Windflower Books: THE ABSENT MOTHER, Memoir of a Foster Child

Saturday, October 26, 2019

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

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

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INTO THE LIGHT

INTO THE LIGHT

Journaling for Optimal Change

Are you happy? Fulfilled? Do you wake up with gratitude each day anticipating all the infinite possibilities? What's holding you back from achieving your goals? If you feel your creative dream slipping through the cracks of a broken self, journaling for optimal change will transform your thinking and re-create your reality.

Journal Writing Can:

Eliminate self-destructive habits • Alleviate family and job stress

Control dangerous addictions • Cure anger and resentment

Share the caregiving burden • Assist in making better decisions

Cope with a toxic relationship • Act as a confidante during life changes

Heighten your awareness of the world • Increase confidence and self-esteem

Help you be present with loss • Improve overall brain function

Make you a happier, more satisfied and connected person

Give you purpose and a better understanding of yourself and others

INTO THE LIGHT: Journaling for Optimal Change

Sometimes we're stymied, without purpose, and unable to reach our creative potential because we're blocked by regret, illness, anger, responsibility, time or we simply lack confidence. Now you can re-imagine the life you're meant to live and be the person you're meant to be. This interactive and inspirational guidebook will enable you to embrace your artist's soul so that you are able to live a more rewarding, enlightened, and contributive life.

Featuring:

Robin Wethe Altman

Nahid Aref

Momoyo Capanna

Sherrill Erickson

Sharon Hanks

Marissa Knox

Jane Gragg Lewis

Laura Miller

John Perry

Ency Shiraz

Mary Jo West

Plus comments from members of the Sea Country Journal Writing Circle.

A JAR OF FIREFLIES

A JAR OF FIREFLIES, A Memoir of Growing Up in the South

"This is not a book you'll read once. You'll find yourself revisiting the times, places, and characters again and again. You'll get to know Jane's mama, daddy, sister, neighborhood friends and passing strangers through the eyes and heart of a young girl growing up in the South during the forties, fifties, and sixties. While the scenes and dialogue are vintage North Carolina, the messages are current and as relevant as today's news. Be ready to be charmed and challenged." - John Perry, Author of Notes on Napkins.

"With wit and humor, Jane Gragg Lewis weaves riveting stories from her southern childhood. And with tears and laughter, we are reminded of what’s important in life." - Julia Tully, Author of Cowgirl Hippie Chick: Growing Up in the Sixties.

Writing this book was a sometimes cathartic journey, and I discovered that yes, my childhood was just as wonderful, contradictory and horrible as I remember. And that's all okay. - Author Jane Gragg Lewis

WTHOUT RESERVATIONS

WITHOUT RESERVATIONS, A Memoir

Gather around the table, sit by the fire, and relish the scent of homegrown tomatoes and basil simmering on the stove in Mary Jo Lo Fiego West's memoir Without Reservations.

Beginning without honeymoon hotel reservation and finding "no vacancy" signs as they headed into a life together, Mary Jo and her husband Vern created their own environment through their combined creative efforts. Told in simple and charming vignettes and poetry, you'll feel welcome in this place rich with family, books, and hidden treasures, and you'll long for your own room with an ocean view. Best of all, Without Reservations will remind you that life is what you make of it, not the other way around.

Mary Jo Lo Fiego West grew up in an Italian family and brought some of those familial traditions along as created her own home. She lives in San Clemente, California with her husband Vern.

The Writer's Best Friend!