Marylee MacDonald – författare

Twelve stories of wayward travelers.Twelve stamps on the passport of the soul. Walter struggles to see past his disfigurement, but a trip to Thailand and a mysterious woman may challenge his quest for perfection. Married to a workaholic, Leslie is accustomed to solitude until her overbearing Indian mother-in-law turns her kitchen into a verbal battlefield. A woman looks for the perfect souvenir in the Turkish Bazaar and instead finds a passionate love affair. From ice storms in Maine to swimming pools in Vera Cruz, errant souls must grapple with past baggage to forge profound connections and a new sense of direction. At home and abroad, solitary travelers embark on journeys that take them where they never expected to go. Bonds of Love and Blood is a poignant collection of prize-winning stories featuring life's unexpected arrivals and departures. If you like intimate accounts of lives at the crossroads, vibrant portrayals of global locales, and elegantly-crafted prose, then you'll love Marylee MacDonald's compelling tales of travel.Read Bonds of Love and Blood to embark on a heart-wrenching journey of love, loss, and redemption today! "e;MacDonald applies insight, power, and delicacy to create characters between whom the psychic space virtually sizzles."e; --FOREWORD REVIEWS"e;engrossing"e;--MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW"e;With elegant prose enlivened by shards of mean humor, MacDonald captures how hard it is to love and/or trust abroad or at home."e;--KIRKUS REVIEWS"e;Author Marylee MacDonald has done an absolutely masterful job of presenting her readers with short stories so beautifully written that the characters will stay in your mind long after the story, and indeed the book, is done."e;--READERS' FAVORITE"e;In her collection of twelve brilliantly-written short stories, MacDonald explores the pain and beauty of human relationships. MacDonald's writing is raw and visceral, creating a strong emotional connection between her characters and the reader."e;--US REVIEW OF BOOKS

Life-changing moments. Impassioned encounters. Twelve stories at the crossroads of heartbreak and desire.When a long-lost love comes knocking, a loyally wedded rancher is tempted by old passions. A bartender wrestling with sobriety is pushed to the edge by a familiar barfly. After her husband's death, a famous composer struggles to write a single note.From international flights to hidden grottoes and a nude beach, twelve wayward souls seek to satisfy their deepest hungers and escape their fears.Body Language explores our often-misguided quest for happiness and connection. If you like vulnerable explorations of carnal cravings, challenging moral quandaries, and transformative self-reflection, then you'll love these heartbreaking and unforgettable portraits of people yearning for the solace of human touch.Buy Body Language to embrace all that binds us today!

UPDATED entries and new publishers from the USA, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Scotland, and IrelandHave you tried and failed to find a literary agent? Grown tired of pitch sessions and query letters?The Big Book of Small Presses and Independent Publishers lists over 350 small presses, book contests, university presses, and independent publishers that take "e;unagented"e; submissions.This book is for you if you have:finished writing your book;given up on finding an agent;waited months for an agent to call you back;longed for an editor to validate your creativityrecoiled at the thought of self-publishing.In this essential reference, you'll discover publishers for romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, sci fi, fantasy, poetry, literary fiction, history, self-help, spirituality, politics, sports, thrillers, Christian fiction, young adult fiction, and children's books. Best of all, the publishers in this book aren't vanity presses. They don't charge a fee to consider your manuscript. If they like your story, they will proofread your book, create a stunning cover, and upload your book to online bookstores. Finally, when people ask where they can buy your book, you'll have an answer.Isn't it time to transform your manuscript from a file on your hard drive into a finished book? Get started on your journey to becoming a published author. Buy The Big Book of Small Presses and Independent Publishers today!

"e;An affecting, deeply honest novel; at the same time, a lacerating indictment of our modern health care system."e; — Kirkus Reviews"e;Montpelier Tomorrow is a beautifully written, superbly constructed novel which will almost certainly be the best Family Life/Literary Fiction novel you will read this year."e;— Books Butterfly Editorial Reviews Everyone thought Colleen Gallagher had it all together: a successful career, a loving family, and a knack for solving problems. However, caring for aged parents has left her little time to nurture a relationship with her emotionally distant daughter.The birth of a second grandchild gives her an excuse to pack her bags and relocate to Washington DC. But when her son-in-law falls ill, this kindergarten teacher and delighted grandma must change her focus from the little ones to the grownups.Colleen's daughter clings to the hope that she and her husband can make the most of their remaining time together — romantic getaways and date nights out. The more Colleen tries to penetrate the fog of denial, the more her daughter pushes away, anger followed by withering silence.As Colleen juggles the multiple roles of grandma, cook, and caregiver, she discovers that even her superhuman efforts and a special "e;last"e; Christmas in Vermont can't fix what's wrong. Maybe nothing can. Should she save her family or save herself?If you enjoy flawed yet heroic characters and a powerful mix of pathos and humor, then you won't want to miss Montpelier Tomorrow.This beautifully written, literary novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Buy Montpelier Tomorrow today. Winner of the Gold Medal for Drama from Readers' Favorites International Book Awards "e;Montpelier Tomorrow is an exceptional read. A mix of sadness and humor, it is indeed a story that should be read many times."e; —US REVIEW OF BOOKS "e;...characters are vivid, relatable, and all too perfectly human."e;  —JEWELL PARKER RHODES, author of Magic City and Sugar "e;...an engrossing account of the impossible choices faced by caregivers."e; —KATHERINE SHONK, author of The Red Passport and Happy Now? "e;Each time I have reread this novel, I have felt rewarded by the connection it offers to the central character, Colleen. I can think of no single page in which her voice is not an irreplaceable gift to the reader."e;—KEVIN MCILVOY, author of The Fifth Station and Little Peg