DonnaJeanBooks.com

2009-04-01T10:27:00.002-04:00

Professional Reviews for If Mama Were Here

The best part about this book is the author—and her story. She took a topic, a very difficult and personal one to write about—the death of her mother at a young age, and turned it into a page-turner. I was literally weeping at parts, especially it’s conclusion, where she finally writes to her mother and finds peace… It’s very sad, but she infused a lot of humor and real life into it, so it never seemed overdone or a burden to read.

Writer’s Digest

I would hope that if there are people who are dealing with terrible problems right now and feel that they will never get over their sorrow, that they will consider reading this book. Even if you wish to read an inspiring story, this may very well be the book for you.

Marquette Mining Journal

Professional Reviews for Faded Genes

I still like the author’s voice. It is strong and she commands the story telling role quite well. There is a lot to tell. The story of her father, her brothers and sisters and how they survived—without a mother and being so poor is still amazing—even in book 2. It was touching—again—right up to the end.

Writer’s Digest

This is a story of a growing up in a bath by fire, and coming out learning from the experience. I’d think not only grief-counseling groups would be interested, but AA groups would embrace it, children of AA groups, and people who’ve been molested and /or sexually harassed would also be attracted to its story of rising out of the ashes. It is somewhat reminiscent of Cheaper By the Dozen but without the comic adventures.
New York Book Festival/JM Northern Media LLC

“Every day of that first year after my mother’s death was January ninth for me,” Donna Jean shares. She is caught in the middle of her many siblings, she struggles with the trauma of losing a mother and the destitution of her family while witnessing her over-burdened father valiantly trying to keep his children together…The memoir, Faded Genes, reminds us our past is only a small part of whom we are and that those who came before us were also, many times, victims of circumstances.

Midwest Book Review

2009-02-17T16:32:00.001-05:00

Synopsis for "Faded Genes:Memories of a Motherless Daughter

2009-02-17T16:21:00.003-05:00

For most, childhood is a carefree time. But for Donna Jean, childhood is
anything but carefree. Her mother dies in childbirth in 1961, leaving seven-year-
old Donna Jean and her 10 brothers and sisters to be raised in poverty by
their overwhelmed father. Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she
and her siblings struggle to overcome their grief. Donna Jean vows never to
have children of her own, fearful that her strong resemblance to her mother
means that she, too, will die in childbirth.

This portrait of her journey from grief-stricken child to wife and eventually
mother is profoundly moving. Whether or not you've dealt with loss,
Donna Jean’s story will strike a chord within you.
Faded Genes: Memories of a Motherless Daughter is the second volume
in Donna Jean’s tale, following If Mama Were Here: Living Without Mama.

Attention bloggers!

2009-02-17T13:51:00.003-05:00

Please keep my books in mind when thinking of gifts for your loved ones. I have received thousands of beautiful comments so I can safely say that my books will also be a hit with your family and friends. They are available right from this blog or from my website at www.donnajeanbooks.com.

Synopsis to "If Mama Were Here: Living Without Mama"

2009-02-17T13:27:00.004-05:00

When her mother dies during childbirth, seven-year-old Donna Jean tries to understand where her mother has gone while her father struggles to raise his eleven children, seven of whom are under the age of nine. This struggle is made worse by the poverty pervading their home and the State's insistence that the younger children be placed with other families. Determined not to let his family be broken up and the mourning the untimely death of his wife, he tries his hardest to keep Donna Jean and her siblings in line. However, like Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables, Donna Jean has a talent for making mischief.

Told in retrospect while, as an adult, Donna Jean attends a grief workshop to try to deal with the lingering pain of her mother's death. This poignant story will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

If Mama Were Here: Living Without Mama is the first volume in Donna Jean's tale. It is followed by Faded Genes: Memories of a Motherless Daughter.

Book Reviews

2009-02-17T10:31:00.003-05:00

If Mama Were Here: Living Without Mama
"If Mama Were Here brought tears to my eyes and hope to my heart. Donna Jean’s haunting memories of her childhood will serve as an inspiration to her readers. Her warm family memories after the death of her mother poignantly demonstrate the depth of family love and commitment. Life was not easy but Donna Jean’s irresistible optimism can serve as a benchmark for everyone."
— Ruth Ann Ritter, English/Literature Teacher

"What I expected when reading this book was a moving grief-walk, opening into a new life filled with hope and joy. What I didn’t expect were the unusually vivid characters that distinguish the book. Even days later, I found myself in a quiet room with them, learning lessons, sharing life stories. This journey, a walk with faith, hope and love, is well-worth the time."
— Norma J. Kulas, Author

"Thank you so much for the gift of your book If Mama Were Here. I read it on the flight back home and even though I was tired and could have used a nap, I absolutely couldn’t put your book down. It was sweet and sad and everything a good book should be. I especially love the way you use the little girl voice...it comes across so genuine and real and I really felt I got inside that little girl mind and saw things as she saw them...a most inspiritational book."
— Eileen Malone, Author, San Fransico, Calif.

"Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with this book...it was so different from anything I have ever read. I cried and laughed so hard and read it in two days, could not put it down. It was a joy to meet you and I can’t wait for your next book Faded Genes."
— Jan Wojcik, Pulaski, Wis.

"I just finished reading your book and had to write and congrarulate you. I am your age and one of those women who is addicted to reading anything I can get my hands on! I grew up hearing, "Mary Jane, get your nose out of that book and get the dishes done, Mary Jane, put the book down and watch where you are walking..." but I have never read as poignant a story as you have written. You have changed my whole way of thinking when it comes to compassion and tenderness with people. I will forever think of you when I feel too awkward to give a sad child a hug, or lend an ear to a person in distress. Thank you for that!"
— Mary Depuydt, Well, Mich.

New Year, New Book

2009-01-05T14:24:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, here it goes, me trying to get into the world of blogging. I always thought that I should have been born during the Puritan age. Now that I'm trying to figure this hi-tech stuff out, I know I should have. Thanks to my daughter-in-law, Lindsey, she got me a good start after my nephew-in-law, Greg, truly a whiz at computer design and all, got the blog off and running.

I'm an author, so I must warn you that I've been known to ramble on and on. Without my editor by my side, I shall try my best to write these blogs coherently. My mother's family was French, so I inherited some of her slang. I've been known to say things backwards like, "Throw me down my coat, the stairs." So bare with me.

My hope is that blogging will help me promote my books. Maybe someone out there will deem them worthy of a birthday, holiday or a "just because" gift for a loved one. I'm a dreamer, a creator, a goals setter, and so I envision myself someday doing a public reading for a First Man, or better yet, the President herself, but first I must get my books widespread. I was told blogging will help. So I'm giving it a try.

I have the first two books of my memoir trilogy published, and they are doing quite well. My life story is about growing up motherless in a family of eleven children. My dad had his hands full, six girls and a newborn little boy were under the ages of nine. To read the first chapters of my books just log onto my web site at http://www.donnajeanbooks.com. Stay tuned in for excerpts from time to time, and also about what my next book is about.

Until my next blogging entry, I hope you all have a wonderful life.

Love you a sky full,
Donna Jean Pomeroy