Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Mesu Andrews | The Many Colors of Mother-Daughter Relationships
Author Guest / May 8, 2019

In my recent release, Of Fire and Lions, I explore the biblical story of Daniel, who was exiled to Babylon. Remember the guy thrown into the lions’ den who escaped unharmed? Because the Hebrew Bible usually records only male descendants and Daniel has no recorded offspring, this novel gives Daniel only daughters. Five, actually; and a significant part of the story involves his fictional wife’s strained relationship with them. Why add a seemingly insignificant conflict when the story already includes Daniel saved from lions, three men’s escape from a fiery execution, a king’s transformation into a beast, and a wealthy nobleman’s rescue of a lovely woman from a degrading priesthood? Because the emotional struggle between a mother or daughter affects about half the women I meet—and I have two daughters of my own. The moment they slipped squalling from my body, they’ve been a conundrum. They’re like yin and yang. Black and white. Completely opposite yet best friends. But it hasn’t always been that way… At first, daughters seem a kaleidoscope of colors—impossible to sort out for a young mom. “Why is she crying? Why won’t she sleep? My daughter won’t share—will she ever have friends? She did WHAT to…

Sandi Shilhanek | Thank you Mother
Sundays with Sandi / May 10, 2009

When I sat down to write this blog I really wanted to write something that would honor the connections between books and mothers. My first instinct was to talk about some books were mothers where featured prominently such as Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinksy, but then I worried that you as readers of the blog would want to know some impression I had from the book and while I read it and can remember totally loving it, I can’t remember anything else about it, and felt that was cheating. So now I think that I’m going to take this opportunity to publicly thank my mom, Betty for fostering my love of reading. Growing up there were things I didn’t want to do such as wearing my glasses, taking various meds when ill, doing my math homework if I did these things for a specified period of time I would get a new book. What a wonderful treat! So with the thought of honoring a special woman in your life is there someone who helped to foster your love of reading? How did they do that? If you can’t recall a special woman who fostered your love of reading, is…