THE ABSENT MOTHER, Memoir of a Foster Child

A New WINDFLOWER Release! 

The Absent Mother, Memoir of a Foster Child 

by Paula Shaffer

“I really believe people are called to a literary life like others are called to a theological life or a religious life, but publishing is a business that is really hard. Hard on your heart. Hard on your soul. Hard on your everything.” – Anne Lamott

Paula Shaffer’s poignant and courageous memoir depicts the reality of being traumatized by Seattle's flawed foster care system. Abandoned by her mother when she was only two months old, Paula winds up in one foster home after another until fate brings her at the age of three to Mrs. Brown where she and her older brother must endure all forms of abuse.. It’s been estimated that 80% of children aging out of foster care wind up leading dysfunctional lives.Too many vulnerable, tortured children have spent years in inappropriate foster homes and emerge without the life skills necessary to cope with perpetual feelings of unworthiness as they battle the self-fulfilling prophecy established during their formative years.This truly is an American tragedy. Paula Shaffer finds solace in her older brother and places her hopes in an absentee father. Paula Shaffer says, “It’s this being unwanted. That’s the thing. The continuous underlying gnaw. Eating away. The constant sting. Invisible. A way to disappear. Feel gone. No one wants the unwanted. No one.” Using a fast-paced, poetic form, Paula Shaffer will break your heart and make you want to change the system. The author's substantial talent is revealed in her compelling and brave memoir. A must-read!

5 Stars! This book leaves you both stunned and inspired.

5 Stars! A breathless read!

5 Stars! New author who will keep you rating page after page.

5 Stars!  story of true vulnerability and amazing perseverance!

5 Stars! I was truly captivated!

5 Stars! A heartbreaking story of survival and resiilience!

COMING SOON: DECEMBER 2019 RELEASE!

When young Jaybe runs away from a dead-end life on the family farm in Arkansas to go live with his enterprising but roguish Uncle Harry, he comes face-to-face with the economic depression, prejudice, and hardships of the 1930s. Needing the money, he winds up illegally transporting poverty-stricken Okies with “minds of their own” from Arkansas and Oklahoma to California. As he makes a number of harrowing trips along America’s Main Street known as Route 66, Jaybe encounters human suffering, determined resilience, and bitter blockades at the California border where “them Okies” are not welcome.

An American history buff with a passionate love of old cars in mint condition, Dale Presson is a retired Army colonel living in California. He based his novel on actual events from his own life and his family of "Okies" who migrated west during the 1930's. A former food consultant, he enjoys “real” Italian food.

Windflower Press

The Writer’s Best Friend!                                                             Box 7089, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607 - 949-285-3831

MISSION STATEMENT

At Windflower Press, we understand writers because we are writers, too. We offer publishing assistance, consultation, editing, classes, workshops, & coaching; we sponsor literary events, salons, author panels, book launches & more. We are writers supporting writers.

Boutique Publishing, :Literary Salons, Writer's Intensives, Book Launches, Peer Coaching, Critique, Editing, Press Releases, Workshops, Consulting, Speakers, Poetry Events!

If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery,

it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all. - Michelangelo

Books from Windflower Press

Interstices, an Anthology of Poetry & Prose by OC Writers

She Writes, an Anthology of Poetry & Prose by Women

She Writes Journal

Coyote Blues, Poetry & Prose Poems by John Gardiner

Rogue Waves, Poetry & Prose Poems by John Gardiner

Notes on Napkins, Poetry by John Perry

Hunter Killer, YA Fiction by Dick Easley

Home is Where the Heart Is, a Memoir by Alice Seegar Secrist

Wide Horizons, Facing Life with Steady Eyes by James King

Random, Poetry & Art by Janet Mackaig

Through the Gate, Moments of Remembrance, Thought, Consideration by Sharon Hanks

I Should Have Been a Cowboy, Memoir by John Romano

Meet Ethan Barrett, Kid-Kart Champion, by MaryAnn Easley

The Seventh “S” of Spring by MaryAnn Easley & Noosha Ravaghi

Footsteps of Gopal, a Memoir by Elaine Pike

Dancing Skeleton, Journey Through Stage 4 Cancer by Joanna Giangardella

Without Reservations, a Memoir by MJ West

Without Reservations Cookbook

Into the Light, Journaling for Optimal Change by MaryAnn Easley

A Jar of Fireflies, a Memoir by Jane Lewis

Changed in the Night, Fiction by MaryAnn Easley

My Own Darling, a Love Story for the Ages from the Greatest Generation by Christina Valentine Larsen

Chopping Wood, Carrying Water, a book of poems by Laura Miller

Now Write, If I can create poetry, so can you! by Kimberly Krantz

A Look Back with Faith in the Future, a Memoir by Claus Beneker

The Absent Mother, Memoir of a Foster Child by Paula Shaffer

WP

• Selective Memoir, Inspirational, Poetry, Anthologies, Fiction, Personal Essays. 

A Love Story From the Greatest Generation

Grant and Mary Valentine, of The Greatest Generation, documented not only their lives but historical events in more than eight-hundred letters exchanged during Grant’s four years of military service in Hawaii and the Pacific Theater. Even though the letters were censored, leaving Grant unable to tell his entire story and Mary unable to share daily events heard on the radio or read in the newspapers, they were adept at veiling information.

453 pages filled with letters and photographs!

After Grant returned home in 1945, the letters were packed away in a large brown pigskin suitcase. Both Grant and Mary were quick to point out that their words were “racy” and very personal; therefore, they did not allow the family access to the letters. Decades later, when the suitcase was finally opened, a significant treasure trove was found bundled in faded yellow ribbons.  

The result is Christina Valentine Larsen’s extraordinary labor of love, My Own Darling, A Love Story for the Ages from The Greatest Generation. 

This limited edition is now available on www.amazon.com.

"Christina Valentine Larsen illuminates the everyday rhythms of the lives of her parents through letters written during World War II. Her father’s perspective—with all the fears and adversities—and her mother’s viewpoint as she copes with life on the home-front shed light upon a troubled but wonderful world. Reading about new experiences and unexpected discoveries during their eloquent journey gave me a clearer sense of history, as well as, an accurate account of who these people were and the times they lived in. The couple’s values of love, respect, and commitment are reflected in their own words." – MJ West, author of Without Reservations.

AUTHOR PROFILE: MJ WEST

MJ West recently released her wonderful memoir, WITHOUT RESERVATIONS, A Memoir , from Windflower Press at a triple-header book launch party in Orange Country.

The author  recalls the exquisite moments that make up her life with Vern. Come gather around the table, sit by the fire, and relish the scent of homegrown tomatoes and basil simmering on the stove in this delightful memoir. 

BUY THE BOOK!

Beginning their married life without honeymoon hotel reservations and finding "no vacancy" signs as they headed into life together, MJ and Vern created a home where all are welcome. Told in simple and charming vignettes and poetry, the author portrays an environment that's abundant with love, rare books, and family treasures. WITHOUT RESERVATIONS, A Memoir reminds the reader that life is what you make of it and not the other way around.

MJ West grew up in an American Italian family steeped in good cooking and tradition, and she brought some of those familial values into her own marriage as she and her husband established a home and raised a family in San Clemente, California. 

"In my seventies," she says, "I realized, that if didn’t write about my family traditions, world travels, passion for books, and knowledge of how a changing world affected my life, these vignettes would be lost forever.

"By looking back, I’m really looking forward, hoping these stories and poems I’ve written will be passed down, and benefit future generations."

MJ will be at the San Clemente Library on Saturday, December 3rd, with author/publisher MaryAnn Easley of Windflower Press at 1 pm, to share her book and share the process of memoir writing. The event is free, but space is limited, so mark your calendars now.

Saturday, December 3rd, 1 - 3 pm

San Clemente Library

Book signing and publisher's tips on writing your own memoir!

New Books Launched by Windflower Press!

A Triple Header Book Launch!

WINDFLOWER PRESS recently launched three fall books at a Saturday evening party event featuring a buffet, champagne, literary prizes, and music by Ross Costa. Emcee and poet, John Gardiner, introduced guests to featured authors: Jane Gragg Lewis, author of A JAR OF FIREFLIES, A Memoir of Growing Up in the South; MJ West, author of WITHOUT RESERVATIONS, A Memoir; and MaryAnn Easley, author of INTO THE LIGHT, Journaling for Optimal Change. 

An Early 2017 Release. An Interactive Guidebook $24.95 SPECIAL! $21.95

Released in time for holiday shopping, these limited editions can be personally autographed and will arrive in time for gift giving. Supplies are limited, so don't delay! Use the secure payment method on this site to buy the latest WINDFLOWER releases. JUST RELEASED!

A feel good memoir that celebrates love and family. $18.95

Feel the love in this charming new memoir sure to please.

$18.95
Released at the recent Triple Header Book Launch!

This mind-bending fiction will challenge all you believe. UFOs are real; nothing is as it seems; there's more than one reality. Based on UFO true events. $15.95

Recently released as an audio book from Audible. Also in print and Kindle.

Dreams & reality intertwine in this mind-bender novel.
Click on image to of to link and hear a sample.

An unforgettable memoir about growing up in the south during the confusing civil rights era. $18.95

Released at the recent 
Triple Header Book Launch!

Remarkable poetry and prose by one of California's finest poets! $18.95

John Gardiner was featured as emcee at the recent triple-header book launch in Orange County. His second book of poetry, released during Windflower's annual National Poetry Month  event is currently available at venues where he is featured,  at www.amazon.com or through the secure LIMIED RELEASES button located in the sidebar on this site.

OTHER BOOKS FROM WINDFLOWER PRESS!

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Special Discount Price! $9.95. 

After six years in prison—three in solitary confinement—for stealing a horse and crossing into a top-secret area, Luke Landry, abused and hardened, is granted a full pardon. Seeking a new start, he volunteers for submarine school; however, psychological testing reveals deep problems. Thwarted by the naval psychiatrist, Landry is denied admission. He stubbornly succeeds in making a forceful appeal against great adversity and is finally assigned to a newly-built submarine where he discovers flaws in the system as well as in his own true nature.  

MEET ETHAN BARRETT: Kid-Kart Champion (K-4)

THROUGH THE GATE by Sharon Hanks (journaling)

FOOTSTEPS OF GOPAL by Elaine Pike (Memoir)

BLOND BOY, The Journey of Tso Tahlee, A Memoir 

by E. Lon Chaney, Jr.

DANCING SKELETON, Surviving Stage IV Cancer, 

by Joanna Giangardella

I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COWBOY, A Mweoir by John Romano

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, A Memoir by Alice Secrist

HUNTER KILLER  by Richard Easley (Fiction)

RANDOM  by Janet Mackaig (poetry)

COYOTE BLUES  by John Gardner (free verse & prose poems)

SHE WRITES  (Anthology)

SHE WRITES JOURNAL

WIDE HORIZONS by Jim King (Inspiration)

INTERSTICES (Anthology)

THE SEVENTH 'S' OF SPRING (K-2)

KNUCKLE DOWN  by MaryAnn Easley (fiction)

Available from author only
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Elaine Pike treks three passes in the Himalayas!                     

         

No longer available

Cover art by Robin Wethe Altman.

:Sold out! A limited release featuring women writers.

Not longer available.