the happy façade and share your heart even in the times that it’s broken and bleeding. I can tell you from experience that in those times, those words are the ones that people relate to the most. 

Also write every day, even if it’s just a line. Writing is a form of art, and to be good at it will require practice. 

What do you do when you lack motivation?

This is why I like to write in public, because I people watch. Seeing them interact with each other and all the different facial expressions; each unique to themselves. It’s good at times to help spark a story idea or recall an old memory.

I also pick a playlist with rap music. It’s one of the only genres that tells a story with relatable emotion and intense feelings. 

Another thing I sometimes do is reread things that either I or some of my friends have written.

What do you most want your readers to know?

It may be cliché, but if you work hard and put all you have into it…your dreams will come true. I often wondered if getting my book published was realistic or worth it, but it was my dream and so I gave it my all! And I don’t regret a single moment of it.
And finally, where can we find your book?

You can find it on Amazon, CreateSpace, and the Rivershore Books Store.

Book Excerpt: Forgotten Memories

She took my greeting as an invitation to step farther into my room. “Your sister let me in. I hope that’s okay. I heard there was a girl my age here and decided to help you unpack.” She motioned to the pile of clothes on my bed. “Looks like we’re tackling the closet first.” She picked up one of my hangers. “Wanna hand me a shirt?”

“Well,” I hesitated. “Uh.” Wow, this is awkward. “Who are you?”

“Oh!” She laughed. “I’m Rosie; I live next door. You’re Jane, right? I think that’s what your sister said.”

I nodded and picked up the notebooks I’d dropped, glad for the slight distraction.

Rosie lifted a shirt off the pile and put it on a hanger, oblivious to my continued discomfort. “Where did you live before you came here?”

I tried to relax as I rearranged my bookshelf, then turned back to her. “We were in a suburb of Minneapolis.”

“Hey!” She spun around to face me, her eyes wide with excitement.

So much for keeping a calm demeanor. This girl is insane.

Rosie giggled at my wary expression, then stepped closer and nodded knowingly. “You're related to LeeLee Johnson, aren't you?”

---

Forgotten Memories was published November 2011 and is available on Amazon and in the Rivershore Books store.