August 2018 Book of the Month
The Vines We Planted
by Joanell Serra
Published by: WiDo Publishing
ISBN-10: 1947966022
ISBN-13: 978-1947966024
SYNOPSIS:
In the heart of the California wine country, secrets seem to grow on the vines that Uriel Macon’s family have tended for generations.
Uriel, the winery’s young widower, steers clear of complicated relationships. He prefers the lonely comfort of his vineyard and his horses, until he is reminded of his love affair with Amanda Scanlon; a relationship that ended when she abruptly left the country years ago under a cloud of mystery.
When Amanda returns to Sonoma because of a family crisis, she tries to mend the broken relationships she left behind. In addition, she seeks the truth about her parents’ complicated history and her own parentage.
But Amanda’s unveiling of the past has devastating consequences. In the midst of California’s beautiful Sonoma Valley, the Scanlon family struggles to overcome harsh realities with dignity and grace.
Both Amanda and Uriel stretch to take care of their families, which are facing immigration issues, marital crises, and loss. While navigating these challenges, the couple must decide if they trust themselves to love again, or to finally let each other go.
A Sonoma local, author Joanell Serra’s debut novel is captivating, poignant, and uplifting, demonstrating how seeds planted long ago continue to grow. Sometimes into a strangling weed, sometimes offering a bountiful harvest.
BIO:
Joanell Serra lives and writes in Sonoma, California. She is also a licensed therapist with a private practice and has worked with non-profits that serve youth and families for over twenty years. She is also the mother to “a small tribe”. All of these experiences give her ample material! Joanell has been writing published and award winning stories and essays for many years. Her debut novel, The Vines We Planted, is set the beautiful valley where the writer lives. Please see her website for upcoming events, interviews and press. http://joanellserraauthor.com/
August 2018 Conversations Book
The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary
by NoNieqa Ramos
Published by: Carolrhoda Lab TM – Lerner Publishing Group
ISBN-10: 1512439762
ISBN-13: 978-1512439762
SYNOPSIS:
Macy’s school officially classifies her as “disturbed,” but Macy isn’t interested in how others define her. She’s got more pressing problems: her mom can’t move off the couch, her dad’s in prison, her brother’s been kidnapped by Child Protective Services, and now her best friend isn’t speaking to her. Writing in a dictionary format, Macy explains the world in her own terms complete with gritty characters and outrageous endeavors. With an honesty that’s both hilarious and fearsome, slowly Macy reveals why she acts out, why she can’t tell her incarcerated father that her mom’s cheating on him, and why her best friend needs protection . . . the kind of protection that involves Macy’s machete.
BIO:
Raised in the Boogie Down Bronx, NoNieqa Ramos is an award-winning educator, literary activist, and writer of “intense” young adult literature. She writes to amplify marginalized voices and to reclaim the lost history, mythology, and poetry of the Latinx community. Carolrhoda Labs released her debut novel THE DISTURBED GIRL’S DICTIONARY February 1st 2018. Her second novel, THE TRUTH IS will be released fall 2019. She is a passionate supporter of the #weneeddiversebooks and #ownvoices movement. On Twitter, she follows @POCinpub @LatinxinPublishing and @LatinxinKidPub. NoNieqa lives with her soulmate, her beloved kiddos, and pet menagerie in Virginia. #DiversityShallSetUsFree #MeToo #EnoughisEnough #Kidlitwomen
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