The characters of Muddy Bayou and Muddy Grave

Author Jessica Tastet speaks on the characters of Muddy Bayou and Muddy Grave at a local library.

Jessica reads from Muddy Grave

Finding Lily by Lisa D. Ellis (Review)

When her newborn baby Lily dies suddenly, Claire Edwards runs away to live in a lighthouse she had fallen in love with as a young child. The lighthouse is reputed by some to have magical powers, but Claire isn't looking for a miracle. She just wants an escape from her husband Jim's colder way of grieving, and from their apartment filled with the tiny clothes and stuffed animals they had collected over the past few months. But once Claire is situated in the lighthouse, it begins to illuminate things for her in a new way and she's suddenly forced to rethink her views on life, death, and her marriage.

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing  (January 22, 2013)

Category: Women's Fiction, Relationships, a Dash of Supernatural

Available in: eBook, 180 pages

Lisa Ellis:

When Lisa D. Ellis was in the fifth grade, she first fell in love with the rich images and rhythmic language of L.M. Montgomery's ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. This classic book ignited her passion to someday become a professional writer so she could touch other readers in the same way.

Over the years she has written many short stories, most of which have appeared in small literary journals and magazines. FINDING LILY is her first novel and she is now finishing her second novel, THE RASA-LILA. While both of her books are quite different, they both share the common goals of exploring gender style differences that exist within marriages and defining the unique framework that each couple creates in order to be able to peacefully co-exist. Both of her female characters also live more in their own heads than in their bodies, which leads them to cope with the hands that fate deals them in quite unexpected ways.

Lisa has a master's in journalism from Boston University. She lives with her husband, two children and cocker spaniel in a Queen Anne-style Victorian and loves to decorate. She is also obsessed with fashion and when she isn't writing, she can be found hunting for the perfect pieces to add to her generous clothing, shoe and purse collections. Of course she counts this as essential fieldwork to ensure that her characters will always be well dressed!

Lisa Ellis' short fiction has appeared in a number of literary journals and magazines. FINDING LILY is her first novel. She has a master's degree in journalism from Boston University and provides health content regularly for hospitals and websites in New England and the tri-state area.

Connect with Lisa D. Ellis here:

Lisa's Website: LisaDEllis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisadellisauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaEllisauthor

Praise for Finding Lily:

"In Finding Lily, Lisa D. Ellis offers up a lyrical--yet practical--first novel that so accurately depicts not only a woman's first love, but her first loss as well.  As the narrator grapples with the death of her infant daughter, Claire slips between the surreal gossamer world of devastating grief and the unknown turf of the inevitable marital discord that accompanies the death of a child--as represented by that  "invisible line in the bed" between Claire and Jim.

        

Her husband is an attorney, she knows that--but she is still horrified that, even while her "arms still felt the shape of Lily in them," Jim tells her to be "reasonable," saying between forkfuls of homemade cake, "We can have another child soon."

Although she is aware of what she calls "the grateful way he looks at me when he thinks I am asleep," Claire's anger incites her to retreat--alone--to the  lighthouse in the cold of winter.

Her thoughts and feelings about Jim are further clouded when she sees an image of Lily "suspended inches above the frozen sand in the cold air, like a dancer caught at the end of a leap from which she can never land." The real question here is whether Claire's grief--and the apparition of her daughter--will create another loss:  the loss of her marriage.

        

In the end, Claire must decide whether her ethereal child is more real and permanent than the foundation of her marriage.  In so doing, Claire's journey to the lighthouse resonates with the voices of women everywhere who simply want to love, and to be loved, even within the cold grasp of tragedy.  Like Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse, a novel more concerned with lyrical introspection than predictable plot points, Finding Lily is a must-read for anyone who has ever pondered the vagaries of human existence--as defined by both men and women". -

Karen E. Peterson, Ph.D., author of WRITE: 10 Days to Overcome Writer's Block

"The author's words paint wonderful pictures as I'm reading. Her characters are very believable. I've never suffered the death of a child, but Claire's handling of her grief makes me feel such empathy for her. Lisa Ellis's descriptions make me feel as though I'm right there at the lighthouse with Claire.  If you like fiction that deals with women's issues, then this would be a great book for you! "- EWF, Barnes & Noble Reviewer

My Review:

Finding Lily is an amazing book. It is hard to imagine how one might react to the imaginable pain of losing a child. I, myself, would be destroyed. The author brought you to the core of Claire's heartbreak with her words. She crafted a well written story that gave the reader the opportunity to become a close friend of Claire, and as that close friend, allowed the reader to suffer through her loss along with her, as well as her healing. 

I think that God helps us heal in a way that only the person grieving can understand. For Claire, that healing came in the form of isolation and time with her daughter, Lily. Finding Lily is also a story of hope, showing us all that time and love can help in easing the pain and moving forward.

Here are a few quotes from the book. The author brings out the humanness in Claire.

"Then I wept and wept in a new, more violent way that I had so far. The crying scared me with its intensity. My tears were ragged and my breath caught in my chest in painful bursts that threatened to suffocate me, and I wanted to break something or throw something or do something that would release some of the tension, but I couldn't stop crying long enough to figure out what, besides Lily's coming back, would help me to feel better."

"Can I get you anything?" he (Jim) asked, unaware of my growing wrath. "Aunt Gwynn made some of your favorite strudel." He gestured to his plate, as though I could've missed it. How in the world could this man be so untouched by Lily's death to stand here eating? I hadn't been able to eat in a few days even though everyone kept pressing food on me."

"All of my energy was focused on the chase, and that prevented me from seeing what the catch would feel like when-and if-I was successful in my attempt. I wonder if all couples experience a similar paradox in their relationships."

"Even though Jim can't quite pinpoint exactly what it is that made him marry me, I think that it was because I was so nice to him, and so persistent, that eventually he realized his life was empty without me in it. Now, though, some of my niceness has died with Lily, and I'm just struggling to survive in her absence. I don't have the strength or the will to coddle him anymore and deal with his moods..."

Finding Lily can be purchased on Amazon:

Disclaimer/Disclosure. I received a complimentary copy of this book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation – monetary or in kind – has been obtained for this post. Cover art, book description, and any excerpts are courtesy of the author, publisher, or PR firm.The views, beliefs, and opinions expressed by guest post authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs, or opinions of My Life. One Story at a Time. My Life. One Story at a Time. is an advertising affiliate with Amazon, a small fee is earned when purchases are made using the above links.

Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker (Excerpt)

In the first book, readers fell in love with Emma Rae and Jackson, and they’ve gotten more acquainted with them in the two books that followed. But now it’s time for the diamond to meet the road as Jackson fields an offer to sell The Tanglewood, a move that will uproot this high-flying family act once and for all. Get reacquainted with all of the lovable and quirky characters from the first three books as your favorite diabetic baker figures out if she’ll achieve her greatest goal of all: Will Emma, at last becomeFINALLY the Bride?

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Sandra D. Bricker

Sandra D. Bricker was an entertainment publicist in Los Angeles for 15+ years. She is now a best-selling, award-winning author of laugh-out-loud fiction for the inspirational market, and the mastermind behind the Another Emma Rae Creation series that started with Always the Baker Never the Bride. As an ovarian cancer survivor, she gears time and effort toward raising awareness and funds for research, diagnostics and a cure.

Visit her Web site at www.SandraDBricker.com  and her blog at http://sandradbricker.blogspot.com.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Book Excerpt:

“A champagne flute of vanilla bean gelato topped tableside with a shot of espresso.”

            “Seriously?”

            “Chocolate chip bread pudding drizzled with warm caramel.”

            “Oh. My.”

            “Tiramisu lady fingers in coffee liqueur and cocoa.”

            Emma balled up the lapel of her jacket in her fist and whimpered. “Jackson. My heart.”

            Jackson leaned toward the waiter and clicked his tongue. “I’m thinking we should just move on to the sugar-free menu. She’s diabetic.”

            “Oh. All right.”

            The gentleman pointed at the other side of the dessert cart as Jackson interrupted. “But I’ll have that bread pudding,” he whispered.

            “Yes, sir. And for the lady, our sugar-free menu includes a warm berry tart with frozen vanilla yogurt.”

            “Oooh!”

            “A red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing sweetened with agave.”

            “You can stop right there,” Jackson told him. “You had her at red velvet.”

            “Not so fast,” she countered, and Jackson’s heart began to thump. “Go on. What else?”

            “Pumpkin spice cake with creamy buttermilk icing.”

            “Oh, that sounds lovely.”

            Perspiration puddled over his top lip, and Jackson wiped it away with his napkin. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “Red velvet is your favorite.”

            “Yes, but I can make my own sugar-free red velvet. The pumpkin sounds—”

            Jackson’s attention darted to the waiter and they shared a lingering exchange before the waiter offered, “The red velvet is our specialty. It comes highly recommended.”

            “Really?” she reconsidered. And by the time she nodded, Jackson’s heart had begun to pound at double-time. “Okay. I’ll try the cupcake.”

            “Very good.”

            “Coffee for me, and a pot of tea for my date, please,” Jackson said, leaning back against the leather booth with a sigh.

            “Are you all right?”

            “Hmm? What do you mean?”

            “I don’t know,” Emma replied. “You seem a little tense tonight.”

            “Oh. No. I don’t know. I guess—”

            Fortunately, the waiter reappeared so that he didn’t have to concoct some lame excuse. He stopped breathing as the waiter set the beautiful red velvet cupcake down in front of Emma. A shiny pink cupcake tin held the confection, and a ring of intricate white chocolate made to look like a crocheted doily surrounded it. The carefully-chosen diamond ring shimmered on top of it, catching the light from the chandelier overhead and reflecting the glint of recognition in Emma’s brown eyes.

She looked up at him, and those spectacular eyes of hers crested into turbulent waves of gold-flecked recognition. Her perfect lips parted, but not a single syllable passed over them. She blinked several times before glancing back at the cupcake, and Jackson knew this was his moment. He slipped from the booth and hit one knee beside her.

            “What…What are you…Jackson?”

            He took her hand and grinned at her.

            “Are you serious?”

            “I’ve never been more serious in my life. You’ve changed me, Emma. You are the center of everything for me. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here, but I can’t even think of living without you. Will you marry me?”

            And with that, she turned her head away from him and began to sniffle.

            “Are you crying?” he asked on a laugh. “Emma, this is not a night for tears.”

            “I can’t help it,” she chuckled, and he watched her struggle to pull herself together. “You’ve really surprised me here.”

            “In a good way, I hope,” he said, and he plucked the ring from the icing and gave it a quick lick.

            “Frankly, I thought the best part of this night was going to be the cupcake.”

            “Emma. Will you give me an answer, please?” he asked, wiping the ring clean with the corner of a napkin. “Before my legs go numb?”

            “Oh. Sorry.”

            He waited. “Is that a yes?”

            A mischievous glint betrayed her amusement. “Can I let you know after I eat the cupcake?”

            Jackson laughed. “I’d kind of like to hear it now, if you don’t mind.”

            “If you insist,” she told him, and she tilted her head slightly and smiled. If he’d been standing, he thought his knees might have gone weak under the weight of that sweet little smile.

“You’re killing me here,” he said with raspy emotion. “But I adore you.”

“You do?”

“Oh, now you’re just messing with me.”

“You really do adore me?”

Jackson sighed, glancing at the floor.

Emma touched his jaw with one finger and nudged his face upward. “Yes, Jackson. I’ll marry you.”

Disclaimer/Disclosure. I received a complimentary copy of this book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation – monetary or in kind – has been obtained for this post. Cover art, book description, and any excerpts are courtesy of the author, publisher, or PR firm. Book Trailers are a free feature. The views, beliefs, and opinions expressed by guest post authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs, or opinions of My Life. One Story at a Time. My Life. One Story at a Time. is an advertising affiliate with Amazon, a small fee is earned when purchases are made using the above links.

Finding Lily by Lisa D. Ellis (Giveaway, Guest Post)

I would like to welcome Lisa D. Ellis. She has written a guest post for our enjoyment and is giving away a copy of her book 'Finding Lily'. 

When her newborn baby Lily dies suddenly, Claire Edwards runs away to live in a lighthouse she had fallen in love with as a young child. The lighthouse is reputed by some to have magical powers, but Claire isn't looking for a miracle. She just wants an escape from her husband Jim's colder way of grieving, and from their apartment filled with the tiny clothes and stuffed animals they had collected over the past few months. But once Claire is situated in the lighthouse, it begins to illuminate things for her in a new way and she's suddenly forced to rethink her views on life, death, and her marriage.

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing  (January 22, 2013)

Category: Women's Fiction, Relationships, a Dash of Supernatural

Tour Dates: Mid May, 2013

Available in: eBook, 180 pages

Lisa Ellis:

Lisa Ellis is a writer whose short fiction has appeared in a number of literary journals and magazines. FINDING LILY is her first novel. She has a master's degree in journalism from Boston University and provides health content regularly for hospitals and websites in New England and the tri-state area.

Lisa's Website: LisaDEllis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisadellisauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaEllisauthor

Q: What drew you to this storyline?

Exploring Life Through Art in FINDING LILY

Lisa D. Ellis

I’ve always loved to read. As a child, I quickly discovered that books were my ticket to different cultures, different periods of time, and even different families. I loved how I could step in and out of these experiences with just a flick of my wrist, opening and closing my favorite books whenever I chose, then returning to the safety of my own world with its familiar pink walls and my chenille bedspread.  Yet even while I slept, images from the storylines still danced in my head.

Over time, reading also fueled my own desire to write. I began crafting short vignettes and quickly progressed to short stories, loving the brevity and neatness of the short form. I liked how I had enough space to explore ideas and situations that interested me, but always with an eye on the inevitable resolution. I enjoyed tying everything up neatly by the time I reached that last, always satisfying, sentence.

It wasn’t until I was a young adult and attended a summer writing program at Columbia University that I felt an urge to stretch myself further by writing my own novel. I attended a seminar with my fellow writing students that featured representatives from some of NYC’s top publishers and literary agents and listened raptly as one of the speakers talked about how every writer has to find his or her own “novel idea.” This concept intrigued me. Even with all of the reading I did, I had never thought about a novel idea, or what mine might look like, or how it would progress. Once the idea settled inside me, though, I couldn’t shake it. The seeds began to grow and I started to view the world differently, now looking for hints or signs of what I should write about in the longer novel form, and why, and what I might learn in the process.

Around this same time period, I frequently visited Nantucket Island. It was only a two-hour ferry ride from my Boston apartment and offered a tranquil alternative to the dusty summer in the city and the slow, humid air that was hard to shake. It was so easy to leave this behind and embrace Nantucket’s cool, crisp air, the water so blue it was almost navy, and the sweet scent of roses and hydrangea that lingered everywhere.

I had also fallen in love with a charming little lighthouse, called the Brant Point Lighthouse, which perched right on the edge of the tiny Brant Point Beach. From the deck of the ferry, I loved to watch the lighthouse grow and expand into sight as we neared the island; then two or three days later I would watch it recede as the ferry pulled away from the wharf, taking me back to my city life. I daydreamed about what the inside of the lighthouse would look like, and who might live there, and why. In true writer’s form, I wasn’t concerned with the reality that the dimensions of the miniscule lighthouse were actually way too small for anyone to live in, or that the lighthouse was automated. Using my creative powers, I expanded the size of the lighthouse in my mind and added a house attached to the light tower, then set about figuring out who would live there and why. This was the birth of FINDING LILY—my novel idea—and of Claire, whom I like to think of as my other, less practical half who spends more time floating in her mind than anchored in her body.

As I began to explore Claire’s character and motivation, I found myself drawn to her relationship with her husband Jim. I was casually dating someone at this time and was constantly challenged by our different emotional styles and the way we approached the world—he with his head and me with my heart—and I wanted to better understand these differences and what they would mean in the course of a marriage and how they would stand up in the real world. While my real relationship ultimately didn’t progress any further, with the characters of Claire and Jim, I had the luxury of taking things to the next step. I also had the chance to see how these emotional differences, which are what drew Claire and Jim together initially, also threatened to tear them apart as they tried to carve out a life together. Claire and Jim’s relationship also inevitably led to the creation of Lily. Of course without her, and without the significant role she plays as the main catalyst for everything else, the rest of the book couldn’t have happened.

Once all of the pieces came together, I began to write and write and write.… The words just flowed and the storyline gracefully unfolded on its own accord. In true Claire fashion, I like to think that perhaps Lily was guiding me to the final resolution. Along the way, I discovered that novels don’t end quite as neatly as my short stories once had, but I also found that the journey of writing a novel, as well as of reading one, can also be much more satisfying. And like Claire, I discovered that Lily might just be everywhere.

* * *

If you would like to win a copy of 'Finding Lily', leave a comment with your name and email. Event open until May 30th. 

Finding Lily can be purchased on Amazon:

Disclaimer/Disclosure. I received a complimentary copy of this book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation – monetary or in kind – has been obtained for this post. Cover art, book description, and any excerpts are courtesy of the author, publisher, or PR firm. The views, beliefs, and opinions expressed by guest post authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs, or opinions of My Life. One Story at a Time. My Life. One Story at a Time. is an advertising affiliate with Amazon, a small fee is earned when purchases are made using the above links.

Romance Book Club by Michelle Hughes Promotion

Join Michelle Hughes, author of the contemporary romance novel, Romance Book Club, as she tours the blogosphere May 10 through May 15 on her first Book Blast with Pump Up Your Book! Michelle will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC/Paypal Cash to one lucky reader! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form on the participating blogs below anytime during the tour and good luck!

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ABOUT ROMANCE BOOK CLUB

A book club, a romance novel, and a group of professional women in Atlanta, Georgia. That might bring to mind a nice enjoyable evening of companionship and fun, but what if the women in question wanted to take things just a step further than the safety of a cozy living room meeting? When Jessie's book club decided to put some real-time research into the background of their latest reading topic, she had no idea it would land her right in the middle of Sensation's Dungeon! Chase Davenport had seen dozens of women walk into his dungeon, curious about what his lifestyle entailed. Never had one ran for the door and looked on in abject horror like a certain petite little brunette. Challenge, that's what he considered when he stared into eyes the color of a Caribbean sea at sunset filled with fear. The sexy club owner fit the description of a sexy alpha male romance character to a tee, and to Jessie that wasn't a compliment. When he offered to give her a tour of his dungeon, and discuss the reality of his lifestyle, she should have ignored the temptation. But how did anyone resist a chance to talk with a man that had a body built for sin and a smile that made her knees tremble? Determined to give the tempting beauty just a little education about his world, he had no idea unlocking her mind would result in his own need to stake his claim. He was a man accustomed to having women beg for his attention, but there was something about Jessie that called out the true alpha in him. Would she be able to accept what he really wanted from her, or walk out his dungeon never to return? It began with a love of reading romance behind the pages of a book... but in the end, reality would show a different world awaited if either of them were willing to take the chance.

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ABOUT MICHELLE HUGHES

Michelle Hughes is an international bestselling independent author. She currently resides in Alabama with her husband and her five children. Hughes began her career in entertainment as a singer and host for a nationally televised satellite talent program and continued to perform across the United States until she decided to move home and start her family.

Hughes owns Tears of Crimson. The website began as role-play and fan fiction base and has since become the home of Tears of Crimson Books. Hughes states her love of writing comes from her muse Rafe, who has given her dreams of fantasy worlds since she was a young girl.

Hughes started reading Harlequin romance books at eight years old, sneaking them from her grandmother. It instilled in her a love of romance that is still with her today. Her grandmother was raised on a cotton farm and only completed a sixth grade education, it was through watching her struggles with reading that Hughes states gave her the love of the written word.

Connect with Michelle!

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Pump Up Your Book and Michelle Hughes are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash!

Here's how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour. This promotion will run from May 10 through May 15. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter and announced on May 16. Each blogger who participates is eligible to enter and win. Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog. If you would like to participate, email Tracee at tgleichner(at)gmail.com. What a great way to not only win this fabulous prize, but to gain followers and comments for your blog, too! Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Romance Book Club Book Blast

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Participating Blogs:

Coming Soon!

If you would like to join this book blast, leave a comment below with email information or email Tracee directly at tgleichner (at) gmail.com.

To Iraq and Back by Jessica Scott (Review)

My name is Jessica Scott. I am a soldier. I am a wife. I am a mother. There are many stories from the Iraq War, but this one is mine. 

In 2009, Army second lieutenant Jessica Scott deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. It was a year of many firsts.

This is the first person journey through a combat tour in Iraq, through being a woman in the army and learning to be an officer in the unforgiving environment of a brigade combat team. This is the journey of a writer, learning to find her voice. This is the journey of a mother, confronting the emotions of leaving her children. This is the story of an inexperienced lieutenant, growing into a leader.

This is the journey as it happened, without commentary.

This is her blog. There are many blogs from the Iraq war, but this one is hers.

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 20, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1481122363
• ISBN-13: 978-1481122368
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)

About Jessica:

Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

Oprah has called her. True story.

Her debut novel BECAUSE OF YOU launched Loveswept, the first Random House digital imprint.

She's written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of OIF/New Dawn and is currently a company commander stationed at Fort Hood.

Most recently, she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.

My Review:

To Iraq and Back is a journal written through out the one year deployment of Jessica Scott. She writes candidly about her time at war, her feelings as a woman in combat and a place of authority,  a mother having to leave her two young children behind, and as a wife of an enlisted man.

Jessica Scott doesn't hold back on speaking her mind about what she is feeling. She spoke of her struggles on being a woman in the military, as well being a wife and mother. She wrote about being an officer and the daily trials she endured. She spoke candidly about her personality and her loyalty, and I wish I had marked the book page where she wrote about stupidity and people slacking on the job and not taking pride and responsibility in their work, because I actually saw myself in her reactions and responses, and her thoughts mirrored my own in most instances. 

Jessica's story may have been written during wartime, but it didn't stop there. To Iraq and Back is a very personal story for Jessica. We, as civilians, often have no idea what goes through the mind of an enlisted person. Jessica wrote about standing at attention while flag draped coffins were loaded on to a transport plane. She was brutally honest in recording her anguish and confusion, and loyalty to her country and fellow combat soldiers. "Remember the fallen. They have names. I never really got it before...I never understood when I would see Vietnam Vets crying at a parade for the Fallen. I felt sad for them, but I didn't understand. 

I didn't understand when I saw an old man at the officer's club wearing his Cav Stetson, just wanting to be around soldiers a little longer. I didn't understand why my Command Sergeant Major lost his mind on a soldier for not shaving. It wasn't about the beard. It was about wearing the uniform with pride, because in these colors, soldiers have died. I started to understand the day we took our first casualty in country. The day we lost a battalion commander and his crew. I started to understand the first day I stood in the Memorial Ceremony and Taps ripped part of my soul out. And I started to understand the day I stood on the tarmac and saluted a flag-draped coffin. It was the first...I walked into the chow hall today, acting like today was any other day. It was decorated in Red, White, and Blue. Alone at the front was a soldier's cross: a Kevlar helmet resting on a rifle, propped up in a pair of empty boots, a pair of dog tags hung around the rifle."

"Today (Memorial Day) I understand that it is not about the flag, or parades, or those of us who are still fighting. Today it is about our fallen brothers and sisters. The ones who gave all for something greater than themselves. Today I understand. And it hurts."

She writes about surrendering control over her children to her parents, and having panic attacks about something happening to her children while she is so far away. Jessica writes about how thankful she is that her mother is caring for her children and doing a great job, because as Jessica says, "trust me, my oldest could piss off the Pope."

She wove humor throughout her story, and in the end, writes of coming home after being away from her family and small children for a year; and the readjustment to "real" life back in the states. 

Jessica writes likes she talks, and at times, the cussing (a habit she is striving to break) flows like volcano lava. 

I have read and enjoyed several non-fiction books by Jessica Scott and found this book no less entertaining and well written. The stories are raw and full of emotion.

"Happiness is dreaming you're already back in Iraq from R&R only to wake up and discover you have ten days left in the States with your kids."

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To purchase To Iraq & Back click the link or book icon below:

Disclaimer/Disclosure. I received a complimentary copy of this book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation – monetary or in kind – has been obtained for this post. Cover art, book description, and any excerpts are courtesy of the author, publisher, or PR firm. Book Trailers are a free feature. All videos are provided by the author who has granted My Life. One Story at a Time. permission to post them on this blog. The views, beliefs, and opinions expressed by guest post authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs, or opinions of My Life. One Story at a Time. My Life. One Story at a Time. is an advertising affiliate with Amazon, a small fee is earned when purchases are made using the above links.