Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Holding Out for a Zero
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.heatherwardell.com
CITY: Markham
STATE: ON
COUNTRY: Canada
NATIONALITY: Canadian
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Computer teacher, software developer, and author.
AVOCATIONS:Polar bears, clarinet and drums, reading, dyeing her hair, walking, caring for her cat and fish, crocheting, weight lifting.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Heather Wardell has built a career for herself as a writer. She has published over one dozen novels herself throughout the duration of her career.
Holding Out for a Zero and Bad Will Hunting
Holding Out for a Zero is one of Wardell’s novels. It focuses on a protagonist by the name of Valerie, a young woman who is still struggling to process a horrific event she endured when she was a little girl. Her mental health has been severely affected, to the point that she cannot handle situations where she does not have complete control. When she is faced with the possibility of another horrible loss, Valerie copes by taking on a potentially dangerous personal challenge. A contributor to Publishers Weekly remarked that “the author’s authentic voice will prompt chills, chuckles, and empathy.” On the Book Lover in Florida blog, Uma Kayla G. said: “This book was a moving tale of everything that Valerie did to escape her battle with survivor’s guilt.”
Bad Will Hunting follows main character Ashley, who has just finished up with taping a reality television show but finds herself unable to return to her normal life. She can’t help but feel that the producers deliberately framed her within a bad light. These feelings propel her into taking on a quest toward revenge. A writer on the Bloggeretterized website said: “If you’re in the mood for a realistic uplifting story that will shake your life and give you hope, this is the book for you.” They felt that the book is “[a] good read for book clubs or classrooms, as interesting discussions on anger management can surge from this story.”
Stir Until Thoroughly Confused and Everybody's Got a Story
Stir Until Thoroughly Confused follows the life of Mary, who has just been hired to work at a restaurant and hopes to be able to show off her culinary chops. However, she runs into trouble (and maybe something more) in the form of her supervisor. On the I’d So Rather Be Reading blog, one reviewer stated: “I loved the way Wardell develops her characters, especially the way they grow throughout the story.” They concluded: “If you like women’s fiction, romance, or you’re just looking for an emotional read, I would definitely recommend Heather Wardell’s books.”
Everybody’s Got a Story focuses on Alexa, a woman who is still living with the aftermath of a brutal assault committed by her ex-boyfriend. While he has been appropriately punished for his crimes, Alexa struggles to move on with her life and finds herself haunted by pain and fear. However, she finds that one of her colleagues from work may be able to help her pick her life back up. A Michelle’s Book Nook website contributor remarked: “The title of the book is perfectly fitting as every single one of us have a story to tell and Heather Wardell definitely delivered the story here.” On the What Book Is That About blog, Michelle Bowles said: “I liked how she took a tragedy such as the one experienced by Alexa and surrounded it with a story that many women who have gone through similar can not only relate but gain strength from knowing that time heals all wounds.”
Blank Slate Kate and Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo
Blank Slate Kate follows a woman who has suddenly and mysteriously awoken with amnesia. She can no longer remember over a decade of her life, and must put together the missing pieces of her memory. Change the Word blogger Laura Chapman commented: “The story kept me guessing, and I truly did not know until the end how it would turn out.” She added: “I can’t remember the last time I read a book and had so many audible gasps or ‘Oh my Gods.'”
Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo focuses on Candice who, while dealing with marital strife with her husband, finds herself starting to fall all over again for the very first man who ever captured her heart. On the A Million Kindle Books blog, P.S. Karr stated: “Anyone who has been in a troubled relationship can actually empathize with Candice.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, September 4, 2017, review of Holding Out for a Zero, p. 64.
ONLINE
A Million Kindle Books, http://amillionkindlebooks.com/ (May 2, 2014), P.S. Karr, review of Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo.
Bloggeretterized, https://bloggeretterized.wordpress.com/ (May 2, 2015), “Read & Reviewed | Bad Will Hunting by Heather Wardell,” review of Bad Will Hunting.
Book Lover in Florida, https://bookloverfl12.wordpress.com/ (January 10, 2017), Uma Kayla G., review of Holding Out for a Zero.
Change the Word, http://www.change-the-word.com/ (January 25, 2012), Laura Chapman, review of Blank Slate Kate.
Heather Wardell Website, http://heatherwardell.com (May 15, 2018), author profile.
I’d So Rather Be Reading, http://www.idsoratherbereading.com/ (January 1, 2011), review of Stir Until Thoroughly Confused.
Michelle’s Book Nook, http://michellesbooknook.blogspot.com/ (October 25, 2013), review of Everybody’s Got a Story.
My Morning Routine, https://mymorningroutine.com/ (June 18, 2014), author interview.
What Is That Book About, https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/ (June 7, 2014), Michelle Bowles, review of Everybody’s Got A Story.
Want a free monthly story and updates about Heather's books? Copy bit.ly/HW-NL into your browser's address bar to sign up.
Heather is a natural 1200 wpm speed reader and the author of nineteen self-published novels. She came to writing after careers as a software developer and elementary school computer teacher and has no plans to leave it. In her spare time, she reads, walks, lifts weights, crochets, takes care of her aquarium and her cat Trinity, changes her hair colour, and plays drums and clarinet. Generally not all at once.
Heather Wardell
Heather Wardell is the self-published author of fifteen novels, all (in her own words) women’s fiction with depth, humor, and heart. Her first book has been downloaded over 380,000 times.
Recommended: The Willpower Instinct
Heather Wardell
What is your morning routine?
I get up between 6:45-7:15am via the Sleep Cycle iPhone app then get dressed to work from home. (If I have to be out that day I shower at this point.)
I feed the cat (the most consistent part of the routine because she won’t let me forget!), grab a big glass of water, and settle onto the couch with my phone nearby to do my morning pages. The official morning pages concept as put together by Julia Cameron requires three pages of free-form writing, but I set my phone timer for fifteen minutes so I know how long the writing will take. I usually get out any worries I have about the day then either think through what I plan to do or just write about whatever comes up.
After writing, I do a meditation session. I read and loved the book Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Prof Mark Williams and Dr Danny Penman, and I use one or two of the authors’ recorded meditations each morning.
Once I’ve written out anything that’s worrying me and done meditation to make sure I start my day calm and peaceful, I go to the computer and do my daily planning. I check my calendar to see if there’s anything I need to do at a particular time, and then slot in my tasks. My writing or editing, depending on what phase I’m in with my current novel, always gets first priority, and the 10-12 and 3-5 time slots, and I fit in whatever else I have to do around that.
Then I fill in my 5 Minute Journal on my iPhone, listing three things for which I’m grateful and three which would make my day great. It’s a bit of a duplication of my planning, but I have always wanted to journal and this app makes it easy to do. (I also fill it in at night, listing three great things that happened that day and anything I could have done to make the day better.)
When this is done I glance at an online news site to make sure I have a clue of what’s going on in the world, and then it’s breakfast time. After my husband leaves for work I spend a few minutes tidying up so my work environment is nice and then get down to writing!
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
The meditation part has only been included since March but I love it. I do it in the morning and before bed but I’ve found that the principles of it affect every moment of my day. The rest of it has been fairly consistent for several years now, except the 5 Minute Journal which was only released recently.
What time do you go to sleep?
I try to get away from TV and my phone screen at 9:00pm and then relax and read for a while. Ideally I’m in bed around 10:30 but it’s often closer to 11:00pm.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
I do my workouts after lunch because I find I need a boost of energy then and a workout fits the bill. I’m lucky enough to have near-total control over my schedule so I take advantage of it.
I often do at least some of my morning writing session on my treadmill desk (a board laid across the treadmill arms holds my keyboard, and my monitor’s atop a bookshelf in front of me), so that gives me a bit of morning exercise.
Do you see to email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
Never ever in the morning!
I don’t do email or check my social media or anything like that until after 5:00pm or whenever my writing is done for the day. There’s always the risk of seeing something (bad review, angry email) that will put my creative mind into a turmoil and I do not want that to happen. I’ve lost some good writing days in the past to such things and so now I simply ignore all of that until the end of the day. I only check once a day, and that seems to work just fine.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
I love a big glass of water. Sometimes I make tea but usually I just want the fresh cool water.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
Nearly all of it adapts. I bring a notebook for my morning pages and everything else is or can be done on my iPhone so I have everything I need.
Well, I don’t feed the cat on those days, but I can handle that although I’m sure she misses me.
What do you do if you fail to follow your routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
I find that if I don’t do the entire routine I do feel off for the rest of the day. The planning part is absolutely crucial, though. Even though I know what book I’m working on and I know that’ll get the better part of my time, if I feel unsure of what other tasks I’ll be doing I don’t feel comfortable. I like to have it all planned out.
I’m a natural 1200 WPM speed reader (and yes, I know I’m lucky!) Check out what I’ve read this year!
I’m Canadian, but I write in American English (so ‘favorite’ not ‘favourite’).
I’ve been obsessed with polar bears for as long as I can remember. No idea why, but they’re my favoUrite animals!
Writing is my third career – I was a software developer at a major bank and then an elementary-school computer teacher.
I wrote my first book, “Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo“, in 2005, and have been writing full-time since later that year.
In 2013, to celebrate the five year anniversary of “Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo”‘s release, I had the adorable cover bears and moon tattooed on my right arm. (Ask to see it if we meet!)
I love cobalt blue, purple, and teal. I’m rarely seen wearing any other colours.
The hair coloring started as just a little bit at the front and now covers most of my hair. It’s usually, again, some combo of blue/purple/teal. And yes, it’s permanent! My natural hair’s all gray so it holds the dye easily. No bleaching needed!
I love swimming, and also walking and lifting weights. I want to love running but it doesn’t love me back.
I play clarinet and drums with a concert band. Great fun!
I’ve been married since 1995 (no kids) and have a great black cat named Trinity.
I adore my Kindle and much prefer reading electronically to paper (although I do have four bookcases full of print books too!).
And one last thing… I LOVE talking to readers. Please feel free to find me on Facebook or Twitter or email me!
Holding Out for a Zero
Publishers Weekly. 264.36 (Sept. 4, 2017): p64.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Holding Out for a Zero
Heather Wardell. Heather Wardell, $18.95
trade paper (238p) ISBN 978-1-5396-7566-2
Wardell (Safe Harbor?) delivers a riveting book about childhood trauma and the harmful neuroses that can arise from guilt. Thirty-four-year-old Valerie Malloy works as a financial controller for a size zero-to-six fashion designer, and "controller" is an apt description of her personality, as well. Throughout her adulthood, she has obsessively tried to control every tiny aspect of her life, to the point of being callous, even physically brutal, to those around her, including friends and family. Nevertheless, her dry wit and tragic backstory will hook readers. When Valerie was 14, she left a bag of balloons where her little brother could reach them and he choked to death. She has been burdened by guilt and regret ever since. When her sister Gloria is hospitalized, the damage from Valerie's childhood reaches a tormented crescendo: Valerie superstitiously decides that, if she can diet to a size zero, Gloria will not die. This book's message of warning about how unresolved traumas can manifest in devastating ways will appeal to a wide audience, and the author's authentic voice will prompt chills, chuckles, and empathy. (BookLife)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Holding Out for a Zero." Publishers Weekly, 4 Sept. 2017, p. 64. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A505468049/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7990ead7. Accessed 13 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A505468049
Read & Reviewed | Bad Will Hunting by Heather Wardell
02
Saturday
May 2015
Posted by bloggeretterized in iRead, Read & Reviewed ≈ 1 Comment
Tags4 stars, Ange Management, Bad Will Hunting, book review, good read, Heather Wardell, hope, reading, Women Fiction
Bad Will Hunting by Heather Wardell
My rating: 4 of 5
ebook, 224 pages
Series: Seven Exes Book #2
Women Fiction with a Plus
Published November 14th 2014 by Heather Wardell
Available on: Paperback, Kindle
The Review Button by Bloggeretterized
What they say:
Chick Lit Central: “Wardell’s book is well-written and structured, and as I got to know Ashley more, I found myself feeling sorry for her. But the question of whether a protagonist needs to be likeable – especially in first person women’s fiction – is one worth debating, and this is a book that’s worth reading.”
What I have to say:
Bad Will Hunting is the second book I’ve read from author Heather Wardell. And once again I wasn’t disappointed. Last year I read Fifty Million Reasons, Book #13 from her Toronto Series, which I enjoyed reading.
Bad Will Hunting is Book #2 from Wardell’s Seven Exes Series. Even though it’s a sequel, it is written so that it can be a standalone. I haven’t read book #1 (99% off Kindle btw) in this series and I found that there is enough information to fill you in on the first book’s major events. You don’t feel left out or in limbo as to what is happening.
*spoiler* The only thing I would change is the constant reminder of her cousin’s death in the beginning. It was more than constantly mentioned. I know how angry Ashley was because of this event, but as a reader I got it from the first couple of mentions of this. It felt too repetitive to be reading that her cousin died. *end spoiler*
Bad Will Hunting by Heather Wardell Book CoverThe writing is fast paced and it has a very good balance between humor and drama to keep you wanting to read the book until the end. There’s a love story, predictable but a feel good one, a love story you are rooting to happen as you read the book. The characters are relatable, even though because of the background reality TV story, they would appeal more to those 20-30-something year old readers, the story contains valuable advice for adult readers regardless of their age group.
The cover, to tell you the truth, I didn’t like it at first glance. There’s something about the title’s font that I don’t quite like. It feels a little dated in my humble opinion. And that beach and heart in the sand felt to some extent generic. But after comparing it to the cover of the first book in this series, I can see continuity in the book design for this series. After reading the book I can see the story in the cover. So in the end, the cover is approved.
In Bad Will Hunting, we meet Ashley as she comes back from “the island” where she was a contestant in a famous TV dating “reality show”. She didn’t have a swell time on that island, and she felt like she was the production-editing room’s lab rat, as she was portrayed as the crazy angry chic on the show. She was going through major personal dramas when she taped the show, dramas that would’ve explained her reactions on screen but were purposely hidden to the public of the televised show. If you’ve watched those famous dating reality shows of our times you know what I mean.
Ashley is so hurt about this that she’s hungry for revenge on the producers for portraying her so badly. On her flight back home, she meets Will, an attorney who agrees to help her. Ashley trusted this guy but was soon after deceived by him and if that was not enough he goes MIA. This infuriates Ashley even more. As if she didn’t have enough on her emotional plate, Ashley feels she also needs revenge on Will too. And so begins her journey (as they say on those reality shows) to find Will and get her reputation straightened up.
I know a lot of people when they hear or read “reality show” get misled. Don’t be fooled about the reality show-revenge plot or the hunting of “Will” the character plot of this book. This book is so much more than that. It has a depth you wouldn’t expect in a story based on those simple looking premises.
Ashley’s journey is not one of televised twists and empty plots. Ashley’s journey is one of self-discovery, trust, forgiveness, friendship, and love. There is more to Ashley than just an apparently angry empty-headed TV character. Even though in the beginning you might want to slap some sense into her and make her realize how pointless this hunting for Will is, as you read along, you get to bond with Ashley and stop judging her, even when she hits rock bottom. I don’t know about you, but I ended up getting a little therapy with this book.
Bad Will Hunting is a book that gives the reader hope. Hope that in the midst of negativity, there is always a way to find happiness. A good reminder that everything shall pass. It is full of life lessons. We all have been or felt betrayed at some point in our lives. We’ve all felt the need to get back at those who’ve hurt us. I know I have, not to the extent of Ashley but I have. We’ve all learnt to deal with this in different ways.
Bad Will Hunting is an eye opener, a clear example of how in the end, those hunting for bad will, those who seek revenge become blind to the good things in their lives and end up hurting themselves more. It is also a reminder that in order to heal you have to learn to let go. This is the geniality of this book. Even though it starts looking like an empty looking story, Heather Wardell knows how to slowly but constantly introduce real life lessons into the plot so that in the end you are left with a feeling of gratitude for having read the book.
Bad Will Hunting is a good read, one that I would catalog in my “Women’s Fiction with a plus” shelf. This is a perfect read for Spring or Summer. If you’re in the mood for a realistic uplifting story that will shake your life and give you hope, this is the book for you. A good read for book clubs or classrooms, as interesting discussions on anger management can surge from this story.
I feel grateful for the opportunity given to read this book, it is a story that I know I will always remember, and will read again when I need a little reminder of hope in my life. I’m looking forward to book #3 in this series, which is coming out soon this year and other work from Heather Wardell.
Book Review: Stir Until Thoroughly Confused by Heather Wardell
Summary:
Mary's given up everything, including an unsatisfying marriage, to become a chef. But the career comes with a side dish: Kegan, her sexy but controlling new boss.
They're soon in a relationship, and in all-too-frequent arguments, and when it becomes clear they can't work together and be together Mary faces a dilemma: keep her dream job or her dream man?
Heather Wardell writes women's fiction with depth, humor, and heart. She has five novels available now, one for free download and the rest for $0.99. You can read excerpts at http://www.heatherwardell.com
Release Date: January 24, 2011
Age Group: Adult
Source: Author
Buy it for $0.99 here
Review:
I've read and loved all of Heather Wardell's books: Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tatoo, Planning to Live, Go Small or Go Home, and Seven Exes are Eight Too Many. Her women's fiction features strong, independent women who are trying to balance a career, love, and the fulfillment of their personal dreams. Wardell's book are romantic without being smutty, something that I really appreciate. Once I start one of her books, I just cannot stop until I've finished it. It doesn't matter what I have going on, I'm going to sit and read until I finish the book---I have yet to make one of Wardell's books last more than one day.
Stir Until Thoroughly Confused features one of my favorite characters from Wardell's previous books: Kegan the sexy restaurant owner. I've always wondered if Kegan got his happily ever after, especially after his heartbreak in Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tatoo, so I was thrilled when I learned Kegan got his own book. If you're new to Heather Wardell's writing, don't start with this book. It contains cameo appearances by several main characters from her previous books. You'll ruin the ends of several of her other books if you read this one first.
This book is a first person narrative (my favorite) with Mary the self-taught chef as our narrator. She is looking for a job and wants to work at Kegan's new restaurant, Magma. Mary has an indomitable spirit which I really admire. Wardell writes her characters so well that I can easily imagine myself feeling what her characters feel. The book follows Mary in her new career, especially the ups and downs with her new boss. She's forced into a major decision at the end of the book, and that conflict resolution left me guessing the entire time. I loved the way Wardell develops her characters, especially the way they grow throughout the story.
If you like women's fiction, romance, or you're just looking for an emotional read, I would definitely recommend Heather Wardell's books. They are excellent!
Just One Gripe:
The cover did not make me want to read this book. Don't be put off by the cover though---it's Wardell's writing that makes her books so special.
The Best Thing About This Book:
I loved the character growth.
Appropriate for a younger audience:
Probably not.
Score:
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Total Score: 25/25
Friday, October 25, 2013
Review: Everybody's Got a Story by Heather Wardell
Both personally and professionally, Alexa knows all too well the power of words. Two years after her boyfriend Christophe's vicious attack, she's still trying to see herself as more than simply 'his victim', still trying to figure out her own story.
After his trial, she moves from New York City to Toronto in an attempt to start over, but his words cling to her and even in a new country she can't see how to move into relationships with the new people in her life while hiding the secret of Christophe's worst offense.
She can't hide that secret from her coworker Jake, though, because the news buff has recognized her from the coverage of the assault and trial and knows every word she can't bring herself to say about her ordeal.
With Jake's help, can Alexa reclaim her story and her life?
I have a confession to make - This is the first book by Heather Wardell that I have read! (Yes, my head i hanging in shame at that confession.) The synopsis greatly intrigued me and I eagerly turned on the Kindle and started to read this book. I wish I could say that I read it in one sitting, but it took me a couple of days to read this and then it has taken me a few days to write the review. And it is not what you are now imagining - that I didn't like the book. It is completely the opposite as I was so swept up in what was happening that I had to unwrap myself from the powerful writing. Emotionally and physically damaged by an attack from the one man that claimed to love her, I was pulled in immediately by Alexa's story. From Alexa's struggle to just remain anonymous to her victory in finding herself again, this a solid book all the way through. Alexa is someone that I loved getting to know and root for as the book progressed. She exhibits strength through her weakness and the incredible will to overcome and not just be known as a "victim". The title of the book is perfectly fitting as every single one of us have a story to tell and Heather Wardell definitely delivered the story here.
As an aside note - I have corrected my error and have since purchased numerous books by Heather and am anxious to get started on them.
Author Bio:
Growing up, I was an avid (rabid?) reader. I am a natural speed reader, regularly clocked at about 1200 wpm (I read Harry Potter 5 in just under three hours), and always have several books on the go, nearly all in e-book form on my Kindle.
I have always made up stories in my head, but never considered becoming a writer. Instead, I intended to be a high school music teacher. I was sidetracked by my enjoyment of my psychology courses in university, and ended up with a psychology degree with a concentration in computer science.
This took me to a major Canadian bank as a software developer. I stayed there for just over four years, and then went back to school to become an elementary school teacher. After four years teaching elementary school computer science, I took up the National Novel Writing Month challenge and attempted to write a novel in a month.
I succeeded, and the first draft of "Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo" was the result. I realized I love writing. I left teaching, and I haven't looked back since!
In my non-writing time, I read, run, swim, crochet, take care of my 55 gallon aquarium and my cat Trinity, and play drums and clarinet. Generally not all at once.
#REVIEW – HOLDING OUT FOR A ZERO BY HEATHER WARDELL
January 10, 2017
5 Stars
amazon-com 8092c-goodreads
Review
WOW! This book was a moving tale of everything that Valerie did to escape her battle with survivor’s guilt. What a different (and heavy) topic to touch on, which left me wanting to keep reading. The subtle touches of romance added flavor to the main story line. The most important reminder is that until someone realizes they need help, all help offered will go through one ear and out the other.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
Synopsis
“I’m doing the right thing, not feeding myself. It’s the only thing I can do, so I will do it. Gloria can somehow have the energy I don’t take in, and it will help her stay alive.”
Twenty years ago, fourteen-year-old Valerie rushed off for lunch with her boyfriend instead of properly putting away a packet of balloons, and her little brother choked to death on his third birthday. In response, Valerie locked down every aspect of her life so she could never lose control like that again, and she’s still doing that today.
So when her sister Gloria is found comatose after an apparently random attack, Valerie is desperate to do something, anything, to save her only remaining sibling. But as a financial controller for a “nothing bigger than a size six” fashion designer, she has no medical background and no idea of how to help. But she has to find a way.
Since Gloria has always wanted to be a size zero, Valerie hits on food as the answer: by eating less, she will lose the weight Gloria now can’t and somehow save her sister that way. But when “eating less” turns into a frantic starvation diet to reach size zero before Gloria dies, will Valerie’s self control save her sister or destroy her own life?
MeetTheAuthor
Heather is a natural 1200 wpm speed reader and the author of nineteen self-published novels. She came to writing after careers as a software developer and elementary school computer teacher and has no plans to leave it. In her spare time, she reads, walks, lifts weights, crochets, takes care of her aquarium and her cat Trinity, changes her hair colour, and plays drums and clarinet.Links
http://heatherwardell.com/
https://www.facebook.com/heather.wardell.author
https://twitter.com/heatherwardell
Review: Everybody's Got A Story by Heather Wardell
Michelle Bowles June 7, 2014
Summary
Both personally and professionally, Alexa knows all too well the power of words. Two years after her boyfriend Christophe's vicious attack, she's still trying to see herself as more than simply 'his victim', still trying to figure out her own story.After his trial, she moves from New York City to Toronto in an attempt to start over, but his words cling to her and even in a new country she can't see how to move into relationships with the new people in her life while hiding the secret of Christophe's worst offense.
She can't hide that secret from her coworker Jake, though, because the news buff has recognized her from the coverage of the assault and trial and knows every word she can't bring herself to say about her ordeal.
With Jake's help, can Alexa reclaim her story and her life?
Review
When you go through something traumatic, depending on the type of person you are, it may take a while to "get over" your pain. Not everyone can just heal instantaneously or just roll it off as if it never happened. For many, especially women, the burden of being victimized grasps uphold of any progress you try to make going forward. The attempts of living life without fear, establishing new relationships, reclaiming your self worth and esteem can leave you guarded without hope. Sometimes all we need is the chance to start over. Everybody's Got A Story is exactly that. It is a a young woman's journey finding the courage to start over and try to mend the broken pieces that left her physically and emotionally scared.
The story begins with a young woman, Alexa, who was in a relationship with a guy named Christophe. The unthinkable happened one day when he brutally attacked her changing her life forever. Two years later, awaiting his trial, Alexa no longer being able to take the burdens placed upon her life, uproots herself for a new start. Transferring to another division of her job, she knew that her boss would be the only person that knew about her story. Her sense of security was broken when her news buff co worker recognized her from the news coverage along with a shocking admission that made her face and deal with what she was trying to run away from. It is from that moment on, we see her journey begin.
I really enjoyed this book. It had an easy going pace that kept your interest throughout. The author has a real gift in storytelling from the human experience. I liked how she took a tragedy such as the one experienced by Alexa and surrounded it with a story that many women who have gone through similar can not only relate but gain strength from knowing that time heals all wounds. Many times you are left without closure and as you read throughout the story, it can eat away at you, haunt you and cripple your life. The hardest and most challenging is to find a way to move on and relive when you feel so broken.
As we are introduced to other characters, each represents something to Alexa that enhanced her journey within the story. With her individual relationships with them, you get drawn into her world and inspired through her courage to push through all that was emotionally holding her back. You feel like you are going through her experience with her. Her journey to regain trust, friendships, relationships and herself is one that makes the reader root for her all the way.
There is so much more to this story that you will definitely enjoy but I'm not going to be the one to spoil it for you. This is definitely the gal who you will not only will be rooting for her happiness but will be inspired by her courageous drive to regain her life and not be a victim anymore.
Reviewed by Michelle Bowles
January 25, 2012
book review: blank slate kate
In Heather Wardell's Blank Slate Kate, the main character wakes up naked next to a man she does not know. To complicate matters more, she realizes she is 32 — even though her last memories are of being 17.
Calling herself Kate, the protagonist begins the challenging, frustrating and suspenseful journey of finding out who she is and what happened to the past 15 years of her life. Along the way, she must reconcile whether or not she wants to be the person of her past or forge a new future.
It's hard to say much about this book without giving what I consider key plot elements. Every word from beginning to end drove the story forward. The story kept me guessing, and I truly did not know until the end how it would turn out. I can't remember the last time I read a book and had so many audible gasps or "Oh my Gods."
Wardell crafted the story well, which constantly drew emotions ranging from laughter (such as her astonishment of the boy band craze to sweep the world in the late 90s) and sadness (as she faces tragedies that happened such as 9/11 and Columbine).
Like the title suggests, Kate is virtually a blank slate. Yet, I found her relatable, quite a feat considering I've never suffered amnesia. Initially, the only thing I thought I had in common with her was a mutual love for iPhones. (I have two — one for work and one for personal, and I in no way find that excessive.) As the story progressed, though, Kate's less relatable issue (amnesia) grows to include ones readers can identify with (desire to appear perfect while overcoming personal demons).
The supporting cast, including her family and friends also added to the suspense. Up until more than halfway through the book, I can say I did not know if I preferred her romantic figure from the past or the prospect form her present. Much like Kate, one minute I would find myself rooting for the new guy, then the next cheering on Mr. Past. (Lucky girl: two studly prospects? No fair.) Then I'd decide I hated them both, and something else would happen, and I'd be torn again.
All of this combined kept the story fast-paced. I devoured the book in one evening, and basically forced myself to put it down long enough to eat dinner.
My only issue with the book? The fact that it made me realize I may have some deep issues to deal with, because I apparently like books and movies where the main characters sustain memory loss (i.e. Sophie Kinsella's Remember Me? and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).
Actually, having mentioned both of those stories, I saw a parallel in the theme: your heart does not always forget even if your mind does. That's a powerful thought right there.
This was the first of Wardell's books that I have read, but I know it will not be my last. I'm also going to go ahead and break out this rating for the first time in 2012 (so forgive the dust)...
Rating: 5 of 5
Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo by Heather Wardell: Book Review
May 2, 2014 by P S Karr
Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo might seem like a long title, and an unusual one. But the story it tells is quite profound. Heather Wardell won my heart with her book Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many. And she has done it all over again with this book.
I have had this book on my Kindle for a while. And I also have Fifty Million Reasons which is from the same series. In Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo, we meet Candice who lives and works in the Toronto area. She is married to Ian who is a carpenter. As the story begins, Candice sees Ian off at the airport as he leaves for a month long trip to Bangladesh.
Life Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo
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We learn that all is not well with the couple. Ian and Candice had been married only for a year when their wedded bliss was rudely interrupted. Ian’s parents are killed in a crash while trying to buy a Christmas present for Candice. Candice has a polar bear fetish and the polar bear rug they bought is now gathering dust in her basement. Grief struck, Ian said some harsh words and their relationship has not been the same even though a year has passed.
Candice works for an interior designer and just as she sees Ian off, she comes face to face with her new client at the office – none other than her ex boyfriend from college. Kegan is as polished and handsome as ever. He insists on working with ‘Candy’ as he calls her and it doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly and the old flame to be rekindled.
As Ian writes only sporadically instead of the promised daily email, Candice is dragged further into temptation. She genuinely likes Kegan and a part of her still loves him. Kegan makes his feelings clear with his overtures. Larissa, her old friend, is not pleased with this and tries to warn Candice.
Among all the chaos, Candice comes across a polar bear she has been dreaming of for ever. No, not in person, but in picture form at a tattoo parlor. It is standing on an ice floe staring at the moon. Everyone tells Candice she is not the type to get a tattoo, but she is not sure of anything anymore.
Anyone who has been in a troubled relationship can actually empathize with Candice. And the lure of first love? Has anyone been able to completely forget it? What would you do if you were uncertain of your future and came face to face with the one that got away? This is the dilemma Candice faces.
The story is arranged like a diary for every day that Ian is away. What does Candice finally do? And will it allow her to be happy in life? Read Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo to find out!