New book release: Sonya's Summer of Solitude

The idea started with a photo snapped by my sister, grew with notes typed up. Now, multiple drafts later, the manuscript is complete, the finishing touches in place, and Sonya's Summer of Solitude is a self-published middle grade novel ready for the world.

When I published Of Snow Forts and Santa in 2019, I figured the book to be a one-off in the middle grade/youth novel genre. Little did I know I would find such great inspiration in the above photo. Inspiration to write another novel, focusing on a different character, and switching seasons. Then, this turned into a goal to publish four books in this realm, one for each kid character in the book, and one for each season of the year.

The true inspiration, of course, is writing something for my three nieces and nephew.

Work on this has been gratifying, bringing forth memories of my own youth and own stories and memories shared with my siblings. I am glad to finally share this book with the world, and my hope is that you will enjoy it too.

Sonya's Summer of Solitude is available to purchase in paperback ($13.99) or to download ($3.27). Intended for a middle grade audience, the book is perfect for ages 10+. Like with Of Snow Forts and Santa, the book is also a great read for not only the young, but the young at heart.

Thank you for your support and spreading the word. Happy reading!

Swimming lessons, vacation, parties, and fireworks, plus swing sets, movies, and the park mean endless days of summer fun and exploration. All just the beginning for eight-year-old Sonya, who seeks to forget about school while taking advantage of summer break.

Topping her list of goals is spending valuable time with the family's newest addition: chickens.

Standing in the way of Sonya's summer solitude is a wide array of obstacles. An irritating older brother.  A younger sister bent on destruction.  Big sister Lee, who looks out for Sonya, but more and more is on a path of figuring out her own life. And there is Peter, whom Sonya is forced to play with, when all she'd rather do is find her own fun away from the pesky boy.

In this follow-up to Of Snow Fort and Santa (2019), little sister Sonya takes the reins.  Growing up as the younger middle child of four, Sonya looks to carve out her own role in the family, finding out what family and friends truly mean to her along the way.